Her sharp gaze somehow fell her in nervousness. Regaining her usual state, Queen Mother continued with a hint of authority in her tongue,

" Athena, I'm your mother. Whatever I'm doing, it is because of your own sake."

She stepped forward and continued gazing at her perplexed face deeply,

" Zave is my loyal subordinate. Moreover in this few years, he has achieved powers over the prominent ministers in the court. They all admire his ability. After getting married with you, Aaron will definitely appoint him as a minister in the court. Moreover he won't dare to betray you because of his low status than us."

She squeezed her hand gently and added with assurance,

" You will be happy with him Athena, believe me. "

Athena laughed suddenly and responded with mockery and pain,

" Happiness?? You are talking about happiness to me, mother? "

Queen Mother's face sank as she left her hand before looking through her pain filled eyes. Athena continued pestering a bitter smile in her lips,

" You killed my happiness seven years ago with your own hands, mother. Which happiness you want to give me now? Can you bring me back my happiness?"

Athena sighed loudly before turning around and spoke looking at the stone cold woman whose ruthless had destroyed her own happiness once,

" Stop being so unreasonable mother. You have become old, not the young blissful queen anymore. When will you realise that you should stop controlling your children's life at least now? They have grown up and can choose their own happiness."

Queen Mother parted her lips to say something but interrupted by Athena's words again,

" There is no way that I'm going to agree with your selfish proposal. All you are thinking about controlling brother by marrying me off to Zave. Moreover I don't like that trash person at all. So forget the idea of my marriage."

She lifted up her head haughtily and said again,

" You want to lock me up here, I'm okay with that. But I'm not marrying him, never. "

Queen Mother was fuming in anger.She never expected that Athena would turn down her proposal without thinking twice. At least she should have considered her proposal being her biological daughter. Thus her anger was boiling inside her more.

She took a step ahead before grabbing her arm and replied harshly,

" I have had enough of your recklessness, Athena. Whether you agree or not, you are marrying Zave and it's final."

After saying her final words, she turned around and walked out hastily whereas Athena shouted from behind " Never mother.. No.. I won't marry him ever.. I won't.. "

Meanwhile,

IN MOONSHINE CASTLE,

After listening Esme's request of visiting outside together, Aaron was exceptionally in good mood and ordered Jasper to arrange everything as soon as possible. As for the place, he kept it secret and urged Esme to be prepared fast as it would take few hours to arrive at the discerned place.

At the same time, Esme returned to her usual appearance and forced herself to forget about the cave momentarily. Although she just made up an excuse for distracting Aaron, his excited face ignited her emotions too. Thus she also showed interest of their outing together for the first time personally.

She chose a maroon colored short sleeved, round collared gown with a light fabric works on it. The gown was fitted in her body giving her off an aura of pure and elegant appearance. She applied light makeup in her face and left all the ornaments except a round crystalline band around her forehead.Her silky long hairs were hanging down in both sides made her appearance like an young princess from fairy tale.

She saw her reflection in the mirror one last time before deciding to walk out. Just then, Aaron pushed open the door to check upon his wife but left stunned after opening it. He wore his usual black attire like the renowned vampire king and didn't change his appearance except his hairs seemed more glimmering than before.

His eyes fell on the alluring beauty who was fixing her gown at that moment as the desire suddenly aroused across his mind. She seemed so pure and innocent even from the back side that he couldn't help but wanted to devour this beauty right now here.

Letting out a smirk, he suggested cunningly approaching near her slowly,

" Let me help you, wifey. You are taking too much time."

But this time, Esme was more alerted. She clearly remembered that what he had done last time and made her embarrassed to death in front of Queen Mother. Thus she jumped off far away him and denied scrutinising her eyes,

" No need, no need. I can handle it by myself. I'm finished almost."

A flash of disappointment surfaced his face as he pouted slightly.

She has turned very smart ! huh!

