I walk around in a daze trying to make sense of what just happened. I accidentally bump into someone and my cakes go flying in the air.

"Watch where you're going." A loud angry voice booms.

"I'm sorry" I squeal. I look up to see Lucas looking down at me. "I wanted to thank you for not being particularly awful to me in the car." I thank him and smile politely.

"Nothing to thank me for." His voice sounds harsh. "Just a part of the job." He says rolling his eyes. Ouch. The only person who's been nice to me so far are the people who greeted me at the doors and Yven.

"I never pegged you for a lord," I say politely trying to lighten the mood.

"Well it's none of your business now is it?" He says running his hand through his dark hair. I begin blinking rapidly trying to think of something to say.

"I guess I'll go then," I say softly taking a step back as if I had been shot.

"You do that." He says looking at me as if I'm the filth underneath his shoe.

"You know I thought you were nice," I say in disbelief. "But you're just like Alec." I spit thinking back to that horrible man.

"Sorry to disappoint you, princess." He mutters and glares at me. I stand there for a second at a loss for words. I cross my arms, scoff, and walk away.  Two out of the three guys have been awful to me. But I don't care this, life isn't meant to be for me anyway. I'm going to find a way to escape this. I just need to play along long enough to make a plan. I remind myself. I search the crowd looking for Ilya. His blonde hair is nowhere to be seen. I search some more and finally find him at the buffet table.

"Ilya I want to go back to my room now." I can feel a lump in my throat from feeling so helpless.

"Have you talked to all the guests dear?" He asks condescendingly.

"I've talked to two 'bachelors' and I don't want to be here anymore," I say shifting. All I want to be is alone with my thoughts so I can formulate a plan.

"Look here vampires sweetheart. You cannot leave until you've made some form of connections with the people here. I don't care if two boys were mean to you. The connections you make here will be important when you rule." He says and takes a sip of his whiskey. "Look! There comes councilman Ace, go talk to him you'll need him supporting you." He gives me a push in the shockingly young man's direction. I try to compose myself and walk over to him.

"Hello councilman Ace," I say politely.

"Princess Eleonora, what a lovely surprise." He says giving me a cunning smile. I can't help but look into his eyes. They're so vibrant.

"So... how are you enjoying the ball?" I ask searching my brain for conversation topics.

"Quite well actually, although this whole tradition seems bizarre to me." He chuckles.

"Tell me about it," I say laughing along with him.

"So who is currently on your elimination list and who's not?" He asks clearly intrigued.

"I'm not sure both Lucas and Ashton haven't been the politest." I can feel my cheeks flush pink.

"Well of course not, Ashton has a girlfriend and Lucas is the son of the commander, he's always coming up with ways of making the vampire kingdom better. Give him a chance." He says as he swirls his wine glass filled with a bright red liquid. "How about that last fellow?" He asks pointing the wine glass towards Christopher.

"I don't exactly think the kingdom would be pleased if I chose him," I say slightly ashamed.

"Very bold of you." He says nodding his head. "You have the mindset of a true ruler." He says giving me a soft smile. "But don't forget to go after what your heart wants as well." He says and takes a sip of the red liquid, it stains his Snow White button-up shirt, and without thinking I reach out and begin dabbing it with a napkin. He gives me a look that I don't recognize.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," I say covering my mouth.

"No worries." He smiles flashing his perfect white teeth. "I better get changed, it was truly wonderful meeting you." He says and kisses my hand softly. I scan around the room and catch an intense glare from Lucas.

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