Chapter 18 - The letter

I could see him go out through the castle's main gate, following up to his carriage that was already waiting for him outside the Castle. I had a lot of time to think about everything that happened during the time I didn't see him. I didn't sleep right anymore and only fed myself when thanked by my father or my servant. It was the worst pain I'd ever felt, those misses.

The days were all the same. Everything seemed to repeat itself. I ended up running out one afternoon to go to the cabin to see if Phillip was found, but he wasn't there. He sent me letters every day, but I didn't open them. I didn't want to know anything, and I did not answer any of them. He seemed to know that I didn't read the letters because he also sent letters to the King.
My father seemed excited to tell me about each of them. I didn't listen.

It was five days before the wedding when I received a different letter. A servant of the prince, he had become ill. The lyrics weren't his. The letter said that there was a possibility of postponing the marriage if he did not recover.

I was frightened by the idea of a postponement. One question doesn't come to my mind: How could a vampire, an immortal being, get sick? I asked the King for permission to visit him; it was reasonable, for he was my fiancé.

My father said he should go see Phillip's state, not me. I agreed with the King, but I asked him to give me news. Before going, however, the King cordially preferred to send a letter to the prince asking permission to go see him. My father asked if there was any problem with his taking the princess with him.

I spent the night thinking. I couldn't rest to imagine what sickness would have fallen on Phillip. Two days later, the letter finally arrived, to my surprise, in Phillip's letter:

"Dear friend,

I am really sorry for my condition and sorry for not being able to receive it. It's a pity because I'd love to see my beautiful fiancée again. However, I invite you to come anyway, even without being able to see you personally, but at least know my castle.

If possible, bring my lovely bride, knowing that she will be close to me, so that she can at least lessen my loneliness a little.

My royal servant will welcome you and accommodate you.

Tomorrow I'll send a carriage to look for them and make them spend at least one night in my castle.

Philip III"