Kiara's POV
It took two whole days to convince Carlotta to lie again. Two! She literally listed all the wrong possible outcomes with vividly detailed descriptions and gruesome endings. She also solemnly swore to the Moon Goddess that she would deny any knowledge or participation in it if my dad found out, in an effort to threaten me.
The point is, I managed to convince her.
The city was busy as usual, and nothing seemed out of place.
" Do you think the netizens know that their royals are hosting a Valerian Vampire?"Carlotta asked me as her eyes grazed the townsmen.
"Judging by how peaceful things are,I'm guessing not." I replied.
"Hm." Carlotta said thoughtfully and we drifted back into silence.
Tension hadn't died down between the Werewolves and the Vampires yet.Knowledge of Adriel here will definitely cause a riot.
We reached before midday, but the wind had a cold in its touch when it kissed my face. I stepped out of the carriage and took a moment to admire the gigantic stone walls of the castle.I inhaled deep into the morning air in an effort to prepare myself for the meeting. I had little time before I met him, and God knows I must prepare myself somehow.
Carlotta clinged on to me as we walked to the gate of the Crescent Moon Palace. Looking around with her brown eyes sharp for something to criticise. It was not a long ride, and so I wasn't cranky enough to demand quiet when she was up with her judgmental ways. And besides,she did me a huge favour and, as she put it, "a stain on her conscience" when she lied to my father for my sake.
For safety measures, I rode a normal carriage.My family's crest was well known and the Whitmans made it a point to draw it in big sizes over their carriages.The middle-class carriage was a bit less comfortable than mine, but the cozy feeling atoned for that flaw.
"I just saw a scrawny-looking black cat." Carlotta said, staring at the place ahead of us. Her alert eyes were darting sideways. "Must be a bad omen. I don't like the feeling of this."
I chuckled lightly at her genuinely appalled face.
The concierge was scanning me suspiciously as I took approaching steps towards him. I held his gaze, making my face as kind as I could, but the distrust was too heavy not to notice. Perhaps he recognized me. But that's not a bad thing,right?
"Good morning. The Royal Family is not home right now. And they won't be for a while."he said before I could speak
I sensed Carlotta's mood lightening near me. She was really the devil of my plans.
"Fortunately, " I said, glancing at her face before I continued. "I'm here to see Adriel Valerian."
The guard fidgeted uneasily as he set worried glances to his colleagues.
"His Highness does not like to be disturbed." The man said it sternly, and then his features softened a bit. "For your sake, lady, you should go."
I looked at the guard's uniform keenly; it wasn't Valerian attire, nor did he have the pale look of a vampire. He was a Crescent Moon guard. Why on earth was he calling a vampire,a Valerian vampire, 'His Highness'? Was it a mental compulsion? Did they not drink Vervain? Oh goodness,what did Adriel do to the royal family? There is no way he wiped them all out, and the townsmen have no clue. I think what scared me the most is not that my thoughts directly assumed evil; my fear was that I may be right. That there a possibility.
"Tell him it's Princess Kiara." I answered anxiously.
The guard nodded either way and sent a messenger nearby to deliver the news. After awkwardly waiting and pondering, the messenger returned a few minutes later with an answer, or perhaps a question.
"He wants to know if you came as solely as Princess Kiara or as his fiance."
Carlotta scoffed loudly and shook her head in disappointment.
I removed a small hair the wind had pushed on my face to think. I realized the place got eerily quiet for a second.Eveyone was waiting for my answer
"It that what he wants to hear then yes, I came as his fiance"
With that affirmation,the gates were opened, and twelve suited men emerged as my entourage. They ushered me into the halls of the giant palace. I was in their mist as we walked down the wide halls, realizing only midway that Carlotta was not with me.
"Where is my lady-in-waiting?" I asked as soon as I noticed.
"She is safe,"the man closest to me replied.
"I asked where she was." I said, halting in my steps.
"My lady,his highness awaits you," the same man replied.
