"Lilliane? Won't you play for Onee-sama again?"

The younger princess scowled at her sister. Her dark hair bouncing as she turned her head. Her older sister Virgilia, with her light blonde hair and a tiara over her head gave her a warm smile.

"Don't call me that! I don't like being called by that name."

"Well, that's troubling...I know! How about Hime-chan?"

"Hime?"

"Yes. That's Japanese for Princess. Do you like it?"

The little girl blushed, the arms of her beloved sibling startling her. She was warm. Hime. It's a good name.

"I...don't dislike it." Virgilia chuckled.

"You're so cute Hime-chan. Onee-sama loves you very much."

"Onee-sama..."

She fiddled with the pocketwatch as Elizabeth fixed the mask on her face. The ball for tonight required them to wear a masquarade. How troublesome these things are. She's not one to care about these events. Still, if the Sakamaki brothers will be there...surely...

"Hime-chan, are you ready?" She nodded, Kira escorting her as they got out of the carriage.

"I really hate these stuff. My old man always forces me to attend these dances.

"Being the son of the grim reaper sure is dreadful, huh?"

"You're one to talk. With your mother being like that and all."

She pinched the side of his body, making him let out a grunt of pain. As they entered the ballroom, she can feel watchful eyes staring at them.

Now, she just needed to find any of the Mukami brothers. Or Yui, before one of her siblings find her. She let go of Kira's arm and excused herself before wandering around. She found herself leaving the dance hall and walking outside the balcony.

"The moon looks good, doesn't it?" She jumped at the all too familiar voice. Her brother mirrored the same eyes she had, only a bit darker. He looked...mature.

"Emile onii-sama. Is father-"

"It wasn't his intention, Lilliane."

"I know."

It was her fault. Being controlled like that; what had happened to her pride? Or did she even have one in the first place?

"Immortality. What a cruel fate we've been given. It's a curse you know...watching the people around you die. And the worst part is that you keep on living, as if they didn't exist in the first place."

Emile disappeared as soon as she dared to look at him again. The responsibility as the Queen. She did not like it. Being locked down in a battlefield once again...

"Hime, it's almost time for the Vandead Carnival."

Elizabeth suddenly appeared, and for a second she was startled. Her twin sister Lilibeth stood behind, giving her a look full of pity. She did not want that. No. She didn't need to be pitied.

"I see."


"Ivan! That's enough!" The blond boy released the raven haired girl at the voice of his sister.

"Hime-chan. Are you okay?" She was crying. He only wanted to tease her a bit. Because who was she anyway?

Ivan would not accept her as his sister.

She may have inherited the eyes of their father, but she had a different smell altogether. Lilliane was the only one to have their mother's dark hair.

"Ivan. How many times do we have to tell you, stop bullying your sister."

"Shut up Emile! That monster isn't my sister."

He felt the sting on his cheek. It was truly painful. But he wouldn't cry. No, as a prince he will not dare to show any weakness.

"Take that back Ivan!"

"Lia. There's no need to-"

"Did you hear him, Emile? Such things shouldn't be said by a child."

He hated her. Every single part of her. Lilliane was his kryptonite.

Because Ivan did not remember having a sister like her. She can't be. She would belong to him.

Greetings were exchanged. It was common courtesy for the guests to greet the Royal family, as they barely show themselves to the public.

The host, Karlheinz, announced the official start of the ball. In one corner, Yui was with Ayato and Kanato in front of the buffet table. They were both indulging themselves in the food of the underworld as they wouldn't be able to experience it again in the human world.

Shu had found himself conversing with an acquaintance who shared the same interest as him, music. Kira's headphones were hung around his neck as he discussed the subtle development of classical music throughout the years.

"Quite a ruckus isn't it?" Ruki looked up from his book, and found himself staring at the very girl who was missing before.

He took note of how her hair had been arranged, and the dress she was wearing definitely is not something commonly created. Sighing, he placed his book down, silently ordering one of his familiars to look after it.

Ruki offered a hand to Lilliane, an invitation which she took gracefully and made there way in the middle of the dancefloor.

He can waltz really good. Well, as expected of a former aristocrat.

"I've heard about your heritage, Livestock."

"And you're still calling me that?"

"I don't see you complaining about it, Hime-sama." She giggled at his formal response.

Lilliane felt his arm pull her closer to him. His body was cold. No heat came from him, in contrast to hers. As the song ended, Ruki gave her a gentle kiss on the back of her hand before leading her to the side once again.

"The queen will be announced soon."

"I know."

The two observed the couples on the dancefloor. It almost looked...human like. An ironic thought seeing as every single person inside this castle was a demon.

"Ruki-kun. I will probably be gone for a few days." She continued. "There are some things I have to settle. Particularly one with my mother."

"Hime-san..."

"Azusa-kun?" The meek boy had the same melancholic expression on his face as usual.

"Are you...leaving...us?" She smiled, patting the soft locks on his head.

"I will come back. No matter what."

Yuma himself did not like such extravagant affairs. He placed another sugar cube in his mouth, observing the blooming plants in the garden.

Eden was truly a beautiful place.

He heard footsteps coming towards his direction, but he did not move. The smell was all too familiar. She sat beside him, her mask now discarded and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"What're you doing here, Sow?" His tone was the same brash one as always. It matched his brute personality.

"Admiring the flowers. I am free to do so, yes?"

"Tch. Do what you want."

How can she be so comfortable with him, he wonders. This girl who suddenly appeared in their home. Having this special blood that is on par with that of Eve's.

She was just a stranger. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Yuma-kun. May I...taste your blood?"

"Huh?"

He was dumbfounded by her request. Why would she want to do that? He knows the blood of a vampire tastes anything but good.

Still, he extended his wrist. She gratefully took it, biting down on the flesh. His blood was cold. The blood of a half-breed. Her eyes moved up and met the back of his head.

"Are you done now?"

"Yes." He faced her immediately, a smug grin on his face.

Ah there it was. That smile of his made her feel somewhat...at ease.

"Then it's my turn now."

She was pushed down the bench, Yuma covering her body with his. She loosened the tie of her choker, revealing her skin to him. He leaned down and for a moment she thought he was going to bite her as well.

The moment she closed her eyes, soft lips were pressed against hers, moving with such urgency that she almost lost her breath.

Then the pain appeared. Yuma bit her tongue, the metallic taste of the liquid filling her mouth. He then proceeded to bite on her neck, pulling out only to press his fangs down the middle of her chest.

It was fine to bask herself in a bit of pleasure, right?

Because she knew that in the end, there might not be a possibility for her to return to the Mukami household.