The room is suddenly filled with whispers and some are taking a glance at them.
Mr. Luciano cleared his throat, a signal to them that they have to quiet down and they straighten their back on their seats.
"It's for your own good, Ruella." Her father said with a firm voice.
She loved her father despite of his unfair treatment, but not in this moment. He's been nothing but harsh, and it hurts her.
Rue lips formed a smirk in annoyance, and let a small laugh.
"We already live in 21st century. Isn't too old fashion?" She managed to asked with a playful smile, not minding all ears are listening.
She took another glass of wine but her thirst haven't decrease at all.
Her father look at her intently, he leaned back on his chair.
"I'm doing this to maintain the heritage and our blood." His voice sounded like he's already losing his patience.
Every rank of vampire are forbidden to mate with other rank, in order to maintain their blood and power.
Whoever violate it, both of them will suffer in blood thirst for over 300 years of their lifespan.
While Rue is having a staring competition with her father. Demitri, the man in front of her, took a glance at her.
'They haven't told her yet? This is time consuming.' The man slowly shook his head as he took a sip on his glass.
"I'm not marrying anyone." Rue said with determination on her voice, she stood up on her seat.
"Sit down!" Her father roared. His voice filled with authority and anger.
Everyone inside the room gasped in horror, including her stepmother and brother. Fear and anxious can be seen with their faces.
But she didn't even flinch.
'I can't take it anymore.' Demetri stood up from his sit and went behind her with a speed.
Everyone once again gets surprised by his sudden movement. The Saviene looks at him with a wide open eyes.
"Let me talk to her sir. Please excuse us" Demitri bowed and hold her hand.
She look at her with narrowed eyes and gets speechless by his sudden appearance for a second.
"What the-" But before she could finish her words, he already pulled her outside with him in just a speed of second.
Everyone in the room is dumfounded at what they had witnessed.
"I really like your son for her, Alaric." Mr. Luciano smiled while staring at the door that they exited.
He's referring to the father of Saviene family, Alaric Saviene.
"I'm sorry for his rudeness." Alaric said, but Luciano just chuckled and told everyone to resume the occasion.
And everyone in the room started eating and talking like nothing happened.
On the other hand, he brought her to the balcony to make her cool with the fresh air. Even it's already morning, the weather is still gloomy.
Rue tried to take off her hand from his but he just hold his grip tightly. He's securely holding her as if she would runaway.
"What do you think you're doing?" Rue asked in annoyance.
Demitri didn't respond, he's just staring at her.
"After you dragged me here, you'll just stare at me?" She said with a furrowed eyebrows.
He took a deep breath.
"You really don't know what's going on?" He said with irritated voice, his eyebrows meet in the middle.
"Do I look like I have a clue? And will you let go of my hand or else." Rue said threatening him, she's already losing her patience.
"Or else?" His voice sounded bored yet irritated.
Rue didn't waste a time, she immediately twisted her hand that he's holding and hold his wrist, then pull him closer to push his chest with a force using her free hand. That made him loosen his grip to her. She managed to do it despite of her wearing a long fitted gown.
It's one of the self defense she learnt being a secret detective. Rue smirks as she look at him straight in the eye.
He suddenly vanished. Rue didn't move on her spot and uses her keen of sense to feel his presence.
'And now we're using vampire's power?' She uttered on her mind and she smirks even more.
When she turn around, as expected he is standing there. She gave him punch but he dodge it. He tried to push her to just near the edge of the balcony. But she uses her vampire strength to twist his wrist behind his back and pushed him instead.
"Game over." She said with a smile of victory on her lips.
"You're getting strong huh." He said, even he's facing the air and the high edge below, he still managed to smirk.
When she saw his smirk, she pushed him even more.
"Alright. You win." He said surrendering but the smirk is still on his face.
She rolled her eyes. But she still loosen her grip on him.
They have a good relationship since they're young, Danna, him and her. They're called "Trio Royals" since they're royal blooded with high rank family at their clan. Their ranks are based on the powers they possess.
"Where are you going?" He asked when she saw her walking away. While he's fixing his wrinkled tuxedo.
"I don't want to marry you, I'll talk to father to cancel the engagement." She said with determination on her voice.
He looks at her intently. "You think he will just agree with you?" He said with a mocking smile.
Rue stares at him for a second. "There's nothing wrong on trying, I might convince him." She tried to reason out.
He looks at her as if she said a joke.
Rue suddenly fall into a thought, what would be her excuse just not marry him. Her father might made the idea of marriage as the consequence of her action.
She took a heavy sigh and lastly look away. "Don't look at me like that." She said hopelessly.
"I tried to stop them, but it didn't work." He said as he leans on the side of the balcony.
She took a glance at him. "It's already a good thing that you're also against it." She commented while nodding her head.
His eyebrows furrowed as he looks at her.
"Still not a valid reason to stop it." He said while his arms crossed over his chest.
She rolled her eyes at him with his response. And they fall into a silence, thinking of any valid reason to be an excuse or something.
"I can run away again and hide." She suddenly said as she took a glance at him.
He shook his head. "He can still find you." He said without looking at her.
"It's because he has a track on me." She rolled her eyes.
"He made this decision for you not to runaway again." He then looks at her with disapproval.
She glares at him in annoyance. But she can't deny the fact the he's right. But she won't let her father decide for her just like that for her.