Witch Rebirth: Strike The Vampire Chapter 18 - The Royal Ball (1)

The royal ball is said to be a prestigious event where the n.o.bilities and powerful gathered. It was a rare occasion, but it was even made more bizarre that the reason for the celebration was unannounced. This time, most of those invited didn't know what the event was for, so they held their breath and kept an eye on the turnout of events.

Intriguing, that was what it was.

The Marzanne's King was quite to the unusual side, making the people skeptical about the ball. All those who had survived for a long time as his servant said that he was not a person to be easily pleased. Although he may have many personalities, the underlying reason for their qualms is that his family, b.l.o.o.d.y clan were experts at hiding emotions.

People could never predict his thoughts or even have an idea of what he was up to. But one thing for sure, the King likes to spread the plate wide.

On whatever occasion, he always puts on a high note. No one can predict whether the ball will be purged for political reasons, or other reasons to spice things up.

Surely, this event is a drama for the queer eyes.

And Yoona who was invited to the ball knows she is the real star of this very event.

“This must be enough to have a splendid, graceful appearance in the ball.”

For three days, she practiced walking on high heels, basic painting, holding tea cups, and dancing. It was hards.h.i.+ps after hards.h.i.+p, but after three days of practice, she finally got her hands on it.

“Haha. Wasn't I always graceful?” Tomovoy shook his head in horror.

“When it comes to Ribbon, you were quite vulgar and arrogant. One story is that two years ago, you lost some of your hair because you had quite a quarrel with a certain social leader, Lili Young.”

His eyes twinkled as he reminisced the mess Ribbon had made.

“Wow, that's amazing.”

She was not in any way, similar to Ribbon. How would she ever fulfill her place?

“We even called in a court alchemist to fix your pulled out hair, but you didn't seemed to be bothered by it.”

“It won't happen this time, I a.s.sure you.”

I don't have the guts to do so.

“Although I am less worried because your personality is poles apart from your previous, I still can't slack off. You are a witch of the Savat, there are a lot of people who look down on your kind. Especially that you are Ribbon, many had believed that their misgivings was to your fault.”

The hatred in the man's face who attacked her appeared in her mind. Simple and clear, her name didn't appeal so well in on some people. Truth to say, the perception of witches in this world is vile. Prost.i.tutes, demons, name it and they are called that way.

“Of course they will not be hateful to you openly. Ignore them but if their rudeness goes too far, you can blow it off. We'll clean up the mess.” Tomovoy said, his eyes shone with mischievousness.

Clean up the mess.

She didn't like how it sounded so she shook her head but thanked him still.

“Thank you very much for your…ahem…words. But that won't happen. I don't want to bother you.”
Upon doing so, Wicked's name won't cross their loathing tongues. That might be the best way she can do for what she now owes him. Her life, saved for the second time around.
“But of course he wouldn't care if I made a mistake or not. I just don't like to pull down his reputation along with my wayward actions.”

“Why do you think so?”

“It is just what it is. He and I are just together for each other's needs. All he has to do is protect me. As long as I am breathing, why would he be interested about my whereabouts?”

Yoona shook her shoulders, uncaring. She was just pointing a fact.

” Well, if it's truly the nature of Mr. Wicked, I really can't tell. But I do think he has high regards of you. I can sense a bit of sincerity from him when he speaks of you.”

” No, not at all. I think he's drawing a line for me.”

And I to him.

If he was not what he was, she would have strongly considered trying to get along with him. After all, if they are to work together for G.o.d's knows how long, an amicable relations.h.i.+p would be a good idea.

But even if this proposition was given a head's start, it was not so easy to narrow the distance. Though he might have some good cells in him, he still appeared hard to deal with. A sh.e.l.l of a man with the red glowing eyes, feasting on the most unacceptable of things.'

Is it because of instinctive vigilance which is deep in his heart that he appeared that way? In his presence, she always shrink. Like a fool.

“He makes me uncomfortable. Is there by any chance that someone wanted to get close to him?”
Tomovoy burst out laughing at her honest inquiry.

"Not that I heard of. If someone did, it will be my first time to hear that someone wants to get close to Mr. Wicked.”

It's hard to imagine. Most people on the continent are afraid just by the mere mention of his name. In fact, though he was not a king, he had the same power of one.

“I don't want to be so nosy, but was he always like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“He looked. . detached from everything.”

His gazes were always dead. The only time she saw an apparent expression in those eyes was when he was slaughtering the pagans. Revelling in the battle where the winner was clearly him, Yoona saw how satiated he was. And those eyes glowed with utmost brutality.

A little part of her pitied him. A tumult of emotions always. .h.i.t her as she the image of him crossed her mind.

“It's like he forbids himself to express what he felt inside. That's why I think he's dead – inside that is. He's always on the lookout. I don't know how to put it, but it's like he made his own walls and got trapped inside.”

“That's a funny idea.”

“I know. It's just what I see. I won't be bothered by this anyway if he wasn't my guardian.”
Tomovoy, smiling at Yoona then looked away with his chin resting on his hand. Then he said in a sincere voice.

“You better keep those thoughts in your head.”

“Why?

Tomovoy sighed, suddenly all the playfulness was gone. He threw a serious look towards her.

“It's dangerous.” He said with grave sincerity. “He's a dangerous person, much more than you think. ”

After saying that, he rose from his seat and cleared his throat.

“By the way, I was told to arrange you a visit to Montblanc Bailey for you to choose your ball gown. It is probably this late afternoon and you will be accompanied by Mr. Wicked himself.”
She flinched at the word ‘himself'.

Tomovoy bowed his head as a gesture of his departure and left the room. His job was done and Yoona was clearly not in the mood for further chat. She had this stupid look on her face. It was only when he heard the door shut that she came back from her stupor.

Alone?

It was like a cold water was poured down on her.