Chapter 28 - Royal Dinner

Luci and Xavier headed downstairs to the royal dining hall for dinner. He explained that someone would announce each person as they went in, and as he was the crown prince, they would be second to last, followed by the king and queen.

As they waited to be announced, Luci heard a man say, "Now presenting the Crown Prince Xavier and his mate Lucinda." Luci felt slightly embarrassed when they walked in, and all eyes turned to them. She expected maybe a dozen people, but it was closer to fifty.

Luci could see the surprise in some of the guest's eyes and disgust in others. She didn't care; as long as Xavier was by her side, she would hold her head high.

As he led her to the long table, she noticed someone waving at her, and her nervousness decreased slightly seeing Bexley. Luci smiled at her in relief. Xavier pulled the chair out next to Bexley for Luci to sit, and he took the one next to her. He immediately took her hand in his and held it tight.

As soon as they were seated, the king and queen were announced. Luci watched as they walked to the head of the table, looking beautiful and regal. They both smiled at her and after the queen was seated, King Malik continued to stand.

"Welcome, family, friends, and guests. I'm pleased to announce that my son Xavier has returned to the palace to resume his duties as the crown prince. I also want to celebrate that he has found his fated mate. Please give a warm welcome to the newest member of our family and your next queen, Lucinda."

Luci felt her face flame when everyone turned to her while Xavier and Bexley all but pushed her to stand. She noticed some clapped while smiling at her warmly, while others it seemed forced because of the king's order. She quickly sat back down, hoping the attention would be focused elsewhere.

"Everyone enjoy your meal, and feel free to mingle after you're finished eating." King Malik sat back down and began speaking quietly with the queen while servers appeared seemingly out of nowhere. A glass of wine and appetizers was placed in front of every guest before Luci had time to blink.

"You look beautiful in that dress. I told Xavier I knew it would be perfect for you with your curvy figure." Bexley smiled before she put a small piece of food in her mouth.

"I can't thank you enough for the dress. It's the best piece of clothing I've ever worn. You're very talented." Luci smiled at the surprise on Bexley's face as she sipped her wine.

"Thank you. I don't usually share my designs with anyone because I'm worried they won't like them, but I would love for you to try on some of my other designs to see if you want any of them." Bexley was excited to have someone who appreciated her hobby. Everyone else was too stuffy to let her dress them up.

"I would love that. Especially right now because my mother and I came with literally nothing but the clothes on our backs. Can I ask you something?" Luci leaned in so she could whisper in her ear.

"Sure, we're sisters, after all."

"Do you think people will be okay with me as Xavier's mate? He says he doesn't care what people say, but I would like your opinion. I don't want to hold him back because I'm a vampire." Luci was almost in tears, but she quickly dried them before they fell. Luckily, everyone was busy carrying on their own conversations to pay the two women much attention. Even Xavier was catching up with his parents while holding Luci's hand.

"Listen to Xavier. My dad and mom have accepted you and even announced you as the future queen. Some won't be happy, but their opinions don't matter because whether they like it or not, you're Xavier's fated mate, which means the moon goddess wanted you for him."

Luci felt a little better with what Bexley said, but she couldn't ignore the glares that came her way throughout dinner. She mainly spoke with Xavier and Bexley. However, the king and queen also included her in several conversations. They seemed to try their best to make her feel comfortable, which she greatly appreciated.

After they ate dessert, Luci desperately wanted to leave and hide in their room, but Xavier walked her around so they could chat with some of the other guests. Bexley, noticing her unease, decided to walk with the couple. She told Luci if anyone said anything bad, she'd throw them in the dungeons herself.

With Xavier and Bexley at her side, the people they spoke to were cordial, even if she could tell it was forced. Just as she began to feel better about being there, someone came behind her and dumped something wet over her head. Everyone around them gasped in surprise and stepped back.

Luci looked down and saw that she was covered in blood. When she turned around, Bexley and Xavier held Belinda, who was squirming to escape.