"I won't move an inch unless I know exactly where my lady-in-waiting is being kept and why she was separated from me in the first place."I said , my voice sounding prepared for war.
"Do not worry about it, love,"Adriel's voice said from afar but I heard it too clearly, and it messed with my senses. I looked to where the sound came from and frowned at his amused look.
I swallowed nothing as he took majestic steps towards me.
The men silently bowed and dispersed.Those too were Crescent Moon guards and they were treating him like a King.Like their very own King.Things we're getting even more fishy by the minute.
"Where.is.she?" I asked,trying not to let him see how disruptive his presence made me.
"It's a private conversation; she will meet you when we are done.That way, I don't have to endure her glares of disdain."
I sighed softly, knowing too well that I couldn't change his mind. "Fine,all the more reason to hurry with the conversation."
"Whatever pleases you,will you do me the honour of joining me for breakfast?"he asked politely.
So politely, I couldn't find it in myself to deny.
* * *
"You must forgive the tardiness of my kitchen staff,"
"Your kitchen staff?" I resounded,raising an eyebrow. "Where is the royal family? What did you do to them?"
"Nothing,my lady. I asked for a place to stay, and they offered their home and their servants. They are staying at a guest house; I'm sure it's equally comfortable."
"You threatened them." I concluded.
He chuckled a bit, chewing on his croissant. "Perhaps."
I did my small disapproving frown, which his attentive grey eyes picked up immediately. A slow smirk formed on his face.
"And I thought you made it your life's mission to dance in optimism and see light in all things. Have you given up on me already?" he teased.
I sighed deeply and turned away. "Perhaps there is no light to see sometimes." I muttered to myself.
"You have barely touched the food,"he said, plainly returning his full attention to his plate. "It has been tasted; it's not poisoned."
My head swung back in his direction, and I fumed at how unbothered he was.
"Does it not affect you at all?"I asked.
His eyes shot at me, and he returned just as calmly to his food. "What?"
"That people don't only fear you; they despise you, and they don't like you. " I said harshly, drinking my juice.
It raged me even more that I saw mirth draw in his face as I spoke. He paused with his fork and knife positioned in his hands and took a moment to think. He returned with a curt answer.
"No,on the contrary, love,I enjoy it."
I watched his broad shoulders,his arms, his hands, and every bit of him move in harmony. I never thought I would see the day that I would describe someone as an elegant brute, but I did see him as such. Perhaps it was how unapologetic he seemed about his behaviour or that he was so handsome that it was hard to believe he had a flaw. That's exactly what he was—an elegant brute.
I decided to hit the nail right on the head; there was no point in pleasantries and sugar-coated beginnings. The faster I finish,the quicker I will be out of here, and perhaps I could actually go visit the children as I had lied.
"I assume you already know why I'm here."
He dropped his culinary utensils and stared at me as if in shock. "I thought it was to see me."
"Now,why will I want to see you?"
"Because I'm your fiance, he said, wiping his mouth with a paper towel.
I opened my mouth to speak but closed it when I noticed he was getting up to come to me. He held my gaze,taking small steps towards me. Every step added a force pounding to my heart,so fierce. It filled my eardrums, and I feared he could hear it.
He stopped a few feet away from me and reached out his right hand slowly.
"I want to show you something. Give me your hand."
I stared at it as if it were fire and I could burn if I touched it. I complied, though. I don't understand why, but I did, and he waited patiently for my fingers to reach into his palm. My breath shuddered when our hands touched, and the butterflies—no, the bats in my stomach—danced to the rhythm of him. He helped me get up from my seat and took a quick scan of my body when he did.
I smiled out of nowhere, but he didn't return it; he just showed me the way with his other hand before dutifully tucking it at his back as we walked out of the breakfast parlor.
He led me into a room—a big, wide room filled with the most explicit nude paintings I had been allowed to gaze upon. The high ceiling held an exquisite display of chandeliers, and in the middle of the room was a small table with seven rings.
