Married To The Mad Vampire Lord novel Chapter 316

Chapter 316: Something’s wrong with Angel_Part 1

Belle was left standing in the study with her sister, who lingered at the side, watching her with sharp eyes. It was all Belle could do not to walk straight out on Eve, but she knew the girl had stayed back because she had something in mind.

"I still can’t believe it’s possible for someone to change this much in just a single year and a few months, sister. I wasn’t expecting it at all. Honestly, I was expecting... well, perhaps you could say, I was expecting the worst, judging from how everyone called the man you married mad." Eve tilted her head, her lips curving in a faint smile.

"Your freckles used to be so prominent, and your skin was far too pale in a way that made people talk. But now..." She waved her slender hand dismissively once she caught her elder sister’s attention, her hazel eyes settling blankly on her. "Despite the way you looked before, I still believe you were prettier then than now. What you’re wearing doesn’t suit you in the least." She gave a small laugh. "I only wish you had maintained yourself better over there, sister."

Belle did not say anything at all. In the past, when they used to be invited to gatherings, Eve had always been the queen of fashion, knowing every trending style and happily recommending dresses for her. She would shower Belle with compliments that made her blush and feel pretty, even though Belle knew others didn’t see her that way. Her sister’s opinion had always been enough.

Even when, at an event, Belle realized she was wearing the dullest dress among the ladies, she never complained because Eve was always the light of the gathering, her beauty drawing every eye. Eve’s opinion had mattered more than anyone else’s. But now Belle could finally see what all of that was for.

Her sister had wanted to shine. She had dressed Belle in plain gowns so that beside her brightness, Belle would look dim. Just as light needs shadow to glow brighter, Eve had needed Belle’s dullness to stand out like a star. Belle almost smiled bitterly at the irony of how blind she had been.

When Belle did not speak, her sister continued to say, "I just wanted to know what your life there has truly been like. Is what you told Papa true?" Eve asked curiously, twirling a strand of her smooth blonde hair around her index finger while eyeing her sister, struggling to keep her disdain and displeasure at bay.

"What did I tell him?" Belle asked, brows furrowed.

"About the mad vampire not caring. I mean, it doesn’t make any sense that you would look like this if he were as cold and ruthless as the rumors say he is." Eve prodded subtly, her eyes prying and her body language impatient to fish for answers about her sister’s life in the other land.

"And what exactly are you insinuating, dear sister?" Belle asked, weary and longing to be alone so she could rest her exhausted body and think about the next problem awaiting her in this household that had disappointed her yet again.

"I am only trying to know if all that you are wearing was bought by him, with his money. I saw our servants carrying many trunks into the house from the carriage you rode in. I couldn’t help but be curious. Did he buy you all that?"

Eve did not want to appear resentful with her prodding, she tried not to give away her real intentions, yet she had no idea that her tone could not hide her envy. She had refused the marriage proposal, believing she had escaped a life of misery and had passed it on to her sister. But now, she did not want to believe that she had cheated herself out of something good only to hand it to someone she thought undeserving of it.

It was not as though their parents lacked the money to spoil her, but her spending was limited. She could not even afford the dress her elder sister was wearing now with her allowance.

The gown Belle wore had only recently begun to trend among the high society ladies after their princess had worn it. And just like every other girl, Eve wanted desperately to have one of her own. But she had to save for it slowly, for her father would not grant her such a sum all at once despite how much he pampered her. Yet seeing her sister now, draped in it so casually, and seeing the many trunks brought inside, Eve could not help but believe she had given her sister the better life that should have belonged to her, and cheated herself out of all such luxuries.

Belle was not meant for luxury, she thought bitterly. Belle had always been foolishly content with kind words and simple things. It was Eve who was meant for grandeur and riches.

Belle, who now had more luxury than she had ever asked for, had long grown used to wearing gowns without a thought to how much they cost. But hearing her sister’s words and seeing the way Eve was eyeing her, Belle could almost read the thoughts turning in her mind.

For the first time in her life, she was tempted to boast and flaunt how much her husband had cared for her, how he had bought her things without her even needing to ask. But she knew such pride would win her nothing here except more trouble in this house. So instead, she replied simply,

"No. It was a gift from the Vampire King. Lord Dagon doesn’t care enough to buy me all this."

Belle had thought that by saying so, the jealous gleam would disappear from her sister’s eyes. But Eve did not like that answer any better. Though she tried to hide her reaction, she was not skilled at concealing her feelings, or perhaps Belle had simply grown sharper at reading people than she once had been.

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