Chapter 36

NARRATIVE POINT OF VIEW

A newly radiant sun steps forth from the springtime, wrapping the tropical country nicely. The birds chirped loud and clear, blaring her ears making her eyes open in a daze. She heaved, completely sullen as it's another day of her unfortunate fate. It has always been like this since she got here. Perhaps everything escalated quickly.

“3…2…1…” the loud ringing of the bell pierced the mansion, three loud knocks came through her door, signaling the entry of her companions. They opened it, filing in a single line, they trudged next to her.

“Good morning Princess Coreen!” they greeted in unison, bowing respectfully and stating the schedule keenly. She sat up, eyeing the 4 maids with a subtle smile. Every time she sees them, she cannot help but to remember her working days before. “…and at 5pm, you’ll be having a meeting with General Ezekiel Reeves of the Garrison Department”

Her last schedule brought her excitement “is that so?” she asked with glee.

Jamaica, the head of her lady servants, bowed as a sign of yes. She quickly stood up to take a bath first thing in the morning. As the sole heir and remaining person with the royal blood, Agatha has a role to fulfil. In a week, she’ll be finally coronated, demolishing the democratic governance and establishing the royal court for the first time since the supposed eradication of her bloodline.

The house of Bridgeton, the castle which is where she lives, made her feel lonely as she doesn’t have a family. But the servants, guards and even the gardeners have given her a sense of prejudice. She ought to live her life peacefully with them, making her a likeable leader. Her days are filled with lessons, tea time and state meetings.

Learning about the alphabet, the etiquettes and the royal government has always been her cause of stress. She had grown to dislike it but she has no choice, therefore, resulting in her optionless acceptance.

She eyed the fleeting butterfly landing upon the vase of the chamomile plant by the library window. She couldn’t help but to smile 'it has been a year… has it?'

“Lady Coreen!” Mrs. Trench poked her with the teaching stick. She jolts, “focus on studying the history of Bridgeton!” her glare scared her. She nodded repeatedly as she vents to shambles, reading and analyzing the lesson she’s having for the day. She took a fifty-point quiz and scored nicely. One thing that’s admired about her is her ability to learn fast. And so the infamous instructor allowed her to end the class early.

She joyously stepped out the library, running around as her servants chased her playfully. It is public knowledge that the missing heir grew up as a servant, therefore, making her a popular personality with the citizens of Bridgeton. She’s nice, funny and empathetic. She had a couple of public appearances, making the people hungry for her presence. Perhaps it got too early as it's only been a year when she started taking her lessons, but the state has been pressuring her thoroughly.

She helped the cleaners sweep the floor. They would always tell her to stop, but she wouldn’t. She just cannot bring herself away from her past habits, and one of them is cleaning.

“Lady Coreen, please-“

“Halt!” she placed her index finger above her lip “shhhh…” she whispered as she continues with a smile. When she was about to turn around, another servant came to inform her of his arrival.

Her eyes widened. She quickly gave the mop to the other servant stopping her and said “I’ll be back!”

“Ezekiel!” she greeted as she entered the tearoom. He smiled, bowing his head as he stood up from sitting. She walked towards him and sat upfront, “is that your uniform?” she asked with amusement. He wore a black tunic, partnered with a crimson battle coat patched with hefty medals.

“Yes, Princess Coreen” he replied.

“you look good!” she cheered, making him blush. Ezekiel Reeves has always been thankful towards her. The moment he saw her killing Lawrence Vatcherun, he found himself blazed with admiration. After successfully saving her, the world has come to know of her heroic gestures enabling the ties of the nations stronger. The Reeves family is no longer banished, he was even given a government post as General. Ever since that day, they’ve been close friends. But he dreamed of getting closer. She, however, seems to be uninterested. They walked around the castle, trudging upstairs to a spot she favors the most.

