Being The Vampire King's Cinderella

7. Not By Chance

Leo

     Much to his discomfort, the room was piled with girls and boys from various states (the ones that could make it anyway). Humans were filling the room with their human clothing, dancing around and having a ball. Delight was visible on each face, boys and girls alike. Not to mention that the air was contaminated with sweet perfume scents and the chatter of those below him. A few girls had caught sight of him and giggled, waving. A couple that weren’t associates were brave enough to come to him directly and flirt. Leo did his best not to scowl at them. They had no idea what the consequences were for their actions

     All of a sudden he felt a presence by his side and turned his head only to see his mother, the queen, beside him, resting her arms on the rail that prevented them from falling over. One would think she was a child the way she smiled brightly and she tapped her feet to some unheard  rhythm.

     It was small times like these that made the burdens on Leo's shoulders feel lighter, but now he just wondered if he'd been born into the wrong family. So he frowned once more and turned his head back to the crowd, but didn't focus on them.

     "I don't believe there is a reason for you to behave so… joyously," he told her.

     She then turned her head in his direction, letting the size of her smile decrease until it was just a ghost of the one before.

     "Why not be happy, Leonard? My stubborn son finally agreed to take a wife and rule the kingdom with her!" The queen exclaimed. "Tell me, isn't that something to be happy about?"

     "Not when he's sure that there's a great chance he won't even like these girls," he retorted. "I mean, did you have to bring girls from that broken down little town also? With so many humans mixing with the vamps I’d rather sit with Father and the old farts and talk about politics."

     "Yes, 'cause you'll never know what you'll find and where it’ll come from. But if it makes you feel better I did ask Laviere to remove the ones I didn't like from the jet."

     "Yeah, figures." He took a sip of the liquid in a glass cup that his mother never realized he had. After setting it down his eyes moved lazily over the crowd once more, searching for the perfect mass of straight brown hair.

     Some girls caught sight of his gazing and started whispering amongst themselves. One of them motioned for him to come over. He showed her a small smile just to please his mom but rolled his eyes when she wasn't looking.

     "You know I wouldn't mind if you'd let him take them all away."

     At this his mother sharply turned her gaze in his direction, her eyes resembling fiery ice as she looked at him.

     Everyone in the family was known to have their anger moments and the Queen's was by far the most famous, rare and feared one.

     Yet it failed to make Leonard feel smaller, for he took it as more of a challenge than a sign to keep his ground. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

     "I just don't understand why it is so important for me to have a wife! Wives just aren't meant for me. And isn't there some sort of rule against this? Letting some peasant mortal take over the throne?"

     "Oh, not this again," his mother sighed and walked off while saying, "you know exactly why, Leonard. Now stop whining and go socialize. This night won't last forever."

     "Hey, Mom!" Leonard yelled, his arms shooting up in frustration. The little patience that he held in his system was running out. "Would it kill you guys for once to listen to what I have to say?!"

     The queen paused herself for a while, then turned around and started walking backwards, eyes never leaving Leo's.

     "Oh, it's not that it'll kill us, little old son of mine. It's just that every time we do it's like 'why this' and 'why that', 'blah, blah blah!' Let me ask you son: would it kill you to just be a man and suck it up for once?"

     With that she continued to travel down the hall, leaving her awestruck son to recollect himself.

     While he stood there, listening to her little speech, even though he was mad at her, he couldn't help but to chuckle over his mom's enthusiasm. Although he still muttered profanities when he realized the position he was in.

     His eyes hath wondered back to the activities below. Before long his legs followed suit and his arms had found the railing once again.

     The same group of young women were beckoning for him to join them. Poor things probably didn’t even know who he was.

     Hm.

     The one with the blonde hair looked cute, though.

     And he'll never know if they were worth his time if he doesn't join them.

      Considering that his latest attempt at changing his parents' minds proved to be an epic failure, he would have to carry on with Kimberley's plan.

     As a requirement for that, mingling and wasting some time until she arrives would make it appear more plausible. And what better way to waste time than to spend it with a few locals?

     These were all excuses to flirt.

     Yes, he knew.

     It didn't make a difference that he knew.

     Leo drained the last contents of his drink and placed the glass down on the tray of a passing maid. She wore the required outfit his mother encouraged them to wear for the dance: a full, knee length black dress with a suitable mask.

     It was always a custom of Elaine's to involve the servants in what ever event they were holding. Leo never understood why. They were servants, it's not like they held any significance other than to bow down and obey the ones they served.

     They were employees.

     It was no use trying to be their friends.

     Within a matter of minutes he descended down the stairs and made his way towards the needy maidens. At least he was when he felt a hand's grip on his shoulder.

     He spun around surprised, but not unexpected, to see Miss Jenifer and her two daughters, Gena and Mary with no masks on. It was like they wanted people to know who they were. It was rumored that she remarried and had a step daughter but she died along with her father. Great, more people to add to his discomfort.

     This woman wasn't even wise. She has one maid that goes to school, while still doing all the chores in the  house. Someone smarter would have hired real help that was more capable.

     "Prince Leonard, what a pleasure to see you here today!" She exclaimed while doing a slight curtsy. When she noticed that the other two weren't following her she muttered something to them about embarrassing her. So they followed their mother's example and curtsied while greeting him. "Prince Leonard."

