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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"Sir, this -" Lucas started, but Sebastian raised his finger to stop Lucas from speaking anything else.
Sebastian knew what his beta was concerned about. His cold eyes swept over the beautiful and innocent-looking girl, whose head was bowed in what looked like nervousness and shyness.
She wasn't scared of him. It was as if she was accepting some kind of fate. And it irked him a little. Was she forced into this?
Even when Sebastian hadn't met the daughter of the hunter bloodline, he immediately knew this girl wasn't the one mentioned by the elders.
From what Lucas had found out, the daughter of James Heart, the hunter bloodline holder, was wise and cunning, and this girl in front of him looked nothing like that.
A vampire's senses are one of the highest and sharpest in the world among all species, and Sebastian could feel James' uneasiness when he handed this girl's hand to him.
It was obvious this girl was important and he was scared for her. Maybe she was the illegitimate daughter of James, not mentioned in the family history?
It was funny of them to think that just because the royal family didn't like the youngest prince and was wary of him all the time, they wouldn't check the background of the girl.
The girl he had heard about definitely didn't look like this.
They were really testing their luck, weren't they? They know that he hates their entire bloodline, and even after that, they dare to play such an underhanded trick. Should he just snap her neck since they were thinking of fooling him? Sebastian glances at James briefly before looking at the innocent girl in front of him.
It doesn't matter to him. It wasn't like he was marrying to fall in love with this or any human. This was a formality that he was doing under his grandfather's force, all because he wanted that throne.
It doesn't matter if the girl was legit or illegitimate. As long as she wasn't a pain in his ass, he was ready to overlook her. Besides, this girl was really a sight, and for once, his dead heart actually felt alive when she placed her hand on his.
Maybe it was her innocence or her dress. Whatever it was, he wanted to test it out. After all, disposing of a human if she doesn't suit his taste wasn't a hard deal for him.
"Let's start the ceremony," Lucas announced from the prince's side when Sebastian nodded at him, and Marla sighed a breath of relief.
Along with Elliana, even she was shocked to see so many handsome men from the vampire's side, but maybe the blood they used kept them alive and fresh. Or why would a few centuries-old men look so good?
"Do you take Miss Elliana Heart as your bride?" The priest asked, and the vampire prince nodded, not speaking anything.
Elliana's fists clenched beside her, her nervousness at its peak since she had no idea what she was getting herself into. Everything she thought about them was proven wrong.
"Do you take the vampire prince as your rightful husband?" The priest asked, and Sebastian's ears perked.
He wanted to hear what kind of voice this bewitching human held.
If he didn't like her voice, her tongue would be the first thing coming off her body. Sebastian's eyes darkened at his intrusive thoughts, and he clenched his fists to control them, the urge to smell and see some humans bleed slightly taking over.
"I do," Elliana's soft voice calmed the storm brewing in Sebastian's heart.
He looked at the girl and gave her a once over once again.
'Quite Interesting,' he thought.
Elliana and Sebastian immediately left for the vampire kingdom after the wedding ceremony.
Seeing that she was finally alone with the man who would decide her future, Elliana couldn't help herself as she sat quietly like a scared mouse in front of Sebastian, who was watching her every move from the corner of his eyes.
Since they were sitting in a Limo, she was sitting in front of him. Though her aura and body posture screamed confidence, her eyes gave her away, and Sebastian supported his face on his palm as he observed her directly and shamelessly.
She was quite skinny, like unpleasant skinny. This has to be the first thing he will deal with.
He noticed she started to shiver as soon as they started nearing the kingdom, and he huffed loudly, making her jerk a little in surprise.
"Ambrose, Mrs. Elliana isn't used to the cold climate. She has lived in another climate all her life. Turn on the heater," She heard Sebastain's voice for the first time and couldn't help but bite her lips.
Turning her head to look out of the window, she looked at the people, visibly amazed as she saw them in the cars and expensive ones.
All her life, she had believed that the vampires move and travel by walking and running since they are gifted with the power of speed.
"It's amazing," She said, thinking how her entire life was a big fat lie, not knowing she said it aloud.
Sebastian, who was busy on his phone, now turned to look at the girl, who was looking out of the window with an unadulterated expression and couldn't help but wonder if what he saw was true or just a facade she had.
Feeling Sebastain's gaze on herself, she sat more elegantly, her hands stiffening as she felt like a deer under his penetrating gaze.
