Chapter Seven
The couple stepped in the ballroom with calmness and elegance.
The nobles spectate the pair who entered.
The taller male was wearing a classic black attire with intricate patterns with golden rim accessories, a clothing a typical old fashion vampire would wear but his dressing was not too over the top. His partner contrasted his black colors with her white lace long sleeve dress. They look like a perfect couple that is what the spectators would describe the scene.
" I am surprise that the first prince did not came early" one of the nobleman muttered. Some of the ladies managed to hear this little statement, after the ball there will be another rumor starting.
The ladies grouped around with their respective acquaintances.
" Look at that my prince is so handsome!!" one lady whispered.
" I am jealous of Lady Shimizu"
" Right? I wish I could stand beside his highness like that"
" Look at the dress Lady Shimizu is wearing it looks beautiful on her"
" His highness looks stunningly handsome!!"
" I want to kill that woman!!" another lady muttered but make sure to say it lowly to not get caught.
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Anastasius and Mallory fake smiled to the nobles that were coming to their direction greeting and congratulating them of their engagement.
All of them seem to be so fake and flattering that Anastasius imagine himself killing them all to shut their mouths, he was use to this although he did not attend often to any party or gathering. Mallory has adjusted to this since she was brought out to high society, she want along with the nobles flattering tone however her words has hidden meaning in them whether good or bad. Mallory keep a calm expression and make sure to put an image in the nobleman heads as an obedient fiancee only speaking when her betrothed finished speaking or when he let her.
They cooperated with each other not leaving space for a mistake or a rumor to came out from their manners, they both know very well what the nobles were trying to do. They were finding a weakness, if both Anastasius and Mallory show even a slight weakness they would streak at the opportunity.
The couple's play has been smooth until...
one nobleman with pale blue hair and emerald eyes greeted them he was clearly a snake.
" Greetings your highness and Lady Shimizu, both of you make a excellent couple...My name is Roberto Salome your highness this is my daughter Bella would you care to be interested in taking her in as a mistress"
Some of the nobles that were around the couple were surprise by this nobleman's boldness, taking a mistress is not a surprising thing as most of the royals or noble mans have at least two or three mistresses after the main wife even so that does not mean they confidently show their mistresses as it give shame for their pride.
Was Anastasius annoyed? Yes
Was he going to glared at Roberto? Yes
Just like that Anastasius give an intimidating glared at Roberto with killing intent only Roberto himself could feel, the bystander could not feel it. Mallory was just keeping quiet already knowing what her fiancee was doing, she almost forgotten that her betrothed was a ruthless lord who have killed thousands with his own hands.
Although the nobles don't know the situation, by the glare of Anastasius they already guessed what was happening. Roberto was stupid enough to offend a royal and the second prince at that. They know how terrifying the second prince is. It seems Roberto has underestimated the prince's anger because Anastasius presences was not shown for a long time so he have forgotten how scary the prince is. .
'Roberto Salome have just dig his own grave' that is what most of the nobles thought.
The Salome house was known to be a banished noble family from the Vibora clan taking refuge in the founders clan before the present king's ascension and place as one of the members of the clan after the the king's ascension. They were powerful yes but not a suitable house to have an engagement with or have marry one of the daughters as the family was banished from the vibora clan, a banished family is literately translating to a cursed family, the founders were not friendly with this term. That's why inbreeding in the family is common, they shrugged it off saying: "This keep the "pure" blood of the vibora clan where we came from." Most of the daughters were given(or sold) as mistresses to royals or powerful families to have connection and of course power. Roberto Salome is the present head of the house having five children three daughters and two sons. Bella is one of his daughters. This information is what Anastasius has known from the years he lived.
Most of the nobles were anticipating for Anastasius answer, Mallory included.
Anastasius didn't even glance at the said lady named Bella. He smile "warmly" at Roberto but his eyes says otherwise.
Anastasius chuckled, he walked closer to Roberto's ear and said. " I would not need for unnecessary nuisance....it will be a waste of space, don't you think? Roberto" his voice was threatening for the poor snake demon.
Roberto face was pale and his eyes became dull, his mind was in chaos and felt himself disconnect with his awareness. He quickly apologize and bowed to Anastasius and Mallory. And then he quickly took his daughter's hand and cowardly get out of the ballroom. His daughter's face was distorted with shame and embarrassment.
' What might Stasius have done to him to become like that?' Mallory thought gazing at Anastasius who came back to his calm self talking with the nobles again. Mallory was not stupid she knew he has done something to Roberto.
Anastasius felt stared at so he look for the source and met with the same color of golden eyes as him which happened to be Mallory, he gives her a mischievous smile. ' Yep, he have done something' she thought but get out of her thoughts when the announcer presented.
" Crown Prince Giesbach and Lady Krone Mikazuki has arrived!!"
The announcement shocked the nobles. The clan did know the infamous rumor of the prince's interest in the first daughter of the only Duke. But they did not think that the Crown Prince would take Krone for his partner to the ball. It would give a caused a huge scandal since Krone was engaged to Burai the Crown Prince of the Vibora clan. But what they don't know is that behind the scene the engagement was to be annulled quite soon.
" I don't why but they do look like a good match" One lady said.
" Lady Mikazuki looks beautiful!!"
" I must be blessed to see both of the most beautiful royal couple today"
A lot of murmurs and whispers could be heard.
Anastasius gazed at his brother and his soon to be sister in law.
" Don't you think my brother is foolish?" Anastasius said to his lover while placing his hands on her waist. Mallory moved close to Anastasius snuggling to his warmth. " Yes, this would make a strain to the relationship with the vibora clan and our clan" she replied to him. Anastasius just gaze at Mallory with a amused expression ' It is more than what you think, dear' he thought.
The nobles did not see Mallory and her lover's discussion because their attention was on the newly arrived couple.
" Let the dance begin" Giesbach announced as he has the duty for the announcement of the dance as he is the Crown Prince. The classical music start playing and partners by partners started dancing. Giesbach clasped on Krone's hand and lead her to dance. Anastasius and Mallory soon followed.
Both of the couple give off the aura of majestic and power, some of the ladies and nobleman couldn't help but stop their dance and watch the pair of royal couples dance to the rhythm of the music.
Although the ball was hosted to celebrate the return of the princes, it is also to celebrate the peace treaty between the wolves and the founder clan but it was mostly the former, the latter was only for show to give the wolves some face.
" Stasius, I love you" Mallory unexpectedly whispered a confession to Anastasius while they were still dancing. Anastasius was surprised but did not say anything to her just give her a small peck on the forehead and keep dancing with the pace of the music. Mallory was not disappointed by the respond of him, she smile at him and said nothing.
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A few days after the ball Anastasius and Mallory was finally married.