Duke Lucius Martelli

Eve expected nothing but blood on the menu for tonight's event.

To her surprise, however, the banquet highlighted a feast for the senses.

A table filled with platters of both vegetables and meat, delicately cooked to perfection and all presented with the same elegance as the table where the vampires were socializing with each other. Savory meat, and exotic dishes filled the table that should be for the humans in attendance.

Meanwhile, the grand hall was just an impressive sight to behold.

Illuminated by beautiful chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling, a vast ballroom space can be seen in the middle where the guests could dance and socialize. The floors were polished to a high shine, reflecting the chandeliers from above.

The edge of the ballroom space was adorned with seating areas, where the guests could relax and enjoy.

This event seemed to be so grand, she could not help but wonder what the event was.

She eyed the vampires that were talking with each other. They kept to themselves, showing little interest in the human attendees.

Upon their arrival, some vampires stared at them with both curiosity and awe but they would immediately turn towards the vampire next to them and would once again engage in their own conversation.

This was too different from the first event, Eve thought inwardly.

Relief flooded through her when she realized Lucius was still nowhere to be seen.

She contemplated how she would react if she saw him again. Soon, she realized that none of the possible responses would end well for her. So, she composed herself and controlled her fury.

She could not let her emotions win.

In this game, she could not let them win!

"Go on…" Ophelia ushered them to their seats. "Enjoy the wine. Tonight is the Prince's day."

So it was Max's birth date?

Eve snorted inwardly. Vampires live a very very long life, some of them already forgot the day that they were born.

However, there are some who would celebrate their day.

They were going to have a grand celebration on a certain day— usually, the day that they became a vampire. Of course, there were some peculiar vampires who would still celebrate the day they were born.

She wondered if Max was celebrating the day he was born as human or the day he turned into a vampire.

"Baron Ivan Draven and Baroness Marete Draven are entering!" A loud voice announced just as the big wooden door opened. Despite this, the soft music did not really stop.

A man that looked like he was still in his late twenties walked in, a beautiful smile was plastered on his face. He had blond hair and sharp features yet it was not enough to dampen his good looks. The woman next to him was equally as beautiful with the same blond hair and blue eyes.

"Baron Dante Thorn and Baroness Concepcion Thorn are entering!" There was another announcement and another couple walked in. They were both wearing black elegant clothing, both had black hair and dark brown eyes. While they were smiling, the sinister glint in their eyes was pretty apparent.

"Baron Gideon Petrov and Baroness Analissa Petrov are entering!" A brown-haired man and a beautiful dark-haired woman with exotic features walked in.

Eve lowered her gaze.

She had scanned the room for any handsome vampires to ogle, hoping to distract herself from the thought of Lucius's looming presence. But even the most striking of them failed to hold her attention for long.

Wasn't she simply too pathetic?

Her anger was devouring her from the inside.

Can someone blame her?

Her lips thinned as she thought of the past when she saved Lucius Martelli from death.

How could one betray their savior?

How could one betray the person that would do everything for them?

Perhaps only Lucius and those people could answer that question.

"Hey, do you want me to get you some wine?"

Eve lifted her head when she heard Willow's voice. Since that night, she did not have the chance to talk to the woman.

"No, thank you."

Willow gave her a wry smile as she sat next to her. "About that night—"

"I don't think there is a need for us to talk about it," Eve immediately cut her off.

"I apologize, I did not want to sound rude. Thank you for saving me."

Eve nodded.

"I owe you one," Willow said. Before she could respond, Willow got up and went back to her seat.

The timing could not have been more perfect, as the herald's booming voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Behold the Duke of Imperion, His Grace Kier Antonecu!"

Just like everyone else, Eve turned to face the entrance, watching as the Duke made his grand arrival.

"Greetings to the honored one," the vampires greeted in unison.

Out of nowhere, a movement caught Eve's attention. She turned her head just in time to see him.

Lucius.

Lucius Martelli.

The man whom she had treated as a brother for tens of years!

The very same man who watched her die with a disgusted look on his face.

"Behold the Duke of Imperion. His Grace Lucius Martelli!"

"Greetings to the honored one." For the second time, the other vampires greeted those that were entering the ballroom. Even though she had braced herself for this moment, the sight of Lucius still threatened to overwhelm her. She felt her blood boil, her heart raced as her hand shook.

She quickly lowered her head as her face twisted with fury.

A sudden urge to lash out and make him suffer like she had suffered filled her.

Control, she chanted inwardly.

The sound of the Prince's arrival was drowned out by the deafening roar of Eve's rage to the point where she did not even realize he was there until she lifted her head and saw him standing next to Lucius.

Eve was lost in her thoughts for a few seconds before she became aware of the sudden silence in the room. When she looked up, she saw that all eyes were on her, filled with curiosity and interest.

"And that woman…" Lucius' voice echoed in the air. "You can stay. The rest can leave the banquet now."

Eve's heart sank as she scanned the room and realized that Lucius had chosen her with four other women to stay behind at the banquet.

Dread settled in the pit of her stomach like a lead weight.

....

A/N: Ehem... I really like this cliffhanger. I might lock in the next chapter. hehehehe