The next morning~~~~
The otherwise quiet and peaceful palace of the hunter's bloodline royals was quite chaotic today.
The girl with eyes as calm as an ocean sat on the couch elegantly as she witnessed the argument between her stepmother and father.
Last night, she had told herself that nothing she heard was true, but maybe it was a long-lost cause.
Now she understood why her stepmom was so happy to see her back, and why everyone was treating her like she was the legit princess.
They wanted her to be the scapegoat for Madeline once again. Once again they wanted to use her in the name of 'that's what family should do for each other,'
A hint of mockery spread across her lips.
"Try to understand, Marla. I told you this last night too, didn't I? The Vampire king has asked for the hand of our daughter Madeline. How can you even think about sending Elliana to them? Do you think they will appreciate it if we change the bride at the last minute?" The king, James, said for the umpteenth time.
He glanced at his second daughter briefly, but there wasn't even the slightest hint of expression on her face.
Elliana just sat there as if she was just watching a scene from some old soap opera unfolding in front of her eyes. Her eyes were drooped and empty.
"James, darling, I understand what you are trying to say, but Madeline has an infectious disease. The wedding is tomorrow. The vampire royals have asked for Madeline's hand because she is beautiful and pleasing to the eyes. Do you think they'll appreciate her if she appears with a distorted face and body? They want her for her purity," The queen, Marla, retorted with a sad and mournful look on her expression.
All this mess wouldn't have started if they didn't belong to the hunter bloodline. Even though she was the illegitimate daughter, she was one of the inheritors of the hunter's blood.
Since only males could inherit the hunter capabilities, Elliana and Madeline weren't hunters but humans with only the bloodline genes.
A few days ago, for the peaceful co-existence of hunters and vampires, the vampire emperor proposed a marriage between Elliana's sister Madeline and the youngest vampire prince. Madeline was famous for her beauty and wisdom in the country, so it only made sense that she was the chosen one among all royal girls.
However, everyone has heard their share of bad things about the masked prince who was slowly taking over the kingdom.
The prince was known for taking without mercy, killing without a second thought, and having an ugly face, because of which he always wore a mask.
James, under pressure from the elders and council of other royals, could only say yes to the marriage even when they were not thrilled with the idea.
However, things took a turn when a couple of days ago, Madeline got infected by a disease.
No one apart from Elliana's stepmother, Marla, knew what the infection was about, but judging from the scared and fearful face, James and everyone were certain it was something that wasn't pleasing to the eyes.
That was the prime reason Elliana's stepmother urged her brother to do anything to get Elliana out of prison so that they could use her as the bride.
James had only thought that she was joking, but now that Marla was adamant on the matter, he didn't know what to do.
Though Madeline was his legitimate daughter, he loved Elliana too, and knowing how his kind and sweet daughter might not be able to survive in the hands of those evil people, his heart ached even at the thought of it.
She was too pure and kind for those monsters.
She had already suffered for more than a year for something she didn't even do. It wasn't Elliana's fault that she was born illegitimately. They can't use her as the scapegoat every time.
How much more should she suffer? James knew deep down that the marks on Elliana's body didn't just appear because she fell from the stairs or got hurt in the sword practicing all the time. However, he couldn't go against his wife, the Emperor's sister. He wouldn't dare to break his family for his illegitimate daughter.
But… she was human too. James clenched his fists.
"James, how can you be so cruel? Think about our family, our community, and other royals. Will you be able to sleep at night knowing you could do something about it but chose not to? They just asked to have your beautiful daughter marry the prince. It's not like our Elliana isn't beautiful. Who apart from Elliana can compete with Madeline when it comes to beauty and pure otherworldly innocence? I know that he is the Vampire prince, but he is a royal, for god's sake. I am sure they won't do anything that will taint their reputation," Marla said with a concerned face.
"But, what if -" James started, but before he could say another word, Marla looked at him with tearful eyes.
"You don't trust me, do you? You think I deliberately want to send Elliana to them so that I can save my daughter, Madeline, right? You think it's because I am her stepmother that I want to send her to those powerful bloodsuckers. I didn't know all these years of trying to be a good mother would go down the drain like this," Marla said as she sat on the sofa, crying miserably.
"I know you blame me for sending Elliana to prison for something Madeline did. But I did it all for you. If I had let them take Madeline away, you would've never won against your brother and become the king. Can't you see it? Everything I do is for this family only," Marla reasoned more, wiping her tears.
