I try to remain poised. I don't know who to eliminate. I haven't spent any real-time with any of the three bachelors other than Lucas, and I'm not sure if I even want to get rid of him yet. From all the lessons that Illya's taught me I know that his bloodline is the most desired one. I can feel all three of their eyes on me at our private table. 

"So princess, here are my list of demands." Ashton starts before I swiftly cut him off. 

"I'm sorry, demands?" I ask coldly. 

"You're forgiven. Yes demands." He says. "I want the freedom to pass to any of the other kingdoms freely." He continues as Lucas chuckles under his breath and Christopher looks away uncomfortably. "I want to have a mistress. Now, don't worry, not some common servant but rather someone with rank. I'm sure you've met lady, Cecile." He finishes obnoxiously. I place my hands on the table and look at him in a tired manner. 

"Firstly, I understand that there's a hierarchy but can you even dress yourself without your servants? Show some respect." I say calmly. "And no I have not had the pleasure of meeting lady Cecile. If she puts up with you she must be a saint." I continue while looking at the other two boys as they try to hide their smiles. "As for the matter of roaming around freely, you know just as well as I do that I don't have the authority to make that decision," I say thinking back to my lessons with Ilya. "No need to get cocky you might get eliminated tonight anyways." I finish. 

"So princess Eleonora, uh we haven't had the chance to talk... what do you like to do in your spare time?" Christopher asks me nervously. 

"Do you mean here? Where I'm trapped and controlled every second of the day. Or before when I actually had a life?" I snark. I don't mean to be so mean but I know there are eyes on me at all moments. It does make me feel terrible though. 

"Careful Christopher she'll eat you alive." Lucas laughs. 

"I just mean in general." He mutters. 

"Well, I used to like to read, watch Netflix, cook, and hang out with my best friend Max..." I trail off as I grab my fork and begin eating my salad. "What about you boys?" I ask changing the subject from Max. Even if my parents knew about this arrangement he didn't. He must be worried sick. 

"Well, I adore hunting," Ashton says. 

"Hunting humans is highly unethical and is an old outdated sport, Ashton. Get a new hobby." Lucas says as he begins eating. 

"You hunt humans?" I ask shocked. 

"It's like your equivalent of... I want to say golf?" Ashton remarks. I am utterly confused by the comparison. 

"What about you Christopher?" I ask trying to recompose myself. 

"Uh... I like reading too. It lets me escape to other worlds... away from this one." He mumbles. It makes me feel bad for him. He seems so sweet, yet due to what his father has done his family has been practically shunned. 

"I love to paint." Lucas cuts Christopher off. 

"You don't seem like the artistic type." I scoff as I continue eating. 

"Well, there are many things you don't know about me, princess." He says making direct eye contact with me. We continue eating our three-course meals and I find out a lot about the guys. I notice that Christopher is sensitive, sweet, and misunderstood. Meanwhile, Ashton isn't the collosol douchebag he tries to make himself out to be but rather wants to be with his girlfriend. Lucas, on the other hand, is different... he's elegant yet playful. Aggressive yet peaceful. He has a depth that Christopher and Ashton lack. I go deep into my thoughts while Ilya taps the microphone on the stage. 

"Ladies and Gentlemen it is time for the dancing portion of the evening." He says and takes a dramatic bow as people begin applauding. "Princess Eleonora will now dance with Lord Ashton." He says as he points at us. Ashton gets up walks around the table and reaches his hand out to me. I grab it and he swiftly pulls me up from my chair and leads me towards the dance floor. 

"Listen I'm sorry for being such a dick." He whispers as we glide around. "I need you to eliminate me tonight." He says to my surprise. 

"What do you mean? You had all your demands and I thought you wanted to rule beside me." I say confused. 

"That's all for show. My council is pushing me to. But I want to be with my girlfriend Cecile." He says. I can see the hurt in his eyes. "I will warn you right now, if you chose me my council will take the power from your bloodline." He says looking genuinely worried. "This is the only way." He continues whispering. 

"Why are you telling me this now?" I ask. 

"Listen, I'm not a bad guy. I don't believe what my council wants. I don't believe in what the ancient vampires want either. I just want happiness. I'm sorry for being so rude, I thought it would be easier for you to dismiss me if I were a complete dick." He says as the song comes towards an end. 

"Alright," I say in agreement. "I know what it feels like to be trapped and I will free you," I say nobly. He bows to me and kisses my hand as Lucas begins walking towards me. 

"What were you two talking about?" He asks as he grabs my waist. 

"Oh, you know... just Ashton being Ashton," I reply shortly. We dance in silence, Lucas's eyes are on me the entire time. They gleam in a supernatural way. I'm not usually a good dancer but he guides me around perfectly. As the song ends he repeats the same routine as Ashton and Christopher walks towards me. 

"Hello," Christopher says as he grabs my hand. He spins me around and my eye catches Ace. He is staring right through me. We make eye contact for a while before I remember that everyone is looking at me. I quickly look away and try and concentrate on the dance routine. But I can't. What happened with Ace was so... magical and different to anything before. Granted he's a vampire. If I had to be with someone I wanted it to be him. He was wonderful, kind, and generous. I know I have to give Ashton his freedom but at the same time, I want to dismiss Lucas to prove to Ace that I want him. But that wouldn't be any good. I can't choose him. Besides, I'm still unsure if he is even being honest with me. I'm getting way to caught up in this world.  I feel a strong connection here but at the same time, I miss my old life. If I could just see Max. Or ask my parents why they lied to me... But I can't. This is my life now. I need to accept it. This indecisiveness needs to stop. 

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