Chapter 93

The second floor was much more contained compared to the floors above it. The decor, although magnificent, was somehow simple in the face of its superior floors.

It was rude to simply waltz in on our guests, so I was hoping I might conveniently run into them instead. That was the faster and easier way to get answers, but what would be the chances of them roaming around alone?

I noticed a maid carrying dirtied plates and smiled at the sight. That meant they were on the floor.

"Are you alright miss?" She stopped me, her voice abrasive.

I suppose it was weird for anyone to be on this floor.

I took in the woman who seemed like she hardly cared for anything. Her eyes looked dull, as if the life force within had been sucked out of her. Leaving an empty shell.

"Yes, I'm simply a bit"-

"Lost?" Somebody answered for me and I jumped, turning to find the Empires prince smiling at us with a wide grin. His eyes looked like they widened, but it was hard to tell when he had those barely visible pupils.

"Your majesty" I curtsied and the maid followed.

"Aren't you one of the princes candidates?" He asked, interest lacing his words as if he recognised someone worth noting. It made me curl inside a bit.

"Yes, my name is Madeline Colter" I answered with a smile I hoped was polite.

"Colter? As in the merchant family?" He seemed surprised and I sighed internally at the usual reaction.

"Yes- my brother runs the apothe"-

"You must be the owner of the dress shop then?"

I perked up in astonishment at the words. I'm being recognised for my business outside of Grandor?

"Yes. I run the boutique" I tried to search for some sort of scheming look but he didn't seem to have any ulterior motives.

"Then you must meet my wife. She's heard about the dresses you sell and the quality of make up you provide. She would be over the moon to meet you personally" he looked so happy just at the thought of pleasing his wife and didn't ask me if I was free when he gestured for me to follow him, "she wasn't sure how to spend her day so you keeping her company would put me at ease".

"It would a pleasure" I replied with a delighted smile.

I'm getting lead to my intended destination- my luck must have really been building up! But my smile faded when we finally reached the room and he carelessly opened the door.

For there was Lady Francesca, bent over the mirror, treating the multitude of wounds in her neck. Each one a hole with blood dried around the edges.

I had frozen completely at the sight, my face conveying my thoughts.

"Don't wipe them- I like it when they dry off like that!" The prince complained as he rushed to his wife. Francesca, looked startled to see me at first, but she evidently found her husbands behaviour annoying and turned to him.

"It hurts! How could I just let it dry up simply because you enjoy the taste?" She scowled and he pouted as if the request was some sort of joke.

"Oh come on, please. I'll clean it up real good and you know I like to do a bit extra in the middle of it" he wiggled his brows and she blushed, slapping his chest.

"Fine. But please tell me why you've dragged a poor young lady here to witness this scene?" My presence was finally acknowledged and my reply, that should have come naturally, was stuck in my throat. My eyes zeroed on the scarred neck as my brain processed that her husband, who seemed to declare himself madly in love, did that to her.

"Well you'll never guess who this lady is?" He beamed and pulled me over by my arm, his grip was tight on my elbow as if to warn me to not say anything or risk being killed at his hands. "This is Lady Madeline Colter, the young lady who opened those popular boutiques".

Her face brightened in recognition and suddenly my hands were in hers as she looked up at me in child like excitement.

"I knew you resembled someone! I've seen your brothers in the papers, and they just barely mention you! To think you were right at my living quarters- is this not destiny?!" She shot her husband a look for affirmation and he laughed heartily, patting her as he finally let go of the vice grip on my arm.

"It seems you ladies have a lot to talk about so I shall continue with my meeting with the prince" he smiled warmly at his wife and shot me a smile that was nothing more than a threat.

Terrifying…

And then he simply exited through the door. What a sensible thing to do. I know a vampire that should be taking notes.

"Please don't mind my husband or the scars. It's just how it is. I've wanted to buy your dresses for so long and to meet you like this feels like fate".

I spoke for the first time since entering.

"Doesn't… it hurt?" I couldn't stop the words and I didn't care for the look of surprise on her face. Nor the shame that followed.

How could she just swallow all of that?

"It isn't that bad. It hurts a bit, but vampires can manipulate the pain. Please don't mind it" she covered her neck awkwardly and I finally looked away. Her eyes seemed a bit more dimmed and I couldn't blame her.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't pry where my nose doesn't belong" I finally felt the delayed guilt of making her uncomfortable. She gave an appreciative nod back and finally began fan-girling over the products I sell.

"I've always wanted to wear one of your dresses- that diamond studded one is absolutely gorgeous!" She gushed.

"Yes that was prepared by my seamstress Vanessa. She's actually the one who manages the boutique in my hometown. She's a lovely person and I encourage you to visit while you're here" I smiled, trying to make up for my horrible first impression, and then as a cherry on top I added, "I'll have my staff in the capital book you in for a day totally dedicated to you".

"To me?" She asked in astonishment and confusion.

"They'll colour match you with dresses and make a handful of them that special to your body type and the image you want to portray. The make up team also pick the best shades and consistency of your make up products while taking into account your skin type" I explained and her eyes widened in excitement, mouth gaping to reveal a set of pearly teeth before she squealed.

"Please book me in as soon as possible! I'd love to have a full day of pampering" she let out a long delighted sigh as if she was already experiencing it all and I chuckled.

She looked so innocent.

Somehow the status jump had no impact on her arrogance at all.

"Of course I will. As long you promise to be my friend" I would usual joke about such matters, but for once I was completely serious. I needed to see if a relationship with Jules was something I could handle and right now I highly doubted it.

She faltered in her smile and tilted her head.

"Aren't we already friends? Otherwise you wouldn't offer me such a generous invitation?" she asked, brow furrowing.

I laughed at her words.

"Of course don't mind my nonsense. But the reason I asked was because I want to know what it's like being with a… vampire as a human. Did you know you were fated?" I asked, trying to sounds casual but I couldn't stop the occasional slip of a nervous pitch that threw my facade out the window.

"Oh I see… since the prince isn't human I'd understand your apprehensions…" she said although her face revealed she didn't understand. It was understandable I suppose. Where she came from human/vampire relationship were entirely normal.

"It's not because he's a vampire… I like him, but I don't know if I can handle a relationship that's so… different. He's also going to be a monarch." I explained and she nodded.

"Of course that makes sense. I guess you mean these marks on my neck. It's not so bad. It's quite like kissing or… well um love-making I suppose" she flushed at the very words and I found myself blushing alongside her.

"Is that r-right?" I sheepishly laughed, face contorted by embarrassment.

She nodded, looking away to the bed of untidy sheets behind her. The maids wouldn't have neglected it which meant…

My face couldn't get anymore red.

"They do have a larger appetite though…" she muttered and my head sprung up at the change of subject.

"For food?" I asked, glad we were off the topic, but when her face stared at me in surprise and then flushed deeper I realised she hadn't meant food at all. "Oh… my- my bad"-

"No. You aren't used to it so I understand. But it might be worth building stamina if you know what I mean" she gave me a painful wink and I truly wished to die at that moment.

"Well how- how often do they need blood?" I asked, once again drawn to her marks.

"Blood?" She asked and then laughed, "oh this isn't for blood- this is simply just my husbands preference. Vampire don't need blood so often. Especially when they finally bond with their fated human. It really depends but Silvester only drink every other month. And he takes into account how it would affect my health of course!" She explained, with a smile that displayed that it wasn't so bad at all.

"I see…"