017:- The Night Before The Wedding 2

Nicola's melodious voice rang out constantly as he led them deeper into the lavish castle. "Naturally, Her Majesty assigned an entire section of the castle to our esteemed guests, leaving only the best rooms for the Royal Family."

Despite the flashy vampire being over a head taller than him, Alexander stuck to his side, basking in the praise the butler generously dished out.

Graham was on the other side of the tall slender Vampire, quickly realizing that he was included in the guest list. Everything had been meticulously planned out, there would be no reason for him to do anything.

Nicola already sent servants to lead the entourage to their rooms as well as transport the luggage of the royal family of the Blackwoods to the right rooms.

"Your quarters, Your Highness," He bowed generously to Alexander, gesturing at a set of tall white doors. The opened as he spoke, uniformed servants already waiting within to serve the Crown Prince.

Alexander strode right in without turning around to give his father and brother a second look, a smug look on his rough but handsome features. Their allies certainly knew how to receive guests.

King Rolfe was the next to be led to his room, the King hesitated to enter. "Where is Silvan's room?" He forced himself to ask. He had to speak to Silvan before returning to Asten, even if their conversation turned sour, it was better than not making an effort at all.

Nicola's red eyes showed the danger of a Vampire for the first time, his smile subtle. "As the betrothed of the young Prince Alessio, it's only natural that your room will be right next to his." He said bluntly without bothering to hide the implications of his words. "Please come with me, Your Highness."

Rolfe wore a complicated expression as he watched them leave, worried that King Vatore might have misunderstood him. When he told Silvan that he would be replacing his sister, the unspoken consensus was that he would merely join the court but it seemed the Vampires were serious about a marriage.

The Vampire Queen had also called Silvan the groom, the realization settled on Rolfe like a heavy boulder, he had to speak with King Vatore right away.

-+-

Silvan calmly walked after the tall Vampire leading the way, his sunken eyes fixed on his long strangely colored hair. It was sundown but the castle was brightly lit so he could clearly see that his long hair was a dark pink.

It was strange enough that his hair was unnaturally long for a man, the odd color wasn't at all helping. Silvan had also noticed that the Vampire King had kept his hair long, and it seemed to be a culture of Vampires to do the same.

It had been weeks since he put down the robes of his faith and dressed like a Prince of Asten, so he had gotten used to them. His gray cravat matched his cloak, which was pinned to his shoulders with a heavy gold pin depicting the seal of the royal house of Asten.

His coat, waistcoat, and pants were a darker gray, his dress shirt black. His blue-green eyes were the only splash of color, his pallor just as gray as his cravat. He walked behind Butler Nicola for a considerable distance before the Vampire slowed down.

"That right there is Prince Alessio's room," He pointed out, "Yours is right next to his," He went on, his tone holding a hint of suggestion that Silvan outrightly ignored. He didn't care where his room was, as long as he could be all alone in it.

"You're welcome to visit the Prince whenever you wish," Nicola went on, walking right into his room with him.

Silvan shot the Vampire a look over his shoulder, not only was the chatty Vampire in here with him but there was a small group of silk-wrapped maidservants. "I see," He said flatly, "I've had a tiring journey so if you would please excuse me."

Nicola didn't seem to mind his rudeness, the Vampire smiling wide enough to show the tip of his sharp fangs as he walked back out the open door. "Certainly, Your Highness, pardon my forwardness."

Silvan barely heard his apology, his fingers clenched at the sight of Nicola's fangs, all the blood draining from his face. "You lot as well." He tossed stiffly to the maidservants.

They looked between themselves and shrugged, bowing coquettishly, "As His Highness wishes." They said sweetly, leaving right after Nicola.

There was a table laden with food, fruits and wine in the room, wealth dripped from the hand-carved furniture and the treasures used as decorations. The bed was huge, it was at the center of the spacious room, with ornamented canopies and embroidered hangings obscuring most of the bed itself.

Silvan was relieved that he had gotten the maidservants to leave so easily, wandering around the room briefly. This would possibly be where he would get to spend the rest of his life, so he might as well get accustomed to it.

The bath was in a connecting room that was far too grand to belong to a single person. A large bathtub made of solid gold was on a raised dais, steam filling the space. A bath had already been prepared for him, flower petals on the surface of the water, the aroma of scented oils filling the bathroom.

A proper bath would be nice, Silvan had forgotten how to be pampered but he had been on the road for a few days, a hot soak was luxury he wouldn't pass up on. A new set of clothes had already been arranged for him, it was made of the finest materials, the dark red a color Silvan wouldn't willingly wear.

He brought his own clothes along but if he was asked to wear this, he had no choice but to willingly go along. After all, this was his new home… His thoughts trailed off there because he felt nauseous, his tired eyes drifting to the red wine in the chalices on the food laden table.

This was going to be really hard on him.