"Honey, please don't cry. I know you are thinking for the nation, but think about what they'll do to her if they won't be pleased by her," James tried to reason again.
"Do you think I haven't thought about it, James? Our Elliana is such a sweet girl. She will win everyone's hearts in that kingdom. Her kindness can melt even the hardest stones, and to say they are living beings. Didn't you hear from Mr. Han? Even the bad prisoners in that feared prison started liking her," Marla held James's hand before looking into his eyes to convince him.
"Why do you think they would kill her? Isn't this marriage happening for peace? Do you think they'll kill the bride of the prince and risk it again?" Marla said before holding James' other hand when she saw a thoughtful expression on his face.
"But if they won't kill the bride, then Madeline can go -"
"The vampire prince is known for being short-tempered, James. Do you think he would appreciate an ugly human bride? Even if they don't kill her, they will torture her for her ugliness because it will remind him of his ugly face. We can only send Elliana," Marla probed more.
It looked like her words were finally having some effect on him.
"Darling, I have thought about it all, but you think I am a bad mother and deliberately want to push my sweet daughter into those devil's hands just because I am her stepmother, right?" Marla asked before crying more, her expression pitiful, breaking James' heart.
"Marla, don't speak like this. I understand you, but think about Elliana too. She has just returned from a cruel place. How can I send her to another prison?" James said, his heart conflicted between right and wrong.
"Madeline can't go looking so ugly, and you don't want to send Elliana. I thought you had sworn your loyalty to the emperor, but I'll just tell my brother that you have decided to back from your words, and they can execute our whole family or do whatever they want to punish us." Marla said, wiping her tears furiously, making James sigh as he stood and went near the window.
The last sentence caught Elliana's attention. The council would annihilate their family if they denied marrying the masked prince. What kind of forced tyranny was this?
She finally raised her gaze, slight concern evident in her eyes.
Seeing her father hunched back, Elliana sighed before looking at her mother, who looked at her earnestly.
"Elliana, your father is not thinking straight anymore, but you are intelligent. Do you really want your family to die at the emperor's hand because we went back on our words? Even if you don't love me or your sister because you might still take us as outsiders, think about your father at least. Will you let him die like this?"
Marla walked to Elliana before holding her hand.
Marla was well aware of how innocent and sweet Elliana was since she had been using her as the scapegoat for Madeline for all the things and knew if Elliana agreed to it, she wouldn't have to force James. He would agree to it nonetheless.
There was no doubt that Elliana would do anything to protect her father from all the evil and problems in the world. Since her biological mother's whereabouts were unknown, her father has been the only family member she was left with.
She was ready to do anything for him, but was she ready to marry a vampire king?
She has already heard stories about them being cruel, dominant, and power-exploiting, and to say she was going to marry a prince, who will probably be ten times worse. Heck, there was no doubt. He was the worst. She has heard things from Mr. Han, and none of them were good.
Going to prison was different because she knew under her father's jurisdiction, no one would try to kill her, no matter how tough things became. However, this was a different scenario.
She hasn't even thought about it in her wildest dreams, so how can she just agree to it?
Seeing Elliana looking at her father earnestly, Marla knew that she was giving in slowly, and her resolution was breaking. Thus, she resorted to pestering her even more.
"Elliana, if you are worrying about your life and how your life is going to be if you marry that prince, I assure you we will make sure nothing happens to you. My brother is the emperor. He won't let anything happen to you," Marla said, and Elliana looked at her stepmother, her heart feeling heavy.
Now that Elliana thinks about it, she was worrying about having a loveless life ahead if she married that vampire prince, but then again, wasn't that what she had been living since birth?
First, she lived as an orphan, and then she lived her life as an illegitimate daughter. Though her father loved her, other members of the family, especially her aunt and uncle, never left an opportunity to treat her like dirt.
Does it even make any difference if she stays here as the daughter or goes there as the chosen bride? It's the same all over again, no?
At least this way, she would be able to be of help to her father and help him save the world. If she stayed here, she would be the victim of everyone's insults and a forever scapegoat for Madeline, not to mention the fear of annihilation of her father because of the denial of the emperor's orders.
She can't be the demise of her father.
Elliana sighed loudly and looked at her dad, who had a conflicted expression as he lit a cigar with his gaze clouded, and couldn't help but press her lips into a thin line.
