The Taste of Seduction

"Thank you Elvin, I will do my best."

Elvin smiled and gave her a curt nod.

"That.when will you visit earth again?"

Meredith bit her lips as she asked. She didn't want Elvin to know she knew Atlas because if there was something she had realized these past few days it was that Elvin will always put the people of Arkaans first and that he would make sure her marriage with the vampire prince wasn't sabotaged by anyone even if it was was his own own nephew.

"I wanted to visit my nephews after the ritual since you need a familiar face beside you during the whole process."

"You have nephews on earth?" Meredith asked, feigning surprise. She hoped it was enough to convince him.

"Yeah I do. They're twins. It's been so long since I saw them. I promised their mother to take care of them but I have failed her I guess."

Elvin sighed and racked his fingers through his hair. Meredith could see the guilt lingering in his eyes.

"Well, the ball is in three days and we don't know when the ritual will happen. Why don't you pay them a visit?"

Elvin stiffened and met Meredith's eyes.

"Will you be okay by yourself?"

"Yes I have."

Meredith's gaze moved around the room until it settled on Timothe who was talking to Marcus. They both turned to look at her and she blushed in embarrassment.

"Timothe and Marcus. I think we can bond during this time."

Elvin smiled softly at her and nodded.

"Alright. Then I will leave tonight. If everything goes according to plan. I might bring them here to know their origin. It's time they knew their real identity."

Meredith's heart leapt in excitement at his words. She couldn't wait to meet Atlas.

"You seem excited Princess. Is there anything I should know?" Elvin chuckled.

Meredith shook her head and tried to calm down her emotions. How could she forget that they could read her emotions?

"Ah that." Meredith trailed off trying to find the perfect words to explain why she was happy with Elvin bringing his nephews to the city of Arkaans.

"I'm happy for you. You will be reunited with your nephews and then I will get to finally meet someone from earth."

Meredith explained and let out a nervous chuckle.

"If my nephew proves himself worthy I will train him to be your personal knight princess. The first born males of our family are destined to serve as knights for the kingdom."

Meredith's eyes widened at his words. She knew Ace was the oldest so does that mean he will be bringing Ace instead? Her mood quickly dampened.

"But I thought your nephews are twins so which one of them will be my knight?"

Elvin brows furrowed and he sighed.

"Th-"

"Princess, may I have a word with you?" Marcus said, interrupting Elvin.

Elvin and Meredith glanced at him.

"Then I will take my leave. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask Marcus or Timothe for it."

Meredith smiled at Elvin and nodded. He was like a father figure to her. His genuine care for her was marred in his worried brows.

"Don't worry Elvin. I will be fine. Thank you for everything."

Elvin smiled and gave her a curt nod.

"Alright princess. See you in three days."

Elvin bowed at her and Marcus before leaving.

"Sowhat do you want to talk about?" Meredith fidgeted as she looked everywhere but Marcus's face. The guy was too handsome and it was hard not to be distracted when talking to him.

"How was your night princess? Did you sleep well?"

Meredith swallowed as he took a step closer to her.

"Good. Yes I did." Meredith replied.

"Hmm let me guess you called lover boy?"

Meredith frowned and looked up to meet Marcus's eyes. She wanted to make sure it was the same person she was talking to. He seemed different today. He was too chatty and friendly?

"Yes I did."

Marcus gave her a tight-lipped smile and nodded.

His smile morphed into a frown, "Are you sure about doing a public ritual? You will be in immense pain and pain isn't really a beautiful thing. Do you want others to see you at your weakest?"

"Yes I do." Meredith replied quickly, lifting her chin.

Marcus sighed and his gaze softened as he stared down at her.

"Well if that's what you want then we will support you.Your welfare and your well-being is very

much my concern. I will always be behind you, protecting you."

Meredith's eyes widened in surprise at his words she thought he was going to scold her and tell her how stupid her plan was but surprisingly he supported her?

Did she misunderstand the ice prince?

"T-thank you." Meredith grumbled.

Marcus smirked at her and nodded, "I think I underestimated you but today you proved yourself worthy of being a queen."

Meredith's lips curled up into a smile and she beamed at him.

Now she knew why he didn't step in to defend her. He wanted her to prove herself to everyone and for that she was grateful.

"Hmm have dinner with me tonight. If we are going to get engaged I think the best thing we can do is tolerate each other's presence and get to know each other."

Meredith contemplated for a moment as she bit her lips.

Marcus moved closer to her and leaned forward, his intense red eyes alternating between hers. His lips pulled up in a grin.

"Unless you're afraid you're going to develop an affection for me. "

His question caught Meredith completely off guard. She didn't realize he even entertained the possibility.

Maybe that was because she knew her heart would

always belong to another man. Her heart was for only one man and only him.

"No. My heart belongs to only one man." Meredith said confidently, meeting his eyes.

His eyebrows rose, clearing he wasn't expecting that answer. His lips curled up.

"Good then why don't we focus on establishing a solid friendship between us? If we build an alliance, grounded in mutual respect and trust, I think we will both be able to handle the future much better."

Meredith nodded, "Alright then I will see you tonight."

Marcus bowed at her, "See you princess."

A/N 10.02.2022

Lol so I really made a bad decision today and I hate myself so much for it but I had no choice .

I want to talk to someone so bad but I can't and can only rant here.

Sorry guys by the time you would see this I would have finished crying and taken a cold shower and slept. Because sleeping makes everything better^^

I feel so scared and lonely lol so I don't know. no I'm not committing suic *** don't worry I'm just rlly sad. But I will feel better after i wake up I hope so.

Also don't ask me what happened^ I don't want to talk about it. I want to just forget about it.

Thank you for letting me rant.