Masked Princess ✓

1: Brothers and disasters

Chapter One: 

Brothers and disasters. 

Aeui was anxious, beyond terrified. 

    She holds her diamond necklace rightly, looking like her life depended on it. It had been quite some time now since she holds serenity to her necklace, having to be the only thing on this world that makes her sane as it has been nothing but her personal warning whenever they would appear. 

    Every single detail of what had happened yesterday flash before her eyes, letting her to face her fears one more time. The memories were so vivid and terrifying, enough to know that she was now in danger for the rest of her life. 

    The event was so dreadful that she almost falls into their trap, making her to want nothing more than to dive deeper into what they wanted her to. If it wasn't for her father, everyone would have been mourning for her death. It was beyond dreadful that she almost lost count of the stars above. It was so dreadful remembering every single thing, that she couldn't believe that all of those were real. 

    Aeui wasn't overreacting, heavens no. 

    She just knew that the event that had happened was slowly changing the course of her life. She knew because what had happened yesterday was the reason as to why her father had been forced to let her stay in this kingdom - amidst every vampire that was present. 

    "My lady, you have been distracted for a while now," Clarisse, her lady in waiting, called her into reality.     

    As soon as she looked at her, she grew aware that she was holding her neck, circling it into a mess. Clarrise knew that it would bear a mark soon and it wouldn't be long before it turns swollen. The very evidence of blood sparks in her body like a charm whenever she was wounded. Her pale skin was also a big give away whenever that happens.     

    "Don't be anxious, my lady," she said. 

    Aeui nodded, thankful at how she always got her back, "I am just thinking, thank you for looking after me."

    "This place is away from the place of the deen of the wolves, my lady. You will be safe in here." 

    Safe?

    When did she ever become safe?

    For years, the word 'safe' doesn't taste right for her as they had been nothing but infuriating. Giving her nothing but a sense of security. It doesn't matter if she has hundred of warriors guarding her for they have no trouble getting bypass that. 

    It wasn't a problem for wolves to hunt her, never has it been. 

    She had realized that from the event that had happened yesterday, one that forced her to be in the abyss that she was in. That could be the warning that they have already found out the truth - or maybe, that was just a mere trap and they all fall into the scheme that they're planning. 

    Whatever the ploy is, she knows that her family hated this idea too. To have her stay in a place with only a lady in waiting, no other people to rely upon. That means that if ever there were some sort of danger, she was to rely on her own human strength. That wasn't plausible as she would be a tad easier to be abducted. 

    However, they needed to do this - in order to keep her safe, they need to put risk into what has to be done. They just have to assume that everything would be okay as she would tackle her days in the palace. She knows that her father was doing everything that he can to drive all of those creatures away from her. 

    But they wouldn't just go. 

    They would find her - and if they did, they'll really end the bond. 

    A sigh escaped through her lips when those thoughts continue to linger in her head. They did nothing but rip her head into half, killing whatever she was from the inside. Aeui knows that everyone was doing their best to keep her safe, protected and out of the hands of the overpowering wolf - but she knew the risk of having her safe. 

    Keeping her safe includes the possibility of someone dying instead of her. 

    There were times that she wanted nothing more than to dive into the person and have to be killed rather than them - however, she was needed in every circumstance that was thrown before them. She knew better that if she was killed, everything would cause havoc in this beautiful land. 

    She, of all humans, doesn't want that. 

    "My lady," she called again, making Aeui to look at her. A frown settled on her lady in waiting, clearly worried to her princess, "Please do not think so much." 

    She could only frown, "I am not fond of their plan. What if everyone questions my stay in the kingdom? It wouldn't be long enough before he hears that a princess was to reside in this place." 

    "Have trust with the King, your highness. He knew how to handle everything and will always do what it takes to keep his daughter safe." 

    Her heart ached in the idea of her father, to remember his solemn face was hard enough for her. He was the one who was forced to give her the life that they didn't plan, the man was nothing but protective of her and she knew better than he was facing more saddened that her at this very moment.

     She didn't know just how huge of a predicament has she been suck into. All she knows is that she now how to live her life in fear - as she does. Aeui could only wonder when would be the best time for her to live in peace, one that will have her not live in a way that she was glancing on her back - thinking that someone will pounce on her. 

    "I apologize, my lady. It would seem like the flowers aren't helping you." 

