Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 57: From Rags to Slightly Less Ragged Rags

Chapter 57: From Rags to Slightly Less Ragged Rags

That was the first time Riona poured her heart into doing her tasks as a servant. She had planned to rush to the party wearing a servant’s uniform.

Even though she couldn’t join the party as a guest, she could still show up as one of the servants, couldn’t she?

What was important was that she would be at the party to demand justice from King Valentin in front of everyone. Sir Kai had never mentioned that she had to dress like a family member of the monarch.

However, with permission to leave early, Riona could hope to change into the best dress she had to appear more presentable. It wasn’t that she cared about how she appeared—it was just that she didn’t want to sully the sacred event with her ragged clothes.

There was a myth regarding the Blood Moon. Even though the elders were the ones who isolated themselves to receive guidance from the ancestors, it was said that some vampires outside the chapel might also be able to hear the ancestors’ voices.

There had never been a real case around Riona, so she wasn’t sure if that myth had any truth to it. But if it did, she hoped that she would be the lucky one to hear the voices.

Who wouldn’t want to? Those who could hear the ancestors’ voices were believed to be more favored, and consequently, would be rewarded in some way by the ancestors.

If the ancestors could grant her a wish, Riona would definitely ask to join the Nightwarden. Surely, the ancestors wouldn’t cheat like Lisbeth, right? They had a reputation to uphold.

Riona dashed to her room in the main palace, where her nicer dresses were kept. The servant’s quarters where she resided most of the time only had the servant’s uniforms.

After looking through her dresses, Riona realized one thing: she did not own a formal dress. The best she could wear was a plain, yellow dress with big puffed sleeves. It wasn’t her favorite style, but it was the only adequate one for this event.

She put the dress on and stood before the mirror. "Well, this isn’t too bad," she said, convincing herself.

Wincing at the sight, she muttered, "I just went from rags to slightly less ragged rags."

Knowing she had no other choice, she began to reassure herself again, "It could be worse! I should just be thankful for this dress."

She headed towards Florian’s room to see if her brother liked the new clothes she bought him. She knocked on the door, smiling ear-to-ear, and announced herself cheerfully, "Flo, it’s me."

Since Florian couldn’t reply, Riona just pushed open the door, but some small force tried to block her. Through the gap, she saw Florian’s feet. He was wearing dress shoes, which were shiny and luxurious.

"Do you not want me to come in?" Riona asked.

Florian’s hair peeked from the gap, and he nodded.

"Alright. I’ll wait here." Riona let go of the door and pressed her back against the wall, waiting until Florian was ready to let her in.

She giggled, wondering what her brother was doing in secret, to the point that he didn’t want her to see it. What could it be?

As she was deep in her own amusement with various scenarios, Thorin appeared.

They had grown closer, but Riona still disliked him to some extent. And yet, despite her disapproval of him, she had to admit that Thorin was a fine man. His hair was unusually neat.

He was gorgeous. Look at those sharp jaws!

As if he could read her mind, he looked to Puck, who was walking by his side, revealing his sculpted side profile. His deep eyes were dreamy.

He is probably just asking Puck about his appearance, but he looks like he’s seducing Puck!!

Thorin turned back, and upon seeing Riona, a smile blossomed on his face. It was the crown to his overall appearance, softening his edgy fashion with cool, dark suits and coats.

A black mask with golden lines dangled from his pocket.

"Riona!" He raised his arm, waving like a child meeting his favorite clown. Oh, right, Riona had been serving as his clown all this while. He found joy in messing with her.

He was all smiles, and Riona was able to tolerate him until he commented, "When will you get changed? The party will start soon."

Her straight face turned sour in a matter of seconds. "What are you talking about? This is what I’ll wear to the party."

Thorin’s jaw dropped, but he wasn’t the only one surprised by Riona’s bold answer. Puck struggled to hide his real reaction, which was similar to Thorin’s shock.

But Puck was better at being considerate. He coughed, hiding his face behind his large fist. "Ugh, my throat. Something is wrong with the meat I ate," he mumbled loudly for Riona to hear.

"No way! You’re wearing that?" Thorin exclaimed, unable to read the room.

Riona was sure now that this tactless Alpha must not know the word polite because who dared say that about a woman’s dress? If Lisbeth heard this, she would fume and avenge this humiliation.

As Riona was preparing to retort with a similarly harsh word, Florian came out of his room. He was shy, for some reason, hiding his hands behind his back.

She instantly forgot why she was upset earlier. Her focus now was on Florian, who looked like a prince in his getup. She touched Florian’s shoulders and patted his neatly combed hair.

"You’re very charming, little bat. If you were a few years older, marriage proposals would swarm to you," she said.

Riona glanced at Florian’s hands and asked, "What is it that you have there?"

Instead of answering, Florian lifted his chin to see Thorin as if seeking his approval. When Thorin nodded at him, Florian handed a mask to her.

"He made it himself. It took him days and nights to put the beads together," Thorin informed Riona on Florian’s behalf.

"Is this for me?" Riona was on the verge of crying, touched. She pressed the mask to her chest, treasuring it with her heart. "Can I not wear it and carefully store it somewhere safe? I’m afraid I’ll destroy it."

Riona knew that her hands had a habit of causing damage wherever she touched, so she had to be careful with this mask, Florian’s first gift to her.

Florian shook his head. He took the mask from Riona’s hands and put it on her face. He tied the ribbon behind her head and smiled widely as if seeing Riona wear it made him happy.

"Alright, it’s time for an upgrade!" Thorin leaned in towards her. "Florian’s mask deserves to be showcased properly, and we can’t have it overshadowed by a dress that doesn’t do it justice."

"Huh?" Riona raised an eyebrow.

Thorin flashed a mischievous smile. "We’re taking a little trip to the finest dress shop in town."