To the Moon Dance

    "Did you went to the library?" he asked. 

    " No, master—"

    He squinted his eyes, " The truth, woman. "

    "Um, yes. I took a book that Count Vlad gave to me."

    Lord Minir shrugged, not minding whether it was important or not. He stared at me for a long while as if he was waiting for me to reveal the book. I took it out from the sheets and showed him. He glanced at it before deciding to read again. 

    "You can bring anything to my room. Just don't make a mess, " He said. 

    " Yes, master! " 

    I cheerfully opened the book, put the candlelight beside it while eating my food. He would glance at me everyone now and then but I was too indulged to what I was reading that I forgot he was around. 

    Helsings ruled the Doria Kingdom years ago. They were the rulers, and the protectors . They were like sages or mages, or even wizards but higher than them. They know power, they control elements, they were divine. 

    The Great Priestess, Selestia, control the division between humans, vampires, werewolves and other creatures. There was once peace from all the creatures with no discrimination. She's a higher being. A helsing who is best known to manipulate weather and the day time. She can make half of the kingdom dark.

    It was written in the book that when a helsing was of age, their powers will come out. While I was reading, I didn't even realized that I was asleep. 

    The day of the last full moon of the month came, and Gerber was getting ready to dress me up first before she'll do herself. She made sure that I was perfect since royals from different mansions and kin will come to the Moon Dance, in hopes of finding their mates or just socializing.

    I was all red. Like really, I mean all red except for a few black laces on the dress. After she dressed me up, I stood in front of the mirror. Wow. I never thought I'd look this different. My hair wasn't curled up, it was dancing behind my shoulders. The black curls are perfectly twirled. It made me look exotic. 

    Gerber dressed up in a black dress with gold designs on it. Atlas on the other hand wore a dark emerald dress with a different style. I don't know. She just love emerald this much, I guess? 

    We waited for the others to finish before going out of the mansion. It was already sundown when we went. Lord Minir didn't came with us since he have businesses to take care in the palace. 

    It was already six in the evening when we arrived in the palace. My lips parted when I saw how wide, spacious and tall it really was. I did not expect for this to really happen. Who would knew that this is how the palace looks like?

    Each carriages carry royals, or higher officials, but most of the mare vampires. There are few packs of werewolves and other creatures but most of those who are here are vampires. I can't be so wrong with that.

     I know how vampires look. They always give off this menacing but seductive eyes. The werewolves are always powerful looking, like they're going to dominate everywhere, fearlessly gracing through the red carpet as the other vampires hissed at their presence. 

    I awed when the witches arrived to grace the red carpet. They were all beautiful women, wearing seductive dresses and of course, their brooms. I shyly smiled when one of them glanced at me, giving me a weird but curious look. She dismissed it right away when one of the witches pulled her into entrance. 

    We stood there, waiting for the others to arrive. It took us a long time before Lord Minir came in a red carriage. He went out, greeting everyone with his dark glances. The moment he stepped out of the carriage, there was loud silence defeaning all of us. 

    His eyes roamed the place before it dropped to me. Lord Minir never disappoint us with his looks, his godly features. The way he brings himself in that black suit with nothing underneath, and a black cloak that added more mystery to his presence is just... amazing. 

    I can't speak anything about how he looks right now. He looked divine! 

    "Good evening, ladies," he greeted everyone in his usual calm, but stern voice. 

    They greeted back, "Good evening, Lord Minir."

    "Shall we?" He raised an eyebrow at him. 

    I cling unto his arm as we walked to the red carpet. When we got into the entrance, the host of the party introduced us to the crowd, giving us the reaction we weren't expecting. It was silent for a while before murmurs erupted. 

    "I present to you, Lord Minir of the House of Corvinus and his— blood slave, my Lord?" 

    Lord Minir glared at him,

    " Blood Bride. "

    My eyes widened at his answer. 

    Lord Minir emphasized, "She is my blood bride and they are my ladies."

    The host shivered, " Lord Minir of the House of Corvinus, his blood bride and his ladies. "

    Confused, I was about to ask them a question but Atlas answered right away. 

    "A blood bride is the highest form of honor given to blood slaves. It means you can not be owned by any other tenants ever again. A blood bride is way more respected than real wives."

    I nodded. Should I feel honoured though? 

    Atlas added before leaving, "Lucky you, Sol."

    I was with Lord Minir the whole time as we walked towards the crowd. These people who are staring at us are either curious of who is he or what we are doing here. Atlas and the other servants easily mixed themselves among the crowd. Some of them get to talked to higher officials and other royals. What a privilege. 

    The first people who greeted us were Lady Catherine and two other great looking men. They blocked us before we get to join with the crowd. Lady Catherine bowed to us, and cling unto another man's arm . I turned my back on them, not wanting to get any attention as I listened to whatever they were all talking. 

    "It's nice to see you here, Simon."

    "I am not glad to see you here either, Duke Bennett." Lord Minir seriously had to get his tongue checked. 

    "It's sad to know you dropped the wedding of you and my daughter. It would have been a great alliance, " Duke Bennett said. 

    Lord Minir chuckled, " What a shame, Duke Bennett. You don't get to taste a little of what is mine. "

    " So, who is this young lady with you?" I heard an unfamiliar voice decided to interrupt the tension of the two. 

    "Darling, come." I faced them with a polite smile and stood beside Lord Minir who snaked his hand behind my back. 

    "Duke Bennett, Lady Catherine, Lord Allus, this is my blood bride, Lady Sol Borromeo. "

    I curtsy a little and smiled, " Good evening, my Lords and Madames."

    " What a delightful child. How old are you?"

    " I'm turning 20 next year, Count Bennett. "

    Lord Allus took my hand and placed a kiss behind my palm. I stared at him. For a while, I thought I saw someone familiar only to realize that he did look a lot like Count Vlad. I wonder if they're related. I should ask!

    "Are you somewhat related to Count Vlad? You share some features."

    " Oh, dear, you flutter me, Lady Sol. I am too below Count Vlad's majestic look. But yes, I am related to him. Our mothers are sisters. "

    I nodded, not knowing what to say next. Oh god! Looks like my socializing battery has dropped down to the lowest level!

    "You're beautiful." Lord Allus complimented me. 

    I blushed. I heard Lord Minir's groan before he goes, " We shall go now." 

    I heard Lord Allus' laughter as Lord Minir pulled me out of their group. How rude could he be! 

    "I shouldn't have brought you to this dance. You're too beautiful. I am gatekeeping you."

    " Gatekeep?"

    " Yes. They don't deserve to see your pretty face. "