Eve was surprised that Damien and Cece were personally offering to take her to the dining hall. But with them being vampires and her knowing neither them or anything about this place. So she remained cautious and decided to politely refuse.
"Oh!" she began with a sweet smile on her face "That is so very kind of you to offer, but I wouldn’t want to trouble you both any further. As it is later and you both might want to rest?"
Damien chuckled on watching how the lun princess was trying to dodge them. The prospect of teasing her a little brought so excitent to his otherwise long and boring life.
"Don’t worry Princess," he said teasingly. "We won’t eat you. We are already well fed and just want to help. We wouldn’t want soone as lovely as you to end up becoming soone else’s al on your very first day here." He playfully winked at her.
Cece, knowing her brother liked to stir trouble, decided to step in to give the lun princess a break. Besides, she had to admit at this hour, the chance of Evelyn becoming another vampire’s al was pretty high.
"Princess Evelyn, I’d have to agree with my brother here, it’s quite dangerous for you to be roaming the academy ground alone at this hour."
She continued "Also since you’ve just arrived today, you are still unfamiliar with the layout of this castle and could get easily lost. I assure you, none of us wants to take a bite out of you. We co from pure blooded vampire lineage and are always well fed so we won’t pounce on you like a mindless beast." she said it all with perfectly straight face.
Eve felt slightly embarrassed for doubting their intentions but could you bla her? ’Better safe than sorry, isn’t it?’ she told herself. Still she hadn’t sensed any danger or malice from them.
Eve gave both of them a grateful nod and said "If it is not too much trouble, I’ll be in your care then," she smiled warmly at them.
Cece returned the smile "Okay then, let’s see if we can get you sothing to eat first."
With that, the three of them began walking. Damien led the way, while Cece walked beside Eve.
Cece decided to start a conversation to make Eve feel more at ease. "So Princess Evelyn-"
"Please call Evelyn" she quickly added "Only if you are comfortable with it."
Cece smiled and nodded "Of course, Evelyn. What made you choose this academy?"
At Cece’s question, Eve went quiet for a mont before replying with a small smile "My..father wanted to learn and experience the world outside my kingdom. So he decided I should enroll here."
Sensing her unease, Cece and Damien exchanged a glance and decided to lighten the mood.
Damien chid in "Ah that’s a great thought. The Kingdom of Versailles is quite beautiful. I am sure you will co to love this city."
Cece also added "That’s right! We should totally go to the market together this weekend. I would love to show you around."
Hearing about the market, Eve’s eyes lit up, "Really? I’d love that!" she exclaid.
Damien and Cece chuckled at how excited she got at the thought of exploring the market.
"That’s a great idea sister! I’ll definitely co along!" said Damien. He then muttered under his breath, "I wonder if I’ll be able to drag that grumpy guy with us too."
"Hm?" Even though he said it softly, Eve heard it clearly. "Who is that, if you don’t mind asking?"
"I was just wondering, maybe I could drag my ever brooding cousin along with us to the market. You see he tends to sulk in his own company, honestly an outing might just shake the dust off of him."
With a mischievous grin he glanced over his shoulders at Eve and asked "You wouldn’t mind, would you, Evelyn? I promise he doesn’t bite....well not unless provoked."
’Not unless provoked? Great, that’s reassuring.’ Eve thought dryly. ’Yup definitely ti to be diplomatic before I end as a vampire’s quick snack’
Sighing inwardly, she replied with a smile "Not at all Mr. Damien. What’s a little danger amongst the new acquaintances?"
Damien burst out laughing on listening to Eve’s sarcastic reply.
"Oh please, just Damien will do." he corrected Eve.
Cece also chuckled and nodded "Yes and call Cece too. After all, we are friends now aren’t we?"
"Oh, yes ... .friends." Eve repeated, her eyes filled with unsaid emotions and then a beautiful smile spread on her face with the thought of having friends for the very first ti in her life.
She was always alone in her entire life. Her step mother never allowed any kids from noble families to get close to her. Her harsh words still echoed in her head:
"Just what do you think you were doing, showing up at the tea party all of a sudden? Do you think those won will be pleased if one of their children turns out as useless as you? I have already told you to stop wasting your ti trying to mingle with others. Just focus on your studies. The least you can do is be good at sothing!"
Twelve years old Eve stood trembling, her eyes fixed on the floor with her head down, and shoulders hunched with sha. Tears silently stread down her cheeks. "Forgive , Yo-Your Majesty...I only ca to greet you since it is my bir-birthday today." she whispered.
Queen Elara’s eyes narrowed with disdain.
"Birthday?" She scoffed.
"What is there to celebrate when all you have ever done is to be a disappointnt. If you want to mark this day then start with disciplining yourself!" Saying this she turned around and stepped outside the bedroom.
Eve remained frozen with her tiny hands clenched at her sides in silent. She heard Queen Elara instruct the guards "Don’t let her step out today. No visitors, no food and water." Saying this she left.
That day the twelve year old Eve celebrated her birthday, curled up in one corner of the room shrouded in darkness without a morsel of food or a drop water. They never celebrated her birthday because her father blad her birth to be the cause of his wife’s death.
She snapped back to reality when they finally reached the front of the dining hall. Towering before them stood a heavy set of wooden double doors, stretching almost to the ceiling.
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