9. NIKOLAS BLOOD

THIRD PERSON POV

Nikolas and Elara carefully placed the dishes on the table, their hands moving carefully as they worked. Lady Victoria in a silk gown of white and blue, sat at the head of the table, her eyes fixed on them.

"Make sure the silverware is well polished," Sophia hissed, her eyes darting back and forth between the two servants. "We can't have Lady Victoria thinking we are not refined enough for her."

Nikolas moving quickly as he arranged the forks and knives. meanwhile Elara poured a glass of wine for Lady Victoria, her hand trembling slightly as she did so.

"Is everything to your liking, my lady?" Sophia asked, stepping back to survey the table.

Lady Victoria's gaze moves over the work before her. "It looks adequate but not to my taste ," she said finally.

Elara bit back her retort, her eyes flashing with anger. Nikolas, however, remained impassive, his face a mask.

"We are glad you approve, my lady," Sophia said, "Shall we serve?"

Lady Victoria nodded, her eyes fixed on Nikolas. "Yes, serve. I am famished."

Nikolas and Elara began to serve the meal but Lady Victoria's gaze never left Nikolas' face. It was as if she was searching for something, though what, we couldn't quite tell.

"So a personal human slave," Lady Victoria said , "I have not heard of that before . Tell me, what's it's like?"

Nikolas' expression remained unreasonable but Elara could feel how uneasy Nikolas is behind his eyes. " it's been good ,my lady," he said finally. "And everyone has been treating me well."

Lady Victoria lifted the first bite of the roasted meat to her lips she chewed slowly, her eyes closed as she swallowed.

"Ah, this is exquisite," she said reopening her eyes to gaze at Nikolas. "You have a talented chef in the kitchen."

Sophia bowed her head, her face flushing with pleasure. "Thank you, my lady. We are glad you are enjoying the meal."

Lady Victoria took another bite her eyes never leaving Nikolas' face. As she chewed, she said, "I must admit, this meal is good but I have not drank any blood today and I am craving it terribly."

"I am sorry to hear that, my lady," Elara said. "Perhaps we can arrange something for you?"

Lady Victoria's gaze flicked to Elara, and then back to Nikolas. "Oh, no, I don't think that will be necessary, I am sure I can find other ways to satisfy my cravings." her eyes seemed to gleam with a hungry light.

"I am glad to hear that, my lady," Sophia said. "Is there anything else we can get for you , More wine, perhaps?"

Lady Victoria smiled, her lips curling up to reveal sharp white teeth. "No, thank you, Sophia. I think I have had enough wine for now."

Sophia nodded to Elara, "Elara, please fetch a flask of blood from the castle's stores," she said and Elara nodded obediently. "Yes, Sophia," she whispered and hurried out of the room, Lady Victoria leaned back in her chair, her eyes fixed on Nikolas. "So, human tell me what do you know of the supernatural creatures that inhabit our world?"

"I know that they exist, my lady," he said. "And that they are often feared as they rule us humans."

Lady Victoria nodded, . "Yes, that is true but what do you know about me?"

Nikolas hesitated. "I know that you are a vampire noble , my lady." he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lady Victoria's gaze never moved from Nikolas , "Ah, but that is where you are wrong, Nikolas," she said. " I am not any vampire noble, I am the king betrothed ."

At that moment Elara returned with the flask of blood, Sophia took the flask from Elara and handed it to Nikolas, her voice low , "Nikolas, please refill Lady Victoria's glass with the blood."

Nikolas' hands trembled slightly as he took the flask, his eyes meeting Elara's in a moment of shared horror. But he nodded obediently. As he poured the blood into Lady Victoria's glass, she leaned forward, her eyes red as it fixed on the crimson liquid. "Ah, thank you, human slave,I must say, I am absolutely caving blood."

Sophia smiled. "Of course, my lady, we want to make sure you have everything you need." she said

Lady Victoria raised the glass to her lips, her eyes closing in as she drank. Nikolas and Elara watched in silence as she finished the blood, she let out a disappointed sigh. "That didn't quite satisfy me," she said, her eyes gleaming with a hunger that made Nikolas' skin crawl.

