100 days amongst the fangs

Day 4

Friday arrived with an air of tension that settled over the Veenise Kingdom. It was a day marked by rest for the royal family from their usual routines of servitude, but the weight of political unrest loomed heavy in the air. The Veenise family convened early that morning in the grand council chamber, a room filled with towering bookshelves and an enormous table made of dark mahogany. The room was dimly lit by a cluster of golden chandeliers, their light reflecting off the polished floor.

King Aldric, seated at the head of the table, exuded authority with his sharp, regal features and piercing red eyes. Queen Seraphine, poised and graceful, sat beside him, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders like a river of ink. Aric, the crown prince, leaned back in his chair, his sharp jawline clenched and his fiery gaze fixed on the map spread before them. Cassian, younger and more approachable, sat opposite Aric, his warm eyes tinged with concern. Lyra and Liora, the twin princesses, were perched nearby, their identical beauty captivating but their expressions reflecting two completely different temperaments—Lyra calm and composed, Liora restless and mischievous.

The meeting focused on the growing threats from the Fangy Kingdom. Reports of Fangy’s traps targeting Veenise Kingdom’s servants had grown alarmingly frequent. King Aldric opened the discussion with a voice that commanded attention.

“This intrusion cannot continue unchecked,” he said, his tone steely. “Their actions border on an open declaration of war.”

“Truly, it is a declaration of war but wouldn't that cost us more than we can afford? Cassian interjected, his brows furrowed.

Mediation might be the smarter course.”

Aric scoffed but didn’t say anything immediately. He tapped a clawed finger on the table, his gaze fixed on the map. “Mediation,” he said finally, “will be nothing more than a chance for them to mock us. But if that aligns with your wish, Father, I’ll represent us alongside you.”

Aldric remained mute for a while. “Hm! Striking first would only agitate them more and the least is to put the lives of our people at stake. They aren't worth that sacrifice. Seraphine? he called, looking in his wife's direction.

“Yes, Aldric.

“See to it that a vampire servant is sent alongside a letter of mediation. We are going with Cassian’s idea,He said. Also, choose the strongest of them all, they are always with cunningness up their sleeves. He finalized.

It’s settled then,” Queen Seraphine said, her voice melodic yet firm. “We will send a letter. The mediation will take place on the 8th, with the king and both crown princes present.”

“Good, mother. Aric said. Lyra and Liora, organize the servants, teach them what to do in welcoming the guests. He ordered

“Alright”, brother. Liora replied. Lyra on the hand rolled her eyes in discontent. Not long after Aldric exited the chamber, a vampire guard was summoned and handed the letter that had been prepared by Seraphine immediately the decision had been made. In a flash, he disappeared to deliver the message, leaving the room in a tense silence.

Later That Day

After the meeting, Alina, oblivious to the royal family’s schedule, found herself standing in front of Aric’s chamber door. She had grown used to her duties and, forgetting it was Friday—a day she wasn’t expected to serve him—she knocked lightly on the door, holding a tray out of fruits and clean sheets..

Inside the chamber, Aric, who had been sitting in quiet contemplation, heard the knock and immediately bristled. His patience was already worn thin from the morning’s discussions, and the interruption was the last thing he needed.

With a speed that was nearly imperceptible, he appeared at the door and swung it open, his face a mask of anger. Without thinking, he grabbed Alina by the neck, lifting her slightly off the ground. His eyes glowed a terrifying red, and the veins beneath them pulsed with unrestrained fury.

Alina struggled to breathe, her tray clattering to the ground. The sheer force of his grip sent waves of panic coursing through her. For a moment, it felt like the end.

Then, as quickly as it had begun, Aric released her. Alina fell to her knees, gasping for air, her hands instinctively clutching her throat.

Aric turned away, his back to her. His hands clenched into fists as he fought to regain control of himself. “Did you forget how to read?” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “No servitude on Fridays.”

Alina managed to nod, still too shaken to speak.

“Leave,” he commanded, his tone cold and final. “And do not return until tomorrow.”

She scrambled to her feet and stumbled out of the room, her heart pounding. The hallway seemed impossibly long as she made her way back to her quarters. She didn’t understand what had triggered such an extreme reaction, but she knew better than to question it further.

Inside his chamber, Aric stood motionless, his hands trembling slightly. He hadn’t lost control like that in years, and the memory of Alina’s frightened eyes only deepened his self-loathing. But instead of dwelling on it, he shoved the emotion aside, locking it in the depths of his mind where he kept all his regrets. He makes a slow paced step to the couch sitting at the corner, slumped into it like a lifeless body, his right hand covering his face as he lets out a deep sigh.

