BLOOD.FANGS.N'.FIRE

"Hahaha, this very castle is a piece of ancient history, should it also be in the possession of the 'house'," Gavriel chuckled and remarked

Caroline's smile just broadened because she expected his witty remark.

"Maybe it should," she said

Gavriel was quiet for a while and then said, "Wouldn't it be a sight, with me uprooting rotten hearts left and right, my dear Caroline. "

"Yes it would" she replied while sipping her wine.

"I am curious what man managed to capture the attention of my ever so stiff cousin" Gavriel brought back the previously ignored topic.

Caroline knew that the vampire would bring it back eventually just to raffle her, so she continued sipping her wine.

"Ohhh, so that explains why you look like a doll," now am even more curious. The king continued

Caroline raised a brow, "You also made an effort, " she said looking at him up and down, appreciating his dapper look.

"Is there someone you are also trying to impress?" She asked

"Yes, there is."

Pulling out his pocket watch, Gavriel said, "Well I have kept my peasants, sorry my guests, waiting for long enough, shall we Milady?" Gavriel narrated in a cynical tone offering his arm to Caroline for her to hold.

The two walked silently hand in hand, only their shoes made a sound when they kissed the floor, now Caroline was also curious about which unlucky soul did the king want to impress?

It was getting close to midnight and the king hadn't made an appearance among his guests, hushed whispers covered by the soft tunes of the harp playing moved around the room.

"Do you think the king is not coming" one woman whispered to the other.

"Well, you cannot be certain when referring to the king, but hush Bessie, I don't desire for my head to leave my shoulders. " the other woman warned

Several other people whispered among themselves but kept their tone low in fear of their words being heard by someone.

Before they could wonder if the man of the hour, was going to attend his own ball, two gorgeous vampires appeared at the top of the grandiose stairs that came from the second floor.

Hand in hand, they seamlessly went down step by step, "tch tch,such demanding subjects." Gavriel commented for everyone to hear.

"So if I hadn't come, what you have done, Mr. Sombers?" The king asked a specific vampire who was whispering about the King's late arrival.

"Hmmmm, should I tell you about when I am to appear or what I am to wear, more so who will accompany me for the ball?" He asked Mr. Sombers question after question.

The vampire was tongue tied not knowing what to say because he didn't expect anyone to hear his whisperings over the others in the room.

He knew that if he said the wrong thing mistakingly, he will be met with his death, so the right approach to this situation was:

"Pardon this ignorant subject of yours, my liege.

My disloyal tongue shall not slip in that way ever again." Mr. Sombers bowed his head apolosing to the king.

Gavriel and Caroline had already reached the foot of the stairs, when he said, "So, what shall we do about that disloyal tongue of yours?" The king asked the vampire.

Mr. Sombers, knew that if he didn't act first, he might as well kiss his tongue goodbye.

"I will be sure not to utter a word more, your Majesty. I truly and humbly ask for your forgiveness" He said apologising again but this time he also glanced at Caroline.

Gavriel saw this, smirked and replied, "Okay, cousin what shall we do for the disloyal tongue of Mr. Sombers."

Caroline calmly looked at the so called Mr. Sombers and recognised his face from somewhere, she knew that whatever she would say was going to represent the 'house' as well as her family.

So she said, "Am sure what Mr. Sombers said has bothered the king because that is a form of disrespect against the sovereign."

"Hmmm" Gavriel hummed in agreement

"Am also sure that my cousin brother wouldn't want someone of that sort at his own ball." She paused to let that sink into the man's head and hoped that he could be the wiser in this situation.

"Please pardon my insolence your Majesty, I truly don't deserve to be in your presence." Mr Sombers was smart enough to have understood the underlying meaning behind the Duke's daughter and used it to his benefit.