Agatha and Ezekiel stood before her picture. The portrait of the late Queen Emily never ceased to bring her tranquility. It was her safe haven amidst the quintessential life she’s living in. “Isn’t she beautiful?” she asked with admiration.

Ezekiel sighed, for he knows what’s running through her mind. “Agatha…” he called. She eyed him with despondence “don’t call me that…” Her green eyes are windows to her soul. Ezekiel’s keenness never ceased to miss the meaning behind that gaze.

“I’m sorry” he apologized. Brushing his nape with gloom, he bowed his head. “I thought that maybe if…”

“No, Ezekiel. You would never be a man like him” she turned her body towards the blushing man. “He’s a vampire, you’re a human. He’s vicious, you’re kind. He once hated me, but you were there to save me…Ezekiel, you don’t have to call my name the same way he does. You’re different…You’re not as bad as him”

Her words pierced his heart. Anyone who hears that would think that it’s a compliment. But Ezekiel knew that underneath the pleasant words, is his inability to steal her heart. “I will never fall for you…” she followed “maybe I like the bad guys… Perhaps I have a bad taste,” she said whilst chuckling. He watches her as her chuckle turned subtle. Not even a minute later, her tears formed, “but he’s dead… so, now what?” she joked whilst crying with an unprovoked smile. She shook her head “Ah, this is bollocks! I’m about to get crowned next week, but why am I thinking of him still?” she wiped her tears and gestured him outside the gallery. “Let’s just have another tea and forget about him”

The darkness of the dawn enveloped her room, she’s on the bed with closed eyes and woke consciousness. Fumbling her toes and curling her fingertips, she pulled herself up. Her room was dark, except for the subtle light of the moon shining over her window. She stepped out of bed, walked towards the balcony and opened it widely, allowing the strong gush of wind inside.

She would always find herself there, eyeing the mountains across her view. She never missed a night. She stood there for a moment, scanning around the darkness with enthusiasm.

An hour has passed, but she found no luck. She bit her lips, feeling the dominating presence of her tear as she turned around.

Her coronation is about to take place tomorrow, but he still hasn’t fulfilled his promise. She sobbed quietly, frozen as she had her back turned around. “you liar…” she uttered despondently.

'I’m cursed to be immortal Agatha… I wouldn’t die, I will always come back alive'

His last whisper would always cross her mind. She cannot even bring herself to forget it because that’s the only source of her willingness to fight. He promised that he’ll come back, but until now, he hasn’t and she’s been waiting every day.

She wiped the tears flowing by her cheeks when a loud thud sounded behind her back. The moonlit has showed itself as it pushes the clouds aside, it brightened her surrounding enabling her to see the shadow standing before her. She stood frozen, mouth gaping with agitation. She cannot bring herself to look as it might be another false hope.

“Agatha…”

A voice she had been longing to hear called for her. She looked back with a waiver. Slowly facing towards the source of the shadow, a pair of bloodshot eyes greets her. She bit her lips, gasping loudly with glee. She cannot speak as she couldn’t believe for her eyes.

Lawrence had long hair, bare torso and tattered strides. His cheeky smiled showed as he extends his hands “Will you be my queen instead?” he asked.

She nodded with tears, ran towards him, and leaped for a tight embrace. Her world slowed as she finally drops her facade. She’s no longer the missing heir, she hates that kind of freedom anyway.

His bare coldness enveloped her longing presence. She couldn’t be any happier. He blared her with a passionate kiss. Rendering the both of them ruptured, Lawrence leaped to flee.

Questions after questions formed in her mind, but she can't bring herself to speak. The choice that she wanted, is finally here. And she've no interest to let that go.

Turning their backs against the world, the cursed vampire and the unfortunate royal chose to escape the harsh reality. Their union may be limited, but what’s about to happen in the future is none of their business. They ought to live in the present, indulging themselves in the love they found with each other. They may be bounded by bane, but the baneful conditions they're choosing are far better than the manic lives she’d spend as a ruler.

“Let’s get away, Agatha”

-END-