[NEXT MORNING]

"Natalya, a royal carriage has arrived to take you to Aeralin!" Lord Redwell, Harrison's father called from the other side of Harrison's bedroom door.

"Ok!! I'll be outside in a minute!"

I stood up, shaking my head, feeling the panic rise within me, "I can't Harrison, I'm scared. What if Alaric can't protect me?"

The dark, floor-length, midnight blue dress that Aunt Roslin had bought me trailed behind me as I paced back and forth.

Harrison jumped up from the edge of his bed and rushed in front of me, he brought his hand to my cheek and gently lifted my face up. "Shushhhh, you'll be fine Natalya. I know you will, you've survived this far in a village full of vampires. I am almost certain you can live a little longer."

I smiled and then frowned when I saw Harrison's attention drift off to my neck, noticing a darkness fog up his beautiful ocean blue eyes. "You are hungry, aren't you?"

"N- n-" Before Harrison could even lie, his eye veins began to pop out from beneath his skin and reveal the truth that he was, in fact, thirsty.

I pushed his hand down to my shoulder and exposed my neck to him, "drink Harrison, drink." I spoke confidently as if to say I was used to it...which I was.

"I can't do that to you, you'll feel dizzy and faint during your ride to the castle." Harrison softly warned and I faintly smiled at his thoughtfulness.

"As you said, I am a survivor Harrison and I won't leave until you drink." I assertively stated and kept my neck temptingly bare as his eyes wandered over my skin.

Harrison moved closer to me with protruding fangs; he held the side of my head with one hand and gently gripped my shoulder with the other.

His blue eye colour had completely vanished, turning completely black. His tongue swept over his top lip as he hungrily burned his pupils into my skin. "Forgive me."

I bit my bottom lip as Harrison violently sank his sharp canines into my neck and ripped open a pool of blood that had been flowing within me. I whimpered at the familiar pain and concealed a scream of agony by swallowing continuously.

It hurt. It hurt every time someone drank from me, but I knew how to control myself from shrieking. I knew how not to easily slip into darkness whilst I lost blood, and I knew that if I moved, it would piss off the vampire drinking from me.

When my eyes began to tear up, Harrison instinctively pulled out his fangs and breathed out. He immediately bit into his wrist and pushed it towards my mouth.

"Drink so you'll heal quickly, I doubt my father and mother can buy us any more time by talking to the carriage drivers." I nodded and let out the quietest hum as the overwhelmingly delicious liquid hit my tongue.

I indulged in his blood until I had fully healed and moved his arm away. I groaned slightly and pouted, "I am going to miss you Harrison, but I will try my best to see you again."

"And same to you princess." Harrison wiped the corner of my lip and brushed my neck from any bloodstains, before wiping his own mouth right after.

Once he was done, we hugged and went outside to be greeted by a royal carriage driver, a royal guard and a superbly decorated horse carriage, draped in all kinds of expensive materials.

I hugged Lord and Lady Redwell and thanked them for their generosity and warm welcome into their home. They happily smiled back at me and bid their farewells.

"Lady Ascelyn?"

The royal guard bowed his head with one hand spread out on his chest, as the carriage driver stored my stuff into the carriage.

I arched my brow at the formal gesture, "Yes that is me, and don't worry about addressing me like I'm of any importance. After all, I'm just a village girl who happens to be the prince guard's sister, that's all."

The guard had a stern look on his face as he spoke and said, "No can do my lady, the prince demanded we treat you with the same respect of a noble lady or he'll have our heads."

"The prince?" I asked wide-eyed.

Why would the- ooh Alaric must've asked the prince to send trustworthy escorts and like everyone says, the prince being the abusive and cold-hearted vampire he is, must've compelled these two escorts and obviously threatened them.

"Yes my lady, the prince." The carriage driver appeared next to the guard, bowing his head as he answered.

My mouth formed an 'O'.

"How lovely," I jokingly responded in a posh accent, looking back at Harrison and his parents who started laughing at me. I smiled and waved to them once again. They were waiting for me to leave before they could get back inside.

"Okay, my lady, if you would just lift your leg up on this... Okay, perfect- that's good."

As I was getting assistance from the guard when entering the carriage, something made me halt.

Someone.

"Natalya!!!"

Oh, Gods.

Fredrick!

I squinted my eyes only to spot a blurred image of Fredrick running full speed towards the carriage in the distance.

That's my cue to leave.

"Bye!" I quickly called back to Harrison and his parents before jumping into the carriage, hurriedly ushering the guard to get in and the driver to mount the horses and get the carriage moving, stat, "Drive! Drive!"

Just as I heard Fredrick make it to where the carriage was, we had already started moving too fast for him to react quick enough. The only way he could stop the carriage now was if he stood in the way of it, and I doubt he would with his father watching him.

I sighed aloud as I relaxed and laid my back on the red-cushioned carriage seat.

