To His Hell and Back
Chapter 39: A Seat at the Devil’s Table

Chapter 39: A Seat at the Devil’s Table

When Arabella nervously lifted her head to look at the vampires in the vast dining table, she found herself being peered by the bright red pairs of eyes that only made her feel smaller in place. She felt the need to hide behind Cassius but oddly, she didn’t need to do so as Cassius’s broad back had engulfed the attention that was poured on her.

"What is the meaning of this, Cassius?!" The loud shriek came from the same woman who had pulled her out of Cassius’s room and warned her about the dangers of staying by Cassius’s side.

Queen Morgana had changed her dress to a new one, this time blinding that even the bright glass chandelier behind her seemed to pale in comparison to the number of shiny pearls that had brightened her from up her head to down her shoes.

She sneakily glanced at Cassius who seemed overjoyed seeing his stepmother’s feather ruffled at the sight of her, the measly human pet, who was following him.

Opposite to his step mother was his sister by blood, Princess Marissa who she had also seen earlier, her face colored in shock as if she had seen a ghost.

"Cassius, you have lost your mind," called his sister with a frown. She then shifted her gaze toward her and she gulped, fearing that she would be the catalyst of some bloodbath as they all seemed to be ready to bite each other’s throat, especially Cassius who was all smile. He seemed to be extremely happy to see that everyone was in a chaotic mood, disagreeing with her presence while he seemed to remain still.

She quickly whispered, "I should take my leave-" As she turned her wrist was caught by Cassius’s large hands. He had managed to pin her in place without really hurting her wrists, making her to struggle to escape as she had leaned her entire body weight to her back, struggling by running and shaking his unmoving hands.

God! He was planning to kill her tonight, isn’t he?!

Was this his way of showing his annoyance because she had met Queen Morgana without his permission? He didn’t explicitly show it but after seeing Cassius for the past few days, she learned his dislike for having his pet being touched or being seen as an amusement for any other.

Now that reminds her of the broken golden birdcage inside his room. It was broken and of no use, it wasn’t pretty as a decoration either considering he always keeps his furniture so neat and controlled, and he didn’t have any birds to house in that cage. The fact he held on to it made her think there was something ...more to it. Something important.

It felt like it didn’t belong, but at the same time, like it couldn’t be thrown away.

"Cassius," Queen Morgana spoke up with her knitted eyebrows, "Bringing a measly human into the dining hall isn’t something someone of your stature should do. Don’t you remember? Every Thursday is a family dinner, it’s not something an outsider should attend, especially in our sacred and important time."

He chuckled, pulling his smile wide as his white fangs gleamed, "I don’t quite understand what you mean, step mother. I think it’s no secret that I treat all my pets as my family, isn’t it the more reason why she should be here?" He then pulled her over to the dining table while Queen Morgana watched this and finally snapped.

She slammed her hand hard on the table and raised her voice, "Stop! Stop this foolishness! Get her out of here, Jayce now!"

Jayce, the poor butler who had just served the silverware was stunned. He turned his eyes just briefly toward the Crown Prince and when he met the brighter red eyes, the poor butler could only drop his head down, unsure what he should do. He was being kept between a rock and a hard place, where if he disobeyed the Queen he would die being punished but if he touched whatever the Crown Prince claimed as his own, his head would roll here at this right second.

Cassius’s tone was smooth, almost disarmingly casual as if he were discussing the weather instead of a chilling truth. "Stepmother, do stop terrorizing poor Jayce. The last butler didn’t last long, thanks to me. If you keep offering them up for sacrifices, we’ll run out of willing workers. A castle as grand as ours doesn’t run itself, you know."

His crimson eyes shifted to Jayce, who stood motionless with his head bowed, a silent figure who knew better than to react. Cassius’s lips curved into a faint smile, but the words that followed were razor-sharp. "See? Jayce knows his place. Unlike certain others, he understands the consequences of laying a hand on what belongs to me without permission."

Arabella’s eyes darted between Cassius and the butler, unease twisting in her chest. He leaned back in his chair, a picture of regal ease, while his words carried the weight of unspoken menace.

