CHAPTER 5 King Aston

GABRIELA’S POV

Catrina has been crying for hours since our return from that meeting. “The kings will be utterly disappointed in me,” she laments.

Of course she would have passed the test if she were the vessel. She doesn’t have the required blood. But telling her that would make her furious and I’ll have to explain how I know that. So I keep my mouth shut.

“Maybe you were just nervous today, my lady, we are sure without doubt that you’ll pass the next test.” The blonde servant, Freya, comforts while her friend nods.

“I’ll get you the best wine from the palace to improve your moods, my lady.” Adria tells before leaving the room quickly.

Catrina huffs then goes to sit on the edge of the big bed. She snaps her fingers and Freya hurries to kneel by her side. She closes her eyes and relaxes while Freya messages her bare feet to calm her.

Seeing that I am not needed, I turn and leave the quarters. I really want to stay long enough to at least see the other two kings. But how many more tests will Catrina fail before they realize she’s not the one they are looking for?

I might as well tour around the palace now that I am free, in places I am allowed to be of course. I might never get another chance.

I stroll around marveling at the stunning architecture of the buildings and inhaling the sweet scents of the flowers.

While going down a hallway full of people. Ahead of me is a servant struggling to balance two overflowing baskets of fruits, she accidentally bumps into an official in ornate robes. The impact sends apples and pears rolling across the polished floor under people’s feet.

“Watch where you’re going, you clumsy fool!” the official snaps, barely glancing back as he continues on his way.

The poor servant stands frozen for a moment, her face flushed with embarrassment. I quickly kneel down and begin picking up the scattered fruits.

“Oh, thank you,” The servant says in relief when she sees I am helping. “I’m Eliza.”

“Gabriella,” I introduce myself, continuing to gather the fruits. Once most of them are picked up, I glance at the full baskets. “Would you like me to carry one of those for you?” I offer

Eliza’s eyes brighten. “That would be great, they are quite heavy.”

I lift one of the baskets, and we start walking together down the short path.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you here before,” Eliza says sweetly, glancing at me with curiosity. “Have you been hired recently? I’m sure I would have noticed such a lovely face.”

I’m a servant of Lady Catrina,” I tell proudly. “We arrived one day ago.”

Eliza’s smile widens even more. “The lady with the special blood?” she asks and I nod in “You’re so lucky. You’ll soon be a queen’s servant.” She tells.

Not really, since Catrina doesn’t have the required blood. But I must keep that a secret.

“How long have you worked here?” I inquire, genuinely interested.

“About seven years now,” Eliza replies. “Not every day is as chaotic as today. Some days, I manage to get through without being yelled at.” She adds with a playful laugh.

“It’s that bad?”

I want to know what I will be up for incase Caterina luckily becomes the queen.

Eliza nods. “Yes it is. And yet, I wouldn’t trade this job for anything. This is the best job you can have as a human even if it means dealing with a few mean officials.” She answers. She is so kind and…. Unlike Adria and Freya, someone I can be friends with.

I look up ahead and that when I realize we are approaching the grand entrance of the main palace. I stop.

“I can’t go past here. I don’t think I’m allowed inside,” I say, glancing at the imposing big doors.

Eliza frowns slightly but then reassures me. “No, it’s perfectly fine if you’re with someone who works here.”

“Are you sure about that?” I ask. I am dying to see the inside of course, but I don’t want to be found somewhere I shouldn’t be.

“Absolutely, just stay with me.” With her encouragement, I follow her past the foyer and through the entrance.

The inside is a sight to behold. A vast hall stretches out before us, its polished tiled floor gleaming like glass under the soft light streaming in from the tall windows. The walls are smooth and polished white. Above us, the ceiling is a dazzling display of gems arranged to look like a starly sky. It feels like you are standing under twinkling stars.

“Impressive, right?” Eliza asks and I nod, speechless.

She leads us up an impressive gold coloured staircase that curves gracefully toward the upper levels of the palace. At each corner, elegant marble statues stands. The vampire kings must be unimaginably wealthy to afford to build this.

We walk down another long, ornate hallway, whose walls adorned with portraits of stern-looking ancestors of the royal family. She stops at the fourth door on the right, then pushes it open with a gentle push.

