Chapter 80: The Ball
The guests arrived in the ball. They wore the costumes that the White Castle had prepared for them. Traditional aristocrat clothes that were used in the same event in the past.
Each was made with care and with high-quality materials. The kind gestures from the Willis.
Delilah was already there. She wore a black dress with deep cut on her chest, showcasing the contrast between her smooth white skin and the darkness of the dress.
The men arrived first. Oliver, Joe, Terry, Benedict, Paul. Each of them wore colorful glamorous suits that represented their influence.
Oliver with his metallic suit, representing the industrial revolution currently happening in Anglas.
Paul in a pure white suit, the color of medical profession.
Joe with his black sleek suit, the color of oil.
Terry with his off-white suit, representing those stocks he sold and trade.
Benedict with a bright yellow suit, the color of gold used in trading.
They were all respectable. And they looked at the Pale Lady sitting at her chair. A creature of absolute seduction and dominion.
"Welcome, gentlemen. To our exclusive ball for the First Generation." Delilah said.
"Are you the Princess?" Benedict said.
"Indeed, I am." Delilah said. "I am the bride of the Prince of Blood, owner and master of the City of Ghosts."
"You will give us immortality?" Paul said.
"If you’re worthy of it, yes." Delilah smiled.
"Where are the girls? They should be here by now." Terry said.
"You have to excuse them." Joe said. "They’re women after all. Women cared about their appearances. They must be spending the extra time for make-up or something."
"You’re correct, Joe."
Hannah entered the ballroom. She wore a huge bell-shaped dress with a bright red color. She put a lot of efforts onto her face, to hide her wrinkles and imperfections from aging.
"Hannah Reid at your service, Your Highness." Hannah bowed respectfully.
The men suddenly remembered who they’re talking with. They followed Hannah and bowed as well.
"Please excuse our impoliteness. We... have never met a royalty before." Paul said.
"You are excused." Delilah smiled. "There’s still one of you, right? Where is she?"
"Isabella..." Hannah mumbled.
"I am here your highness." Isabella de la Cour entered the ballroom. She wore a pure white dress. Simple but inviting. The fabric on her arms and legs were transparent, revealing her best features and smooth skin.
"Oh? Aren’t you a daredevil?" Delilah said. "I remember telling Alyssa to prepare a different dress for you. Why the change?"
Isabella bowed then answered, "Because I want to show you and the Prince what you’ll be getting, Your Highness."
"And what are we getting?" Delilah’s deepened.
"A beautiful obedient flower." Isabella spun gently to show her figure. She hadn’t felt this beautiful in years. Not when there were so many competitors in the industry.
"Such a good girl." Delilah said. She snapped her finger.
The vampire servants brought the food into the ballroom. A band of skeletons started to play music, these were the Wolfmen that Carter had turned into Undead.
The ballroom was illuminated by eerie green flames.
The guests felt like they had wandered into a different world. A world of darkness and debauchery.
They ate. And sang. And danced.
They tried their best to show Delilah their best advantages and hid their weaknesses. They were shallow and obsessed with the cure to aging.
Each had a specialty of their own.
And then he appeared. The pale man with dark hair. He had also dressed up for the ball.
Carter a wore black suit in the same vein as Delilah. He approached each of the candidate and examined them. They’re desperate and flawed. That meant they’re easy to control
"Father..." Thomas and Eleanor approached him.
They leaned forward for Carter to caress their cheeks.
"You did well, children. This is your reward."
Carter pinched his finger and allowed a few drops to fall. Thomas and Eleanor drank it like it was the Apple of Eden.
Carter’s Corrupting Blood could raise their Corruption and in turn, making them more powerful. His blood was Holy Water for them.
Isabella approached Carter.
"Isabella de la Cour. It is my honor to witness you, Your Highness." She knelt respectfully.
Carter placed his hand on her head. His nose twitched gently. The smell of her skin and blood was extra inviting.
"Alyssa has taught you some tricks, huh?" Carter said.
Isabella smiled, "I just want you to have the best meal there is, Your Highness."
"And this dress, you chose it?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"May I ask why?"
"To show you that I am a beautiful flower."
Carter smirked. Dracula had really embedded himself as a sensual demon. There was no way back now. He thought it was very suitable as well. After all, weren’t all vampires depicted as sexy and charming?
But he wanted deep for Dracula. A sexy and charming vampire was boring. There must also be a monster beneath. Dracula was a blood-sucking monster in the end.
"All of you have shown great personalities today. But are you really have what it takes to become the First Generation? Let me show you... how a real vampire looks like."
The guests didn’t understand what he said at first. But they soon were.
Carter burst out of his clothing and transformed into a towering bat monster. His wings spread half the width of the ballroom.
Delilah chuckled. Her high-pitched ringing laugh echoed the ballroom. She burst out of her dress as well and became a winged monster.
Both of them had now shown the guests the true extent of vampire.
Terry’s knees buckled. He dropped the glass on his hand and fell on his butt. "Monster..."
Paul’s eyes widened. He breathed rapidly. He wasn’t scared. He was only excited by the implications. "Magnificent!"
Oliver’s heart skipped a beat but he managed to calm himself down and pretended like nothing happen.
Hannah had that obsessive gaze on her as well. She didn’t find them repulsive. She found them as beautiful as art.
Isabella was already warned about the vampire’s true form. She knew what she was signing up for. The girl tilted her head to the side and leaned forward to Carter.
"Please, Your Highness. I am yours."