"Dad," She spoke in her gentle and sweet voice, catching James' attention.
He turned around and looked at his daughter with a small smile, but even though he was smiling, Elliana could tell it was forced.
"If it's for the betterment and peace of the community, along with the safety of the family, then I am ready to do it," Elliana took another deep breath.
"Don't fight with stepmom regarding it. I am ready to marry the prince. If I don't say yes, then the emperor will kill all of us for going back on our words, no? It's better if I marry the prince than get tainted for not saving my family when I can," Elliana spoke in her sweet voice.
Hearing his daughter's gentle voice that quivered at the end, James was about to assure and apologize to her and tell her he wouldn't have let this happen if he wasn't pressured under the responsibilities.
However, before he could say any of that, Marla, who also heard her words, clapped her hands with delight.
"That's great. I knew Elliana would never let her family die. She is such a filial daughter. I am so proud of her. I am sure if your mother would have been here, then she would've been proud of you too -"
"That's enough," James said as he looked at his daughter's pale face.
He wanted to comfort her, but Elliana smiled, her smile not reaching her eyes, before nodding at her father respectfully as she left for her room.
Her leaving figure looked aloof and sad.
Elliana was indeed right. It didn't make any difference. Maybe it was time she paid for the love she had enjoyed all those years ago by sacrificing her interests one last time.
If luck was on her side, she might live longer than she anticipated. She thought tenaciously before lying on her bed as she closed her eyes.
"This would be the last time I will be the scapegoat," Elliana told herself as she lay in her bed, feeling uneasy.
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Elliana couldn't sleep. No matter how hard she tried, her heart wasn't at ease. Today was her last night as a free human, and she didn't know how to calm her heart.
Tomorrow was the day of her wedding to the vampire prince, and her mind couldn't help but feel concerned about her future.
"Miss Elliana, this is the dress that Madam Marla has chosen for the marriage," She heard the maid's words.
Elliana nodded at the maid to place the dress on the bed before she turned around and walked toward the balcony.
"You may leave after placing all the necessary things," Elliana mumbled, dazed, as the slight breeze blew her hair along with it as she took a deep breath, making her look even more enchanting in the moonlight.
She looked up at the shining moon before closing her eyes.
'Where are you, mom? Don't you miss me at all? Do you not know if I am alive? If yes, then why don't you reach out to me? Do you hate me like others? Am I a mistake to you too?' Elliana spoke as she opened her eyes and looked at the sky with sadness brewing in her heart.
"Do you think I have made the right decision? I did it to save Dad from all the humiliation he might feel because Madeline denied marrying the prince. I don't know if she is really infected. It's too hard to believe anyone anymore. It might be one of the tricks stepmom had to get me to marry the prince in place of Madeline, but did I have any choice?" Elliana blinked, tearing up at the memories of her mother that she didn't even have.
The hollow feeling in her heart eases whenever she thinks of her mom.
There is this vague image of a woman holding and smiling at her while laughing merrily. And that memory has been engraved in her heart and mind.
Elliana took out the pendant from her neck in her hand. Her father said she had this pendant when he found her, and she always believed this was her mother's.
'Nothing here feels like home, Mom. I know he loves me, but nothing's warm and comforting. I don't know who to talk to. Even when I know why I am doing this, I can't help but feel depressed and sad about what will happen in the future.' Elliana talked to the pendant before closing her eyes as a few stray tears fell down her cheeks.
As she turned around, leaning on the balcony, her gaze fell on the jar of water and a slight sad smile appeared on her face before she looked at her hand that didn't have any scars now.
The last time she saw this kind of jar in her room, Madeline had smashed it on her hand because Elliana didn't know how to put on goth makeup, and she couldn't do a good job. The jar had broken on her hands even when it was so thick. She still remembered how many nights she had cried with her broken hand and all the wounds she received from the broken glass pieces.
Everything in this room now reminded her of her endless full-of-torture life. The door in which Madeline had asked a maid to hold her foot so she could slam it on her legs and have them break, the corners of the bed where Marla had smashed her head on.
The warm water in the geezer of her bathroom where her aunt had scalded her entire body by pushing her into it, the bed sheets that her uncle had removed late at night because he wanted to rape her when he was drunk, the mirror on which Madeline had smashed her head because she didn't like how Aditya called her pretty.
