The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 84: Ballroom

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Ballroom

Grace shot Edith a suspicious look before saying coldly,

"You better be."

Standing beside them, Lilith crossed her arms and said,

"Let’s go. We’ll be late if we keep wasting time."

Zara gave a slight nod. In the next moment, a pair of black wings unfurled behind her, their glow subtle but majestic.

Time passed in silence as they flew. Eventually, Zara’s eyes landed on the grand silhouette of the castle below. As they touched down at the gates, a man with neatly combed black hair stepped forward. He bowed respectfully.

"Welcome, Princesses. The King is waiting in the dining hall."

Lilith gave him a brief nod, and he silently disappeared into the shadows.

Without a word, Lilith smiled and slipped her hand into Zara’s arm. Grace followed suit, linking arms on the other side.

A soft smile bloomed on Zara’s lips. Surrounded by the two of them, she walked gracefully toward the dining room,

As they entered the room, a long grand table came into view. The entire Nightmoor family was already seated.

At the head of the table sat Lucien. The moment his gaze fell on Zara, he quickly looked away, irritation flickering in his eyes.

Seris, seated beside him, offered Zara a small wave and a gentle smile. On Lucien’s right, Nyssa sat with a smug smirk, giving Zara a slight nod of acknowledgment.

Lilith gently squeezed Zara’s hand, leading her toward four empty chairs prepared near the center. Zara took the middle seat, with her wives sitting protectively on either side. Edith quietly settled next to Lilith.

Seeing all his daughters finally gathered, Lucien gave a casual wave of his hand.

Immediately, maids entered one after another, placing exquisite dishes on the table in practiced silence.

Without looking at anyone in particular, Lucien glanced at Zara and said flatly,

"Eat first. We’ll head to the ball afterward."

Then he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, not even reaching for a spoon.

Zara blinked in surprise.

What’s going on with him? Isn’t he usually irritated just by looking at me?

She hesitated, then slowly picked up her spoon, dipping it into the soup. Just as she raised it to her lips, Lilith’s eyes widened.

"Zara—!" Lilith reached out to stop her, but it was too late. Zara had already parted her lips and taken a sip.

Lilith sighed and closed her eyes, frustration washing over her.

Zara tilted her head, confused. There was no flavor—then, without warning, a foul, revolting taste exploded in her mouth.

"Agh—! Agh, what—"She quickly grabbed a napkin, wiping her mouth in panic.

A tiny smile tugged at Lucien’s lips as he finally reached for his own dish—only to push it onto the maid’s trolley without taking a single bite.

maid bow and walk toward other family members

One by one, the other Nightmoor sisters followed his lead, silently placing their untouched food away.

Seris smirked, glancing sideways at Nyssa, who also wore a faint, knowing smile.

’Wow... our husband can be this sly? I didn’t know he had this side to him.’

She stifled a giggle behind her hand and gracefully placed her untouched dish onto the maid’s trolley as well.

Zara, still dabbing her mouth with a napkin, winced.

What was that horrible taste? Ugh... disgusting!

Just then, Grace’s eyes lit up with a mischievous gleam. Without hesitation, she unfastened the top button of her collar and gently climbed onto Zara’s lap.

Zara looked up at her in confusion, but her body moved on instinct. Her lips found Grace’s neck, and she bit down softly.

A burst of rich, sweet flavor filled her mouth—soothing, addictive, intoxicating. Zara’s eyes fluttered slightly as she drank, the awful taste from earlier vanishing completely.

Grace tilted her head back, eyes fixed on the ceiling as she bit her lip, barely holding back the moan threatening to escape. Her breathing quickened, but she remained silent.

"Ahem."

Lilith, who had also raised a hand to unfasten her own collar, frowned slightly and lowered it, saying nothing—but her gaze lingered on Zara with unreadable intensity.

At the head of the table, Lucien’s jaw tightened. His hands clenched into fists beneath the tablecloth, and he quickly looked away, eyes narrowing.

On the opposite side of the long table, Rose leaned closer to Thalia and whispered,"Psst, Thalia."

Thalia turned her head slightly."Hm?"

Rose leaned in and whispered again, voice hushed but excited,"Our father just lost. This is the first time I’ve seen him lose."

Thalia tilted her head, visibly confused."Lose? We’re sitting at a dining table, not in a duel."

Rose sighed dramatically and rested her forehead in her hand."Wow... my sister can be this clueless."

Meanwhile, Edith—seated beside Lilith—was practically glowing. Her eyes sparkled as she watched the intimate scene between Zara and Grace, a soft giggle escaping her lips. Her toes swung happily under the table.

