บท 31: Madeline's anger

"So you didn't take my advice of staying away from her?" Alcinder asked Daniel this time, and Elliana looked between them, confused.

His advice of staying away? Was Alcinder angry because his friend was interacting with her?

"I needed Mr. Daniel's help, and he -"

"Did I ask you?" Alcinder's voice was cold, and Elliana paused for a second before she narrowed her eyes and looked straight into his eyes.

"No, but I should explain because he is in this position because of me," Elliana said, her voice curt and confident, and Alcinder kept looking at the girl before he took a step forward again.

"Don't you think you are testing your limits for someone who doesn't even know who I am?" He asked, and she smiled.

"I don't know who you are. And I am not interested in knowing it either. I was just explaining the situation, which surely didn't require you to get so angry, Mr. Alcinder," Elliana said, and Alcinder kept looking at her before he sighed.

He raised his hand, and Elliana flinched slightly, making Alcinder pause and look at Daniel, who immediately held her hand as if comforting her.

What was this? Why was she acting like he was bullying her or something? Wasn't she being a bit too dramatic? He was just going to ruffle his hair. What was that reaction for? Alcinder looked at her for a few seconds before looking at Daniel.

"Come see me at the terrace," Alcinder said, and both of them left soon.

Elliana entered the class with a sigh, hoping she won't have to go through any more drama.

After three more gruesome and tiring lectures, Elliana finally rushed out of the classroom so she wouldn't have to be subjected to everyone's stare anymore.

As soon as Elliana walked a few steps, a black Lamborghini stopped right in front of her, and she looked at the car casually. She was about to walk around it when the door opened in front of her.

The students who were leaving the university at the same time noticed the flamboyant car before looking at the new mysterious girl.

So not only was she beautiful, she was rich too? Just what kind of backing does she have? Was she someone influential, who didn't want to reveal her identity? Everyone started thinking.

"Do I need to give you an invitation?" Sebastian's voice was cold, and Elliana immediately recognized it.

With a soft excited smile, she entered the car and closed the door behind her.

Daniel and Alcinder, who were about to enter their cars as their chauffeur came to pick them up, looked at Elliana getting inside such an expensive car and felt it slightly weird. However, she was so far away that they couldn't see who came to pick her up.

Elliana said that she was bullied in the past. What kind of family does she belong to? Daniel thought.

Madeline, who was waiting for Aditya to bring his car from the parking lot, looked at the scene in sheer jealousy.

So not only has she settled well with that monster, they are sending cars to pick her too? Has she seriously given her golden ticket to Elliana for this mere Council's head's son? Madeline thought before she shook her head.

At least Aditya was a sight to look at and extremely handsome in his position, unlike that ugly monster. Madeline consoled herself before smiling at Aditya, who honked the horn to catch her attention and entered the car.

"So? How was your day?" Sebastian asked, and Elliana looked at him excitedly.

"It was good. Thank you for allowing me to study," She blinked innocently, and Sebastian looked at her from the corner of his eyes and nodded.

"Did anything interesting happen? Did you make new friends? Your sister is also in this college, I heard. Did you meet her?" Sebastian asked, and Elliana's smile immediately faltered, indicating that something indeed happened.

"What happened?" Sebastian asked Elliana, but she just looked at her lap, and he clenched his jaws.

Why wasn't she answering? Does she not know how important it was for him? Sebastian wanted to growl but controlled his anger with a sigh. Why was he being like this? It wasn't even her fault, to begin with.

"I am asking you something. What did she do?" Sebastian asked and swiftly turned her body to him as he cupped her face. Elliana looked into his eyes before biting her lower lip.

"It's nothing. They just... It's complicated," Elliana said, and Sebastian searched her eyes before nodding.

Meanwhile, in the royal kingdom of the hunter's bloodline, a loud crashing sound echoed in the house, catching everyone's attention.

"Mom, we have to do something. I can't stand the sight of her," Madeline shouted as soon as she entered the palace, throwing the vase at the ground, and Marla looked at her daughter with squinted brows before placing her tab aside to give Madeline her undivided attention.

"What are you guys looking at? Do you want to die?" Madeline shouted at all the maids, who immediately scurried away.

"What are you talking about, my love? We have to do something about whom? Did someone say anything to you? Has someone bullied you at University? What household did that girl belong to? Tell me at once, and I shall destroy that entire family," Marla said, and Madeline groaned before throwing her purse across the hall.

