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The Empress Luna

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"You don't understand why I am angry, wife, but anyway, thanks for your concern." Without any warning, Apollyon lifted her so easily as if she was as light as a feather, and she yelped in surprise, clinging unto her husband for dear life.

With his legs planted wide, Apollyon carried her in a bridal style as he stood up straight.

The Vampire King let the balls of her feet settle firmly to the ground when he put her down.

Luna righted her clothes as she regained her balance.

She knew their cuddle sessions were officially done when the third set had started, and the Masquerade Ball attendees had stood up from their seats meticulously without dragging the legs of their chairs onto the floor.

Luna was amazed at how these ladies and gentlemen practiced the ballroom and dinner etiquette by heart, and the only thing she could be proud of for now was learning the basic dance steps.

These civilized men and women who had a long familiarity with the royal court were way out of her league when, in fact, she was the Empress.

Luna really needed to learn a lot from Apollyon.

Her husband might be perverted, but he was a good teacher who was also good at teaching her some basic etiquette and dance lessons.

Apollyon was not only a warlock who had learned magic by himself through collecting and reading rare and forbidden spellbinding books from all over the Realms.

Well, of course, it made sense that his husband was intelligent.

He was an ancient pureblood vampire for a very long time.

That was one of the perks of being immortal.

You get to know everything from the wisdom and experiences you have acquired through thousands of years.

When the Vampire King had invited her to sit on his lap earlier, she had frozen in her place, standing in front of him.

She was visibly sweating as she nodded 'yes' with reluctance.

Of course, Luna said 'yes' because she was scared that her husband would take it personally if she said 'no.'

Apollyon was a King so easily offended when she turned down his public display of affection.

She challenged herself never to refuse her husband as long as they weren't hurting each other or other people.

He probably wanted others to envy their love for each other—basically, anyone who might care to witness.

It was ironic that her husband had taught her proper decorum, and the next moment, he would pull a stunt like this.

Facepalm.

"The next set is about to start, my beloved." Apollyon returned to his seat, crossed his legs, and reclined at his golden throne placidly as he stared into her eyes with an emotionless gaze that scared her a little. "Go dance while I sit on the throne and sharpen my claws."

"Husband." Straightening her shoulders, Luna glanced down into her husbands' darkening pupils.

Luna sighed as she stroked his husband's hair gently. "Don't add any more deaths on your hands today."

"We'll see, wife." The Vampire King cradled his head in his left hand as he leaned unto his armrest, stretching lazily like a cat. "I will watch over you."

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Luna didn't need to approach the crowd--moping and waiting for a partner to dance with--for the Dragon King had approached her when she hadn't even walked a few steps away from the Vampire King's throne.

Luna had yelped when her body hit a seemingly impenetrable wall, but when she opened her eyes, she figured out it was someone's solid bare chest.

His red silk robes with gilded lining over its edges were slightly open.

She frowned when she glanced upward to his chiseled face.

Rubbing her forehead, Luna realized it was Draco.

She took a step backward and narrowed her eyes at the gigantic man in which the 'Bison-Horn' headpiece he always wore also added to his tall height.

When her husband had given her a blessing to find a dance partner for the Masquerade Ball, Draco was already in front of her the moment she turned.

Chewing her bottom lip, she wanted to ask him, "Why do you want to dance with me so much?" but she kept her mouth shut.

Apollyon had told her about the rules of the Masquerade Ball.

There would be no flirtatious banters and intimate conversations with someone who wasn't her husband.

She will not ask their guests unnecessary questions, and when they asked her about things, she will keep her replies short, polite, and sweet like an Empress should.

Apollyon had been loyal to her while she was gone, so she would also do the same.

"May I have the honor to dance this set with you, Empress?" The Dragon Emperor bowed his head slightly, his long raven hair falling unto his masculine face like curtains.

Luna was fast enough to anticipate his headpiece before it could poke her in the eye.

Draco straightened, and the fiery orange eyes, which appeared like flaming orbs, latched onto hers.

This time, the Dragon Emperor lifted a gauntleted hand in front of her, and she looked over her shoulder to check on Apollyon.

The Vampire King nodded as if he was giving her permission to be with the other man.

He still had his head cradled with one hand as he leaned his elbow on his armrest.

Luna had wondered if he really didn't care if another man took her.

The Vampire King's body had sagged into the chair without any tension, too engrossed at checking his cuticles—err, claws.

As if her husband's indifference had been a signal for Draco, he stepped forward and loomed over her.

Draco cleared his throat as he lifted his hand again, but this time, it was closer to her face.

Watching her like a hawk that had set his eyes on his prey, Draco offered her a cold, calculating look as Luna heard a hint of amusement in his tone. "Is it alright for me to kiss the Empress' hand?"