The hall was opulent and grand, with towering ceilings adorned with intricate golden designs.
Eve always knew that the Vampire Kingdom Imperion could be considered wealthy because of their history, but she did not think that they would use real gold in their lavish tapestries.
The walls were in the color of deep red, resembling the hue of fresh blood. The floors were made of polished black marble. It perfectly reflected the flickering light of the countless candles that were used on the grand chandeliers that hung on the ceiling. The candles illuminated the hall, giving a strange, yellowish hue to the surrounding.
At the far end of the hall, a long banquet table stretched out. Made of an ornate dark wood, the table was surrounded with chairs that were elaborately decorated, each one made of black velvet with the same gold accents.
Contrary to a normal banquet, there was no lavish food or anything on the table aside from the cups filled with red liquid. Eve could only assume that it was blood.
The sweet, melodious sound of a violin being played by a skilled musician filled the hall, its notes dancing through the air, weaving their way around the room.
Silently, the candidates lined up in front of the long table. Excitement and terror mingled on their faces.
The absence of any additional seating left Eve to ponder whether the guests were expected to take a seat at the long banquet table or stand during the meal.
Then the music stopped.
As the notes of the music faded away, a tense anticipation filled the room. It was heightened by the sound of the door opening with a deep, ominous creak.
As the women turned towards the door, they were met with the sight of elegantly dressed men and women entering the hall, their ball gowns and suits a feast for the eyes.
The group of vampires who walked in did not hide the anticipation in their eyes as they glanced at the candidates. Whispers and giggles followed.
Seeing this, Eve lowered her gaze.
They were here to see the Prince. She already expected the other vampires, but to just stand here being laughed at was making her blood boil.
The vampires had been preying on humans, using them as a source of sustenance and entertainment. For years, Evelynn Rosetta did everything she could to punish them.
But it was all for naught.
With Evelynn Rosetta gone, the vampires had returned to their usual ways.
Eve gritted her teeth.
This was all Ronaldo's fault.
As emperor, how could he let this happen?
Once again, the music started and for a few minutes, Eve could only hear the vampire's chatter as they enjoyed both the music and the liquid in their cups. They laughed and joked and some of them even approached the women, assessing them with the same detached curiosity as one might observe a collection of insects or a herd of cattle that they were going to slaughter very soon.
"I heard that the old man got in trouble with the Prince," one of the women who were standing next to the candidates spoke. "Was it because of a candidate?"
"I am curious." The man who answered looked at the candidates without hiding the curiosity in his gaze. "The fact that the Prince made a sudden decision to have a Night Courtship was definitely enough to make everyone ask questions."
"What of the Duke?" the woman asked.
"He agreed to send the women to the Prince as… gifts. He just lost his wife, I believe this is his way of mourning for her."
"Poor Erlinda," the woman said. "The humans were ruthless when they ended her life. I cannot imagine the grief that the Duke felt when he heard the news."
"Let us stop talking about depressing things like this." Again, the man stared at the women. "Which one do you think is best suited for the Prince?"
Eve continued listening to the conversation. Just as the vampires were curious about them, she too was curious about the Prince.
She knew about the existence of a King in Imperion but she had never heard of a Vampire Prince in the past. She knew that the Duke was akin to the King's General. They are strong but not as strong as the King himself.
What about the Prince?
Is he stronger than the two Dukes of Imperion?
Is he the King's son?
No. Vampires could not conceive. Then perhaps someone that the King had adopted?
Still, she could not remember Lucius talking about this man. Lucius was a Duke, so he should know a lot of things about Imperion. He knew too many things about the King of Imperion himself but he never mentioned anything about the existence of a Prince.
Then just who is this Prince Maximilian Knight?
Despite all her assumptions, she was hoping that the Prince was actually stronger than Dukes. Using him against the Vampires would be very beneficial that way.
First, she needed to win this stupid game.
Again, the music stopped.
The vampires who were chattering turned silent as they stood up and lowered their heads.
This was a greeting to someone stronger than them.
A heavy, oppressive silence descended on the hall.
The door swung open and a pair of footsteps reverberated through the stillness.
The sound of the footsteps accompanied the heavy silence.
A jolt of adrenaline rushed through her as she felt her heart skip a beat.
She was finally going to see the Prince of Imperion.
"Behold the Prince of Imperion. His Highness, Prince Maximilian Knight."
"Greetings to the honored one," the vampires said in chorus.
Slowly, Eve lifted her gaze, fixing her eyes on the man who had just arrived. Deep brown hair that almost looked like it was red and blue piercing eyes. She fearlessly stared at the man's familiar countenance.
Then her heart leapt into her throat.