3

*Lotus POV*

As the maid spoke, I felt a knot form in my stomach. The thought of sitting at the same table as Seth, the powerful vampire who had bought me as a slave, filled me with dread. I was scared of what he might do or say, and my mind raced with various worst-case scenarios.

"He has something special planned for tonight," the maid said, a hint of mystery in her voice.

I felt a mix of fear and curiosity as I wondered what this dinner was for. "What is it?" I asked tentatively.

"It's a surprise," She replied with a small smile. "But he wants you to dress appropriately for the occasion."

Looking down at my clothes, I knew I wasn't dressed for such an occasion. I hadn't showered since my arrival, and I had no fancy clothes to wear. "I don't have anything appropriate to wear," I said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"That's not a problem," She said reassuringly. "Arrangements have already been made."

"Miss, please come with us. We have prepared some dinner outfits for you," said one of the maids as she gestured for me to follow them.

"Why am I getting all dressed up?" I asked, hoping for an explanation.

"You'll see," She replied cryptically.

I hesitated for a moment, still unsure of what was going on. But curiosity and a desire to make a good impression got the better of me, and I followed them to a room filled with racks of clothes.

The maids began sifting through the racks and holding up dresses for me to see. I had never seen such beautiful garments before, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement as I imagined myself wearing them. But the feeling was quickly replaced by a sense of guilt. How could I be enjoying such luxury when my life has been so difficult?

As I was still getting ready, I couldn't help but wonder what the evening had in store for me. "Why are you doing all of this for me?" I asked, trying to make sense of everything. "I don't know if I should be wearing something like this,"

"Please don't worry, miss. The master has arranged everything. He wants you to look your best for dinner tonight," one of the maids reassured me.

I nodded, still feeling uneasy. As the maids continued to bring out dresses, I tried my best to make a choice. It was a tough decision, but I eventually settled on a deep red gown with intricate embroidery.

As I put on the dress, the maids did my hair and makeup. They chatted with me, asking about where I came from and what my life was like before I became a slave. I found myself opening up to them, telling them things I had never shared with anyone before.

"I never thought I'd be wearing something like this," I said as I looked at myself in the mirror.

"You look beautiful, miss," one of the maids said with a smile.

I couldn't help but feel shocked and confused by the invitation. Why would he want me there? Was it some kind of trap or a way to taunt me? I tried to push away the thoughts, but they continued to haunt me.

Despite my fear, I knew I had no choice but to attend the dinner. I couldn't risk angering Seth or making him think I was being ungrateful for his kindness.

Once I was ready, the maids led me back to the study where the vampire king was waiting. He looked up as I entered, and a smile spread across his face. As he approached me, I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked up close.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice low and affectionate, as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face.

As he continued to gaze at me with his intense gaze, I couldn't help but notice the way his hair fell in soft waves, framing his angular face. His high cheekbones, chiseled jawline, and piercing gaze were all equally mesmerizing.

My eyes were drawn to his sharp, angular nose, which somehow managed to make his face even more striking. I couldn't believe how handsome he was, and I found myself wondering how I had never noticed it before.

As he leaned in closer, his eyes seemed to darken, and my heart raced. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, sending shivers down my spine.

"Why are you doing all of this for me?" I asked, feeling a bit flustered under his gaze.

"I find you intriguing," he said simply, his eyes locked onto mine. "And I enjoy spending time with you.

I couldn't deny the fluttering feeling in my chest as he stood so close to me. Despite his dangerous aura, there was something undeniably alluring about him that I couldn't resist.

But I couldn't help but feel like there was more to it than that. "Is there something you want from me?" I asked, not able to ignore the nagging feeling in my gut.

He paused for a moment, as if contemplating his answer. "There is something I want," he finally admitted. "But for now, let's just enjoy the evening together."

As we walked into the dining room, I was struck by the sight before me. The table was filled with an impressive array of dishes, each one more exotic than the last. I had never seen such a variety of food in my life.

The maid led me to my seat, and I couldn't help but stare in amazement at the delicacies in front of me. There were platters of roasted meats, seafood dishes, colorful salads, and rich sauces that I couldn't even identify.

I must have looked lost because the vampire king leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, just try everything. I promise you'll love it."

As I tentatively took a bite of the first dish, I was hit with a burst of flavors that I had never experienced before. The combination of spices and herbs was unlike anything I had ever tasted, and I couldn't help but let out a contented sigh.

The vampire king chuckled, clearly amused by my reaction. "I'm glad you like it," he said, taking a sip of his wine. "I made sure to have my chef prepare all your favorite dishes."

I looked up at him in surprise. "How did you know what I liked?"

He smiled mysteriously. "Let's just say I have my ways."

During the desert, he asked me to tell him about myself. Where I came from and my family.

"I was born in a small village," I said. "But my parents were killed by vampires when I was young. So, I'm the only one in my family that is still alive."

He nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said."May I ask how old you are?"

I hesitated for a moment. It wasn't often that someone asked me my age completely once. But something about his tone made me feel like he genuinely cared. "I'm twenty-four," I said finally.

He nodded again, as if filing away the information for later. "Thank you for telling me," he said. "Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?"

During the dinner, I noticed that barely touched his own food, which only made me more uneasy. Did he have something planned for me after this?

Just then he spoke as if he was reading my mind. He told me feel free to ask him the question that had been haunting me since I arrived. "What do you want from me?"

He stood up and motioned for me to follow him. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as I trailed behind him to a room that looked like a study. Once we were seated, I finally mustered up the courage to ask him the question that had been haunting me since I arrived again. "What do you want from me?"

He was silent for a few moments, studying my face. The tension in the room was palpable as I waited for his response. Finally, he spoke. "I want you to have my child." My mind went blank as I struggled to process what he had just said. Had I heard him correctly?