บท 38: Meeting

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[Catherine's POV]

Looking at the gloomy night from my window, I forgot what day it was. Maybe around four days after I was brought here by Charles?

Did it matter?

My life was eternal now as long as I was not stabbed by a silver dagger or burned by the fire or morning light.

From the beginning of my days here, I learned that Charles was one of the seven pureblooded vampires. I didn't know what that meant, but it seemed like he was a very important Vampire.

It was evident by how he had his own castle furnished with gold moldings and diamonds. I haven't attempted to explore nor got out of my room since my captivity here, and I planned it to remain that way.

Even if my goal was to help Trinity find this mark, I was feeling unmotivated.

I miss my son and father . . .

I took a long sigh and propped my chin over my hands on the window sill. It was night, and the garden looked lovely with the pleasant lights. There were vampire servants everywhere, and they all seemed happy with their jobs.

This baffled me since I thought vampires were gloomy creatures who only drink blood and sleep. But as I observed them . . . they looked more human if only not for their pale greyish luminescent skin and their eyes that turned red whenever they were hungry and angry.

I haven't interacted with the servants in the castle, nor did I plan to . . . Charles was giving me space alone, and I was grateful for it. But all this claiming that I was his mate was getting on my nerves.

The maids often brought my meals of fresh blood soup without fail as soon as I woke up. But I haven't drunk any of it. I was abusing the blood potion, but I didn't care. Trinity left me with a box full of it. She promised that she'd send me more when my supply was low. However, I didn't know how she'd do it.

Knock . . .

I didn't answer. It must be the maids here to bring my raw meal again.

"My Lady, we're coming in . . ."

I sighed and barely looked at the door when Mille and Millie came in. They were my personal servants that Charles picked for me. Two beautiful twins with dark glossy skin, dark braided hair, and a pair of striking amber eyes like cats.

"My Lady, the Duke is asking for you to join him for dinner tonight."

". . . The Duke?" I mumbled. He was asking for me? That was a first since I came here. We haven't met since then, and I thought it would stay that way. At least my hate for him kept burning because whenever I saw him, that hate seemed to vanish, and all I thought was to submit to him.

I asked Mille and Millie once about it, and true enough, my suspicion was correct. Those who were bit and turned were submissive and loyal to those who turned them. It was a compulsion to please their master, which was hard to ignore.

I stood to my feet, clutched my hands, and looked to the other side. "Could I not come?"

Mille and Millie bowed their heads. "The master insists."

I bit my lips. Mille and Millie were nothing but respectful towards me, and they hadn't done anything . . . unpleasant so far. Would they get punished if I didn't show up? In Seraphim, servants were penalized if they couldn't do their lord's orders.

I closed my eyes tight and exhaled a heavy breath. "Very well."

It was just dinner. At most, it would take ten minutes. Fifteen if I was forced to have conversations.

With their stoic faces, the twins looked at me and said, "We shall ready your bath and dress."

". . . Eh?" I was dumbfounded for a moment. Then I bitterly smiled at myself. Of course, I had to be pretty and presentable if I was going to meet the Duke.

I thought that custom was only applicable in Seraphim, but I guess I have to be presentable too in front of such a monster.

"Then . . . I will be in your care." I was not going to argue nor make their life and mine harder by resisting the inevitable.

I was not the maser here. I was a captive, and I knew my place. To achieve my goal and be with Benjamin, I must learn to blend in . . . like what I always did in the past.

Be a flower. Beautiful and elegant for the others to admire. But don't stand out, for you will be the first to be plucked.

After taking a bath, Mille and Millie dressed me in a dark gown with laces, decorated with sapphires and diamonds in the shape of different roses, complete with sparkling and expensive jewelry to match. We only wore black at the funeral in Seraphim. I guess the gloomy colors were a thing here.

I admired how the dress went perfectly well with my pale skin, and the sapphires and diamonds were stunning with the curls of my golden hair and blue eyes.

Though . . . wasn't the hem of my dress a little too low? I was worried that my breasts would burst out from the sheer tightness of the corset and dress.

Was it the Duke's taste?

I blushed at the thought and shook my head. I must not forget the hate. I had to remind myself that he was the reason why I was separated from Benjamin.

"You look lovely, Lady Catherine," Mille said with sincerity. There wasn't any malice in her voice, nor was there a hint of admiration. It was just simply formal and appropriate to praise me at a time like this.

Though they were twins and had the same poker faces, I could tell them apart from their distinct smell. They must not have bothered to hide their scent since I was just a weak vampire.

Nevertheless, I smiled at them." Thank you, Mille and Millie."

It was time to meet the Duke –– the master of this castle.