Midnight Royale

CHAPTER 18: Negotiations

My mouth hang open in disbelief when the old man slowly put his hand to the air and about to slap me—when I heard a loud voice.

"What are you going to do with my princess?" A voice echoed all over the room.

My eyes almost pop out when I saw Lazarus coming down from the stairs—and for the love of God, this is my first time feeling relief seeing Lazarus in front of me!

"Prince Lazarus!" The old man immediately bow his head.

Lazarus is in front of me with the usual arrogance plastered in his face.

"Why is my princess all tied and dirty?"

Why are you being weird? Why is he even calling me HER princess? That sounds irk–but I feel like he is my savior right now so I just let him.

If a dead air can kill right now, people around here would be dead because of the tension Lazarus is producing.

Argh, why is he staring at me? Can't he just get me out of here? As if his stares will melt the rope!

"What are you even all waiting for!?" Lazarus shouted in anger when no one responded. What does he even wanted!? My gosh, why people here are always shouting! "Remove the rope around her body! If I saw a scratch on her, all of people in this roon would take the responsibility!"

My eyebrow shot up. Now, he looks really cool.

People around me started to move in fear. They are all panicked, saying sorry to me while removing the rope. I just nod my head.

"I am sorry prince," the only man who remain calm is the old leader or Aristocrats. "But we are making the princess reflect for her mistakes—"

"And that includes hitting the princess?" Lazarus let out a low baritone voice. "How dare you scratch what you offer in the palace..."

I was happy that Lazarus is in here, but he is making a scene already!

"But that's how we take care of her, Prince..."

"Are you saying you always hit the princess whenever she get in trouble to the castle?" Lazarus asked with full of sarcasm.

"Princess, let us help you stand up—"

"No. I am going to sit here and wait for the prince." I smiled on them.

They all looked confused with my decision, but I just nod my head to assure them and looked at the two people in front of me.

This is going to be a long fight. So I guess, sitting here would be the perfect way of waiting.

The old man obviously wanted to gritted his teeth and glared to the prince but he doesn't have a courage to do so.

The old man bow his head. "This is our way of making things straight, prince. I am so sorry if you think humans like me are wrong–"

"So you are hitting the princess." Lazarus pointed out. He nodded his head and looked at me with his lifeless look. "The king will know what kind of act you do for making someone reflect."

Lazarus drop his last words like a bomb. I want to jump and clap for him but that will be a little weird so I remain my happy cells with me.

Lazarus started to walk up—wait is he going to leave me here!? He didn't even inform me that we are leaving!

I stand up—but my knees felt weak. I didn't bother to make a big deal out of that so I just took a step.

Then the next thing I knew is my face is already in dirt! Argh! Why I cannot walk properly!?

Someone grab my arm and surprised when I saw Lazarus looking at me in grim.

My heart started to thump like crazy–and even got crazier when he carry me like a bride! Now I am wrap in his broad shoulder and strong arms. He is freezing but his body felt really good...

Damn why I am saying these kind of language towards Lazarus?

"But I really don't like the idea that you are hurting what is mine."

That was his final words when he finally took a step forward—a strong wind met my body and suddenly, I am on my own room.

Lazarus walk me towards the bed, looking grim and serious.

He gently put me down in bed without breaking our eye contact. Lazarus then after that put his hands next to my side that making me trap to his arms.

"U-Uh..."

"Why did you jump to the water like a fool, Genevierre?" He asked the question straight to my face.

I smiled on him awkwardly. "W-Well..."

"Now you put all the ladies who served you in danger!"

My heart stopped on what he said. "But they ate going to be alright as the king ordered..."

I even offered myself so they won't be punished!

Lazarus gritted his teeth in annoyance. "They are the people who served the princess of Aristocrats! Do you think those Aristocrats will let them live peacefully while your name get tainted?! It was obviously your fault but the maid will be tortured outside because didn't keep an eye to you!" He shouted on my face.

My heart felt heavy because of his point... Oh god. What I did then... was terrible?

"Then what should I do to make them safe?" I asked Lazarus.

"You can't do anything. You are just a princess who has a problem on her head."

I glared on him. "Why did you even save me down there?!"

It was so silly to think that I thought this man would help me save the courtmaids! But I guess it wrong and I feel so sorry for myself!

"No one shall hurt you other than me."

My mouth hang open. "You are one of a hella vampire." I gritted my teeth.

"Hella?" He asked, confused.

I stand up. "Yes, you are such a hella! You belong there!"

"Is that even a Kingdom? This is my first time hearing that place."

I cannot believe him!

He hold my hand. "Where are you going?"

"To the Aristocrats. I should beg to them because I really made a mistake."

"You should explain me first why did you jump there, princess. And if there is someone who should you be asking for forgiveness—it is me, from the kingdom. And not just a random Aristocrats." He commanded.

Making a deal with Aristocrats sounds more easier than talking to Lazarus.

He is waiting for my answer. I sighed in disbelief.

"I just really ran there for refreshment! And aside from that, I cannot remember quite good! So I just jump there thinking it will help me regain my memory back!" I hissed to the prince. "Are you happy?" He asked.

Lazarus sighed in disbelief. "To find your memory huh..."

"Yes!" I hissed. "And could you really help me around the courtmaids or ladies?"

Lazarus brow shot up. "Help? I said you will be asking for forgiveness."

See! This is what I am talking about!

But anyway–I am going to beg him to pick me as a princess anyway. Should I just start begging right now?

"Can you help me let the courtmaids stay here, prince? I am so sorry for the foolish act I did earlier..." I tried so hard not to sound sarcastic. There is a life that I am holding on here so I need to be careful to the tone and words that I will say.

