My Perfect Revenge: Flash Marriage With My Vampire Tycoon-Chapter 159: - Yet So Beautiful-

— Hundred and Twenty Years Ago —

"You are quite a mess. You cannot even dress yourself properly," Lucian muttered as he fastened the last button of his fitted coat, and adjusted his high waisted trousers.

Nikolas rolled his eyes. "I am perfectly capable. You simply refuse to allow me. You must stop treating me though I was a child."

"Perharps if you refrained from behaving like one, I would not have to. I am forever left looking after you."

"I never asked you to!"

Lucian scoffed. "You hardly need to. I am the elder brother for a reason."

Nikolas grunted. "Older by a single minute. Get over it, for heaven’s sake."

Lucian flicked his fingers against Nikolas’s forehead, earning a hiss. He crouched down to dust his polished shoes. "Are you sure you ought not postpone this?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" Nikolas glanced down at him.

"Mama cannot accompany you, and neither can I. I have business with her that requires my attention. Will you be well enough on your own? If not, postpone it. We could go together another time, safer and better besides."

Nikolas outrightly refused. "No. I’ve waited too long. I wish to see her. And I’m not a child. I can take care of myself."

"Can you?" Lucian lifted a brow.

"Why would you think otherwise?"

Lucian rose, brushed his shoulders and ruffled his brown hair. "I worry for you, that is all. But nothing worth fretting over. Should anything happen, I shall feel it, and I’ll be there immediately.

Nikolas smirked. "Look at that. Ever the dutiful keeper."

"I am always your keeper, you fool." Lucian took steps back and adjusted his glasses as he gave him a proper once-over. "Good. Now go and charm every woman in that room."

Nikolas grimaced. "I am no womanizer. Keep such nonsense to yourself. I am off now. Enjoy your little trip with Mother." He started toward the door. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Nikolas."

He stopped, turning with a lifted brow. Lucian was gazing at him. He asked, "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"

Lucian came closer, patted his shoulder and mussed his hair affectiobnately.

Nikolas blinked. "What is wrong with you?"

Lucian shook his head. "It is nothing."

"Lucian?"

"Only... take care of yourself, all right?"

Nikolas paused, then gave a slow nod. "Okay...?" He eyed his brother with faint suspicion, but had no time to dwell on it. So he tossed the thought aside and left for the royal house.

——

The royal house was alive with glitter and a golden glow that spilled from a hundred chandeliers, their crystals scattering light across the marble floors.

The air was thick with expensive perfumes from guests who were attending the royal ball. Soft sweet sound of the violin was pouncing around in the air . Jewels caught the light at every turn, flashing from necklines, cuffs, and hairpieces as lords and ladies moved in a swirl of flashy colours.

At the far end of the hall on the high platform, the king sat, his legs crossed. He was watching every single one of them with no emotion in his eyes. Next to him sat his eighteen year old daughter, Serena Gravanti who the people were seeing for the first time. Eyes blue like the ocean, pale and with hair brown and in such soft waves, it was beautiful.

What man wouldn’t want to be a suitor?

She was the center of attention within that room. And she loved it. Being in the spotlight like this. It felt great.

A herald’s voice suddenly rang out through the hall. "The young Lord Nikolas Bastiani has arrived!"

All attention shifted and even Vera sat up properly on her seat, her eyes expecting. Of course her father had told her he was his suitor. And she’d heard many things. How handsome he was and with a charming personality at that. She adjusted her hair, touching the jewelry on her head to make sure they were right.

The tall doors opened, and Nikolas entered. The chatters of the nobles faded as eyes followed him across the floor. He moved until he stopped before the high platform.

"He looks divine," one of the ladies mumbled behind her fan.

Another added, "I thought it was all mere but he looks beautiful. Look at his eyes."

"Shhh, someone might hear."

Nikolas gave a short bow. "Your majesty."

The king Gravanti studied him from the throne, his face stern. "Your mother, Lady Bastiani? The lord Lucian?"

Nikolas gave a smile. "It’s such a shame they couldn’t make it. They are off on a business trip. Sadly I can only come alone rather than ignore the king’s invitation."

The king only nodded.

Nikolas’s gaze shifted, and for the first time, he laid eyes on the princess, the girl who was his mate. The fire had ignited inside of him, burning, but the thing was, while she was his mate, it wasn’t burning with passion. It was rather flickering slowly, which made him almost frown.

But he smiled regardless.

She met his eyes, she did not look away, clearly drawn to him as well.

The king;s voice carried over the silence. "This is my daughter, your fiance. Serena Gravanti. She—"

"Her highness, the second princess, Viviana Gravanti," the herald announced. And the king’s words were interrupted.

The doors pushed open again. Heads turned immediately as another figure entered the hall.

Serana grew annoyed.

Nikolas looked away from her, straightening up as he turned as well.

The second princess, only a few months younger than the first princess was in a red and ivory ball gown. It had an off shoulder corset bodice, puffed sleeves and layered lace-trimmed skirts. Of course her dress wasn’t as extravagant as that of the first princess, but the red was absolutely her colour. Her body was poised and as straight as an arrow. Pitch black hair, so long to her waist and decorated with jewels.

Had he ever... seen anything so simple, yet so beautiful?