Cassie's lips curled into a mocking smile. "I should thank you for using me as a scapegoat," she shot back, her words leaving her father visibly embarrassed and angry.
"Don't you know I did that for your own good?" he said, still attempting to justify his actions.
Cassie's voice hardened. "Father, I have nothing more to say to you. From now on, consider that you don't have a daughter like me." She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. The maidens rushed forward to help with her dress as she stormed out, her anger palpable.
To her surprise, she found herself stepping into the crowd just as the dance was beginning.
"You came at the perfect time," Kael said, approaching with a smile.
"I can't dance. And even if I could, it wouldn't be with you," she replied coldly, trying to brush him off.
"Or would you rather dance with your father instead?" he teased, taking her hand and gently placing his other hand on her waist as the music started.
"Are you deaf? I said I don't want to dance with you," she whispered harshly.
His smile remained unfazed. "You don't have a choice. Since you're here, let's finish it," he whispered back smoothly.
Kael moved confidently, guiding Cassie across the floor, making it seem as though she was a skilled dancer.
"I heard it's tradition in the vampire kingdom that I'm supposed to have my first dance with the king," she said under her breath. "Why did you step forward? Are you courting death?"
He stiffened momentarily before his smile returned. "Oh, I'm terrified," he said with a light laugh. "But don't worry he won't kill me for stealing his bride's first dance."
Cassie let out a frustrated sigh as Kael spun her gracefully, catching her securely in his arms. The crowd erupted into applause, and her face flushed with embarrassment. Her ears burned red as she glared at him.
Kael met her gaze, an unreadable expression on his face, his admiration for her beauty momentarily slipping through. He quickly set her upright, his thoughts racing. What's wrong with me? he wondered, struggling to hide his internal turmoil.
Before Cassie could gather herself, Zarea and the maidens hurriedly ushered her into a room where they changed her into a simpler, shorter gown. They swiftly led her back to the dance floor, where Kael awaited.
He held her gently as another slow dance began. Cassie found herself distracted, silently marveling at his striking features.
"Kael..." she said softly.
"Yes?" he responded smoothly.
"Are you a vampire?"
His demeanor shifted slightly, a low, dangerous chuckle escaping his lips. "Let's not talk about that right now," he said, closing his eyes briefly before taking a deep breath.
When he opened them again, his expression was unreadable. "Cassie, do you like me?"
Her breath hitched at the unexpected question. "What? Are you insane?" she scoffed, masking her surprise. "Why would I like someone who betrayed me?"
Kael's smile deepened knowingly. "I'm not a fool, Cassie," he said calmly, his words sending a shiver down her spine.
She swallowed hard, avoiding his gaze. Suddenly, dizziness washed over her. Her balance faltered, and she began to collapse, but Kael reacted swiftly, catching her in his arms.
Worry darkened his eyes as he stared down at her unconscious form. "Cassie..." he whispered, his heart pounding.
Cassie was immediately taken to the royal clinic, where the doctor attended to her.
"She consumed a strong drink from the witch kingdom," the doctor said, his face filled with concern. "It's prohibited for human consumption. Who gave it to her?"
Zarea trembled at the shocking revelation. She hadn't realized it was that drink—she had thought it was just a normal beverage. How would she explain this to the king?
"I'm sorry. I was the one who gave it to her," Zarea confessed, her voice trembling. "I didn't know it was forbidden."
An authoritative voice echoed through the room, cold and unforgiving. "Take her out and punish her. For attempting to harm my wife, you'll be banished from this kingdom."
The room fell deathly silent, so quiet that one could hear a petal drop.
Several guards rushed forward, seizing Zarea as the king had commanded.
The king entered, his eyes immediately finding Cassie lying peacefully on the bed, her beauty serene yet captivating, like a swan gliding across calm waters. Despite the doctor's grim words, a rare smile crossed his face as he took her hand, savoring the soft warmth that brought unexpected comfort to his hardened heart.
"Take good care of her," he ordered, his voice steady, before turning to leave with countless matters weighing on his mind.
Cassie remained in a deep sleep for days, but on the third day, she finally stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she blinked, taking in her surroundings. She was now in a grand room far larger and more luxurious than the one she remembered. The bed beneath her was a massive king-sized piece, large enough to fit five people.
Sitting up slowly, she noticed a beautifully arranged collection of lotions and skincare products on a nearby table, a stunning mirror mounted on the wall above them. "Is this really supposed to be mine?" she murmured to herself.
Fragments of memory returned—falling into Kael's arms, his worried expression, the weight of exhaustion pulling her into unconsciousness.
Cassie decided to get out of bed, but her legs buckled beneath her, turning to jelly. She collapsed onto the floor with a loud thud, groaning in pain. Struggling to stand, she found her body weak and uncooperative.
Two maids rushed into the room, helping her back onto the bed.
"Where's Zarea?" Cassie asked, her voice laced with worry.
The maids exchanged glances but offered no answer. Instead, they bowed and left silently, leaving her even more confused.
As she sat in uneasy contemplation, a gentle knock came at the door. At first, she gave no response, but when no one entered, she reluctantly spoke.
"Yes, come in."
The door opened, revealing a woman around Zarea's age. She bowed respectfully.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty," the woman greeted politely, making Cassie's lips twitch in surprise.
"What do you want?" Cassie asked curtly.
The woman offered a warm smile and bowed again. "I've been assigned to handle your affairs now."
Cassie's eyes widened in disbelief. "Where is Zarea?" she demanded, concern etching her face.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I don't know who she is. I was simply assigned by His Majesty to serve you," the woman explained with a gentle smile that Cassie found unsettling.
Cassie inhaled shakily, suppressing the surge of frustration rising within her. "Please tell the king that I want only Zarea to serve me personally," she insisted firmly.
The woman hurried off to deliver the message.
Left alone, Cassie buried her face in the pillow, releasing a shaky breath. She hated how everything was unfolding but knew she had no choice but to endure it.
Meanwhile, in the throne room, the king sat on his majestic throne, exuding an aura of dominance and authority. The atmosphere was thick with tension.
A guard approached, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, a message from Her Majesty."
The king's eyes narrowed dangerously, and the room grew oppressively heavy. His piercing gaze locked onto the guard, causing the man to shudder under the suffocating weight of his presence.