Edmond paced anxiously in his study, knowing he needed to extend the invitation to Queen Irna for the treaty. He called Mary, his trusted assistant, into the room."Mary, send this invitation to Queen Irna." He said and handed over the envelope to her.Mary nodded and left his office with the envelope in hand. She sent the invitation to the Queen by email and also spoke to Sophia in her head, urging her to convince the Queen and make the plan work at any cost.On the other side, Queen Irna received the email and her expression darkened as she read the contents. Anger welled up within her, knowing the potential consequences if they were to sign the treaty. History tended to repeat itself, and she was not willing to let her people suffer again.She sighed, realizing the difficult decision she was about to face.Meanwhile, Kristen woke up with a start, disturbed by a dream where Sophia shapeshifted into her and approached Stanley. Determined to avoid potential harm, Kristen sent Sophia back to the vampire land. She hurriedly made her way to Queen Irna's office, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of protecting her people.As Kristen entered the queen's office, she noticed the worry etched on Queen Irna's face. Without hesitation, Kristen approached and placed a comforting hand on the queen's shoulder."Your Highness, what's wrong? Is something bothering you," Kristen asked with genuine concern. Queen Irna motioned for Kristen to take a seat and handed her an invitation from King Edmond. Kristen wrinkled her forehead, looking all puzzled. She couldn't figure out why the vampire king would suddenly want peace. Confusion covered her face, and she wasn't sure if this was a real offer or some tricky plan.As Kristen tried to figure things out, Sophia knocked on the door and just barged in without waiting for an answer. Both Kristen and the Queen scowled at her unexpected entrance. Kristen, bothered by Sophia's sudden appearance, didn't hold back her irritation."What do you want?" Kristen asked, sounding pretty annoyed. Sophia, though, ignored her, choosing to bow to Queen Irna as a sign of respect."I got a message from Mary," Sophia said, giving Kristen a smug look."What is it?" the Queen asked in a calm tone."I got a vision from the head Witch Mary. She said the King wants peace with you. There's a ball tomorrow night, and he specifically asked for you and Kristen to be there," Sophia informed."Why would we accept that when we know it's a trap?" Kristen shot back sharply, rolling her eyes. "We should decline," she added, telling Queen Irna what she thought. Sophia, not holding back, sarcastically said "If you want to bring misfortune to your people by bringing a war upon them then go ahead and decline.""Know your place, Sophia. Don't forget you're talking to the Queen," Queen Irna scolded, her voice firm. Sophia clenched her teeth, shooting Kristen a nasty glare. Tensions rose in the room as the three women dealt with suspicions and the possibility of peace.Sophia ground her teeth together, shooting Kristen a fierce glare. "With all due respect, I suggest we accept this invitation. Mary said the council agreed, and they'll be at the ball. We've got nothing to fear. After all, we have the most powerful Witch among us," she added sarcastically, her gaze fixed on Kristen."If we sign this treaty, we all can be free. We need your help, Queen Irna. I know our clan sided with the vampires and started working for them, but they ain't doing it willingly. After Queen Amanda's death, they're forced to work for the King. I need your help for their freedom. This is the only way to avoid war and bring peace to our people," Sophia pleaded desperately.Queen Irna let out a sigh, weariness evident in her expression. "You can go now," she ordered Sophia. Sophia opened her mouth to say something, but the Queen silenced her with a sharp gesture, prompting Sophia to bow her head and leave immediately.Back in her room, Sophia, frustrated and anxious, summoned her powers to eavesdrop on the ongoing conversation in the office. However, her attempts were in vain; the Queen's strength proved too formidable, and there was no way she would let down her guard. Sophia sighed heavily, pacing back and forth in her room. The weight of what was going to happen weighed heavily on her, leaving her restless and unsettled.Kristen asks the queen about what she decided to do. The queen calls for a meeting with the ministers and within minutes everyone is present in the room along with Stanley. When the queen explained about the invitation. Stanley immediately declined saying that it was a trap to get Kristen.The ministers gathered, their faces serious and determined, discussing the decision to attend the ball. Minister Aron, standing tall, chimed in, "The Queen and Kristen won't go to the ball alone. All the ministers and elite witches will go along for backup."Pride filled Minister Aron's voice as he added, "The vampires can't outnumber us. We're stronger. Edmond won't expect us to come together. If he tries anything, we'll be ready to fight." The room echoed with determination, and Minister Theo supported Aron's stance.Kristen, silent in the midst of the discussion, absorbed the words being spoken. Stanley, watchful of her, asked for her opinion. With a sigh, she expressed her concern, "The head witch Mary contacted Sophia and asked her to convey the invitation. If Mary can speak to Sophia, there's a chance Sophia might pass information about us. I don't trust her anymore."A mix of worry and contemplation settled in the room as the ministers processed Kristen's words. The expressions on each face revealed a shared understanding of the potential threat that lay ahead."Then we will take her back to where she belongs," Stanley says.Queen Irna speaks. "We shall go to the ball." She declares.After the intense meeting with the queen and the ministers, I sought out Terra, Amrin, and Jasmine for some comfort. We gathered in a quiet spot, and I couldn't keep the news to myself any longer."Hey, guys, we need to talk," I began, my face serious. As I shared the details of the ball and our decision to attend, worry crept into their expressions.Terra, always level-headed, furrowed her brow. "Kristen, are you sure about this? It sounds like a setup. I don't want anything happening to you."Amrin, the protective one, chimed in, "Yeah, she's