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Scarlet Soul_part 10
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A bright new day.
The sun shined well and it gave new nourishment to the plants around. The morning breeze was cool and smoothed every living thing skins. There was also the song of the birds who freely sang to give more enlightenment to the empires. With the addition of the lovely flowers that gave eternal beauty to both empires. And no wonder, it is indeed the favorite time of the races to wake up.
And speaking of waking up, Sairene woke up with her right hand childishly rubbing her eyes. Her hair was a little bit messy and she wasn’t able to fix it because of what happened to her. What amazed her was, she can move like the way she could before and like nothing happened to her. Her ankle still sore, but the movements of her body was back to normal, her eyes were in clear vision again and all of her senses were strong enough, just as before she entered the palace.
She glanced at everywhere and she was mesmerized by the cleanliness of the room. The white, silky curtains that floated along with the breeze, the chairs and tables were arranged in desired manner, there were harvested flowers that looked so fresh and fragrant, and the room itself was incredible.
She continued glancing around and she realized that she was the only one left at the room. Where was Terence? She thought. Guardians supposed to be guarding their little ones, right? Yet, she found herself alone. Maybe he needs to tend to the needs of the emperor… She thought again, taking back all the things she felt. She remembered that Terence was just obliged to guard her, of course she’s a human and no vampire would let a human girl like her to do something not very good in their vicinity, and Terence was a royal guard. Make sense to her now.
Later, she heard the door creaked open and it revealed a very bright, smiling Terence carrying a try with lots of delicious food. She wide eyed those and cannot form the words she wanted to say.
“So you’re up. That’s good.” Terence said as he put the food tray in front of her, “Here’s your breakfast. You need that so you’ll fully regain your strength back.”
“Thank you very much, Terence. But, are these food, mine?” Sairene asked with a soft chuckle. She raked her bangs backwards as she saw the load of food in the tray.
“Yes. All is yours. And you’ve got to eat it all.”
“B-But…it’s so many. I can’t just eat them all in just a shot.”
“You can do it.”
“Are you encouraging me or what? Okay, let’s have this way, why don’t you just join me eating. These are plenty of food and we share it together.” Sairene said with a smile as she got the spoon and fork and ate.
“I can’t, Sairene.”
“Why not? You’re the one who brought the food to me and so I’m telling you we share these.”
“It’s from the royal chef and he said that the emperor wanted all of those for you.”
Sairene choked all of the sudden and shot a glare at Terence, “WHAT?!” Then she tossed away the spoon and fork and said, “Then, I won’t eat.”
“But Sairene! If you don’t eat, I’ll be punished.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll have the punishments for you. They don’t have the right to do that.”
“Sai-“
“No.”
Terence paused and lowered his head for the moment. He was grateful to be invited for breakfast with Sairene, but he cannot just eat those because the food was for Sairene alone. And if he ate even just a scrap of bread, he might be punished. And he doesn’t want that. But, if he didn’t join Sairene, she will not eat the food. What should he do now?
Suddenly, the door opened and it revealed three well-refined figures, and they were very familiar to Sairene’s eyes. Those were the persons who scolded her the past two days ago. Terence abruptly stood up and bowed his head to the trio, which made Sairene really confused.
Unknown to her, the trio was Sylphireth, Sephireine and Kane.
“Good Morning, sire.” Terence greeted.
“And to you too.” Kane replied.
“And I could see our little sick guest was fully up now.” Sylphireth said in a sweet, majestic voice. “How are you feeling?”
Sairene backed away until she reached the head board of the bed. Her eyes were filled with fear. She still managed to reply, “I’m…fine.”
Sephireine walked towards her and sat beside her, ignoring the fearful eyes and all. “Hm. You’re really fine now. What they said is right. She’s very strong.”
Kane sat beside her as well, “Indeed she was.”
Then, Sylphireth climbed the bed and sat by the end of her foot and gently massaged it. “Does your ankle still hurt?”
The feeling of being between vampires and an angel made her almost cry, but she forced herself not to or else she’ll be laughed at. “No…”
Sylphireth showed a small playful smile, “You seemed to be short at vocabulary when it comes to us. But when Terence is around, you’re so open. What do you see in him that isn’t with us?”
Sairene shot a confused look and raised an eyebrow. Were these three playing me? She thought.
“Syl, you’re scaring the girl.” Kane said.
Oh yah, I’m already scared! Not only to him but the three of you!