***

Alina frantically made her way to the servants quarters. Quickly fixed herself a cup of water, gulped it down in a way to relieve her tension.

“Alina, what happened? Megan, one of the servants, asked. She walked in while Alina was having a drink and could envisage that something was off.

“ I…I was… before she could complete her words tears rolled down her eyes. She bent down crouching, beating her chest. He scared her. Megan with a Goblet filled with whatever she has served the vampires, quickly placed it down, cleaned her palm with her apron and moved closer to her bending down.

“ Hush there, it's fine honey. She said searching for her eyes but something else caught her attention. There was a red mark around Alina’s neck. She gently pulled down the nape of her gown to have a clearer view of what she had seen. Immediately she saw this, she she painfully closed her eyes like someone trying to endure a pain from torture. “Is today Friday? she asked?

Alina nodded.

“You must have forgotten not to serve on Fridays, right? She asked again in hushed tones

Surprised, Alina looked up at her. Her eyes were red and swollen. “Yeah,and then this happened,” she said. E…everything happened so fast. One time I was at his door before I knew it I was hanging in the air, I almost died , Megan”. She said again, trembling. “I thought that was the end”.

“It's okay honey. You should be more careful next time. Fridays are a NO for him. He'd rather be alone, except otherwise ordered by the King”. Megan said. She lifted her, walked her gently to her bed.

“But, why? Why the exception of Fridays? Alina asked gently, sitting on her bed.

“We can say it's a way of punishment. It's a story only he could narrate, he's never shared with anyone. Megan replied. “Servants, who had worked for him had the same experience every time they mixed up the days. It's like he's always agitated more on Fridays to die to the pains inside of him”.

“Punishment? Alina repeated more like a question.

“Let's get you to rest. Megan said. We can't say more than this, the walls have ears too”.

“ Alright. Thank you. Alina appreciated it. Gently lied on the bed and drew the duvet above her torso.

“It's okay, darling. With time you'll get used to the tradition. Get some rest now for tomorrow.

“Alright. Stay safe. Alina said.

“And you too. Megan replied. She picked up a clean tray and some dishes and headed towards the door giving Alina a final look before exiting the room.

***

The horse neighed and took a final stop at the front gate of the Fangy kingdom. In a cream like colored armor, the guard jumped down from the horse, walked to the gate and exchanged pleasantries with the guards at the entrance. With a not too welcoming look, the guards of the Fangy kingdom with dark armor stepped in front of the Veenise guards, eyes him from head to toe and finally uttered something.

“What has brought you above your border? He asked in a husky voice

“ I've been sent by King Aldric of Veenise. He has sent me to deliver a letter to the King. He replied

“Hmmm, Aldric? He asked?

With displeasure the Veenise guards growled, his eyes turning slit. “Show some respect!

“Hahaha, respect? Show some respect, the second guard mimicked. Aldric is no way close to our King Kali. Nothing! Compared to him!

At this time the guard was heightened, his claws clenched, his jaws tightened but controlled himself. Queen seraphine had warned him sternly not to exchange claws as this might forfeit their letter of mediation.

“Can you please, let me in? He asked politely but sternly, anger evident in his voice.

“ Can you please, let me in? He mimicked again. Such a tough vampire aren't you?the dark guard said walking around him. “ You look like a weakling, I will let you off. Open the gates for the coward of Veenise”. He instructed us to laugh at the end.

The Veenise guard took a deep sigh and gently walked past through the gate ignoring their mockery. He meets another set of guards at the entrance of the meeting chambers but they seem busy feasting on the human servants with them. This sight heightened his pulse, the muscles beneath his eyes became visible but controlled himself and took a swoosh to the door which was opened by the guards inside. He waited for half an hour before King Kali, the Queen and Prince Kael walked into the chamber. He took a bow.

“Hmm, Aldric sure does surprising things for a very powerful Kingdom like his.King Kali said. “What has he, this time around?

“My lord, the guard started, King Aldric has sent forth a letter of mediation between the two kingdoms. He said, stretching forth the parcel with a bow.

“Mediation? So hilarious, Kali said scoffing. “To what extent should I accept this cowardly approach?

“ Cowardly, father. Kael said.

“ Aldric has always found ways to avoid wars, isn't he a vampire enough to fight! Kali growled

He got no response.

“I demand a response! He shouted at the guard that still has his hand stretched forth with a parcel in it.

Still no response.

Kali, now frustrated, took a super fast swoosh to the Veenise guard. Grabbed his neck and tightened his grip around them.

The guard tried to break free but was overpowered.

“You can try your luck but you know your powers are limited here. This isn't your kingdom. Kali whispered. “Save your strength”. He grappled on him, more restricting the guard's airflow. “Now, give a response to what I've asked.

