As he returned from the crypt, a few minutes later, his clothes were clean, and now he seemed different from that Philip who had carried me far over here. He sat on the bed beside me, and I remained static as I needed to assimilate all those scenes of horror. I felt his cold hand around my neck to my chin. He lifted my head, and I knew I would hear his complaint about what happened. Looking into my eyes, he said:
- Your Highness, I'll try to make you understand. You will be my wife soon, but you have belonged to me for a long time. I don't want to delay our marriage much further. You are weak and appear to be sick. I'm taking you to the castle today, and you will not leave until you've recovered. I'll watch you sleep for today.
- How did you find me in the forest? You didn't follow me, I saw, I looked behind and you weren't there! Have you heard my scream? - I spoke in terror.
- I followed you from far, but close enough. I heard you scream, and I ran to help you. I don't want to lose you.
- I thought you hadn't followed me. - I said, lifting me to sit beside him in bed - what happened after you arrived? How did those wolves die? There were many wolves...
- Twenty-one, one entire pack. I just killed them, I needed to protect you - he said, going away from me.
- I'm scared of you ... - I tried to get up, but weakness made me fall sitting - don't want to go back to the castle, I'll sleep here.
- I'll take you to the castle as I said before - he grabbed my wrist strongly.
- You're going to hurt me, I'm scared... You looked like a beast out there! - I said, releasing myself from his hand and getting up from the bed.
- Why? Why are you doing this to me? - he looked at the floor
- And if you turn on the beast like before, can you hurt me?
- I would never hurt you. I can control my powers. I needed them before to protect you. You could become the meal of those wolves.
- You need to give me some answers - I spoke with some authority walking in circles, listening to the creaking of the floorboards - need to know ... what feeds you?
- Blood, but not human blood... from animals like the wolves that I killed - he got his hand up and looked right through me – you are too nervous, I'll answer anything you want to know.
- Why do you want me to get back to the castle? Why can't I sleep here? - I asked him while I kneeled in front of him, and sat on the bed.
- Because I can only protect you at night, if something happens to you during the day, I won't be able to help you. And you are weak, looks like you're ill, and I won't postpone our wedding, so you have to get better.
- I don't understand why you can't help me during the day?
- In my kingdom, I created, with the help of wisdom, protection from sunlight effects, which I don't have here at your father's kingdom. If I go out in the sunlight, I'll turn into dust and die.
- Why are you going to take me back to the castle, but won't stay there? Why couldn't you stay there? - I felt my legs go faint and fell down and sat on the floor.
- I'm going to take you back to the castle; you need to rest. I'll stay with you, watching you sleep till before the sunrise. Then I must go.
He got up and took me in his arms. I fainted.
1.05.2013
Chapter 10 - Other side of Philip
- Your Highness is trying to make me feel guilty about the other night?
- No, I'm trying to talk to Your Highness in a civilized way - I replied, still trying unsuccessfully to release myself from his arms - can you release me, please? Let me go! The king thinks I'm sick and is even considering postponing the wedding, but don't feel bad. Let me go, I have to go back to the castle ...
- You're not well. What do you have? - He said, holding me by the back of my neck so that he could look into my eyes – you are so pale, it seems weak, why do you venture to come to the forest, why didn't you rest?
- I needed to know what had happened to you. I don't need to rest ... - I answered with an ironic tone as I released from him and ran into the woods - ... if you want, you can follow me.
I finished talking and walked quickly to the forest, which now seemed much more frightening and cold in the night. I slowly decreased walking speed when I felt a lack of air and weakness coming back. I saw a pile of dry leaves and sat down to rest on them. After a few minutes alone, I felt a shiver when I heard howls of wolves approaching. I thought about going back to the house, but I couldn't get up; my legs won't respond. I was very tired.
I wasn't believing that I could run to the house, and now I had no strength to escape. I could see the eyes of the wolves away and closed my eyes, because I didn't want to see what would happen to me. Suddenly, I opened my eyes and saw myself surrounded by wolves. Why I wasn't in the house? I looked up and screamed with all the strength I had left, hoping to be heard by someone.
I put my head down and covered it with the scarf; the idea of seeing those wolves devouring me wasn't pleasant. I heard something that resembled a fight among the wolves, and then dead silence. I was afraid to uncover my head, but I was slowly taking off the scarf. The sight was frightening: Philip, standing covered in blood with twenty dead wolves around him. I felt the lack of air was unbearable now. I couldn't breathe.
Philip ran toward me, took me in his arms, which seemed strangely stronger than before, and carried me back to the house. He didn't speak one word. He only tried to smell my hair along the way back. He put me into bed and lit the fire, then he went down to the crypt. The room seemed much more cozy and warm. I cringed, wrapping the scarf around me.
