Married To The Mad Vampire Lord-Chapter 141: In groups

Belle, on the other hand, sat quietly among the other human ladies, with their husbands at the front rows discussing and laughing.

The ladies seemed to know one another, and they talked about the hunts from the years before, while she could not relate to anything they spoke about, she listened and silently judged and weighed their words. At the same time, her eyes were on Rohan, where he was leaning back in his chair, seemingly ignoring the people around him. He looked like he was sleeping, but she doubted it.

None of the ladies tried to indulge her in their conversation, and she did not mind, as even if they did, she would have nothing to contribute to the discussion. She was a noble lady before she was married into this land, but she hadn’t lived the life accordingly to relate to them, and she certainly did not know what people discussed at tea parties or the trending dresses.

"I like your necklace, my lady," came the soft voice of one of the woman sitting next to her, causing her to turn sharply in that direction, as she had not expected to be spoken to by anyone.

The woman who had spoken was red-haired with blue eyes. She was beautiful. Belle had noticed that the young woman wasn’t taking part in any of the conversation either and had been sitting on her own, looking around like she was impatient—until she spoke now, a kind, friendly smile on her face.

At the compliment, Belle smiled faintly. "Thank you," and touched her hand to the necklace that was given to her by Rohan that day after he threw away Jamie’s ring. Now it was dearer to her than she had thought. She kept it on for as much as she could, and since it matched her dress, she had worn it.

"Where did you get it from, if you don’t mind my asking? My father-in-law makes most of the jewelries in Nightbrook, but such design I have never seen before. It looks expensive and yet comfortable," she said, her curious blue eyes on the diamond pendant.

"Oh, I don’t know. It was a gift given to me by my husband." Belle replied, to see the lady’s eyes widened. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Your husband, the mad— I mean, the duke? I never thought he was the kind to gift something to his wife." She smiled softly and then said, "I apologize for almost calling him mad. It’s actually what everyone calls him, even though I’m seeing for the first time that he looks quite normal—more than what they say he was. I am Evenly Clifton, by the way," she introduced, her shining blue eyes on Belle.

Clifton. Belle thought the name was familiar, and she tried to wonder where she had heard it from. Then she recalled—one of the jewelry boxes they had gotten from the boutique that day had a crafted name on it: The Clifton Jewel.

"My husband is the first son of the Clifton household. It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Lady Dagon," Evenly added when she noticed the thoughtful look on Belle’s face, as if she was trying to wonder where she’d heard the name from.

The Clifton family were the richest among the humans in Nightbrook, and being married into the family was a dream of many humans in the land.

After Evenly was married, she was swarmed by people wanting to be friends with her, but she ignored many and never paid attention to any social circles of the tons. Thus, seeing her speaking to Belle and trying to be friendly caught many’s attention and took them by surprise.

"It’s nice to make your acquaintance, too, Lady Clifton," Belle replied with a polite smile, but her body language and actions said otherwise. She was not interested in being friends with anyone here. Therefore, after the short greeting, she turned her head away to look in Rohan’s direction again.

It terrified her to try to make a friend and end up being betrayed again. Farrah had really taught her a lesson that would forever leave its print. The lady looked kind enough, but Farrah had looked even kinder and more innocent.

Not long after, all the guests were gathered in the hall, and the king and queen walked in. Everyone stood to their feet and bowed to them in greeting.

The king waved his hand for them to sit, and once they were all seated, he began to speak.

"As we all know, every year we honor our customs by participating in the hunting games. It will not be different this year, and as always, a card will be drawn before we all retire and prepare for tomorrow. Bring the cards in!" he called towards the doors, and a line of servants walked in with trays where cards were on them.

Belle, who had never been a part of anything like this, was clueless about what was going on as she watched the servants carry the trays of cards to each line of guests, and they each began to draw a card.

"The cards will determine the group and grounds you will be placed in until the hunt is over," came Evenly’s voice from the side, explaining it to Belle. "In each card, a group number is written. If you pick the same number of group with any of the vampires, you will share a chamber with that group tonight and step into the forest with them tomorrow. The hunting is done in groups, but each participant will hunt for themselves."

"I see..." Belle muttered, realizing there was no chance of her being with Rohan or sharing a chamber with him.

The servant soon reached them, and as she reached to draw a card, Evenly stopped her.

"Wait, Lady Dagon. Pray to the heavens before you pull a card. The last thing you want is to be placed in a group of pureblood vampires. I was there last year—it wasn’t fun..." she warned anxiously, as she watched Belle reluctantly pull one card after the warning. Then she followed suit.

"Oh, heavens. I hope it’s not the same as last year," she mused as she turned her card and then read the number. Each group had four people. "I got an odd number, which means I’m in a human group!" she exclaimed and then turned to explain further to Belle.

"If your card has an even number, then you are to be with the vampires—worse, the purebloods. Last year, I was used like a servant, and I dared not complain. I barely hunted anything because I was carrying their things the whole time. I fell sick after the hunt and thought I might die." Evenly shuddered at the memory of last year’s event, then probed, "What is your card number?"

Belle gulped as she slowly turned hers, and not understanding the three lines drawn on the card and then a big number five written on it, she showed it to Evenly—and the lady almost squealed from happiness as she showed her own card to Belle and said, "We are in the same group!"

"Oh," was all Belle said, as she looked around to see people beginning to pair themselves up in fours, some looking dreadful for being placed in a group with vampires. For some reason, she could tell it was worse than anything to be in the vampire groups, and she found herself sighing in relief for not being placed there.

Two more women soon joined them, and they were led by a servant in the direction of their chamber—without giving Belle the chance to even look for her husband amidst the chaos that had stirred, with everyone moving to find their group members.

She had a strong feeling she wasn’t going to like this arrangement at all.