"Let me go. I just brought the bloodsucker some blood. Everyone should be thanking me. This bitch can't be our queen; she's not even a lycan. I demand you, King Malik, to denounce this leech and announce me as Xavier's mate." Luci looked down at her ruined dress and saw that some of the other guests agreed with what Belinda said. She couldn't take it anymore and decided she was done playing nice. She walked up to Belinda and smacked her in the face so hard the sound echoed around the room.

"I'm tired of you trying to claim Xavier as yours. We're already marked and mated, and there's nothing you can do about it. Now you have ruined this beautiful dress that my dear friend Bexley made, and you have ruined this lovely dinner with your hatred." Xavier, Bexley, the king, and the queen all beamed at Luci.

"King Malik, are you going to let her speak to me this way? I want you to punish her right now." Belinda sounded delusional, screaming as she struggled between Xavier and Bexley.

"You're right, Belinda; it's time for a punishment to be handed down. Guards take her to the dungeons." Luci felt a moment of fear as Belinda began smiling. However, her smile vanished when the guards grabbed her and dragged her away.

"I'm so sorry for her behavior and ruining your dress. I have to say, though, I loved how you handled her. Not only did you defend yourself, but you showed everyone here why you will be the perfect queen." Queen Reina smiled at Luci, and even though she was covered in blood, she smiled back.

"Thank you, Queen Reina. I better get cleaned up." Luci bowed slightly to both the king and queen before she began to walk out. Xavier caught up with her and took her hand, not caring that it was coated in blood.

"I'm so proud of you. I'm sorry this is the greeting you got and how you were treated at your first dinner, but I promise you, not everyone feels like Belinda." Luci smiled at him and squeezed his hand as they left the dining hall.

"Honestly, I wanted to run out of there and hide. When I saw the smirk on her face and some of the others, I knew I had to set them all straight. I'm not a fighter and haven't slapped or hit many people, but she brought it out in me. I do hate that she ruined this beautiful dress, though." Luci looked down and frowned.

"Are you kidding? I'll make you a hundred more just like it." Luci and Xavier turned around and saw Bexley chasing after them.

"Why did you leave the dinner? I'm sure Dad wants you to stay and play nice a little longer." Xavier looked at his sister in question as they continued walking.

"Many people are leaving after what happened, and Dad sent me out to tell you he wants you both to have breakfast with him and Mom. I think they want to discuss how soon they can hand over everything to you so they can retire." Bexley followed them up the steps and into their room.

"Okay, we'll see them at breakfast. Can you leave now so we can get cleaned up?" Bexley rolled her eyes at her brother. She wanted to spend more time with Luci but figured she would see her tomorrow. Besides, she needed clothes, and Bexley had lots for her to choose from.

"Fine, I'll leave. Luci, see me in the morning, and I'll get you hooked up with some clothes. Xavier, you have to learn to share your mate with others." Bexley stuck her tongue out at her brother before shutting the door. Luci laughed at their banter while Xavier shook his head.

"Considering she's over a hundred years old she does act like a teenager sometimes." Xavier helped Luci take off her dress without getting any blood on anything.

"I like her. She's like a breath of fresh air." Luci slid off her panties and walked into the bathroom. She wanted to wash the blood off before it got too dry.

"Your mom received dinner and blood while we were downstairs. I have some blood for you in the small refrigerator as well. Can I shower with you? I'll wash your hair." Xavier began taking his clothes off, and Luci smiled.

"How can I refuse an offer like that?"

Luci got into the enormous shower, followed by Xavier. He did as he said and washed her hair and entire body until there was no drop of blood anywhere. He then showed her how much he appreciated her. Needless to say, their shower lasted a very long time as they took turns pleasing each other before going to bed.

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Belinda screamed the entire way to the dungeons, and even after they locked her in a dark, cold cell, she continued to scream. She didn't know how long the king would keep her there, but she vowed that the bloodsucker would be dead as soon as she was let out.

No one treated her like that and got away with it; she didn't care who they were. How dare the king announce that bitch as the next queen? Her dad had promised that role would be hers. Belinda couldn't wait until her dad found out what had happened.

Maybe it was time to overthrow the king and take over the kingdom. Then, she could kill the entire royal family and have everyone bow to her. Belinda laughed as she lay on the cot in her cell. She would have her day, and they would all regret ever wronging her.