Rejected and forgotten.

There is no hope in the dark.

Clare felt terribly lonely after her father was released. She hoped the future Queen would keep her word and let her father return home.

The young girl spent a few following days trying to understand how someone could be so cruel as to go against her father. Clare could not be aware of all the intrigues in politics, but one thing she knew for sure. Her father was loyal, loyal to the point it could be nauseous. Even at home, he always spoke about the Crown or vampire council with the highest respect. He would never go against anyone who represented royalty.

So, there was only one explanation. Some enemy was trying to frame her family and mostly her beloved father. Clare could only hope that this mystery would be solved any time now and she could go home soon.

The days she spent in here turned into weeks, and each of them was painfully long.

The lack of daylight was not helping. Like any other vampire, she could see in the dark, but it was still depressing.

Every day she spent here was precisely the same as the previous one.

Clare woke up at the sound of the open doors. On her first days, she had hoped someone was coming to take her away from here. Then, the hope was gone. Every morning, one of the guards brought her food and drink. She tried to talk to any of them when they entered her cell, but she never received any response. Later, she only greeted them because, being imprisoned or not, politeness could never hurt. That is how she was raised.

Another meal was brought around midday, together with the small cup of blood. And again, guards were acting like she was not there. The most exciting part of the day was the time for her daily bathroom visit. Then Clare could leave her cell briefly when she enjoyed the light from the torches on the walls. She could clean herself in the cold water and use the needed toilet.

In the passing weeks, that was the time of the day she looked forward to. Those few minutes away from her cell. They helped her keep her sanity.

Something changed when more people were brought to other cells. She was surprised when she heard them for the first time, as until then, she was surrounded by utter silence.

Then Clare also discovered that her guards could talk, only she was not privileged to hear them talking to her.

Since there was nothing better to do, the girl started to listen to what those people were shouting. Sometimes, it was incoherent words, sometimes murmurs or curses. From time to time, she could hear complete sentences. From them, she understood there were people, in fact, plotting against the Crown. The more she listened to it, the scarier she felt. Was it possible for one of them to be responsible for her situation?

As Clare could not see the faces of those prisoners, she focused on their voices.

She was shocked as those people belonged to different classes in vampire society. Many of them sounded like true aristocrats, while others like a commoner.

Clare spent hours analyzing why so many people would like to hurt the King or Queen.

She could also hear how rough and cruel the guards were to them. The sound of the whip could be heard daily, usually followed by the scream of pain. More stubborn were taken on torture if they were not willing to collaborate.

One thing was common to all of them. Clare heard guards calling them traitors. This word was ringing in her ears.

Why was she never called like that? The guards were silent whenever they came, but none ever disrespected her. Was it because her father was the one called a traitor, and she was just a hostage in here? Or maybe they spared her because she was a woman while most prisoners were men? Clare could only wonder about that. Sometimes, she thought her politeness caused it, so she kept it that way.

Susan was boiling with anger. The information she was receiving made her mad. It seemed like not everyone in the kingdom was happy with Christopher's choice. Some people even suggested she was not the best choice for a future Queen.

The worst part was that this opinion quickly spread among higher-rank vampires and even reached lower parts of their society. That was something Susan had to deal with quickly.

Luckily, her father was totally on her side. He spent years trying to push her into Prince's arms. Having his daughter as a Queen would put him above anyone in this kingdom. All his wishes and commands would be fulfilled immediately. No one would dare go against royal in-laws. That is why Susan went straight to him when the opposing opinions appeared. Lord Gustav was quick to react. He quickly informed the King about the matter, gaining the complete freedom to deal with it. Susan, for years, fooled the King and Queen, playing a sweet, innocent young lady, gaining their trust. Now, they loved her like she would be their daughter. No one was allowed to ruin her reputation.

That is why they looked the other way when her father started sending people to dungeons. Some of them were, in fact, questioning her ability to become a good Queen. Others were her father's opponents, whom he decided to eliminate in one go. Dungeons quickly filled with vampires who dared to spread their opinions. Susan cried her eyes out on Queen's shoulder about people's cruelty, gaining so-needed pity.