He let go of my hands, but I held on tighter,almost scared to go in. Beautiful things like this could be easily ruined by a simple hasty move that snatched you from happy dreams. They were birds chirping gracefully in the distance, and the morning sun's perfect illumination added the final touch to heaven's corner.
Somewhere in the middle of all that, Adriel realized that I wouldn't let go, and he led me farther inside,to the edge of the table with the radiant rings.
"Which one do you like the most? he asked softly behind me.
I didn't know his voice could go that soft; it eased me and alerted my senses at the same time. I ran my eyes on each one of the diamonds and smiled, letting out a small breath I didn't know I held.
"I can't choose."
"Then they are all yours,"he whispered.
For a moment, I was impressed,carried away, in fact. I loved being spoiled by presents, and despite how much I try to coach myself sometimes, I could not resist luxury.
I picked up the very first diamond ring on display,and as if he had made a deal with the sun,it hit it just right with one of its glorious rays, making the diamond even more brilliant than before.
"Valerian vampires don't give combs; to solidify our engagement, we give rings of the finest diamonds mother nature has created."
"Why so many?"
"Because you,Coure Mio, deserve one for each day of the week."
I basked in the realization that he gave me a new nickname; his Italian was alluring, to say the least. I turned to him with the ring still in hand. "Don't you think it's a bit too much when it's obvious we won't get married? I only came to speak to you about Alpha Lo-"
He grabbed my chin before I could complete my sentence. "Do not speak his name," he told my lips.
He came even closer—so close that my breasts could feel him. My nostrils were possessed by him,my poor heart drummed violently in my chest. He was giving me goosebumps all over. He lowered his head to my lips but stopped an inch away when he sensed my shudder. Little did he know I didn't shudder in fear of him; it was fear for myself. In that instant, I would have happily kissed him back and let him do with me as he pleased. I wanted him,and I wanted him to have me all to himself. All with full knowledge that my reputation will be destroyed and I may never recover from the hit. What was worse was that I was still feeling it vibrating all through me,urging me and pushing me to make a mistake.
I tried to turn away, but his hand on my waist pulled me even closer,as if it were punishment for attempting to go in the first place.
I looked at him, hoping he pities me and pushes me away,because I knew I wouldn't be the one to do it, and I couldn't resist.
"You are mine,"he said, caressing the side of my cheek. "I will advise you to get used to the idea as soon as possible. I wasn't blessed with much patience."
I looked away because I couldn't speak; I couldn't find words or my tongue to say anything coherent, and I feared attempting to say a word would just end in a pathetic moan.
"It will be a wonderful union. I can barely wait to tell your father about it."he added.
"No."I begged jerking away "You will say nothing to my father."
"Will you do it then?"
"There is no marriage, " I said, worming myself out of his grip. He surprisingly allowed me to go, "Unless you agree to the following…."
A dark smile graced his features. "Name them darling."
I walked far away from him to think and to get sane again.
"You will not burn down any more assets belonging to L." My tongue stuck in my tongue when I was about to say his name. Adriel's eyes cautioned me silently, and I swallowed. "The Forchescas." I said it softly,looking for his approval.
I got a smirk and so continued,refusing to let myself ponder too much over the moment.It was a bit too submissive for my taste.
"This violent killing spree of hours will stop.You will not go to war with my father,or anyone for that matter, if we are married." I declared hoping he disagreed, after all killing was his nature.
"I don't intend to, darling; I will be too occupied with you."
My cheeks heated up to a dangerous degree, and I felt dampness down there.
I thought hard about something to make him change his mind.
"I should be allowed to divorce since it's a contract marriage. And affairs too, discreetly of course but it-"
"You shall have no such. It's not a contract marriage, Kiara." He corrected me,his tone hard as his eyes turned dark. "Is that all?"
"Yes." I whimpered,daring not to anger him even more.
"Then it's settled. Our engagement is official."