Chapter 4: Soirée
"Welcome To Froxenheim, Daughter of Vellis Vandarkstein" An old butler that looked like he was at his late 40's greeted Ruviena as she got out of her carriage. Yesterday during her travel to the icy vampire lands of Froxenheim, a blonde headed horseman had intercepted their carriage. He was sent to give a message that the Emperor will have the Lady of Vellis Vandarkstein reside at the Valier Fortress until the night of her welcoming soirée
Lady Ruviena step foot on dampened brick surface since the snow just recently melted away before she got there, then climbed up the marble steps of the entrance, holding up the baby blue skirt of her dress so she wouldn't trip as she went to face a grand double door with gold linings. She couldn't wait to get inside a room and lay on a soft surface for once. It was a 4 day ride and her ass was aching in the carriage even if they did take a few stops.
"My name is Yoran Gale, I am the Head Butler of the Master of the Fortress and will assist you if you need anything. Let me show you to your quarters... Right this way" Yoran had red eyes that had a gold monocle worn on his right eye and sported short white strands that where neatly brushed up. Ruviena already assumed he would be one of those half vampires as those where the ones that aged slower for human years yet fastest for their dark dweller years. His impression on her was strict yet approachable and knew what he was doing as if he had been doing it his whole life.
"Sir Yoran—"
"Please, Yoran will do just fine" He swiftly informed her as the strode from the black marbled stairs towards a large hallway leading to her room
"...Yoran" Ruviena corrected herself
"Your Master, where might he be as I've not seen him at the Entrance for formality? I'd like to give him thanks for his generosity in letting a mere human like me stay temporarily in his... humble home" —Although the place could hardly be called humble, seeing as there where a number of Golden Stallion statues spotter in each corner of the vicinity.
"He is out for the day as he had a short meeting with the emperor to attend to. I'm afraid your first meeting with him will be at the soirée tonight"
"...I see" Ruviena didn't bother to ask any more questions. She had plenty of other things to think about.
Yoran had swung open a double door with it's wood grain where tinted in black.
"There will be maids available outside your room to help you with your preparations for tonight, but for now would like me to send up tea and biscuits for you?" His kindly offered
"No thank you, that will be all" Yoran nodded and closed the door to grant Ruviena her private time. She then dropped her poise and fell limp on the soft bed and kicked off her heels in an non-lady like manner.
What now? I've come so far...!! Darn it all!
She cursed herself. Already regretted her decision halfway during the travel, there was no going back. Plus, Froxenheim weather and atmosphere where beyond mediocre. The land itself shunned life, and as if the ground would fall under human feet. It was always damp and gloomy and sometimes snowing. The main problem all in all is who was she gonna be married to?!
"Mistress! Mistress!" Atop a dying tree branch nearest to her window was Noir. To others that never owned a familiar, all they could here was any other sound a crow could make. But for Ruviena, it was like to conversing with another person
"What is it? I'm tired. My butt hurts, and I'm tired... this better be good"
"You needn't say the word tired twice, I know what it mean—- no that wasn't what I was gonna say. The vicinity has an odd scent lurking around it Mistress!"
"Odd scent?"
"Yes, it resembles the stench in the ruins where the war had taken place, it's not as strong, but it's there. I'm sure of it"
"Now why would it smell like that here? Unless the dead traveled from the ruins at the central Land towards south" She brushed the thought off, it was possible in a way. Unless the Master of the house had several relatives in the dry battle field and transferred their remains in his own land.
"Anyway, for now pay no heed to it"
"The master of the household didn't have any guards to protect it's ground too. It's peculiar, Mistress had informed me that Elite vampires usually own atleast 2 guards for safety or to not dirty their own hands if the occasion calls for it."
"That is a fact..." She breathed.
"Be on guard for now until I come back from the party tonight"
"Yes mistress" And with that. The crow flew away through the grey skies. As it reached a descent distance from the fortress, The familiar Noir didn't know it's own worth as it flew steadily in the air before—-
"Caw! Caw!"
