BLOOD.FANGS.N'.FIRE

Lester ignored his friend and said instead, "Martinna and his son are coming."

"Hahaha," Chuckling Gavriel mocked. "I guess they weren't such cowards after all."

Undressing, he continued, "Tarvald, name the creatures you know to ever exist."

Lester, who was back to thinking about the redhead that ran past him, sighed but answered anyway, "Humans, the oldest. Vampires, witches, werewolves, and the rare ones, if not extinct, Dragons and the sea creatures."

Then, he asked, "What's with the quiz?"

The king ignored him and asked the butler, "How about you, Mr. Butler, same answer?"

Matthew nodded in agreement to the Duke's answer and added, "Is there another one we do not know of, Your Majesty?"

"There might be, and there might not be another one, who knows. And which category do you regard me to belong to?" He asked playfully

"I think you are a hybrid of the two, but then you exhibit traits that are outside the creatures i suspect you to be a hybrid of." Lester said, looking like he was deep in contemplation about the King's genetics.

"Are you trying to insinuate that I am not whom I portray to be." Gavriel said, raising a brow only for Lester's blunt words to make him burst into laughter.

" Yes," Lester's eyes glinted mischievously.

"HAAHHAHHAA"

"Your Majesty, if I might request?" Matthew asked

and Gavriel nodded for him to continue.

"Can you please not kill anyone, this ball?" He said

"I would love to, but if they beg for it, I don't think I have it in me to refuse." Gavriel benevolently said.

Matthew just ignored him and turned to the Duke and glared at the man, "My Lord, must you be such insufferable guest." He said

"Harsh!!" Lester held his chest while pouting like he had been wronged.

The king ignored the two morons in his chamber while he dressed himself smartly in the mirror.

'If there was one thing he was looking forward to, was seeing the little hope of freedom leave Red's eyes when she finally understood the play's meaning.'

Matthew was the first to leave while he had successfully angered the Duke yet again.

"Remind me, Gav, why can't I kill your butler?" Lester asked while he looked at the closed door.

"If you can try. Please be my guest, " the king responded

"Was she the mysterious creature?" Lester asked, referring to Florah

Gavriel took his sweet time before he voiced a yes.

Lester as a response too, stood up and headed for the door, Gavriel knew what his suicidal friend was thinking but he would be more than delighted to grant him his wish if he played with his toys.

He was never one to share.

Numerous lavish carriages rolled inside the enormous compound of the castle, out stepped finely dressed creatures of high stature.

Many older men were seen accompanied by many younger, beautiful ladies who carried themselves with grace and dignity.

The ladies were dressed exquisitely in ballroom gowns of vibrant colors, each one standing out in their own way.

Vampires, werewolves, and wealthy humans entered through the main door of the castle with the intention of celebrating yet another midnight ball hosted by the Empire's sovereign after every other year.

The inside of the castle was decorated richly in subtle colours that blended well with the dim golden light that shone from the high chandeliers.

Gold and red decorations of flowers and banners were placed at strategic places of the first floor of the castle that was where the ball was to take place.

Several guests mingled amongst fellow guests that they felt were worthy of their company.

The men were dressed in tuxedos of different dull colours that complemented their complexions.

Ladies from highly regarded families were dressed in ball gowns that could feed small villages for weeks.

Designs from highly talented designers were showcased tonight throughout the ball.

Numerous neatly organised tables were placed at the side of the spacious dining hall, giving room in the middle to different people to mingle and strike conversation.

"Mrs. Bowess, look how you have beautifully blossomed." An older lady commented from behind Samantha Bowess, interpretating her conversation with a Marquess of a certain Southern province.

"Lady Carmarthen,!" Samantha turned around to face the older human.

'Muah,muah,' the two ladies greeted each other with air kisses and a hug.

Samantha was annoyed by the interruption but masked it with politeness towards the lady because of the long time collaboration with her father.

"Well, my dear, you sure do look splendid tonight," Lady Carmarthen voiced.

Samantha faked a blush and said softly, "Am sure, you are just exaggerating Milady given that you look even more beautiful tonight."