- No, I'm trying to talk to Your Highness in a civilized way - I replied, still trying unsuccessfully to release myself from his arms - can you release me, please? Let me go! The king thinks I'm sick and is even considering postponing the wedding, but don't feel bad. Let me go, I have to go back to the castle ...
- You're not well. What do you have? - He said, holding me by the back of my neck so that he could look into my eyes – you are so pale, it seems weak, why do you venture to come to the forest, why didn't you rest?
- I needed to know what had happened to you. I don't need to rest ... - I answered with an ironic tone as I released from him and ran into the woods - ... if you want, you can follow me.
I finished talking and walked quickly to the forest, which now seemed much more frightening and cold in the night. I slowly decreased walking speed when I felt a lack of air and weakness coming back. I saw a pile of dry leaves and sat down to rest on them. After a few minutes alone, I felt a shiver when I heard howls of wolves approaching. I thought about going back to the house, but I couldn't get up; my legs won't respond. I was very tired.
I wasn't believing that I could run to the house, and now I had no strength to escape. I could see the eyes of the wolves away and closed my eyes, because I didn't want to see what would happen to me. Suddenly, I opened my eyes and saw myself surrounded by wolves. Why I wasn't in the house? I looked up and screamed with all the strength I had left, hoping to be heard by someone.
I put my head down and covered it with the scarf; the idea of seeing those wolves devouring me wasn't pleasant. I heard something that resembled a fight among the wolves, and then dead silence. I was afraid to uncover my head, but I was slowly taking off the scarf. The sight was frightening: Philip, standing covered in blood with twenty dead wolves around him. I felt the lack of air was unbearable now. I couldn't breathe.
Philip ran toward me, took me in his arms, which seemed strangely stronger than before, and carried me back to the house. He didn't speak one word. He only tried to smell my hair along the way back. He put me into bed and lit the fire, then he went down to the crypt. The room seemed much more cozy and warm. I cringed, wrapping the scarf around me.
Chapter 9 - The third date
For several days, the seamstresses came in the morning and left after I chose the latter tissue or tried on the last dress. But on that cold morning, they started bringing the wedding dress, which I would use when I marry, full of details, laces, and ruffles. A princess could not marry in any woman's dress; it would have to be a dress worthy of royalty.
I was still tired in the morning, just as I was four weeks ago, right after the engagement party. But the idea of having one dress like this was simply invigorating. When the day ended, the dress was still not ready, but I could see what it would look like when it was ready. With the door to the room where it was kept slightly open, I admired it. The fear of every scene in earlier days seemed to fade from my mind when I look at such a beautiful vision.
I felt my strength back. How would the ceremony and the party go? What should I expect from my suitor? Doubts have increased my curiosity, and my mind wandered to the house in the forest. I needed to go back there at least once more. It felt like an impetus to get back to that dismal place. Would it still be there? Philip would be expecting me? Could he answer my questions?
I thought no more. I talked to Anna, who was reluctant to let me out, but I insisted. After putting a heavy scarf over my shoulders, she gave me a kiss on the forehead and asked me to return earlier this time, as she feared for my health. I left the castle running, as it was the first time, but it was not so amusing now. I let out my hair, and I could feel the wind on it.
The night fell over the forest, and I found the house as soon as the last ray of sun hid on the horizon. Powerful wind was blowing. I closed the scarf and walked through the door. Everything was dark. I lit a candle that was on the table. I removed the scarf and my shoes. I followed through the trapdoor of the floor, down stairs to the crypt. The air was more humid than last time, and everything looked much darker.
I lit the candles near the stone walls, and I approached from the altar. I pushed the lid with difficulty; I had no more strength. I removed the coffin lid. Philip was sleeping, but he seemed dead. I got very near; I felt the cold coming out of his skin. Approached my face a little more. My heart appeared to be in a hurry. I didn't resist the moment and kissed him lightly on his lips.
He didn't wake up. I turned and went upstairs quickly, closed the trapdoor, and felt again the weakness of before. I was sitting on the bed watching the trapdoor cover as my mind returned to the pictures that terrified me before. I didn't know what to do. I thought: how would it be outside the house? He had said that it didn't exist for anyone else.
I put the scarf over my shoulders and barefoot opened the door. "Philip!" I spoke, scared to see him standing outside the door. "How did you do that?" I asked, trying to regain air - "How could you get out so quickly, coffin and crypt and stop out there? How have I not seen you? "Laying his hand over my mouth to shut me, he replied:" I've told you what I am ... don't you remember that night? Where did you think of going?"
He held me by the waist with one hand, while covering my mouth with the other. Slowly, he withdrew his hand from my mouth. "I was going to see the house outside, you said that only I can see it." I spoke, still breathless, "After a walk through the forest, why do you want to know? You didn't seem to care about me when you left my room that night ... "
- But you were fine after all that? I needed to see you again ... and I think you also need to see me. - He spoke quite close to my ear as I tried to release myself from him.