As Cassius settled, Arabella hesitated, unsure where to sit. Memories of yesterday in the carriage resurfaced, a warning ringing in her ears. He had told her, quite pointedly, not to sit in certain places as she’s his pet.

Did that mean the floor? She glanced at him, searching for a hint, but his gaze remained on her, expectant and unreadable.

Seeing Cassius who was so ready to challenge her authority, Queen Morgana had almost exploded in her place as she yelled, "This is not a jest, Cassius! Order that pet to leave this place now!"

"Now now step mother," Cassius’s eyes flickered, "Do you really think you could ever come to demand me?" The traces of his smile suddenly faded from his lips, leaving nothing but a deadly glare on Queen Morgana who had flinched in return.

She hardened her face, not wanting to show the fear that had crossed her mind as she would rather choose death than be looked down upon by Cassius.

When Queen Morgana flinched under Cassius’s glare, the King, who seemed to have kept his silence on purpose finally spoke. His voice was low, each word deliberate, carrying the weight of unquestionable authority.

"Enough."

The single word echoed through the hall, silencing even the faintest whispers. Morgana quickly schooled her features into a mask of calm, but the tremor in her fingers betrayed her unease.

His crimson gaze turned to Cassius, stern and ice cold. "Cassius, a pet, no matter how treasured, does not sit with its master at the table. You know this."

Bella couldn’t properly take a look at the King’s face though she could tell he resembled Cassius a little, his tone was rather very bleak, unlike Cassius’s tone which was always filled with dark delight as he wanted to enjoy others’ sufferings.

She wondered, if Queen Morgana harbored such an intense desire to see Cassius dead, what kind of man, what kind of unimaginable darkness, could lie within the one who had played a part in bringing him into this world? The King, silent and domineering at the head of the table, was a figure carved from shadows and power. There was an impenetrable stillness to him, a cold detachment that seemed capable of swallowing even Cassius’s relentless fire.

Cassius’s smirk flickered, though only for a moment. "A pet, Father?" His voice was smooth, almost amused, as he leaned back in his chair. "I prefer to think of her as... more than that. You know how I treat my pet preciously, don’t you? Mother has always taught me that pets are part of the family and tonight is a family’s dinner."

The King’s eyebrows seemed to have twitched at the mention of his late Queen.

She could see how Cassius’s lips curled higher seeing the subtle crack on his father’s cold demeanor.

Cassius’s lips curled higher, sensing the impact of his carefully chosen words. "Surely, Father," he continued smoothly, his tone laced with feigned innocence, "you wouldn’t want me to dishonor Mother’s teachings. She always believed in keeping those we cherish close. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Rattled, Queen Morgana jumped on her words, "Your Majesty!" but seeing the raised hand that came from the King, she immediately bit down her lips angrily to silence herself.

The room felt heavier, as though the air itself braced for the King’s response. The vampires around the table remained still, their crimson eyes darting between father and son. Even Queen Morgana’s sharp tongue fell silent, her lips pressing into a thin line as she studied the King’s reaction.

The King’s gaze shifted to Arabella, who stiffened under the weight of his piercing red eyes. She felt exposed, as though he could see every nerve, every tremor of her heart. His gaze lingered for a moment while studying her before returning to Cassius.

"Do not invoke your mother to justify defiance," the King said at last, his tone quiet but snappy. "Your actions, as Crown Prince, are your own responsibility. And your choices—" his gaze flicked back to Arabella, and it was cold, "—should not blur the line between authority and sentiment."

Cassius’s smirk remained, but there was a gleam of challenge in his eyes. "Of course, Father. I merely thought it important to uphold the principles she valued. But rest assured, every choice I make is with a full understanding of my position."

The King leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. "See that it remains so," he warned his voice a quiet rumble. Then, with a glance toward Queen Morgana, who seemed ready to speak, he added, "And let this serve as a reminder to all that Cassius is the Crown Prince. His actions are not open to interruption. Not by anyone."

Queen Morgana’s jaw tightened, her lips twitching with unspoken frustration, but she bowed her head slightly. "Of course, Your Majesty," she said, her fingers tightening in a sharp fist that had drawn blood from her palm.

The King reclined back in his chair, his expression once again unreadable. "Now," he said, his voice a calm command, "let us dine. And leave the theatrics for another time."