Chapter 11: Questions
Chervil and Dion were sitting on a chair at the tea table set up in the garden which Dion had asked Eilwe earlier so they could relax while watching the children playing around and having fun, whist they closed the gate shut to prevent some unwanted guests from entering the place.
Thus, that very morning, four days ago; Chervil was able to see the plants which was destroyed that night when they first got on the place by his aid, which he saw was just an ordinary plants, but the patterns of each plants aren't that much common to see in everyday venture to town and woods as the plants was rare and hard to find.
So many variety of flowers and plants were inside the domain; from tall to short, big to small sizes, all of which Chervil saw and known were from the other lands of their empire, nonetheless, there are three plants that he wasn't able to recognize.
He hasn't recognised it at first, thus the second time that he has a closer look at it, he found out that it exists in their royal house garden as a rare plants of each lands and most traditional treasured plants that represents each of the lands which formed an allied and united as Southern Empire, and thus he wondered how did they acquired it.
He looked at the scenery infront of him which was very peaceful than what outside which is poverty that his trying to solve.
Looking at Ellvinah who was playing with Thashie and the others as they were making a flower crown, mainwhile, the other group were making something different, he smiled seeing Ellvinah sneezed as she smelled the flower; whist he remembered something that he wants to ask, thus he turned and looked to his left side.
"Can you answer my questions truthfully, Dion?", he asked looking at Dion whose trying to make a flower crown by himself which doesn't form a crown at all.
"Didn't you already asked.", said Dion sarcastically. He didn't look up and just nodded his head.
Chervil frowned, hence, he just ignored the sarcasm and asked a questions in calmer way, "About what you said this morning. What do you know that I wasn't aware of? What was it that you knew? And how much knowledge do you have that you were hiding from me?"
"I wonder...", said Dion in wonder and cocked his head to the side as he looked at the Prince. "Crist, you can order me to speak even though I'm ain't willing to. Your words and commands has power over everyone. So, why asked me to answer you truthfully when you knew I'm ain't gonna answer everything truthful?"
Chervil thought for a moment and looked at the childrens whose playing, "You're right about that. I have the power to commend you to speak the truth... However, I don't want to get my answers through the authority I might have. I want you to speak the truth with your own as a friend and not by the authority that I may have, nor by my title.", he said then looked at the sky. "Besides, I don't wanna be like those other Arch-King who passed, and even the current Arch-King now. I want to be a different kind of ruler who everyone can rely."
"Well, that's promising. We're not gonna worry about the future of this empire then.", said Dion while grinning at Chervil.
Chervil, seeing Dion grinning at him could only sigh out loud which his friend just chuckled; whist when he looked back at his friend he was being reminded of someone again.
"Remember what I've said to you from back then...", said Dion with a serious expression reminding Chervil about what he said to him from back then which was very clear to the Prince on what his friend meant. "Don't abuse the power you may have. Considering it isn't for you to have and hold. It is given to you for you to protect those who needed protections, and have a judgements that's equal to each individual not only for your kind but also to every kind who resides in this empire. And not the other way around."
"You've always said that words to me. And you said that it's a words from someone you knew.", Chervil said staring at Dion. And he attempted to ask again. "So, won't you be telling the truth, then?"
"I'll do my best to answer your questions... But, not all I can just answer for now without a huge problem to face on my side, Your Highness.", Dion said having an apologetic look that made Chervil sighs out loud again.
"Okay, then... I wanna know, what do you knew about my aid, Fanies?", asked Chervil as he narrowed his eyes.
Dion took a deep breath. Looks like he had to answer some questions if he wanted this to end. He regret saying those words while they're having breakfast this morning.
"So, you have noticed...", whispered Dion and said straightforwardly, "Don't trust your aid, that's all I can tell you... And I don't want you to put your trust on me as well, Chervil."
And, it made Chervil raise his brow in question. What the hell was these people always wanted to make him feel more suspicious. He had complicated looked on his face which made Dion chuckled.
He wanted to revoke but he couldn't find his voice as he open and close his mouth in the process while having a complicated look.
'You said not to trust Fanies and now, even you as well?!', he thought, 'Just what's going on?!'
Chervil could only exhale out loud looking at his human friend who just chuckled at him, who proceed on trying to make a flower crown. It looks like he couldn't get the answers he wants.
Minutes passed, thus the two of them were just minding their own thoughts as one was busy trying to perfect the flower crown whist the other was having a thousand questions on his mind.
"Who was that person to you? Why was this person you treasured and look after?", Chervil suddenly asked out of the blue nonchalantly while looking at the childrens at front.
However, this sudden question made Dion, Navetha, Eilwe and Thashie to looked at him rappedly with wide eyes.
Chervil took a quick glanced at the three who looked at him at the same time with wide and narrowed eyes, and he could feel a chill by the way they're staring at him.
Over the course of his long life thought Chervil, there was only three people whom he's afraid of crossing with: his grandfather the former king, second was his uncle who was an earl at the other Kingdom of their empire, third was that person whom he met few decades ago who was acquaintance with his deceased grandfather and its a human as that, thus this was the first time he had felt like his being threatened by childrens much younger than him, which made him felt irritated by the way he feels like he's walking in a pit of flames.
Whist, he just ignored the feeling and smiled to ease what he felt and asked again, "Who was that person? The one you spoked to me on the village that day."
Chervil was aware of the fact that he shouldn't bother himself with Dion's mysterious background; however, even his grandmother who seems to know something doesn't want to say it, which confused him. He could see Dion narrowing his gaze on him.
"I asked Mrs. Alze that night. She told me that you stayed here with your older sister and that person whom she said was the one you look after. And I got confused now.", he explained.
Yet, Dion just stared at him and doesn't says anything. Then, he saw his friend looked at the woman whose bringing snacks and drinks for them who couldn't looked at his friend as the woman heard their conversations that transpired. And she was scared.
Mrs. Alze became nervous when the Prince brought up what she said to him that night; thus, it was pecifically ordered not to speak about it to anyone, and as to why? She doesn't know.
She's about to apologize for what she had done. She could sense the young master's intimidating gaze, when Thashie suddenly approached them and asked her to helped them out. Thashie then dragged her to where they were.
"Dion, what are you hiding? Who was this person you've spoken to me? And who are you, really? Were you a foe or an allied? What is your relationship to my grandparents?", asked Chervil non stop. His mind was full of questions that he wants to be answered. He doesn't care and bother himself with the others.
He wants to know why would his grandparents told him that he should trust Dion no matter what; therefore, he's trying to make his friend talk so that he can make a clarity on what was going on.
Also, Dion was his only human friend whom he had truly trust, and not because of his grandparents telling him to but because of Dion's unusual self that reminded him of his old friend, and thus even his own bloodlines he never put so much trust; however, to Dion he could.
Dion sigh. He put down the flowers and get himself a cup that was atthe table beside him and served himself before saying, "I am your allied for the path you wanted to take and make... Thus, that's also why I told you not to trust me."
He poured a coffee on his cup and took a sip. "However, I will be your enemy if you adrift your path and become the opposite of what you want and who you are now.", said Dion after with his unusual cold voice.
"So, you weren't gonna answer my questions?", asked Chervil persistently. He could see his friend becoming irritated.
"If you're going to ask again about my identity and what I'm hiding or what my relationship with your grandparents, and even who that person to me... I'm telling you, this isn't the time for that. Focus on your quest on this empire of yours and maybe you'll find out what I am hiding..."
"Is that to motivate me?", asked Chervil teasingly. He could feel his friend's irritation. He grinned, showing his fangs as he knows he couldn't get the answer this way and he can only wait until his friend is willing to talk and tell him.