“He….he…he is, he just wanted for peace to reign. He replied, choking.

“Uhn, peace? He asked. “That sounds reassuring”. He took a look at the guards “ don't worry, you can't die, you were once dead”. He held him longer before releasing him to fall to feet. “Weak!”

He snatched the parcel from him and walked to the throne. He tore it open to read the contents in it. “8th??? Kali said again. He rolled his eyeball, and tired the letter. “ Take him to the dungeon and feed him only fruits, let the mediation start from now”. He ordered walking out of the chambers. “Kali, send the guards to Veenise kingdom in the next four days”

“Alright, father”.

***

“There is news going round that a guard from the Veenise kingdom has been held captive”. a guard with ginger colored hair said.

“ Of course, he brought a letter for mediation between the two kingdoms but was put In the dungeon instead”, another with freckles replied.

“I’m sensing war and I bet the Veenise are going down.

Oblivious of what is happening, Ethan and Darren paused their meal to listen to what is being gossiped on.

“Veenise? Darren asked. “What are they?

“Oh, newbies. Another said laughing. “They are the rival vampire kingdom we share borders with. The two kingdoms had been at loggerheads way before we were brought to serve them.

“And what has been the cause of their fights,” Ethan asked.

“ There have been different stories. Some said it's power tussle, some borderline fight while some said betrayal and rooted enmity. That the Veenise kingdom betrayed the Fangy kingdom a very long time ago and hasn't been resolved. Ginger colored hair replied

“ and the most intriguing part is that the king of Veenise and King Kali are distant cousins. Freckles said.

“Then it's more like a power tussle fight. Ethan said, resuming his meal.

“ The history books down to the fact that Aldric and Kali were raised together as brothers. Aldric being the eldest and most powerful. They were both best friends but as history would play its game, inheritance serrated them. Aldric was appointed to the throne which rightfully belongs to Kali as Kali’s father was the one who raised Aldric. a middle aged man who walked in narrated.

“Ohhh, that's a big blow to the king's face. Ginger said. “I would have been angered too”.

“Kali's father did the right thing, the man said. “Unlike Aldric, Kali was too brutal, inhuman and arrogant. The father saw that he would only put the kingdom in ruins and decided to choose right. They are brothers too anyway. However, due to the bitterness, Kali started hating Aldric and said he betrayed him with his father. He left the kingdom and with a fair share of inheritance given to him set up a borderline and created the Fangy kingdom. He broke off all ties with Aldric but dealt with Veenise people that crossed the border to Fangy except on special assignments.

“That was a story right there. We can say Fangy is still silently fighting for its rightful place in Venice. Darren said.

“Yes, it's a silent battle that has been lurking for ages. Aldric has learnt how to manage it well over the years but with this I'm afraid something huge might hit”. the man replied.

“Probably. Ethan said. But you said there are only two kingdoms here?

“Yes, why? Ginger asked

“No, it's nothing. Let's finish our meal. Ethan said. He looked up at the man who's now busy with his meal. “And how were you informed”?

“I've been working here since birth, my mother worked for the queen before she was feasted on during the blood moon. My name is George.

“ I'm sorry about that. I'm Ethan and this is my friend Darren. He said pointing at Darren.

“And how did you make it here, " George asked.

Ethan looked at Darren wearily and sighed. “It's a long story George. Something we'll love to share another time.” Ethan replied with a smile.

***

Nora fumbled with the sheets on Cassian bed. Earlier that day the sight she met Alina when she went to get some clean sheets was disheartening and scary. Alot of thoughts raced through her mind, she thought about safety and security. How not to step on the vampire's toes and how to make it out alive. Although Cassian has proven to be different he's still a vampire and he feeds on blood.

“Of course, I feed on blood. Cassian said from behind , jolting Nora from her thoughts.

“ My lord…yo..

“Hm , Cassian. He corrected interrupting her speech.

“Cassian, you can just read my thoughts without my permission because you can. Do you know about privacy? Nora asked.

“ Well, I’m sorry I can't control that,missy,” Cassian shrugged.

“ Urgh! She sighed in discontentment

“But you're safe with me, okay? Cassian reassured me. Learn to control your thoughts when you're with others though. He said again

“Definitely, " she replied, smiling. I'm done with the beddings, perhaps you might want to rest.

“ Hmm, thanks, Cassian said. I would love some time alone, please. You can tend to your ailing friend.

“Alright, whenever my service is needed do not hesitate. Nora said walking out of the room

***

The day ended with tension still simmering in both Alina and Aric. For Alina, it was a sobering reminder of the danger that came with serving vampires. For Aric, it was a lesson in restraint, one he vowed not to forget.

“We'll survive, Nora assured Alina.

“Yes, we will.