chapter 57- The plans

The day of the party finally arrived and guest were trooping in from all the four coners of the land.

Alex looked at the guest that were arriving in their carriages. His face lacked emotions.

"Your Highness, lady Reina is ready." Steven said as he entered the drawing room.

He smiled. "Has everything been put in order?" He asked coolly.

"Yes your Highness." He replied.

Alex turned and strode towards the door." It is good to know." He said walking out with Steven trailing behind him.

Jade and James entered the grand Hall which was used to hold special events like the one today.

"Jade." James called earlier when they were in their carriage." Remember the plan ,as soon as we find her. We shall take her away unnoticed , that will be easy as there are going to be many guests in the palace and the king will not have the time to notice that she is gone." He said.

Jade nodded but there something bothering her that she couldn't get out of her head. "What if she doesn't want to come." She said.

"She has no say in this dear, it is for her own good." He said calmly.

"How could it be for her own good when she is forced against her own will?" She questioned.

He turned to stare outside through the window. "I made a promise to her mother that I will do everything and anything in my power to protect our little girl. "His voice was filled with pain and sorrow." Even if it means forcing her and going against her will and the will of his Highness, I am willing to go any lengths to protect her even if it means me dying." He said to the surprise of jade ,he expected her to react but she just nodded and kept her words to herself.

James winked at her through his mask and she winked back. First things first ,they had to find Reina.

"Are you sure that he is coming mother?" Adam asked his mother as they strode through the crowd that was gathered in the ballroom.

"Yes son, he is coming that I am sure of." She raised her glass if wine to her lips and took short sips.

"I sure hope so." Eliza stated eyes searching frantically for someone.

"Who are you looking for Eliza?" Adam asked.

"I am looking for Alexander and Lorraine." She replied rudely. "I don't seem to see them anywhere."

Ruth smiled. "Relax Eliza, you of all people should know that Alexander is not keen on parties and loves to take his time. He will be here soon with Lorraine so don't worry." She said calmly.

Eliza was getting a funny feeling, and she couldn't know why she had this instinct that something very wrong was about to happen. " I just hope so. "She said under her breath.

A man walked passed them and Ruth could only smile, the man was on other person but Lucius, he had made it and soon he was going to see that Reina was the one and take her away from there for good.

Alex stepped into Reina's room , she was dressed in a dark red ballgown that had a balck ribbon tide firmly around the waist , the hand of the gown almost reached her elbow and he had given her black gloves , she had worn a red ruby necklace to match the dress and her hair was braided and the placed on the left side of her shoulders , she wore a black mask that covered her whole face to match the dressing.

If he did not know her and if he wasn't the one who picked the dress for her ,he would have thought her to be a seductress.

"Prefect ,exactly alike." He said. Smiling through his silver mask that covered his whole face. He stretched his elbow out." Shall we?" He asked.

She smiled beneath her mask before placing her hand in his.

James walked up to the king as it was easy to notice him because of the mask me wore which covered only the left side of his face.

"Your Majesty." He said bowing to get his attention.

The king truned to look at him ,with drak red eyes." Ah, you must be James Drummond, father of Lorraine? "He asked.

"Yes I am." He answered.

The king smiled. "How nice to see you again James. I must say that you have raised a very fine daughter who is not only beautiful but also very nice and warmhearted." He stated.

James smiled through clutched teeth. This was bad ,the king really liked his daughter and he couldn't blame him , Reina was a sweet and warmhearted person that it would be impossible not to like her, it had been really difficult for him to let her go." I am happy that you find my daughter to be of good conduct. "He said.

The king pat His shoulder gently." Don't be so modest James she is a jewel to behold and I feel very bad that she is not a vampire. "

James didn't know what to say to him so he asked causally." Speaking of Lorraine, I don't seem to find her anywhere. It has been months now and I haven't seen her or heard much from her since her last letter."

As if on cue Alexander entered the room with Reina, everybody eyes turned to stare at the mysterious couples who had graced the room. The man wore a drak tailored suit with a white shirt and a black bow tie to match , his drak hair was combed back and was glittering in the room. And even with his mask that made it impossible to see his face one could tell that he was very handsome. Next was his female companion who wore a black mask to cover her face ,the drak red clothes that she wore was exquisite and hugged her body showing her beautiful and voluminous curves.

Leyla smiled to herself, just like brother Alex always liked begin mysterious. She walked up to them and smiled. "How nice that you could come brother Alex , I was thinking that you wouldn't." She wore a black dress that showed her classic vampires features and a black mask like Reina's but her's only covered half her face." And Lorraine dear ,you look beautiful. "She complimented.

Reina didn't answer but only curtseyed as a from of saying thank you.

Before Leyla could question her Alexander said." She scaled her throat this morning while drinking the tea ,and the doctor advised that she shouldn't speak for the whole day so that her oesophagus would heal quickly." He said.

She quickly held Reina's gloved hands." Are you alright Reina dear?" She asked. Reina nodded gently." You should be very careful with your meals next time." She said sympathetically." I will personally have the Butler's head for this." She angrily added.

"There is no need for that Leyla, I have already given him the rightful punishment." Alex beat her to it.

She crossed her hand around her chest. "What did you do to him brother Alex?" She asked.

Alex smirked from beneath his mask." I simply told him to get ready to starve for a week if he didn't take extremely hot teas for breakfast for a week. So that next time he'll inspect the tea's carefully before they are severed." He said making Leyla giggle.

They continued chatting for a while with Reina begin silent the whole time. When the music had began Alex and reina walked into the dance floor making everyone head turn at the mysterious couple, they danced till the music ended ,after that he took her to meet his father who was standing with James.

"Father." He bowed his head while Reina curtseyed.

"Alex, I would like you to meet count James Drummond." He said facing the auburn haired man." Sir James my son Alexander. "He said.

James bowed his head at the Prince." Your Highness. "He said before looking at Reina beside him." Reini." He said joyfully stretching his arms for her embrace she girl jumped into his hands and he held her tight." Reini, my Reini. How are you? You have grown bigger than the last time that I saw you." He stated letting her go and waited for her to reply.

Alex carefully explained her current condition and James frowned within his mask." So she cannot speake because of her bruned throat!" He exclaimed gently.

Reina nodded.

"I am relived to see that they are treating you well." He said looking at the king." Thank you your Highness. "He bwewd to the king.

"There is nothing to thank me for James, I was just doing my duty as king."

He exhaled." Your Highness if I may, I would like to talk to her in private." He reached to hold his daughter's hand but Alex pulled her to his side quickly before his hand reach hers.

"I am sorry but I cannot let you take her." He said sternly.