"Maybe it is.", Dion said and chuckled after, hence, both of them chuckled at once.
After a while as the two of them talked about some stuff whist watching the children playing and laughters filled the air.
"Do you want me to check if she had another relatives?", asked Dion. He turned his head to Chervil who's looking at the plants.
Chervil nodded and looked at Ellvinah, "Yes. That's the plan... We should do that.", He looked at his side and said to Dion, "As for the meantime, I've plan on taking her with us to my mansion inside the palace ground."
"Well, I wouldn't opposed to that idea because if my sister would know about me bringing somebody here except Ellah, I'm certainly sure she will skin me alive.", said Dion to Chervil nonchalantly while adding two sugar cubes on his cup and stir it. "But, Crist... You knew that a palace ground full of vampires isn't a safe place for a human child even though she's at the mansion."
He took a sip of his coffee. He saw that the Prince thouht about it ahead. Thus, he think it is also a good thing since they couldn't leave the little one.
"Who would you be assign on her to look after?", asked Dion after awhile.
"You, of course.", came the quick and simple answered from Chervil which made Dion spits his coffee and cough in the process.
Looking at little Ellvinah who was now playing with Thashie and three other kids, while the others was helping Eilwe and Navetha on making a flying lanterns.
"If I ask someone to look after her at my mansion, I don't know if that would be safest as some of the servants aren't to be trusted either.
Dion turned to his side. He wept his lips with his hand, whist Chervil continue to spoke.
"And beside... As I can see, you're the perfect candidate."
This morning, after they're done eating their breakfast, they went upstair to have little Ellah some more rest as they saw she still weak, and thought she needs some more time to recover her health, thus they could sense her sadness as she kept quiet at the dining.
Therefore, they brought her to the room and help her get to bed and have a rest,however, when Thashie suddenly arrived on the room at noon and found out that the young girl was now awaked, she then asked permission to let little Ellah go outside and meet the other kids as she could sense a distress coming from the little girl.
"I already told you, didn't I? That you shouldn't trust me.", said Dion. 'He already had more things to do and now you're making me a babysitter!', he thought but was visible on his face.
Chervil laughed at his third-in-command's reaction, "That should do for not answering my questions. Call it a light punishment."
* * * * * * * * * *
Dion was being dragged by Thashie outside the cottage after dinner to have a talk as Dion was giving Mrs.Alze a cold shoulder which made the elderly worried, and that might be the young master was angry about what she'd done.
"What is it? Why are you dragging me here, Thashie?", asked Dion. They arrived at the garden where the fountain were, and thus he tidy his shirt.
"Don't scared Mrs. Alze like that. She's just doing her job.", Thashie whispered folding her arms under her chest staring at him void of any emotions.
Thashie and the two others who were far from them heard the conversations earlier, one was questioning while the other was avoiding to answer, hence, they just ignored it. However, when they heard the Prince asked about someone whom they have a clue of who was the Prince was referring to, thus, they subconsciously looked up because they have the same mindset.
And the bringing up of who was the one who linked the little details and seeing the one who gave those out, who stopped midway and continued to walked while lowering her head; thus the way they saw Dion looking at the old woman as she placed the drinks and snacks for the childrens, hence, the way Dion never leave his gaze at the elderly woman, they could sense Mrs.Alze trembling in fear and about to asked forgiveness.
Thus, Eilwe then gave her a look as she was nearer to them, she went and asked for assistance as an excuse but before she dragged the elderly woman to where she and the other kids were, she sent a meaningful look at Dion, hence, he just raised a brow at her whist she dragged Mrs.Alze with her and go back to the others.
"I didn't scared her nor am even angry of her.", defend Dion to himself. He blinked innocently like he was being accused of something he wasn't aware of himself. Then, he said as he had an inkling of what Thashie was referring to, "And I understand her answering what Chervil questions, besides we never said anything as to why we warned her not to tell any souls about it."
"Oh, I see.", said Thashie looking at the newly plant that was a replacement of the ones being destroyed days ago, " We heard that you're assign to look after the girl by your friend... Good luck."
She laughed and walked to their cottage, whist Dion just stood there with a defeated face. She then turned around and giggled as she said teasingly while winking at him and went inside after, "Well, it suited you as a babysitter... He still trusted you even though other's convincing him not to and so does you. He'll be a fine and a good Arch-King of this empire when the time comes."
Dion could only sigh in defeat. He then went inside the main cottage while scratching his head, he went to the kitchen to find the old woman and have a talk with Mrs.Alze to make up the misunderstanding he did; and as for little Ellah, she was resting now on the room with Chervil and Navetha.
Chapter 12: White Mansion
Three days after, at late early morning little Ellvinah had said her farewell with everyone there and the ones she played with.
Chervil was preparing for their departure. He took his horse not far away from where Dion and the other with Eilwe who took care of Dion's horse, then he saw Dion walking towards them while holding little Ellvinah's small hand as they're done bidding the other children.
Dion then made the little girl sat on his front of the horse while supporting her to balance herself, and went off on their way to the palace.
* * * * * * * * * *
On their way, little Ellah was nervous as this was her first time riding a horse, even though there was someone with her she was still not comfortable with the way the horse were galloping so fast like there's no tomorrow.
Hence, her nervousness turned to amazement when they passed two villages as she saw the festivity of the Kingdom, and the people were decorating something on their houses and streets.
Though, she still adjusting herself over the death of her parents and sibling as she would spaced out whenever she was alone, and at night she would sometimes dreamed of her friends being beheaded infront of her very eyes that would make her cry and screams.
"Do you want to rest and look around for a moment, Ellah?", asked Dion as he sence how her head would similar to an owl everytime they passed each street as people were decorating for the season festival.
Little Ellah hearing Dion, looked up and when she saw him already looking down at her with a smile, she quickly looked front while shaking her head as she answer, "No. I am okay."
Not long after, little Ellvinah sees a huge gate. And when they were inside, she looked around the place that has so many flowers at the side garden, then they stopped at the front of the huge mansion and the two man went down on their horses.
"Here! We've arrived.", said Dion looking up at the girl who was still on the horse. He looked around and observed the surrounding as he says cheerfully, "Welcome to the palace ground and to white mansion of Chervil."
He helped the young girl got down by carrying her with both his arms, putting her down on the ground carefully and hold her hand. He guided her to enter the mansion, whist Chervil was already inside and went directly to his study without speaking a words.
Dion could only sigh while guiding the little one inside and to the room that she will be staying while she's there as pair Chervil instruction.
* * * * * * * * * *
Dion brought little Ellvinah to the room she will be staying while she's there as they still haven't found her other relatives, and they could not turn her to the shelter for children as those who were in there ain't to be trusted.
What he could not understand was why him who needs to be the one whose going to look after the little girl as part of his punishment for not answering everything the Prince asked. It not like he doesn't want to answer or something, it just that he couldn't answer and explain everything to Chervil yet as there will be a huge trouble on their part to face that could endanger his family.
Thus, that's what he needs to avoid at the time being and with that thought in mind, he sigh inwardly looking at the girl while sitting there.
She has been sitting on the bed while looking into space for about half an hour now since the moment they entered the room.
The room was huge, and the bed was at the center, on the right side was the bathroom and the room was just opposite to Chervil's room, and next to the second-in-command chamber.
He then decided to leave the little girl for a moment, go down to get something for her to eat and have someone to attend on her needs as he had other things to do.
"Ellah, I'll just go down to get some food for you to eat, okay?", said Dion tenderly looking at the little girl, and it seems that she didn't heard him, so he just stood up from the chair and walked towards the door without getting any response from the girl. "You just stay here and relax."
After Dion left the room, little Ellvinah turned her head softly on the closed door and around the room.
