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?