Susan never loved Christopher. He was a good-looking, charming man, but those could be found anywhere. The more time she spent with him, the more painful it was. They shared no interest, and she had to pretend it was the other way. Besides, Christopher was a people person. He loved to leave the castle and visit lower- ranks to check on them and find what help they could need. Susan was keeping him company on those trips, but it drained her of all energy to play someone who cared. For her, anyone below her class was not worthy of her time and effort.

What Susan really loved and cared about Christopher was his title and the power coming from it. She craved the power and influence that came with the Queen title. For that, she was ready to sacrifice anything and anyone. Susan was designated for such life. Since their early years, her family made her believe she was the best and only the best she deserved. What could possibly be better than becoming a Queen? Only gods would be above her, but that was something she had to endure.

And now someone dared to speak about her not being good enough to become a Queen.

Susan was ready to pull her hair out in frustration, but instead, she played the victim perfectly. The only person unfazed by this situation was the Prince himself, and Susan knew very well what was the reason for that.

"The reason " was now secured in one of the cells. A young woman who was completely unaware of how significant a threat she was.

Susan was still fuming with frustration when she heard a knock on her door. She let out a breath, cursing her servants. The future Queen clearly ordered them not to let anyone disturb her today, and they disobeyed her orders.

Susan stood up from her seat and moved to open her door. She was ready to scold whoever it was for being so inconsiderate and bothering her at such a hard time.

Susan grabbed the knob and pulled it, furrowing her brows. Her expression immediately changed when she noticed Christopher standing behind the door. Susan put on the sweetest smile, but the Prince had already seen a change on her face.

- If it is not the right time, I will come to see you later. - He said, and he was ready to leave, but Susan had already grabbed his sleeve, pulling the young prince inside her room.

- Forgive me. I did not mean to welcome you like that. - She said, offering him a seat and a glass of blood. Christopher took a seat but declined the drink. Susan took another chair, looking as gracious as possible in those challenging moments. - It is just so painful to know some people think we are not meant to be together.

Prince Christopher was watching her carefully when she talked, so Susan decided to share a tear, showing how much she suffered.

- Yes, that is very unfortunate. - He said, and his dry comment took Susan aback. Prince was known for his compassion for anyone who was going through some hard times, but clearly, it was not appealing to her.

- What brings you here? - Susan wiped the tear off her cheek and regained her composure.

Prince looked at her and sighed heavily before speaking.

- It is not the best time to do it, but I want to play fair with you.

Susan glanced at him; fear was slowly crawling down her back. Whatever Christopher had to say, it would not be good. Not for her, at least.

- What do you mean by that? - She quickly asked him, resting her chin on her hand. Whatever he was going to say, she would not make it easier for him.

- I would like to postpone our wedding for another year. - The Prince said and leaned back in his chair.

- What? - Susan struggled to breathe. Then she noticed how rude her reaction was and corrected herself.

- Forgive me, but I was not expecting something like that. Why do you want to do it?

Prince looked at her and shook his head.

- I don't want to cause any drama. I have my reasons for doing it, and I would be grateful if you could accept my decision. In a year, if nothing will change, you will be my wife and Queen.

Susan was still panting. That was terrible, very bad, but she had no choice but to agree.

- I am sure your reasons are very significant. Of course, I have no problem with postponing the wedding. Did you inform your parents about your decision? - Susan asked casually while she was ready to scream.

- Yes, I told them. They were not happy, of course, but after a heated conversation, we came to a compromise. - Prince said calmly. It was evident he felt better after telling her the truth. Maybe a half-truth.

- I hope you will find your answers this year. - Susan said as calmly as she could muster.

Prince Christopher stops up from his seat.

- I appreciate your understanding. - He said and left the room without another word.

Susan stayed quiet for long enough before hissing loudly.

That cursed girl. Why did she have to appear right now? Everything was ready. The wedding was just a few weeks apart from now. Susan had everything already planned. But fate had to go against her.

Susan started pacing around her room.

Someone could say she could kill this girl when she closed her in the dungeons.

But that was not so easy. Killing her would cause more problems. You just can not kill someone's bride. Mated or not.

Now, Susan was ready to break this rule.