Ares's head snapped towards Eleanor, his eyes widening in shock at the venomous tone she used to mention the name 'Atlan'. He felt a shiver run down his spine, his expression frozen in surprise.
But before he could react further, the chambermaid returned with two other servants in tow, all carrying trays laden with delectable dishes. They hastily placed the food on the table, careful to avoid eye contact with him, and scurried away with an air of nervousness.
Eleanor, however, seemed oblivious to the commotion, her anger towards Atlan's presence instantly forgotten in the face of the mouthwatering cuisine. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she looked at the spread before her, her stomach growling in anticipation.
She dove into the food without even acknowledging Ares, her smile radiant as she savored each bite. Ares, in turn, watched her with an intensity that bordered on fascination, his eyes gleaming with a soft, spellbound light.
Eleanor's joy was clear, her happiness bubbling over like a fountain, and she reveled in the flavors and textures of the dishes. But as she paused to take a breath, a sudden pang of guilt struck her, and she turned to Ares with a wide-eyed offer. "Do you want some?"
The question hung in the air, and Ares's eyes remained fixed on her, his expression spellbound, as if he was drinking in the very essence of her being.
His ruby eyes sparkled with a mesmerizing warmth, admiration, and a hint of danger, his gaze piercing through Eleanor's very soul.
She slowly took a bite of the heavily sauced meat, her eyes locked onto his, refusing to break eye contact even for a moment. Why did he look so breathtakingly stunning, so gorgeously indescribable?
His chiseled face was an otherworldly beauty, making her yearn to reach out and touch his cheek, to verify that he was indeed real.
"You don't want some?" she asked, her voice heavy, as she pointed the half-eaten meat towards his face, her fingers trembling slightly with nervousness.
Ares blinked, and he shook his head, a soft smile spreading across his lips as he found her even more endearing. He reached out, his fingers brushing against her lips, gently wiping away the sauce with his thumb.
Eleanor's body stiffened, her heart racing as his touch sent shivers down her spine. Her skin warmed, and she felt a flutter in her chest.
As he withdrew his hand, she tore her gaze away, her eyes darting back to her food. She took another large bite, the sauce staining her lips once more.
Ares chuckled softly, his head tilted in amusement as he casually licked the sauce from his fingers.
A sight that Eleanor didn't notice as she was still reeling from his subtle touch.
Suddenly, a female vampire dressed in a noble gown stormed into the chamber.
Her red eyes blazed with rage as she screamed, "ATLAN!" at the top of her lungs, drawing the couple's attention.
Atlan, stunned, rose from his seat, his black and red robe rustling as he moved. The robe was stylishly exposed, revealing his chiseled chest and the intricate red flower bouquet tattoo that adorned his skin, creeping up to his neck like a fiery vine.
"Tara, sweetheart, hello there!" he said, his voice heavy with a nervous laughter as he waved at her.
The vampires seated with him watched with wide eyes, their faces frozen in surprise, as Tara stormed towards him with unrelenting fury.
She pushed the naked vampire aside, glaring at Atlan, who was slowly backing away. "You promised me you'd return to me!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the chamber walls. "How dare you leave me alone in an empty bed, only to indulge in gossip and ogle other women?!"
Atlan's eyes darted around the room, his smile faltering, as Tara closed in on him. "Sweetheart, please understand. I'm not a committed man. I'm savoring my freedom, my life. You know this. Why create a scene?' He asked, his hands raised in a calming gesture, but Tara's anger only increased.
"But you promised me marriage!" Tara screamed, her voice shrill with betrayal. "You lied to me, Atlan!"
Ares's lips curled into a wry smile as he watched the scene unfold, his expression unsurprised. He knew Atlan's reputation as a social butterfly, always chasing the next thrill, the next pleasure.
The vampire prince was notorious for his love of gossip, parties, and excess, and Ares wasn't shocked to see him embroiled in a scandalous love affair.
As Tara continued to chase Atlan around the room, her fangs bared in rage, Atlan's eyes met Ares's, and he mouthed a silent "help me".
Ares pinched the skin between his brows, his eyes closed in exasperation. "Bloody hell."
"'Brother!' Atlan cried out, running to Ares and hid behind him seeking refuge.
The room's attention instantly shifted to the two brothers, and a collective gasp filled the air.
"Brother?"
"That can't be Prince Ares... why didn't we notice?"
"Wait, does this mean... is that the Phoenix? Princess Eleanor?"
