NIGHTS OF HALLOW

It was still the early morning hours when Daemon and Regan arrived in the royal carriage in the village of Woodbridge.

The weather was slightly chilly with cold air the breeze blew in the kingdom. The winter was fast approaching and very soon, the white cold flakes will start falling in the kingdom.

Perdita like other villagers had a thick coat and a shawl draped around their body. Though the cold didn’t affect her as it did the villagers, she had put it on to fit in and not appear out of place.

The villagers were seen walking to their workplaces in the cold which made them want to stay back in the shelter of their warm homes.

Daemon and Regan stepped down from the carriage that had the royal symbol of the castle. Though the villagers didn’t know where the symbol came from, they knew it might be some officials that came to their village. They all stopped to look and know what they suddenly came to their village to do.

Soon, the male servants’ Daemon came with carried a big sack from the back of the carriage and placed it in front of them.

Daemon and Regan stood by the side while staring at the humans who had gathered around watching them. He walked forward and unrolled a scroll in his hands.

Immediately the villagers saw the scroll, and they all knew it was from the king. They all bowed their heads to receive the message.

Perdita who was at the back saw this, she also bowed but her head was slightly raised while she peeked at the vampire man she encountered some time in the market. So they were coming to her village on the king’s order. She thought and smacked her head for almost causing trouble for herself by interfering in the king’s order. Thank goodness the man didn’t report her, else she would have become dead meat.

Daemon was about to start reading what was in the scroll when he noticed a slight movement at back. He saw the green-eyed lady who was also looking at him with her head slightly raised. He frowned and glared at her, making her look down immediately. It was disrespectful to not bow when receiving a message from the king. This act of hers could attract punishment but, she was the green-eyed vampire. He couldn’t do anything to her because of Sthena’s order.

He went back to reading the scroll ”The loyal people of Woodbridge, receive the message from the king” The villagers bowed deeply again before he continued to read,

”Peace to the people of Woodbridge. This year has been hard for all of you loyal people of the Vamlone kingdom. This is why, as the festive season is around the corner and also the nearing of the hallow ball.

I wish to invite you to this royal gathering held at the castle every year, the ball of hallow.

Your presence matters to me and I won’t be happy if it is not acknowledged.

From your king.”

The villagers bowed again before they raised their heads. Some were confused, while some were happy to attend the grand ball that was only meant for those of high status.

Perdita’s brows rose in suspicion and confusion. She made her way to the front but away from the sight of Daemon. She had a bad feeling about the supposed hallow ball. The commoners had never been invited, so why the sudden invitation? She questioned herself.

The suspension in Perdita’s eyes increased as seconds passed. The king was rumored to be brutal, and there was no way he could be doing this out of his goodwill. There is probably something behind this action of his. Was he trying to appear good in people’s eyes? She continued questioning herself while internally scoffing. Well, not everyone was going to be invited. And if she was lucky, she would be among those, because she didn’t want to go anywhere near the castle and stay anywhere near the high society. Or even see the king.

Just as Perdita was having her internal monologue, Daemon stood by the side watching her and the various expressions that crossed her face. He still couldn’t believe she was a vampire with the way she blended with the humans.

Regan on the other hand refused to go anywhere near the lowly humans. If there was anything that would make him have contact with them, that would be when he is drinking their blood. Their very presence annoyed and distasted him and he couldn’t wait to go back to the castle.

Since he and his mother heard about the order that came from Sthena, he couldn’t believe at first that they would have to share the same space with these humans. So unbelievable!

Regan continued leaning on the carriage while watching the servants call out the names of those invited to the hallow ball. His eyes fell on the green-eyed lady standing by the side. Her beauty was appealing to the eyes. Her green eyes were the most beautiful that stood out among the villagers. He hadn’t seen any commoner as beautiful as she was, but still, she is a lowly human. He also saw that Daemon was looking at her. Was he interested in her? Regan questioned and sneered in his heart. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she caught his eyes. A lowly human for a lowly vampire.

Perdita stood together with the villagers who were also talking about the sudden invitation. She watched as the names of people were called one after the other. She had already thanked her stars that she and her brother were not invited until she heard her family’s name.

”The household of the Kartars!” The servant man shouted.

For a minute, Perdita stood still to check if it was really her family’s name that was called. The loud voice of the servant and some of the villagers calling her again brought her back to reality to know it was her family’s name.

Perdita cursed under her breath as she went to receive the royal invitation. She was annoyed about going to the castle and almost cursed at the servant who glared at her for wasting time. Going anywhere close to the castle was the last thing on her mind, because not only was she trying to protect herself and her brother from being discovered. She also didn’t want anything to do with the high society.

People of high status annoyed and angered her to no end that she wanted nothing to do with them. And because of one person she had encountered who almost caused her death.

Dejectedly walking away after collecting the invitation, she turned her head and her eyes met with the man leaning on the carriage. The man smiled at her, and in turn, she glared at him.

Regan was leaning on the carriage still watching the villagers when he noticed the little commotion that was caused by the green-eyed lady. When she turned towards him, he fully saw her sharp beautiful features that complimented her green eyes. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt and he couldn’t help but smile at her. But the lady returned it with a glare.

What the! How dare she! Regan’s smile immediately vanished from his face as he pushed his body away from the carriage and made his way toward her in anger to punish her for glaring at him. A prince!

Daemon stood by the side watching the whole scene with a wicked smile on his face. Maybe it was time for the nasty green-eyed vampire lady to be punished.