Chapter 100 Furious
The ball was in full swing. World-renowned musicians performed in the corner, human and vampire chefs worked together to create a palette worthy for gods to feast upon, and the entire decoration was handled by the same people who once designed the most anticipated wedding of the century. There was not a single flaw in sight, as humans, werewolves, and vampires all mingled, but kept to themselves in a homogenous group. "You werewolves sure know how to breed animals right, the dogs' den just had a new litter of pups," a vampire complimented one of the breeders, lifting a toast of blood goblet in the air. "Well, their bloodthirsty genes had to come from somewhere," the werewolf returned, his lips twisting into a smile. Tension flickered in the air, but then, they suddenly burst into laughter and leaned closer as good friends do.
There were cliques left and right, as each race stuck to themselves, except for the occasional interaction between werewolves and vampires or vampires and the house they sponsored, who in return would provide them with good funding. Vampires continued to protect certain human houses to prevent their trade or imports from being attacked, but only on the premise of a decent relationship.
"How is the investment in the silver mines?" a vampire inquired the human lord whose eyes grew with irritation.
"Horrible," the lord grumbled with a sigh. "Yeah well not everyone is an expert in investments like Alpha Mavez. You'd think from his built, he'd be all brawned and no brains," snorted another vampire who stiffened when a werewolf shot him a curious glance.
In the corner, ladies gossiped between a nice glass of bright yellow champagne, the color a stark contrast to some of the other women that held pink alcohol laced with droplets of blood.
"Did you hear?" a red-eyed aristocrat whispered to her friend as they snickered amongst each other.
"About what?"
"Second Prince Everest was seen ordering a gown glistening in rubies!" Sharp gasps were heard. "But he never personally visits a seamstress, who could it be for? Surely, not Princess Elena, you know she hates anything red!"
"It's so funny you know, the empire's color is red, but she seldom wears that color," another snickered whilst lifting the yellow champagne to her lips. The women hurriedly quieted down, for they'd never dare to agree to an insult towards Princess Elena. Those that spoke ill of her were seldom treated kindly.
Without warning, the aristocrats turned their backs to the woman and hurried off.
"Ah, wait where are you going?" she cried out in disbelief just as everyone marched off, eager to not be associated with her.
As the woman set a foot forward, she was met with a vicious glower from the surrounding people. Immediately, she realized she was shunned. Opening her mouth, she was suddenly interrupted by a loud announcement.
"Welcoming the entry of His Highness, Second Prince Everest and Alpha Mavez!" Instantly, hushed whispers were heard as every pair of eyes and feet turned to the handsome duo that walked in. Prince Everest strolled through the doors with a friendly smile, his blond hair glistening under the light, his blood eyes heavily complimented by the same color tie and royal stash lined in gold as red roses lined in his front pockets, accompanied by his signature ruby ring and suit cuffs. His white suit did wonders on his slightly tanned skin, but he paled in comparison to Alpha Mavez.
"Look at them… I think I'm going to get a cavity from these eye candies."
Women swooned at the sight of them men scorned in silence. None could ever meet the standards of the coy Second Prince, nor his cunning warrior, Alpha Mavez. Everyone in this entire room knew crossing the latter meant a death more bloody than all the humans that dropped at a vampire's feet.
"There's Reagan," Everest muttered, noticing the lack of the old magician's usual companion. "Where's Layla?"
Killorn narrowed his gaze into slits whilst shooting a warning glower in Everest's direction. They advanced in the direction of the aging wizard. Everest knew precisely what happened to Layla, all three of them did. The second the duo went near Regan, the ancient turtle let out a scoff and breezed off, not wanting to address the two boys that always caused trouble in his life.
"Hah, there's your response," Everest snickered, nudging Killorn who suppressed the roll of his eyes. "After what you did to his pupil, you think he'd even talk to us?"
Killorn opened his mouth, but paused. He smelled it. He could pinpoint her from miles away. Immediately, he turned around.
"Ophelia."
"Announcing the presence of First Princess Elena and… Duch—" the announcer paused, his brows tugging together when Ophelia whispered something to him.
"And Luna Mavez!"
Killorn's shoulders squared immediately. Even amidst all these freakishly annoying men and women crowding near the entrance, he'd be able to see her. She always stood out, even with her silver hair let down, her purple eyes rimmed with makeup, and the… red dress?
Killorn found himself walking to her before his thoughts could even be registered. He heard accompanying footsteps, but didn't bother to look. Within seconds, he was by his wife's side.
"Ophelia," Killorn murmured in appreciation, his voice coming out slightly breathless.
Elena's brows shot up. He had never heard him speak this soft. Killorn's cold and calculated expression melted briefly for a single woman. Killorn's cruel stare was nowhere to be found. Instead, he regarded the tiny lady in front of him with a composed smile.
"You look lovely, my sweet wife," Killorn complimented, his arm snaking around her to hold her waist. She stiffened and peered up helplessly at him, her face turning red, and her eyes widening in disbelief.