Those scissors that were used to cut her hair ugly, that hairbrush that Madeline's friend had almost used to poke her eyes. That basin and tub in the bathroom where they had tried to drown her, that pen holder that was used to hit her head and that flower base that was once thrown on her face, breaking her nose. The markers in the room that was once used to try to fuck her because the lesbian in her friend's group wanted to hear her moan and rape her.
Every single thing in this room was traumatic. Now that Elliana thinks about it, she doesn't even know if she was going from one hell to another, or if she could keep that little hope that maybe someone else who doesn't entirely hate her might treat her better.
"Elliana, can I come in?" She heard James' voice from out of the door, and she quickly wiped her tears before putting on a neutral expression she had been using all these years to tell her father everything was alright with her, even when she was feeling suffocated all along.
"Yeah, come in, Dad," Her soft voice came, and she saw her father coming inside with a guilty look.
"How are you, my daughter? I know tomorrow is the wedding day, and you must be extremely anxious. I know things are not the same without your mother, but you can still tell your dad about your worries. I can't fulfill what a mother can, but I can try to be a good dad, which I know I haven't been," James looked down in guilt.
Elliana was about to open her mouth to tell James what was going on in her mind when Marla walked into the room, making her keep her words to herself dejectedly.
"Oh, there is the father and daughter pair. I was wondering where you went," Marla clapped her hands with the sweetest smile, and Elliana bit the inside of her cheek.
Of course, how can her stepmother allow her father to talk to her in solace?
"I came here to talk to Elliana. It is her last night here. I don't want her to feel like her father doesn't love her enough to not even ask what she is feeling," James smiled softly.
"Haha, what must she be feeling? I am sure she is ecstatic to become the bride of the prince. I know they are a powerful species and can't be messed with, but if we look on the brighter side, isn't she going to become the utmost royalty?" Marla blinked her eyes with the sweetest smile she could muster like it was something to be proud of, and Elliana felt her heart become sore at her words.
Ecstatic to become a royal? If that was the case, why didn't Madeline try harder to become the princess?
Elliana was sure if Madeline would've tried harder, nothing in the world could've stopped her from becoming the bride, even if the vampires had asked for Elliana's hand.
"That's enough, Marla. She is going to marry the cruelest prince, and it is not a small thing. Not to mention how it was never in the plans. We decided, or should I say, forced her at the last minute. She must be feeling anxious and worrisome, right?" James asked Elliana, and she smiled at him.
At least, even after all these years, her father could still feel her sadness.
"What are you talking about, darling? You don't know anything about girls. She is just feeling jittery because it's a big day tomorrow. Anxious? Sure, but it is because her life will change tomorrow," Marla patted James innocently before looking at Elliana.
"However, Elliana, sweetheart, you don't need to be anxious. Just think about the good things. You are going to be a powerful princess starting tomorrow. Isn't it something worth flaunting? Not to mention, you will be the chosen one for the peace establishment," Marla said.
Elliana ignored her words, not wanting to take them to her heart.
"Haven't you said enough already?" James glared at Marla, making her sigh and keep all other words to herself.
"Elliana, I know that -" James started again, but this time, Elliana stopped him.
"I think I should sleep now. I am tired," Elliana said with a bitter smile.
It was useless trying to say anything with her stepmother in the picture. It's not like things will change if she speaks about them anyway.
"Darling, Elliana is right. Tomorrow is a big day for her. Let's not disturb her beauty sleep before her marriage. She needs to look pretty at her wedding, no?" Marla interjected again.
James, who wanted to talk more to his daughter, looked at her unwavering neutral expression before sighing loudly and leaving, followed by her stepmother, who gave Elliana one last look as she followed her husband.
Once her parents left, Elliana sighed with heaviness in her heart before closing the balcony door as she decided it was better if she tried to sleep. It might be her last peaceful sleep, so it's better if she uses it properly.
In the morning~~~~~
Elliana looked at the beautiful girl staring back at her in the mirror and couldn't help but mock her fate. The girl staring back at her had glossy amber eyes that held hope and dejection at the same time. The sunlight made her eyes look brighter than usual, and her rose-like lips puckered under the gloss. Her hair was styled with a puff and braided into a bun.
It matched her dress and innocent personality. The white gown had little to no cleavage, and Elliana was relieved that at least her stepmother chose a dress that fitted her standards and character.
The add-on net sleeves and white gloves made it look even more sophisticated.
However, even with all the beauty, the lack of a smile was making a great difference.
