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Justin was confused. Obviously something is bothering her, but she seems to be angry with me about it... He saw that she was just about to start crying. "Alaina," he spoke gently to her, "what's going on? I don't understand." He stared at her as she took a few steps forward. "Please try to snap out of it. It's me, Justin." He didn't think it was working all that well. If only I could break out of this ice... He tried to slice at the ice yet again with the dagger. He wasn't sure if it was making a difference, but there was the chance that he could break free. He used most of his strength to slice at the ice containing him. But he kept his attention on the princess with a worried expression. "Please...listen to me..."

Justin's eyes dilated in absolute shock. He couldn't fully believe what he was hearing. She...hates me... With that thought, he felt his heart ache. It wasn't from blood loss or the urge to drink, but something else that happened. He felt as if everything he had in his life was now gone. His heart broke. The prince's gaze fell to the ground. He couldn't stand seeing Alaina cry like that. His mind filled with dark thoughts, most of those just attacking himself. He was almost punched by the princess, but then she said that she would listen. He tried to think about what he could say to reassure her, but he didn't know what to tell her. Finally, he spoke to her. "I...always really thought...that humans were just as horrid as what you think we are. When you and your sisters first came to our kingdom, I thought that I would be dragged into hell. But then, I met you. You showed me that we aren't that different, that we both have our faults. And you are someone...that I can be myself around. I thought, then and now, that I want to be with you." He brought his head up and spread his arms up on his sides. He stared at the princess. "But if you truly believe that I am a monster and that I should be gone forever, let it be so. I'm not going to harm you, and you deserve better than me. If it is what you want, I'll die for you." He closed his eyes and awaited Alaina's response.

Justin's eyes immediately opened with Alaina's first sentence. He stood there, staring at her in amazement. She seems a bit more calm now... She stepped closer to the vampire prince and brought her arms around him. He gazed at the princess with a calm expression. As she spoke, he began to understand what she really thought of him. He felt...happier. Her final words made his heart start beating again. He gazed into her ruby eyes with immense happiness. Right then, he pulled her closer to him and kissed her on the lips. With this action, Justin gave Alaina his feelings too. For once in his life, he believed that he had been forgiven and reborn. A tear went down his cheek. Thank you, Alaina. After a few moments, he embraced the princess, with movements so gentle as he wanted to soothe the crying girl. He parted lips with her and whispered in her ear, "I love you too." He then started to sing the song he sang earlier. He hoped that it would calm Alaina and tell her that everything was okay now.

Justin couldn't stop the few tears flowing down his face. He felt so alive when Alaina spoke those last words. He felt as if he was finally accepted. He could finally love and be loved. He gazed at the princess, seeing her brightening smile. He smiled lovingly at her as his mind filled with new, greater thoughts. I don't care what kind of beings we are, or what others would say. She said I was amazing...She loves me...and I love her. I won't love anyone else like this again... He embraced her yet again. It was only for a moment though. After that, he stared at his still encased feet. "I forgot about this," he told Alaina. He gripped the dagger yet again and swiped at the ice on the ground. "Would you help me?" he gently asked the princess with a smile.

Justin continued to slice the ice with the princess's dagger. When Alaina came back, she had brought over a seemingly heavy rock. She began to bash the ice with it. He simply smiled at her and kept working at his encasement. After a minute or two, it still held. This is some tough ice, isn't it? Suddenly, he felt the blade scratch against his shoes. He had cut through the thickness. He tried to move his feet, which wasn't much. But then he decided to hit it with his bare hands. After about six hits, it started to crack. With all of his strength in his next hit, Justin broke the ice at one ankle and foot. He maneuvered his foot through the hole and immediately started on the next one. Soon, I can finally get out of this.

Justin continued bashing and slicing at the ice. He heard Alaina's question and put pressure on the wound. Pain came, but it had to take some effort. "It'll be okay," he answered her. But then he thought of something. He looked at his surroundings and tried to find the ice girl. She's...gone... He became a bit angry and sent a fist to the ice with maximum strength. It broke through the ice and he was finally free. However, the prince wasn't thinking of that. She escaped...she's probably heading straight to our kingdom! She's probably still going after my family! He stepped out of the ice and stopped. He pondered for a moment. Then again, it'll take at least a few days to get there from here, and that's if you're on foot and aren't stopping. Phew. He also remembered the king. He turned to the castle and glared at it. If only I could go inside and give that guy a piece of my mind...

Justin turned his head to Alaina as she apologized. He smiled at her. "It's not your fault, you know," he replied. "Besides, I should hear it from him." He gazed at the kingdom for another moment, then turned to the opposite direction. "I think it's time to go back," he said to her. If only I knew where that girl was, then we could finish our fight... Suddenly, his heart began beat harder than before and his chest started hurting. The vampire's eyes dilated and he froze. Not...now... The energy in his body left him, and he couldn't stand anymore. He fell and collided with the ground, knocking the golden and black top hat from his head. His eyes closed and his breathing became quicker. He needed blood.

Justin's eyes started to slowly open after Alaina had asked her question. It used up a bit of his still remained energy. He looked up at the princess with desire. He stared at the skin on her neck as he was still heavily breathing. His heart beat even quicker now. So...beautiful...and so...tempting... His mouth opened in an attempt to answer her, but no words formed. He could feel his fangs growing inside. I...need to...drink... But then he caught sight of the princess. He closed his eyes and with all his strength, tried to fight against his urge. I can't...not to...her... He clenched his teeth, fangs cutting into his lip. Even though he was in pain and was becoming weaker still, he resisted. She's...had enough...