Ellvinah found a cupboard drawers on both sides of her bed, a small table with two chairs beside the window which Dion sat down moments ago, a huge oval mirror on the wall, a dresser table near the fireplace side and a huge window on her left as the curtains swayed like its dancing in the air due to the wind that's blowing through.
The cold wind breezing on the late morning, soothing her in the process, thus tears starting to fall from her eyes as she hugged herself and cried once more.
She couldn't help it, to mourn for the family she lost. She loved them dearly. Her family was poor but it was lively, she and her big brother would always do a playful mischief on their parents, and their mother would get mad or even laughed at them, her father would told her a story and always there for her and her big brother, and now their all gone.
She could not understand how it turns out this way, she was safe and alive; however, the exchanged of her being alive was her family's and friend's life, and even it's been week since the gruesome fate of her village happened she was still having a hard time accepting the deaths of her family.
Little Ellvinah cried all she could, but the pain in her heart was unbearable, while thinking how can she survive in a world with super natural beings on her own‽
She cried and cried thinking of the possibility of her being a human child without anyone or anything until she fall asleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
As time flies fast, when she woken up it was already dusk. The sunset was what she saw when she turned her head to the huge open window, and found herself covered with quilt as she felt her stomach due to her skipping lunch.
She wondered who covered her with quilt as she did not remember covering herself, and thus she doesn't even know that she fell asleep while crying, she then tried to sit up and straighten her arms up in the air while yawning.
"Oh, your awake!", she turned to the other side startled when someone spoke and saw Dion coming out of the bathroom and sat on the bedside. "When I came back here you were already fast asleep, and thought not waking you up to eat and just let you rest. Are you feeling better now?"
Ellvinah nodded her head softly and saw the man smiled, then her stomach make a sound that made her lower her head.
Upon hearing little Ellvinah's stomach make a sound. "Don't feel shy when you're hungry."
A light chuckled escaped Dion's mouth. He found it very adorable as she lowered her head because of embarrassment.
Dion stood up while saying as he walked to the other side of the bed where the small table were, "Since we have an hour and a half before the evening meals were to start, why not have a porridge first to condition your little tummy." He took off the stainless cover on the table and reveal a bowl underneath it, full of porridge.
Little Ellvinah turned her head and saw the foods at the table, she couldn't help but felt more famished; and thus, with the way her stomach make a sound she could not help but to gulp while sitting there, restraining herself.
Dion could see her reluctant when he could tell how hungry she was at the moment. He smirked while mixing the porridge.
"It still hot.", he said while stirring the porridge and asked, "Do you want to sit here or do you want to stay in bed while eating this?"
The little girl looked at him reluctantly and went down the bed quickly after she saw Dion smiled while gesturing her to take a seat, she walked toward him on the small table and sat down on the chair, Dion also sat opposite to her and handed her the food.
Minutes passed by. While the little girl continued savouring her food, she could hear crickets from outside the huge open window as the night goes deeper.
Constantly, she would looked at her front where the man who saved her life, along with the man named Chervil; thus, later on she known him as an heir of the Kingdom she lived in with, and also a future ruler of the Southern Empire.
They saved her from the cave, as she was traumatized to even step out of that cave after what she saw, and was grateful to them for saving her, she trusted them and very thankful for their kindness.
'Indeed. Not all vampires are cold-blooded, there are still some who shows warmth.', she thought remembering the first time she woke up when Chervil hugged her.
Dion could feel her staring at him then back on the food infront of her for sometime, he just let the girl think that he didn't noticed it as he just continued reading the book he borrowed from Chervil's younger siblings.
After a while, he pour the jar with liquid in it on the two glasses that was red in color which made Ellah to looked up at him wide eyes.
Dion softly chuckled when he saw the little girl was frightened by the liquid color. "Relax. This isn't blood, but a red berry fruits that can compliment the porridge you eat.", he explained and put the jar at the side, took hold the glass on his side and sip it. He looked at the girl after he had done sipping and said before continuing reading the book, "You should try it, Ellah."
Ellah did try it and loved the taste as she gulped half of it. She liked the sweet scents of the liquid, thus it's her first time tasting a berry fruits as they couldn't afford buying it, she then continued eating her meal.
Moment later, Dion lifted his head from the book as he heard a knock at the door.
Ellah also turned her head softly when the door open, and saw a beautiful woman wearing a light brown leather coat that reached her knees, a black leather boots while her inner shirt was white in color, and based on the woman eye color that is red, she couldn't be mistaken, the woman was a vampire.
She looked at the woman who opened the door and when the woman landed her sight on her, little Ellah wondered why though the woman's eye was not the same as Chervil which was dark red, whist the woman was red eyes but not much dark nor it's light red in color.
The woman smiled showing her fangs as she saw her, entered the room then closed the door behind. As she walked towards the bed and sat down, the woman eyes went to Dion who's raising an eyebrows at the woman infront of them.
Dion then closed the book he was reading and said, "I thought you were gone to MacQuíd as per the letter written by Crist three days ago."
The woman sighs before saying nonchalantly as she unbuttoning her coat. "I was... I went there an hour after you gave me the letter. Besides, it was just half day journey by horse. I just arrived a few hours ago and went to him for my reports."
Dion could not believed her; she went after he passed the letter and back two days later like she was only visiting her relatives home.
It should be a day and a half trip from Central Kingdom to MacQuíd Kingdom, the neighbouring Kingdom which was part of the Southern Empire; thus, the estimated of her being gone was four to five days.
"Céllistáh, you made your horse fly.", Dion said while having a complicated expression. This woman didn't even consider her horses. He stared at her when the woman named Céllistáh nodded her head and grin showing her fangs like a proud child.
Dion could only sigh and shook his head while he said, "I realy pitty your horses. If I were your horses, I would've thrown you away."
Céllistáh just ignored him and switched her attention to the little one who was sitting quietly listening to them whist eating her porridge.
"Says, I was informed by the Prince that he has a special guest, and that she'll be staying at this room next to mine which quite not his style.", she said. Whist she wasn't aware that it was a human child as Chervil never told her about it. She then tilted her head to the side looking at the girl, "Why is she human?"
"Because she wasn't born vampire.", Dion answered nonchalantly and in a matter of fact tone. Isn't that obvious? How about you? Why are you vampire? He looked at Ellvinah whist the little girl looked up at Céllistáh.
The woman rolled her eyes and stood up, went infront of little Ellah before she says as she crouched down to lower her height so that the little girl not to cringed her head, "Hello, young lady. May I know your name?" She smiled putting her right hand on front of Ellah to hand shake with the little one, "My name's Céllistáh. I'm a friend of Dion and second-in-command of Prince Chervil."
Ellvinah turned her head and looked at Dion who smiled and nodded his head, telling her that it's alright. She took Céllistáh's hand and shoke it with her, "I'm Ellvinah.", she said with her tiny voice.
"Alright then, let's go.", said Céllistáh as she stood up.
Dion frowned as it still not time for dinner and they still have an hour before dinner, so he wondered what Céllistáh was planning.
"Where to?", he asked looking at the woman with raised brows whist telling little Ellah to ready herself.
"I was asked to fetch you two by Chervil to eat at the dining room of this mansion with him as his not planning on going to the main palace.", Céllistáh said while she walked and opened the door.
Dion and the little girl following her behind after sometimes as little Ellvinah had to make a little freshen up.
"We have some visitors too.", said Céllistáh, giving Dion a heads up while they descending the stairs.
Chapter13: Interesting Location
After Chervil left both Dion and the girl at the entrance, he directly went to his study chamber for some documents that he needed to be sign, and thus, found his aid arranging some parchments on his table.
