Kanan made it sound obvious and easy to accept, but there was no way I could have thought of myself on the same level as an Alpha. I could barely defeat a mixed-breed, and facing a pureblood supernatural seemed amazingly terrifying. Nonetheless, Kanan gave me the courage to face the greatest enemy I had, who happened to be my father. After drinking another bottle of Don Perignon, I could even imagine myself shouting about the shit childhood that my bastard of a father arranged for me straight to his scary-Alpha-face. Of course, that part of my bravery disappeared as the hangover appeared in the morning…
When I opened my eyes, I felt as if my brain was on a rollercoaster ride. Fortunately, the downsides of drinking disappeared quickly as my body turned on a super-digestion mode. My newly active genes were useful again. I managed to get up from bed when I heard someone knocking on my door. Alarmed, I jumped up to stand in a fighting stance, without knowing what to expect.
"Who is it?" I asked, locking my eyes on the door.
"It's me, Martha." I could hear her grinning.
I heaved a sigh of relief so large I nearly collapsed.
"Come in!" I called out, already smiling.
She entered carrying a tray with breakfast, finally not a rotten one.
"I was so happy you brought me here, Lady Lilith," she said, "I was getting bored without you in the castle."
I walked towards her to hug her. In fact, I wanted to cry tears of joy. With her and Kanan by my side, this place wasn't as terrifying as it had initially been. I could finally relax while chit-chatting with Martha about my position at the palace. I told her literally everything, including my new superpowers that kept evolving. She listened, thrilled about every single detail and cursing Sariel for not making me the queen. I knew she would react that way. She had always been frank, even if it was something concerning her king.
"So… what are you going to do now?" she asked, concerned.
"I don't know. Kanan said that I needed to build my position in the semi-noble circles. Some of them should be interested in siding with me since I have proven my strength and have the Royal Army's acceptance. The problem is, it takes time, and I live in the same place as the bitch who wants me dead. Surviving each day would be a struggle." I gave her a wry smile.
Martha sighed and grabbed my hand. "I will help you in any way I can. I am strong, and His Majesty didn't send me here without protection. Four commoners and two mixed-breeds came with me so that no one would bully us," she said with full confidence.
I nodded, acknowledging her words. I was glad that Sariel decided to listen to me. I felt relieved that Martha would be safe. I couldn't forgive myself if I dragged her into the middle of the danger zone without backup.
As soon as I finished eating breakfast, I felt a wave of anxiety flooding my head. It was only a couple of hours before the celebration ball. I had to be well prepared for that, and at that moment, I didn't even know what to wear. I got up and opened the closet. I was definitely missing an evening gown worthy of a royal event.
"Should I help you choose something to wear?" Martha asked excitedly.
"I don't think I'll find the right thing to wear for the ball…" I pondered out loud.
"Oh, right! The ball!" she called out, grinning, "Don't worry. The problem will be solved in about an hour," she said, trying to wave off my concerns, and then she walked out of my chamber, leaving me clueless.
Not wanting to dwell on the dress problem, I went to my gorgeous bathroom to provide all kinds of beauty treatments for my face and body. I took a long bath with rose petals and aroma oils. I had never done this before, but it was fun and relaxing. I put a sheet mask on my face and under my eyes to make my skin look refreshed and glowing. I had never spent as much time in the bathroom as I did that day. It was therapeutic. It didn't put me in a state of daze. On the contrary, I was concentrated and calm, fully aware of what I was aiming at during the celebration ball. First of all, I wanted to make Sariel look at me. As selfish and childish as it might have sounded, I wanted to make it hard for him to keep all of his attention on Elora. Second, I wanted to feel more confident than ever while facing my father or any other wolf. Third, I wanted to attract my first supporters, who would help stabilize my position in the vampire world.
I went out of my bathroom with a relaxing exhale while wearing nothing but a bath towel wrapped around my still wet body and then I almost faced a heart attack.
"Hello, beauty!" Dominique called out, grinning and waving her hand while sitting on my bed.
My heart instantly went up to my throat as a loud gasp escaped my lips.
"D-don't you know how to knock?!" I burst out, placing my hand on my chest as if trying to keep my heart where it initially was.
"Knock, knock," she grinned innocently.
"Seriously? That wasn't funny… What are you doing here?" I tossed angrily while trying to put on at least a T-shirt.
She meaningfully cleared her throat, tapping her fingers on a large dress cover lying beside her on my bed.
"What is it?" I asked stupidly, almost certain of her answer.
"Your dress, silly," she laughed.
"You brought me a dress?" I stared at her in disbelief.
"I couldn't leave some maid to make this choice for you. The future queen cannot go out there wearing rags," she chuckled.
"Please don't call me "future queen". It only makes me more frustrated," I said, feeling that Dominique's words woke up my restlessness again.
Dominique jumped up from the bed and hugged me. "I'm sorry, sweety. I just wanted you to know that I am on your side, no matter what this shithead-brother of mine does."
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