- No, I wasn't well. The images made it difficult to sleep that night, and I usually sleep with Anna watching me; I can't sleep by myself. But you don't seem to notice, nor indeed feel that I was ill ...
I was still tired in the morning, just as I was four weeks ago, right after the engagement party. But the idea of having one dress like this was simply invigorating. When the day ended, the dress was still not ready, but I could see what it would look like when it was ready. With the door to the room where it was kept slightly open, I admired it. The fear of every scene in earlier days seemed to fade from my mind when I look at such a beautiful vision.
I felt my strength back. How would the ceremony and the party go? What should I expect from my suitor? Doubts have increased my curiosity, and my mind wandered to the house in the forest. I needed to go back there at least once more. It felt like an impetus to get back to that dismal place. Would it still be there? Philip would be expecting me? Could he answer my questions?
I thought no more. I talked to Anna, who was reluctant to let me out, but I insisted. After putting a heavy scarf over my shoulders, she gave me a kiss on the forehead and asked me to return earlier this time, as she feared for my health. I left the castle running, as it was the first time, but it was not so amusing now. I let out my hair, and I could feel the wind on it.
The night fell over the forest, and I found the house as soon as the last ray of sun hid on the horizon. Powerful wind was blowing. I closed the scarf and walked through the door. Everything was dark. I lit a candle that was on the table. I removed the scarf and my shoes. I followed through the trapdoor of the floor, down stairs to the crypt. The air was more humid than last time, and everything looked much darker.
I lit the candles near the stone walls, and I approached from the altar. I pushed the lid with difficulty; I had no more strength. I removed the coffin lid. Philip was sleeping, but he seemed dead. I got very near; I felt the cold coming out of his skin. Approached my face a little more. My heart appeared to be in a hurry. I didn't resist the moment and kissed him lightly on his lips.
He didn't wake up. I turned and went upstairs quickly, closed the trapdoor, and felt again the weakness of before. I was sitting on the bed watching the trapdoor cover as my mind returned to the pictures that terrified me before. I didn't know what to do. I thought: how would it be outside the house? He had said that it didn't exist for anyone else.
I put the scarf over my shoulders and barefoot opened the door. "Philip!" I spoke, scared to see him standing outside the door. "How did you do that?" I asked, trying to regain air - "How could you get out so quickly, coffin and crypt and stop out there? How have I not seen you? "Laying his hand over my mouth to shut me, he replied:" I've told you what I am ... don't you remember that night? Where did you think of going?"
He held me by the waist with one hand, while covering my mouth with the other. Slowly, he withdrew his hand from my mouth. "I was going to see the house outside, you said that only I can see it." I spoke, still breathless, "After a walk through the forest, why do you want to know? You didn't seem to care about me when you left my room that night ... "
- But you were fine after all that? I needed to see you again ... and I think you also need to see me. - He spoke quite close to my ear as I tried to release myself from him.
- No, I wasn't well. The images made it difficult to sleep that night, and I usually sleep with Anna watching me; I can't sleep by myself. But you don't seem to notice, nor indeed feel that I was ill ...
Chapter 8 - The days after
The few hours of sleep were enough time to bring to my mind the most terrifying images of Philip, my future husband. The horrifying scene of his horse carriage is still vivid in my mind. Just hours after finally getting to sleep, I was awakened by my maid, Anna.
I felt a certain weakness; my movements were slow this morning, and I went down the stairs leisurely. Anna complained because of it, informing me that my father was waiting for breakfast in the morning, and wondering if I had exceeded the amount of wine in the evening above. "Your Highness, you do know, you can't drink?"
I was pale and tired. What happened to me? Why was I feeling this way? As I sat at the table, I heard my father say, "My daughter is sick?" Fear ran through my skin like a shudder, and I said, “No, Dad, I think it's just tiredness from the party yesterday.” I was afraid that he would discover some of the previous night's events, because a princess can't be seen sneaking out through the castle's halls, much less invading the room of a noble, the way I had done the night before.
I looked around and realized that Philip wasn't sitting at the table with us. "Where's the prince, Daddy?" I asked myself if I could still see him in the castle that morning, but my thoughts were still confused by the maze of horror scenes, added to the tranquil scene, the prince asleep when I entered his room, hidden in the middle of the night.
I took only an apple and a glass of water. Everything seemed sickening that morning. While the king stood up and walked to the window, he spoke in a soft voice: "He left before sunrise; he must have some important appointment today." Then the king turned to Anna and ordered her to take care of me. He would travel too; he had some commitments in a province and would take several days to return.
