Maria stared at her mistress confused at her behavior. Selena stood infront of the wooden door that separated her from the dining hall. The buzzling noise and laughter made her relive her trauma from her previous life, "Please don't do this. I beg of you. Let me go." little Scarlett pleaded with tears. But the men in the room did not pay heed to her tears or retaliation. They simply laughed thier hearts out at her misery as they each took turns on the little girl. She turned to look at her uncle who was counting the money in his hands ignoring her.
"Someone please help me." Scarlett pleaded.
Selena took a step back as her vision became blurry and her breath became uneven. "Mistress are you okay? Do you need something." came the concerned voice of Maria as she held unto her mistress tightly to prevent her from falling. " No. I'm alright don't worry yourself. I'm fine." she replied with a sad smile.
Taking deep breaths, she was about to enter when a big warm hand wrapped hers. Xavier pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, "I am here." he said with a reassuring smile making Selena nod her head. " Let's go and meet our guests." he said as the gate opened as a guard announced their presence.
Everyone stood up when they saw the Duke who held the hand of a petit red hair woman. The Duke held unto her as they walked through the judging sight of the guests. He pulled a chair for her before he sat down followed by the other guests.
The dining hall was noisy as the nobles chatted with each other while some tried to look down on others. Getting to the last end of the table, Henry ate his food with no appetite because he couldn't stand how the Duke held Selena's hands. ' She must be happy with him. With all these richest, why won't she.' he thought to himself. Victoria worried about her husband, put her hand on her husband tigh. Henry snapped his head at her in anger and removed her hand, making Victoria sad. She didn't understand why her husband had become so distant. She just brushed it off as stress from work and continued eating.
" Lord Xavier, to be frank I am impressed. I have been through all your marriages but she is unique compared to your past wives." remarked one of the vampire noble. " Maybe this one will last longer." another said making the rest chuckle. Selena stared at them coldly. They weren't praising her. "Ah! You've made me remember how your third son lost his head. This was the same mistake you did." Xavier replied as the whole place became quite. The vampire who spoke became as white as a sheet. " Anyone who would like to compliment my wife should feel free." He continued as he stabbed the chicken infront of him , scaring the others.
After their dinner was served, Xavier formally introduced Selena. Many had questions and fears about her hair but none dared to speak, afraid of the outcome.
Xavier excused himself as he and the other Lords left to have a conversation. Having no reason to be there, Selena left the place and made her way to her room. On her way, she saw the man she met earlier in the garden, leaning on the wall and smoking. She clearly made eye contact with him but she decided to by pass him. " So you are indeed the Duchess." he inquired stopping Selena in her tracks. "And you must be the Emperor." she replied sarcastically as she turned to face him.
His eyes raised as he laughed. " No. On the contrary, I am Lord Kace the Alpha of the wolves. I am the Duke of Punikay." he replied nearing Selena whose eyes widened in surprise. "Are you a witch in disguise as a human." he asked as he stared into her blue eyes.
Staring at his golden eyes with unwavering courage, she asked," Why would you ask." Kace dropped his smile as his tried to scare her. " Witches are very beautiful . They use their charms to capture any creature and make it do her bidding. Your beauty doesn't come close to humans." he answered. Selena smiled brightly," If you wanted to compliment me, you should just said it. There is no need to be shy. By the way, are the Lords not in a meeting? I wonder what you are doing here." she stated with a smile.
"You are right." Kace replied, turning to leave. With a smirk, Selena left Kace who turned to stared at her retreating back. " Why do you smell just like the crimson witch. Do have any relation with her?" he inquired as he remembered the face of his former best friend and the woman who shattered his heart making him unable to love, even after meeting his mate.
Maria was in the kitchen with the other maids who were gossiping non stop. " Did you see Lord Kace? He looked as gentle as a flower." one complimented making Maria roll her eyes.
"But who agrees with me that today, Master Rubin looked dashingly handsome." the others nodded their head acknowledging the fact. " I saw him with so many women. I couldn't even count." another said dejectedly. " I don't mind him with other women as long as I keep his bed warm on some nights is okay." Maria and the others gasped at the boldness of that maid. They knew that master Rubin was a womanizer and that it was no news that he had slept with some maids already.
But the boldness if that maid shocked them to the core.
Maria was tasked by Almond to send some dessert for master Rubin. Maria did not know who he was and wasn't interested in meeting him. " Almond, can you send someone else." she asked as her eyes twinkled. Almond just patted her head, " He requested for you to bring it, my dear." he replied obviously not happy about that.
He gave her the plate and told her to leave there and not to engage in a conversation with him. Maria bowed her head as she made her way to his room.
Rubin was gazing at the fire remembering the fire that burnt in that maids eyes. He smirked when he heard a knock. "Come in." he said as he laid back in his couch and closed his eyes.
Maria entered the dark room whose only source of light was the fire that burnt at the fireplace. Seeing his eyes closed, she quickly placed the desert down, bowed her head and turned in an attempt to leave the room. She suddenly stopped when she heard a laugh, " Why are you trying to run away from a weak vampire like me who can't even carry you."
Her eyes widened in recognition at the deep voice as she turned to meet the ruby red eyes of the vampire with sandy brown hair.