Chapter 157 - Masquerade Ball

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Vampire King Apollyon

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Before his Empress had arrived at the ballroom, Apollyon had sat in his throne with his brows knitted in impatience. 

He had stood from his seat, paced and moved about--unable to stay still--before he went back to his throne again.

The moment he saw the double doors opened, his mouth fell open in shock.

His fingers touched his parted lips in an attempt to cover them when he saw the Empress.

Apollyon scrambled from his seat to approach her, but then he stopped in midstride.

The first thing that he saw was the Empress

She had her head bowed down to the ground while she held a crimson wreath on both of her white silk-gloved hands. 

A ginormous Victorian bonnet had obscured her whole head that Apollyon couldn't see her face--much less her large golden eyes. 

Her black velvet bonnet had a wide brim, which made a spreading frame for her small face.

This bonnet was larger than her head.

It also seemed heavier based on the less-than-a-hundred raven feathers adorning the bonnet with the dark laces encircling the brim of her hat.

Apollyon's muscles turned rigid when his gaze skimmed his Empress' evening gown from head-to-toe, not taking his eyes off her. 

Luna had worn a black evening gown, which made him lift a massaging hand to the back of his neck to cool himself from his rising blood pressure.

Don't get him wrong, the Empress' dark evening gown—which was made of expensive fabrics with beautiful embellishments--had exceeded his expectations as everyone who had eyes could see that it suited her.

Apollyon just didn't expect his former virgin Empress scantily clad at the Masquerade Ball, as she had dared to wear such revealing clothing which appeared to be so close to a lingerie/nightgown suited in their bed-chamber and not in front of these Kings. 

It should have been strictly for his eyes only.

Her supposed neckline had reached down into her waist like a perfectly-shaped 'V' made of black ruffles of lace, which also showcased a little cleavage and her under boob while a shining pearl necklace graced her elegant clavicle.

' His Empress hadn't worn a corset or a brassiere.'

He was fine with it if only he was the only man in the vicinity to drink her in with his lascivious gaze, but the Kings were also there with them, which pissed him off.

Apollyon had glared at her seductive upper body with frustration.

Her areolas would invite a man's gaze to fixate on them as they protruded through the dark midnight lace of her bodice.

As if that was a problem in itself, Apollyon didn't miss the ink-black swirls and curlicues of her tattoos gleaming gold every time a beam of light hits them.

It wasn't only that her neck, collarbone, and her chest were exposed, but also her milky white shoulders and upper arms--which had stood out because she had worn all black--were revealed for the Kings' eyes to feast on. 

He was furious at the fact that the Kings could probably imagine themselves touching her there and caressing her skin. 

Apollyon's gaze locked at the full skirts of his wife's gown.

He breathed a sigh of relief that his wife's mile-long legs were covered. 

He just had to think that at least his wife didn't appear naked in front of his visitors compared to what happened at the Acquaintance Affairs.

Narrowing his eyes, Apollyon had noticed that the fabric Luna had worn too thin, and if he squinted enough, he could see that his Empress had worn thigh-stockings underneath.

Luna was really asking for it if she had dared to wear such transparent clothing.

He couldn't believe that his innocent wife would give more fodder for a masculine's imagination. 

Apollyon fought the urge to frown in disapproval and drag her back to the bedchamber where she and that sexy nightgown belonged, but he shook his head instead of doing that.

He had changed his perspective regarding his wife.

He would give her the freedom to choose whatever he wanted to wear.

As Luna's husband, he had already chosen to change his possessive traits, and he was determined to get rid of them if he could.

If he didn't do that yet, he would control his urges.

He should follow through with his consistency despite his wife's dare, which could push him to the edge and might make him lose his iron-clad control. 

Apollyon had aspired to be a gentleman tonight despite the Empress' temptations.

It was necessary to be resolute with the Empress.

The art of knowing how to adapt to his wife's whims was useful when it came to love. 

As if there was a sudden light bulb went on in his head, Apollyon had recalled that he hadn't made his wife come while they were on the road towards the Vampire Castle as they rode Nimbus. 

Perhaps, this was her way to get back at him for not giving it to her when she had practically begged him to come. 

Apollyon knew that Luna meant no harm, and she had a desire to play with him by making him jealous of what he had done to her. 

The Empress had already figured out that Apollyon had edged her on purpose, but if this was her test, Apollyon was determined to pass it.

Luna strolled towards Apollyon, who had stood in the middle of the ballroom. 

As he held his hands loosely behind his back, Apollyon had waited for her to come to him instead of meeting her halfway. 

The ladies from the Consortium followed closely behind her as they crossed the threshold. 

His posture stiffened in place as Luna got closer to him with ease, her strong presence demanding attention. 

Closing his eyes as he took a calming breath, Apollyon tried to appear relaxed.

Still, there was this fluttering feeling inside of his stomach that he just couldn't shake when Luna had stood in front of him as she lifted her chin, peering at him coyly beneath her eyelashes.