"I bet you do." Damien replied sarcastically.
"Mother, will Vincent's bride be attending your birthday party?" Isabel asked, smiling.
"Bride? What bride? I am completely in the dark about this. Mother, what is Isabel talking about?" Vincent's brows joined in confusion, his eyes moving between his mother and sister.
"Well, it was meant to be a surprise, Vincent. Lady Anastasia has accepted your proposal of marriage," Vanessa announced, placing her fork on the table.
"What!? That is wonderful news, you should have told me the moment you found out mother, you know how long I have waited for this!" Vincent exclaimed, smiling so broadly that you could see his full set of teeth.
"I know son, we would announce your engagement at my birthday ball. A double celebration as it is." Vanessa replied with a small smile.
"Congratulations on your engagement, Prince Vincent." Elysia greeted, swallowing the lump in her throat as all heads turned in her direction.
"Oh, thank you, darling." Vanessa smiled.
"Thank you, Lady Elysia." Vincent said, still flashing her a smile.
"Do you have any plans for the day, King Azreal?" Isabel questioned, not bothering to hide the admiration she had for Azreal.
"Nothing I can think of." Azreal responded curtly.
"Perhaps I can show you around the palace. And then, the town. You would get the chance to see the beautiful sight of Nightshade." She explained, her eyes gleaming with happiness.
"Sure, after breakfast, we can begin our tour with Elysia."
Isabel's smile faltered at the mention of Elysia's name. She was hoping to have the King to herself, but now she would have to pretend to like Elysia.
"Oh, I just thought we would be touring alone." She said, her tone lowering. The vampire princess didn't bother covering her disappointment.
"You thought wrong Princess, and I am sure the Lady would be happy to see the beauty of Nightshade, won't you Elysia?" Azrael asked, his head tilted to the side, while his dark eyes moved to Elysia's.
Elysia could sense that the Princess was not fond of her, and she would rather keep her distance, but the King had just intensified the Princess's hatred toward her. "I-I think I would like to rest for the day," Elysia replied, her eyes locked on the food before her.
"Nonsense Elysia, I am sure you will like it. Do not be a bore." Azreal looked away from her to the Princess, who was throwing daggers with her eyes. "She shall join us." He added.
"Very well, Your Majesty." Isabel face was graced by an obviously fake smile. She raised her glass up and gulped the content down her throat angrily. Her fist clenching and unclenching.
Breakfast ended with little conversation, nothing involving Elysia, so she just listened while she continued to eat her food.
"Do I really have to go? The Princess does not seem too fond me." Elysia pleaded the second they walked into their room.
"Yes Elysia, I need you there with me. This has nothing to do with the Princess, just think about me." Azreal assured her, his eyes meeting hers as he stroked her chin. "Can you do that?" He asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I can." Elysia replied, leaning into his touch.
---
Isabel was dressed in a deep red dress, her black hair curled, flowing down her shoulders. The Princess was a beautiful woman, if she didn't have a permanent scorn on her face.
Azreal had abandoned his royal coat for a brown shirt and black trousers, leaving the first three buttons open. Even without trying, the King looked extraordinary in his masculinity and aura.
In a lilac dress, Elysia held her red hair in a neat bun, allowing a few strands to fall down her temple. She strolled by the King's left side,while Isabel by the right side of the King.
"Father says, this place used to be a church but, was closed down by the priest." Isabel pointed at a building which was opposite the stables.
"For what reason?" Azreal asked.
"Father would not say, but I think the devil took over the place and cursed it." Isabel laughed lightly, placing her hand over her mouth, but quickly regained her composure as none of them laughed with her. "What do you think King Azreal?" She asked.
"Nothing, I do not care about the church." Azreal replied curtly as he walked ahead of them.
Isabel opened her mouth to speak but, closed it immediately. Her face growing red with embarrassment. She blinked multiple times, before plastering a smile on her face. "Tell me about yourselfYour Majesty, what are your likes?" Isabel walked hurriedly to the King, wrapping her hands around his arm.
"There is no need for that. Why don't we continue with our tour?" Azreal replied. He passed, looking back to see Elysia trailing behind them. "Is there a problem? Why are you walking behind us?" His eyes looked into hers, trying to read her expressions.
"There is no problem, Your Majesty." Elysia said with a smile before stepping forward to stand by Azrael's side. She was already beginning to grow bored of this walk. It seemed Isabel was happy as she clung to the King like glue.
"Very well." His eyes remained on her for a few seconds, before he looked away, his strides slowing so she could keep up with them.
"Your Majesty!" Someone called out, making the three of them turn backwards.
Philip ran towards them, sweat covering his face. "Your Majesty, the King has requested your presence. He says it is important." Philip announced.
"I believe this is the end of our tour." Azreal said, with a pointed look.
"It does not have to be, King Azrael, I can still show Lady Elysia around, that is if she does not mind." Isabel said with pleading eyes.
Elysia was dumbfounded for a second, she didn't understand the change in the Princess, one moment she wanted her gone and the next, she wanted to tour with her.
"Do you want to continue the tour with her, Elysia?" She heard the King ask, although his face held no expression, she could tell he wanted her to speak her mind.
"I will stay with the Princess." She replied with a smile, they were in the open with people around, so what is the worst that could happen.