SWNOVELS Chapter 26
hapter 26
ANDREAS
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“You did not need to alter her memories,” Aiden said as we were in the carriage. Since this is going to be an important ball, I needed him to be there as well.
I pulled my gaze from the commotion outside and looked at him. “She does not need to remember that horror and how she became after she drank my blood. She would be humiliated and she would cancel the engagement
over that reason.”
Aiden scoffed while fixing the cuff on his suit. “Well, if you need her for this facade then we can’t have her cancel the engagement.” His smile tells me enough that he has a lot more to say but decides to keep quiet.
“On the bright side, you did not need to put her in danger to prove your theory that someone is targeting the people around you, particularly the women.”
I clenched my fist. Their intention was clear. They want me to be the first suspicious person around these deaths. It was a good attempt but I am bound to put an end to this.
I clenched my fist at the memory of Henrietta being bitten by a vampire. It surged an emotion within me-anger that someone was audacious enough to lay a hand on my future wife.
And to think that I had planned to set her up to lure whoever was following me makes me sick. After seeing her helpless and in that state, I wanted to end that vampire’s life. I almost did when I tore that man’s chest and almost took his heart out.
I shook my head, the realization hitting me like a revelation. When had this indifference and detachment morphed into a visceral need to protect her at all costs?
“Why did you want me to attend this ball? Do you think something’s about to happen?” Aiden said, breaking the
silence.
“I will be going with Henrietta. Considering what happened last night, she needs the extra protection even as she doesn’t know why she needed it.”
“Are you ever going to tell her what you almost did?”
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I fell silent and then shook my head. “I don’t know.”
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Aiden chuckled and shook his head. It was then that the coachman announced that we had arrived at Henrietta’s
place.
“Did you erase her memory of her kissing you–”
“Don’t get me started, Aiden,” I said and walked out of the carriage to take Henrietta. I heard Aiden bursting out laughing as I walked away.
Henrietta’s maidservant opened the door for me and I gave her a curt nod as she bowed her head.
“The Lady Henrietta is prepared,” announced the maidservant. On cue, my eyes shifted to the top of the stairwell where Henrietta gracefully stood. Our gazes met, and a flood of memories from the previous night filled my thoughts.
Clearing my throat, I composed myself, accompanied by a subtle chuckle from Niana who probably thought! was only mesmerized by her lady’s beauty when in fact, it goes way beyond that.
Describing Henrietta as merely beautiful would be an understatement. She radiated an allure that transcended physical beauty, leaving me in awe. I found myself contemplating why someone like Philip would betray her.
As she descended the stairs with a fluidity that spoke of inherent grace, my attention became wholly captivated. Henrietta’s presence was so enchanting that I failed to realize she had already halted, now standing before me.
A rosy flush adorned her cheeks, and I couldn’t discern whether it was a result of her makeup or a genuine display of shyness. My suspicion leaned towards the latter, observing her lowered gaze and the delicate clearing of her throat. She stole a glance in my direction, a fleeting moment of connection that lingered in the air.
She is oblivious to the events that unfolded last night and the memory rested solely on my
conscience.
However, my reverie was shattered by a voice emerging from behind Henrietta.
“Lord Andreas!” exclaimed Yvette. Her eyes scanned Henrietta from head to toe.
“You’re all dressed up, Henny. Is there someplace you’re going?”
Henrietta schooled her expression into one of nonchalance. “I’m attending a ball. Aren’t you coming?”
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Yvette’s smile wavered, and a puzzled furrow appeared on her forehead. She released an awkward laugh before expressing, “I didn’t know there was a ball. Are you sure you’re heading to a ball? You don’t have to pretend, Henny.”
The more I get to know Henrietta’s so-called family, the more I wonder how she put up with their two-faced
nature.
But it seems that my fiance has learned enough to know that these people are people she could not trust. When I think about it, there is no one she can truly trust. Not even me.
“I see you did not get an invite,” Henrietta remarked, offering her stepsister a sweetened smile. “I’ll tell your about it once I get home. Farewell, Yvette.”
She turned to look at me and her triumphant smile was etched with pride. I could not help but smile as well as l offered my arm for her to cling to.
As we walked to the awaiting carriage, her intoxicating scent enveloped my senses, tempting an unnecessary surge of desire to bury my face in her neck, savoring her fragrance until I got enough of it. However, I found myself contemplating whether there could ever be enough of everything about her. It took every fiber of my being to stop myself last night.
When we arrived at the carriage, Aiden greeted us both with a wide grin that I had to elbow his arm.
“Pleasant evening, Lady Henrietta,” he greeted and Henrietta gave him a confused look.
“You may wonder why I am here instead of behind those horses but you must know I am Andreas’ beta. A pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand and Henrietta looked at me. It was when I nodded that she let out a
small smile and took Aiden’s hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aiden.” Then her gaze met mine once again. “You have a pack?”
I nodded, to which she responded with surprise. “You’re half werewolf. I’m not saying this because! underestimate your abilities, but wolves tend to look down on wolves that are not pureblooded. I am genuinely surprised.”