"I will bring more, my lady. Right away." Nikolas said but Lady Victoria's gaze locked onto him "Why don't I just drink from the direct source?" she said.

Nikolas heart skipped a beat as he realized what she meant. He was the only human in the room, which made him the direct source. He glanced at Elara, hoping for some support, but she looked just as terrified as he did.

Sophia, however, seemed oblivious to the danger. "Oh, my lady, I don't think that's necessary," she said.

"I think it's exactly what I need," lady Victoria answered , her eyes still red.

Nikolas took a step back because he knew that he was in grave danger and he had to escape.

Elara, sensing his fear, moved closer to him, her eyes fixed on Lady Victoria . " my lady, I will go bring more blood faster," But Lady Victoria just laughed, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, but I already have one here ," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sophia, on the other hand, moved to where Nikolas was and took him to where lady Victoria is seated with vampire speed.

Lady Victoria's eyes gleamed with excitement as she reached out and grasped Nikolas' wrist. "You will do nicely," she whispered, her breath cold against his skin.

Elara watched in horror as Lady Victoria's fangs descended, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that Nikolas was doomed, and there was nothing she could do to save him.

Sophia, however, seemed resigned to the situation. "It's just the way of things," she whispered to Elara. "Nobles do as they please."

Lady Victoria's fangs descended and was ready to sink into Nikolas' neck when the door to the room burst open and Xaiter strode in. His eyes scanned the scene before him, taking in Lady Victoria's grip on Nikolas' wrist and the terror on his face.

"Ah, Lady Victoria, I see you're enjoying the hospitality," Xaiter said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lady Victoria's head snapped up, her eyes flashing with anger. "Xaiter, how dare you interrupt me," she growled.

Xaiter smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think I dare," he said, his voice steady. "You see, Nikolas here is under the king protection ."

"And who are you to protect him?" she sneered.

Xaiter's smile grew wider. " As you already know , I am the king personal advisor, for starters," he said, Sophia stepped forward. "Xaiter, please, don't provoke her." but Xaiter didn't back down.

Lady Victoria's face twisted in rage, her fangs bared. "You will pay for this, Xaiter," she snarled.Xaiter slowly reached out and grasped Nikolas' arm, his eyes never leaving Lady Victoria's face. "I think it's time for us to leave," he said, his voice calm .

Lady Victoria's grip on Nikolas' wrist tightened, her nails digging into his skin. "You will never take him from me," she snarled, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Oh, I think I already have," he said, with a swift motion, he pulled Nikolas out of Lady Victoria's grasp and turned to leave. Nikolas stumbled after him.

"Xaiter, you fool," Lady Victoria spat, her voice echoing through the room. "You will pay for this."

Xaiter just laughed, his voice echoing down the corridor as they made their way out . "I'm shaking with fear," he called back over his shoulder.

They walked through the corridors of the castle, as xaiter leads Nikolas to the personal servants' quarters. They stopped in front of Nikolas room door, Xaiter pushed the door open and gestured for Nikolas to enter.

"So, Nikolas, what were you doing serving Lady Victoria dinner?" xaiter asked

Nikolas looked down at his feet. "I was just following orders," he muttered.

Xaiter's expression turned stern. "You were supposed to serve only the king," he scolded. "Not Lady Victoria, not any of the other nobles. Just the king."

Nikolas looked up defensive. "I know, but Sophia told me to serve Lady Victoria. She said she was the one in charge."

Xaiter's scowl deepened. "Sophia has no right to give you orders like that. You are a personal servant to the king, not some noble's food ."

Nikolas looked down again, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'm sorry, I didn't know any better and pls don't tell king Alexander"

Xaiter's expression softened slightly. "I know you didn't, but you need to be more careful. Lady Victoria is not someone to be near with and for king Alexander I won't make a promise."

Nikolas nodded. "I won't make the same mistake again, thank you"

"See that you don't." xaiter said before leaving.