Aliena walked into the hall and was greeted by the sight of the entire population of the Kingdom of Nacrifa. They were numerous, uncountable, in fact.The hall itself looked endless. Were these the people she was meant to serve?
"Follow me."
The head maid dragged Aliena by the arm toward a door at the corner. When they stepped inside, the place was bustling with maids just like her. Each of them packed trays of food, moving quickly from one place to another. The aroma of countless dishes filled the air, making Aliena's stomach grumble and reminding her that she hadn't eaten.
"Don't just stand there and gawk, do something!" the head maid ordered before placing a tray of food into Aliena's hands.
Aliena hurried out, following a group of maids. She copied their every movement as they served the people in the hall. Minutes passed as they moved back and forth, carrying trays and attending to everyone's needs. Eventually, Aliena reached the section where her family sat. They were chatting happily until they noticed her presence.
She stumbled, and the food in her hands nearly slipped, but Hermia stood up just in time to steady the tray. She smiled warmly at her sister, affection shining clearly in her eyes.
"Ali!" Hermia beamed with excitement and pulled her into a hug.
Aliena hugged her back, stealing cautious glances at her stepmother and stepsisters. Her father wasn't there, and she couldn't help but wonder why.
"Enough of that, Hermia!" Aliena's stepmother snapped.
Hermia quickly stepped away and returned to her seat.
"You wouldn't want the people here getting the idea that she's part of this family," her stepmother said spitefully, turning to face Aliena. Aliena's face burned red with embarrassment.
"But, mother—"
"Not a word from you!" Hermia's mother cut her off.
"Just two days of serving the Prince and you already look so haggard," Lydia laughed mockingly, she was adorned with fine jewelries and looked as beautiful as ever. "Mama, what do you think?"
"I believe you're right, my dearest daughter," her mother replied. "She looks like she's aged already. Oh, poor Aliena. You wouldn't be in this mess if you hadn't disrespected the Crown Prince. Now look at you, so miserable." She clicked her tongue in disgust.
Aliena's eyes burned with unshed tears, but she held them back, unwilling to hear any more from her stepfamily. She served their food and walked away without a word.
The Prince was cruel, yes, but he had never spoken hurtful words to her. All he did was assign her strenuous tasks, punishment she believed she deserved for disrespecting him under the influence of the blood wine. Once her servitude to the Prince ended, she knew she would return to her cruel old life with her stepfamily which she dreaded.
She returned to the backroom to collect more food and saw the head maid frantically searching for someone. When she spotted Aliena, she hurried over.
"Oh, there you are," the head maid said sharply. "The Crown Prince requests your presence."
Without waiting, she walked away to continue serving. Aliena bit her lip and left the hall immediately. Why was he calling for her?
The corridors leading to his chambers were eerily quiet, as though the entire floor belonged to him alone, there was a portrait hanging on the wall, Aliena stopped to look at it, she had failed to notice it before but all she could see was just black hue, she shrugged and headed to Sebastian's room. Aliena stopped before his door and knocked softly, waiting for acknowledgment. When it came, the double doors swung open on their own.
She stepped inside cautiously. He wasn't in the main room, so she checked his study. There he was, flipping through books and occasionally scribbling notes.
The study was spacious,large, but not quite as vast as a library. Judging by the sheer number of books lining the shelves, Aliena could tell that the Prince loved to read. She would never have pegged him as that sort of person if she hadn't seen it for herself.
"My prince."
Aliena stepped forward and bowed her head before lifting it again. He had sent for her.
"Yes."
His reply was curt and short. He still hadn't looked at her, his attention fully absorbed by the book before him. His expression was so serious that Aliena couldn't help herself,her eyes traced every sharp, impeccable feature of his face.
"Is there anything I can help you with, my prince?" she asked respectfully.
Prince Sebastian closed the book and finally looked up.
Their eyes met, and Aliena was once again drowned in their beauty. His golden-red orbs were captivating, reminding her of polished gemstones, of a necklace, the necklace her mother gifted her.
At the thought, she instinctively placed a hand over the red pendant at her neck. The movement caught Sebastian's attention, and his gaze dropped to her neckline.