Lazarus walk, chin up and go straight to my bed. He sit on the edge and cross his legs.

He looked at me with arrogance.

"What you did will taint the entire kingdom. We will be lucky if no words would get out. But if not—you will be a laughing stock outside the castle..."

I made a face. "That is not what I want, Lazarus. I said, I am sorry and please help me out once again. I... I cannot let the maid walk around alone and be in danger..."

"What will I even get in granting your wish? I can make those woman stay but not as your servants anymore because they are not trustworthy enough."

I want to say something on that—but I just make myself calm.

Let's just say that Lazarus' mouth is foul and always dirty.

"That's enough. As long as they live here in castle, I am okay with it..." I told him.

"Good. In exchange, I will remove you as the princess–"

"Fair enough... I don't want to be a pr—" I stilled when I remembered what the old man said. "I cannot let that happened!"

Genevierre's family will be at stake if I get kicked out as a princess! I need an another way—but not this way!

Lazarus looks very entartained in how worried I was. I don't... really like his ideas at all.

"Lazarus, no..."

Genevierre has a complete family. I am glad the one who look like me had a family. It was so hard being alone in life. It felt like the burden was all over you.

I have no mother because she died.

My father became depressed about about my mom dying. Now dad is being chased by bad guys because he is not paying the gamblers the money.

I am not even aware where and how he gets money that our debt grew so much. It was my fault not taking care and letting my father do what he wants...

Life is better when we are complete but crumpled when one died. So I don't like the idea Aristocrats is threatening Genevierre so they can hold her neck!

Life is so hard without someone who can be your so called guardian. It was hard being alone and I don't want Genevierre to come back completely alone.

Maybe in the castle —The real Genevierre may the castle lonely and cruel, but I want her to think thst she had a home with her parents after a lont busy day—or a tough night.

They are not even my parents, but I know how hard life can be... without them.

His eyebrow shot up. "Why not? Isn't that a fair exchange? You save a lot of lives in return—you will left the castle. But it not, you can stay the castle and let the courtladies leave."

"I cannot do that! Lazarus, please... Can you help me about this? I don't know what to do about this matter—"

"What is even so hard about that? It's just your life and the others. So which is which?"

Should I tell the prince that the Aristocrats are threatening me using Genevierre's family?

Nah. That will cause interrogation. I don't know what the hell is happening but something is really off about the Aristocrats.

"That is not just the life of others. They also have their own life Lazarus! Please—"

"Think about what you do you want." Lazarus announce and stand up. "I will wait for your answer until tonight. Be wise."

My answer was still the same even the night already came. I know—I am such a fool! But I cannot pick and will never pick when someone life is at stake! Why did I even jump there? Why didn't I think first for the consequences!

The night already came and I don't know what to do about this.

"Do you already have you decision?" Lazarus asked me.

I jumped because he came from the nowhere!

I nodded my head on him. "Yes, I have my decision already."

"And what is it? Do you want to be my princess, or do you want to be a hero?" He sounds like insulting me.

I laughed on her. "I like to negotiate."

"Negotiate?" Lazarus was confused with what I said.

I nodded my head on him. "Yes, negotiate with you. I don't like the idea that you are putting someone's life at stake. You know the Aristocrats very well and I am sure they are going to do something bad to my family–"

"And that is not my problem anymore." Then Lazarus flashed me his sweetest smile.

My plan was already ruined when he said that. He did not! Oh my gosh!

"Don't you want anything from me?" I cannot help but to ask him.

His forehead knotted. "As if a human like you can offer something to me–"

"I have blood. Don't you... want blood from me?" I am sure he was a vampire.

They are doing freaky things. The speed and pure blood connects. Besides, I am really out in the magical world. I know this is all absurd—but if I want to go home—one thing that I need to do is go and survive this. Play along and survive!

Lazarus looked surprised with what I said.

He chuckled. "You want me to suck your blood?"

"Not to death. I mean... just take a sip?"

"Why? Is it sweet enough?" He mocked me.

I tilted my head on the side in his question. I am not sure about that. Sweet?

I pull the neckline on my dress and showed it to him.

"I don't know what you defined as sweet or whatever. But... you can have a taste."

Lazarus face darkened when I said that. And then the next thing I knew was he is in front of me—staring at me as if I am his heavy meal.

"This is the first time that you offered yourself to me," he grinned. I was surprised when his eyes are red and fangs are out. "You always hate svcking your blood out... What happened?"

Lazarus pulled my waist into him and smell my hair. His fangs were on my ears and started to tingle me.

"You... are really surprising me these days..."

"You promise that the ladies will he alright!" I said.

"I am just going to taste you."

"Then what!? I thought you already agree!?"

"Your veins are gushing to much blood..." He chukled and sighed. "I want it..."

And then after that, I let out a soft moan because his fangs were on my neck already.

My knees started to wobble again as I can my strength getting slipped away by drinking me.

"Lazarus... Ah..." I wimpered—then I heard him groaned and even dug his fangs further. "Lazarus stop... I thought you are just going to take a s-sip?" I asked him.

When I said that, Lazarus finally stick his fangs away from my neck. I can feel a burning sensation around my body...

Lazarus looked at me. "Looks like we will have a great bond if I would ever agree to this."

I bit my lip—feeling a little bit dizzy.

The cold prince held my waist and make me sit on his lap. I was like just a doll getting carried on because I feel so weak.

"S-So... you agree..?"

"I would like to get more than blood–"

"What..?" I wanted to shout on him but I am too weak!

"Yes I want more of you. I think that is only fair because you will save a lot... and save also your title as the princess of Kingdom Amadeo... Isn't that a lovely idea, my princess?" He seductively said, alluring me to a decision that will sooner win... or break me.