The Vampire King's Possession

Mauve smiled at the Queen's words even though her smile was just as cold as the Queen's expression. "Thank you, your highness."

Queen Lale took her hand away from Mauve's face and gave her a once over, eyeing her dress. Mauve hoped the Queen would say why she was here and be gone. Their relationship was like eating a handful of glass.

Queen Lale could not stand her and for good reason too. Mauve had not once blamed the Queen and though Queen Lale had never gone out of her way to be mean to Mauve, it still didn't stop her from ignoring or yelling at her whenever the opportunity arose.

The Queen turned her back to her and began walking towards the door, when she got halfway she turned around and said, "I presume you're ready."

Mauve wasn't sure if the Queen meant physically ready or mentally ready but either way, she wasn't ready, even a little. "Yes," she muttered, otherwise didn't seem like the right answer to say. "I am ready and honored to be able to serve the king and the kingdom," she swallowed and raised her chest, showing pride. She couldn't dare let the Queen see how defeated she was.

She didn't bow as she spoke, rather she looked Queen Lale right in the eye as if daring her to counter what she had just said.

The Queen smiled, "Yes, you should be honored. It isn't every day someone of your birth circumstances rises from beneath scum to being of service to the kingdom." The Queen glared her eyes at Mauve staring at her from head to toe. Her expression was one of disgust.

"Thank you for the opportunity," she muttered with sarcasm still without bowing.

"Well, we are not counting on you but you know better than to ruin it." Queen Lale said darkly walking towards her. Her face lit up into a creepy smile as she brushed loose hair out of Mauve's face. Dropping her hands to her sides she began to walk out of the room and Mauve hoped it was for real this time.

"I know what I have to do," she replied.

"Good," the Queen said, glancing back. "I know we haven't had the opportunity to discuss this but you are a virgin, aren't you?"

Mauve is a little taken aback by this question but for a few seconds, she did not know what to say. "Yes," she finally replied and nodded her head."

"Better, the last thing we want to offer to the Vampire King is used goods. You should be proud, today your dream comes true," she smirked. "Today, you get to be your father's daughter." The guards opened the door and closed it behind the Queen but Mauve could still hear the Queen's chuckle.

The sound of the door closing sapped all of the energy out of her and she staggered. "Princess," Vae called in fear as she held Mauve up, preventing her from falling.

"Thank you," Mauve murmured and for a brief moment she saw sympathy pass across Vae's face. The fatter maid looked indifferent.

Mauve went into the deep recess of her mind as the maids got to work on the finishing touches of her make-up and dress. She wasn't even aware when they wore her shoes.

When they were done, the maids slightly walked away from her bowing a little. She spun around and stared at the mirror, surprised at her reflection. She was almost unrecognizable. She managed a weak smile, satisfied with the look she held the smile. It didn't reach her eyes but that didn't matter as long as she looked happy. 

"Princess Mauve," she jerked her head towards the direction of the voice to find the fatter maid holding a veil.

Relief coursed through her so hard she cried out, it sounded like a sad laugh. It was bad enough that she had to go through with the marriage but she had been more scared her smile might fall and that she would burst into tears before she would be able to go through with the marriage but this, this would hide how she really felt.

Mauve nodded and bent her head. She couldn't dare sit, not with the thick dress if she wanted to avoid a wrinkle. She felt the thick comb dig into her scalp, it wasn't painful but she wouldn't have cared if it was.

She stood to her full height once again and checked her reflection one more time. "You look so beautiful," she heard a voice say. She turned to find Vae staring at the mirror beside her.

"Thank you," she replied and brought the veil down. She took a deep breath and began to walk out of the room. The faster she got started the faster this would be over with.

The maids walked faster, opening the door so she could walk out freely. They bowed as she walked out of the room. Outside the room, a different set of maids took over and they led her to the wedding hall which of course took place in the royal ballroom.

Just a few feet from the ballroom entrance stood the king. It had been so unexpected that for a few milliseconds she didn't know how to react. Thankfully the maids dropping to their knees and laying their faces on the ground was enough to jolt her out of the trance.

She made to do the same out of habit even with the heavy dress. "Don't," she heard him say. She felt her eyes water, it was the first time he was speaking to her directly. She froze midway and stood upright but she still kept her head down.

She often wondered what her mother saw in her father aside from the fact that he was the king but as she got older, she understood. And as he stood a few feet away from her now, all she felt was happiness. She was glad that she got the opportunity to be his daughter. Call it whatever it may be but there was no denying how she felt.

"Come daughter," he commanded. Mauve found herself moving even before the words completely left his lips. "Let's get you married."

She nodded vigorously and walking to his outstretched hand, she quickly slid her hand into the gap. She sighed in relief and swallowed, she couldn't let the tears drop. It was supposed to be a happy day. Sure, her own father was literally selling her off to the vampires but at least he was doing so because she was his daughter. He was finally accepting her as his.