The murmurs swirled around the room like a whirlwind, with all eyes fixed on the unlikely trio.
Eleanor's gaze turned murderous as she glared at Atlan. "Good job blowing our cover."
Atlan laughed nervously. "Ah, hello there, sister-in-law," he said, his tone awkward.
Eleanor responded with a dismissive tsk, her attention returning to her food as she bit into her meat with a slow crunch.
Meanwhile, the angry female vampire, Tara, stood before the table. "What are you doing?! Stop running away from me!" And with a hard kick, she sent the table flying, and Eleanor's meal went crashing to the floor.
The golden carpet was now strewn with the remnants of her dinner. She froze, her eyes fixed on the empty table and then, slowly, to the scattered food.
A lump formed in her throat as the urge to burst into tears overwhelmed her, but she bit back her sorrow, pursing her lips in a determined effort to hold back her emotions.
What had she done to deserve this? Her food was innocent, and so was she.
Slowly, she looked at Ares, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.
The sight of her distress instantly put him on high alert. He sprang into action, grasping Atlan's neck with a tight grip and rising to his feet, pulling Atlan along with him.
"No! No! Brother, please! It's not my fault!" Atlan cried out, struggling to breathe as his grip constricted.
Ares sent Tara a murderous glare, his eyes flashing with anger, and she promptly fainted from fear, collapsing to the ground.
Meanwhile, Eleanor slowly finished her meat, savoring the last bite before placing the bone on the table. Her actions surreal, given the chaos around her.
Effortlessly, Ares flung Atlan across the room like a ragdoll, staring blankly as his brother crashed into the wall with a loud thud.
The room erupted into a collective gasp of horror, and most of the onlookers promptly scrambled to exit the chamber, eager to escape the tense atmosphere.
"Come on, it's time to sleep." Ares said, his voice low and even, as he extended a hand to Eleanor, who clutched her stuffed bear tightly.
His expression darkened slightly as he helped her to her feet, his eyes flicking to the stuffed animal with a hint of disapproval. Was she going to carry that childish toy around forever?
Without another word, they left the chamber, ascending the stairs in silence, until they encountered another chambermaid. "We need a room." He demanded, his voice flat and emotionless, his eyes gleaming with a hint of exhaustion.
The news of his true identity as Prince Ares, as well as Eleanor's status as a royal phoenix, had spread like wildfire throughout the brothel, reaching every corner of the establishment in a matter of seconds.
The chambermaid, now aware of their esteemed guest's status, led them to a grand, ornate chamber, her eyes cast downward in respect. "Do you need anything, Your Highness?"
"No." Ares replied curtly, his eyes fixed on Eleanor as he slammed the door shut behind them. He immediately began untying her cloak.
Eleanor remained silent, still nursing her disappointment about her interrupted meal, but a small, secret smile played on her lips as she recalled the satisfying sight of Ares flinging Atlan across the room.
She trudged over to the bed, her movements heavy with fatigue, and sank into the plush mattress with a deep sigh. Ares, meanwhile, made his way to the window, his eyes drifting out into the night, fixed on the glittering lights of the brothel compound below.
Eleanor's eyes closed in exhaustion, her body surrendering to the weariness that had been building up.
"Are you sleepy?" Ares whispered.
She responded with a soft moan, which only amused him, a smirk playing on his lips. With a sudden flicker, the lights brightening the room went out, plunging them into darkness. And his senses tuned in to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the sound echoing through the silence like a lullaby.
Eleanor felt herself drifting off to sleep, her mind replaying the events of the day like a gentle breeze. But her peaceful reverie was abruptly shattered when the door burst open, slamming against the wall with a loud crash. Her eyes flew open, and she sat up with a start, her heart racing.
She saw a vampire, clad in black, standing in the doorway, his hand holding a purple-glowing arrow that was pointed directly at Ares's back.
In that instant, Eleanor's instincts took over, and she acted without hesitation. She leapt off the bed, her body radiating bright golden glowing wisps as she sprinted towards Ares.
At that moment, he turned to face her, his eyes widening in surprise as he took in the sight of the ethereal glowing blonde hurtling towards him. Her small 5'7" frame collided with his large 6'8" frame, and together they crashed through the window, shattering the glass and splintering the wooden frame.
Time seemed to slow as they sailed through the air, their bodies suspended in mid-drop, before landing with a soft thud on the ground outside.