Chapter 4
From that day on, I noticed the change in Seth's gaze when he saw me.
He was like a cautious hunter, observing his prey.
As for me, I relished the thrill of his relentless pursuit.
I knew he couldn't resist my allure.
He was captivated by the weakness I feigned and the glimpses of sharpness that surfaced when I let my guard down.
This contradiction was a deadly poison for a man accustomed to controlling everything.
His guard and possessiveness grew increasingly at the same time.
*****
That day, the vampires held an important dinner party.
As the host, Seth had to attend.
Traditionally, I was expected to accompany him as the lady of the house.
When I showed up wearing a black backless gown, Seth's usually icy gaze faltered for the first time.
The dress contrasted sharply with my pale skin, and under the lights, my slender neck and graceful shoulder blades glimmered enticingly.
My elaborate makeup concealed my usual pallor, adding a touch of vampiric allure.
Seth's heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.
He immediately looked away, a fierce wave of self-disgust surging through him.
He must wonder why he was reacting to me, a female.
"Your Highness," I said, walking to him and offering a curtsy.
A subtle blend of white roses and blood lingered in the air around me.
Seth frowned and instinctively took a step back.
"Stay close and keep quiet," he ordered coldly, walking ahead of me toward the ballroom.
I followed him and looked at his rigid posture. A faint smile flashed in my eyes.
It seemed his so-called fear of women wasn't as foolproof as he believed.
*****
At the party, vampires from all the major covens mingled in a lively, extravagant scene, with glasses clinking and laughter echoing through the hall.
I played the part of elegant eye candy, returning every curious glance with a shy yet aloof smile.
An earl from a rival coven swaggered over with a glass in hand.
"His Highness is truly fortunate to have such a beautiful wife," he said, his tone thick with ill-intentioned probing.
"It's a shame about the Carrolls," he added with a deliberate sigh, his contempt barely concealed.
All around, the vampires stopped talking, waiting for the drama to unfold.
Everyone knew Seth, the prince of the Castilone, disliked his new bride. This marriage was merely a calculated alliance.
Humiliating me meant publicly insulting Seth.
My face went pale as if he'd struck a nerve, and my grip on the glass faltered.
Seth's expression darkened. He looked ready to explode.
But I intervened before he could speak, my tone gentle yet firm. "Coven fortunes ebb and flow like the tides. It's only natural.
"The Carrolls' glory is etched into vampire history. It won't fade away due to a little setback."
I lifted my chin, locking eyes with the earl. A dazzling smile bloomed on my pale face. "But you, Lord Dustin Hewitt. Rumor has it your family clawed its way up just three hundred years ago by betraying our kind to humans.
"I wonder if that 'illustrious' part of your family history made it into the official records, too?"
The ballroom went dead silent instantly.
Dustin's face turned livid.
That scandal was the biggest taboo in his family, and I exposed it publicly.
"Y-You're making things up!" he stammered.
"You know the truth better than anyone," I replied.
My smile grew brighter. "After all, compared to those families riding on their ancestors' coattails, I truly admire the Hewitts'... 'creative' approach to survival."
His speech was pure sugar-coated sarcasm, and it ripped Dustin to ribbons.
Seth looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes
My claws were sharper than he expected.
Dustin trembled all over with fury, left speechless.
Seth broke the silence, his voice icy. "Looks like Lord Hewitt has had too much to drink.
"Someone, take the earl out to rest."
The servants immediately stepped forward, supporting and dragging Dustin out.
Just like that, the drama was over.
Seth's gaze settled on me again, his eyes deep and unreadable. "Well, you made me see you in a whole new way."
"I was only preserving the Castilone's dignity," I replied, lowering my eyes and slipping back into my docile facade. "After all, I am your wife now."
Seth said nothing more.
*****
Midway through the party, I left early, saying I wasn't feeling well.
Instead of returning to my room, I slipped away to the castle's sanctuary.
A man in a white bishop's robe stood with his back to me, carefully polishing a statue.
He turned around, revealing a face that was both sacred and full of compassion.
It was Adrian, a bishop.
He was also my second lover.
"My little nightingale, your performance tonight was brilliant," Adrian said with a gentle smile.
His voice was smooth and enchanting like a sacred hymn.