Chapter 40 CHAPTER 40

Chapter 40 CHAPTER 40
Sera

The next three days passed quickly, without any incidents.

No one got poisoned. I didn't sneak into anyone's room—very proud— and Dante was recovering well, and he did not mention, or confront me about the diary.

My next feedings were with Dante and Lucian, and they were both disappointing, with little drama. Dante's was the night I returned the diary and I bit my lips in anticipation, waiting for him to say something about the fact that I snooped and took something in his room.

Instead, he just drank a bit, and then, grunted, "No thanks."

Lucian's followed two days after and his room was somewhat colder. He just drank a little and asked me to leave saying he was busy. Plus, he was helping me preserve my strength for the ball.

Which is why I was lost in thought right now, an entire day later, Lucian's words still playing in my mind. What did he mean I needed to keep my strength for the ball? Was a ball not meant for dancing and talking to people? Did that require much strength?

The faint hint of amusement was what scared me. It was Lucian, he never cracked jokes. If Dante had told me that, I would have laughed but the cold king?

"Ouch," I suddenly hissed in pain, all my thoughts scattering away. Morgause's face turned red. "Sorry," she apologized. "It has to be tight."

I rolled as she held my hair higher and tighter than it had ever been. "The tension will lift your face up, and smoothen all these lines from your scowling," Morgauuse teased.

"If you pulled it any tighter, you might just send me to the infirmary instead of the ball," I chuckled.

The door opened and Stella walked in. Somehow, even though she wasn't going, she was more excited than I was. "The make-up artist has arrived," she announced giddily.

"Make up?" I asked. "Is that not a bit excessive?"

"Don't you worry," Morgause waved my concerns away. "It barely makes a dent in the kings’ expenses. You should enjoy it all, they are very wealthy."

Hiring a make up artist. Wow. "Okay."

Stella bowed and opened the door, returning back with three ladies. The one in front has a small metal box in her hand, and she dipped her head low, and started arranging the things.

Soon, she was working on my face, applying a cool serum, while the two assistants that came with her were focused on my hands and feet.

It felt...amazing. I relaxed, closing my eyes as I let them work their magic, feeling pampered. This must be why vampires loved money, to be able to afford being treated like this.

"We're done," the lady announced. Everything took about thirty minutes, and I felt much better. The women began packing their stuff and I turned, facing the new vanity mirror that had been installed earlier in my room today.

I could barely recognize the girl in the mirror. My hair was up, in a full bum with soft curls sweeping across my face. My lashes were longer than ever, stretched from the mascara and my lips were painted red.

I looked...breathtaking. Oh if only Elena could see me like this.

My chest tightened. My sister. She might be dead and never have the chance to look as beautiful as this.

I closed my eyes, silently reminding myself of my goal tonight. Finally, it was time for phase one.

"Stand up," Morgause said. I got up and stepped into the gown and then turned around. The red lace made my skin pop, and Morgause grabbed the ropes, dragging it so the corset cinched around my waist.

I touched the material in awe, at the same time she dragged the lace tighter, knocking the air out of me.

"Ohhh," I gasped, stumbling forward as the door opened. I watched Ivan Star at me in horror, then she started to laugh.

Ivana was laughing at me. "Ivana," I whipped my head backwards in shock, piano ricocheting in my neck.

Her face settled back to normal, quickly composing herself. "The guests have begun to arrive," she said, clearing her throat.

"Thank—"

She scurried out of the room like she was one fire, not even giving me a chance to thank her.

"All right," Moraguse breathes to herself, straightening the gown. "You are ready."

I looked at myself in the mirror again. "Wow."

"Indeed wow," she said. The jewelry she had picked out for me was pure red rubies, more expensive than anything I had ever owned. Everything was so beautiful, including the little beads interwoven in my hair, the reflection of it making tiny sparkles in it.

"Now listen to me," Mirgause said, her tone serious. "You must act like a lady tonight. Chin up at all times. Your gaze forward, never to the ground. You are a catalyst,Sera, about to walk into a room full of predators. You can not appear timid, understand?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Good. Now you must curtsy when greeting all the guests, even if they offer you a handshake. You should have a soft polite smile on your face, like you're welcoming, but not too welcoming."

Shit, so many rules.

"And when you get to the ball room, do not enter alone. Wait for a king to take you in," she continued.

"How will I know which king to pick?" I asked. "Well, you don't decide. Whoever approaches you first, you go with him," she said in a matter of fact tone.

My heart bubbled in my chest, the corset almost lifting it out along with my cleavage. Finally, the ball was happening and I could hardly believe it. It had felt like a long, slow dream and finally, it was here.

Someone knocked on the door and opened it. "Are you ready?" Althea asked, peeking in.
"Come in," I replied.

She walked into the room and her eyes widened. "Oh goddess," she breathed, looking at me. "My my, you will definitely be the center of attention tonight."

I blushed deeply, my face turning almost as red as the dress. Somehow, I agreed with her, but I doubted it would be enough to capture all three kings' attention.

Still, I had never looked nicer than this before.

"Thank you so much," I said, turning to the two women admiring me. "Can I have a moment alone, before I come out."

"Certainly," Althea said. She grabbed Mirgause by the arm and pulled her out, closing the door behind.

I waited, then walked to the wardrobe. It took me a while, but my hand finally circled around the small vial of vervain Dante had given me.

Okay, I thought, this was it.

I opened it and drank half, the sweet taste pouring down my throat. Hopefully, that would be enough to make sure I don't get compelled.

I go to place it then pause. It would be tricky, but I might need this for tonight. Instead, I pushed the vial in-between my breasts, safely there.

"Okay," I turned around my room, going to the other side. Beneath my pillow, my silver dagger was there, and I picked it and placed it in my garter, underneath the dress.

Finally, I was ready.

I sucked in a deep breath and opened the door. Two guards were standing there, their uniforms different. Tonight, they wore a gold like shirt, with white trousers and hats on their head, looking more regal than ever.

"My Lady," one bowed slightly. I curtsied back at him, practicing. He gestures for me to follow him, and I did.

Even the castle was different tonight. Everything was so bright, lights glowing and music softly travelling in the air. The air smelt like roses and vanilla, the entire place brighter than ever.

I followed the guards quietly, struck with awe till we reached a set of large doors. The guard I front glanced at me briefly, then he opened it, and stepped away.

I froze.

The room was filled with people. Dozens of them, all holding glasses and talking and I knew more than half of them were vampires.

What was worse, was the fact that all their eyes were somehow trained on me now.
Shit.

I scanned the room quickly. The familiar platinum blonde hair I knew to be Lucian, the tall, bulky form of Caspian and Dante's laughter was all missing.

None of them were inside here, yet everyone seemed to be waiting for me to enter.

What should I do? What should I do?

Morgause's words rang in my head. I had to stay here and wait for one of them. But what if they were not here yet? Should I ignore what she said, and go in alone?

After staring at the crowd, I cursed underneath my breath. I stood straighter, keeping my eye level straight and took a step forward.

Suddenly, there's a cool tingle in my spine. The air seemed cooler, like someone opened a window and let a cold draft in.

I saw a blur sweep past people in the ballroom, heading past me.

I turned around in shock, as I faced the three kings.

Each of them stood tall behind me. Their hair was all straight tonight, like Lucian and they wore extremely fancy coats.

More importantly, all three of their hands were stretched out at me.

I stared at them in horror, realizing I didn't know who got here first, so I had to pick one of them, even as all the vampires behind me watched.

I was truly in shit now.