MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

Rose bit her lip worriedly, looking at the situation unfold without her presence. As much as Dravena's words had stung her pride, Rose knew engaging further would only lead to more conflict and potential loss of control on her part.

No, it was better to remove herself entirely, at least for now. She would have to speak with Damien about it later, once tempers had cooled and there was an opportunity for rational discussion. With her current state, Rose could not afford to get pulled into any drama that might elevate her heart rate or emotions.

She watched as Dravena appeared to say something curt to Damien before spinning away across the grounds, her haughty departure sending murmurs and looks of concern rippling through the gathered crowd. Damien himself stood fuming, fists still clenched at his sides as if itching for a physical confrontation that Dravena had denied him.

After several tense moments where no one seemed to dare approach the irate lord, one of the senior knights ventured forward and spoke in a placating tone. Though Rose could not make out the words at this distance, she recognized the knight's calming gestures and deferential manner.

Slowly, the rigidness seemed to seep out of Damien's stance as the knight's voice acted like a balm on his anger. Rose watched as her former lover - for she could hardly think of him as anything else these days - gave a curt nod and gestured for the knight to leave him be. The other man bowed quickly and backed away, allowing Damien to stand in solitary reflection for several long moments.

Just when Rose thought he might finally retire to his quarters and remove himself from public view, Damien lifted his head and his gaze seemed to unerringly find her lone figure up in the turret lookout.

She watched as Damien said something to a nearby sentry, who nodded and scurried off. Moments later, the sentry returned with a rolled parchment in hand and handed it to Damien before leaving once more.

Realization dawned on Rose then, and her heart gave an anxious flutter as she realized Damien must be sending for her to come speak with him about what had transpired. As much as she wished to avoid any potential conflict for the time being, she knew dismissing such a direct summons could only lead to further troubles with Damien.

Best to acquiesce and get this conversation over with as quickly and calmly as possible.

Taking a steadying breath, Rose turned and made her way back down from the turret and through the castle corridors until she reached the main audience chamber where she was told Damien awaited her. Squaring her shoulders, she pushed through the heavy wooden doors.

The cavernous hall was blessedly empty but for Damien, who was pacing before the ornately carved dais where his throne-like chair rested. At the sound of the door, he spun to face her, expression unreadable. For several long heartbeats, the two simply stared at one another across the vacant room.

Finally, Damien spoke in a low tone laced with forced calm. "I trust you witnessed at least part of that...unpleasantness with Lady Dravena earlier?"

Rose inclined her head in affirmation, saying nothing.

Damien seemed to search her face before continuing. "It's good you didn't say much to her despite the inexcusable way she spoke to you in front of others. That was a disgraceful breach of conduct that will not be tolerated again under my roof."

Another pause, another searching look from Damien. "I know you and Dravena are... enemies, of a sort. After this, I must insist you be more careful around her. She has shown herself to be vengeful and lacking any sense of honor or decorum."

Rose felt her defenses rising at his words, the urge to argue and rebel against his attempts to control her flaring up instinctively. But she tamped it down firmly. Now was not the time to reopen old wounds or have the same quarrels as before about her independence. Not when Dravena had behaved so poorly and Rose's own control was still tenuous.

"I understand," she replied carefully.

The surprise was evident on Damien's face at her easy acquiescence, clearly expecting more pushback from her. After a beat, he nodded slowly.

"Very well then. I will have the household staff informed that Lady Dravena is no longer welcome within these walls. Any further offensive behavior from her will be met with disciplinary action."

His tone took on a more gentle quality as he went on. "Rose, I give you my word that I will not allow you to be disrespected or mistreated in such a way again. Not while I have the power to stop it."

Rose felt something inside her lessen at his protectiveness. It was...touching, in an unexpected way, to see him take her honor to heart like this. Gone was the careless, selfish young lord who had so carelessly tossed her aside years ago. This Damien seemed committed to her wellbeing and doing what he felt was right.

Perhaps there was more to his recent transformations than she thought. Rose studied him anew, seeing not just the lord and master of this castle but a man of principles and integrity coming into his own. It caused a slight shift in how she viewed him now.

"Thank you, Damien," she replied sincerely. "I appreciate your reinforcing the expectation of respect and dignity. It is...more meaningful than you may realize, coming from you."

The words seemed to hang in the air between them for a pregnant pause before Damien gave a short nod of acknowledgment.

"Yes, well..." he trailed off gruffly, almost seeming embarrassed by the emotional undercurrents of their exchange. Then he seemed to shake himself. "That is settled, then. I shall leave you to your devices for the remainder of the day. We can...speak more on this another time."

Rose inclined her head politely. "As you wish," She turned to take her leave.

Damien's voice stopped her before she reached the doors. "Rose?"

She glanced back over her shoulder inquiringly.

Damien studied her a moment more before saying carefully, "In the future...if there is ever anything you wish to tell me about...your circumstances...you can be assured of my discretion. I give you my word on that."

Rose felt her throat tighten unexpectedly at his oblique yet clear offering. He knew - or at the very least suspected - that she was not being fully forthright about the details of her situation. Yet he was allowing her the dignity to keep those secrets for now, while making it known he would listen without judgment should she ever choose to confide in him.

It was an incredible show of sensitivity and trust from a man who could easily command her full disclosure as her lord. Rose found herself admiring Damien's growth and decency in a way she never would have anticipated.

Managing a small smile, she replied simply, "Thank you, Damien. That...means more than you know."

Rose couldn't shake the nagging doubt that gnawed at her mind. Damien's sudden display of protectiveness and concern seemed almost too good to be true. Was he truly changing for the better, or was it just another one of his schemes?

The thought lingered in her mind as she retreated to her chambers, unable to shake the feeling of uncertainty. Damien was a skilled actor, capable of manipulating those around him to suit his own agenda. Was his newfound kindness just another ploy to lower her guard?

"Is it because of the contract?" she wondered silently, her voice barely a whisper in the dimly lit hallway.

She couldn't help but wonder if their contract played a role in Damien's behavior. The binding agreement compelled him to protect her, but was his motivation genuine or merely a result of contractual obligation?

However neither of it bothered her.In the end, whether he was an angel or a God sent, it didn't matter because there was someone else who held her heart: Blake.

She longed for his presence, wishing he were by her side in this moment of uncertainty.

"Blake, I wish you were here right now," she murmured, the words a prayer whispered into the darkness. "I can't... I can't do this without you." Her heart ached for his presence, for the comfort and reassurance only he could provide.

Deep down, she held onto the hope that Reggie, Gunther, and Randal would find Blake and bring him back to her.

'Reggie, Gunther, Randal... Please find him,' she prayed in her mind.

Time was running out, and she couldn't afford to face the challenges ahead without him by her side.

Two years, that was all she had to keep Damien at bay, and she prayed that Blake would return before it was too late.