As long as I am alive

Stumbling through the crowd, Gwyneth made her way back to the main area where her people were gathered. Her gaze roved aimlessly in search of her sister or uncle.

Fortunately, her gaze strayed to the ballroom where she saw Imogen looking frighteningly pale, hiding the horror she was feeling inside while standing next to a tall, handsome, but cold-looking powerful vampire who struck as royalty himself.

"No. No. No." She rushed towards them.

But then, "Ladies and gentlemen, humans and vampires!" suddenly rang out.

She stopped, taking a deep breath.

The ballroom fell silent, and everyone's focus shifted to the main floor where they saw Descaera's King Lucius Whitworth standing beside his wife, Queen Larissa Whitworth.

They looked stunning for the evening, their smiles broad and bright, as they were eager to give their daughter away to bloodsuckers in return for treasures.

Gwyneth parted her lips, astonished by her mother's presence. It shocked her to no end that her mother agreed with her father's choice.

She snapped her eyes back at Imogen, gritting her teeth. And as she was about to yell her sister's name, "Sunflower," burst forth from behind her.

Fury surged through her chest as she clenched her lips and looked at Gerald, who was exquisitely attired for the ball. The soft grin that was spreading across his lips made her fury even stronger.

"Do not do anything you will regret." He said with a small nod, as though to reassure her that everything was fine.

"I am trying to save my sister." Gwyneth stepped forward, hissing at him. "You have some explaining to do."

"Dear, I have nothing to explain." Gerald mumbled, his tone wavering slightly. Then his grin grew wider. "Relish the ball." With that, he turned to leave.

Gwyneth's eyes twitched with disbelief. Did he really think she would do nothing?

She gave her parents a quick glance. Now that Imogen and the vampire were standing by their sides, an old man was carrying a silver box that clearly contained rings.

"...because our goal is to bring our kind together to build a bright future!" The happiness that Lucius was experiencing at that moment was evident in both his voice and his facial expression.

Gwyneth balled her hands. She took a deep breath before focusing on Sirius, the blindfolded vampire, who was standing among the other significant-looking vampires.

Suddenly, a crazy thought raced through her mind.

Glancing back at Imogen, who was clearly afraid, and the vampire prince, who appeared remarkably at ease. Gwyneth felt even more determined.

"Not on my watch." She bolted to the food table, grabbed a knife, and ran to Sirius, who at a stroke lowered his head to her.

Though startled, she pointed the knife up at his neck and screamed loudly enough to get everyone's attention.

Surprised murmurs filled the room, making Gwyneth smile with pleasure.

"Gwyneth!" Lucius screamed with pure fury whilst Larissa covered her mouth with her hands in disbelief.

"Enough with this madness, father!" Gwyneth roared back at him, her eyes exploding with fury as she saw Imogen burst into tears.

Tension permeated the room, and the murmurs grew louder.

"What is happening?"

"What does she think she is doing?"

"Does she know who that is?

"What right does she have to ruin his highness's engagement?"

"This is why humans are no more than livestock."

"How impudent."

"I thought the princess was well-mannered."

Gwyneth scowled in response to those remarks. She noticed that even though she was holding one of the vampires at knifepoint, they seemed unaffected because they believed he was far more powerful than she was.

If she cut him, he would recover in an instant. Not to mention that she was practically standing on her toes and he was about 200 centimeters tall. Fortunately, that embarrassment was hidden by her long dress.

Her eyes slid to him. His eyes were covered, but he was still staring down at her. She was not surprised that he did not even flinch.

"Imogen, come here." She spoke harshly, then returned her attention to Imogen, whose beseeching eyes were fixed on her.

"Guards!" Lucius hollered, and the guards charged in, brandishing their weapons at her.

Gwyneth paused to catch her breath. She did not like how things were going. "Imogen!" She called out, enraged that she wasn't even taking a step.

Rather, she was shaking from sheer terror, her mouth opening and closing as she attempted to speak.

This intensified the mutterings, and Gwyneth realized pretty quickly that only humans were speaking this time.

She was standing in the vampire section, and their expressions were only a mix of fear and offense.

She frowned deeply. Shrewd creatures!

"This engagement will not continue as long as I am alive." She said, turning to face the vampire she was holding at knifepoint.

"And who are you to end this engagement?" Abruptly, the vampire prince asked, his expression eerily serene, his voice grim.

A silence fell over the room. It was clear that his words intimidated everyone.

Whereas the humans only exuded fear, Gwyneth saw respect in the vampire's aura.

She gave a mocking sneer.

They always complained about being at the bottom of the food chain, but by acting so cowardly, they demonstrated just how low they actually were.

"I am the princess of this kingdom, your highness, and I am confident you are aware of this." She answered, pressing the knife's steel against Sirius's neck.

Automatically, Sirius threw back his head with a playful smile on his lips. A smile that was hidden from Gwyneth's sight because she was preoccupied with the vampire prince.

"Do you really believe that your status as the princess gives you the authority to call off this engagement?" The vampire prince questioned, cold haughtiness dancing in his voice.

"I may only be food to you, your highness, but I have my rights." Gwyneth turned to face Sirius with a smug expression.

She studied him closely, absorbing that provocative, sly smile on his lips. Why was he smiling?

Wait!

The vampire prince was talking to her. Was this really evidence that Sirius was important to him?

Perhaps she possessed power at knifepoint. The power with which she intended to protect her sister from all of this absurd madness.

Without second thought, she dropped the knife and reached for the blindfold.

"Oh?" Sirius instantly grabbed her wrist, his voice heavy with glee.

Gwyneth hesitated, a shiver of pure terror burrowing down her back.

That did not stop her, though. She reached for the blindfold, pulling it away from his face.

But before she could make eye contact with him, he shielded her eyes with his hand. And the next thing she heard were countless small, lifeless thuds, and then a deep, manic laughter that made the entire castle vibrate.