After caressing her hairs one last time, she walked towards him finally and urged,

" Let's go. "

Aaron smiled as he stretched out his arm shamelessly and ordered,

" Sure. Hold me then."

Esme rolled her eyes but still held it without arguing. Aaron smiled with satisfaction as the couple led downstairs chatting and laughing occasionally.

As they reached downstairs in the castle, Esme discovered the most unexpected person and instantly her earlier beaming face replaced with a downcast one. Even Aaron was surprised for a moment. Before he could spit out his words, Vanessa knelt down in front of them and burst into a mourning tone,

" My Lord, please forgive me. I.. I know that I was wrong and overstepped my boundary. I apologise to you and Lady sincerely."

She continued hanging down her head,

" I.. I can't live without your forgiveness, my Lord. Please.. please give me one last chance. I.. I just want to stay as your loyal servant in the castle..sob sob.. "

Esme was stunned at her sudden apologise and glanced at Aaron blankly. Aaron's face darkened more as he ordered coldly,

" Get away from our path, Vanessa. "

But Vanessa was persistent. She couldn't return to her room without being successful. Thus she shook her head vigorously and spoke in a remorsing tone,

" No, my lord unless you forgive this sinful soul, I won't get up from here. Please think about our previous days in the past, my lord. How can you be so ruthless over me? We have spent a lot of time together. My father had helped you so much to win against the werewolves. How can you forget everything because of my one mistake? "

Vanessa purposely chose some ambiguous words to ignite Esme and mentioned that how much she helped Aaron. In reality, it made Esme uncomfortable in her heart and a sting of jealousy coursed through her mind unknowingly. Her words seemed like needles in her heart as she kept staring at her kneeling figure coldly.

Aaron was annoyed over her approach thus he spit out angrily,

" Then keep kneeling here. I have no time to hear your nonsense anymore."

With his words, he pulled out Esme from there and swiftly walked past her figure. Vanessa was dumbfounded at his behaviour and stared at their retreating back from the corner of her eyes. She vowed inwardly,

" I will be here definitely unless you forgive me Aaron. Vanessa isn't so easy to deal with."

She smirked before adding,

" It seems like you have never known me."

The Eastern Part Of Silver City,

Queen Mother was going towards a remote area along with a maid only.The more her carriage moved ahead, it was becoming inhabited. Without following any guards around, it didn't attract attention from the passerby.

After some moments, it stopped in front of a dense forest as she stepped out quickly. Taking a sharp gaze around, she ordered the maid to stay inside the castle whereas she headed inside the forest alone.

The thirsty snarling of vampires started spreading out throughout the forest as she reached at the half broken castle in a speed of light. Without taking any permission, she stepped in and saw the beasty vampires sucking blood from deers.

With her sudden appearance, the vampires diverted their eyes from the collarbone of the deers to her way. They somehow was surprised to see her figure and wanted to roar at her.

But quickly stopped when they saw their leader getting up from his seat and walked towards her way.

The leader was a masculine man around 6 feet tall and a firm body. His skin had several scratches and had a scary face which could horrify a normal mortal easily. His face was enough to identify him as vampire. Except him everyone around him was busy in sucking blood as if they were thirsty for decades.

The leader bowed his head slightly as he spoke in his cold tone,

" After a long time, Queen Mother. What made you come to visit this despicable fellow?"

Queen Mother hummed coldly before throwing him a letter and ordered with attitude,

" Read it first."

The leader furrowed his eyebrows before opening the letter and read it attentively. After finishing, he looked up and spoke with disbelief,

" Second Prince Ethan?"

Queen Mother nodded as she heard him continuing in a fearful tone,

" But I happen to hear that he is very powerful more than his elder brother. The battle might be tough."

Queen Mother shrugged her shoulder nonchalantly and ordered,

" That's not my concern.I have never seen him before personally.Finish him off tonight. I don't like to keep a debt."

The leader nodded with understanding as he spoke with a smirk,

" Rest assured! When did we ever disappoint you, Queen Mother!"