The Curse Of A Stranger's Gift 41 Epilogue

A portion of the sun peeks through the big mountains, gracing rich yellow rays down the busy Townsquare. Vampires wearing gray cloaks pa.s.sed from houses to houses, whispering rumors about the king's death. One of them even said that he caught an incurable disease from the mortal realm and that they would soon be infected with it. From there, another vampire would spread the info, possibly adding some spice in the story 'till the truth had been buried by a wild variation of lies.

Some common vampires stopped when the large bell rang for the third time this week. Some were irritated. The gong-like noise it produces was too much for their sensitive ears. But, they're a bit curious. It has been two weeks after the blood moon and ever since, the castle doors had been locked. They thought it was a bit of a joke. Xavier's son had been crowned a day before the blood moon, then a filthy mortal attacked the newly-renowned king. There was a moment of action and poof! The castle never opened its gate to any visitor. They even doubt that the witnesses were able to stray back to their terrain. The castle's just way uptight.

There had been a slow rustle as everyone moved closer, wanting to have a better look. Perhaps it was their imagination, but the door had snapped open. They squinted, putting their hands above their eyes. For a moment, they could only make out the shadow filling the doorway until a small figure emerged, closely followed by a muscular hooded-figure.

"It was a pleasure having you here, Mr. Senor. We're sorry for some inconvenience we've to burden you with. May you have a safe journey back to your hometown." Eleanor bowed slightly, her hand clutching the hem of her black dress.

Mr. Senor smiled. "No worries! No worries!" He waved his hand. "By the way, if he wakes up, tell him I'm sorry for giving Zheira a fright. I was just astounded with her gift."

Eleanor's hand twitched while her eyes moved uncomfortably. "I'll... I'll be telling him that, sir!"

He smiled once more before turning his back. "Let's go, boys! We've had a long journey ahead of us."

The common vampire cleared the way as the witnesses whoosh past them, leaving some dust for them to sniff. They groaned, murmuring to themselves the rudeness of those visitors.

Before Mr. Senor followed them, he hovered long enough to say, "I know what has been going on, Eleanor. I've known Xavier for too long to not notice his plans. Of course, I've no intention of obstructing his way, because he'll not hesitate to put me on my knees. Knowing that you're able to clip his wings, I hope that you've learned your lessons."

Brows furrowed, Eleanor asked, "What do you mean?"

He released a deep sigh, raising his head towards the magnificent sky. "Xavier has a superficial instinct. He hated Lauxister the moment their eyes bored on each other." He looked at her straight in the eye. "Power turns anyone to the bright side, Eleanor. I hope that it was the right decision to hail him as an acting king."

"He helped us win the war against that b.a.s.t.a.r.d," Eleanor snapped, "Surely, he'll not try to keep the throne for himself."

"I hope you're sure about that." Mr. Senor smiled before setting off on his journey.

Her head buzzed with different questions. Mr. Senor had done a good job to make her thinking. She shook those thoughts away when she noticed the common vampires staring at her. Glaring at them, she then entered the castle, brushing her harshly in a way she didn't intend.

A light-hearted laugh issued from her throat as she watched the common vampire moved closer while she slammed the gate to them. They're wondering she knew. Who wouldn't? For almost two weeks, the castle was closed. It'd never happened while Xavier was still the king.

Eleanor blew some air towards her forehead. She was dragging her feet in the shady hallway, allowing a distant memory to crawl through her consciousness. It's like it only happened yesterday. The pain and everything was still lingering inside her. If her memory was correct, they arrived at the castle carrying Xavier who couldn't move and an unconscious body of Vladimir. They were actually in a hurry. According to Lauxister, it wouldn't take long before Vladimir suffered the same fate as Zheira.

So, they set off towards the laboratory and confined Vladimir inside a large tube. Lauxister pushed some b.u.t.tons, mixed some potions, and boom! Vladimir was already floating in a purplish liquid.

"It would give him enough life energy," he said in between his fast breathing.

