章 9: The High Life Isn't So Glamorous
Meanwhile, as Nikolai dealt with his existential crisis.
In her penthouse apartment atop the Scarlet Group building, Selene lounges on her black sofa in silence. Her eyes closed tight while taking a deep breath with both legs leaning over the arm.
On the table were several envelopes with various crests and emblems, most from noble vampire clans asking for her to consider engagement with their family heirs and heads.
'These damn old men! Just because of my bloodline, they treat me like prime A5 Wagyu beef!'
Selene bit her lips while thinking back to the battle from last night. Her heart could not help but tremble the moment she saw him tear apart a squire who served the Faust family for nearly two years.
"How... that wasn't a normal transformation, not to mention he didn't awaken as a vampire. Instead became some kind of werewolf, no that wasn't a werewolf!" Her voice tightened as she spoke the last words, as if shouting at herself could calm the rapid beating of her chest.
'Those distorted, monstrous claws made me feel terrified. A vampire with progenitor's blood felt the danger to my life from squires that awakened that moment!'
She bit her lips harder, a crimson stream of blood oozing down her chin while her face scrunched up. Selene remembered his gaze, which looked as if she was nothing; his eyes made her heart feel strange and unable to look away.
His gaze was so powerful that she could only stand and gaze back, unable to turn away until he did.
"It's frustrating, why is he so strange?! He was half dead... then suddenly wins!"
It wasn't like she didn't feel happy he won; that meant that Maximilian of the Faust family would no longer bother her for marriage, and without a Squire, he would be forced to step back... Yet the feeling when she looked at Nikolai after biting him and tasting his delicious blood...
Each time after made her desire his blood even more, enough to make her lose control and the pride that kept her going.
Bzzzzt!
Bzzzzt!
Then, sat on the expensive table, inlaid with beautiful runes and artwork from an R-Kingdom artist, a small black phone lit up while dancing along the table.
As a matter of fact, only one person called her on this phone because she had no friends.
It was her mother.
Therefore, with a heavy feeling of dread, like someone dropped rocks inside her stomach, she answered the call, not wishing to hear her mother's voice scolding her as a failure.
Click!
"Good evening, Mother."
"Why did you let the phone ring for more than two seconds? Are you trying to make me wait for you?"
"N-No, Mother..."
"Then, I'll keep this brief. What kind of a foolish daughter are you? Why did you accept that kind of mangy dog as your squire?"
"Mother... he's not a dog. Also, Maximilian Faust was forcing an engagement! He didn't leave me any options..."
"Silence! Did you not hear me? I told you to accept that young master from the Astor family!"
'Why do my daughter's eyes seem so different?! If she knew the truth and that Vlad never intended to force her to marry truly, then I wouldn't have to play the bad guy all the time. He just wants to find the clans who are plotting behind his back... Vlad... I hope you can tell her soon.'
In reality, she didn't want to force Selene to do these things. There was a reason for everything how she acted in public and the difference in private. The current situation of the Tepes family wasn't as stable as Selene thought.
However, sadly, there was now an issue with another family who were suspected to be doing something with another family and plotting to overthrow the Tepes as the current king of the vampire clans.
"Not only did you fail to follow my instructions, but you also killed the squire of Maximilian Faust!"
"I..."
"Haa... why are you so difficult? You know that your father needs to have you married to someone from a noble family. If he loses power, can he still protect you or our family like he does now?"
"Mother..."
It was obvious from the other side's tone, that she wasn't truly mad and almost broke into tears near the end... thus forced to end the call.
Click!
'Why must you be forced to play the villain... second mother?'
Selene clenched her fist so tightly that her palm began to bleed; her nails pierced her skin. Even though her heart trembled and she felt anger, sadness, and frustration, she could only remain silent.
She wasn't a horrible princess like she showed the world.
That was her protection to resist these feelings of being caged and forced to accept her fate as the only female vampire with a high level of progenitors and royal blood below a thousand years old.
'I don't want to marry that man—he is two thousand years old and has watched me with disgusting eyes since I was a mere child.... someone, please help me! How could he be a YOUNG master!'
Her body trembled; looking at the invitations on the table, she realised her only way to avoid this was to accept the fifteen offers on the table—once someone challenged her to a duel regarding marriage, she would have a month of freedom if Nikolai won.
A month where she could search for a way to survive.
'I know she doesn't hate me... I've heard the conversations between her and father. It's all to protect the clan even if I hate her...'
"Please forgive me. You were nothing but an interesting person to me, Nikolai. Yet I dragged you into this hellish situation..." A feeling of irritation flowed through her mind as she remembered his first fight and how he looked so beautiful in the moonlight, covered in blood and soaked from the rain.
'To be honest... at that moment, for the first time in my life. I felt my heart racing.'
"That's why I will never let you die, and make sure you have a life you always dreamt of, even if you continue to hate me. This is all I can do for having you fight for me..."
Selene wiped her tears and picked up the envelopes on the table. With a tired smile, she looked at the skyline of the city through the large window as the moonlight shone down.
"Nikolai, I hope one day you will forgive me."
Selene thought back to the expression Nikolai showed the moment after he killed the Squire; once the battle ended, the feral look and aura faded, revealing his tired appearance.
Nikolai truly looked as if he was ready to drop dead and didn't seem to care about anyone around him. He was too weak and tired to notice that Maxmilian threatened him.
"I should contact Wilhelmina and have her at least protect his father," Selene muttered as she dialled a number on her phone.
'I'm sorry, Nikolai; you can hate me for the rest of your life. Nevertheless, I beg you to survive and live well.'
Selene gazed out the window and looked at the moon. Her eyes were filled with complicated emotions and a tinge of sadness as she whispered.
"Somehow, it's comforting to have someone who is bound to me."
The moment she leaned back, she noticed a figure in her window, his face hidden by the silk curtains flowing in the wind. However, she noticed his eyes and hair were silver, like the moon, and he looked old...
"Greetings, I am Ivan Volkov, the father of Nikolai. It's a pleasure to meet the Tepe's Clan's crimson princess."
"Y-You... I...."
"Do not worry, I just wish to speak about my son, and that you will tell him I am alright if he should worry because I am gone."
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