Ophelia leaned up, expecting more of a greeting than he usually gave her. She thought he'd attack her with kisses the second he saw her. Instead, he turned his head and glanced at Everest. Hurt by the rejection, she awkwardly glanced at Elena, hoping no one noticed.
"Did you see that?"
"Seems the rumors lied about Alpha Mavez's obsession with her."
"I mean, she is human after all, even if a few of the Alpha thinks she's the Direct Descendant."
Ophelia was slammed by the menacing whispers. She tightly grasped her fingers and tried to remember what Elena made her say. She quietly whispered to herself, "I-I am Duchess Mavez and no one will ever measure up to my worth."
"... fuck are you doing here with me?" Killorn hissed to Everest whilst sizing the bastard up and down. Suddenly, he was aware of how much red the bastard was wearing. Instantly, his head snapped to Ophelia.
"I-I am D-Duchess—"
"Ophelia," Killorn warned. Ophelia's head snapped up to him, frightened by how dark and dangerous his tone became. Even Everest's smile dropped and Elena stiffened. The two glanced at the couple, but it was too late. Killorn was already whisking his wife somewhere else, but the people had begun their whisper.
As Killorn furiously escorted his wife to the sidelines, he was suddenly halted by a Beta. He gritted his teeth at the sight of the young boy who seemed eager to get his dick wet.
"Alpha Mavez!" the man declared in a wary nature whilst shifting his eyes to Ophelia. He breathed in, and sure enough, there was a hint of mouthwatering sweetness from her. Though, the scent was masked by Alpha Mavez's frightening hormones.
"What does a useless fuck like you want?" Killorn spat out, causing the poor Beta to tense and awkwardly smile.
"Our Luna just send me here to give her compliments," the Beta warily said. Ophelia's shoulders relaxed slightly. She felt a lightness in her chest, believing Elena's treatment had worked and she was slowly gaining a bit of respect, even if it was just a random praise from a Luna she didn't know.
"Our Luna absolutely adores the dress," the Beta mumbled with his head bent in obedience.
Ophelia nervously smiled whilst squeezing her fingers to hide her anxiety.
"You've stopped me for something as insignificant as that?" Killorn snarled, reaching forward, but Ophelia quickly wrapped her arms around his. She pressed her body close against his muscular limb, forcing him to tense.
"Thank you," Ophelia admitted, her lips curling only slightly.
"Huh?" he asked, almost in disbelief over her compliment. He was momentarily awestruck by how beautiful she was, with her angelic hair and innocent gaze. He swore he saw heaven.
Killorn's presence turned threatening. He let out a low growl full of warning, his eyes shifting to malice.
Hurriedly, the Beta spoke out. "Our Luna mentioned had been eyeing it for some time now ever since the ladies caught a glimpse of it at the salon and heard it was personally ordered by the Second Prince."
Ophelia's smile instantly dropped. She realized where this was going. Was that why everyone was looking at her? Ophelia glanced around, realizing the ladies were turning to each other and whispering, their attention flickering to her dress every few seconds. Her heart plummeted to her chest.
"W-what did you j-just say?" Ophelia asked in horror. The Beta instantly blinked, almost tilting his head at both her words and stammer. "I was just saying that the red is also the empire's color, you know, it represents vampires." Ophelia realized he didn't refer to her respectfully. She felt her knees go weak and her head snapped up to Killorn. Killorn glowered down at her, as if she was worth less than the scum on his shoes. He knew. Everyone in this room knew. Ophelia was not only wearing matching colors as another man, but she was in the same ruby that represented the royal family. She came in here with Princess Elena, not her husband. And now, she was in a gown the second Prince ordered himself. "By the way, do you always stutter? I didn't mean to make you nervous," the Beta said. "Y-you didn't, it's just a bad habit of mine," Ophelia attempted.
The Beta opened his mouth, but Killorn already yanked him close by the collar. People didn't even dare to gasp or look for too long, for the room grew tense.
"You'll address her as Luna Mavez," Killorn demanded.
"K-Killorn—"
"Or else I'll cut off your tongue and shove it up to your arse," Killorn seethed, pushing the boy away from him. The useless thing staggered backward, grabbing his collar inf ear as his skin paled in reaction.
Ophelia swallowed and glanced around, seeing everyone was either looking at the ceiling or the floor. Before she knew it, her gaze was also trained to the floor as Killorn began to pull her out towards the balcony. Chatter quickly resumed afterward, but all she could hear was the snicker and snide remarks behind her back.
"Did you hear that?" a voice passed Ophelia's ears just as Killorn pulled her through the balcony doors. "Who didn't? The girl stutters."
Ophelia's eyes grew wide in dismay, her head snapping up to Killorn who was too focused on the current issue at hand. She froze in horror when she saw a vein tick in Killorn's jaw.
Killorn Mavez was furious—beyond return.
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