    As if being ordered to, Aeui looked at the flowers before her. They were so beautiful and fragile, one that reminded her so much of herself. Aeui used to be like a delicate flower, one that is so beautiful and fragile. It was one of the reasons as to why it had become her calming state for they do nothing but make her utterly happy, warm and the only thing that reminded her of her old self. 

    It reminds her that she used to be just a normal human. 

    One who once lived a normal life with parents who loved her for everything that she is. Flowers remind her of her life, where she was happy and did everything without fearing for her life. They remind her even with her title, the clothes that covered her body and the crown that settled on her head - no matter how much she looked from the other, she was merely a human and not at all a vampire. 

    "You should be resting." 

    Her heart thump upon hearing those voice, one that had been so familiar in her ears. She felt him walking towards in her direction and she couldn't settle the smile in her lips. When warm hands snaked on her hips and his chin rested on her shoulders, Aeui could already feel her worries dying down. From the way that he was doing, the princess was already sure that he was closing his eyes as he tried his best to hear her beating heart - the only evidence that she was alive. 

    "I miss you, kid," he muttered as soon as he was assured that she was fine. 

    She could only chuckle in response, "I know you did, Kingsley." 

    "You're so full of yourself, kid," he mumbled before grabbing her hips and twirling her into his direction. Kingsley only locked eyes with the princess, which made her to show her pearly white teeth. It didn't take long before he offered a smile of his own and messed her hair, "You looked troubled, kid."

    "Everything is making me worry," she breathes. 

    "We'll handle it, we always do. For now, don't fret too much. Everything is clean." 

    "Wait, what are you even doing here?" She asked, confused at the sudden intrusion of her brother, "This isn't our kingdom. Are you lost? Or are you just mocking me?"

    "Kingsley, you little s**t!"

    Immediately looking to the source of the voice, Aeui stilled. She grew aware of the man who was frozen in his spot upon knowing that she was there. Even with the run of time, she could still feel the heaviness in her heart - on that masked with nothing but pain. Her neck was scorching hot, remembering everything that he had to her. 

    He almost killed her.

    The man looked at her very carefully while keeping his distance - which wasn't in her liking. The stare that he was offering was so intense that she felt like she was someone who was in trial for the bad thing that she did. She knew that the man wanted to touch her, but there was a big part of him that was scared that he might hurt her again.

    This is so pathetic.

    Her life had become nothing else but pathetic. 

    The man was her brother, yet he tried to kill her. His eyes were locked on every inch of her body, making sure that nothing was off. The man was making sure that no prince in this kingdom has already tried to hurt her - but no, he's the only one who has the capability to hurt her.  

    His worries vanished when he had noticed that she was just okay, but she wasn't doing okay. Never had she been ever since the incident. From the moment that wolves invaded their home to hunt her, she was more than terrified to face every single day with nothing but fear. She was always scared now, never settling in any place. Her heels would always be in running - looking if someone would want to suck their fangs in my neck. 

    "Good day, my princess," Prince Crowde, her older brother, greeted her with a smile. 

    A smile escaped her lips too, despite her best interest, "Good day, Crowde." 

    She missed him.

    She missed her brother. 

    "Prince Kingsley," one server called, gathering their attention. As soon as she reached their place did she only bow before them, "Prince Crowde." 

    Crowde nodded, subjecting her to lift her head, "What is it?" 

    "The princes are searching for your presence. They requested to have a play in the royal court. Please," she bowed again, showing a way that was far from there, "If you may come with me. I will escort you to the court." 

    "I wasn't sure seven versus two is a fair fight," Kingsley muttered with a frown.

    Crowde could only chuckle, shaking his head to his little brother, "Then you better play without thinking that these are princes. We need to win, and we're going to crush them."

    "Calm down, Crowde. They are nothing but children." 

    "Children," he scoffed, shaking his head, "They had lived for more than 70 years, they are not children." 

    Kingsley sighed, looking at his brother in nothing but ridicule, "Compared to you, who lived for more than 100 - they are nothing but children. Go easy on them, brother."  

    Crowde only scoffed, finding his request nothing but ridiculous, "They are strong men, they could manage for a little loss there and then. Besides, they should know better when facing me." 

    The lady who called upon them bowed in her direction, offering a small smile to her, "Good day, your highness. Please enjoy the rest of the day." 

    While she couldn't do anything but offer a smile of her own, her two brothers depart before her sight as they talk about the things that they should do in the game. Kingsley offered a hug before catching up to Crowde but her older brother didn't even offer her a glance back. She knew that he was still utterly scared and guilty upon knowing the pain and dangers that he had put her from.

