Chapter 2

Having lived for centuries, I had finally met a junior who dared to be so arrogant in my presence. Finding it amusing, I tilted my head and asked calmly, "What did you want me to say? I didn't catch that."

"Excellent. So you're deaf, too. Listen carefully, alright? 'I am a lowly mongrel!' Got it? It's not that hard."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Alright, I heard you clearly this time. Since you are a lowly mongrel, be a good girl and scurry off to the side. Stay in the gutter where you belong. You're blocking my way."

Realizing she had been played, Bella let out a sharp screech, extended her claws, and lunged at me.

How cute. I received combat training in the royal court from childhood; she actually naively thought she could attack me. I didn't even need to use blood magic. The moment she pounced, I simply sidestepped.

She hit nothing but air, her momentum sending her face-planting heavily onto the floor in an extremely unsightly posture. The crowd stared at me, eyes wide with horror.

"My God! How dare she lay a hand on Miss Thorne?"

"If Prince Julian finds out, he'll tear her to shreds!"

"No one can save her now. She's dead."

Listening to their gasps and whispers, my heart remained tranquil. I knew not what fear was. My brother, Victor Vane—the Night King—ruled every corner of this world. No creature could make me feel fear.

I pulled out the unlimited black gold card he had given me and slapped it on the counter. "Check out!"

The clerk's hands shook as he wrapped the brooch, his terrified eyes darting between me and Bella.

I took the box and turned to leave, but Bella scrambled up, stumbling, and blocked my path. "You aren't going anywhere!"

I glanced at the dust on her dress and asked, "What? Want to kiss the floor again?"

She flinched instinctively, and I let out a short, cold laugh. Just as I was about to step around her and leave, the main doors were slammed open with a loud *bang*.

A tall figure walked in. The moment he appeared, the entire shop fell deathly silent. A powerful noble pressure swept through the room, weighing down on everyone.

My gaze traveled up from the expensive leather shoes, and I couldn't help but think, *Oh, damn.*

He was about six feet three, stunningly handsome, radiating a dark power that suggested he was born to be a king. Broad shoulders, long legs—every movement appeared elegant yet lethal.

Bella's attitude changed the instant she saw him. She ran to him, crying, "Prince Julian, she stole the necklace I wanted, and she hit me!"

So, this was Julian himself.

Fine, I admit I'm superficial. His looks were exactly my type. No wonder Victor thought I would accept this partner he arranged. He really did know me well.

Honestly, with a face like that, I could almost forgive his earlier rudeness on the phone.

I looked him over from head to toe, a slow, satisfied smile curling my lips. "A pleasure. I am Elena Vane, your betrothed."

The surrounding vampires gasped in shock.

"What? She's Prince Julian's fiancée?"

"No wonder she dared to offend Bella. Prince Julian will definitely have to defend his fiancée this time, right?"

"You're too naive. It all depends on who Prince Julian cares about more..."

Julian's gaze landed on me, but it was filled only with pure contempt. "Don't flatter yourself. That ridiculous marriage contract was my father's decision, not mine. I never agreed to it."

Instantly, Bella clung tightly to his arm. "Did you hear that? Someone like you will never be worthy of standing beside the Prince!"

Several voices immediately chimed in.

"Exactly! Prince Julian's partner should be a socialite like Miss Thorne, not some ugly creature from an unknown family!"

"Right, she doesn't even deserve to be in the same room as Miss Thorne."

I never considered myself a peerless beauty, but I was certainly not ugly. Yet listening to them, it sounded as if my appearance was enough to scare the soul out of a body.

Some things never change—people always worship the strong and trample the weak, whether in human society or the vampire world.

I shook my head and walked past Julian. "Do me a favor and tell your father to cancel the wedding. You aren't worthy of me."