An arrow from a cross bow had suddenly shot the crow down. A clean shot
The archer lowered it's bow and praised himself in his thoughts. He brushed up a few black strands to rid it off his forehead, subconsciously feeling the fresh scar on his eyebrow.
General Xerion Hellsworn finished his meeting with the emperor quicker than he thought and on his way to other destinations mounted on his black stallion, he spotted a black crow which he felt he oddly recognized. With no second thoughts, he simply shot it down after he yanked the crossbow from his blonde servant's belt and swiftly nabbed an arrow as well.
"My lord?" The servant was more shocked at his Lord shooting down a random bird than how he managed to disarm him so fast.
"Just a little gift for my bride" His lips curved into a charming smile yet his blood red eyes held a different meaning.
-
The Royal Palace of Froxenheim was like a giant diamond structure with exquisite detail on every corner. Even the gargoyle statues had ruby for their eyes and pearl for teeth. It took her breath away seeing the magnificent view from her carriage window.
Ruviena was staring from behind a black laced cut eye mask that where lightly studded with diamonds and gold that matched her long gloves. Her dress was stark white with black lace linings and again more diamonds. Her bare shoulders where exposed in the cold air since her dress was fashioned into an off-shoulder moment. Her healthy breasts showed off a vulgar sight of deep cleavage because of her low cut bodice, which by the way she had been complaining ever since the maids practically shoved her inside the expensive apparel.
She thought maybe the Emperor or whoever he asked fashion sense from wanted Ruviena to look like a meat in front of starving wolves so that she could bait one of the 7 to want to marry her. Since when did vampires have weakness for boobs?! Weren't they more interested in the quality of blood? And her huntress blood was the least sought based on common sense.
The maids had also styled half of her hair loose and the other half pinned up to be decorated with black crystals and golf that branched to the left side of her head. Only her neck was left bare and limited from accessories. Over all, They made her look like a mischievous enchantress as soon as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She was speechless as she didn't know that she could become tremendously gorgeous.
"Watch your step, Lady Vellis" The Butler Yoran had offered his hand to assist her out of the carriage. The entrance was already empty except a few vampire guards that instantly locked their eyes on her beauty. Yoran had to clear his throat for them to snap out of their ogling state.
"Everyone's already inside waiting for you, your entrance is when the Emperor commands us so within his speech to our people and I cannot be by your side, you will have to enter alone" Yoran instructed Ruviena as he escorted her through the halls but soon halted when they where facing a thick dark red curtain. Yoran then took his place standing at the side where he wouldn't be seen when the curtains are pulled.
Ruviena could hear her own heart beat as she face the red fabric. Nothing usually made her nervous like a little girl but tonight she was. The soirée where said to be filled with vampires of elite rank and a few humans that where only slaves, and she was the only vampire hunter for crying out loud.
Oh... if only mother could see me now.
She jested at herself, the emperor's low monarch voice echoed behind the curtain making Ruvien jerk in surprise. He began his speech
"A diabolical evening to my children from different corners of darkness. Tonight, I have gathered our seven Lords that had supported your Emperor in gaining the existence we deserve and arise from the shadows. For centuries we have lived in hiding from man. Now we live among them, we live above them and for four-hundred years. But your great father wishes for balance of existence. I here by declare an absolute order for one of the seven, to marry a bride I have chosen for them in hopes to achieve cooperation between the human and vampire race"
The vampires within the grand white marbled floor ballroom exchanged whispers in bewilderment. Their father, the Emperor was willing to form a solid connection between both races. Alas, the majority protested in silence as to not insult their great ancestor
"This special woman, have hunter's blood flowing in her veins. She will instill an impression on the humans a miracle that co-existence between us is attainable"
The crowd now in complete silence. They await further announcements from their Emperor
"Enter" His authoritative voice gave out an order.
The red curtains where then pulled from the sides and A silver lady stood atop of marbled stairs covered with a black carpet run way, some of them
Ruviena's Cold sapphire eyes gazed on hundreds of red ones glowing behind different designs of masks, some of them made a snarling face baring their fangs.
She hid a nervous smirk to herself. Her thoughts engraved two words for her audience
"Bring it"
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