Chapter 2

Isadora's POV

The next day, the grand hall of the castle was ablaze with light, crystal chandeliers casting a golden glow.

Tonight was a gathering of vampire nobility, and I stood in the corner as usual, serving as invisible background. Over the past ten years, I'd grown accustomed to being overlooked.

But tonight felt different.

I could sense an undercurrent of excitement in the air, as if something momentous was about to be announced.

Thaddeus stood at the center of the hall, dressed in a black tuxedo, handsome as an angel of darkness. He raised his glass, signaling for silence.

"My friends, tonight I have an important announcement."

My heart raced inexplicably.

"After ten years of blood purification, I've finally met the family's pureblood standards," his voice echoed through the hall. "Therefore, I will be engaged to the pureblood princess, Selene."

The words hit me like a thunderbolt.

My legs buckled, nearly giving way. Applause and cheers erupted around me, but to my ears, they sounded like mockery.

Ten years... ten years of blood offerings, all for this moment.

I glanced at the woman beside Thaddeus—Selene. Golden hair, blood-red eyes, clad in a luxurious deep crimson gown. She was beautiful like a goddess from legend, and dangerous as a viper.

"Darling," Selene rose on her tiptoes, planting a deep kiss on his lips, her hand boldly caressing his chest. "We'll be so happy."

I bit my lower lip hard, nearly drawing blood. But I forced myself to stay silent, maintaining that submissive facade.

That's when Selene's gaze found me.

"Oh, darling," she raised her voice deliberately, ensuring everyone could hear. "Your little... pet is still here."

All eyes turned to me in an instant. My cheeks burned, but I kept my head down.

"Indeed," Thaddeus glanced at me indifferently. "She should know her place by now."

Selene approached me with elegant steps, each one crushing my heart.

"Kneel."

I hesitated for a second but slowly dropped to my knees. The cold marble floor pierced through my thin skirt, making me shiver.

"It rained outside today, and my shoes are filthy," Selene looked down at me, her fingers lightly stroking my hair before suddenly yanking it, forcing my head up to meet her eyes. "You used-up blood bag, clean them for me."

Her nails dug into my scalp, pain bringing tears to my eyes.

Snickers rippled through the crowd. Humiliation washed over me like a flood, threatening to drown me.

But I knew I couldn't resist. Trembling, I reached out, lifting the hem of my skirt to wipe her shoes.

"No clothes!" Selene stomped on my hand. "Use your hands."

My body froze for a moment. Use my hands... directly on her shoes?

"What's wrong? Unwilling?" Her voice turned more menacing. "Or do you think your hands are more precious than my shoes?"

I gritted my teeth and extended my hands, wiping the black leather. It was streaked with rainwater and mud, the cold, rough texture making me nauseous.

"Put some effort into it," Selene watched me with satisfaction. "You worthless thing, you can't even clean shoes properly."

The nobles around us burst into mocking laughter, as if watching an entertaining show. Some even clapped and cheered.

"Enough." Thaddeus finally spoke, but not to save me. "Don't let her ruin the mood tonight."

Then they resumed drinking and celebrating.

Late into the night, the party finally ended. I returned to my room alone, collapsing onto the bed.

The events of the evening replayed vividly, the humiliation still churning inside me.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," I said wearily.

It was Selene's personal maid.

"My lady asked me to deliver this to you." She handed me an ornate incense lamp. "She said her room's incense has run out and wants you to bring a new one."

I took the lamp and nodded.

It was odd that she'd send me, but I headed to Selene's room anyway.

As I approached her door, sounds from inside made my face flush and my heart pound.

"Ah... Thaddeus... harder..." Selene's breathless moans came through clearly.

"You like that?" Thaddeus's low voice was thick with desire.

The bed creaked violently, skin slapped against skin, and Selene's moans grew louder and more fervent.

My hand hovered at the door, a wave of agony surging through me. In ten years, he'd never spoken to me with such tenderness. And now, he was using that voice to please another woman.

Selene must have done this on purpose. She wanted me to hear, to humiliate me again.

I took a deep breath and knocked.

The sounds inside abruptly stopped.

"Who is it?" Thaddeus's irritated voice rang out, still laced with the remnants of passion.

"I'm here to deliver the incense Miss Selene requested."

The room fell silent for a few seconds, followed by whispers and Selene's tinkling laughter.

Soon, the door opened.

Thaddeus stood there, shirtless, with only a loose towel around his waist. Sweat glistened on his body, his chest heaving, lips marked with bites and lipstick.

I could see his arousal hadn't fully subsided, the outline faintly visible under the towel, making my cheeks burn.

When he saw me, he froze, then his face darkened.

"Damn it! What are you doing here?" he roared. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

From behind him, I glimpsed Selene lounging on the bed, her golden hair disheveled, covered only by a thin sheet that barely concealed her chest. She flashed me a triumphant smile.

I lowered my head and held up the incense lamp. "I'm sorry, Master. Miss Selene asked me to bring the incense..."

"Get out!" He snatched the lamp, the motion nearly causing the towel to slip. "Don't come near this room without permission! Understood?"

"Yes... yes, Master." I forced out a few tears, making myself look even more pitiful.

The door slammed shut, and soon the sounds resumed—even more intense than before, Selene's cries more brazen, as if deliberately for my ears.

"Just like that... deeper..."

"You're so much better than that human..."

I wiped away the fake tears and pulled out the silver ring necklace from my chest.

Under the moonlight, the pendant gleamed. I caressed it, my lips curling into a cold smile.

"All this pain," I whispered, my voice as icy as frost. "I'll make you pay for it tenfold—a hundredfold."