First day at work

Dahlia watched nervously as the prince's blood continue to drop into the witch's bowl. She wondered what he was up to. She really hoped that he was not really getting into a blood ritual that would bind them together. But that was his blood, and that was a witch. How else could this be explained?

King Mikael was suspicious of how compliant Raziel was. The prince would never agree to things against his wish just like that. He never lets anyone tells him what to do. Even he the king couldn't fully place him under his control. Raziel would only obey when it pleases him. And that was why he would always resort to threats, using people he cared about against him.

Raziel noticed his father staring at him. He gave the man a look he could not fathom. Raziel then shrugged.

"Don't be surprised father. I want to marry her for real." He whispered, knowing his father could hear him. The king narrowed his gaze at him.

Evelyn observed from where she was. She noticed that Raziel was the only one involved in the ritual. Why not Dahlia?

She had heard that blood ritual could be dangerous if done wrong. She wanted Dahlia to suffer too if anything goes wrong. She then tapped her husband.

"Isn't Lady Dahlia supposed to be involved in this ritual? They are getting married, so it's only normal that she joins in."

"I understand your point, but it is up to her to decide. Besides I believe she really wants to marry the prince, so there is no need for her joining." King Mikael said, and Dahlia nodded in agreement.

"But it would be more successful." Evelyn continued to persuade the king.

"Forgive me your majesty, but I don't want to get my skin cut. I don't like the pain." Dahlia said to the annoying queen.

After the witch was done collecting Raziel's blood, she began to stir it with a knife while muttering the ritual spell. Everybody just watched on anxiously, especially Dahlia. She took note to beat him the hell up.

The witch's chant grew louder, and the blood began to boil. She moved her head around, like someone who was being exorcised. She stopped after a while, and the blood stopped boiling.

"It is done." The witch said. "Give me the papers."

Evelyn carried the document of the blood ritual to the old witch. She was tempted to take a peek inside, but since everyone was present there, she couldn't.

The witch placed her thumb inside the bowl of blood, staining it with the blood. Then she touched a part in the paper where she was to sign. She asked Raziel to do the same, and he did.

"There is nothing you should worry about now father." Raziel said to the king. "Lady Dahlia?" He turned to Dahlia, telling her that it was time for them to go. But Dahlia suddenly grabbed his arm and walked away with him to his study.

Lorenzo was already waiting there for him.

"What the hell did you just get me into prince Raziel?" Now she sounded angry. "I assisted you to steal the document so you could destroy it or something, and now you went ahead with the blood ritual? I am glad I didn't partake in it with you..."

"Dahlia calm down. One thing you should know about me is that I cannot be forced into doing something I don't want to do. I cannot be forced to marry you."

"Yes. A person cannot force you, but a blood ritual can." She then sighed deeply and pinched the bridge between her eyes in frustration. "I honestly thought you were going to burn it."

"It would be very suspicious if the document went missing the same day they were given the fake invitation. And with the blood ritual done, your parents will have no doubt that you are getting married to me. You can demand for your wealth. Actually I helped you." Raziel explained.

Dahlia smiled at the thought of getting back her wealth. She had worked hard for it, and it was hurtful when it was taken from her. But she was still bothered by the ritual.

"You know what? Even if I end up marrying you, I will just pretend to still be unmarried, and go about my business the way I used to."

"Do whatever you like Dahlia."

"But your highness, why did you go through with the ritual when you are not ready to marry her. You know the consequences of a blood ritual." Lorenzo stated with a frown. "Why didn't you tell me before going ahead with it?"

"I know the consequences of the blood ritual, and no, I am not marrying Dahlia. All I am asking is that you trust me."

Dahlia scoffed. "I leave everything at your hand prince Raziel, since you refused to share your plan." She then startled them by grabbing Lorenzo. "I need you for the night."

Lorenzo looked on helplessly between the prince and the crazy woman. He thought the prince would help him, but the rogue just waved at him, as if telling him to enjoy his time.

When they came out of the study room, Dahlia left his arm.

"Your prince is driving me nuts." She uttered, then she left him and went on her way.

Lorenzo couldn't help but believe that she was a little crazy.

*****

Luciana got ready early the next morning to start her new job. She went to look for Raziel in his room, and he opened the door the exact moment she wanted to knock.

"Good morning red." He smiled at her.

Luciana frowned at her new nickname.

"Good morning your highness."

"Punctual. I like it. We should get going."

She then followed him to the carriage.

"You will be needing a carriage of your own. I won't always be around to go with you."

Luciana nodded.

"And I mean you should buy."

Luciana turned to him and laughed. She knew that he was only trying to get back at her for charging him the previous day.

"Fine. I will buy. With just a little from the money I made from a good business deal. It always pay to do business with rich people."

Raziel nodded to himself. "You are a fraud Luciana."

"Thank you."

Adams started the carriage to the lab, and Luciana fell back against the seat.

"Your highness?" She called, and Raziel turned to her. "Are you really going to marry the Duke's daughter? I heard that you took a blood oath with her."

"How did you learn about that?" Raziel asked.

"Your servants made it impossible not to know. Everyone is talking about it. Are you really going to marry her?" She asked.

"Yes." The prince lied to see her reaction.

"Oh." She uttered, trying to keep her face straight.

"You seem disappointed Luciana. Don't you want me to marry her?"

"I am in no place to decide that your highness." Luciana said.

"If you were in the place to decide, what will you suggest?"

"Is that even possible?"

"That's why we are making an assumption."

"It your decision your highness."

"A simple 'yes' or 'no' will do Luciana."

"Why does my opinion matter to you?" Luciana asked.

"Fine. I give up. You are never going to answer."

When they got to the laboratory, Raziel introduced Luciana to her new team who were already waiting for her.

"Meet Lady Luciana Wallace." Raziel introduced her to them, and Luciana was taken aback that he knew her last name. She took a mental note to ask him how.

The others introduced themselves and what they were. They were mostly vampires and few werewolves with just one human.

"What are you Lady Wallace?" One of them asked.

"Human." She stated.

They all looked taken aback, and obviously displeased that they were going to be headed by a human. Luciana who noticed this smiled.

"A human heading us?" Another person complained.

"A human who knows what she is doing. You all should feel privileged I allowed you work with her." Raziel said, his hand on her shoulder.

Luciana looked down, trying to hide the smile that appeared on her face at his praise. Did he really think that highly of her?

He then turned to Luciana. "If you need anything, you are free to ask anyone. Adam will be here to pick you up later in the day."

"Thank you your highness."

"You all should be careful with her. This human can kill you all with ease." He warned, and Luciana wondered if he was joking. But then, she knew it would be very easy to take many of them down if she had her arrows coated with her vampire poison, as she had named them.

To her utmost surprise, the crazy prince leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek while everyone was looking, and she froze.

"Take care of yourself Lucy."

Even though she felt like snapping his neck at that moment, she couldn't help but smile. That was the name her family used to call her.

When Raziel left, she noticed how she seemed to draw everyone's attention to herself, and she wished she could beat the prince in a pulp.