Lucia walked past him. The band of musicians slow down the music they played as the Herald walked to the door, announcing the presence of the vampires processing into the court with a loud "All arise for their Vampire Majesties!"
Lucia's eyes brightened up as they all proceeded into the hall. Of course, every other human was frightened of them but she wasn't.
Her father went to greet them and she went along with him.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Sir de Caspian." Count Eric greeted with a rigid voice.
"Thank you, Sir von Burren." Jarlen, spokesman for the vampire, replied in the same manner.
Lucia emerged from behind her father and extended her hand. "Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Lucia von Burren AKA Lucia the renegade. It's lovely to have you all here."
Jarlen smiled. "She's certainly chipper, this one."
"That I am. I think it's the wine. You'll love it when you taste it." She winked at him. "Celebrations. Dances. Places, everyone."
She signalled the musicians and they resumed playing.
Despite the fact that she had done what her father should've, he mouthed a "thank you" to her for easing the tension that had risen in the atmosphere.
The vampires dispersed into the party to mingle while Lucia stood there, waiting for the last guest. And there he was, dressed in black.
"Damian, you came!" She ran to his embrace, startling both him and everyone.
She pulled away from a brief hug and clutched his wrist, pulling him away with her. "Come on. I've got a surprise for you."
"Is it just me or is the dark knight being dragged away by a puny little girl?" Cesar, Rayven's trusted man said in surprise.
Rayven's lips crooked up in a smile. "Interesting."
Aside,
"It seems your daughter has taken interest in my nephew." Jarlen tells Eric who doesn't take his eyes off Lucia as she dragged Damian with her.
"It seems." He put his wine to his lips and take a sip.
Lucia didn't stop running till they got to the garden.
"Finally, we're out of prying eyes." She caught her breath.
Damian tried to slip his hand away from hers but she wouldn't let him.
"Nope. You won't get away from me that easy. Let's have a look around." She said.
Lucia thought they were the only ones in the garden. Eyes stared in horror as the red haired girl pulled the red eyed giant behind her. Damian instantly felt uncomfortable and pulled away from her.
"Damian?" Lucia spurn around but he was gone. Vanished.
She stomped her foot. "Ugh! How could he leave me here!"
She set out to find him in every possible location but all to no avail. It was time for dinner and she went back inside the hall.
"There you are. I've been looking all over for you." Anna ran over to Lucia, linking arms with her.
"I know you were." Lucia smiled as she patted her arm.
"Never leave my sight again." Anna pulled her towards the dining hall.
Dinner was a flurry of delicacies - frumenty and jelly and pear in syrup, Mawmenny and a vast variety of meat, game and wine. The von Burren's on one side enjoyed this meal but the vampires on the other hand had no food on their table. Instead of food, there were men and women who stood behind their seats ready to slit their wrists. Lucia found this unfair.
"Vampires eat food, you know." Lucia rolled her eyes.
"And how would you know? You aren't one." Lexa whispered.
"If only you read books, you'd know about them. How could you be so ignorant?" Lucia said.
"Pardon my daughter. It seems educating her was a mistake." Eric said. Then he waved the servants off and they went in and bought proper food for the vampires.
Damian spoke up this time. "If you think educating women is a mistake then you shouldn't have been educated yourself."
"Excuse me?" Sir Eric was taken aback.
Lucia sipped a glass of wine nearly choking on it as she tried to hide a snicker.
Damian gave her a wink when she looked at him and she returned it.
The clock struck midnight and it was time for the last dance. Lucia looked everywhere and didn't find Damian. This, upset her again.
Meanwhile, Damian is in the privy chamber. He looked at his reflection in the large golden mirror. His skin was pale and almost translucent. His eyes were blood-red and when he smiled, his fangs wouldn't stop showing. He clenched his fists wondering whatever Lady Lucia saw in him. While battling his inner demons, a sharp cry escapes his lips.
He had just been stabbed in the back with a silver dagger.
He fell to the floor with a groan and looked up at his attackers.
"You undead creature! I want you to never come near my bride ever again!" August thundered.
He ordered the guard flanking him to punish Damian with more silver.
"You will stay away from Lady Lucia! Do you understand!" August grabbed a fistful of Damian's hair and pulled on tight.
Damian chuckled. "Lucia is no one's bride. I've held her hand and I don't see no ring."
"You!"
The party was getting pretty boring for Lucia as she waited for Damian to show up. Countless nobles and gentlemen asked her for a dance but she refused them all.
Her dull face was brightened up when she saw Damian standing at the top of the stairs. However, she lost all mirth when August stepped up beside him.