The carriage brought her to a magnificent palace. The ornate decorations outside the palace were beyond compare. The huge vampire statue filled her with fear and awe.
"Please, Miss Visata."
She was politely helped out of the carriage, and the treatment was far better than last time. However, perhaps because she was late, the carriage drove off, and there were no other attendants to guide her.
Well, she might as well explore on her own.
Bare tree trunks were everywhere, reminiscent of a horror movie scene, sending a chill down her spine. Ivina deliberately avoided the chatting guests and walked straight to an empty, open area, sitting down slowly by the pond.
In the center of the pond was a statue holding a water jug, its expression sorrowful, as if the water in the jug was her most cherished possession. Her long hair reached her waist, and the perfect carving recreated the beauty of the young girl's face. But her figure had none of the characteristics of a vampire, just like herself...
"Miss Gra Visata."
Ivina did not hear him. She stared blankly at the statue, unaware that her posture blended seamlessly with the surrounding backdrop, like a Central European oil painting—but clearly more beautiful.
"Miss Gra Ivina…" It was not that he saw her face, but her petite figure was simply too distinctive to miss.
"Pujiao."
"Yes, we meet again." Pujeo bowed politely, his golden hair sweeping across his forehead, making him look exceptionally handsome.
"You… hello…" Recalling his intimidating demeanor, she still felt afraid.
Until Ivina greeted him, Pujeo did not look directly at the woman before him. In the realm of vampires, staring at someone of higher status was a foolish act of disrespect. And staring at a young woman you had just met was not the behavior of a gentleman. However, it seemed that no one followed these rules anymore, except for Pu Jieao, who stubbornly adhered to the customs of hundreds of years ago.
But when he finally raised his eyes, his orange-red eyes were filled with unmistakable astonishment, even fear.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The young woman in the white dress was so elegant, her demeanor clashing sharply with the gloomy surroundings. How beautiful and unique, how familiar... But even if she was this beautiful, she had still committed an unforgivable sin. Yes, she was too much like an angel, which might earn her God's favor but would subject her to the vampires' cruelty.
The pure white attire... You wanted this naive little girl to become a witch, Niditara, but this time you've truly miscalculated... She will certainly be executed on the spot today.
Ivina looked at Pu Xiao with confusion. She didn't understand why he always looked at her with such deep contemplation.
"Alright, you might be a bit cold. Put this on and let's go." Pu Jiao took off his wide-sleeved coat and gently draped it over Ivina. To outsiders, the gesture resembled that of a tender lover.
"I'm not cold..." Feeling the heavy coat tightly enveloping her, Ivina tried to wriggle free.
Her petite body was completely shrouded in the black coat, an appearance that looked rather comical.
"You can take it off later," Pu Jieao said softly. This soft tone was irresistible to any young girl.
Ivina silently agreed. Pu Jieao took her arm and walked toward the depths of the darkness.
It should be said that if it weren't for Pu Jieao's guidance, it would have been difficult for her to find this place on her own.
When the messenger opened the heavy antique door for them, her heartbeat inexplicably quickened. She was too easily nervous, but at least she had made progress compared to before.
Like a late Cinderella, accompanied by Pu Jieao, Ivina caught the attention of everyone in the room.
"Duke Pu Jieao."
"Prince Seji Pu Jieao."
"Duke Pu Jieao."
The bustling guests automatically parted when they saw Pu Jieao. They respectfully addressed him by his title, but no one paid any attention to Ivina.
"By the way, Miss Gra Visata, I haven't formally introduced myself yet. My apologies." Pu Jieao remained a gentleman as always, "Sage Pu Jieao, it's a pleasure to meet you." In front of everyone, he exaggeratedly bowed, clearly on purpose, to attract the attention of the other vampires. Sure enough...
"Miss Gra Visata, hello." Everyone shouted in unison. This made Ivina feel overwhelmed with surprise.
"Hello, everyone..." Ivina blushed and bowed her head deeply. "How could..." She hadn't wanted anyone to notice her.
The faint voice was still heard by the sharp-eared Pujeao. "Of course. Their status is low. Even I greet you in this manner. How could those ignorant people not do the same?" Pujeao said smugly. He looked down at Ivina, who was tightly holding his wrist. Her shy face was so charming that he couldn't help but want to touch her. But at that moment, Ivina lifted her head. "How do they all know my name?"
She was still a bit shy, though she looked up at the tall Pu Jieao, her eyelids lowered, her lashes curled upward.
"Your arm already bears the mark of the Blood Clan. Unless it is jointly revoked by Duke Dandel or several princes, you will remain an apostle of the Blood Clan for the next few thousand or ten thousand years. As for the night clan you belonged to, since you have already left, you will have no connection with them in the future."
Seeing Ivina's confused expression, Pu Jieao laughed and continued, "Additionally, as someone with special divination abilities, you are already well-known. This magical banquet is merely being held in your name. Hmm... Think about it, it's been over a hundred years since such a grand magical banquet was last held..."
Pu Jieao was deep in thought when a man and woman walked straight toward him.
"Prince Segi Pu Jiao."
Pu Jiao nodded in acknowledgment. "Miss Gra Visata, hello, I am Maggie Woodbra." The woman greeted him with a smile, while the man beside her kept glancing at Ivina.
Ivina noticed the symbols on the woman's arm, which were similar in color to her own, clearly revealing the name Maggie Sako.
"Miss Gra, after the ceremony, would you be my partner at the magic banquet?"
Ivina's thoughts were interrupted. She saw the man in front of her smiling politely, his orange-yellow eyes blatantly looking at Ivina's face.
Ivina hesitated. She couldn't tell what he meant by that sentence.
"Sako Ling Shi, watch your words. Before Miss Visata is granted her title, the name 'Gla' is not something you can use casually."
Seeing Pu Jiao's displeased expression, "Then, we'll take our leave now." Dragging the reluctant woman away, the man tactfully bid farewell, occasionally making ambiguous hints to Ivina as he left.
But before they had gone far, Ivina heard the woman's pouting voice. "I wanted to be with Duke Pu Jie Ao this time…" She saw the woman's dissatisfied expression. After glancing back at Pu Xiao by her side a few times, she reluctantly walked away.
"Everyone's almost here. The king is really..." Pu Jieao rolled his eyes, sounding a bit annoyed. Ivina, wrapped in her dark, thick coat, just wanted the banquet to end sooner. She was even worried about how to get back. Niditara and Debi weren't there, and even Xia Sang was still at Niditara's palace...
Ivina's dark eyes darted around as she calculated her options, her adorable expression caught in Puxiao's gaze.
But when she looked up, she seemed to catch a glimpse of Xia Sang's figure in the crowd. Was it a illusion?
"Why is it so noisy? Don't you want the magic banquet to start sooner?"
A cold voice cut through the crowd, and the hall fell into a radiating silence.
A few seconds later, the entire hall was deathly quiet.
Who was this man? His face was hidden in the shadows, but his voice alone carried enough authority to intimidate.
His blood-red eyes were impossible to look at directly.