Looking quite worried about my health this morning, the king warned everyone that the castle should avoid any activity during those days while he was distant because he feared that something would happen to me during my stay. Anna warned that soon the court seamstresses would come to make the princess's wedding trousseau.
He spoke like I wasn't even in the room, and suddenly I felt a stronger dizziness and decided to go upstairs to my chamber, wondering what to do in the following weeks in which Philip and my father were distant from me. Still confused, I lay in my bed and fell asleep.
The days that followed were silent in the castle, which seemed empty. I barely left my room. I barely got out of bed. Anna started to think that I was really sick, but I just felt the fatigue caused by the fear and horror of those scenes from the day of the party. "The seamstresses are here," was the only thing that came out of Anna's mouth with the power to make me get out of bed.
I felt a certain weakness; my movements were slow this morning, and I went down the stairs leisurely. Anna complained because of it, informing me that my father was waiting for breakfast in the morning, and wondering if I had exceeded the amount of wine in the evening above. "Your Highness, you do know, you can't drink?"
I was pale and tired. What happened to me? Why was I feeling this way? As I sat at the table, I heard my father say, "My daughter is sick?" Fear ran through my skin like a shudder, and I said, “No, Dad, I think it's just tiredness from the party yesterday.” I was afraid that he would discover some of the previous night's events, because a princess can't be seen sneaking out through the castle's halls, much less invading the room of a noble, the way I had done the night before.
I looked around and realized that Philip wasn't sitting at the table with us. "Where's the prince, Daddy?" I asked myself if I could still see him in the castle that morning, but my thoughts were still confused by the maze of horror scenes, added to the tranquil scene, the prince asleep when I entered his room, hidden in the middle of the night.
I took only an apple and a glass of water. Everything seemed sickening that morning. While the king stood up and walked to the window, he spoke in a soft voice: "He left before sunrise; he must have some important appointment today." Then the king turned to Anna and ordered her to take care of me. He would travel too; he had some commitments in a province and would take several days to return.
Looking quite worried about my health this morning, the king warned everyone that the castle should avoid any activity during those days while he was distant because he feared that something would happen to me during my stay. Anna warned that soon the court seamstresses would come to make the princess's wedding trousseau.
He spoke like I wasn't even in the room, and suddenly I felt a stronger dizziness and decided to go upstairs to my chamber, wondering what to do in the following weeks in which Philip and my father were distant from me. Still confused, I lay in my bed and fell asleep.
The days that followed were silent in the castle, which seemed empty. I barely left my room. I barely got out of bed. Anna started to think that I was really sick, but I just felt the fatigue caused by the fear and horror of those scenes from the day of the party. "The seamstresses are here," was the only thing that came out of Anna's mouth with the power to make me get out of bed.
Chapter 7 - At dawn
I am sneaking into his room without him opening his eyes. Admire he sleeping was already looking at a piece of paradise. How could he be so beautiful? My eyes roamed all over his body, his head to his feet, through the partially open shirt showing a small part of his chest, and even the black hair. Lying, sleeping peacefully. I locked the door behind me. Dared to approach the bed silently.
I was so distracted by that sight that I didn't notice when he opened his eyes. "What are you doing here?" He asked, rising quickly from bed and walking towards me. "Your highness, I didn't mean to wake you." And just thinking aloud: "How perfect you are!" After a sigh, I took courage to ask: "Your Highness is really a vampire, as you told me? I would like you to show me what a vampire really is, because I still don't believe. "
He went back to his bed and lay down on his back, completely covered with a gesture he told me to leave. I turned and walked out, staggering to the door. "What are you feeling, princess?" He asked when he realized I wasn't walking straight. When I tried to unlock the door, I felt a lack of air and fell down, but he stood up and grabbed me before I touched the ground. "Was it the wine? I haven't seen you drink tonight. What do you have?" He said with a worried tone while he carried me and placed me on his bed.
"I don't want to talk. You don't want to show me and prove to me that you're really a vampire. Let me leave. I must go to my chamber. I never knew a vampire and don't know how they were, I just heard some tales about them without many details."I tried to get up, but I didn't have the strength to do this.
"Do you want to see the beast? Doesn't care about my word? Alright, I never want to show you that, but... maybe you don't even remember these images tomorrow morning."He held me against the bed and put his hand in my mouth. I could see when his eyes turn red as blood and his teeth grow to seem like a foret beast. I thought: "This is real!" Then I feel my lips tingling under his cold hand. I closed my eyes, couldn't bear any more.
After a few minutes, he released my body and pulled me by the back of my head to sit. "You aren't well. What happened? Why are you sick?" he asked, worried.
"It must be fear. You frightened me. Can I go back to my room now?"I stood up slowly and fell again on the floor. Once again, he carried me in his arms. "You will not be able to get back to your room." Carrying me silently through the corridors, he put me on my bed and turned toward the door.