I was well aware that the guard was opposite me, staring out the wooden barred window of the carriage and at the green meadow as we sped down the stony path.

A long ride this would be, indeed.

I was just glad the guard didn't ask why I wanted to get a move on all of a sudden.

--

[LATER THAT DAY]

(eight hours later: around 7 pm)

"Make way for Lady Ascelyn!" The guard I had learnt was named Roger, presented me to the people of Miriadan as I exited the carriage.

We had travelled for eight hours from Iclia, past Agriassi, and had finally decided to take shelter in the region Miriadan. The journey was taking longer than I had anticipated, and when I was beginning to need the toilet, food, water and sleep, the guard and driver decided we should take a break from the road.

I am going to be honest, we did have a couple of stops for the toilet beforehand, and I did sleep on the carriage, so really, this stop was just to get some food and water.

Roger had kept me entertained throughout the journey, telling me stories about the 'evil' royals, which made me grimace. When I asked if my brother was still as nurturing as he was when he entered the castle, Roger simply shook his head and said that my brother was the 'polar opposite' but still good within.

That was enough to make me worry and avoid discussing what my brother had been up to these past years.

The people of Miriadan had gathered around once they saw the royal carriage arrive in their region. Some of the people were cheering as I made an appearance, and some just instantly despised the fact there was 'royalty' present, although I was not royalty; I was a peasant.

We had parked outside an inn that was known to be very good, sanitary and was known to have outstanding hospitality. Roger informed me that whenever a royal was on the road to a different kingdom, city, or region, they always stopped at this specific inn.

"Welcome my lady, I am Sir Walter, it is my honour to serve you as our prime guest." An old-aged man with a grey balding head made his way over to me and Roger, then gently brought the back of my hand to his lips and kissed it with his eyes firmly shut as a sign of respect.

I smiled approvingly at his admirable gesture, "Thank you Sir Walter, but please, call me Natalya."

His kind smile grew across his face as he said, "As you wish my l- I mean Natalya. What brings you here today?"

I wanted to respond to the polite man, however, Roger had beat me to it, "We ask for a drink and meal that will allow Lady Ascelyn survive another 7 hours on the road to Aeralin."

Walter vigorously nodded and motioned me to enter the inn, "Come, Natalya, let us get your human self out of the dark coldness, and away from these barbaric vampires."

I giggled, holding up the front of my midnight blue dress to prevent it from getting in the way of my feet as I followed Sir Walter into the inn. Curiously I looked up at Roger, "Is he a vampire?"

Roger shook his head in response, "No my lady, he is a fortunate human who has the royals in his favour; just as you do."

I didn't respond verbally and just nodded my head as he finished his sentence.

I liked Sir Walter.

--

[8:00 pm]

Roger had left me at a table in the centre of the inn's dining area and had notified me that he would still be keeping an eye out for me and be back when we had to leave.

I was currently and patiently waiting for my food to be served. Whatever they were preparing smelt gorgeous. I couldn't stop licking my lips.

The dining area was filled with both peasant and noblemen, women and children, who seemed fascinated by my blue, night sky dress. To be fair, I would look at me the way they were because it's a bit random for me to be looking like this inside of an inn.

I chose to wear this dress earlier because I knew I had to wear something that looked presentable for the royals. I wouldn't want to embarrass Alaric and make a bad impression.

As I took a sip at the glass of water Sir Walter had poured for me, two young girls who looked to be around six ran over to me, and I removed my lips from the rim of the glass.

"Are you the princess?" One of the little noble-born girls with lengthy red hair asked nosily and I almost laughed aloud.

Me? A princess? I don't think so.

"No, I am an Icilian village girl," I answered them with a humorous smile.

The other girl with blonde hair shook her head in denial. "You are not a princess? Eh- but I saw you come out of a royal carriage?" The little girl questioned, and my smile grew at how adorable the two girls were.

I really didn't know how to reply, but fortunately, an older boy that looked my age came to take them away, flashing me a sharp-toothed smile in the process.

"I am very sorry that they interrupted you, my lady."

I waved my hand at the boy with dreamy hazel eyes, shaking my head,

"No don't worry, they actually brought a smile onto my face, see." I pointed at my grin.

The high-born boy pushed his sisters to the direction of their parents and then smirked down at me with his shaggy brown hair pushed back from his eyes, "You are remarkable, you know that?"

His compliment sent heat rushing up to my cheeks. I couldn't be blushing, could I? I'd never blushed for anyone except Harrison.

The boy pulled out the chair opposite me, "May I?"

I nodded almost instantly, "You may, and I appreciate the compliment but you, my lord, you are quite the charmer."

"Please, call me Ralph," he smirked, "and thank you, my lad-"

"-Natalya," I corrected him before he could finish, "Call me Natalya."

Ralph's eyes glimmered a purple colour and he leant forward on the table, "Nice to meet you, Natalya. Hey, would you like to go for a walk? Once you have eaten obviously, I heard your stomach growling a mile away."

