Page 53 of Their Blood Queen
I know why I’m valuable, and it’s not old family wealth. The first thing he asked about was my red hair. Whether or not he knows I’m originally from a village doesn’t truly matter. In fact, it might be why he was so interested in me in the first place.
The gene pool when it comes to Elite families has become… slim. The practical thing to do would be to dip into the cultivated selections from the villages. But it’s frowned upon to take a bride from that sort of social status. It’s not just because such a bride would be reserved for a potential monster match—it’s the training.
I’ve spent the majority of my life learning how to sit exactly as I sit now. My back is slightly arched, my shoulders are rolled back, and I keep my eyelashes low as I size up the Earl.
I know how to speak.
I know how to dance—both literally and figuratively.
I know how to play the game.
His smile grows until his eyes sparkle. “I wouldn’t imagine so, Lady Scarlett. Champagne is from the old world, but it’s still made in one of the other Elite cities. Or perhaps one of their villages. I didn’t ask the details the last time I spoke to my overseas contact.”
“Oh,” I say. Taking the glass, I inspect the contents just to give myself something to do.
Earl Rinhold just disclosed an entire lump of information I don’t quite know what to do with.
While I know that other Elite cities exist, I’ve never had the opportunity to communicate with one. My family was originally from the Industrial Sector. We had no business with high trade such as working with another city.
But the Rinholds, of course, have contacts everywhere.
The champagne in my hand is just another indicator of Earl Rinhold’s wealth and status. I know he’s testing me, but I’m not sure what terms will allow me to win. If he’s expecting me to be as cultured as he is, I’ve already lost.
But if he simply wanted a cultured bride, he would have chosen one of the many Ladies who would do anything to become his bride. The Rinholds are one of the families in line for the Immortality Sector any year now.
Deciding to trust my instincts, I place the edge of my glass on my lips. I match Earl Rinhold’s gaze as I tip it far enough back to taste the contents.
I can’t help it. My eyelashes flutter with appreciation as the fizzy liquid hits my tongue. A subtle splash of flavors lingers in my mouth as I indulge in the taste.
It’s a mixture of sweet and bitter, ending with a distinct note of peach that feels slightly out of place. But I figure it’s best not to comment on that.
The peach addition might not even be real.
I’m learning the subtle signs of when my night terrors are attempting to come out to play. I clamp them down as best I can because I absolutely cannot handle any nightmare nonsense today.
“Don’t let the nightmares control you.”
I won’t, Mother.
“Delicious,” I tell him honestly. I blush when I see his gaze has settled on my lips. He lingers there before glancing up at my eyes again.
“I’m sure it is,” he says, giving me one of those too-charming grins again before he peeks out the window of the carriage.
Is he flirting with me again?
I don’t know why I’m surprised by the idea of Earl Rinhold flirting with me. But it’s more than that. He somehow makes me feel special and desirable.
This feels more like a seduction.
And so what if the most powerful eligible bachelor of the Magic Sector wants to seduce me? Maybe that’s not a bad thing.
I’m not sure why the rumors portrayed him in such a horrible light. He doesn’t seem at all like the cruel playboy he was painted out to be.
Maybe they’re just jealous of his status and ability to buy whatever he wants, like delicious champagne.
And he is very good-looking.
I find myself admiring him as I appreciate his handsome features. He’s a little too perfect, but I can spot the flaws that make him human if I search hard enough.