"Don't go!"I asked him almost without sound. He answered with a brief wave of his hand, then I could see the door slamming behind him. The whole night I passed sleepless, when I closed my eyes, I saw the horse's eyes while he ate the rat, or Phillip turning into a beast. When the sun rose, I finally got some sleep.
I was so distracted by that sight that I didn't notice when he opened his eyes. "What are you doing here?" He asked, rising quickly from bed and walking towards me. "Your highness, I didn't mean to wake you." And just thinking aloud: "How perfect you are!" After a sigh, I took courage to ask: "Your Highness is really a vampire, as you told me? I would like you to show me what a vampire really is, because I still don't believe. "
He went back to his bed and lay down on his back, completely covered with a gesture he told me to leave. I turned and walked out, staggering to the door. "What are you feeling, princess?" He asked when he realized I wasn't walking straight. When I tried to unlock the door, I felt a lack of air and fell down, but he stood up and grabbed me before I touched the ground. "Was it the wine? I haven't seen you drink tonight. What do you have?" He said with a worried tone while he carried me and placed me on his bed.
"I don't want to talk. You don't want to show me and prove to me that you're really a vampire. Let me leave. I must go to my chamber. I never knew a vampire and don't know how they were, I just heard some tales about them without many details."I tried to get up, but I didn't have the strength to do this.
"Do you want to see the beast? Doesn't care about my word? Alright, I never want to show you that, but... maybe you don't even remember these images tomorrow morning."He held me against the bed and put his hand in my mouth. I could see when his eyes turn red as blood and his teeth grow to seem like a foret beast. I thought: "This is real!" Then I feel my lips tingling under his cold hand. I closed my eyes, couldn't bear any more.
After a few minutes, he released my body and pulled me by the back of my head to sit. "You aren't well. What happened? Why are you sick?" he asked, worried.
"It must be fear. You frightened me. Can I go back to my room now?"I stood up slowly and fell again on the floor. Once again, he carried me in his arms. "You will not be able to get back to your room." Carrying me silently through the corridors, he put me on my bed and turned toward the door.
"Don't go!"I asked him almost without sound. He answered with a brief wave of his hand, then I could see the door slamming behind him. The whole night I passed sleepless, when I closed my eyes, I saw the horse's eyes while he ate the rat, or Phillip turning into a beast. When the sun rose, I finally got some sleep.
1.04.2013
Chapter 6 - The engagement
I took one of the glasses, and Phillip took the other. I could see when he quickly turned his glass of wine, drinking it all in one gulp. I felt dizzy and preferred not to drink. We left the library and went to the ballroom. From the top of the staircase adorned with flowers that went all through the great room, where everyone was dancing, eating, and drinking. There was much joy in the air, but I was just confused and not cheerful.
I gave the glass of wine to the hand of one servant who served the guests. I was a little pale and scared by my recent discovery. Phillip went to my father and waved for me to go in his direction. I crossed the hall toward my father and Phillip. Before I could reach them, Phillip pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, knelt down before me, in front of my father, and opening the handkerchief – there was an engagement ring with a big diamond – asked: "Your Highness, would you marry me?" I saw my father's support when he put his hand on Phillip's shoulder, with his gesture of approval, and stared at me, waiting for the answer.
I took a deep breath because now everyone was looking at us, and the ballroom, so full of sound, was now silent. I coldly replied: "Of course, if it is the will of my father." A smile of joy on the king's face arose, and Phillip quickly stood up to put that beautiful diamond ring on my finger.
After dinner and several toasts, I was so dizzy and confused with everything that I didn't drink even a drop of wine – all the nobility gradually left, and those who were left retreated to the guest rooms. The prince was going to sleep that night in the castle and also went to his room. I headed to my room just before my father said goodbye to everyone.
I was too frightened and confused and couldn't sleep at all. I walked through the castle's halls. I knew that I wouldn't need to go back to that house tonight. He was there. Sleeping in one of the guest rooms. Anna found me and took me back to my room. "Your Highness must rest. You can't get away tonight." I asked her in which room my fiancé was. "Your Highness, don't do anything wrong. Tomorrow you will see him at breakfast. Calm yourself," But I needed to know, and Anna helped me with my curiosity.
I waited till all the sounds were gone in the castle. When I was sure that everyone slept, I walked through the corridors toward the room where Phillip was sleeping.
I gave the glass of wine to the hand of one servant who served the guests. I was a little pale and scared by my recent discovery. Phillip went to my father and waved for me to go in his direction. I crossed the hall toward my father and Phillip. Before I could reach them, Phillip pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, knelt down before me, in front of my father, and opening the handkerchief – there was an engagement ring with a big diamond – asked: "Your Highness, would you marry me?" I saw my father's support when he put his hand on Phillip's shoulder, with his gesture of approval, and stared at me, waiting for the answer.