    For her brother, Crowde, was the main reason as to why the wolves knew that she was still alive. 

    Everything was happening due to the mishaps that Crowde has done.

    And he was paying the price for it. 

    Aeui starts to walk towards her room, taking her little time as she wasn't really in a hurry to do the task in hand. Having to read everything that was meant for her takes a huge burden on her shoulders. She was already pleased with having little walks with her lady in waiting, thankful that even with her being a vampire, she still respects her position as a princess. It had been hard to find someone who they could trust to watch over her without trying to suck her blood dry. 

    They had tried for other vampires who ended up betraying them and her two brothers were quick to end their life - without any time for a reason to offer them. Causing dangers to the royals, whatever their reason as to why they had done such a thing would be exempted as endangering royals is a capital sin. 

    Especially their little sisters. 

    Kingsley and Crowde can laugh at whoever wanted them killed but whenever their little sister is involved, they have no other choice but to settle in. Then again, she had been the only reason as to why the two kept using their powers. 

    For no other resident in the world, other than werewolves, were putting up a fight for them. Not only does the Zitae Kingdom has powerful siblings - but they have cousins all over the realm who they could call with only seconds. 

    Fighting them would usually call for death.

    However, the conflict with the werewolves is quite different and in some twisted way, no one can really meddle with whatever was happening. For not a single soul, other than them, knows the reason as to why the wolves are retaliating in the realm.

    "Can you bring me some drink, please?"

    "She doesn't have to bother."

    She stilled, diverting her gaze to the Prince who just spoke. His whole attention had a lock on hers, especially her eyes. Despite the warning, she didn't even bother looking down for she knew better that he had already been captivated by her eyes. 

    Offering a bow to the man, the Prince did nothing but run towards her and helped her to not bow at him. He didn't want the woman to bow at him - for she was a princess too. They were expected to bow to the sight of the Princess but they don't require them to offer respect of their own.

    Heavens, especially this girl. 

    "I have a cup of blood right here," he offered, thinking that he was doing her good, "You can take it."     

    Aeui did her best to not look utterly disgusted from the outside. The whole aroma of blood suffocates her whole breathing, making it hard for her to breathe. Blood has been the very reason as to why living with vampires has always been a pain to her. Watching them hunt, smelling the rotten flesh and blood make her utterly sick. 

    Her brothers have been kind enough to do their feeding outside of her knowledge and everyone in the kingdom was forced to do so. They all thought that it was because of the Queen - that is why the talks of having another baby had been talks but that wasn't even the case. 

    It was because there was a human in the palace. 

    She wanted nothing more than to hold her mouth as soon as she felt the vomit coming. 

    She hated this.

    She hated smelling blood.

    She hated her life. 

    She hated vampires. 

    Without nothing else to say, she could only bow, looking directly at the floor and not minding to whatever the man was saying. She was too dizzy to even care about what he has to say. 

    "She can manage, your highness."

    "Please," his voice softened, lifting her face so he could look back to her eyes, "Call me Slyvester."

    Even if Slyvester was now sure more than ever that the female wasn't his beloved, he didn't offer any kind of care. The woman had caught his interest from the moment that he had heard about her and he had been obsessing to see a glimpse of her - and now that he did, he wanted nothing more than to be one who will be mated to her. 

    Slowly, she backed away from him to reduce the contact that he has been making, "I can't do that, your highness. I apologize." 

    "Why can't you?" 

    "Let me inform you that the game is already starting," she said, dismissing the issue away. 

    His forehead only creased, confused, "You're not coming with us?" 

    "No, your highness," she muttered as flatly as she could, "I have to study." 

    "I doubt that. Vampires already know everything. Is that an excuse to get rid of me?" 

   Well, technically you vampires only know the information that the Cavens provide to the people. 

    She shook her head as she thinks of the possible excuse that she could lay on him. Aeui needed every excuse that she needed to stay from the man. More than what she hated most - fanatics is what she loathes to be with. The princess wasn't sure why vampires have been nothing but fond of her as soon as stories spread about her. 

    Vampires have visited her kingdom to search for her.     

    And it worries her. 

    He smiled softly as if asking her to answer - but she couldn't offer an answer or two. The woman can't do anything but stood there, not wanting to have her time wasted to someone like him. She was now more thirsty than she ever did and the smell of blood wasn't working either.

    "Sylvester! I finally found you!"