"W—what ab—about the for... mer king?" said Louise, carrying Xavier in his back.

"I believe the castle has a dungeon, put him there. He will have to pay for all the sins he committed."

"How about we just kill him?" Eleanor b.u.t.ted in. "I mean, he deserves it more than anyone."

"That'd be an easy escape. No. He must feel eternal pain. Louise, ensure that he will be in pain every day. Eternal pain is more than enough compensation for the life he sacrificed."

Louise bowed slightly before walking away with the king.

"Eleanor," Lauxister called, "Summon the Elite Guards to the king's quarter. I have an announcement to make."He didn't wait for her response and limped away.

"Wonder what's he up to," she murmured.

Moments later, the Elite's, together with some blue-armored vampires, marched inside the king's quarters. Eleanor stood beside Lauxister who's sitting comfortably to the throne.

"As of today, I would be your acting king—"

"You—what?" Eleanor gasped.

Lauxister cleared his throat. "I would be the acting king while Vladimir's unconscious. There needs to be someone who'll lead, or else this kingdom will fall into pieces."

Closing her eyes, she said, "Alright! Just ensure that the welfare of this whole town wouldn't be in vain." Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Mr. Senor—the former king's favored guest—peering outside.

"The first thing we'll have to do is to lock every gateway—"

Everyone's eyes darted towards him as though he's insane.

"—it is to ensure that Xavier's escape wouldn't be possible, but before that, there must be a bell attached in the castle. It must ring three times a week, which signifies the king's severe punishment. Make sure that the pain inflected to him is more than he can bear. Show no mercy. He deserves it." Lauxister's eagle-like eyes swept towards the Guards around him. "Lastly, make sure that everything that happens here will not reach the common vampire's ears. Understand?"

"Yes, your majesty!" chorused the guards. They bowed for the last time before disappearing in a gust of wind.

Eleanor was thrown back to reality when he fumbled over a big rock. She fell face-down to the ground with a loud thud. Her cheeks flushed red when a series of laughter howled in the air.

"You're becoming stupid by the minute, are you?" Louise offered his hand, his face screwed while he stops himself from laughing.

"You're one to talk!" Eleanor hissed, ignoring his outstretched hand. Standing, instead, on her own.

Louise shook his head with a small smile. "Did the witness left already?" He changed the subject, seeing the scowl in her porcelain face.

"Yeah!" she replied, more stiffly than she intended too.

"Oh, come on, you're still angry?" he exclaimed, "It was a natural reaction. You fell—"

"Shut up!" She crossed her arms. "Explaining yourself made things worst."

"Fine!" He snapped, turning his back against her. It was in his eight-step did he stopped once more. "Lauxister wanted to meet you in the laboratory. Vladimir's about to wake up." It was the last thing he said before he vanished on the spot.

Eleanor's eyes widened. Wasting no time, she sprinted towards the lab, arriving a second later in a room where human-size tubes rest. In the meantime, they have no occupants. Only the biggest tube in the corner was filled with a purplish liquid that seemed to boil. Lauxister was standing in front of it with a grim look plastered in his face.

"Is he awake yet?" she asked, moving closer to him.

In an instant, he forced himself to smile. "Nearly."

When she faced Vladimir, she felt sparks crawled in her body. It happens every time she gets near him. She thought of it as a sign that he's special to her. A genuine smile lit his lips as she watches Vladimir's perfect body. Those muscles were clearly not from a mortal. It's just astounding.

She almost jumps when Vladimir moved his long fingers. It looked so cute for her. Suppressing a giggle was hard work, but she's embarra.s.sed by what Lauxister might say if he hears her that way, so she made sure to seal her lips.

A strong reddish light blinded her momentarily. She waited for a minute or two for her vision to adjust. When she's already sure, she opened her eyes for a fraction and saw to her disbelief Vladimir's eyes stained in deep crimson, and underneath it was a small shade of gold.

Eleanor put his hand on the gla.s.s surface of the tube. "Welcome back, Vladimir, welcome back!"