Hellbound With You (WN)

The throne room was quiet. All eyes swung over and were fully trained on no one else but Alicia the moment they entered through the doors. But the atmosphere was not heavy.

Alicia had already sensed this since the moment they had arrived at the castle and most especially as they passed through the corridors. The vampires had just dropped their gazes and gave respective bows the moment they saw them. At first, Alicia thought that their reactions were only because of seeing their prince, Ezekiel after a long time. But right now, she felt like that it was not the case anymore. Everyone seemed to be giving her the same respect they were giving to Ezekiel!

It was just so unnerving and unexpected. She had in fact, readied herself to be the target of countless stares that were full of hatred and resentment. So for her to be receiving such looks that were full of respect and adoration as though they were looking at their own prince, was truly shocking to her.

And now, not only the common vampires acted that way but also everyone else who was in attendance in the throne hall, the entire Reign family and even the highest officials. Alicia felt like they were looking up to her. As if she was not just a woman their prince was going to marry.

She could not help but remember the prophetess' reaction last night as well when she had laid eyes on her. Alicia had felt that there was something off with the way the priestess had looked at her. As though there were something else that only she did not know about. Think as she might, she could not figure what it was though. And she did not mention anything about it either. But now, she was genuinely curious as to why she was getting this unexpected treatment.

She also wondered if this was because that they did not know she was a former witch and a witch queen at that. But still…

"Meet my bride-to-be, Alicia." Ezekiel's voice echoed out authoritatively and everyone naturally came forward to greet her. All of them were beyond respectful and even looked kind of amazed, as though they were looking at and being in the presence of someone great.

Somehow, as time passed by, Alicia felt that she was being treated like this not only because she was going to be Ezekiel's wife but there was a deeper and more important reasoning to it all. However, what on earth could the reason be? She still could not figure it out.

The talks that went on were formal and quick. The officials mainly congratulated them. The king and queen and the princesses expressed their greetings and blessings to the couple.

After that, Ezekiel had gone on to mention about the wedding. As planned, the both of them agreed with the already existing arrangement for the grand wedding and were fine with it being so fancy.

Later, the queen had asked Zeke to bring Alicia to the room where her wedding dress was waiting for her. They had to make sure she at least tries it out once to see if it was a perfect fit for her.

On their way there, Alicia finally asked. "Ezekiel… I hope that I am not the only one who is feeling that everyone is treating me like…" her eyebrows furrowed for a moment before releasing it, "…like I'm someone equal to you in terms of position or something, right?"

He regarded her with a slack expression.

"I was wondering about how long will you be able to keep your curiosity at bay, Alicia." he murmured. He did not smile but his eyes were dancing as they looked at her. He knew her well. He had expected that she would be almost ready to burst with the way she was curious about so many things and just had unending questions that she could throw at him all day.

Alicia playfully narrowed her eyes at him. "If I were you, I would start explaining now or else…" she mock threatened him.

"Or else?" he leaned in closer to her. His tone low and serious, but somehow it still managed to come across as suggestive to her. A wave of goosebumps prickled over her skin as she let his voice wash over her. But her eyes twinkled mischievously before the ends of her lips curled up.

"Or else…" Alicia tipped her chin up and reached out for Zeke's necktie. She fixed it with a gentle and calm manner like any good wife would. The vampires who were around, secretly peeked at them, wondering what it was that the couple were doing.

Alicia gently pulled on his necktie and then whispered. "… no kisses for you tonight, my prince."

He then caught his lower lip between his teeth as her warm breath brushed across his earlobes. Alicia then gave him a challenging smirk.

"Any type of kisses," she added, and Ezekiel nodded amusingly, looking like he was pretty impressed at the way Alicia was blackmailing him and the way she looked completely confident that her blackmail would one hundred percent work.

Releasing his lips slowly, Ezekiel glanced around them. The vampires and even humans who were secretly eavesdropping and peeking at the couple immediately turned away and pretending to be busy with whatever that they were doing.

Ezekiel leaned forward and pressed his lips against her earlobe. "That's cruel of you, Alicia. You know I can no longer last a few hours without eating at your mouth." He teased lazily, a smile curling over those thin and sexy lips.

Alicia choked before falling into a coughing fit, all the while looking around. Her face was now bright red with embarrassment while Zeke nonchalantly straightened his back. His expression was now back to the completely neutral one.

"Come on. I'll explain in the fitting room." He casually added as he started walking again with that usually straight face of his.