Vampire's Bride

#4 Feya

The girl ran like her dear life clung to it. She should not be strolling outside the apartment confinements. Otherwise, she would get disqualified straight away, and her mission cannot afford such a failure. She had dreaded it for a while now, waiting for the perfect opportunity. But this bridal selection competition would help her achieve her target - Hedwig.

She ran, looking back a few times to check if the stable boy was after her. Her horse, Bella, had wounded her leg while getting there. She could not help but sneak to the stable to check if Bella was doing fine and receiving proper medication. Bella was her best friend and loyal companion.

Many still bullied her to be a stable girl. But who could blame her? She was, after all, her mother's daughter. Martha, her mother, died saving the elf king Sylvius when his horse went berserk after being poisoned. She was already thirteen when Martha died. She wanted to grieve for her mother. But she had to fend for herself when her adoptive, heartless stepfather lost all the money given by the king gambling and drinking like smut. The cruel world suddenly saw her as a grown-up woman who could warm their beds. They tried to bed her in exchange for work, food, money, and warm clothes.

One fateful day, her father brought some people home whom he owed. She was the repayment. Only god knows what would have happened if her abilities had not emerged in that precarious situation. They were four big men, while she was barely fourteen. She had just hit puberty, making her look more like a woman. Their wicked, lustful eyes torment her to this very date, even when her powers have surfaced. She had brutally killed everyone that night who tried to assault her, including her stepfather.

When she was captured and brought in front of King Sylvius, he recognized her immediately. He is a kind ruler and a just king. When the king came to know that his savior's daughter had to go through such atrocities, he realized it was because of his negligence. The king blamed himself for her situation. What he had to do next to save her honor and provide her with comfort was deemed outrageous by most nobles. The king announced her as his adoptive daughter. But who would dare to speak against his decision? So they stayed silent in front of the king and bullied her whenever they could.

But in Sylvius, for once, she found support after her mother had died. He was calm, gentle, benevolent, and supportive like a father should be. He trained her to control her magic and also a few martial skills to defend her when need be. He even supported her when she wanted to do this reckless thing!

But, she wasn't there to represent the Elf section. Everyone back at the palace was against it, but not one could stand against the king for long. She was glad that Sylvius trusted her and supported her wish. After all, she was not here to gain love or be a queen. All she wants is Hedwig.

When she reached her apartment section, the hustle and bustle at those late hours baffled her. If she went inside now, it would be too obvious that she had gone outside. It was way too tricky, and she could not risk it. She sighed with exasperation. Her only shield was the black dress and veil she was wearing. She thanked her maids, who had packed it for her, secretly.

"What are you doing there?" A woman in a gray dress called out to her.

Panic crept inside her as she dreaded her secret would be busted anytime now.

"Umm... umm..." She stuttered as no good excuse came to her mind.

The servant gave her a disdainful look and walked toward her. "Gosh! You smell like horse s**t. Had you gone to the stable for that maid girl?"

"Maid Girl?" She stammered, unsure about whom the servant was talking to. She had asked a few of them to check on Bella. But no one cared to listen. Probably her reputation preceded her. They were not so keen on serving a stable woman's daughter. Grrr! Is the servant girl referring to her as the maid girl? It hit it like a boulder when it dawned on her.

"Yes, that preposterous princess. That's what everyone calls her. I pity her. But I am just a nobody here. The rumor is she is going to be ousted soon. Who would like to see her as the next queen? The princes are not so dumb, they say." The Servant girl spilled.

"Right. I went to check on her horse." She agreed discreetly.

"You are stupid to do that. But it is wise to cover your face and wear dark clothes. If Eva or her minions had caught you instead of me and seen your face, they would have reported against you or made your life miserable. Go, change quickly." The servant girl pushed her towards the servant quarters.

"What is your name?" The servant girl asked.

"Feya. Yours?" She whispered.

"Ingrid," the servant girl replied.

Feya could have lied about her name, but she would need a trustworthy attendant during her stay. Despite Ingrid's earlier remark, Feya found Ingrid warmer and more reliable than most people she had met there. She took a mental note to request Ingrid as her attendant during her stay if she gets a chance to pick.

They had barely left when a couple of butlers asked Ingrid to go to a prince's compartment with a box. Ingrid sighed. Another tip for the elder prince. She has to keep it in his study when he is not around.

"Don't get lost! You have to help yourself." Ingrid said to Feya. Feya looked towards the crowded section, crawling with noble ladies and servants and butlers. Perhaps she should wait for them to return to their room before sneaking inside.

