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[ BACK TO THE BANQUET ]

​ Unlike the usual banquet, tonight\'s fete was quiet. The minimal chattering faded into the orchestra; each movement of the guests was graceful yet calculated. It was overall peaceful and cozy, though.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Aries arched her brows when she heard the loud sound of cutlery hitting the glass. When she turned her head to follow the sound, she caught Maximus rising from his seat. Her eyes then shifted to Abel, and her husband simply smirked with his focus on the crowd ahead.

"I would like to make a toast to everyone." Maximus\' voice echoed when the guests set their attention to where the royals were at. He was holding a glass of wine, flashing Abel and Aries a smile.

\'What is he up to now?\' Aries wondered, sipping from the wineglass elegantly.

"I am honored and overwhelmed by everyone\'s warm welcome. As we all know, everyone in here was considered ran away traitors on the mainland." Maximus\'s remarks put a frown on some guests\' faces. "I know some of you weren\'t pleased with the title. Therefore, I apologize on behalf of the royal family for providing you with such malicious titles."

"The mainland  — us vampires  — had kept to ourselves for centuries. We had been here for a long time and I understand the desire to come out into the outside world. I, myself, was regaled by what occurs in here that never occurred on the mainland." Maximus paused while the side of his lips curled up into an amicable smile. "As the new king of the mainland, I am asking you that we start a new slate."

He then faced Abel, grinning from ear to ear. "With the help of His and Her Majesty, we will hold hand in hand to bring out the best for both lands and make the mainland an official territory the world will recognize."

"The vampires will no longer live in hiding, nor will they have to wait in the night for their turn." Maximus slowly faced everyone with a smile before setting his eyes back on Abel again. "May I pour you a drink, my friend?"

"So long as you are uncoerced, sure," Abel smirked triumphantly, watching Maximus put down his glass to reach for the newly opened wine.

"I had patiently waited for this day that we can share this wine, my friend. I hope you will like it." Maximus served Abel the drink. "I hope Her Majesty will also share a toast with me."

"I do not mind so long as I will be able to wake up tomorrow," Aries humored, making him laugh.

"Of course." He then hinted to a servant to pass the glass to Aries as she was sitting next to Abel. As soon as the glass reached Aries, Maximus also picked up his glass.

Aries and Abel slowly rose to their seat, holding the wineglass served by Maximus. With smiles on their faces, the three shared friendly glances before facing the guests. When they did, the guests were also served new drinks that Maximus had brought for everyone to enjoy.

"I only brought the most exquisite selected wines that had matured for centuries," declared Maximus, waiting until everyone was served. "For the future of the Haimirich Empire and the Mainland, I make this toast for a promising future of this alliance. May this drink cleanse all our terrible records and the painful memories of the past."

Maximus raised his wineglass, turning his head to Abel and Aries. Abel smiled at him before he turned to Aries, offering her a dashing smile. Her cheek naturally blushed under his gaze, raising her glass mildly before facing the crowd.

The guests smiled at the friendly relationship between the three, reassured that Abel and Aries, their monarchs, had found the same equilibrium with Maximus. Since most vampires who lived outside the mainland had many reasons they left, they were aware of the strict rules in the land.

Vampires like them would never step foot on the mainland unless they wanted to die. But now that there was a new king, their hearts believed they had nothing to be afraid of anymore. Abel\'s lack of hostility added ease to everyone since the vampires in Haimirich Empire owed him the peace they had now.

As everyone took a sip, no one noticed the glint that flickered across Maximus\' eyes. The corner of his lips curled up into a smirk, licking his lips as he put the wineglass from his lips.

"Now… everything will be clear." Maximus\'s voice was low, twirling the glass as he watched everyone drink.

"Your Majesty."

Abel\'s brows rose as a knight approached his side. When he looked back, he noticed the solemness and panic in the knight\'s eyes.

Thud.

Before the knight could approach the emperor closer, a faint thud echoed in the air, followed by the sound of shattered glass. Abel slowly looked back at the banquet hall, only to catch the guests falling on the floor one after another.

"Hah…" Abel ran his tongue across his inner cheek, shifting his attention to Maximus. "You didn\'t tell me you planned to kill my people. I hope you are prepared for the consequences."

Maximus laughed at Abel\'s lazy tone. "You will not allow me to serve them the drinks I prepared without expecting that much. Don\'t make me look like I am the bad guy here, my friend. You know what I will do, and you allowed it to happen. I\'m definitely not the worse here. I\'m just bad."

"Ahh…" Meanwhile, Aries touched her upper lip only to see blood cling to her fingers. "That\'s a kind of poison I never had, huh?"

Abel glanced at her, and his lazy countenance slowly turned firm. He turned his back against Maximus to face her.

"Darling, are you alright?" he asked worriedly, holding her arm mildly.

"Do not worry about me." the sharpness in her eyes remained despite her nosebleed. "I think I might need a rest."

"I am not surprised that you, my friend, will turn your back on your enemy. Though, I must say you two were quite relaxed at the situation," commented Maximus, cocking his head to the side. "I haven\'t seen my brother nor the duke. I guess you\'re just as prepared as I am."

Abel glanced over his shoulder. "Are you worried that your efforts will go down the drain?"

"Not at all." Maximus\'s smile reached his eyes. "It is to be expected."

"Hah —" Abel ignored him and turned to Aries. "I will assist you out, darling."

Aries\'s complexion turned pale as droplets of sweat formed on her forehead. When she nodded, she held his arm and took irregular steps away from the platform where they stood. The knight, who originally came to report to Abel, approached them again.

"Your Majesty —"

Aries and Abel suddenly froze, and even the knight nearly bit his tongue upon smelling a strong stench of blood. This time, Abel\'s complex countenance grew even firmer as his eyes shone a bright red.

"My brother." Aries clutched Abel\'s arm as her pupils went wide, looking back in Maximus\'s direction, only to see the man gazing back at her with a smirk.

"My friend, why don\'t we make a bet?" Maximus\'s expression turned bright as Abel looked back at him. "Why don\'t we guess which main character will die first? Hmm?"

"Why are you here for?" Abel inquired at the knight but kept his eyes fixed on Maximus.

"He escaped," reported the knight sternly. "The one in the maximum penitentiary. Joaquin Imperial escaped."