"Your necklace is remarkable," he said, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes.
"Thank you," Aliena bowed slightly, excitement slipping into her voice. "It was a gift from my mother."
Sebastian hummed in response.
As Aliena let go of the pendant, Sebastian stole another glance at it. For a brief moment, it flickered with a beam of golden light, something Aliena failed to notice. He stared at it with intrigue, his brows knitting together.
"Does your necklace hold some sort of magic?" he asked.
"Huh?" Aliena blinked. "Is that possible?" she replied, genuinely confused as she stared down at it.
Sebastian sighed softly and chose not to answer. She truly had no idea.
He looked at the pendant again—and once more, it shimmered faintly.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the unmistakable sound of Aliena's stomach grumbling.
Her eyes widened as the Prince glanced down at her midsection, a hint of amusement crossing his face. Mortified, Aliena hugged her stomach and let out an awkward laugh.
"I'm sorry about that, my prince," she muttered, her face burning tomato red.
Sebastian said nothing. He simply continued staring at her belly as though it were his newest source of entertainment.
"Aliena."
He whispered her name, and the fine hairs on her skin stood on end. There was something about the way he said it, low and deliberate, that sent an unfamiliar shiver through her.
"You haven't eaten?" he asked.
Aliena looked up at him. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw concern flicker in his eyes, but it vanished so quickly she wondered if she'd imagined it.
"No, my prince," she replied softly.
"That's good..."
Her eyes widened.
So he truly didn't care. Foolish of her to think otherwise.
Aliena was starving. She hadn't eaten anything the day before. People in the mundane world believed vampires survived on blood alone, but they were wrong. Food was essential, just as it was for humans, though vampires could endure far longer without it.
Aliena, however, was different. Her body functioned much like a human's.
"...Because," Sebastian continued calmly, rising from his seat, "I called you here to eat with me."
Her mouth fell open.
Eat… with him?
The Prince stepped closer, so close that the warmth of his presence brushed against her. His breath carried a faint scent, earthy, with just a hint of spice that made her heartbeat quicken. He lifted a hand, softly caressing her cheek before cupping her jaw, his golden-red eyes holding hers with an intensity that made her pulse race.
"Crazy of you to think I don't care about you," he whispered, his voice low and intimate, seeping straight into her chest.
Aliena's breath caught. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to shrink, leaving just the two of them in that quiet, charged space. Her cheeks flushed, her hands trembled slightly, and she thought she might melt right there.
And then, just as suddenly, Sebastian pulled back. His expression hardened, his gaze returning to its usual cold, unreadable state.
"I expect you to be ready for dinner." he said sharply, his voice carrying the authority she had come to fear.
Aliena blinked, stunned. Her heart still pounded from the closeness, her mind spinning with the warmth of his whispered words. And yet, there he was again, the dark, enigmatic Prince Sebastian she thought she knew, leaving her utterly confused.
Aliena blinked and took a deep breath, trying to steady the rapid beating of her heart.
"I… I'm ready to eat, my prince," she said softly, lifting her chin just enough to meet his gaze.
Sebastian's lips curved in the faintest hint of a smile before he stepped back, gesturing toward the shadows of the study.
"Good," he said, his voice cold but controlled. "Miles, bring our food."
From the far corner of the room, a movement stirred. A figure emerged from the shadows, silent as a whisper, his black cloak blending perfectly with the dim light. Miles, Sebastian's trusted friend, moved with the ease of someone who had always been part of the shadows, yet always aware of everything in the room.
"Yes, my prince," Miles replied in a low, smooth voice, bowing slightly before preparing to leave.
But then his eyes caught something just for a moment. A faint shimmer, a Flicker of Gold in Aliena's eyes, like sunlight reflecting off a hidden gem. He paused mid-step, tilting his head ever so slightly as if trying to read the meaning behind it.
Sebastian noticed Miles hesitating. "Go," he said sharply, though there was a slight edge of curiosity in his tone.
Miles' eyes lingered on Aliena for just a heartbeat longer, then he nodded and vanished back into the shadows, leaving her alone with Sebastian.