The day of the ball came Clarice helped Nicole with her makeup as they were preparing for the ball that would take place in an hour. She couldn't help but feel nervous as it was her first time, she didn't even know how to dance.
Holding her stomach tightly she felt squeamish at the thought of being looked at with such hate. There was no time to worry about small matters as she would have to paint Lord Jasper at the ball. He didn't give her an exact time as for when but she made sure to have her tools and canvas ready when that time had come.
Clarice noticed Nicole shaking slightly, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. Nicole looked up to see her dearest friend worry about her. She placed her hand on top of hers as she looked in the mirror seeing her reflection, but she couldn't help but look away in distaste.
" Nicole, whatever is the matter?"
"I can't look at myself I don't look as beauty as you do Clarice."
Clarice frowned as she grabbed Nicole's chin making her look in the mirror, almost in disbelief of her words. They both stared in the mirror for a while before Clarice said " You are a Beautiful woman, Nicole, you look healthier and more willing to live. When you stayed in Wallux I couldn't help but feel despair for you. No one should live like that, but look at you now right here in this moment. See what I see dear friend, we can't waste any more time."
She picked up the powder puff and started to dab Nicole's face with white powder. While finishing up her makeup, three maids came with Nicole's dress that she had bought from the market. Once Clarice finished with the make up the three maids started to undress her so she could get into her dress.
Carefully putting the dress on with the jewelry She felt complete, one of the maids took the pins out of her as it flowed and bounced on her shoulders. Nicole couldn't help but smile as she looked in the mirror, she looked like a princess out of a fairytale.
Taking either side of her dress she lifted her skirt as she bowed to the maids and Clarice for helping her prepare for the ball. Clarice already had her dress on as it would be easier to help Nicole get ready which never took her at all. they headed out of the room making their way to the ballroom, once they made their way through Nicole's eyes widened seeing men and women chatter away.
Everyone's dress was beautiful as she knew some women were the star of the show.A woman walked up to them as they both said in their native tongue "Jate ge'catra (Good evening) "
Clarice covered her mouth as Nicole's lips flattened she could see the woman didn't understand what they had said as it somehow blurred out of them without hesitation. They could tell she was from a tribe but weren't sure which one to be exact most tribes have either died out or gone into hiding.
The woman laughed as she grabbed their hands which led them to pure confusion that showed on their face " It's good to see someone of my kind, there's so many vampires here I was scared I wouldn't see any humans. Lord Jasper is coming so we should be quiet for the time being."
The ballroom went completely silent as Jasper made his way into the room. Nicole turned her body to the door to see Jasper in a red-crested Blouse with a silver necklace and khaki pants that were tucked in with his black boots. His hair was messy but perfect in a way, He made his way through the crowd of people many bowed their heads not moving at all. He took a glance at Nicole seeing her head was down as he walked past her. Jasper was able to see her in all her beauty, it was like an arrow struck his heart seeing her dolled up for the special occasion.
As a lord he had to keep his composure, he sat down in a large chair meant just for him. With the clap of his hands, the people in the room lifted their heads as music started to play in the background men and women began to partner up standing in formation as they danced away. Nicole stood on the sidelines as Clarice and Noah danced with each other she couldn't help but smile at the couple as their love began to grow stronger day by day.
A butler handed her a glass of wine and she drank it slowly taking small sips at a time. It wasn't strong but the flavor was tart and bitter making her slightly flick her tongue. Putting her back against the pillar she closed her holding the cup tightly, the music that played was peaceful it almost put her to sleep.
"What is a beautiful lady like yourself standing around here all by yourself?"
Nicole opened her eyes to see two men close to her, their face was flushed indicating they had a lot to drink. Didn't the ball just start why are these two drunks standing near her, she thought to herself as one of the men kept talking to her she looked away hardly interested at all. One of the men grits his teeth as he grabs her wrist yanking her to look up at him.
A hand grabbed the man's arm as he looked up to see Jasper glare at him making the man immediately let go of her wrist. One of the men ran off as Jasper looked up at Nicole seeing she was shaken by the situation.
"Leave and never come back, you harmed my guest which means you can't stay."
The man was about to protest as he stopped abruptly feeling his arm tighten at Jaspers's grasp. Jasper smiled widely as sanity filled his eyes he whispered in his ear carefully and slowly for the man to hear. "You were about to argue with me, I will skin you alive human best you run off."
