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Justin walked silently through the long hallways of the castle. Melissa dared not say anything to break it. The prince's expression changed into having none. The others know me this way, so I might as well go with it. Soon, the trio were at the front doors with the two vampire men. They bowed to Justin as he approached.

The group walked through the glistening kingdom, first Justin, then Alaina behind him, and finally the two vampire men in the rear. Even at this time, some humans were moving around the city. They stared at the group with mixed emotions. Some were amazed to see the princess again, others glared at the prince and vampire men. However, Justin kept himself emotionless. It's better not to associate at this time. They passed through the town and made their way slowly to the shining white castle. I was never able to see it last time, but now it's different. I don't know if I really want to go in. Finally, the group reached their destination. As they approached the front doors, Justin noticed two guards standing in front of them. They also saw him and drew out their guns. "Excuse me," the prince said, "I am here to speak with your king." The guards glared at the vampire and even pointed their weapons inches away from his body. The vampire men were just about to knock out the guards, but with one hand in the air, Justin silently told them to stay back. He then turned his emotionless face back to the armed men. "I'm sorry," he told them, "I haven't explained anything yet." He then took the princess's hand gently and moved his way to her. "I believe she will motivate you." The men were shocked to see their princess again and bowed in her presence. Without another word, the prince, Alaina, and the men strode into the castle to find the king.

Justin and the group walked through the hallway of the castle, searching for the ruler. I wonder where he is. Maybe I should ask Alaina or a servant to tell me... But then, the king was walking down the same hallway they were. The prince noticed the man as both the ruler and the princess started to quicken their paces. He listened to the words the man spoke to Alaina. He sounds pretty kind when he has his daughter in front of him. The vampire had started to look at his surroundings. I wonder if that ice girl is here. But even if she is, I might not want to continue our fight... The prince's head went up to the sound of the king's question to them. Justin noticed that the man glared at them with much hatred in his eyes. He kept his straight face and started to explain. "I am here to represent the vampire kingdom," he told the man. "It was decided that we have taken too much from your kingdom after the war. So, I am here to return your eldest daughter Alaina, that way you may have an heir to your throne." With that, he gently nudged the princess towards her father. This is probably the last time we will see each other for a while. But we will meet again Alaina, I promise you that.

Justin slightly smiled at the ruler's words. I'm glad that he is happy, even if he did try to kill me. But then, the man told him and Alaina that he wanted to talk. He faced the princess for a second, noting her confusion. He turned to the vampire guards and told them to wait outside for him. They bowed and exited the castle. There they would not be able to listen in. Suddenly, the prince was shouted at by the human king. It made him jump slightly, since he was not expecting it. The king glared at the vampire hard and full of pure hatred. It was a glare that would send chills down even the bravest humans' spines. However, Justin was a vampire so his skin was already ice cold. He kept his emotionless face. He also heard that Alaina was trying to defend him, but the ruler simply would not listen to his daughter. I don't think that will help much. That ice girl probably informed him already. The prince sighed before responding. "I cannot deny it," he told the man. "I have entered your kingdom once before. However, I wished not to harm any humans or cause destruction. I did it because...because..." Justin struggled with his last words. I know he's going to lash at me a little for this, but he did ask why. He stared back at the king. "I did it because I wanted Alaina to be happy!" he exclaimed to the man. He settled down a bit before continuing. "I brought Alaina with me when I came before. It felt like...she missed her kingdom...so I decided that she could visit. It's true that I've wanted to wander around the kingdom since I have never been outside the vampire boundaries, but I merely wished for the princess to be happier." The prince then knelt in front of the king and Alaina and bowed his head to them. "Punish me if you must. It was my idea and the princess is innocent." He then faced Alaina. "I apologize to you too for having you involved in this." He weakly smiled at her, and he lowered his head again. With his head down, Justin merely waited for his punishment by the ruler.

Justin was suddenly lifted off from the ground. He wanted to get away, but the king held a tight grip on the prince's throat. The red marks on his neck merely made things worse for the boy, for it increased the pain. After the king's words of hatred, he wanted to answer back, but the grip was held even tighter than before. He has amazing strength for a human. Air was very limited, and Justin was struggling to breathe. His breathing became quicker and heavier, and he wasn't sure if he would live through this. He heard Alaina defending him once again. He glanced over at the princess and would have made a weak smile had he not been struggling to survive. His hands were up to his neck, trying to loosen the ruler's grip. He was starting to give in. No...I can't...not now... The king then mentioned the prince's father. Justin's eyes widened and he stared at his opponent. The king wore a grin as he threatened him. The prince's fingers dug into the skin of the ruler's hand in anger and he snarled at him, fangs glistening. With some strength and air still in him, he spoke, "My father...was ten times...the man...you ever...will be...He was...honorable..." He then coughed achingly from the stranglehold. The boy's throat hurt with every word. His head was becoming lighter from lack of oxygen. He could feel his mind drifting into unconsciousness. His arms fell to his sides, and Justin's eyes closed.

Even though he could not function his outside body, Justin was able to sense what was happening. He could still feel the pain increasing on his neck. He heard the king's words, which made him even more infuriated. He wanted to shout back, but he could not move a muscle. This is it...I guess...I'll be with you...soon enough...Father... Suddenly, the grip on his neck faded and the vampire could feel himself falling. What...happened...? He was caught by the princess and sent on a lighter collision to the ground. He grunted as he finally landed in Alaina's arms. Air filled his lungs quickly, which made Justin cough violently. His neck was still hurting, but he endured. As he coughed and regained oxygen, he heard the princess's words to her father. A tear flew down his face from her defense for him. She then said his name and he slowly raised his head to her. His dark eyes were locked onto her ruby ones as he made a weak smile. "...Alaina..." the prince spoke through his dry coughs. "...I owe you...my life...I'm forever...in your debt..." His throat continued to hurt from the grip and the coughs, and he felt uneasy. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around the princess in an embrace. He wanted to regain his steadiness, but he also just felt great having his arms around her. He felt as if he belonged.

Justin felt Alaina wipe away his tear and he smiled even more. He listened to her whispered words and then responded with, "Thank you." He gazed into her eyes until she saw the king behind her. He also stared at him as he spoke. Suddenly, he pushed his own daughter roughly to one side. The prince was just about to run to her when he was shoved in the opposite direction. His back slammed against the nearby wall by the king's strength, which made the boy grunt. The king spoke to him coldly and with hatred yet again. He said that his family's name was not to be tarnished by him. The prince snarled at the king as he continued. He thought I brainwashed her? After the ruler's last words, Justin slowly stood and glared at the man. "You think I would ruin your family's name?" he questioned. "Take a look at yourself. You taught your children that we vampires are no more than monsters, even when you don't even know us in the slightest. You gave your daughters no freedom. You harmed your own daughter because you don't approve of her acting against you." He stepped closer to the king and had an emotionless face. "You asked for a comparison between you and my father, correct? Sure, my father is indeed dead, but until he passed on, he fought for what he believed in. He treated those around him with kindness and respect. He was loved by both his kingdom and his family. On the other hand, you are a abusive, threatening tyrant. You will hurt your own flesh and blood kin to get what you want out of them. You spread lies about our kind. It was not me who brainwashed your daughter." The prince pointed his finger towards the king. "It was you."