right. We should go with you, be your backup."Jasmine, with her caring nature, added, "Kristen, please promise us you'll be careful. We can't bear the thought of you getting hurt."Their concern touched me, but I knew I had to make them understand. "I get it, but I need you all to stay here," I replied, trying to convey the seriousness. "The queen and I won't be here, and there's a high chance of a surprise attack. I need you to protect the people and our home. It's crucial."Terra sighed, reluctantly nodding in agreement. "Alright, Kristen. We'll hold down the fort. Just promise you'll watch your back and keep an eye out for any tricks.""I promise," I assured them, grateful for their care. As we parted ways, their worried expressions stayed with me, and the weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders.The next day dawned, and the air was tense with anticipation as Kristen, Stanley, and Kristen's friends gathered for a crucial task. They united their powers, mixing their blood to cast a potent spell to protect the people. The queen, showing wisdom, ordered the residents of the Fork's Land to stay indoors until their return. Kristen, before departing, erected a barrier to reinforce the safety measures.In the midst of these preparations, Sophia caught wind of Kristen and Queen Irna's decision to attend the ball. Swiftly, she relayed the information to Mary, leaving the head witch curious about who would accompany them. Sophia, playing her cards wisely, observed the unfolding events.As the time to depart drew near, Sophia readied herself at the palace entrance, pretending indifference upon spotting Kristen and Stanley together. The queen, in her cunning wisdom, chose to keep Sophia in the dark about the others joining them. She even convinced Sophia that only the two of them were headed to the ball. Sophia, unaware of the ministers and others discreetly following, sent a message to Mary before getting inside the car.Queen Irna, observing Sophia's misguided confidence, couldn't help but smile inwardly. Sophia's ignorance played right into the queen's hands, allowing her to maintain an upper hand in the unfolding events.Kristen, Stanley, and Queen Irna, along with the ministers and elite witches, left the borders of Fork Land, their destination set for Vampire Land. With a coordinated effort, they harnessed their magical abilities and seamlessly teleported themselves to the vampire territory. The transition was swift, leaving behind the familiar surroundings of Fork Land and stepping into the unknown realm of Vampire Land. The air crackled with tension as they prepared to face the challenges that awaited them at the vampire's ball.The car rolled up to the grand mansion in just a few hours. As the doors swung open, memories rushed into Kristen's mind, unwelcome and vivid. She clenched her fists, not wanting to relive the past. Stanley, sensing her unease from the driver's seat, reached for her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. His smile spoke more than words.A mysterious figure lurked in the shadows, its figure hidden by a hooded cloak that seemed to blend smoothly with the gloom. Glimpses of watchful eyes peered beneath the hood, watching their every move from the top floor of the castle."Don't worry," Stanley whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her hand.At the entrance of the mansion, William, restless and anxious all day, stood on the second-floor terrace. His undead heart quickened as Kristen's car pulled in. With vampire speed, he glided to the entrance, where Edmond and others awaited their arrival. The tension in the air was palpable, and the fate of the night hung uncertain.The car came to a halt, and his entire focus narrowed to Kristen. Her creamy leg gracefully emerged from the car, and the door closed softly behind her. All eyes were on her. She looked stunning, more beautiful than the last time he saw her. Her red hair cascaded down her hips, and her figure seemed more slender. When my gaze reached her face, my breath caught. Plump lips and flushed cheeks, her eyes met him, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.Without a moment's hesitation, he enveloped her in a tight hug. It was a flood of happiness he hadn't felt in a long time. For a second, she stood still, then gently pushed me away with a hand on his chest. The smirk on William's face made it challenging not to feel resentment."William," I addressed formally, keeping my emotions in check.I wouldn't say I was thrilled to be there, but hatred hadn't entirely consumed me. The way he looked at me mirrored our first meeting in college, a fact that brought a small smile to his lips."You know I can read your thoughts, right?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips. My eyes widened, and he chuckled.How could I forget that? Swiftly, I built a mental barrier, shutting him out. A frown creased his forehead as he realized he couldn't pry into my thoughts.Stanley stepped out of the car, his fists clenched at his sides. His fury was evident as he observed William hugging me. When their eyes locked, it was as if they bore daggers, ready to kill each other on the spot. I wrapped my arms around Stanley's, providing a comforting anchor, and he visibly eased.Meanwhile, Queen Irna and Sophia joined us, the latter attempting to hide behind the queen, striving to be unnoticed. King Edmond, in his deep voice, welcomed Queen Irna without acknowledging her as his mother. She responded with a nod, and the council members greeted her. Edmond's attention shifted to me, his gaze scanning me from head to toe. Meeting his eyes with confidence, I smiled. "King Edmond," I greeted, bowing my head slightly. He approached me, a smile forming as he admired my appearance."You look breathtaking," he complimented, taking my right hand and kissing it. His lips lingered, prompting a growl from William, which Edmond ignored. Lustful eyes met mine, and I withdrew my hand when he took a step back. "How about we catch up inside?" he suggested, guiding us indoors. Strangely, neither of them addressed Stanley, but he didn't seem to mind. He looked at me, smiling as if nothing else mattered when I was with him.Playfully, I wrapped my hand around his arm and took him inside. Despite feeling William's eyes on me, I chose to ignore him, focusing on the warmth and comfort of Stanley's presence.