Chapter 1- The Ball

"Don't tell me you are not ready for the ball, Penny?" Irene sighed tiredly, glaring at her younger sister who was busy playing with her kitten.

"Ball? What ball?" asked Penny, her green eyes glowing brightly. Even if she did know about the ball, she wasn't a bit interested in attending the vampire ball. She wasn't ready to be a meal for those bloodthirsty ani.... people.

Irene sighed and answered annoyingly," the king invited us to his Ball and Momma wants us to go. She wants to find us a suitor as quickly as possible."

"Suitors? Papa agreed?"

"Yes, I believe he's ready to give us away. We have been living here for too long and the last thing I want is to be a source of a topic for those jobless villagers. Now get ready Penny, I will be in my room if you need help with your dress." said Irene, walking out of her sister's room.

Penny placed her kitten on her bed, stood up, and lazily removed her nightgown. She still can't remember Irene telling her about the ball and even if she did, she will prefer to stay in her room and sleep. She hates the ball, she would choose to be in her room all day instead of having to have a fake smile on her face for the rest of the night.

She sighed tiredly, tying her crimson brown hair in a rough bun. She stood in front of the mirror, admiring the blue gown that was picked by her sister. She might not get along with Irene but she does know how to pick the right gown for her.

"Ready?" Irene asked, walking into the room and standing behind her sister.

Penny stared at her sister from the mirror, she was wearing a red flowing gown, a typical example of a rich young lady. Her sister was more beautiful compared to her and she always stood out among others and that was a very big difference between them. She loves an extravagant lifestyle while she prefers a simple life. As long as she is happy and free, that's all she needs to survive in this crazy world.

"Yeah"

"Okay, Momma and Papa are waiting."

"Hmm" Penny hummed in response. 

Irene walked out of Penny's room while Penny placed her cat on her bed, closing her windows before leaving her room. 

"I'm worried that Penny will stay single all her life. No man is ready to be with her after what happened with her last fiance."Penny heard her mother's soft voice. 

"Don't worry Mama, I will make sure she finds a suitor at the ball. I promise Mama," promised Irene. 

Penny fisted her knuckles angrily, she could hear her mother and sister's voices slowly turning into a whisper. For how long will she keep defending herself, it wasn't her fault he died. But no one was willing to listen to her and she was so damn tired of explaining. She won't be getting married, not anytime soon. 

"Penny, what are you still doing here?" 

"Papa!" 

"The carriage is waiting, let's go," her father said with a smile on his face. 

She nodded her head in response and walked out of the house with her father. She saw her mother and her sister sitting closely together. Even though she knows that her mother cares about her, there are times she thinks that her mother just doesn't want her. It might be her illusion but then... 

"Penny?" her father called bringing her out of her little world. 

She entered the carriage, followed by her father, and the journey to the castle began. 

This will be the first time the Leos family will be visiting the castle. The castle was a place that was out of bounds for villagers like them, that's why it came as a surprise when the king invited them to the ball. Irene couldn't wait to meet the thousands of suitors that she will be meeting while Penny just couldn't wait to get back to her bed. 

An hour passed before they finally reached the castle. Both Irene and Penny gasped at the huge mansion in front of them, they had seen so many mansions but this was different. 

"You both should behave yourself, okay?" their mother instructed. 

"Okay, Momma" responded Irene while Penny just nodded her head nonchalantly. 

The Leos family stepped foot into the castle for the first time, not knowing it won't be their last either. 

"Mama, I will take Penny with me," said Irene, not waiting for her mum's response she dragged her little sister to the dance floor. 

"What are you doing?" 

"Getting you suitors," Irene responded with a smile on her face. 

 

"I'm not interested in finding suitors, Irene and I'm sure you know that," Penny said sternly walking away from Irene.

Irene smiled awkwardly to hide the pain in her eyes. It seems to Penny, that she will never be that sister. Not like she cares anyway, she will prefer her out of her life.

Penny walked around the castle aimlessly and finally ended up in the garden. Her eyes glowed, admiring the flowers and the moon that was shining up in the sky. Even if she knows that what she did was rude, she wasn't ready to apologize to Irene, at least not for now.

Lost in her thought, she failed to notice a shadow standing right behind her. A man was leaning on the wall, his flickering between silver and red glowing brightly in the darkness. One of his legs was placed on the wall as he stared at the human girl like a prey he couldn't wait to devour yet with a keen interest in his eyes.

What caught his attention was the dress she was wearing, too plain compared to what the other ladies were wearing. But what he was so curious about was what she was doing here when she was supposed to be looking for an eligible bachelor.

"Penny?" a voice called.

"Mr. Rosi!" she greeted with a bow, unconsciously biting her lips.

"Irene said I would find you here. What are you doing here, enjoying the stars?" he asked, standing beside Penny. 

"Not really, I just love the peace I could find here," responded Penny with a faux smile on her face. 

"Hmm" 

"Why are you here, Mr. Rosi?" 

"I was wondering if you would like to go with me to the village square, in the next two days?"

Penny's heart skipped a beat for a second, her lips curling up into a faint smile. "I will think about that, Mr. Rosi but thank you for asking."

He smiled awkwardly before responding, "It's my pleasure. Would you like to go back to the ball?" 

"Certainly," responded Penny. 

They both left the garden, completely unaware of the shadow that has been standing away from them. 

"Penny," he muttered softly. 

"What a lovely name'"