"Your here, Sire!", said the aid startled when the door opened and saw the Prince entered. He bowed while Chervil went to one of the bookshelves, get some documents and walked towards the table where Fanies were arranging the parchments, and sat down on his chair.
"Would you like me to ask someone to bring you some coffee-blood, Your Highness?", asked Fanies after being ignored.
"Yes.", answered Chervil looking and turning the pages of the documents. He just reviewed something before signing the contract related to MacQuíd industrial estate which Dion gave to him awhile back, but he couldn't find it at the table where he left it.
"Did you see a parchment that has a stamp of two Middlemist Red flower on it seal?", asked Chervil when the aid was about to go out.
"No, Sir. I don't.", said Fanies as he bowed and the Prince dismissed him.
Chervil continued to look for it, then after minutes of searching he let down the documents as the door was being knocked, and came a man in a butler uniform with a tray on his hand.
The man bowed, put the tray on the table which has a cup filled with hot coffee-blood, and left the room without a word.
Chervil just didn't bothered himself to look up, as he already knew who it was and just do his business, and other things that's filing up infront of him because of his absence.
He took the cup and drank while looking through the parchments in his other hand.
'These are from the nobles and aristocrats invitations for tea party and birthday this month, they really love boosting their status.', he thought and put down the parchments as he lean back on the chair. "Just a hassle in my part."
Whist, he continued drinking his coffee-blood. He also signed the documents that needed to be sign by him since it's already been arranged by his aid while he was away; therefore, signing it isn't that hard.
After hours of signing the documents, Chervil got up from his chair, took his pocket watch on his side and looked at the time which was pass one o'clock in the afternoon, and thus he decided to go to his chamber to change.
While on his way, he saw Fanies walking toward the direction of his study. "Arrange the documents that's already had my signature, and turn the nobility documents that's already have my signature to father while leave the rest on the table.", commanded Chervil and walked pass the aid who bowed.
He walked up the stairs. He then remembered Ellah, wondering if the girl had done eating her lunch as he instructed Dion to attend the girl. Chervil walked through the corridor and went to check on little Ellah, he knocked and when no one answered he then open the door, and saw the girl who was laying on the bed without cover, he also noticed how she turned into a ball due to the wind that's coming from the open window.
And, he wondered where did Dion gone to when he instructed him not to leave the girl's side.
"Children are really troublesome.", said Chervil in a whisper as he walked to the bed and cover the little one with blanket. "And where's that man right now?"
"My... Quite a surprised."
Chervil heard from behind him. And when he turned to the opened door he saw Dion there leaning on the door-pane while having a look of curiosity in his eyes.
"I didn't sees you tending someone before even to your sister when it comes to a stuff like this.", stated Dion.
Ignoring his friend statement. Chervil walked pass him to go out and stopped as he heard a light chuckled coming from Dion while closing the door behind them.
"Like you're always with me to see it.", Chervil said irritated.
"Not because I acted ignorance doesn't mean I haven't noticed anything.", said Dion putting his other hand on his pocket and lean back on the door. "Indeed. You care about your younger siblings in a different level but I've never seen you do such thing to them. But then again, you have your own way of showcasing it." He then grinned after.
"Like how you keep ignoring my questions.", said Chervil walking to his room that was at the other side. He then turn and looked at Dion who nodded and grinned at him. 'Just like an idiot, I see.', he thought looking at him and sigh before asking, "Did you gave her, her afternoon meal already?"
"Well... When I came back as I asked Mrs. Rophia to tend on her while I go checking something. Thus, when she got here to deliver the food, little Ellah was already falling asleep, though.", answered Dion. He took something from his pocket which was a green envelope and handed it over to Chervil, "I bit you've been searching for this at your study. I found it on an interesting location though, which shouldn't be there on the first place."
Chervil looked down at the green envelope, and he frown. Taking it from Dion to have a closer look, thus he recognize the color, in which he asked, "I've been looking for this on the study but didn't found it. Where did you found this?"
It is the parchment his been looking for, the one that has a stamp of Middlemist Red flower on it seal from MacQuíd Kingdom which he remember Dion put it on his study chamber table. Two days off the time before he received the letter brought by Falcon which was an ordered from his father, and thus they left, went to see the village where the massacre took placed.
Chervil wondered where was that interesting location because he did asked his aid, unfortunately Fanies said he didn't saw it there. So, he's curious about where did Dion found the envelope.
"Like I said, on the interesting location.", answered Dion turned to go to his chamber which was on the other side of the corridor to change into a much comfortable clothes.
Therefore, Chervil just let go of their conversations, hence, before he enter into his room and change. He says and commanded Dion, "Ask someone to arrange the things she needed while she's here."
"Yes, I will...", replied Dion and went to his chamber.
Chapter 14: Annoying Guess & Special Guess
The wind are blowing smoothly through the opened window as Fanies was arranging the books on the bookshelves.
Prince Chervil was on the couch sitting, and in a foul mood. He has a document on his right hand while on his other hand was a parchment that had a monthly reports of their empire, as his comparing the status of each other Kingdoms of their empire.
A while ago, when he was done changing his clothes and rested for thirty minutes, he went back on his study chamber to continue what he had left behind which was the documents that he needs to sign. Hence, when he entered the room and saw that it was empty and the aid was gone, while the things that he asked to be arranged was never been touch.
He was opposed to having an aid who always following him behind and always nagging at him which he wasn't that found of; but, because of his father, the Arch-King who was so persistent and insisted that he should have one: saying, he needed one to help him with the empire's duty and to assist him whenever his second and third in command was not present.
He sigh, went to the table where the parchments and some other documents, then starting rampaging things on the table to find what he seek and after he found what documents and parchments he needs, he walked to the couch where there's another table leaving his messy table, and put down the documents.
He walked again toward the bookshelves on the room, then starting rampaging the books, and went back to the couch with the books he needed.
Thus, this was what his aid saw when he entered the room. Fanies was shocked and dumbfounded to see the books on the floor, so does the other documents and parchments. He looked at the man whose sitting on the couch while looking through the documents in his hand who doesn't bothered himself with Fanies entering, and he could sense how annoyed the Prince was.
He wondered if the third-in-command or someone said something which made the Prince in a bad mood. Fanies walked inside without a words through the messy floor with cautious not to stepped on anything which was laying there, he picked up the parchments and other stuff first; then after, he arranged and put the books again on it right shelves. It took him two hours to almost completely arranging all the mess on the room.
A light knocked was heard coming from the door, then came a woman who wore a light brown leather coat that reached her knees, a black leather boots, while her inner blouse was white.
She walked inside with the documents on her hand. "I see that you've done with your little vacation,", the woman said as she sat down on the single couch opposite to where the man who has a pensive expression signing the documents. "How was it?"
However, the Prince didn't answer her. He just continued signing up the documents like he doesn't heard a thing.
She looked at the aid who was on the other side arranging the books in order on the bookshelves. The woman raised her brow wondering why the Prince was in a bad mood. She thought of something looking at the aid's back. "Fanies,", she called and smile when the aid turned to her, "I want you to run an errands for me to the next town. Buy the things that was listed on this parchment.", said the woman and wave the little parchment in her hand.
The aid nodded, walked towards her to get the parchment that had a list. He bowed before he went out of the room with the parchment, and a small bag of coins that the woman had given him to pay for the things.
"What did he do again this time?", questioned the woman when Fanies was out of the room, while leaning back on the couch as she's curious why the Prince was upset.
"Laziness took over that man.", answered Chervil annoyed. He's looking through the documents. "So I do a little rampaging things around here for him to arrange, as it seems the things that he should be arranging wasn't enough for him.", he said nonchalantly.