"Can I go with you? I am new here. I have never been to a Prince's section." Feya pleaded.

Ingrid took a minute to decide. But then she sighed. "Fine. Only because Eva and her minions are there, and I don't want you to be their victim. They are total bullies. But promise me you will not snoop around and stay where I ask you. Never remove your veil because I don't want to see your face now. If you get caught, because you may since you smell like horseshit, I don't know you, and you don't know me."

Feya nodded her head, following Ingrid. The palace was vast. Everyone had their section as extensive as a castle itself. It was not hard to get lost here. The grand portraits, large chandeliers, and silver candelabras screamed regal. Sylvius's palace was magnificent. But this was grander. No wonder the Vampires were the high kings.

"Stay here," Ingrid ordered, leaving Feya near an enormous painting of the royal family. The king and queen looked regal. Two handsome young boys stood on either side of their parents. They were not identical twins, but both were strikingly beautiful. Feya wondered how they look in person now. All the girls boasted about them. Particularly prince Damien. They fancied him.

She could not help but remember about the stable boy. He was exceptionally good-looking and in good shape for someone who has to spend their life with horses. She was beautiful herself, or so she was told by all those men who wanted to bed her. But that's it. They all thought she was fit enough to be a mistress. But when she had to live with her mother, she was really skinny and paler. Her hair was rough and frizzy. She never looked that appealing. But after getting adopted by Sylvius, conditions improved for her and her natural beauty started showing. She wondered how handsome the princes would be if a modest stable hand is so gorgeous.

"Who are you?" A manly voice boomed in the hall, making Feya freeze in her place. Her body stiffened with tension. She cursed her fate! She should have been more careful to realize a presence behind her. Now she has already lost her opportunity to hide behind those large curtains.

"I- I- am-" Feya stuttered.

Feya's eyes had widened in shock and confusion. Why did she even think of coming here?

The man standing in front of her was one of the most handsome men she had seen in her life. He was tall with sharp features. His bold features suited his deep brown eyes that bore a hole in her. That's when it dawned on her. He was Prince Damien, the most popular and wanted bachelor in the realm. She had no doubt why every girl fancied him now. He was drool-worthy.

"Who are you?" The authoritative voice exploded again, making her heart swell out of her chest.

"I am sorry, Prince Damien. She is a fresh recruit to help us with all the increased workload. I was supposed to take her to the servant's quarters, but I had to finish some urgent work." Ingrid came to her rescue. Feya nodded her head frantically in support.

"She smells like horseshit! You should be more careful." Damien imposed. But his voice was much calmer now.

Feya was impressed that the elder prince treated even a servant with respect. But she had no time to admire him now. She must escape from this dreadful place and go back to her assigned room. She definitely needs a shower after that.

Ingrid bowed as an apology. She practically dragged Feya out of the Prince's compound. She wanted to take Feya to the servant's quarters, but she had to return another box. It had become a daily affair for her.

Feya sighed with relief to see that the busy corridor of the bridal candidate's apartment section was much calmer now. A few servants and butlers were busy cleaning the salon. When Ingrid was talking with the same man who had given her the box in the first place, she found an opportunity to escape. Before Ingrid could shift her attention back, Feya escaped.

Once Feya was inside her room, she let out a deep breath, feeling relieved. Bella got injured by a sharp branch. She bumped into a gorgeous stable boy and met a bold yet nice lady servant. She was lucky to see the trophy prince of the tournament before others. It was an eventful first day for her in the vampire's palace. But the only one whom she was yet to meet was Hedwig. His thought alone made her anxious and restless.

How much she wished she could walk to Hedwig and demand all the answers she had over the years. How could he abandon her mother and her? But now that she has woken him up from his deep slumber, he will have to answer all her questions.

"Hedwig! I am here." Feya whispered, her eyes gleaming with conviction.

----

Elsewhere, Hedwig, who had fallen asleep out of boredom in his room, woke up with a plop. He was sweating profusely and panting for air. It was a terrible dream. A nightmare! It was nothing he had witnessed in his long, painful life. But the nightmare had this dark aura attached to it that sent a shiver down to his spine.

He saw a girl sitting beside him while he hibernated in his hideout. Her face was not clear. But there was no doubt that she hated him for something he had done to her. His heart weighed down because he could sense her anxiety, anger, and sorrow.

She mumbled something ancient that only a druid can speak. Her eyes turned into a fiery red as she woke him up from his slumber.

Then the voice of the girl echoed in his head - "Hedwig, I am here."

His face turned pale. After ages, he was suddenly feeling the presence of another druid who despised him.