Married To The Mad Vampire Lord novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140: The guests at the castle

When they arrived at the castle, Belle was stunned at the number of carriages that lined the grounds, with more arriving guests coming in after them. The carriages were double the amount of when they had come for the banquet, and she couldn’t help but worry for Rohan.

But to her relief, he seemed quite all right as they walked down the carriage steps. He readjusted the cotton in both his ears and then held out his elbow for her to hook her arm. Even before they walked into the castle, many eyes were already trailing them, with the guests making way for them as if they recognized who Rohan was.

Some didn’t notice them at first, but the moment they turned, drawn by the sudden hush that fell over the atmosphere, their eyes widened. Gasps echoed softly, and they quickly rushed to the sides, bowing as low as their bodies would allow.

It was as if Rohan’s presence was a deadly plague that would strike them down should they remain in his path—or worse, dare to stand in his breathing space without bowing.

No one even dared to lift their eyes to his face as they passed.

Belle caught sight of many humans among the guests, with servants carrying trunks and bags in. The hallways were all packed with people, many standing by the portraits of the late royals and paying respect toward them.

Rohan, however made no stop nor did he spare any glance to his parents portraits on the wall.

The valet at the doors that led into the main hall took their overcoats after making a hasty bow to Rohan, then stepped back to order a servant to lead them to where the other guests were being held.

All the while they were led in, Belle kept drifting glances at her husband. He was composed, with an air of authority and no signs of the vulnerability he had shown in the carriage. His presence now commanded attention, and everyone bowed and moved aside for them.

She couldn’t help but think that his bad reputation had worked to their advantage. With people fearing him, no one would notice anything wrong with him. Belle sighed in relief and tightened her hand around his elbow, prompting him to turn and look at her briefly.

When they came by the double doors of another hall where chairs were arranged in order and guests were already seated and mingling, there was a loud sound of chatter and laughter—but it all ceased the moment Rohan’s name was announced.

All eyes turned to them, and among those eyes, Belle caught sight of the familiar deep red gaze of Cordelia, who was seated with the royals at the front table, talking and smiling.

Her smile faded for a moment upon seeing Belle.

Belle had even forgotten about the woman and had no idea when she had left the castle. Everything that had happened so far had drawn her full attention away from the fact that the vampiress was supposed to still be in their home.

When did she leave? Belle wondered, seeing how those dark red eyes now glared sharp daggers at her—like one would look at their sworn enemy. The intensity of the glare made the hairs on the back of her neck rise.

Belle tore her eyes away from the vampiress; she didn’t like the way Cordelia was looking at her.

She turned her gaze around the hall instead. The chairs were arranged so that the humans sat on the left side and the vampires on the right. At the front of the hall, there was a raised platform with two high-backed chairs meant for the king and queen—but they hadn’t seemed to arrive yet.

The seating arrangements were somewhat concerning to Belle as she noticed that men and women were sitting in different places on both sides.

The servant who had led them into the hall bowed and then, with a trembling voice, spoke, "My lady, y-your seat will be this way, and my lord, yours is there with the princes. His Majesty ordered for families to sit together."

Rohan looked in the direction he was gestured—to where the two princes were seated, with an empty chair between them that was obviously kept for him. He turned his eyes to where Belle was being gestured to. She was to sit on the side of the human ladies.

He realized it was best for her to sit with her kind rather than drag her to the vampire side, where Cordelia and the other vampiresses were seated.

He looked at her and saw in her eyes that she did not want to be separated from him, and Rohan found himself smiling. He also needed her by his side, but the cotton stuffed in his ears was doing wonders. He touched her cheek, then let his hand trail down to her arm before gripping her hand in his and leading her to where she would sit.

As much as Belle did not want to sit away from him, she realized she’d rather sit with the humans than be close to Cordelia, who had not taken her resentful eyes off her since they walked in.

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