“Come on in,” she says, her voice warm but slightly nervous.

As we step inside, I’m struck by the sheer grandeur of the room. A magnificent fireplace dominates one end. Two luxurious leather sofas and plush velvet armchairs surrounding the fire place. Heavy drapes frame a wall of windows that overlook a sprawling garden, while a king-size bed draped in sumptuous fabrics sits at the opposite end, piled high with dark and white pillows.

“Whose chambers are these?” I ask.

“King Aston’s,” Eliza replies, glancing back at me. “Just be careful where you step, his majesty hates dust on his white carpets.”

I nod, feeling both awed and intimidated by the lavish surroundings. Following her lead, I place the basket of fruit on the ornate table beside hers. Eliza starts sorting through the ripest pieces and transferring them into a grand pantry.

Drawn to the artwork lining the opposite wall, I wander over to admire each piece. They are stunning, the artist must have been really skilled. I can’t help but think how wonderful it would be to work in such an beautiful place. I’m so lost in the beautiful Arts that I don’t even notice the change in light when the door opens, or the presence of a third person in the space.

“Who the hell are you?” an angry voice questions from behind me.

I turn to see . . . wait! Is that one of the vampire kings? I can’t help gawking at the beautiful man. Not because he looks any different from the King I met, but because his outfit is a little outrageous for a king.

He’s in a white outfit, it’s tight and stylish. When I say stylish, I mean, baffling kind of stylish. The coat is a full neck and long sleeved adorned with gleaming gold buttons. But one shoulder has been intentionally left out and one can see the flawless skin beneath. It is a little longer on one side, but instead of looking awkward, it looks uniquely designed.

The pants are a little tight too but not much as to make one stand out in the wrong way. They too are missing something, the front parts of the knees. Well, it's one conspicuous, stunning style for an insanely hot man. Damn if I can’t clearly trace the shape of his well toned body!

His facial features are an exact replica of the king I met yesterday, except that his hair is not braided and has a silver hue.

“My lord,” Eliza exclaims as she quickly bows deeply.

I follow suit, my heart pounding.

“I asked you who you are and why you’re standing in my quarters,” he repeats, just as harshly as the first time, his sharp gaze fixes on me.

I doubt my lips can move, and if they do, I will say something inappropriate that may make him cringe.

“Your majesty,” Eliza interrupts quickly. “She helped me carry these heavy baskets up here. She’s lady Catrina’s servant.”

The man steps closer, his expression growing even more disdainful than his brother’s had. The intoxicating scent of him fills my senses, and I fight to suppress the urge to inhale deeply.

“Who hired a warthog?” he sneers. “She’s hideous even for a human and smells like a street dog.”

I feel my stomach twist with humiliation. I glance at Eliza, who looks shocked and uncomfortable but determined not to intervene further.

“You’re not qualified to work here,” he snaps.

Qualified? I am a human servant like many others. Why does he find my presence repulsive?

My hands tremble slightly as I struggle to respond. “My mistress doesn’t mind that I lack qualifications,” I manage to say, forcing confidence into my voice. “She says I’ll learn, your majesty.”

“A filthy human like you cannot serve our queen,” he retorts coldly.

I swallow hard, fighting not to show any emotion under his piercing gaze.

“You should be grateful to even breathe the same air as she does,” he continues scornfully. “But I suppose she is kind enough to hire even the most repugnant creatures.”

I hang my head in embarrassment and Eliza shifts uncomfortably beside me . His words sting like daggers, and despite my efforts to remain stoic, tears begin to gather behind my eyes.

“Yes, your majesty, she is quite kind.” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He strides past me, casting a dismissive glare over his shoulder. “You’re still here?” His voice is deep and harsh, laced with irritation.

“Leave before I change my mind and have you dragged out of the palace gates! And remember to bathe and clean your clothes if you will be around people; personal cleanliness is mandatory for anyone staying in this palace.” He adds coldly, making it clear that my presence is an unwelcome anywhere near him. He is right, my dress is old and stained in some parts, but I do not stink!

I simply nod and bow my head, shame and anger making it difficult to think. Eliza’s glare is sympathetic as I walk by her to get to the door.

Tears sting my eyelids as I quickly make my way out of the huge building. Just because he finds me unactractive doesn’t mean I am ugly.