Chapter 175: Dangerous Introductions
[Music Recomendation: Klergy Topic - World on Fire]
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Valen felt his blood boil at the sight of his soon-to-be wife touching another man so tenderly, right before his eyes. She didn’t even spare him a glance, as if he were invisible. His hands curled into tight fists, the maddening obsession in his eyes deepening as his desire to possess her grew more unrestrained by the minute.
Meanwhile, Queen Viva felt as though she had been slapped across the face by the blatant display of affection. Her soon-to-be daughter-in-law was openly disrespecting her and her son in front of everyone. She clenched her jaw, seething with fury, already thinking that this one would require some disciplining before long.
Her cousin, Queen Elara, had already told her that the arrangement for the marriage between her son and Princess Evelyn had not yet been formally announced to the girl herself. Still, Viva had assumed otherwise. After all, several Lumen nobles were studying in the same academy as Evelyn. Surely, someone must have informed her by now, considering how Elara had been running around announcing the news to every noble in the Kingdom of Luminear.
Queen Viva narrowed her eyes at the new daughter-in-law as she observed her with another man. Not just any man, but the strongest man on the continent.
Back to Eve and Ivan...
Eve felt Ivan’s jaw tense as he struggled to rein in his raging emotions. After a few seconds, he managed to give her a tight nod. She met his gaze with a silent look that pleaded with him to endure just a little longer before she slowly slid her hand down from his cheek.
All the while, the other students disembarked from their carriages and gathered near where Eve and Ivan stood, along with the professors. Both professors stepped forward and bowed respectfully before the Queen.
"Your Majesty, we thank you for having us here today," Professor Dante said courteously.
Queen Viva’s pale green eyes shifted toward the professors. She studied them intently. The man was clearly a vampire, his eyes giving him away, while the woman beside him appeared human, though the faint aura surrounding her revealed her nature. ’A sorcerer,’ Viva realised, her sharp gaze glinting with interest.
She gave them a curt nod of acknowledgement and spoke in a deceptively sweet voice, "Welcome to the Palace of Demos. Usually, we do not allow tours of the palace grounds. However, when my son told me that you were from the prestigious Blood Moon Academy, we nobles decided to make an exception, just this once." Her tone carried a note of pride, as though they had begged for the privilege rather than being invited.
Dante caught the arrogance dripping from her words, and his smile widened just enough to make Professor Seira’s stomach twist. She knew that look all too well, that if he let his sharp tongue loose in front of the queen, they would be thrown out of the kingdom before sunset.
So, before he could speak, she stepped forward smoothly. "We thank you, Your Majesty. Prince Valen extended the invitation to us so graciously, so who were we to refuse such kindness?" she said politely.
The queen’s chin lifted slightly higher at the mention of her son being called gracious, and a pleased smile curved her lips. "Prince Valen is indeed very generous when it comes to such matters," she replied proudly.
It was upon hearing his name that Valen finally tore his gaze away from Evelyn and turned his attention to the professors standing before him. He offered them a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "I’m glad you decided to accept my invitation," he said smoothly.
Then his gaze shifted to the gathered crowd of students. "Since we were short on time yesterday, why don’t we take this opportunity to have a proper introduction from everyone?" he suggested, his lips curling into a smirk as his eyes found Evelyn once more. She however, refused to look at him and stood between the vampire prince and another vampire who... ’ Why is he smirking at me like that?’ Valen mused as his eyes met Damien’s. The longer he stared, the more he noticed the vampire’s dark red eyes fixed on him fearlessly, as if...almost mocking him.
Valen grew increasingly curious about the blond vampire’s identity. Then his eyes shifted to the side, where he noticed another beautiful woman with the same light-blond hair as the man. Her sharp eyes, however, told him she wouldn’t hesitate in the slightest to claw his chest open. And it wasn’t just that...the longer he looked at her, the more he felt as though she could see right through his facade. It was as if all his darkest secrets were being laid bare before her, and the sensation made Valen extremely uncomfortable. He quickly tore his gaze away and turned it instead toward the man standing beside her.