Lucien, who had clearly seen enough, stood up abruptly, irritation flaring in his voice."We’re going to the ball. Now."

Zara, finally pulling away from Grace’s neck, licked a faint trace of sweetness from her lips and hugged Grace tightly.

Then she turned to Lilith, confused."Lilith... what was that disgusting taste earlier?"

Lilith smiled gently, brushing a lock of Zara’s hair behind her ear."Darling, you do remember we’re vampires, right? We can’t eat human food."

Zara blinked, then frowned slightly."Then why serve food at all?"

Lilith chuckled softly."It’s a strange old tradition. Our ancestors—especially the progenitors and noble houses—used to believe that meals symbolized power and civility. So even if we don’t eat, food is always presented at formal dinners. It’s custom, not function."

Zara leaned back with a sigh, still holding Grace in her arms."That’s the dumbest tradition I’ve ever heard."

After the entire Nightmoor family stood and began making their way out of the dining hall, Claire paused, glancing back at Lilith.

"Let’s go, Lilith. Father’s already ahead."

Lilith nodded gracefully as she rose from her seat."Okay, Sister."

She turned toward Zara—only to find her still seated, Grace curled contentedly in her lap like a spoiled cat.

Zara glanced down at Grace, who was smiling sweetly, clearly in no rush to move.

Leaning close, Zara nibbled playfully on her ear. A soft moan escaped Grace’s lips before Zara whispered,"You can sit in my lap whenever you want, dear... but right now, it’s time to go."

Grace’s eyes sparkled with joy. She gave an eager nod and quickly stood up, her cheeks flushed with color.

Lilith’s eyes narrowed. She crossed her arms and shot Zara a sharp glare.

Zara blinked in surprise at the sudden coldness, then quickly turned her head toward Lilith, raising her hands in surrender."And—and Lilith can also sit on my lap anytime she wants!"

The tension cracked.

Lilith’s lips curled into a pleased smile, and she nodded approvingly."Good."

Zara’s lips twitched the moment she saw Lilith’s satisfied nod.She really takes her privileges seriously, Zara thought with a quiet sigh.

Moments later, in front of the grand ballroom doors, Zara stood proudly with her wives on either side. Lilith held her left arm, Grace clung to her right, both glowing with elegance and poise.

A tall vampire dressed in ceremonial garb stood before the grand doors. Upon seeing them approach, he straightened and announced in a clear, commanding voice:

"Lady Zara Caesar and her wives—Lilith Nightmoor and Grace Nightmoor—have arrived!"

With a thunderous creak, the massive doors swung open.

Inside, the ballroom was already alive with nobles—men and women in regal attire, each holding a crystal goblet filled with thick, red blood. Their laughter died, and all eyes turned toward the entrance.

Dozens of gazes locked onto Zara and her wives.

A hush spread like wildfire.

Confused murmurs buzzed among the guests. One man in a black suit narrowed his eyes at the trio, his expression riddled with disbelief.

What? How is this possible? The king daughters... married? Not just one, but two?

Gasps filled the room.

Whispers broke out like ripples in a pond:

"Did you know about this?""Is it true? married two Nightmoor daughters?"

At the head of the grand ballroom, upon a throne carved from obsidian, Lucien sat with one arm resting on his chin.

His black eyes scanned the room with quiet dominance. Beside him, seated with regal grace on twin thrones, were Seris and Nyssa—the queens of the Nightmoor family.

"Silence," Lucien commanded coldly.

The nobles immediately fell quiet, their whispers dying.

Lucien’s gaze drifted to Zara, who stood tall amidst the suffocating stares and murmurs. Despite the attention, her expression remained calm—unbothered,

So... she has a strong mentality, at least. I’ll give her that much, Lucien thought to himself. But still... not nearly good enough for my precious daughters.

He rose from his throne, his voice steady and cold as it echoed across the marble walls.

"As you can all see, my two daughters have married. And because this union is with a member of the progenitor family, I hereby declare Zara Caesar to be a Marquis of the Progenitor Houses."

The declaration struck the hall like a thunderclap.

From the cluster of noble families, Grand Duke Leon clenched his jaw tightly. A vein pulsed at his temple.

Impossible... How can this girl—suddenly become a Progenitor-ranked Marquis?

His hands balled into fists, nails digging into his palms.

Zara blinked in confusion, her head tilting slightly.

"W-What?" she muttered under her breath, stunned.

Progenitor house? I didn’t agree to that! What even is that supposed to mean?

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