     Leonard smirked. "Yes, Miss Jenifer, a coincidence, considering that this is an event planned by my parents, at the palace I happened to live in. Quite a coincidence, huh?"

     He watched as she stiffened up and seemed to be thinking over what to say next. Served her right for trying to play a king.

     "Well," she said. "I never thought of it that way."

      "Well, you seem to be forgetting about a lot of things."

     Her eyes lit up with an expression he didn't recognize. Anger? Hate? Resentment? Astonishment?

     Did he even care?

     Leo brushed the invisible dust off his red royal jacket and straightened his collar that laid flat on his chest. He was done amusing those three. Now he wanted out and wanted it soon.

     Just where the hell is Kimberley?! Her presence would be very much appreciated.

     "You insist on calling me Prince Leonard, aloud. In front of all these people. And even curtsying!"

     "Well, I--"

     "Suppose these girls and boys took you seriously and went to look for me online and then end up with a photo of an old man and no record of me? That person's curiosity will keep growing. That could cause a problem for us."

     He folded his arms.

     "I-I--"

     "And might I remind you that such activities attract rogues. Unless you want to have the honor of leading an army in the human world, I would advise you to watch what you say before you speak."

     "Of course not, I'm--"

     "Sorry? Aren't we all. Now if you'll excuse me."

     Leonard turned and walked away from them without another word or even looking back.

     Women. Thinking they're so superior...

     To hell with everyone thinking they're better than him.

     To hell with everyone thinking they can manipulate him into their will.

     He lost what little attitude he had to mingle and quickly went to the buffet table.

     People kept staring at him as he walked. The stares, glares and glances continued on as if they wanted to be a burden to him. They wanted to go deep down inside him and corrupt his soul. At least, that's what his grandparents told him when he was younger. Still, that never stopped the feeling that they all wanted something from him. Whether to bed them or be acquaintances. That's all they are good for, wanting and wanting. Taking and taking until there is nothing left.

     The young man sighed and weaved his way through the crowd until the buffet table was in his grasp. He poured punch into another glass, made sure no one was looking, then took the flask from inside his jacket and poured in a small amount of the contents. Then the flask went back inside his clothing.

     "Ah! Mind pouring a little bit in here?"

     Leo smiled for the first time that night. "Get it your lazy a*s self, Andrew."

     The person that spoke stepped in front of the prince with a white sparkling mask on. It did well for his shoulder length blonde hair and brown ruby-like eyes. Not to mention his red shirt and black pants. Such a slender man he was that he had to buy clothes bigger than him to hide his figure.

      Andrew withdrew a flask from his pocket and dangled it in front of Leo's face. "Don't mind if I do."

     Within a few seconds they were both drinking and chatting away about random stuff. Every once in a while a girl would come and Andrew did enough of the talking and flirting for the both of them. All Leo did was nod when necessary and scan the crowd for a sign of Kim. He never knew why but he had always preferred maids over noblewomen. He felt they had more dignity.

     Once the fangirls were gone Andrew rested his body against the wall next to the buffet table.

     "Did that Jenifer woman bother you again?" He randomly asked, taking a sip of his third drink.

     "Yes. I guess that she wants to offer one of her daughters as a bride." Leo took a drink out of his glass that held the first refill.

     "She's been having her daughters come on to you since your mum showed them a bit of sympathy over her husband's and her step-family's death right?"

     "I reckon that she now feels she has a way to come into the royal family. Such a woman. I wouldn't be surprised if she killed her own husband for his company and blamed it on the rogues."

     "Okay~" Andrew slurred. "I got one last probably problem, for us, no you, probably us to solve."

     "How many times I have to tell you that you can't hold your liquor so don't drink?" Leo retorted. This moron had just drunken three cups, three! And traced!

     "Its good to see~ you wearing something casual."

     "Andrew."

     "Yeah~?"

     "Shut up."

    Andrew put on a puppy face.

     "Why?"

     "I already got my parents to bug me so I don't need you."

     "And after all the time we spent together," his companion muttered placing his hand over his chest in false hurt. "You broke my heart and you know I have feelings for you!"

     "Andrew..."

     "I'm all alone *sniff*~ there is no one there beside me *blows nose*~ my problems are all, wah!"

     "Dude you're embarrassing me with your bull--"

     "Said the man whom slept with me then left me. I here by unite all the turtles of the United States to gather your weapons, just on your backs and avenge me! Pay attention when I'm expressing my distress! Why you--"

     "Andrew!" Leo exclaimed. "Look!"

     He used one of his hands to control the turn of his friend's head and the other to direct his eye towards the stairway. His eyes took a moment to register the sight in front of him but when he did it was like the effects of the alcohol had disappeared and filled with a certain kind of light.

     For right there, resting her hand on the stairway, was one of the most beautiful maidens he had ever seen. One with hair that magnificently held its own natural curls and had brown hair so dark someone whom wasn't an expert in women would have thought it black.

     Her dark red strapless dress did miracles for her as she descended in its bell bottom that had small diamonds that held up all parts of the fabric, which made the dress look more dazzling. To top it off, the upper part had had many small designs created by smaller diamonds and silver threads. Overall, the dress combined with such a woman, was a sight not to be missed.

    "Leo," Andrew muttered to the man who was still holding his head.

     "Yeah?"

     "Stop watching my woman!"