"At least, let me finish, will you? Do you think anyone has the power to bully me? Do you think I would take anyone's words just like that?" Madeline scoffed before slumping on the couch.

"It's her! The one and only nuisance of my life,"

"Her? You mean Elliana? Where did you meet her?" Marla raised her brows at her daughter, intrigued.

After marrying Elliana with those monsters, Marla hadn't thought she would be hearing this name ever again. Maybe because deep down she was hoping they would kill her in their fit of anger. They are called monsters for a reason. So hearing her daughter whine about this particular girl, who was a living example that her husband cheated on her, was unexpected.

It was good that James was out of the kingdom at the moment, and she didn't have to hear his constant nagging about how they should invite her home to know how she was doing.

"Where would I meet that girl, Mom? She was at the university. In fact, today isn't the first time. I met her yesterday too," Madeline gritted her teeth, and Marla sighed.

"Will you tell me everything at once rather than talking in breaks? That would make it easier for me to understand things," Marla pinched the bridge of her nose, and Madeline was about to start when her aunt walked in.

"Teach your daughter some etiquette. Marla. Do you think you can litter your belongings anywhere just because you are a princess? Be mindful of your manners, Madeline. Elliana isn't here to take your blame anymore. You know what happens to people who break rules, right?" her aunt walked away, and Madeline clenched her fists, even more annoyed than before now.

"Mom, I swear someday I am going to turn into a murderer because of this girl. I just want to kill her with my bare hands and feed her off to those hungry wolves in the jungles of Moon City!" Madeline said before she told her everything that happened yesterday and today, and Marla looked at her for a few seconds before sighing.

"I still don't understand what upset you, sweetheart. Shouldn't you be happy this girl won't be in your way?" Marla shifted closer to Madeline and held her hand, a slight discomfort and annoyance on her face.

She thought that her daughter was ready to fight her way to be the princess of the human world and surpass all her cousins, but if she can't even handle a useless stepsister, is she really ready?

She had high hopes for Madeline, but so far, those hopes don't look anywhere near the point of accomplishment.

"What do you mean, Mom? Are you trying to insinuate that my worrying is useless?" Madeline scowled, and Marla smiled.

"I am not insinuating it, my love. I am telling you this. Shouldn't you be happy that Elliana is herself forcing you to not reveal her identity? Either way, it's working for your benefit. Would you have been okay with revealing your relationship with her?" Marla asked, and Madeline hummed.

"I know, Mom. It's just the way she said those things that weren't digestible to me. I mean, how can she -"

Marla stood from her place before Madeline could complete her sentence.

"Mom, where are you going?"

"I am honestly disappointed in you, Madeline. You can't even handle a weakling sister. How will you handle the whole nation of humans? Am I making a mistake in vouching for you to be the next ruler's wife?" Marla looked at Madeline with anguish.

"Mom? How can you even say that to your own daughter? If you won't support me, then who will?" Madeline scowled.

"You are my daughter, but I have a reputation to hold. I would never vote for a losing horse when I can win with the winning. Keep in mind, the competition for the throne is tougher than you can imagine. I will help you as your mother, but as the relative of the king, don't expect anything from me.

This is your battle. And let me remind you again. You are not the only princess here. Probably the most favorite one, but definitely not the only one," Marla said, and Madeline looked at her stern gaze before gritting her teeth.

"I was just taking out my frustrations about that girl. Besides, you handle her the right way the most. She is best under control when she is with you. I just thought -" Madeline paused when she saw her mother only becoming angrier than before.

"Don't worry. I will handle it," Madeline said, and Marla finally smiled.

"That's like my daughter," She ruffled Madeline's hair before she walked to the central stairs.

"And one more thing, Madeline. Don't let your father hear about it. He doesn't know about her studying at the same university. It's better if these two have minimalist contact. Pick your bag and go back to your room. Your aunt is right. Elliana isn't here anymore," Marla ordered before returning to her room.

She closed the door and sat on her bed with deep thoughts.

Though she acted tough downstairs in front of Madeline, the words her daughter said indeed intrigued her. Why were these vampires allowing Elliana to attend the best University in the nation? Do they have any other motive?

What if they are using Elliana as leverage to know about their plans? If that's the case, she needs to deal with Elliana first and get her out of the way.

If something happened to her in the University, everyone would think that some vampires hurt her, no? She will have to ensure death looks like that. Apart from that, she needs to warn the king about this new turn of events too.