Chapter 44 - Another Interjection

Before I answered, we heard a knock on the door. It was Anna. I had to try the wedding dress one last time, and she came to pick me up to do that. I got up in a hurry. I asked for permission from the prince and followed my servant to the room where two seamstresses and other maids were already.

I wore the wedding dress that looked slightly wider, but nothing that small last-minute adjustments could not solve. Wearing the dress for the last time, before the wedding, made me cry. After tomorrow, I'd say goodbye to my kingdom. From my childhood and my whole life up there. 

Luke entered the room, taking me out of my thoughts, saying he wanted to talk to me, but he quickly shut up and looked astonished at me.

- What happened, Luke? What is more urgent than my wedding preparations? - I spoke acid.

- I can wait. Your Highness will change, and maybe you can take a walk with your childhood friend in the garden? - he spoke, sounding more like an order than a suggestion.

- Yeah, but get out now so I can change my clothes, please. - I answered roughly.

He's gone. My servant helped me put on my blue dress. I left the room, closing the door behind me. I went to the garden, it was almost lunchtime, but I asked the king to allow me a little delay so that I could talk to Luke. In the garden, Luke was waiting for me on the bench where I used to sit, while I was waiting for those sad days.

- Talk to me, my friend.- I said in a hurry

- Tell me that Your Highness will not continue with this madness! -  he said, advancing towards me, taking my hands.

I was already impatient and angry with his insistence.

- You really wish to marry a creature of darkness, which can not give you a future or heirs! Does the king know what he's going to do? - he seemed anxious.

- Luke, I love Phillip. I know what you feel for me, but I want you to respect my feelings for my fiancé. Nothing will make me change my mind!

- But what's your life going to be like? How can he live in an eternal night? - And the heirs?

- I've talked to him. He can give me children, but it's not something I want right now. He won’t live in darkness. In his kingdom, there is a spell, and we have already seen a sunset together. - I replied assertively.

- So I can't have any more hope? - he asked desolate, lowering his head and staring at the ground.

- I have you as a brother, Luke. But that's all. My heart is his.

I realized that it had been a long time, and we probably missed lunch. The king would get angry.

- I have to go back, I need to eat, I’m hungry. - I almost whispered.

We went back into the palace, and the dining room was already empty; everyone had already had lunch. I asked Anna to bring something for me to lunch in my room.

When I got to my room, I noticed a shadow near the window. There was my prince. But his expression was angry.

- Why weren't you at lunch today? Your father said you'd be late, but you didn't go, and I saw you get out of the castle. What is more important than your health? - I clearly noticed the irritation in his voice

- Luke called me to talk. - I spoke, holding my breath – it seemed important.

Phillip, who was with his fists closed, struck the wall next to the window.

- What did he want? What else does he want? - he spoke with rage in his tone

I walked quickly to him and hugged him, resting my head on his chest.

- He thought he'd still be able to convince me to give up the marriage.

A knock at the door interrupted us. It was Anna bringing a tray with lunch. The smell made me salivate. I took the tray and asked her not to let anyone interrupt me, because I wanted to eat quietly. I put the tray on the table next to the window and sat in the chair in front of the table. I asked Phillip to sit down.

- I need to eat. My dress needed adjustments. I don't want any further adjustments, no further postponements. - I spoke with a smile on my face.

- How? But you said you were talking to Luke about giving up...

- He wanted me to give up, but I asked him to respect my decision and that my heart was yours! - I looked at him as he spoke, taking with a fork a portion of food in my mouth. I was actually hungry. But Phillip's eyes froze on mine, and he looked hungrier than I was.

- Your Highness told him that? - he whispered

- With these words, my love. - I supplemented by putting another splash in my mouth. - Is there any other preparation we have forgotten for tomorrow? I asked, completely changing the focus of the conversation, deliberately, without Phillip's eyes diverting from me.

- How did the princess call me? - asked, looking confused.

- We're alone, you know my feelings for you, I won't call my prince for your title anymore. For now, I'll call you my love.

Phillip got up from his chair and kneeled in front of me at a speed that made me sick. Before I could proceed with my meal, he kissed my lips gently and spoke almost in a murmur:

- Please repeat, my princess. - Before he spoke again, I repeated:

- I won't call you, Your Highness, anymore when we're alone. My prince, alone, you will always be my love.- I used a sweet tone in my voice.