He was once again taken aback by the icy gaze of those pale blue eyes and couldn’t help but wonder if all the students of Blood Moon Academy were this hostile. After such an unpleasant and strange encounter, he shifted his gaze back to the two professors, not even bothering to glance at the vampire prince, as he could already feel the man’s stare drilling holes into his skull.
"Why yes, that is a wonderful thought, Prince Valen." Professor Dante turned to his students and said, "Everyone, please step forward one by one and introduce yourselves."
With that, each student began stepping forward in turn, greeting the royals of the kingdom and introducing themselves with their names, families, and the kingdoms they hailed from.
While most students introduced themselves in a straightforward manner, a few stood out. One of them was Prince Aden Blackwell from the Kingdom of Sunfire, who appeared visibly uncomfortable as he spoke. He held no ill will toward the Kingdom of Dartmouth, yet something about Prince Valen and Queen Viva simply didn’t sit right with him.
After him came Oliver and Edward, who were as cold as they could be during their introductions. Not only were they high-ranking nobles of the Kingdom of Luminear and staunch supporters of Princess Evelyn, but they had also witnessed the way Prince Valen kept shamelessly raking his gaze over the princess. It grated on their nerves, a glaring display of disrespect toward the sovereign to whom they had pledged their loyalty. Betrothed or not, that was no way to treat royalty.
Cece didn’t bother to hide her hostility; she could practically feel their malice dripping from them.
"Cece Silver, from the Ducal House of Silver Crest, of the Kingdom of Versailles," she said coolly, giving them a curt nod.
The Queen and Prince subtly narrowed their eyes at her, thinking, ’So this one is from the powerful House of Silver Crest. That makes her the vampire prince’s cousin. No wonder she’s hostile.’ But even as they thought that, they couldn’t shake the feeling of her dark red eyes stripping them bare...seeing straight through to their deeds behind closed doors.
Both mother and son shifted uncomfortably under her piercing gaze before the Queen quickly composed herself and said with a polite smile, "We are delighted to make your acquaintance. Welcome to Dartmouth."
They turned to Damien next, who didn’t show clear hostility like the woman next to him. His stance was relaxed, almost laid back, but if one were to look closer, his eyes were as sharp as a hawk. One look at him and a person would almost be fooled by his deceptive carefree facade, yet the air around him seemed dangerous. Like he wouldn’t so much as blink before separating their heads from their body.
The Queen and Prince swallowed hard, instinctively sensing the danger before them. Then Damien’s lips broke into a slow smile, the kind of grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
"Damien Silver, from the Ducal House of Silver Crest, of the Kingdom of Versailles," he said smoothly, in a low and disarmingly pleasant voice. "It’s a pleasure to meet you."
’Ah, the famous Mad Wolf.’ That was the name given to him by others, both mother and son realised as they registered Damien’s identity.
It wasn’t common knowledge, but those who had witnessed Damien fight or had seen him solve countless cases alongside Ivan knew that he was possibly the second most dangerous man alive to cross. His deceptively carefree demeanour often fooled those unaware of just how ruthless he could be when the situation demanded it.
The Queen and Prince mentally noted to be cautious around him, especially since he was also a pure-blooded vampire. No one knew what kind of gift he possessed as one, and that uncertainty alone made him all the more dangerous.
The Queen smiled warmly, though her eyes said otherwise. "Ah, the Silver Crest line. I’ve heard many stories about your family’s... vigour. I’m certain Dartmouth will be a pleasant change of pace for you."
Damien’s grin widened while his eyes fixed on them like a predator. "A change of pace, indeed, Your Majesty. Though I must admit, peaceful places have a way of getting...exciting when I’m around."
The Queen’s laugh was light, but her eyes held no mirth. "Ah, then let us pray Dartmouth remains far too dull to tempt your talent for excitement, Lord Damien."
Damien’s eyes glinted with danger as he said lightly, "Certainly, Your Majesty."