If it had been any other girl, she would've been delighted on her wedding day, but Elliana didn't know if she was afraid of the marriage or the man she was marrying. Was he even worth calling a man?
A monster. That's what everyone calls him, no?
The day of the wedding was one of the most precious days that was supposed to be filled with happiness for anybody, and here she was, still weighing if she would survive the next month or even the day.
It wasn't a hidden truth that those vampires were cruel and devious species known for their rudeness and power. If something goes against them, they don't think twice before snapping and biting off the person's neck, sucking them dry.
How was she supposed to stay assured like her stepmother says?
With a self-mocking smile, she looked at her reflection in the mirror again, feeling strangely lifeless.
'Will you be able to do it?' Elliana asked herself before she was interrupted by someone knocking on her door.
"Miss Elliana, the car is ready. Everyone has already left for the wedding ceremony. Are you ready?" A maid asked politely.
Elliana smiled bitterly. She could understand that her dad had to arrange things, but everyone left? Then again, what can she expect from a family that doesn't even want her alive?
"Let's go," Elliana looked at her room one last time, a sad smile ghosting on her lips.
With a heavy heart, she finally left the mansion and sat in the car.
After ten minutes of driving, they were finally at the back entrance of the wedding location.
"James, look, Elliana has arrived," Marla exclaimed as soon as she saw Elliana getting down from the car, her beauty making everyone's breath hitch as they looked at the celestial beauty holding herself elegantly.
For everyone, she looked confident and calm, but only she knew how her heart and insides were trembling just at the thought of marrying a man who was probably half beast.
Prince or no prince, it didn't hide the fact that he was a blood-sucking animal, a wild and devious one at that.
"Let's go, sweetheart," James said before hooking her hands with his and carrying a bouquet as he took her to the wedding stadium.
All the while, as she walked, she kept her head low, afraid that her eyes would meet with any vampire's, and all her resolution to marry the prince to save her dad would break.
She can't look into their eyes or their animalistic desire.
As she reached the stairs of the stadium, her father asked her to hold her hand out for the prince, and with a trembling heart, she took out her quivering hand for the prince to take.
Her hands turned sweaty, and her head turned hot with her heart drumming loudly. It almost felt like her blood pressure was shooting up too.
However, everything was masked by her shock when she saw the hand of the man in front of her.
She was expecting to see a wrinkled pale hand with elongated nails and almost dead skin. Exactly how she had once heard from someone they are when the vampires become angry. However, when she saw a wheatish slender yet strong hand appearing in her sight, she couldn't help but raise her brows, visibly shocked, and for the first time since she arrived at the venue, she dared to observe her surroundings, starting with the man who held her hand just now.
Traveling her gaze from his shoes to his long legs, waist, sturdy chest, powerful-looking hands, and slender neck, she finally rested her gaze on his eyes, taking in his features slowly.
He was wearing a mask that covered his face completely, but his light brown, almost hazel eyes caught and froze her in her place for a few seconds.
What was happening? She was utterly shocked by the man standing in front of her.
Weren't vampires supposed to be rude, monstrous, and ferocious with elongated drooling fangs, ready to attack and bite to kill anyone at any second? Then why was the man standing in front of her the most beautiful and handsome creature she had ever laid eyes on? And it wasn't even his face that made her heart drum. It was his eyes. The eyes held such cold and a mixture of emotions that she didn't know which one to pick and rely on.
Mystery, that's exactly what his eyes portrayed.
Why did it feel like the glow and beauty of his eyes were lighting the environment? The more Elliana looked into his eyes, the more confused she became, her hands turning sweatier because of the sudden nervousness.
From what angle did he look ugly, like the rumors said? Was it his face because he was wearing a mask? Is the beauty of a person only measured by their facial features these days? Elliana itched to take that mask off his face, but she knew her limits and wasn't a fool to risk her life just like that.
Earlier, she was prepared and braced herself to meet all kinds of lusty and ferocious monsters, but what was she supposed to do when she met with such an otherworldly handsomeness?
Are all these monsters this handsome? Is that a way to lure and trap others? She thought, biting her lips as she finally nodded at her dad, and the prince, who had been waiting for her patiently, led her to the stadium to complete the ceremony.
Quote for Elliana- When I looked at you, I didn't see the scars that you earned from your battles. I saw the shine of the sun and moon you captured in your eyes.
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