Chapter 2

"What could possibly make the punctual Count Ashcroft late for my coronation?" Lucien said.

Victor's body tightened imperceptibly. "My wife and I got married recently, and we lost track of time. Please forgive me, Prince Lucien."

Lucien's gaze brushed lightly over my face with a trace of interest. He smiled. "Sylvia is truly beautiful. No wonder you made a little mistake tonight. Go ahead, take your seat."

As Victor helped me to my feet, I could feel his cold fingers gripping my arm tightly.

After the coronation ceremony, the ball began. All the dukes danced gracefully with their companions.

"Let's have a dance too," I suggested.

"Not interested," Victor replied.

He was totally distracted. I could tell he was thinking about that girl.

From the dais, Lucien's gaze settled on me.

"Sylvia, since Victor isn't interested, could you dance with me?" he said.

Victor's face turned pale because Lucien could hear his whispers even from such a distance.

It proved Lucien's abilities were far superior to his.

He forced a smile. "Of... of course. Sylvia, don't stand there. Go ahead."

Lucien gave a slight smile that made people shudder. "I was talking to Sylvia, not you."

With all eyes on me, I rose to my feet. "Prince Lucien, please."

He smiled as he gracefully stepped down from the dais. With a gentle pull, he drew me into the center of the dance floor, enveloping me in his arms.

"You look a little nervous, Sylvia," he said.

"I'm not nervous, Prince Lucien," I replied.

I lowered my lashes, trying to dodge his piercing gaze, but my heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

"Look at me," he whispered. His tone wasn't forceful, yet it was impossible to resist.

I locked my eyes with his dark purple eyes again.

His hand held my waist and back steadily. I could feel the warmth from it even through the fabric of my dress.

At that moment, a vision of the future flashed through my mind.

I saw him plant a kiss on me. Our wrists pressed together, and our blood mingled as an immortal blood pact tied us together, which did not allow any betrayal.

I stumbled back a step.

"I-I'm sorry, Prince Lucien. I-I'm not feeling well all of a sudden," I stammered.

A probing smile glinted in Draco's eyes. "What a pity. Do you need a moment to rest?"

"Yes, thanks for your understanding, Prince Lucien."

I lifted my skirt and turned around awkwardly, escaping from the suffocating center of the dance floor.

Throughout the entire ball, Lucien explicitly kept his gaze fixed on me. Even Victor noticed something unusual.

"Prince Lucien simply invited you for a dance. Do you think you can get close to him?" Victor said.

I glanced up astonishedly because I never expected him to say something like that.

But it wasn't strange. Our marriage was not for true love. He only fancied my identity as a dark maiden.

It was not until now that I realized I didn't know him at all.

*****

The moment we returned to the estate, the first thing Victor did was to check on Ellie.

"Has the bleeding stopped?" he asked her. The concern shown in his eyes wasn't for show.

Ellie's eyes sparkled. "It has stopped. Thank you for asking me, Count Ashcroft. Without you, I wouldn't have made it. From now on, I'll do whatever it takes to repay you."

He brushed her hair lightly with a barely noticeable smile. "You can rest easy here. I'll protect you."

"Thank you, Count Ashcroft," she replied with a heart-melting smile. No wonder he would go up against his whole family for her.

I leaned against the doorframe to wait for Victor. When he stepped out, I said, "Don't say I didn't warn you. If the fledglings find out she's here, they'll get to her by all means. Keeping her here is putting everyone in danger."

He shot me a cold look. "Do you really think I can't protect a human girl?

"Or are you seriously jealous of a human girl?"

I was speechless. Sure enough, everything was as predicted. He made up his mind to protect her. Even I, as his wife, couldn't utter a single complaint.

*****

Ellie ended up staying at the estate as a maid, but Victor wouldn't let her do any heavy work.

Because she loved flowers, he put her in charge of the estate's garden.

She said in excitement, "Are you serious, Count Ashcroft? I can really plant whatever flowers I want?"

He smiled again. "Of course."

So, all my favorite tulips were replaced by her favorite tuberoses.

She would water the flowers in the garden while singing. Even the birds in the woods would be attracted by her song and linger.

I stood by the window, watching them chatting and laughing in the garden. But my heart remained calm.