Lilac
The two men who bought me finally returned for me, and I felt like I might pass out as they examined me and declared me good to go. I had hoped they'd have changed their minds, but that didn't happen. I was still getting presented to their grand king tonight.
I let out a shaky breath as I walked behind them, trembling a little when the sound of loud music kept increasing with each step forward.
"You'll sit and remain quiet till you're addressed. You'll be presented to the grand king before everyone and you'll not look into his eyes or dare to speak to him. Are you clear?" The man who had his mask on throughout this afternoon spoke, voice hard. He wasn't wearing his mask anymore and he looked good looking, even with a thin scar running from his cheek to his chin.
"Yes." I mumbled and they resumed walking till we stopped before a large door; one which completely dwarfed the large doors of ballrooms back in my kingdom. The second man who took his time hours ago to explain what fate awaited me tonight, fished out a device which lit up when he tap it, then he held it against his ear and quietly spoke. I frowned in confusion, wondering why he did that, but moments later, the doors were being thrown open and a gasp caught in my throat as I took in the inside of the large hall. It was so many meters tall and the roof which was decorated with lights unlike anything I've ever seen hanging from the roof, like they might fall off any moment- but the people moving around didn't seem to care about that.
My arm was gripped my one of the two men and I was led into the large hall. People weren't dancing, most people were seating, wearing clothes i couldn't recognize. Wasn't this supposed to be a party? Why wasn't anyone dancing?
Some people casted me few glances as I was being led through the path in the middle of the large hall, and that was it. They weren't pointing at me and laughing, a complete different reaction than that of my kingdom. Then I remembered that I was underneath a veil and my face wasn't visible, perhaps that was why they didn't seem that interested.
At the front of the crowd, to the left, on a flowing white mat, sat about five girls claded in dresses that were as beautiful as mine. They also had veils on, and I was led to them and made to sit right at the front of them.
Perhaps this was why the people didn't seem interested? Because this was now a normal thing for them?
My eyes darted over the girls seated behind me. I couldn't make out their faces but it didn't take me long to figure out that they were also humans. Were they subjected to the same fate as myself? Are they also gonna be given to someone tonight as a gift? That thought made my heart lurch into my throat.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by a loud voice that was echoing through the ridiculously large hall. I jolted in shock before seeing that the man speaking was doing it into something that resembled a short, black stick that he was speaking into. What was that? So many things was weird about this place.
Most of the people moving around and the ones sitting had long, see through glasses in their hands which they were sipping a colorless drink from, that had small bubbles floating above them. That wasn't the cups we had back at home. And was that wine? Wine that wasn't red? And was soap added into the cups?
Like I said, this place was really weird.
The voice began to welcome in people which I assumed were important to this kingdom, at least this was something that was similar to how things were done back in my pack.
"… and now please welcome the grand king."
I stiffened on remembering this was the person I'd be given to tonight and I strained my eyes to see who the person was. My eyes widened as it zeroed in on the person who stepped in after the doors got thrown open. He was flagged by about ten guards, and everyone went on their feet to clap loudly. The first thing I noticed was his completely grey hair, and the folds on his face. I almost burst into tears as I took in his full appearance. He looked like a grandfather, like he was old enough to birth my father.
I recoiled, my skin starting to crawl at the realization that this was the man who was gonna fuck and fully drain my blood tonight.
Oh heavens.
Why me? Of all people.
Why?
After the grand king sat, i realized he wasn't the king of this pack when the reigning king was introduced. His robs gleamed in the lights, like it was made of diamonds, and people almost passed out from how excitedly they were all screaming and waving.
"We'll now welcome the crowned prince!" The man still speaking into that stick shaped object that was making his voice echo really loudly and I held my breath, spine stiffening on realizing this was the crown prince those girls had been so scared to talk about. I glanced around the crowd, it was completely silent, and no one cheered. The doors got thrown open but no one stepped in.
My eyes focused on the crowd of people and I noticed how uncomfortable and afraid they looked.
Were this whole people… scared of him?
Who was this crowned prince? And why…?
Back at home, royal princes and princesses are adored by everyone. Everyone wants to be recognized by them. At least that was how it was, till my turn— but that was beside the point.
After about a minute, the man who had been introducing everyone awkwardly cleared his throat and laughed.
"U- um… L- looks like the c- crown prince won't be showing up." He stumbled over his words, the fear clear in his voice and my spine stiffened even more as the whole crowd visibly relaxed after that announcement.
None of their reaction made no sense.
Nothing was making any sense so far.
I couldn't even fully dwell on that before the announcer was stepping away and one of the two men who bought me- the less hostile one, was stepping up and accepting the stick stuff.
He spoke for a few minutes, and I couldn't breathe throughout, knowing I'd be getting announced any moment from now.
"To show our undying love and appreciation for the grand king, we at the royal council have prepared a lovely gift for him. A fine, beautiful maiden of pure, royal blood!"
I almost fainted at that point. A sob threatened to come out, but I bit it back when I was wrenched up by two guards who basically carried me over to dump me at the foot of the grand king.
Everyone waited as the grand king lifted my veil and ordered me to look at him, then he nodded in approval and announced that he liked his gift, then everyone was hooting loudly once again, and dread curled through my entire body.
My eyes welled with tears as the grand king's hand came to rest on my head, then he began to stroke and pet— like I was an animal.
Oh god.
Save me tonight.