What does purple mean? I hadn't learnt what purple meant and it was distracting me significantly.

I just nodded mindlessly at him, without a thought at his suggestion.

Ralph let out a low chuckle when he saw my concentration burning into his eyes. I instantly snapped out of my trance and nervously laughed, "Sorry... uhm, yes of course. I'd love a walk."

He stood from the table and with a quick bow of the head, dismissed himself just as I spotted a plate of salmon dressed in herbs and spices, and a few other plates filled with roasted goodness coming my way.

I was still trying to get used to having 'good' meals because I hadn't had them at all whilst living with my parents. So, this was very foreign and excitingly new for me.

I almost clapped my hands in a giddy manner but contained myself.

"I'll be back soon, Natalya," Ralph called but his voice was barely audible to my ears as my attention was elsewhere.

On the food, that is.

--

[10:00 pm]

"So why is a human village girl from Icilia travelling in a royal carriage, may I ask?" Ralph asked interestedly, coming to a stop and turning to face me once we were a good walking distance from the inn.

I smiled briefly at my feet, and brought my gaze back up to his sparkling eyes, "Well- uhm- my brother kind of plays an important role as the prince's guard in Aeralin."

As I said that Ralph's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "The prince's guard? As in Alaric Ascelyn? You are his sister?"

I furrowed my brows as I saw Ralph's shocked expression slowly morph into a one of annoyance.

"Yes I am his sister. Does that bother you?"

Ralph's eyes were darkening by the second as he craned his neck to the side for a moment and looked away.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it does. The prince and your brother are like a tag-team from hell. They kill anyone that disagrees with them and ruin the lives of many."

It was my turn to frown, and the venom dripping in every word Ralph spat from his mouth made me warily step back.

"I- I didn't know- my brother did that- this can't be his doing. The prince must've compelled him. Maybe? I-"

Ralph cut me off from stuttering any longer and growled in my face.

"Stop talking!"

His eyes were pitch black, darker than the sky above us. It frightened me to see his eyes like this and I immediately sealed my mouth shut. Ralph was seething, which showed how angry he was because of the mere fact of me being related to Alaric. He glared down at me and began to step closer until he towered over my frame completely.

"Your brother will pay for what he did."

Ralph brought his hand up to my neck and enclosed his fingers around my throat in a chokehold. My eyes widened as I eyed his hand, trying my hardest to release his fingers from my skin.

This only made him tighten his grip to the point where I couldn't breathe and began to choke and cough hysterically.

"Stop, pl- pleaseee-," my voice was strained as I coughed again. Tears began to trickle down my cheeks in a failed attempt to escape.

Ralph's pitch-black eyes formed streaks of red and I was absolutely terrified. He held onto me before running full vampire speed until my back had made solid impact with a wall, making me wince from the excruciating pain.

I couldn't breathe...

He slowly lessened his hold on my throat and pulled my head to the side so he could have a clear view of my neck.

"Maybe killing you will be revenge enough," Ralph sadistically laughed and I began to cry hysterically.

This took me by surprise so I was trembling from the inside out.

He pouted his bottom lip at me and pretended to feel sympathetic at the fact he was inflicting so much pain on me, "Scared, my lady?"

I swallowed back the rest of my sobs and forced myself to speak.

"Ki- kill me then." I choked out and he shrugged nonchalantly, "As you wish, my lady."

Ralph lengthened his razor-sharp fangs after winking at my distressed face and then dipped to my neck in order to bite into my flesh.

However, just as I closed my eyes and felt the tips of his teeth touch the sensitive area of skin, his fangs withdrew and were gone as soon as they were about to bite down.

I reopened my eyes when I no longer felt restricted to move and gasped out for air.

Roger had snapped Ralph's neck and thrown his body to the ground. Although I had seen people being beaten and hurt before, my hands still flung over my mouth in surprise.

"Are you alright my lady?" Roger asked quickly and anxiously, scanning my body for any scars.

I nodded in relief,

"I'm fine, just a little shaken but wait, i- is he dead?"

Roger placed his hand on my upper back and wiped my tears away with the other.

"No my lady, I didn't snap his neck hard enough but I can kill him if you wan-"

I shook my head instantly.

"No need, he has a family," I composed myself, "let's just get back on the road before I change my mind."

Trying to appear composed, as Roger led me back to the carriage, I was still shaking from what had just occurred,

I guess I really couldn't trust just anyone.

---

There you go!! So Natalya's experience in a different region didn't go quite as planned but hey, at least Roger made it in time to stop Ralph.

Q: What did you think of the chapter? Did you like it? Do you think Natalya's brother will be as she remembers or not?

Next chapter will be up very soon I don't really have a set date but, I hope you loved this and please vote, comment and add to your reading lists if you enjoyed it :)

Love you, thank you and till next time you beautiful people...

- N1Dreamerx