“I’m not scaring her. I’m just inquiring.” Sylphireth said with a pout.
“Yeah. Whatever.”
Sylphireth stuck out his tongue at Kane, who in turn ignored his childish ministrations. Finally, Sairene got all the courage to reply at the three. And that will start at Sylphireth, “Terence helped me and he became my first friend. There’s nothing wrong with that…am I right?”
Sephireine laughed at her with the boldness of her voice, “Of course there’s nothing wrong with befriending someone.” Then he moved closer, cupping her cheeks, “But, it amazed me that you have befriended a vampire. You’re such a strong lady.”
“I am not strong.” Sairene said in a low voice. She wanted to tell them already that she’s scared of them yet the words were backing out in fear. After seconds, she exhaled and said, “I…was…afraid of vampires and angels.”
Sylphireth, Sephireine and Kane were shocked from what they heard. A human was afraid of them, when they knew that humans were natural-born vampire killers. It was indeed surprising. Sylphireth, who was on fours, climbed to her side and looked intently at her eyes. He was positive that the girl was really afraid of them. With all curiosity and concern, he brought his right hand to her forehead and began reading her memories. A lot of pictures emerged and flashes of horrible events, bringing Sylphireth’s heart to pieces.
Sylphireth backed away and sat at the farthest place of the bed. “Now I completely understand.”
Kane got confused, “Understand what?”
“The reason why she’s scared of us.”
“What do you mean?” Sephireine seconded the question as he backed away from Sairene.
“I couldn’t explain everything in detail, but her father was so brutal to have her life be at risk always, like when they were training, her father put her on extreme dangers especially when vampires were on the hunt, and when angels were on their patrol.”
The three looked at her with a genuine apologetic look. They felt pity for her and sorry for bring so rude t her.
“We’re sorry,” Sylphireth said with a sad smile, “We jumped into conclusions when we still don’t know your personality and story.”
Sairene’s eyes widened in surprise. The extreme fear was gradually loosing and she felt grateful to know that there were still beings like them who were kind. She replied, “No need to be sorry. And I should be the one to say sorry for the troubles I caused.”
“Shhh.” Sephireine hushed her, “No. It’s us who needed to be forgiven. I hope that fear of yours…fade away. And I never realized that a human like you could have a good heart for us.”
Sairene smiled at last, “Thank you and big deal. It’s over and should be forgiven.”
The trio blushed at her little, innocent action. Her smiling face brought out millions of rays of happiness and salvation from their problems. It has uplifted their souls and gained more energy.
Kane reached her left hand and kissed it lightly, “Thank you, malady.”
Sairene blushed baby pink, “You’re welcome. And…ever since we’ve met, I haven’t known your names.”
The trio looked at each other and they realized that Sairene has no clue of who they were. And so, they got off the bed, fixed themselves and introduced themselves in a formal yet polite manner. Sylphireth initiated the introduction, “My name is Sylphireth van Crisandrite, the emperor of Cruxiaren.”
Upon hearing that, she realized that all of these time, he was the one who scolded her and talked to her the last time she’s paralyzed, “You’re the emperor?! You’re so young.”
Sylphireth chuckled, “Correction dear, I’m exactly 550 years old.”
Sairene’s jaw dropped.
The introduction continued, “I’m Sephireine Thistlerain, Emperor Sylphireth’s royal guardian, mentor and lover. I’m 680 years old.”
Sairene’s eyes went wide in shock, as she pointed her left index finger between Sylphireth and Sephireine, “You…two…are…LOVERS?!”
Both vampires smiled and even kissed, playing with the girl’s expression, “Yup.”
“Was that even legal? I have never heard such of this before.”
The two vampires broke the kiss and panted a little for air. Sylphireth looked at the girl with a smile, “It is legal…here. Unlike in your empire, there was no thrill.”
“Syl’s right, young lady. Everyone should understand the power of love, either it maybe be towards opposite sex or same sex.” Sephireine added as he gave Sairene a wink.
I think I am going to faint… Sairene thought and she used her right hand to support her balance.
On the other hand, Kane coughed for her attention with his eyes narrowed, “Don’t mind those two, or you’re going insane. Anyway, I’m Kane Fidelity. Aeriaveil’s emperor.”
Sairene nodded at him and thought that this angel was more appropriate than these two sly vampires. “Wow. I never thought young guys like you are royals.”