As the carriage started moving, started to explain to her, choosing my words cautiously. “The wolves on the border are different. While wolves in the capital don’t see me much, the wolves in the border know what I am capable of. They chose me as their Alpha,” I said, treading carefully with the information I gave her. One slip and everything will be exposed. I can’t risk that. Not like this.
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“Will
your pack be alright that their Alpha and Beta are here?”
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I felt Aiden glance in my direction as I nodded. “Yes. They can mostly fend for themselves. They’re warriors, after
all.”
Yet, she was a Lady, after all, the rightful heiress of the second most powerful family in Veridia. I realized it would require more than usual to leave an impression on someone of her status.
The journey to the ball proved to be not that far, yet the air was filled with awkward silence, making the minute feel like an eternity. I could sense Henrietta’s discomfort too but Aiden, on the other hand, revealed no signs of concern. Perhaps it was only me. Perhaps my perception of the heavy atmosphere might have been influenced by what happened last night.
Da mn it. I can’t get it off my head, no matter how much I try.
My gaze shifted to Henrietta’s neck where the vampire bite left its mark. There was nothing there but her soft, silken skin. And then the memory of her last night popped again — the tender feel of her skin, the vehement hunger in her kisses, and the scent of her arousal.
I closed my eyes firmly, trying to shake the thought away. The gesture did not escape Henrietta’s eyes.
“Are you alright, Andreas?” she asked, watching me with those ro und eyes that seemed to pull me in.
I cleared my throat and nodded. “Yes. I’m alright.”
Aiden gave me a questioning look but I ignored him. Thankfully, Henrietta asked something, diverting my head.
“You failed to mention in the letter whose ball this was,” she pointed out.
In my periphery, I saw Aiden casting a brief glance in my direction. “Our host is the House of Suan. It’s Lady Grace Suan’s official debut. This ball is in celebration of that occasion and, naturally, to identify a potential suitor
for her,” I explained.
I hadn’t initially intended to attend, but I found myself compelled to confront Dreyfus once again, especially in the wake of Henrietta’s unsettling fate. The terrors of the catacombs had left him vulnerable, and through a mix of persuasion and veiled threats, I managed to extract the information I sought. To my astonishment, a prominent figure was implicated in the sudden surge of vampires within the Kingdom.
Dreyfus disclosed a clandestine plan orchestrated by him and other vampires, involving a covert gathering
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disguised as an ordinary event populated by unsuspecting civilians. Amidst the numerous balls occurring throughout Veridia, it was the Suans who were orchestrating the event amid the recent mysterious incidents.
What added an ominous layer to my suspicions was the invitation extended to me. I am their target. Of course, they would invite me to do what they planned to do. Whether it was to destroy my reputation or to kill me, I was not certain. But Dreyfus revealed it will just be a blood pact– a ceremony where vampires drink each other’s blood to signify their unity.
I hesitated to bring Henrietta along but then again, I needed to create a facade. Whatever sinister scheme they had in mind, it would be challenging for them to carry it out in the presence of another influential daughter from a powerful family. On top of that, Philip was invited too. They couldn’t risk revealing themselves in the presence of the Crown Prince. Just like everyone else, the Suans enjoy a good relationship with powerful figures.
“Do you perhaps know her, Lady Henrietta?” asked Aiden when the silence went on too long.
Henrietta nodded. With her position, I know she knows who Lady Grace is but judging from the look on her face, she doesn’t seem pleased. Aiden seemed to have noticed it too but before I could ask, the carriage stopped and
the coachman announced our arrival.
Aiden was the first one to get off the carriage and I followed, extending my hand to Henrietta as I helped her get
down.
The loose strands of her hair swayed in the cool breeze, and without thinking, I extended my hand to gently them back behind her ear. As she looked up at me, her eyes widened in surprise at my impulsiveness. Recognizing the sudden intimacy, I swiftly withdrew my hand.
“Apologies. They look like they were troubling you. I saw you blinking them away,” I excused and I almost cussed myself out.
She cleared her throat and mumbled, “Thank you.”
I offered her my arm and she clung to it. The feel of her skin seemed to seep through the fabric of my clothes. Even as the surroundings were bright, Henrietta beside me seemed to shine brighter. With her allure, the eyes of every man were on her.
We reached the front door and it was when they announced our arrival. Henrietta stood beside me with that natural grace and looked around, noting every single person who attended.
“Why is Yvette not invited?” she asked.
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“It’s more likely that the Crown Prince did not take her.”
She turned to look at me and the air was knocked out of my lungs. “Philip was invited?”
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I jerked my head towards the other side of the hall and saw Philip talking with the Lord Suan, Grace Suan’s father. He noticed our presence and that’s when I pulled Henrietta close to kiss her head. I felt her freeze as my mouth hovered in her ear.
“Philip is watching,” I said before she could push me away. She did not dare look in Philip’s direction. With that
ounce of one sentence, she knew what she had to do. She turned to give me her sweetest smile and it took every my self-control not to kiss her right then and there.
“Dance with me,” she said.
I obliged, bowing and extending my hand. “As you wish, my lady.”
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