Chapter 16: Engagement Soiree

"How do I look?" Lauren asked.

She wore a royal blue dress from the town's most well-known couturier, matching her blue eyes. She picked it herself for her engagement soiree which was happening tonight.

Sally smiled and gave her an approving look. "You shine, Your Highness."

Her hair was styled exquisitely. She made sure everything was perfect. That she would truly look like a joyous bride excited about her wedding. She didn't have to feign her happiness, though. She was really happy with how her plans turned out.

So far, the Queen and her sisters hadn't done anything silly. And she doubted if they would try to do something tonight in the presence of the King. If there was something those ladies had in common, it was their respect and fear of His Majesty.

Down the main hall, the guests kept on arriving as the soiree was about to start. The large gold chandeliers illuminated the hall and added glimmer to the glamorous dresses and jewelry worn by the guests. As it was an event hosted by the royal palace, only the members of high society were invited. The rich vampires, mages, noble families, and the wealthiest people in town.

One person was spared by that rule though. Vivian graced the palace grounds in her dark red dress accented with luxurious jewelry. The way she dressed and moved was no different from a lady of noble status. Those people who didn't know she was a brothel owner and a former courtesan would think she was a daughter from a rich family.

However, just when she was about to pass through the guards, she found out she forgot to bring the invitation Lauren gave her. Vivian's lips parted at how stupid she was.

"Did you perhaps forget to bring your invitation, my lady?" The guard asked politely as Vivian appeared to be a respected woman.

"Rule is rule, Fred. One cannot enter without the invitation," said the other guard who looked stricter.

"She's with me," someone spoke from behind which made Vivian's head turn.

Ethan walked towards her and held her waist, which got her eyes narrowing at him.

"What are you doing?" Vivian whispered in a firm tone.

"Isn't it obvious, Madame Locket? Your handsome knight is saving you." Ethan winked and gave his invitation to the guard.

When they successfully got inside, Vivian tried to get rid of Ethan's hand on her waist but his ironclad arm remained holding her which she didn't find pleasing.

"How charitable you are, Mr. Sullivan. Thank you, but will you please let me go? I am sure an honorable man like you doesn't want to stain his reputation if someone finds out what kind of woman I am."

"You are Lauren's friend. You should have known by now that she and I share some common attributes. One of them is being shameless." Ethan winked and Vivian couldn't help her annoyance.

On the wine table nearby, Lauren spotted both of her friends as she waited for Alec's arrival. Vivian successfully escaped from Ethan's grip and went to Lauren while Ethan was blocked by some ladies.

"You look stunning in that dress, Miss Locket," Lauren smiled. Vivian rolled her eyes.

"It's Madame Locket. Where is your groom?"

"He should be here anytime soon." Lauren looked around and met Eloise's gaze. She was with her circle of friends like usual. The daughters of the wealthiest families whose main hobby was gossiping.

Eloise smiled at her and Lauren found it strange.

"Give me a moment," Lauren made her way out of the crowd to find Sally. It wasn't long before she found her maid in the kitchen.

"What is it, Your Highness?"

"Have you received news if Lord Everston has left his mansion?" Lauren wanted to make sure that Alec would come, so she had some men to keep an eye on him. She knew her sisters were as wicked as the Queen. She couldn't afford to let her guard down.

Sally leaned closer so no one could hear them. "The lord was preparing to leave, Your Highness. That is the last message I received from Darius. It was sent almost half an hour earlier."

Lauren's eyes narrowed. Alec should be here by now if that was the case but he was nowhere to be found. Perhaps, Eloise did something? She had a bad feeling about how Eloise smiled at her. That witch.

Walking back to the hall, she thought about what Eloise could have possibly done to delay Alec. She couldn't guess though. Alec was sharp and smart. He didn't fall for a cheap trick, did he?

Suddenly, a commotion near the main doors caught everyone's attention. Lauren came to check whatever it was that interrupted the soiree she organized herself. She never liked it when things didn't go the way she planned.

"Please! Let me talk to Princess Lauren! I need to talk to her!"

It was Luke Harrison held by guards. He was from a wealthy human family, one of those men who wooed Lauren for a casual relationship, but it didn't seem like he came here to attend the celebration.

"Let the poor man speak. He seemed to have something important to say." The people around made way for Eloise.

"What is this, Eloise?" Lauren asked, eyeing her wicked sister sharply.

"Why are you asking me, Lauren? Mr. Harrison came here for you so how would I know?"

Lauren's fist clenched at the side. She looked at Luke Harrison and told him they had nothing to talk about but her voice was drowned by Mr. Harrison's.

"You promised to marry me, Princess Lauren! You said you would make a way to break your engagement with Mr. Merriweather! You said you love me! Why are you marrying Lord Everston?!"

The gasps from the guests enveloped the hall.

"Mr. Harrison, what are you talking about-"

"We have made plans, Lauren! Did those nights we spent together mean nothing to you? I thought you loved me and yet here you are, planning to marry someone else!"

The murmurs from the crowd went louder, scandalized by the man's words.

Lauren was dumbfounded. Nights they spent together? She wanted to laugh at how clever her sister was to make use of such a stupid man. Her gaze darted to Eloise who stepped forward.

"What is the meaning of this, Lauren?" Eloise asked innocently as if she was so shocked by the revelation. "Did you have an affair with Mr. Harrison while you were engaged to Mr. Merriweather?"

The people around gave Lauren a disgusted look, thinking that the third princess was worse than they imagined.

"Lord Everston is an honorable man! He doesn't deserve someone dirty like her!" said someone, which was seconded by more ladies who wanted to marry the Everston lord.

"You are a woman full of deceit, Princess Lauren!" Mr. Harrison fired. "You deceived me and now you are deceiving Lord Ever-"

Shock came across everyone's face when the next second, a sharp blade pierced through Mr. Harrison's chest. A chill of terror came with a deafening silence. Most were horrified at the gruesome murder they just witnessed.

When Mr. Harrison's lifeless body fell to the ground, that was when they saw who stood behind him. The person who slaughtered a man without mercy.

A cold chill crept up Lauren's spine when Alec's icy gaze met hers.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read