After the woman heard the reason, she couldn't helped but laughed. "By little, you mean all the things that was in these room, right?", she asked chuckling and when Chervil nodded his head. "You're cruel.", she said and laughed again.
"You're quick, Céllistáh. Did you made your horse fly again?", asked Chervil then lean back. When he saw the woman nodded. He smirk amused.
Céllistáh then put and tossed the documents she had on the table as she says, "These are the reports you asked of me to do there at MacQuíd Kingdom," She then reached out on her pocket and get a red envelope with black ribbon tied around it with a Z stamped on it seal. "And this's from an old acquaintance wanted me to hand it over to you."
Chervil took the envelope, and when he saw the seal, he frowned looking at the stamp. "This is from Lord Lexviéth Zalq. It has been two decades and a half since we last met. Dion once told that Lord Zalq and his wife were gone somewhere to the east.", he said and Céllistáh nodded because that was also she knew, but they doesn't know how could they enter the east empire without any problems. "We should invite him this coming festivities.", he added and put the envelope on his pocket to read it later.
Céllistáh nodded looking around the room which she found it very weird and curiously asked , "By the way, where's Dion?"
"Why? Missed him already?", asked Chervil back. He chuckled when he saw Céllistáh rolled her eyes. "I assigned him as a babysitter for the meantime. We have a guest, and she'll be staying on the room next to yours.", he said while a knock on the door was heard.
"Come in.", said Céllistáh when Chervil never bothered himself about the knock. And when the door opened, she saw a young woman wearing a maid uniform who bowed at them as she entered and asked, "What is it, Daisy?"
The young woman bowed. "Pardon my interruption, Your Highness and Lady Céllistáh... But his Highness has guests waiting at the drawing room.", said Daisy while she stood.
Chervil looked up and raised his brows a bit annoyed. "And who was it?", he asked.
Céllistáh could tell how he dislike having some visitors when he had things to be done.
"Lady Lyah, Lady Qallzan, Lady Rosie, the earl's daughter Lady Meridetch with Duke Vower, your cousin Prince Maxxille and Sir Larzo...", said Daisy as she remembers the guests name.
Chervil nodded his head, and instructed Daisy about what to be done, "Tell them to prepare the dinning hall as I don't plan on going to the palace, and please ask the kitchen staff to prepare only the normal foods."
He could feel the gaze of the woman infront of him who has a curious expression while staring at him, but he just ignored it.
"Then, task someone to inform them at the main Palace that I'm not able to join them as I have guests here.", he said and dismissed Daisy who bowed at them and went out while closing the door behind her.
Daisy was a human in her late twenties. She was a replacement of her late mother seven years ago who has been working in the palace ground for thirty years. She has brown eyes and black hair that was tied in a bond, she was in charged of the maids and servants by the Prince himself at his own mansion. The head maid walked towards the hall and clapped her hands to get everyone's attentions as she called them on the hall, instructing the maids on what they should do, and after that she went to the kitchen where the other are busy chatting while doing their chores and when she entered they all become quiet.
"Mrs. Rophia?", called Daisy and when the woman came to her while asking what she needs, "His Highness has said that he'll be staying here with his guests, and that you should only prepare the normal foods."
Mrs. Rophia nodded and instructed the ones who were in there on what to be prepared for dinner and asked Daisy after about who's the guests.
"The higher nobles and aristocrats of the society.", said Daisy indifferently.
"Sir Dion does informed you about the child that was on the room opposite to his highness chamber right? His highness doesn't allowed any guests to use that one, except one person though.", asked Mrs. Rophia curious.
Earlier, when the third-in-command came to the kitchen, asking her to attend someone who was at the room upstairs and brought a porridge as Dion had something to do at the main time which was a shocked to her, as when she opened the door she saw a little girl at the bed, sleeping soundly.
"Is that child a vampire or...", she asked and was interrupted by Daisy.
"If we still want our life, we should make a blind eye. Besides, I've heard about the massacred that took placed week ago, so might be that child was from there... So, let's not concerned ourselves with that as we have some other things to do.", said Daisy. She turned and walk towards the entrance of the kitchen to go and went out.
* * *
Meanwhile, Chervil and Céllistáh were still on the room, he looked through the documents that Céllistáh handed to him a moment ago from MacQuíd Kingdom as he asked her on the letter, whist his second-in-command was kept ooking at him. And, it made him somewhat annoyed.
The Prince noticed Céllistáh keep staring at him with disbelief expression, and he sigh inwardly. "What?", he asked even though he knew why she had that kind of expression.
"What.", said Céllistáh and chuckled softly when she saw the prince irritated expression. "I'm just curious to know what got into your mind as you never instructed Daisy befo-"
"Because she knew what to do and doesn't need to be instructed.", said Chervil, cutting Céllistáh's words.
"Yes, I know... However, I'm more curious about the fact that a girl was staying on the room next to mine, which you never let some visitors to use it except Charlette... I would love to know why you let her stay there. That room is a privilege to sleep with.", said Céllistáh with meaningful tone. Excitement and curiosity is seen on her face and eyes.
While glancing on the opened window, he noticed the dusk color of the sky, thus Chervil said in a whispered, "Curiosity could kill a cat."
"And satisfaction brought the cat back to life.", Céllistáh said as she giggled and grin showing her white tooth and fangs when she heard what Chervil said.
Chervil heard his second-in-command, he smirked and took out his pocket watch to looked at the time and says, "Let that curiosity of yours make you restless. Go, see her. I think she's awake now and introduce yourself to her, and bring those two down with you to have dinner."
He stood up from the couch and walked toward the door leaving his work behind, as he said the last sentence in such dislike tone. "And as for me, I have some annoying guests that need to attend."
Chervil's attitudes made Céllistáh wondered what annoyed him everytime he got so many guests without occasion when it's normal on their society, and besides he is a high ranked person.
"I'll go to them later. I will just stay here for a while and have some rest.", said Céllistáh and leaned back as she closed her eyes. "Have an entertaining conversations with them, there."
"Likewise. Let's talk about other stuff in the future.", said the Prince and walked out of his study chamber, went to the drawing room to greet and see his guests.
* * * * * * * * * *
The hall was quiet with only the sound of crickets that could be heard outside the mansion through the opened windows. He walked through the hallway alone and stopped by the window, looking up outside where the moon was half full.
As the servants and maids were busy at the kitchen preparing the dishes and on the dining room arranging the things.
It has only been five decades ago since the moon begun to appeared again throughout the entire empires over the course of centuries.
Many centuries ago, the moon suddenly banished and never seen on the night sky through the entire empires, not even a shadow; hence, none was ever recorded why would it banished, even those on the past never knows why the moon disappeared. Thus, they never know why would it appeared again fifty years ago, just when they thought it was gone forever. And, for what reason behind the moon's banishing and it appearing again was still unknown.
Chervil remembered an old folklore once said, mostly on their kind; that when the moon disappeared there was something happened that involved his line-age and is to happen that made the moon to appeared again, but they never know what is it which held them responsible of the moon disappearing and it appearing again on the night sky.
"Grandfather once said, we're going for the better. The changes and chances is what you bring when you appeared again. But, what changes that my deceased grandfather was talking about... It's silly to assume.", he said in a whispered as if he was talking to someone while looking at the moon and started to walked again.
When he reached the right corridor and enter inside as the double door was already opened. He could hear the place filled with chatters and laughters from his guests as they all sat on couches there having an early evening tea, whist waiting for him.
A young lady who noticed the design on the man's cloth said, "That design was from the new known tailor, right? It realy looks very nice on you, Sir Larzo." Her red eyes scanned the man.
"Ah, Yes... Looking pretty in black and royal blue combination as well, Lady Lyah.", said Sir Larzo. Sipping his cup of coffee after complementing the young lady infront of him. He's a pure blood vampire and just like Chervil's generations whose on his late twenties appearance.
