The door suddenly burst open. And instead of hearing Claire's voice, the two of them heard a deep baritone voice coming from an unknown direction.
"Can I join your small tea session?"
Turning her head to the direction of the door, Hena saw an orange haired, red-eyed woman. She exuded great deal of elegance and extreme superiority with the way how she slightly raised her chin with her arms crossed. Wearing a red lacey dress that showed off her neckline, she appeared proud and confident.
She was daughter of a high-ranked minister of the East Kingdom.
"Why do you guys look so surprised?" asked the orange-haired vampire. She pointed her index finger to Mark. "Especially you, why does it look like you were caught doing something wrong?"
Mark nervously laughed, "It's just that we did not expect to see you here."
"I am Natalia Arnone. I have the power to invite myself in this tea session whether you like it or not, aren't I right?" Her eyes twinkled as a response. "My rank is higher than the two of you here."
They fell silent. What she said was true.
"I was just wondering where the royal knight has gone and he's here with a no-name, so-called wife by Prince Luka."
"Madam!" Mark stood up, slightly bowing his head towards the woman. "Please watch your words. Even if you're a noble vampire, you can't just address the prince's wife with those words."
"Pfft. Hahaha!"
"Madam,"
Instead of having a stoic facial expression, the woman stifled a laugh and said, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be that rude to the princess of the North Kingdom." She paused for a while and then smirked, "Or shall I say, the former princess of the North Kingdom."
Now, this woman had already pulled a nerve on Hena. As of now, even if she had become powerless and stripped off of her position, she is and will always be the princess of the North Kingdom.
Hena knew that this woman came here to provoke her and see her reaction. And instead of giving her what she wanted, she refused to do it. She breathily exhaled and spoke, "Milady. Your rank appeared to be higher than the ranks of the two of us combined but the way you speak and act seem lower than that of a crazy dog barking at the wrong tree."
"What did you say?!"
"You're not only rude but you seem to be deaf as well, milady." Hena sharply commented. "You're young and rich, I think you should spend more money for yourself."
Natalia stormed her feet and stood right in front of Hena, her face was already flushed from embarrassment and anger combined. She crossed her arms and shifted her weight on her right foot.
Without any words, Natalia grabbed Hena's hair with her right hand, making her face her. The knight became worried but became frozen on the spot. He knew it too well. He was in no place to get in between the two women's fight.
Instead of feeling the pain on her head, Hena slowly blinked her eyes and snorted. The corner of her lips curled up even more.
"You're laughing?" Natalia's grip on Hena's hair tightened. Her eyes flashed in anger as she continued, "You dare to laugh at me? You're just a lowly human being."
No one had ever dared to treat her like this. Hena had been born as a royal princess of noble blood. But even if she was the future ruler of the North Kingdom, she had never belittled anyone like this.
The anger had already been built up. Inhaling deeply, Hena breathed out all of the frustrations she felt. She fixed her stare at Natalia's eyes. She could feel something in her.
All of a sudden, she wanted to unleash her inner self.
Hena's eyes flashed in red, she could feel the acquired strength she had in her hands. She raised her left hand and held Natalia's wrist, now glaring at her. The playful vibe she had expressed earlier was now gone.
The atmosphere had turned cold. Natalia had been frozen on the spot the moment Hena's grip on her wrist had tightened. For some reason, the proud, confident and cocky daughter of a high ranking minister had already disappeared.
"L-Let go of me!" Natalia moved her wrist, letting go of Hena's hair in the process. "You pesky human, let go of me!"
The former princess of the North Kingdom smiled. She calmly raised her brows and said, "A lowly human being. I have never been one, Natalia."
"Tsk!" Natalia clicked her tongue. "A mere human like you won't be of no match to a vampire's strength, not unless…" she trailed off, wriggling herself from Hena's grasp. "Not unless…"
Hena had decided to tighten her grip on Natalia and threw her to the side. Her incredible strength had no much for her that Natalia ended up being thrown to the floor.
She turned and looked at Hena in disbelief. Natalia never expected to be toyed around by a mere human being.
No.
Just by the enormous strength the former princess of the North Kingdom had, there was no way that she was just a mere human being. Her assumption about her was wrong.
She had to blame her lack of awareness, just because Hena's scent as a human was strong, did not mean that she was one as well.
Natalia had already heard about Prince Luka acquiring her as his wife, but she never expected that the prince had already drank her blood.
It was unexpected.
The prince never seemed like he was interested in acquiring a human to be his partner or provider. He was never interested in having good sexual relationship with the powerful noble vampires in the East Kingdom as well.
Why on Earth did he have to lower his standards and get a refugee from the North Kingdom?
"I'll forgive you, just this once." Hena remarked, stared at Natalia like she was some bug who deserved to be stomped on. "Keep in mind that there will be no second chances. Remember, I am the future wife of the prince of this kingdom. Keep that in mind."