I took a deep breath because now everyone was looking at us, and the ballroom, so full of sound, was now silent. I coldly replied: "Of course, if it is the will of my father." A smile of joy on the king's face arose, and Phillip quickly stood up to put that beautiful diamond ring on my finger.
After dinner and several toasts, I was so dizzy and confused with everything that I didn't drink even a drop of wine – all the nobility gradually left, and those who were left retreated to the guest rooms. The prince was going to sleep that night in the castle and also went to his room. I headed to my room just before my father said goodbye to everyone.
I was too frightened and confused and couldn't sleep at all. I walked through the castle's halls. I knew that I wouldn't need to go back to that house tonight. He was there. Sleeping in one of the guest rooms. Anna found me and took me back to my room. "Your Highness must rest. You can't get away tonight." I asked her in which room my fiancé was. "Your Highness, don't do anything wrong. Tomorrow you will see him at breakfast. Calm yourself," But I needed to know, and Anna helped me with my curiosity.
I waited till all the sounds were gone in the castle. When I was sure that everyone slept, I walked through the corridors toward the room where Phillip was sleeping.
Chapter 5 - The meeting
I ran to the toilet and washed my face. I had to stop sweating and shaking. Anna knocked on my door and told me my father called me. I went to meet him, but not in the ballroom. He was waiting for me in another castle's living room. "Daughter, as I wish you no longer surprised and as your fiancé asked me, he would like to speak with you alone initially. I left him waiting for you at the library. I'll be in the other room with the guests. I hope you don't take too long."
I hurried to the door and through the library door, but I didn't see the prince. I looked at one chair with its back turned to the entrance and heard a strong voice, like a lion speaks: "Why are you shaking? Are you afraid of me?"Again, I felt a shiver, and now I could hear my heart beating louder.
The library was dark. Only a few candles illuminate the room. I couldn't see his face when he got up from his chair, but that voice... I felt I had heard it before, but where and when? I walked slowly towards him as he came toward me. I was going to yell cause I recognized him, but he quickly clamped my mouth with his icy hand, holding me against him with the other hand.
"Stay calm. Try to breathe. You can't scream or will have to explain to the king what you're doing while he sleeps, or why his little daughter was sleeping in the woods for the last two nights." He said it with a sarcastic tone.
I was angry, but he was right. And seeing my maid Anna being punished could break my heart. I stopped trying to fight him to let me. He was releasing me slowly. "You can ask." He said as I took another step back. "Who are you? Or what are you? Why were you at that crypt last night? What do you want from me?" Questions came almost in a whisper. Nobody could hear.
"Let's introduce ourselves first. My name is Phillip III. Many years ago, my parents built a kingdom of sorrow and death, far away from here. But that's not what you want to know. I always wanted you." He said, taking a step towards me. "That vault is my refuge where I hide when I come to your father's kingdom, and though you have found the house, it doesn't exist; only you can see it."
"Are you what I think you are? A vampire?" I said, taking another step back. "I'm a night being or a vampire, just how you prefer to call. But I don't want you to be afraid of me. Know that I can't hurt you." He said Coming even near me.
Anna knocked, and after I let her in, she opened the door. With a tray and two glasses of wine in hand, she said, "Your Highnesses are being awaited in the main hall. The king is calling. "
I hurried to the door and through the library door, but I didn't see the prince. I looked at one chair with its back turned to the entrance and heard a strong voice, like a lion speaks: "Why are you shaking? Are you afraid of me?"Again, I felt a shiver, and now I could hear my heart beating louder.
The library was dark. Only a few candles illuminate the room. I couldn't see his face when he got up from his chair, but that voice... I felt I had heard it before, but where and when? I walked slowly towards him as he came toward me. I was going to yell cause I recognized him, but he quickly clamped my mouth with his icy hand, holding me against him with the other hand.
"Stay calm. Try to breathe. You can't scream or will have to explain to the king what you're doing while he sleeps, or why his little daughter was sleeping in the woods for the last two nights." He said it with a sarcastic tone.
I was angry, but he was right. And seeing my maid Anna being punished could break my heart. I stopped trying to fight him to let me. He was releasing me slowly. "You can ask." He said as I took another step back. "Who are you? Or what are you? Why were you at that crypt last night? What do you want from me?" Questions came almost in a whisper. Nobody could hear.
"Let's introduce ourselves first. My name is Phillip III. Many years ago, my parents built a kingdom of sorrow and death, far away from here. But that's not what you want to know. I always wanted you." He said, taking a step towards me. "That vault is my refuge where I hide when I come to your father's kingdom, and though you have found the house, it doesn't exist; only you can see it."