Lady Lyah smiled charmingly as she acted like a coy. "My father bought this dress from western land by a traveling merchants for me. It is so expensive but the quality of the fabrics are very nice.", she said while touching the dress fabric.
"I've heard that the western land has the most expensive fabrics that's why the prices are so high, but at the same time it is a very good quality.", says the lady who has a dark red eyes sitting beside the Duke. She glanced at the entrance and noticed a shadow of a man walking. "Lady Rosie is an expert on that since she always bought a new dresses from western empire.", she said with a smile looking at the woman infront of her.
The woman just giggled and sipped her tea. "I've got the saying, the more higher and good the quality, the more expensive it is.", said Lady Rosie after while and the others nodded their heads in agreement.
"Well... We are the higher up after all.", said Duke Vower who was a vampire and all of them nodded and laughed together.
This was what Chervil heard when he walked inside, which he could only bare the noise. His not that really fond of such noisy atmosphere while talking about rubbish society things.
When the lady saw him, she smiled and stood up followed by her companions as they also saw the prince walking inside, and bowed their head to greet him.
"Good evening, Your Highness!", says all of them in unison as they bowed.
Chervil stood there as they greeted him with a pensive expression that shows nothing but a cold expression. Then, he smiled politely like when he was talking with his siblings and friends. He then said while sitting down on a single couch crossing his legs, "Indeed... Wonderful evening to you Ladies and Gentlemens."
"Your Highness, I've heard your little vacation with Sir Dion after your investigation about the massacred with the council. Does you enjoy it?", asked Duke Vower as they all sat down.
"Yes, I really enjoyed such a peaceful environment."
Lady Rosie said taking her tea cup from the table, and was cut off by Chervil. "That's good. I thought your human friend brought you some trou-"
"He isn't just a simple human, Lady Rosie... You're talking about my third-in-command who can put a well fight on one of the commanders...", said Chervil quietly leaning back as he looked at the lady. "And he isn't trouble at all. In fact, he's more reliable than anyone else."
Looking at his guests with such stonic expression like there's another meaning behind his words. They all got reminded of him, his deceased grandfather their previous King; and which made the lady to shut up. The other laughed at the way lady Rosie was shut, and also to ease the ambiance of the room as they could sense that the Prince was annoyed about it.
Sir Larzo stopped chuckling and said to avert the conversation, "Ahh, yes. Lady Lylah and Lady Meridetch here were planning on going to Dylarianion Kingdom two months later after the Cold Lanterns Fest. Would you perhaps like to go with them to attend the Willow Festival, Your Highness? Well, since your grandmother, the former Queen was from there."
"I don't have plans for the next two months as I'm always busy with my work.", responded Chervil as he could hear a foot steps from outside coming near the drawing room.
"Can't you have some fun for a while? It's been a long time since we go out without business in our hands,", said the man at the far corner. His reading a book which he got from the bookshelves beside him. He drank his coffee-blood and looked at Chervil, then said after. "You should go with them, Crist. You always stuck with your duties as the future ruler. You can't even take care of your own needs nowadays."
Chervil chuckled darkly in amusement. He knows they all just wanted him to slack off and find out his weakness then stab him on his back, since of his birth.
'Your mother was my grandfather's child from one of his mistresses before, thus you have the right to rule this empire if it weren't of the council's laws.', thought Chervil and said to the man, "No need for you to worry about my needs, when you can't even give me those necessary needs."
He then looked at the ladies with a forced smile, "I'm sorry Merid but my hands are full and there's a matter I need to attend. "
"Oh, no. Not a problem at all, and besides I know how busy you are. We can just go together some other time elsewhere.", said Meridetch as she waved her hand.
"Maxxille here can go with you ladies as my stand instead since he wants to go...", Chervil said and looked at the man who smiled as his eyes were on the book he read. "I'll ask his Majesty to give you permission to enter Dylarianion Kingdom, attend the Willow Festival and also to get the documents about the land in two months time."
"Really?", said Maxxille while turning his head and said with an unbelievable expression. He closed the book and looked at his young cousin with disappointment, "But I want us to go there."
"Oh. So, you don't want to. I can just sent Dion then.", said Chervil looking at him as he supported his head with his right hand and a stonic face. He raised his one brow.
How did he had such a family. Annoying cousins and annoying guests, he sigh inwardly thinking about it. 'Oh, how great!', he thought annoyed.
"Alright.", said Maxxille with a forced smile.
"Sir Maxxille will going to love the Willow Tree Festival. Since this year there has to be a traveling circus preforming from western land.", said Lady Lylah with excitement visible on her voice.
"That's good then.", said Chervil in a bored way.
Hearing about it, Duke Vower was surprised to hear
and said, but he was being cut off by Sir Larzo. "Oh my... But I thought it wasn't-"
"Apparently, it's been approved by the our council. And, I've also heard that the council were planning a linkup with the western council and hold a Council Test here in our empire for the aspiring councilors this coming years."
"Why would the Southern Council do such a thing? This is unheard.", asked Duke Vower while raising his brows. He looked at Chervil, "Your Highness, can't you look into this matter? Why would we want to open up with the other lands?"
"This is just a trial only. However, it was my grandfather's proposal before when he was still alive, thus the process just proced these days.", said Chervil and looked at outside the opened windows where the moon are now illuminating the night sky.
Whist he, himself does not know the real reason behind the former Arch-King's motives and actions. For awhile now, his been thinking of it. Why would his deceased grandfather proposed something outrageous like that back then to the Western Empire and Council, which their Southern Empire's Courts has been approved and are processing it even these days? Are they going to invade the west or something? And if not, what was the purpose?
Chervil had so many questions on his mind but he couldn't seem to get the answers he wanted. Thus, he just let go of it and said, "And as for the Circus. Duke Alphonse Viéche had it first many decades ago as an attraction for the mean event on MacQuíd Kingdom which the council their King and the current Arch-King has been approved of it too."
"Well, if it's been done before then I think there's no need to worry and opposed to it now. Besides, the council knows what they are doing, and so did uncle Cedrus.", said Maxxille with a smile.
Chervil and the other ladies nodded their heads in agreement and so did Sir Larzo.
"Indeed. And it will be worth our time and effort just to go and travel there.", said Meridetch as she nodded her head and took a sipped of her tea.
"Oh. well... I suppose so...", Duke Vower said with a forced smile sipping his tea silently. It looks like he was the only one who's opposed to it.
Time passed by quickly, Chervil was just sat there with a bored expression while listening to them and just nodded his head when was asked as the conversations changed.
Then, a gentle knocked was heard coming from the opened door as all of them were busy talking to each other, and when they looked at the entrance and saw Daisy who stood there. She bowed at them.
"Pardon my disturbance but dinner is serve, Ladies and Gentlemens, Your Highnesses.", said Daisy politely.
When Maxxille saw Daisy, he stood up immediately from where he was sitting, walked towards her and then took hold of her hand while caressing it softly. "Hello, you look lovely Miss Daisy. Do you mind coming with me and assisting me for tonight with your delicate hands?", he asked seductively.
"I gladly...", Daisy thrillingly said. Taking her hand back and smiled politely, thus she continue with her words, "...Decline your request, Your Highness. And rather be eaten by wolf than be one of your victims."
Chervil smirked at his young head maid responded, 'What an obedient child she is, and even directly said she doesn't want him.', he thought.
Maxxille couldn't see his reaction as he was at the center facing the windows while the entrance was at his back, and the others too were chuckling amusingly.