He pulled me to him and filled my lips with kisses. We're standing. He seemed to be in some sort of trance. We intercalated kisses with tight hugs that cut my breath. I could feel every curve of his body and his muscles under the clothes. Then he walked away and said:

- I see my beloved bride at dinner. Please don't be late. It'll be our last meal as singles.

I sat down again, finished my meal, and lay down to rest. At dinner time, I was awakened by Anna, who quickly helped me so that I was clean and beautiful to come down on time.

Chapter 43 - The eve

Tomorrow would be the big day. I woke up very late. The sun's rays did not enter my window, as the heavy curtains were completely closed. I knew it was late, for I heard the sound of the carts of merchants coming to the palace. The chariots with the banquet and an absurd amount of flowers.

I opened a small piece of the curtain. I remember I fell asleep with Phillip in my room. Where was he? I opened the door, and the guards were standing outside. Where was he? I went to the bathroom and took a nice hot bath. I still felt some pain from the weakness before, but I was better, and the hot water helped. I called Ane, who helped me get dressed. I put on a beautiful blue dress. I left the room next to my servant. We went to the dining room where I could see Phillip sitting next to the king at the tip of the breakfast table.

I stopped breathing. How? The daylight! I looked around, and all the curtains and windows of the palace were completely closed. The sun didn't come in for a moment. The king called me with a handshake, and I went to him. He pointed me to sit on his right, and Phillip was on his left.

- Good morning, Your Majesty, Your Highness. - I spoke while I sat down 

- How's my daughter? Are you better today? - The King spoke, putting his hand on mine. - I thought you would be much better, but maybe we should postpone tomorrow's event a little bit more.

- No! - I answered quickly and maybe a little loudly, making a lot of eyes in the room turn to me. I could notice the look with the malicious smile on my fiancé's face. - I'm fine! I will only feed and rest for today, Your Majesty; it will be enough.

- A few months ago, the princess didn't want that day to come, but now she seems to be anxious for tomorrow. - Phillip said with a huge smile on his lips.

I was quietly staring at my food while I was eating. I preferred not to answer, as I had just finished my meal. I asked for permission and went out to the library. I entered in silence, took a book, and sat in the chair in front of a completely closed window. This time I was able to read. It seems that having some answers to my questions helped my mind get out of the previous anxiety.

- I can give you more answers! - I heard Phillip's voice as he entered the library's door and walked towards me, sitting in the chair beside me, but I also wanted an answer.

- This looks fair enough! - I said without taking my eyes off the book. - You may ask me what you want to know.

- You told me you were falling in love with me. Your father told me about the conversation you two had when you came back to see me. May I ask what Your Highness feels about me? - he spoke by taking the book out of my hands and closing it – but I want you to answer me by looking into my eyes.

- Yes, I'm completely in love with you, Phillip! - I answered, looking into his eyes and bringing my face closer to his. - You protect me, and you seem to want to take care of a stubborn girl like me, so... I hope that's the answer you're looking for.

He lay down on his armchair and looked straight at me.

- Can you leave this book, please? - he spoke after a few moments.

- We can talk, but anyone can come here and listen to us. - I said quietly

He got up quickly and, almost like a shadow, went to the door, turned the key to lock, and sat back in his chair.

- Now we'll have a little more privacy. What else did you want to know about vampires? - he asked, taking the book from my hand and throwing it over a distant table.

- What... what was that? How did you lock the door? How the book went... - I spoke more whispering than talking, shaking.

- Vampires are perfect hunters. Speed is natural, hard to control, and strength, and precision too. - But I don't want you to be afraid of my abilities; they will only serve me to take care of you and protect you.

He approached his face to mine as he spoke, with his lips almost touching mine. And in a whisper, he added:

- I love you, my princess! - he ended the sentence by giving me a slight kiss that quickly turned into a deeper kiss.

When we backed away to take our breath, I asked:

- How do you know you'll never hurt me? - The question came out like an arrow that quickly hit Phillip. He stepped away, got up from his chair, and started walking from side to side of the library.

- In fact, there are some instincts that I can't control, but most of them I can control. There's a constant desire to bite you and taste your blood, but all this time we've been together, I've managed to control it. Apparently, being with you filled this desire. - he spoke with some tension and passed his fingers through his hair.

