Rejected And Forsaken
Chapter 17

Carol pov

The maid brought us food and b***d for me. He ate the fruits and burgers while I drank my b***d along with the food. I laughed when he cringed at the sight of b***d.

“Well, we are vampires, we can’t help it.” I told him.

“Do you really drink b***d from humans?” he asked.

“Actually, we do. Human b***d, animal b***d. And in the earlier times, our ancestors took b***d slaves from the humans.” I told him about a bit of our history as I sipped on my b***d. “But that is completely prohibited now. We are no longer allowed to kill when we drink b***d. We compel humans and animals before we feed and we feed responsibly. I personally prefer animal b***d.” I told him. “It is a lot more healthy. Humans always eat all those junks. I honestly wonder if they don’t really care about what they are putting in their bodies.” I gagged. Human b***d is so greasy and I just hate it.

He shrugged. “Ok. I guess.” He replied.

We ate and had lots of time to talk about our lives. He seemed to be really interested in seeing how I train. Maybe I will let him watch tomorrow night. Perhaps, it will be fun to let him join some of my classes too. I don’t think daddy would mind. Spending time with him was fun. He was funny and I laughed a lot at his jokes. I don’t remember the last time I had so much of fun. I barely had any time to enjoy, ever since I hit adolescence. I was expected to spend all my time in extra training sessions , which were specifically for the heir to the throne. My cousins also trained with me. But they had sometime to themselves. I think I will introduce my human friend to them. I hope they also like him.

As time passed by, I could clearly see that David was getting tired. He was fighting to keep his eyes open. I smiled at him. Poor guy. He must be really tired.

“David. I think you should have some rest.” I told him and stood up to walk away. I turned around to glance at him one last time before I left. He was already curled in to a ball on the centre of the bed, snoring softly. I smiled at him. He looked so sweet. So innocent. And so….. handsome. Instead of leaving the room, I walked up to my sleeping friend and chuckled. He was sleeping like a baby.

“You are so cute David. I seriously don’t understand why anyone would hate you so much. I have met you only recently, but I already like you a lot.” I whispered, fully aware that he wouldn’t hear a single word I had said. I closed the open window and walked towards the door to leave, glad and grateful to have found a friend for myself.

I closed the door behind me, as softly as I could and when I turned to leave, I came face to face with my father.

“Dad?” I gasped. “you startled me.” I said as chuckled through my gasps of breath. “David is sleeping. I also am going to my room.”

“So, how about reading some books with me. We still have some time left until sunrise.” He said. I tilted my head and looked at him.

“Really? You are not busy tonight?” I asked. He flashed a lopsided smile at me and nodded. “It has been too long since we’ve spent time together. We used to read books before I put you to sleep. Remember?” he said.

“Yes daddy. I’ve missed that actually.” I told him honestly.

“Then let’s go and do that. I’ve missed spending time with my princess.” He replied and walked towards my room.

He waited for me to change to my pyjamas and get ready for bed, just like he would in the old times. But lately, he had gotten so busy with the kingdom he barely has time to talk. He chose a book we had read numerous times. It was a book about a girl and a boy who falls in love with each other. But since they are from two different worlds, they had to face a lot of hardships until finally they could be together.

“I will never get bored with that story daddy.” I told him.

“I know. You always love this story.” He replied. “Why do you like it so much?” he asked.

“I love how they love each other unconditionally….. I wish I could find someone like that” I added in a soft whisper. He smiled. “I am sure you will my love. Your beloved will love you to no end , just like I loved your mother.” He said and gazed lovingly in to my eyes, making my heart swell. He always did that before he got too busy with royal matters.

“Daddy? Why have you become so busy now?” I asked. Spending a few hours with him has reminded me how much I had missed him in the past few months. He sighed.

“You know that we are in the middle of a war with the wolves.” He replied. I frowned.

“Yes. But why? Why do we have to be in a war? Why can’t we live in peace?” I asked, not quiet understanding why.

He caressed my hair softly. “We did. All those years we have been living in peace. But now we can’t.” He said. My frowned deepened. I don’t understand. I will never understand why anyone would need a war.

“Just a few months more dear. When you turn eighteen, I’ll tell you why. Right now, focus on your studies. I think tomorrow night your lesson will be about werewolves.” He said and kissed my forehead and walked away.

I stared as he closed the door behind him. I wish he would just tell me. But I was too sleepy to worry about it any more. Soon, I drifted off to dreamland.

******

Meanwhile, king Richard made his way to the king’s quarters which was on the other side of the princess’s room. He was going to call it a night and try to get some rest, before he would call in his warrior general to plan any further attack strategies. He clenched his fists as he thought about the treacherous werewolves. How dare they steal the vampire’s opal. They had the audacity to call themselves respectful when they steal from others. They are thieves. Traitors. And they deserve to die.

The vampire’s opal had been their pride for centuries. It had been passed down from generation to generation. And it was known to possess immense powers. Whoever posses it, can be invincible. Perhaps that was the reason why they wanted it. But the thing is, vampires have been using it for the balance of the whole community. However, if it falls in the wrong hands, they would use it for their illicit benefit.

He better get it back from them. He lied down on his bed and continued to be in deep thought. He still couldn’t understand how they possibly could get excess to the precious stone. It was in the heart of the vampire castle and was heavily guarded, even during the day. Could it be that there was a traitor with in his kingdom? Could there be a mole in his army or guards? His jaw clenched in anger. But he knew, he couldn’t loose control to his vampire.

The day he found out that the opal was lost, he almost lost his dearest brother, and trusted advisor. He better control his anger, otherwise, he would loose himself to a feral vampire, who would mindlessly destroy everything in it’s path.

He turned to a side, hoping to let sleep overtake him, but instead, his eyes fell on the picture of his beloved, which was placed on the side table. His eyes lingered on the beautiful face he had missed over the years. He sat up on his bed and took the picture frame to stare at it.

“Hi Maria. I miss you every day. I wish you didn’t sneak out during the day without me knowing. You got exposed to the sun and didn’t tell me. I wish I found out earlier so that you could have been cured. But you were too stubborn.” He caressed the picture as a lone tear escaped his eyes. “I miss you darling. I wish you were here.” He whispered.

He suddenly remembered that Carol too had sneaked out without his knowledge. He chuckled. “Our daughter sure takes after you my love. She too is really headstrong. I think I should check if she got exposed to the sun. I don’t want her to suffer the same sickness you did.” He added.

“Maria….. I hope to see you again. Please come and meet me in my dreams. I love you so much.” He said and placed the picture frame where it belonged.

He lied on his back, and placed an arm on his forehead. Ruling a kingdom without his queen beside him was lonely and hard. But he will do it for his people. For his daughter. At least until she is ready to be queen of all vampires.