"Are you what I think you are? A vampire?" I said, taking another step back. "I'm a night being or a vampire, just how you prefer to call. But I don't want you to be afraid of me. Know that I can't hurt you." He said Coming even near me.
Anna knocked, and after I let her in, she opened the door. With a tray and two glasses of wine in hand, she said, "Your Highnesses are being awaited in the main hall. The king is calling. "
Chapter 4 - Back to routine
I woke up the next morning in my bed at the castle. I jumped out of bed when I saw Anna coming in through the door: "You told me that you would arrive later today. Where is your overcoat?" I had a strong desire to tell the whole story to her, but she could be scared and would not let me go back there. I didn't know if I really wanted to go back to that house. I answered Anna simply: "I missed my room; not everything is beautiful beyond the castle's gates."
After I changed, I went to have breakfast with my dad. I found that my plans to return to the old little house in the middle of the forest would be postponed because the king planned an engagement party. All the nobility and my suitor would be there tonight. He would talk about the alliance before I met him.
That's the reason for the floral ornaments and all the beautiful decorations in the castle's ballroom. "A dinner, Dad? Why didn't you tell me yesterday? What should I wear?" He smiled because he was happy with my concern about what to wear. "The seamstresses came yesterday, and they will come back again today to help you with the dress." He was less worried than the first time we talked about the arranged marriage.
I spent part of the morning in my room thinking, wanting to go back to that crypt and maybe have the courage to talk to that handsome creature. But I felt fear, and today I had enough commitments. I couldn't leave after the engagement, because if the king wanted to talk to me later, I had to be there. That was very risky.
The seamstresses arrived mid-afternoon. I wore a beautiful gown in pink satin, full of ribbons and jewels. I looked like a real princess. But my thoughts turned to the marriage. What if my suitor were an old, ugly, and paunchy man? How could I, in my seventeen-year-old, marry someone so much older?
It was hard not to think of this sort of thing. The king didn't give me details about my suitor. A prince from a faraway kingdom was the only thing I knew. What disturbed me most was not having my mother to talk about these things. How would it be to marry someone? I should have someone to talk about this with.
The evening fell, and I could see the great movement of carriages coming from my window. I could leave my room only when the king called me, just as tradition dictated. So there I sat, ready and just enjoying the lights and nobility coming through the front door, from my window. I saw a black carriage coming up with four beautiful black horses, and I saw someone jumping from the carriage by a servant. "Was he the prince? He looked younger than I thought. But at this distance..."
With my eyes, I followed the carriage and saw when it was placed behind the castle, apart from the rest. "Strange," I thought. One of the horses looked up, and I saw its eyes like red flames. My heartbeat was faster and louder, and I began to tremble. It was not an ordinary horse. I got even more terrified when the horse snatched and ate a rat, licking the blood that had drained through the floor.
After I changed, I went to have breakfast with my dad. I found that my plans to return to the old little house in the middle of the forest would be postponed because the king planned an engagement party. All the nobility and my suitor would be there tonight. He would talk about the alliance before I met him.
That's the reason for the floral ornaments and all the beautiful decorations in the castle's ballroom. "A dinner, Dad? Why didn't you tell me yesterday? What should I wear?" He smiled because he was happy with my concern about what to wear. "The seamstresses came yesterday, and they will come back again today to help you with the dress." He was less worried than the first time we talked about the arranged marriage.
I spent part of the morning in my room thinking, wanting to go back to that crypt and maybe have the courage to talk to that handsome creature. But I felt fear, and today I had enough commitments. I couldn't leave after the engagement, because if the king wanted to talk to me later, I had to be there. That was very risky.
The seamstresses arrived mid-afternoon. I wore a beautiful gown in pink satin, full of ribbons and jewels. I looked like a real princess. But my thoughts turned to the marriage. What if my suitor were an old, ugly, and paunchy man? How could I, in my seventeen-year-old, marry someone so much older?
It was hard not to think of this sort of thing. The king didn't give me details about my suitor. A prince from a faraway kingdom was the only thing I knew. What disturbed me most was not having my mother to talk about these things. How would it be to marry someone? I should have someone to talk about this with.
The evening fell, and I could see the great movement of carriages coming from my window. I could leave my room only when the king called me, just as tradition dictated. So there I sat, ready and just enjoying the lights and nobility coming through the front door, from my window. I saw a black carriage coming up with four beautiful black horses, and I saw someone jumping from the carriage by a servant. "Was he the prince? He looked younger than I thought. But at this distance..."
With my eyes, I followed the carriage and saw when it was placed behind the castle, apart from the rest. "Strange," I thought. One of the horses looked up, and I saw its eyes like red flames. My heartbeat was faster and louder, and I began to tremble. It was not an ordinary horse. I got even more terrified when the horse snatched and ate a rat, licking the blood that had drained through the floor.