"My... This is the first time I saw and even heard someone declined you, Prince Maxxille.", commented Lady Rosie mockingly after she heard the maid declined the offer on one of the Princes
He was about to slap the young head maid who just stood there like a statue for saying such a humiliation of his status as a Prince while he said, "How dear you? Your boldness will leads you to dea-"
"I believe what she said has meaning to you Maxxille since you have a fiancé, and yet, you have four concubines.", said Chervil. He then looked at the others who was infront of him and calmly stood up from the couch as he walked to go out of the drawing room after saying, "Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, let's continue our conversation at the table. Shall we?"
Thus, they all stood up and walked out, went towards the dinning room after Chervil. As he went his way first followed by Daisy who only bowed to Maxxille without fear that could be seen on her face. And Maxxille on the other hand could only glared at the young head maid.
* * * * * * * * * *
Inside the dinning room. The maids were busy serving the food at the center of a long table where the guests and the Princes were as all of them are enjoying their conversation, and whist waiting for others to arrive.
Daisy was giving instructions to the servants and maids as to where to put the dishes while helping the others as she's arranging the dishes on the long table as they're ignoring the guests conversation.
Prince Maxxille was glaring at the head maid who never looked and even bothered herself with the threatening glare as she just ignored him. Continuing on her job. Perfectly.
Chervil was listening on Sir Larzo story about the slave who's able to escaped from one of his relatives manor three days ago, which they're trying to track the whereabouts slave until yesterday afternoon when they heard a news from the council who was sent to search that the slave was dead when they found it by the alley.
"It is unfortunate since they bought the slave with high priced as the auctioneer said the young slave was well docile.", commented Sir Larzo. He shoke his head in disappointment.
"That's indeed a disappointing. In our mansion, we tied them up so they won't escape and when they mess up, we beat them... after all, we bought them high priced. They should know their place.", said Lady Rosie with a proud tone. She looked at the others who nodded in agreement of what she said because they would do the same, "You know... slave were you born, slave you were to die. They're just a group of dogs in our society."
Chervil was bored listening to the conversation when Lady Rosie butt in with a proud statement of what they would do with their slaves. 'I so wanna kill these women. This is the reason why slavery should be minimise. There's no good having an empire of slaves.', he thought annoyed.
"Ohh! Have you heard the news, Your Highness? There's a killing happened two days ago at the edge town. They said it was a slave who killed the master.", said Lady Qallzan with a terrified expression looking at Chervil.
Upon hearing it. Chervil raised his brow in curiosity. He didn't heard Dion mentioning it, when his third in command would always giving him his update of what commotion he heard outside the palace. "No. I haven't heard of that news. Well, since I'm just arrived this morning after almost two weeks as we've investigated the resent massacred."
The Earl's daughter was just sitting there silently and just listening to the conversations. She would nodded her head with a smile every now and then as a responded when she was asked whilst glancing on Chervil who was at the far end.
Prince Chervil was sitting at the far end of the table, his cousin Prince Maxxille was sat on his right side next to Lady Rosie and Sir Larzo who was talking about the recent events that took placed in their society. And on his left side was Lady Qallzan, Lady Lyah, Duke Vower and Lady Meridetch.
Duke Vower and Lady Rosie raised their brows when they noticed the dish that was being served infront of them by the maids is an ordinary food and not the special food that was usually served everytime they would to visit, and also the drinks were made of fruits and not the usual blood.
"Unusual, isn't it? The kitchen staff and the maids must have though we're humans for them to cook something very normal like their kind.", said the Duke mockingly.
The maids and servants stopped their track for a moment then continued doing their job, whist Chervil just ignored him.
A light foot steps was heard coming from the entrance, then they saw Céllistáh boarding a smile at them walking towards the other side of the table. She took a seat beside Maxxille who was startled and confused because she didn't usually sat too close, and there's usually one chair gap between whoever and whenever she sat on. This is the first time Maxxille saw her sat down without having a gap.
"Actually, Duke Vower...", said Céllistáh. After she sat down comfortably, she looked at the Duke who looked at her curiously as to why she thrilled down her words and notice how she took a glanced at the far end where the Prince sat. "It was Prince Chervil who instructed Daisy to asked the kitchen staff to cooked only the normal foods, and besides it is very delicious to eat."
She overheard the conversations that transpired as she walked in, and thought to entertain herself. Though, it wasn't a lie when she said the normal foods were delicious. It's more delicious than the ones they called special food which only the difference is that it mixed with blood.
Duke Vower was not expecting it, though. The others were nervous as they all thought it was the decision of the cook, that when they noticed a while ago that the Prince didn't react while the maids brought the food out. They would never expected that the Prince was the one who requested it.
"Céllistáh, where's Dion?", Chervil asked Céllistáh ignoring the other. Glancing at the entrance whist he was enjoying the nervousness of his guests right now. "I thouht I told you to bring them down."
Céllistáh answered him while looking at the entrance as well. "Our new babysitter? He was just following me here with our special guest, when your cute special guest stopped walking, so he asked me to just went on here without them. They should be on their way."
Chervil just nodded. He knew young Ellah is still adjusting herself over the death of her family and friends. He understood her because his grandmother was a human too... Like her. He saw how much his grandmother struggled when his grandfather died.
Death is not a scary thing, rather, it is the solitude that follows the one who you left behind.
"Who?", asked Sir Larzo looking curious.
Meridetch was curious to know who is the special guest that Céllistáh spoked about and turned to Chervil who frequently looked the opened door, "Who is it, Chervil?"
"Who's our special guest you spoken about, Lady Céllistáh?", questioned Lady Qallzan curiously.
"You'll all know once they got here.", answered Céllistáh and smile. She could see how curious their guests were. She was like them a while ago when she went to the girl's room. Curious.
"Curiosity could kill a cat, indeed.", she said while chuckling and looked at Chervil who has raised his brow hearing it from her as it was his words to her earlier. Thus, looking at the moon outside the window.
Chapter 15: Glass Roof
Young Ellah went out of the room with Dion holding her left hand carefully as they were following Céllistáh descending the stairs as the woman was the one who went out first. Ellah looked around.
They walked through the staircase down to the ground, and she noticed a big portrait hanging on the far corner on one side of the corridor, the hall has a small round garden at the center then a glass roof was what she saw when she looked up to lighten up the hall, and also for the plants to have sunlight.
Dion stopped on his tracks when he noticed the young girl wasn't at his side as he let go of her hand awhile ago when they were on the ground.He looked behind in wonder why, when he saw young Ellah stopped walking and just gazing up the night clear sky full of stars through the glass roof. A sad expression was visible on her young face.
"What is it, Ellvinah?", asked Céllistáh. She turned behind her when she notice the girl stopped on her steps while gazing at the transparent roof.
Dion was just looking at the girl who seems his mind isn't on the presence.
'This again...', Céllistáh thought in wondered. 'Why is it there's so melancholy atmosphere around him sometimes? As if he wasn't living in the presence but the bypass gone, or I might say, rather... there was something he hold on the past that he couldn't let go.'
Dion snapped back on the presence when he heard Céllistáh called out the girl. He walked towards the young one, and crouched down lowering his height. "Does the night sky beautiful? Do you like the stars, Ellah?", he asked gently with a smile while caressing her warm cheek.
While looking at Ellvinah with a sad face. He remembered a young girl with the same sad expression as she looked at her own reflection through the clear lake one late afternoon of his childhood, thus it made him wonders before up until now; how that girl could straighten her mind to be strong and never succumbed to darkness of the world. She always has a brightest smile whenever she's around people, but when she's alone- melancholy atmosphere was what she's having, while she thinks and sees good in everything even if other's condemned her. He wondered why that so.
Young Ellah did not responded but instead she just continued to stared at the sky.