    She cursed inside her head upon hearing another call from one of the princes. When she told the Queen that she wanted little to no interaction with her kids, this wasn't what she meant. She hated being close to the princes, not that they were mean to her but just because of their power. 

    Unlike werewolves, vampires are meant to have powers or two.

    The princes in this kingdom were known to have great power from inside them and she doesn't want to be in the middle of accepting any of those. She was scared that if they discover anything about her - they could have killed her in just a blink of an eye. 

    They are seven powerful vampires and she's one weak mortal. 

    How can she ever live in this state? 

    Why was she even alone in this palace? 

    Why does she have the sudden urge of crying? 

    "Good day," she offered a respected before bowing to the new prince in the lot.

    The man, however, frowned upon seeing her. Enough to cast the smiles out of his face. She could sense that the man hated to be near her and instead of taking offense to this, she felt nothing. This was a good thing for her as she wanted nothing more than to away from them. 

    Being liked by any of them is the last thing that she would ever ask.

    For pleasing them isn't the reason as to why she's in their castle.  

    "By the looks of it, you're not coming, are you now?"

    She shook her head, dismissing the idea, "No, your highness."

    "I see. I wonder what you'll say if I ordered you to come and cheer for me?"

    To say that she was taken back was an understatement. She knew that the prince was more than serious to his tone, wanting her to cheer for the man as if that was the normal thing to do. Aeui couldn't do anything but bit her lips. The man doesn't seem to have a problem when it comes to abusing his powers - disgusting to think that a prince would lack manners. 

    Vampires shouldn't be ordering her because for once, she should be the one who should be ordering them. She could feel her anger coming right through her body this second. She hated his presence, hating his scent and now hating everything about him.

    "Jovani, come on," Slyvester pushed his brother before looking at the Princess before him, "You can't force her like that. Dad told us to be nice, okay? Besides, she needs to do something. Am I right, Princess?"

    Nod.

    That's just all she ever did.

    It was best not to talk, as she wanted nothing more than to waste another time to these types of princes. A fanatic and someone who abuses his powers. She wanted nothing more than to add to the assessment of this Jovani guy to her, that's all he wanted. To know more things about her.

    She would do things to his advantage, that was for sure. 

    It's like he's getting aware that Aeui is not just a normal vampire and that something must be utterly weird about her. She now questions if he has any power that is related to analysis for that is the one type of power that she hated more. 

    Vampires who have a power of analysis is dangerous for her. 

    Her eyes flickered to his movements, one that seemed to want to touch her with an objective to read her mind. No, she almost shook her head upon having to felt nothing but scared to what he was doing. He isn't doing things right. 

    "Slyvester and Jovani, what the fuck."

    Her heart almost flows out nothing but gratefulness of the one prince that just arrived. Moving back to the two princes before her, she looked at the man who came and offered a smile of her own. She knows of him. 

    Prince V.

    He has been the one who escorted her to her room and offered her nothing but stories of the history of the place. Even if he didn't need to, she was thankful to have learned something as educational as that. The man was a complete example of a good prince. The man was looking at her as if some things were on the back of his head and upon realizing that he was gawking at her did he offered a small apology before dragging his brothers away. 

    She doesn't understand the man. 

    "Your highness," her eyes diverted to her lady in waiting. 

    The woman was smiling at me but the shock was present in her eyes. It was so obvious that it didn't take long for me to take notice of it. It has been way too long since she had paid little to no attention to some guy. 

    More than ever, Aeui was the one who was weirded out. 

    She didn't know what got into her. 

    "I'll deliver the milk in your chambers," she bowed. 

    "Please do." 

.

.

    Aeiu took a little sip in her milk while she continued on reading some ancient book. This was the reason as to why she was in the kingdom - because of this book. Only this kingdom has the book who holds the key to what she needed to know. The King and Queen were more than aware of this, as they have been nothing but a good alliance to her family - they accepted. 

    A yawn escaped her lips as she had begun feeling quite sleepy because of the amount of milk that she had been consuming. The writings on the book start to vanish, as it had felt another presence inside the room. This book was only meant for special people like her, as it was encrusted with such powerful magic from one of the first residents on the land.

    One vampire has offered his life to guard every written thing presented in here - so that no other intruder would have the chance to have read their most sacred knowledge. Not a lot of people know of the book, there were only rumors and not one, even knows that it reside in this kingdom. 

    Whenever it would felt another presence, all of the writing on the book will vanish.