1.02.2013
Chapter 3 - Dream or Reality
Anna, my personal maid, came to call me for breakfast. She asked if I had managed to rest for at least a few hours. I said yes with a gesture. I came downstairs to meet my father for the day's first meal. My father started to speak about the marriage again. I didn't want to argue or couldn't. Everyone must obey the king's orders.
My mind flew all day because of the previous night's events, and despite the daily chores, visiting the seamstresses to increase my wardrobe, following the gardener in the garden to pick the most beautiful flowers, at least this is what my father allowed me to do, choosing flowers to display in the rooms of the castle, and finally a visit from my tutor. I had classes every day, classes in history, geography, arts... almost all subjects... the daughter of a king should know everything.
However, I couldn't make my own choices. I must accept the choices made by others in my life. At dinner, the king again brought up the subject of marriage, only informing me that I wouldn't know my suitor until the day of the ceremony. I put my head down in agreement and asked permission to go to my chamber.
Anna was already waiting for me with my overcoat and followed me down the stairs and through the facilities of the servants. She asked me to be cautious, lest anyone notice my absence. "Take care also with the evils and beasts that lurk among the trees; the king will decapitate me if he discovers that I'm helping you or something worse happens," she whispered as she opened the funds' exit door.
I asked her only to help me because I wanted to arrive a little later in the morning. She said only: "Caution! It will rain tonight. House up until tomorrow."
I ran again, barefoot, through and out of the castle gates. I just needed to go back to the same place: "The little house where I slept last night." When I got to the little dusty house, I had a scary feeling because it seemed that someone had changed the bed sheets where I slept. "I think it should not be abandoned as well." But where was the owner? Why didn't they show up last night?
My curiosity overcame my fear. I tried the trapdoor in the same place it was in my dream. Under the old carpet near the couch. It was late when I went downstairs. It was all the same as I had dreamed the night before. Arriving at the crypt below the house, I saw the altar. I removed its cap, a lot heavier than in my dream, and then I saw the coffin. "I opened it! Where is the creature?"
Suddenly, I felt as if someone was inside that place. I trembled, but it wasn't cold. Turning slowly, I saw the same creature that was in my dream, the one that was lying inside the coffin. Standing behind me and staring at me the same way he had done in my dream. I had to maintain control. Would he kill me?
I couldn't escape, as he was blocking the passage to the stairs. I approached slowly, trying to escape. I felt a shiver go through my body when he stood in front of me faster than the blink of an eye. "What are you doing in my house?" The air was so thick that I could hardly breathe. He grabbed my arms, and I could feel his cold hands. "Answer me! What are you doing here?" Almost without a voice, I murmured: "I had a dream last night... this crypt and all that is in it were also in the dream..." Before I continued, I fainted.
Chapter 2 - Dreams
While I slept deeply, I had a strange dream. Scary indeed. I dreamed that the cottage floor had a trapdoor, which descended a ladder. Below the cottage, the ladder led to a dark crypt whose air was dense, and there was sparse lighting made only by candles placed around an altar. Everything there seemed better organized within the crypt than in the cottage above. Even the candles were in silver polished candlesticks. All was loud and tidy. Someone had recently been there, just to do the cleaning.
Approaching the altar, which was made of polished dark granite, I could see that there was nothing on it, but something was hidden under the lid. I got closer slowly and pushed the heavy lid. Inside, I could see a coffin. Hidden within what seemed an altar was a coffin beautifully adorned. If a coffin can be beautiful! My courage and my curiosity in the dream were bigger than I would have if I had been awake. I opened the coffin to see if someone was there. I saw a handsome man, approximately 20 years old. He looked dead, his eyes were black, his skin too pale, but he was so beautiful. I touched his forehead, getting closer to see if it was cold, like people say the dead are. Yes! It was very cold.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, staring at me sharply, like he was waiting for me. I woke up scared and sweaty because of that scary look. The sun had invaded the little cottage through the torn curtains. When I woke up, I felt so hungry that I decided not to check the cottage's floor. I would check later whether there was a trapdoor on the floor. Now I had to return to the castle so no one would notice my absence.
When I arrived, everyone was still asleep. Even the king, who had the habit of waking up early, was still in his chambers. I climbed the stairs, avoiding making any noise. Only Anna was awake and waiting for me at my chamber door. "I thought that Your Highness would never return. Where did you sleep last night?" she whispered sleepily. As a maid, she was very curious about my life, but as she helped, I told her about the race and the little cottage, but I didn't mention anything about the dream.
She looked like a curious teenager, asking me to tell her every detail, and I said that nothing exciting happened. I just watched the sunset in the woods. She prepared my bath. After bathing, I tried to sleep, but pictures of that vivid dream from last night could not leave my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about everything that happened. Who was that creature? Why a crypt hidden inside the woods?
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