My days in Ustoria blurred into an indistinguishable monotony, each one as useless and pointless as the last. Trapped within these castle walls, I felt like a ghost, adrift and without purpose. What could I possibly do to alleviate the boredom, to feel like something more than a decorative piece?

  Could I truly accept fading into the background? In Agarta, I had relished my anonymity, my freedom. But here, in this foreign land, the isolation felt stifling, a heavy weight upon my chest.

  Determined to reclaim some semblance of agency, I resolved to explore the castle, praying I wouldn't encounter any members of the royal family. The confines of my room had become unbearable, the isolation amplifying my anxieties.

  It was late afternoon. Already dressed in a stunning reddish-orange gown that made me feel remarkably confident, I took one last look in the mirror before venturing out. A tour of the castle was long overdue. Tristan, my ever-present escort, guided me through the labyrinthine hallways. My eyes drank in the opulent details of the vast castle, captivated by the ornate decorations of cascading plants and vibrant floral arrangements.

  When fatigue finally set in, I sought refuge in the tearoom. A striking figure caught my eye as I entered, gracefully pouring herself a cup of tea. She was slightly taller than me, with skin as pale as snow. She offered a small, almost imperceptible smile as I approached the table, then turned back to her tea. I poured myself a cup, acutely aware of her presence. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken tension, though I intended to make a formal introduction.

  Finally, she turned, a chilling glare within her piercing red eyes. "You must be the princess," she said, her voice a low, resonant growl. "I'm Ann." Her gaze lingered, just a moment too long, before she added, with a faint hint of amusement, "Nel has mentioned you."

  A chill went down my spine. This was her. Nel's Ann.

  I managed a weak smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you." The words felt hollow, forced.

  She simply raised an eyebrow, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. "The pleasure is all mine."

  The underlying sarcasm was barely veiled. She took a slow sip of her tea, her eyes never leaving mine. The silence returned, heavier this time, laced with an unsettling undercurrent. After an excruciatingly long moment, she set down her cup with a delicate click. "Enjoy your tea," she said, her voice devoid of warmth. Then, without another word, she turned and swept from the room, leaving me standing there, shaken.

  My hands trembled as I reached for the teapot, a wave of unease washing over me. I was no match for her. I was simply relieved she had departed without a more overt display of hostility.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Despite the lingering discomfort, I refused to let these vampires dictate my emotions. Screw them all. The prince's blatant disregard for my feelings, his casual acceptance of Ann’s presence, ignited a spark of defiance within me. I would adopt the same indifference, mirroring his lack of consideration. I would be the strong-willed, unyielding princess they underestimated. I would not cower in fear.

  After finishing my tea, my thoughts drifted to Naomi. I desperately hoped she would arrive soon. She would be my much-needed ally in this hostile environment. Until then, I would remain resolute.

  Leaving the tearoom, determined to put the unsettling encounter behind me, I followed Tristan back towards my room. As we passed a partially open door, I glimpsed the vampire prince seated at a long table, surrounded by scattered maps and two attentive soldiers. His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, their expression unreadable, before he looked away. I continued walking, my pace feeling strangely slow. I didn't get far.

  “Princess?” Nel’s voice, smooth as silk, stopped me in my tracks. I turned to face him. “I trust your stay in the castle has been… adequate?” A sly smirk played on his lips.

  “It… has,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil churning within. “I was merely familiarizing myself with the layout.”

  He stepped closer, his gaze intense. “I’m pleased you’re making yourself at home.” The thought of this place as my home was still repulsive. “Perhaps I could escort you around,” he glanced at Tristan, a hint of amusement in his eyes, “I’ve been meaning to show you around the castle.” Tristan bowed and discreetly withdrew, my chance of intervening too late.

  “That wasn’t necessary,” I retorted, my irritation simmering beneath the surface. “Tristan was perfectly capable of escorting me.”

  “But I wished to check on my… betrothed,” he purred, his eyes twinkling, “after your… unfortunate incident. I’m relieved to see you’ve recovered.” His eyes brushed across my hairline, lingering on the scar hidden beneath my curls, a flicker of genuine concern in their depths.

  “I’m fine,” I snapped, still smarting from my encounter with Ann. Did he honestly believe I was oblivious to their relationship? While I genuinely didn't care about their affair, the sheer audacity of his behavior infuriated me.

  “Perhaps your… guest could make better use of your time.” I turned to go to my chambers, hoping to shake him off, but he effortlessly matched my pace.

  “Guest?” he inquired, his tone laced with feigned innocence.

  “Ann,” I stated flatly. “She seemed… delighted to see me.”

  “I did offer to… discontinue our… association,” he replied, the sarcasm dripping from his voice, both of us knowing he had no intention of doing so. Moreover, why should he await my permission to do what was clearly expected of him? I loathed this insufferable, arrogant vampire.

  “You offered a superficial inquiry. We both know you had no intention of following through,” I retorted, my patience wearing thin.

  “I couldn’t care less about your… mistress. I simply dislike encountering the women my future husbandfrequents.”

  As we reached my bedroom door, Nel’s smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Consider it handled, my dear princess. No need to trouble yourself further.”

  I entered my chambers, prepared to underscore my indifference, but he had already dismissed me. Handle it? As if.