016:- The Night Before The Wedding

King Vatore was at the entrance to the castle to personally receive their allies, he stood tall at the top of his stairs with his Queen beside him.

Queen Nadia clung to her husband's arm as she watched the procession of carriages make their way closer, her blood-red lips were pulled up at the corners in a smile. "Have you seen what the human Prince looks like?" She asked softly, her sharp dark eyes studying the line of carriages.

Vatore towered over his delicate wife so he leaned down so she could speak to him although he could hear her perfectly from a distance. "Probably no different from the dead Princess." He replied without much thought.

The wedding would be a brisk affair. There would be a dinner tonight to welcome the guests, then the wedding would be held tomorrow. By the second day, their allies would already be on their way back to Asten.

Nadia's gold crown complemented her pure white hair, it made her look like a deity, her smile patient. "Where would be the fun in that?"

Vatore didn't understand what his wife meant by that but there was no time to question her because King Rolfe had stepped out of his carriage. The human King stood tall, striding forward with purpose.

Vatore walked down the stairs to meet him halfway, leaving his wife at the top of the stairs. They exchanged a friendly handshake, words weren't necessary, all of the arrangements had already been made. Not to mention, Vatore was terrible with pleasantries.

The human nobility were easy to differentiate with the difference in their dressing, so Prince Alexander caught the attention of the King of Vampires as soon as he stepped out of his carriage.

King Rolfe noticed his gaze and introduced him, "My first son, Crown Prince Alexander, the heir to the throne of Asten."

They had stopped at an inn in the capital of Vallyn before they made their way to the castle, so Alexander had gotten the opportunity to change into a proper outfit, his royal blue cloak looked enchanting in the soft light of the sunset, his robust physique and curious eyes lending an air of earnestness and honesty about him.

Nadia hurriedly made her way down, too curious to remain at the top of the stairs. So she had heard the introduction King Rolfe had made on Alexander's behalf. The young Prince politely bowed to the King and Queen of Vampires…

"It's an honor to be in your presence, Your Majesties." He said smoothly.

Queen Nadia beamed, "It's a pleasure to have you, there's no need to be so formal, we're going to be family now." She said eagerly, craning her neck around. "So where's the groom?"

Alexander's face twitched at the Vampire Queen's words, struggling to keep a straight face. Pleasantries had already been exchanged and Silvan was yet to exit his carriage, he knew that the stuck-up High Priest wouldn't be able to hide his revulsion in the face of Vampires.

"He's a little…" Just as Rolfe was about to make an excuse for his son as always, the carriage at the center opened and the center of all the preparations stepped out.

Nadia couldn't hide the gleam in her eyes, a faint red bleeding into her gentle dark irises. This would be so entertaining, she might just choose to stay at the castle for the next few years. Prince Silvan was nothing like his older brother, the second Prince's blue-green eyes were shrewd. He was tall and fit but gaunt, which made him look all the more sinister and reclusive.

King Rolfe trailed off at the appearance of Silvan, worry prominent in his dark blue eyes as he watched his son approach. "My second son, Prince Silvan," He introduced quietly, his voice infused with sorrow and pride.

Silvan walked up the stairs and bowed, saying all the right words in a flat inflectionless voice. Neither the Vampire King nor his Queen seemed to notice this, welcoming him with warmth and smiles.

"There will be a welcome dinner tonight," Queen Nadia took the reigns of the conversation. "I'll have servants show you all to your rooms so you can get some much-needed rest before the festivities."

"Your Majesty is too generous," Rolfe murmured, his worried gaze constantly drifting to Silvan.

"Nonsense," Nadia waved a delicate hand laden with rings and bracelets, "You're a part of the family now, help yourself to whatever you want, the castle is completely open to you."

With that, she walked off with her husband in tow, leaning in to whisper something to him that was too low for any of the Blackwoods to pick up on.

"Welcome! Welcome!" A tall Vampire announced from the huge doors of the castle. He was tall and slender, gold frames encircling his eerie red eyes. He dressed foppishly, his waistcoat a pale pink, an embossed cane in his right hand.

"I'm Butler Nicola. The Queen herself personally assigned you to my care," He said self importantly, "So I'll be seeing to every one of your needs, nothing is too grand a request, if you want it, I'll have it procured for you."

Alexander was impressed by this show, he nodded approvingly, making his way to the top of the stairs first, leaving his family behind.

Graham also hurried on up, it was of utmost importance that he familiarized himself with the butler so that they could work together to make everything work smoothly.

As he spoke to Nicola, King Rolfe turned to Silvan who stood stiffly beside him. "Silvan…" He started to say, trailing off right after. He knew the words he wanted to say, he wanted to ask after his son, he wouldn't be able to alleviate his troubles, but he could at least listen and offer comfort.

But Rolfe's words twisted in his throat like the last throes of a dying animal, it made him swallow sporadically, unable to get out the rest of his words.

Silvan walked ahead without acknowledging his Father's words, The Vampire Butler, Nicola had already begun to lead the way into the castle, and just like he had throughout the journey, Silvan just wanted to be alone.