It has been fifteen days since my last encounter with my master. The air is still and it feels like something is about to happen but I don't know what.
I spy through my only source of entertainment, my window, and see tropes of elites prance into the castle, they seemed boring like they usually do.
They are all here for one thing. The blood moon ritual. Growing up as a commoner I had only had the privilege of hearing stories of this day but never really understood the reason behind it.
“What was it for?” I'd ask.
The moon looks just like it always does, bright, round and mysterious.
I look ahead from the grand castle entrance to see the sea which divides the castle from the village.
Today It is calm, flowing gracefully eastward splashing waters side to side. I squint my eyes in an attempt to see if I could see the inhabitants of Hyaledrana village. Tiny dots of villagers both human and beasts can be seen moving around in the bustling thrill of the evening.
I was once like them, simple, common yet free. A part of me yearns to see what is beyond this stony imprisonment and the other…
“No” I blurt, shaking my head aggressively.
“What am I thinking, I'm lucky that I'm here. I can't go back, what was I thinking?”
I continue to shake my head in a bid to erase the memories of my life. I belong to the vampire king now. I can't go back.
Just then my door swings open and one of the maids comes in with a demeanor that has haste.
“Oh dear heavens child” she says walking with vigor towards my dressing room disappearing inside and bursting out with a black stay dress that I never get to wear anywhere.
“What is all this?,” I ask, completely puzzled as she placed the dress on the bed and walk towards me.
“The master,” she starts immediately unbuttoning my robe “he sent for you” she continues “and he wants you down at the ballroom right this instance”
“Oh” is all that slips out of my mouth as I let the robe I'm wearing slip to the ground with a gentle thud.
She helps me out into my stay dress, tightening the ropes till my waistline is in full display and my breasts popped right out. I can barely breathe but it was nothing new for me, I was taught to endure this for as long as I possibly can.
When she is done she goes into a frenzy looking for my hairbrush, I sit in front of the mirror waiting for her to find it as I looked at myself in the mirror, the cleavage are in full display much to my discomfort.
“Do I have to wear this dress?” I ask just as she finds the comb and walks towards me immediately combing my thick black hair as gently as she can.
“Yes, he specifically asked for this dress” she says, brushing hair in sections and within a blink of an eye she's done. I smile at my reflection pleased with what I see.
“You look very beautiful, the master would be pleased” she says, putting my hair in place one last time. This was the first time she had ever said anything to me other than requests sent by the master. We share a smile that only lasts for a split second before she takes my hand gesturing for me to follow her.
She leads me out of my chambers, closing the door behind us, the coolness of the hall causes me to shiver and everything feels unfamiliar. I know I've been here but that memory feels so far away, like a fever dream. I was never allowed to leave my chambers.
As we descend down the stairs my grip tightens on her frail hand and my heartbeat raises in excitement and it feels like we've been walking forever. Soon it feels like we're getting closer. I can already hear the laughter and merriment from where we are. Soft glowing light fills the edge of the hollow stairway.
As soon as we step out of the stairway we are greeted by the soft melody of the harp as the dull sunlight pours into the ballroom, its splendor taking my breath away as I marvel at its beauty. It’s magnificent.
The maid lets go of my hand suddenly but I wasn't ready to let go of her's and my heart begins to sink not understanding why as I look at her in a puzzled manner.
“Eris” I hear my master call and I snap my head to his direction.
“Y-yes?” I reply, my small voice drowning in the crowd.
His skin glistens under the sunlight. His regal red silk robe flows majestically with the rhythm of his movement.
I can feel the eyes from all around the ballroom fall on me but my eyes are only glued to his till his frame towers over mine.
“I've been waiting for you,” he says, his eyes twinkling.
He takes my hand and leads me to the crowd, whispers following us as we go further to the center.
We stop at the very center and he pulls me close gently and we dance with our eyes glued to each other.
“You look beautiful in this dress,” he says, a small smirk playing on his lips as his eyes lower below my neck and my ears burn.
“You look amazing as well,” I reply.
Just then a swarm of duchesses with their disdainful looks of disgust and demeaning giggles comes towards us.
How I hate them.
“My lord, we've looked all over for you” says one of them, who I know to be Freya, such a shame such a beautiful name was given to a wicked and vile creature like her.
Her eyes glistened as she called out to my master, her red lips moved softly matching her seductive demeanor as a bit of her fangs can be seen here and there.
He lets go of me breaking our dance as he turns towards them, my heart hurts as he does so.
“Hello, ladies, Freya” he greets completely ignoring me now as I stand at the corner waiting for them to finish their conversation.
“It's been so long since we've seen each other, almost three new moons ago” she purred, shaking her cleavages a bit as she spoke.
“Yes, I'd say the same for you too” he replies and she giggles covering her face with her red hand fan.
“We must catch up, for old times sake” she replies and suddenly her eyes fall on me and I don't hold back the gaze of hate in my eyes. Our eyes lock but her demeanor doesn't change, a smirk etches on her fiery red lips as her eyes reciprocate the hate we both share.
Her eyes leave mine as she starts to fan herself
“Isn't that your new slave?” she asks feigning curiosity “oh I mean bride?” She continues pretending to correct herself.
My face quivers in embarrassment as my heart skips a beat at her remark.
Master turns around, his face lacking emotion before he turns back to them affirming with a nod and my heart sinks.
He didn't defend me.
She grabs his arm linking it with hers giggling at a joke I didn't catch.
“Oh Zyran, we should really catch up right now,” she says, fanning herself as the master leads the way for her and the rest of the duchess to follow behind, leaving me behind.
I'm about to follow him behind not wanting to be left alone. But as soon as I take a step forward someone yanks me by the arm aggressively and I come face to face with lady Akrati, Zayrn’s mother. My eyes widen at the proximity.
“You better not do what I think you want to do, stay in your place little girl” she growls slowly with clenched teeth, her hand squeezing my arm before she finally lets go straightening her dress.
Tears well in my eyes as she stares me down,
“You're getting fat, I'll have that fixed” she says before walking away.
I wipe the running tears off my cheeks hoping the walls can swallow me whole.
“Excuse me my lady, are you okay?” Comes a stranger from the crowd.
“No, I have to go” I whisper as my legs move faster and faster, my tears flying out of my eyes.
I slam the chamber door shut as I sink on the ground as the tears flow generously now.
I make my way to my bed sniffling and I sit at the edge, my mind replaying everything that happened.
“When will you ever love me, the way I love you?”