I took the stairs two at a time, rushing back to Yui's room. I hoped that she was still there. She was. But she didn't look very good. Her normally porcelain complexion was chalky, and she was curled up into a little ball on her bed, as if trying to keep warm.

"Yui!" I rushed over to her, not even trying to mask my anxiety. "YUI!"

Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled when she saw me.

"Antoinette." She murmured. "Where did you go? I was really worried…"

"Don't be; I'm fine." I tried to reassure her, brushing her blonde curls aside.

I peered at her neck. Yup, there it was. A bite mark, still purple. I sighed, my suspicions confirmed.

"Who bit you?" I demanded.

"Hmm… Shu-san… Did…" She was fighting to stay awake, or so it seemed.

"You need some cranberry juice." I said, recalling how Mom had given it to me after Kanato had sucked me dry. "Do you have any here?"

She pointed weakly at the top drawer in her dresser.

I slid off her bed and retrieved a packet of the drink. The drawer was stuffed full of them, I noticed. I poked a straw into the carton and handed it to Yui, who managed to give me a weak smile in return.

"Thanks," She whispered, gulping down the tangy liquid.

She looked better instantly. Healthier. Not as sallow. Her skin was back to the colour I remembered it to be – pale, but with the rose undertone. Yui finished the whole packet in mere seconds. How much blood had Shu taken from her?

"Feeling better?" I asked, handing her a clean tissue.

She nodded, wiping her lips. "Thank you so much."

"That's good."

Having regained her strength, she tried to arrange her features into a fierce frown. "Where were you? It's… Bad to run around this place, you know."

"Oh, I know," I groaned. "I'm never going up there again!"

"Up where?" Yui asked, curiosity winning out over worry.

"The attic, of course," I replied. "There's some sort of creepy ghost lady there. She kept calling Kanato a brat." I scowled, remembering the memory.

"She did?" Yui looked startled.

"Yeah. Have you seen her before? She was pretty, with long purple hair, but man, she was a b with an itch!"

All the colour drained from Yui's face.

"Oh, help," She whispered. "I think I might have seen her."

"This place is weird," I whispered.

Yui didn't reply, but she didn't disagree either.

There was a sharp knock on the door, and Subaru poked his head in, his face grumpy as usual.

"It's time to eat," He announced without preamble, and left just as suddenly as he had come.

I hopped off the bed.

"Come on," I invited Yui. "I can't wait to see what they eat for dinner."

Images of packets of blood popped into my head, and I sniggered. Yui sighed, but followed me out the door.

I felt so cheated. Everyone ate normal food, even the vampires. The main course was steak, very rare, served with green beans and mashed potatoes. And that surprised me. (I didn't think they ate anything other than blood.) But apparently, I was wrong. Reiji waited until everyone was done before he attempted to say anything.

Reiji didn't beat around the bush.

"The Monarchy have invited us to a dinner party."

I didn't know why the name filled me with such dread, but it did.

"What… Are they?" I asked haltingly, gulping back the bile that rose in my throat.

"Royalty. They are descendants of the very first vampires, and they have requested a meeting." Reiji replied, but he didn't sound very thrilled about it either. "They want to see you in particular, Antoinette Leblanc."

"Me?" I squeaked. "Why me? I didn't do anything wrong!"

"I expect it's because of that," He made eyes at the other brothers, and they either nodded, or made sounds of affirmation.

I noticed that Kanato didn't look very happy, and gripped his teddy harder.

"Um… That?" I tried to ask, but no one took any notice.

I scowled down at my empty plate.

"Anyway, it's a formal event, and there will be dancing. So you will need a ball gown. Can the two of you dance?" Reiji addressed me and Yui.

Yui nodded. "I have done ballet before."

I shook my head. "No," I admitted quietly, not wanting to admit that I had two left feet.

Reiji nodded, unsurprised. "No matter. The party is in a five days' time. That should give me enough time to teach you etiquette. We can't have you tarnishing the Sakamaki name. I've already informed your mother – she's agreed to let you stay with us until the party is over."

I scowled deeper; but I didn't dare protest. It wouldn't do me any good.

Stupid Speccy had apparently nothing else to say, for he got up and left. Subaru, and two others got up and left with him. So it was just me, Yui, Kanato and Ayato.

I looked wistfully at Kanato, who was blissfully tearing into a package of cookies. They looked good, but it was the ribbon on the packaging that caught my attention. Made of velvet, the deep ruby fabric was edged with gold. It was the fanciest ribbon that I'd ever seen.

Yui misunderstood my longing expression. "Antoinette, you like sweets?"

"No, they're okay. I just thought that the ribbon was pretty. I don't have anything like it," I replied.

"I see." Yui bit her lip, obviously thinking that she had asked the wrong thing.

I shook my head. The girl had a heart of gold. She'd probably feel sorry for a lonely slug.

Kanato, finished with his cookies, looked at me and licked his lips. I groaned inwardly. It looked like it was time for his dessert. I rose. I knew what had to be done. And even though I hated it, I had no choice.

It's alright. He won't kill you. Probably.

Kanato was eager, his fingers brushing aside my hair, slipping clothing out of the way so that he could have clearer access to my neck. I made a muffled squeak of protest as my back hit the mattress, Kanato's torso pressed up against my body. I braced myself for pain as his fangs sank into my neck.

Whatever pain I had been expecting, definitely wasn't this.

Pure and utter bliss rushed through me. There was no pain. Nothing. Every single one of my worries had been gently wiped away, erased. It would be alright. As long as I was with Kanato, everything would be alright.

It seemed like only a minute had gone by when he pulled away, my blood staining his mouth.

"Done?" I asked, feeling woozy, and more than just a little happy from having been fed on.

Kanato smiled, and nodded, using his tongue to trace the marks he'd left on my neck.

"Hey, Kanato?" I smiled, feeling very warm and sleepy.

"Mm?"

"I think I might sort of like you," I breathed, feeling the world tilt and darken at the edges. He might have replied, but the world went black and my eyes lids fluttered shut.

More quick updates! You guys are the best! Thank you for all the lovely reviews, I really appreciate it! Next chapter will be the morning after… I wonder how that'll go. *waggles eyebrows* Please review if you can, and stay tuned for the next chapter!