Letting go of the man's arm he ran out of the ballroom to exit, Jasper turned his body in Nicole's direction as he walked up to her putting his hand out to her as a charming smile was plastered on his face. Nicole drank the rest of her wince before setting it down on the tray where the butler stood.
"He didn't harm you did he?"
Nicole shook her head as she placed her small hands in his as he gently pulled her into an embrace which caused her to look at him. She looked away embarrassed as he placed his hand on her waist and he swayed her into the dance formation. She didn't know what to do as her heart began to race not sure how to dance properly Jasper held her tightly making her her foot was on top of his a he danced away with her.
He couldn't withstand the temptation of holding her in his arms as he had his eyes on Nicole the moment he saw her. Everything she did on the mainland was immediately reported to him through his owl Slade. Clarice told him things about her as she thought it would help him connect with humans more besides herself. He needed to take things too slow just to make sure everything went well he didn't want to run off the little lamb but tame her as his own.
"No need to be afraid Nicole, we are simply just dancing" Jaspers's voice was breathy but calm in a way
"I've never danced with anyone before this would be my first time, sorry that I'm not any good"
"I have your shoes on top of mine so you're in good hands, Let me take the lead and you'll be alright. So be quiet and enjoy this dance little lamb"
Nicole blushed diverting her eyes to see Clarice smirking at her, who would have thought Jasper had a soft spot for her? The dance ended as couples danced away while others went for refreshments. Jasper stopped dancing as Nicole was about to pull away from him only for Jasper to tighten his grip around her waist.
"I must say you look divine tonight, makes me want to take a bite out of you"
"Milord please, people are going to stare and think things about us.
jasper hummed "I do not care what others think, remember you still have to paint my portrait. For all I care these people can leave and there will be just a ball for us two."
She blushed at his words" People paid such good money on their outfits to be here it would be such a waste if you make them leave."
"I guess you're right, then it wouldn't be a ball at all. "
Just as Nicole was about to speak he started to dance again swaying left and right while a different piece began to play softer music as she saw people dancing their own accord.
An Hour went by as some people who had attended started to leave as it was getting close to midnight. She placed her head on his chest as she started to feel tired. Jasper looked down to see her yawn slightly as he stopped dancing seeing that she was tired for the day. He bent down slightly to carry her while folks who were still in the ballroom pointed and gasped at lord Jasper's sudden action.
He walked out of the ballroom to carry her into his room, while her room was close she would be more comfortable to sleep in his bed for the night. Walking up the flight of stairs carefully he made his way to his room as it was on the fourth floor while Nicoles was on the first floor. Jasper opened the door as he made his way into the room placing her down as he put a blanket on Nicole, though it was often cold in his room he knew humans are fragile beings.
Jasper turned his head slightly to see Lord Vicar ruler of Cloud Kingdom standing by the door. He had wavy blonde hair that stopped in the middle of his back, his face slender face broad shoulders with blue eyes that shined like diamonds.
Vicar tolerated humans as he knew that they were a key point of food source he found another way to satisfy his hunger through blood tablets as he would often give Jasper a few tablets to control his blood lust. Vicar taught Jasper many things as he grew up while his father was still lord of the land, He noticed a human girl sleeping in his bed which was unusual for him to see as Jasper never sleeps at all. Not even a soul would dare lay in his master's chambers.
"Have you fallen for this human already Jasper, very unlike you to suddenly be so attached to this mortal" Vicar spoke to Jasper with an intense stare only for Jasper to walk up to him with no expression indicating how he felt. He was a private man and he wanted to keep it that way.
"hmm, aren't you mingling with a human yourself, a lowly knight at that? I don't have time for you teasing tonight Vicar."
Vicar hissed at his choice of words which was followed by a small chuckle" It seems like I ruffled your feathers, no need to be so angry. I'm just sharing a joke with you. Have you been taking your blood tablets, I would hate for you to lose control and attack or kill someone. Blood lust is hard on everyone, this human girl smells delightful. She must be a snack for later."
Jasper clenched his fist hearing Vicar's words buzz in his ear. Vicar raised his hands in defeat not wanting to argue with the young lord about a lowly human. He bowed his head slightly indicating that he was about to leave as Jasper nodded closing the door.
He glanced at her seeing her lips curve upwards making him look and walk toward her only to sit down on the side of the bed. Jasper softly caressed her cheek making her nuzzle up to his hand.
"Whatever are you smiling about little lamb"
A small smile left Jasper's lips as he watched her sleep for the night. The string on his heart began to tug and pull for some sort of affection for her. He wondered if she felt the same but only time could tell.