I sat down. Thinking. I thought I would get old, but he didn't.

- And the issue of my aging. I'll get old and die. Unless you... - I stopped imagining in the fear of imagining myself as an eternal creature.

- Again, one more issue I don't want to solve now. Your Highness, you're only 18. It's too early to think about aging. - he said, sitting in the chair beside me quietly –Is there any other issue that troubles him and prevents you from resting or even getting married tomorrow?

Chapter 42 - More expectations

All I needed after spending more than a month suffering from thinking that my father, my best friend, his father, and my fiancé had died at a distance, without eating or sleeping properly, was another night without sleep. A whole night awake. I was angry with Lucas for putting all these doubts in my head. Questions don't come out of my head. I couldn't ask Phillip, because maybe he shouldn't even be in the hut. Even if I were, with two guards at the door of my room, I wouldn't be able to get to the gate.

How could I say yes to him and give up the rest of my life? I would go crazy if I couldn't ask him. Did he know the answers I needed? Tomorrow I should be able to escape and get to the cottage. Perhaps I should try to do that during the day.

All the noises of the night disturbed me. Furniture cracking, the wind blowing outside. I needed to rest. My whole body aches. I got out of bed and gave up trying to sleep. My mind couldn't turn it off. I opened my room's door and walked silently to the library.

Perhaps a book will help calm my mind. I opened the door, and it rang. I sat by the window with a little romance in my hand. After reading the same page five times without understanding the story, I put the book on the shelf and went to the door. But I felt a cold hand touching my arm.

- Phillip! - I recognized his smell and his touch on my arm.

- Your Highness should be asleep! - he said in a rough voice

- Yes, but I can't. I tried to sleep, but Lucas was talking to me about vampires, and now my mind is full of doubts and a certain sense of despair.- I said, turning to him – What are you doing here? How did you get in here? I thought I would only see you after tomorrow.

He pulled my arm so I could get closer to him. Passing his arms around my waist, he continued:

- Lucas! He actually thinks he knows everything about vampires, doesn't he? - I felt the jealousy in his voice

- I need to go back to my bedroom. I don't know how I'll be tomorrow. I'm already exhausted. But I would like to know what you're doing here? - I spoke while I put my head in his wide chest. How I loved hugging him like that. It calmed all my anxiety.

- My princess, let's go! I'll take you to your bedroom. But first, your answer. Your father was worried because you spent the whole day in your room, and he asked if there was anything I could do to help you recover before tomorrow. Well, Lucas must have said that we have some powers. I can make you sleep deeply. I've done that once, remember?

- No, I don't want to wake up in three days! - I complained with a sad face

- That's just one of the powers, my princess. I can also help you by removing your doubts. - he spoke with a malicious smile on his lips.

- I prefer this. - I answered, looking frightened at the guards, who fell down sitting on the floor sleeping deeply, with a gesture of Phillip's hand – What was that?

- Vampire powers. I don't want anyone to bother us, and you need answers. I can hypnotize humans with a gesture, so they fall asleep. Tomorrow they'll be fine. - Again, that smile on the corner of the lips.

- Lucas told me that maybe you can't... - before I finished talking, he put his finger on my lip, silencing me

- That vampires can't have babies? - He seemed to read my mind.d I missed a step when I entered the room and almost fell, but Phillip's hands were still around my waist. - You're exhausted. Are you sure you don't want to have this conversation tomorrow?

I shook my head, saying no. He shrugged his head, sharply irritated. But he went on.

- We can! There are vampires with children all over the world. These children are born as normal humans, but there's something in development that changes in adulthood. - he stopped and cleaned his throat. - So yes, I want at least three kids, my princess. But we don't have to hurry things. Do you feel better now?

- Yes, I think I'm going to lie down before I fall. - I said with a smile - Are you going to leave? Or will you stay until the wedding day? When did you arrive?

- It's a lot of questions. Your father called me today, and I came as soon as he called me, but I already brought what I needed to stay until our wedding. Then I'm not leaving. Maybe I'll take advantage of the extra time I'll have with you. But maybe you need to rest. By the way, the King told me about the conversation you had and how much my beloved princess was to say she was sure that she wanted to marry me. And now? What do you feel about me? When he finished talking and turned to see me, I was already lying in a deep sleep.