'What is he thinking? Why is he staring at me like that? Did I make him angry? Now that we are in his area, does he think I am not worthy to live? Does he think he can kill me and decompose me here somewhere? Is it the way I am sitting that is annoying him? Will he bite my neck and snap it into two because he is angered?'
Elliana gulped at her trail of thoughts, her hands trembling a bit, and she couldn't help but look out again to conceal her emotions.
Gulping again, she bit her lips, closing her eyes as she tried to calm down her raging heart.
Don't vampires also have supernatural hearing, letting them hear even the faintest noises? What if my fast-beating heart is annoying him? She thought again, her heart beating even faster than before, and she couldn't help but gulp at the thought loudly, not knowing what to do anymore.
"Ambrose, turn down the heater. Mrs. Elliana is getting uncomfortable now," Sebastian said, without even looking at her as he was busy with his work and could only feel her discomfort. But Elliana, who was already paranoid and heard his words, could only become remorseful.
It looked like her presence was indeed annoying him, and he was hiding it in the name of her being uncomfortable.
Maybe he was indirectly trying to tell her she was a nuisance and an eyesore. She thought before biting her lips as she closed her eyes to return to her neutral form, the one she had started to practice when she was seven years old, the one she used to hide her emotions, and her chakra powers too.
Although she was calm on the outer surface, on the inner side, she was as amazed as a person who had been brought into a new world.
The scene in front of her was nothing like she had expected. People travelled in expensive cars rather than by foot, there were shops and civilizations like those of humans, and it wasn't a jungle as she had thought. In fact, their way of living looked more composed and organized than humans.
Has she been duped all her life? It was okay that she had a misconception about them, but such a drastic one? She stole a look at the man sitting beside her.
How can someone be this handsome? As if his almost white skin with styled hair as his eyes focused on his phone while he scrolled down the news, looking so serious, wasn't enough, he had to support his head like that, showcasing his chiselled jaws even more.
She learned that her vampire prince wears multiple masks for different purposes. Like right now, he was wearing a mask that was almost attached to his face since he didn't need to eat or drink water. When he eats, as he did after the wedding, he wears another mask that provides enough space for the food to go inside his mouth from below it. It looks more like a devil's mask. He also wears a half-face metal mask with a cotton mouth mask that covers his face entirely but gives him enough freedom to speak properly.
Life must be really hard for him to commute between the masks like this, no? Elliana sighed.
Looking at his every move, her eyes shifting to his slender fingers, she was about to look up when suddenly she felt the car jerk with a heavy force, and Elliana, who was looking at Sebastian and was unprepared for the sudden jerk, fell in front of her.
Expecting pain, she was surprised when she only felt a slight prickling on her nose.
Squinting her nose, she opened her eyes, knitting her brows further when she met nothing but darkness.
Wait? Is she unconscious, and this is her mind space? She thought before moving her hand, sighing when she could feel her limbs.
Moving her palm to the place in front of her, she unknowingly rubbed the area before sighing again.
After being unsure for a few seconds since she didn't want to provoke the devil sitting beside her, Elliana narrowed her eyes when she started to feel a little cold as if she would freeze to death.
Feeling a slight rustling of coldness from above her head, she turned her head before looking up, her crystal-clear eyes meeting his dark ones.
Sebastian wasn't prepared for the jerk, but he was quick and placed his hand in front to protect her from bumping her head into the driver's seat. However, what he hadn't expected was for her to not fall on the driver's seat, but on his lap, and his gaze darkened as he looked at the girl in front of him, still finding it hard to figure her out.
And now that she had unknowingly touched the forbidden area, even rubbing on it, he didn't know what to think of her anymore.
Was she doing this on purpose? His jaws ticked, but it soon changed when he looked into her glossy, innocent eyes.
"I...I.." Elliana stuttered in her gentle and alluring voice as she looked up at him, feeling a cold chill run down her spine when Sebastian finally smirked.
"Are you satisfied with its size?" Sebastian asked, making Elliana widen her eyes even further as heat crept up to her cheeks at his insinuation, making her look like a deer caught in headlights.
"I... I... I am so sorry," She finally found her voice, and Sebastian couldn't help but feel his lips twitching under his mask.
"It's okay. It's not like this is someone else's property. For now, at least,"
The more Sebastian spoke to get a reaction out of her, the hotter Elliana felt.
Feeling wronged by his choice of words, she quickly got up, accidentally touching his chest before she sat back and looked out of the window like an angry kitten.
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