    It was to ensure that only the ones who are meant to know everything will have access to everything about their world. Aeui, who was unaware of the writing vanishing, only closed the book before releasing another yawn. Ever so carefully, she rests her head in the table without even aware that her necklace was glowing. 

    "And that's a score!" V shouted as he dunks the ball in the ring. 

    A smirk escaped his lips before looking at the two Princes of the Zitae Kingdom, one he knew was fairly good at this game. Not that he was suspicious of it any longer. It was a two by seven type of game and they were behind by 9 scores.  

    Crowde easily dribbled the ball and shot it into the ring, even if he was on the other side of the court, it entered the ring quite easily. A smirk escaped his lips before looking at V who isn't particularly pleased with what he had done. He didn't need to show just how much good he was at playing this. 

    V suddenly laughed as he saw his brother, Johannes, who grabbed the ball and tried to enter it in the ring. Not even a single one was stopping him so it was automatic for everyone to join in the laugh as he missed the ring.

    "Dude! You're lame at this and math?" Slyvester chuckled. 

    Johannes growled, "Shut up."

    Kingsley suddenly looked at Crowde who surprisingly, also looked at him at that very second. They suddenly grew uncomfortable in some ways that they don't quite understand. A feeling inside them just felt utterly wrong. It was only when Kingsley's hand burst into flames that they both looked at their sister's room. No one moved, looking for some sort of disruption in her room.    

    Crowde cursed when he saw something dashed on the windows, having them bolted with such fast speeds. The seven princes only looked at their retreating back, lost at whatever was happening before them. They weren't sure as to why their hands burst into flames and why would they looked into the palace. 

    Confused, he searched for where they were looking into and a flash of horror corrupted her upon realizing that the room that they had been looking into was the Aeui's. 

    "What's happening? Why did they rushed into the place is if it's a matter of life and death?" Johannes asked, confused. 

    "She's in trouble," V mumbled silently.

    As if realizing what he just said, V's eyes suddenly grew wide as he ran into the Princess' chambers. He doesn't know why, but he felt like he needs to do it. The other princes were even astonished to what he has done, but they followed him too. 

    Aeui, on the other side, was running from a big black creature. She grew aware of the creature the minute that her necklace had become quite hot. All she can see was its shadow - but she can tell that it was one of them. She didn't know how they managed to look so hideous but she had already found out that it was because it wasn't a normal wolf. 

    Someone was tampering with the wolf DNA and she only wonders who could do such a thing. 

    It was only when it growled did she stilled, feeling her body grew numb as the creature faced her. Like what the usual ones, it bears these dangerous red eyes and claws that were unlike other werewolves. 

    "You're coming with me," it growled before her face, which was enough to make her sob. 

    As if on cue, her doors swung open and fireballs hit the creature on top of her. The creature dropped on the floor, slowly turned into small pieces of ash, and it didn't take long before it disappeared in the wind. 

    Kingsley and Crowde's powers are connected to fire. 

    Fireballs in their hands are just a simple trick, but that trick always killed those creatures. 

    Without even remembering the conflict between his sister, Crowde rushed to her side when he noticed that she was crying. Not even a second of being near her, Aeui already grabbed him close to her, crying in his shoulders like a mess. He was glad to realize that the woman isn't afraid of him - more than ever, she just missed her brother. 

    He hugged her back, offering her comfort for her sobs. While Kingsley could only offer a smile of his own before looking around the place, clearly mortified to how his little sister must have felt at this very second. Just as when her necklace stopped glowing did the seven princes arrived in her chambers.

    A shock went through them when they saw her, sitting on the floor, crying furiously as she was being hugged by Crowde. One might think that she was just missing her brother - but they grew aware of the surroundings and saw the damage that had happened there. 

    They all know that their theory is wrong - something big happened inside there.

    Kingsley glanced at them and smiled softly as he spoke, "We can't continue to play in these circumstances."

    "Is she alright, Kingsley?" Sylvester gritted his teeth. This is not a pleasant view for him, "Why is she crying? Why is her whole room into a mess? What happened?"

    "It will be best if you guys didn't know. Excuse us."

    Kingsley closed the door and the seven princes were left outside, completely unaware of what's happening or to who the princess really was. Never had been there a disaster when a royal was being cast out or being targetted by anyone in this realm. 

    They all looked at each other, carefully trying if one of their powers can manipulate what happened here, but no one can. It's protected. It's very weird. She really has a story behind those sleeves.

    Who is she, exactly?yo