Emelia

[Catherine's POV]

Thunder was clashing outside the window, and the winds howled like it would shatter the glass.

I found myself staring at myself in front of the mirror, but my reflection was blank.

Right. I was a vampire now.

The night was cold and dark, and there were no stars in the sky. I wonder what Benjamin was doing right now? Was he okay? Was father okay?

I really had to ask Charles about seeing my family. I need to see them thrice or even twice a week for my sanity's sake.

I saw the King of Vampire yesterday, and I never expected him to be so intimidating and handsome at the same time. He wore his power and beauty equally well. He was both a demon and a god combined in one, and I had never seen a man held so much power and charisma.

He was one of the most powerful beings in GrimHeart, and the title was well deserved.

However, it was not the point. Trinity said that I had to search for the mark. And the first lead I had was the royal bloodline of Razim.

BaAnG!

Thunder rumbled, and I got on my feet. I thought I heard a noise in the hallway. Checking the empty corridors, I caught sight of a hem of a nightgown and strands of golden hair.

Was one of the ladies awake? It was nearing morning though it was still dark. But at this time, the castle should be empty while everyone was doing their business in their room.

I went still, sensing if Mille and Millie were around. When I didn't feel them, I went out of my room and followed whoever that was without thought of the possible consequences.

Every vampire in this house was hostile towards me except for Mille, Millie, and Charles. And the only thing keeping me alive was Charles himself.

I couldn't blame the others. I was a stranger and didn't make any effort to actually get to know the vampires here. But even if I did, I think they still wouldn't approve of me. It was a different matter if I was taken in as a mistress . . . but as a mate?

When I rounded the corner, I caught a glimpse of Lizbeth's pale face. Unlike with everyone, her hair was straight, and her face portrayed no emotion whatsoever.

Lizbeth went to another corridor. She seemed like she was floating from how her feet didn't touch the ground. She was silent as a corpse.

The only light in the hallway was the lamps on the wall and the occasional thunder outside the glass window. In my haste of following her, I was led to a room with an unending stretched of corridor.

But this time, the corridor was different. It was fancier than the rest — carpeted floors and marble walls lined with gold moldings in intricate details. The celling was concave and oil painted, and there were blue roses made of jewels lining the path. All kinds of precious stones sparkled as vines, and bouquets of fresh roses were on every vase.

This area alone probably cost our whole fortune.

I knew that vampires were wealthy due to their accumulated wealth. But I never realized how rich until the extravagance was slapped on my face.

I didn't have the chance to marvel at its splendor, though, because my attention was caught by Lizbeth, who was standing at the end of the corridor.

It was a long path with no forks, and as I went closer to her, the only thing awaiting me was a dead end and a giant picture of . . . me?

I gasped.

I knew Lizbeth heard me, but she didn't bother to spare me a glance. Only her low and slow voice told me that she knew I was there.

"This is Emelia," she said.

My eyes went to the picture of a beautiful woman with golden curls tied in a loose updo. Colorful jewels decorated her hair, and she wore nothing but expensive stones on her ears and neck. But all the sparkles and luxurious things didn't seem to do anything with the sadness in her deep pool of ocean eyes.

"She's my older sister."

I heard Lizbeth whisper before she faced me with a blank face.

"She's also Charles's mate."

". . ." I think I misheard her. "What?"

"Charles turned her against her will just like with you. She was a devoted believer of the church, and being turned into a vampire was like a death sentence to her.

"And before Charles could claim her as her mater in the mating ritual, she took her life and died. And since then, Charles was collecting women who looked just like her to fill the gap that she left in his heart."

Lizbeth cocked her head without any change in her expression. "And from all of us, you resembled my sister the most."

". . ."

"Charles believes that you're my sister reincarnation." The end of her mouth twisted up, and she smiled, which felt like a sneer. Her smile was a contrast against her beautiful face.

"Vampires don't have a soul. The moment we become one, our soul is damned for all eternity. And once we die, it shattered and never to be reborn in the cycles of reincarnation.

"So you can't possibly be Charles's mate. Even he or you believe such lies."

I think the world was twisting before my eyes, and I almost lost balance. My vision became a kaleidoscope of blurs and confusion. I thought I would hurl my insides with the way my stomach was twisting. My head was pounding hard, and my chest felt like it was drowning.

I focused my eyes on Lizbeth. I thought that she was doing something to me.

However, she just stood there, looking at me with a blank face and droopy eyes.

"Y-you . . . you're lying," I croaked. It didn't matter if she did. I wasn't supposed to feel this way.

Like I was betrayed.

All along, I thought that I was his mate. I had doubts, but the reality was . . . I was just a replacement for his dead mate.

A replacement.

His feelings weren't for me but for this dead woman, Emelia.

Oh, how I wish I'd say that it didn't hurt, but it did.

Why?

I didn't love him nor like him.

So why was my heart felt like breaking?

I should be relieved that I wasn't his mate.

I shouldn't care what my role was. Whether it was his mistress, lover, or his replacement.

I shouldn't care . . .

But I did.

And this was tearing me apart.

I ran out of the room.