“It’s hierarchal, Sairene.” Sylphireth said.
“Oh…”
After that, Sylphireth’s face became serious as he approached Sairene. He climbed back to the bed and straddled her on fours. “And there’s one more thing you should know and do.”
Sairene blushed pink once again as she was forced to lie down. Although that they made a truce, she was still scared of them. She tried to back away, but it’s no use because of the closeness of her captor. “W-What is it?”
With no other words, Sylphireth bent down with a very serious face, jerked Sairene’s head sideward to have access at her neck and he bit it a little hard. His fangs sunk deep into Sairene’s neck, causing it to draw blood and Sairene, letting out a small cry because of it. I just…got bitten…by a…vampire… She weakly thought. She felt wobbly all of a sudden as the vampire emperor took some blood out of her body. After fifteen minutes, Sylphireth withdrew, leaving a trail of blood to her neck and sat. He said with a stern yet soft voice, “Even though you’re free from punishments already, you’re still a human and we couldn’t afford to let you go. So I made a mark on your neck, and from this day onwards you will be my and Sephireine’s acolyte. Whatever we wish to say shall you comply or agree, without complaints and other alibis. Understood?”
Sairene’s smiling face was once again filled with fear as she heard those words coming from the emperor’s mouth. She has never served anyone in her entire life except her obnoxious siblings who kept on pestering her everyday. Her mind was battling on whether accept them or not, but the fear inside her still lingered and making her to nod her head, accepting her vampire captors. She doesn’t want to be used as hostage for the human empire, and she knew if they did that, it will be causing a new war. With her head bent low, she spoke, “What should I call you then?”
Sephireine moved towards Sairene’s other side and raised her chin through his index finger, “You could call us…Masters.”
Sairene looked away, “Don’t stare at me like that. Though we’re quits now doesn’t mean that my fear of your race faded away…Master Sephireine.”
“That name sounded so pure in my ears. And oh, you shouldn’t be scared to us anymore; we were kind enough to have you stay here.”
Sylphireth shot a glance at Sephireine, “Seph…you’re scaring the girl…”
“Sorry…”
Sylphireth stood up and waved to Sephireine to get up as well. He spoke with tenderness, avoiding scaring the girl further. “Well, I guess we have interrupted your eating time. Eat it all and we want you to recover fast. Come now everyone.”
“I don’t want to eat…” Sairene said in a low voice, making Terence flinch in horror of what’s to come.
“What do you mean?” Sylphireth asked.
“Well…I can’t finish these all up and I invited Terence to eat with me. But he refuses and he told me that it’s your order.”
Sylphireth chuckled. “Oh, is that it? It’s true that I have ordered Terence because he was suppose to guard you only, but since you told me already, I’ll give you the permission then.”
Sairene’s eyes lit up, “Really?”
“Of course.” Sylphireth then motioned to face Terence, “Since you’re Sairene’s first friend here, I won’t break that cute relationship so you could do things together…”
Terence smiled yet his composure was still of a royal knight, “Thank you sir.”
“And oh, I almost forgot.” Sylphireth moved closer to Terence to meet his body against his and his reached to the knight’s helmet and took it off, “From this day forward, you’ll be free from knighthood and will no longer under any official. You will be Sairene’s friend and guardian and I give you access in this castle.”
“But sir…I can’t…I vowed…and I don’t want to break that…” Terence stuttered. He was happy that he was free from knighthood which he didn’t wished to become, but he was trained and disciplined to become one and he was the type of a vampire that never broke a vow to His Highness.
Sylphireth patted his shoulder, “You never wanted to become a knight in the first place right? You’re father forced you to become one and I knew for years your family has been serving my family. But, as the current emperor, I want to give you freedom to choose. You can say you still want to continue your chivalric status or just stay as Sairene’s friend and guardian. It’s still up to you. But, I’m just taking off the responsibility that was forced onto you. If you want it back, then I’ll give your helmet to you again.”
“I…er…I’ll be Sairene’s friend…I do feel so happy about this…” Terence said as he smiled.
The three high ranking royals smiled at Terence who earned his freedom. Sylphireth patted his shoulder once again, “You still sound too formal. Well then, I expect you and Sairene get well together and be sure she’ll be comfortable. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sire!”
“Good. Now, we shall go. Have fun with your breakfast Sairene, and I’m expecting you to be up later.”
Sairene smiled, “Okay.”
Then the trio went out of the room.
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