A couple of minutes. "The lonely moon is what I like... My big brother does love the stars though. He would be joyful to see these many stars even though the moon shines so bright." she said softly in a whispered with her eyes turning red. Her tears rolled down in her cheeks.
She looked and asked Dion, "Is my family and friends are one of those stars, now? And the moon... Big brother once said that the moon was there to guide everyone, that's why I like the moon. Does the moon really there to guide my family and friends? And does the one who died really turns into stars and is there to guide and to guard us? Is it true?"
Dion looked at the girl who had so many questions as her innocent eyes sparkles with tears. He sigh inwardly a couple of times, closed his eyes for a moment. When it comes to a questions similar to what Ellah has asked him, he would just ignored it and convert something else to change it, but couldn't do it for a young girl like Ellvinah. He knows that she, infront of him now needs someone to not suppress her own emotions: He, himself was aware and knew how much devastating it is to lost someone important, though. He was much older when that happened than the girl infront of him now which was only six years old.
Dion opened his eyes, wept her tears tenderly then turned to the woman who looked at them patently while she just stood on her spot. "If you may, Céllistáh, you can just go there first to them. She still needs time.", he said.
Céllistáh just nodded her head without question and left towards the dinning room. She understood and knows humans can be so emotional when it comes to deaths of someone's dearly, and she couldn't do anything for death is part of their life as the night creatures and especially part of humans nature.
Dion brought Ellah to the round garden as Céllistáh went on her way that was on the center of the hall. "Your brother was right about the moon being the light as a guide for the stars. And the stars being a guide for each individuals that walked under the vast sky, but your family aren't there, above...", he said while pointing upwards. He could sense her sadness then he looked at her eyes and smiled. "Cause one of them might come back to you, to be there and comfort you. And might be in a different form or ways but I'm sure... they will."
"What makes you say that?", questioned Ellah. Her tears now stopped falling looking at him.
"Because you like the moon, more than you like the stars, little one.", said Dion and touched her nose with a bright smile. "One of them might stay to look after you on your journey. The moon will lighten up ones path while guarding them, and the stars will guide them to where they wanted to go." He looking up above them and little Ellvinah looked up as well.
Ellah looked at Dion who still looking up the sky. She couldn't understand some of what he said but he is the first one who gaven her those words. Just like what her big brother would always said about, and it gave her the comfort she needs whenever she's sad and lonely. Her big brother was always there for her... Like what Dion did just now. Comforting her.
Dion looked down at her then stretched his hand with a smile as young Ellah put her right hand on his, and they walked together towards the dinning room. Hand in hand.
As young Ellah and Dion approaching near the dinning room that was already opened. She halted and just stood there while looking towards Dion who proceeded onto the open door. She could hear people talking, and she could guess there was more than two inside. Even though she wasn't afraid of the Prince who made friends with her, she wasn't sure about the others.
"Umm, Can I just go back to the room?", she asked softly.
"Why?", questioned Dion back. He stopped and turned, walk towards the girl who looked nervous, "We're here already."
Nevertheless, the young girl didn't answer while her tense shoulders never stop shaking as she stood still. She was too tense to enter the room that had her eyes red again as she's about to cry, and Dion seeing the look on her face couldn't help but sighs silently.
"I'm scared to go...", the young girl said honestly.
The man crouched down. He paired his eyes with the young girl whose about to cry. "Chervil is already there. Waiting for us- for you to join.", he said softly and put his hand infront waiting for the girl to take it.
However, young Ellah shook her head as she was too afraid to walk in. She was still traumatized with what happened of her village and the gross fate of her family and friends while trying to escaped from whoever was it who wants to kill them. And she might have remembered running with her family and friends to escaped but after some events, her memories were blurry like something was blocking her mind to remember after she woke up a few days ago. But she didn't said anything about it to anyone as she wasn't sure of what really happened.
Dion without any choice stood up. He couldn't force her though. "Wait for a moment here and let me see whose in there, okay?", he said, and the girl nodded her head.
* * *
At the moment in the dining room. Céllistáh was talking to Meridetch and Lylah about her quick trip to MacQuíd Kingdom as Lylah was interested on going there again while the others are talking about society matters whist waiting for the others to arrive.
"Is the place still the same? It has been half a century since I last visited there.", said Lady Lylah with disappointment in her voice.
Céllistáh smiled and with excitement in her tone as she said, "Yes, the place was still the same though. However, the one land that Duke Alphonse owned has been renovated to a park many years ago. You should go to his place, and I assure you, its very gorgeous."
Chervil. While talking to Duke Vower concerning the matter of his heir who will going to succeed his position when the time comes heard a foot steps from outside the room.
"Hello, everyone! Did you all have a wonderful night?", said Dion who entered the room with a cheerful voice. He looked around the table and saw everyone was looking at him curiously except Céllistáh who rolled her eyes.
"Oh, good evening Sir Dion.", said Lady Qallzan with a bright smile when she saw him.
Dion smiled back while he bowed dramatically. "Yes. Good evening to you too, M'lady. Looking pretty as usual.", he said and this made Lady Qallzan blushed.
"You sure took your time to get here.", said Maxxille with a smirked. It made Dion laughed out loud as it sounded like there's another meaning to Maxxille's words.
"For a human whose late, you sure a noisy one.", commented Lady Rosie.
Bowing again, he said, "Oh, my... I ask your forgiveness, Madam." He walked forward to the table side.
"This is why your kind are so beneath us in so many ways. Maybe this is why humans are stock below because they always wasting time trying so hard to be on top. Is your kinds really this time-wasting?", said Lady Rosie with dislike visible on her voice.
Dion walked beside the Prince and bowed. He look at her and replied the woman with mocking tone that made Lady Rosie to look at him with shocked expression. "Indeed. That might be right though. Nevertheless, it's better being late with work than being late wasting your time clinging on another man..." He smiled innocently like he didn't said anything.
The vampiress was totally shocked with his replied. She didn't expected him to responded with such words, for such a low living creature to spoked like that is absurd and here infront of them, talking back with such disrespect words in mocking way is something unforgivable as she was part of nobility household.
"What were you saying?", asked the woman doubtful. "Don't you dare make insulting remarks towards me, you human."
"Hardly." Then Dion added, "Does your husband know what you've been doing all this time or does he still blind by sweetness-lies?"
The others looked at the woman with a shocked expression while on the other hand; Céllistáh Maxxille and Chervil looked so amused.
"How dar-", Lady Rosie gritted her teeth to control her anger because of the way Dion embarrassed her. She wanted to snap back for humiliating her status infront of everyone when the Prince spoked.
"Where's Ellah?", asked Chervil who could only sigh. Observing the people around him. He ignored the others and took the chance to talk so the woman would shut her mouth. He knew Dion won't back down rubbishing someone's pride and dignity when it comes of insulting his line-age. "I thought she's with you since I asked you to be with her. Where's she now?"
"Wait! She? You mean it's a Lady?!", said Maxxille in a loud pitch looking at his cousin with an intriguing tone.
"Yes. It she.", confirmed Céllistáh.
"Oh, right. Where's these special guest Céllistáh spoked earlier? We thought she's with you.", said Meridetch with a bit of curiosity in her tone while looking at Dion.
Dion smiled at them and leaned forward to his side where Chervil was currently seated. "Actually, she is with me but she said she wanted to go back to the room as she was too scared to enter here. And I got no choice. Therefore I asked her to wait there outside while I'm checking who's in here.", he whispered on Chervil ear.
He sometimes wondered if Dion does know that it's pointless to whispered as everyone around them were vampires and they could just hear what he said to him.
Chervil stood up and said, "You all can proceed with the dinner without us. Dion and I will be back shortly." They leave the room without further explanation that made the others more curious.