The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 51. The Spiritual Healer

Massimo is still inside Alice's room for days already, while Dahlia keeps on running some errands around the palace while waiting for her wound to heal so she can finally start her journey back to Haru. She misses the vampire even though they are just on the same roof, as the lady vampire did not allow her to see him. She didn't even utter anything about his current condition.

Dahlia is currently hanging some wet clothes and blankets in the backyard when suddenly someone speaks from behind her, which makes her startled.

"So it's you, the King's new love."

Dahlia jumped in surprise and abruptly grabbed the small branch of tree near her and pointed it to the man.

"Who are you? How did you get inside the palace?" She quickly asked, but the man just chuckled at her while munching a red apple.

"Well, I have access to every passage of this castle, Your Highness, and so I can enter Gorgax anytime I want.

"Who are you?" The princess asked again with her sharp eyes.

"I can't believe Massimo did not tell a story about me. That's disappointing." He dramatically said, and started walking in her direction.

"Sebastian Mcdonald, at your service, dear princess."

"You know me?"

"Of course, he always talks about you every time he comes to me. However," he leaned closer.

"I know you better than he knows you." He whispered with a playful smirk while slowly shoving the stick away from his face.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll explain to you later, but first I'm here for the king. Do you know where he is now? I've been looking for him for hours but I can't see him anywhere, I just need to tell him something urgent."

"But, he-"

"Something is wrong?" Dahlia didn't finish her words when the man interrupted with a serious expression.

"Tell me, where is he?"

"In Alice's chamber," Dahlia muttered in an almost whispering voice, looking down.

"Lead the way." Sebastian shortly commanded, but the lady just stayed on her spot.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Alice forbade me to go to the other side of the tower."

"Don't worry, I'm here. I'll protect you from that glorious vampire. Don't be afraid. Come on, and tell me the story of what happened." Sebastian assured the lady with a playful wink.

As Dahlia wanted to see Massimo as well, she agreed and bravely led the way to the location of the room while telling Sebastian what happened the day Massimo got burned under the sun.

However, as they walked along the hallway, they already had the glimpse of the lady vampire standing in front of her door like she's already been waiting for their arrival.

"You can, but she can't." Alice's first words.

"It's alright, you go see the king already. I'll stay here." Dahlia insisted, as she didn't want to argue again. Besides, she is positive that Sebastian will tell her everything when he comes out.

Sebastian nodded in response and that's when Alice opened the door of her dark chamber, letting the man enter. While Sebastian immediately felt negative energy around the four corners the moment he stepped his first foot inside.

"Are you being so sensitive these past few days, Alice?" The man asked the lady in a naughty way.

"Yes, and it was Dahlia's fault. My nerves shake every time I see her face. I always wanted to smash her heart out with my bare hands, if only not because of Massimo."

"That's too harsh," Sebastian only commented.

Alice walked ahead and pushed the curtain mesh aside that covered her canopy bed.

Sebastian's forehead furrowed as he stepped closer beside the sleeping vampire.

"I need more light." He demanded and Alice lit up the remaining lamps that surrounded her room.

Sebastian closes his eyes, slowly taking a deep breath and stretches his hands above Massimo's body. He focused, drowning himself in serenity, concentrating on the flow of energy through the tips of his fingers.

"Weak heart." Suddenly, Sebastian mumbled, opening his eyes.

"Did you give him blood already?" He asked.

"Yes, human blood." Alice answered straight.

"But not Dahlia's, right?"

Alice heaved a sigh, crossing her arms in front of her.

"It was all her fault, everything that is happening here is her fault. Massimo has been ridiculously acting like a human, eating food with her and refusing to consume blood since she came into the palace and because of that, the king almost turned to dust. That is why I need to keep them away from each other as much as possible and so I will not let Massimo consume her blood again. Besides, she is returning to her kingdom and I'll make sure she's gone already when the King wakes up."

"You're jealous, Alice," Sebastian chuckled.

"Say whatever you want but I'll make sure she will be out of Massimo's life for good."

"When will you learn to accept the fact that Massimo and Dahlia are meant for each other?" Sebastian mocked the irritated lady.

"Seriously? You are siding with that clumsy princess over me? Sebastian, have you known me for years, since you were born in this world, and now you are pushing me down because of that girl? Besides, the king will not die even if he stays in bed for more days. He's an immortal."

"Or maybe you have to count years instead," Sebastian countered.

"What years? What do you mean?"

"The force of his spirit was lost from the body, but if you let him take Dahlia's blood, he can recover just over the night."

"What? I don't understand.

"Dahlia's blood is special, there is something in her blood that helps circulate the force for whoever consumes it and this is what Massimo needs now if you don't want him looking dead lying on your bed."

"The king can't die as he keeps the balance of this world that started because of him. Without him, chaos would spread all over the world. We need to wake him up as soon as possible."

"Is there any other way?"

"I'm sorry, Alice. But Dahlia has been the king's choice since the beginning."

Alice sighed, feeling defeated, and saw how Sebastian leaned close to his ear and whispered something which she couldn't clearly understand.

"What did you whisper to him?"

"Just a quick ritual," he said and smiled.

When Sebastian came out, he saw Dahlia patiently waiting outside.

"The King needs your help." His first words, Dahlia swallowed as she stood firmly, making herself ready with her shaky hands as she knew that her blood was the only thing she could offer to help the vampire.

Later…

"What is that?" Dahlia asked, feeling terrified while looking at the small blade that Sebastian placed on the table beside her while the man was tying her upper arm with an elastic string.

They are currently in Massimo's room, preparing for the bloodletting for the vampire.

"It is called a fleam. Haven't seen one before?" He answered while gently massaging her forearm.

"Don't tell me you are extracting blood from my body with that thing?"

"Yes. Why? Are you scared?" He retorted and shook his head unbelievably.

"I can't believe how brave you were when you sliced your hand with a sword and now you are terrified of this little thing."

"I wasn't thinking when I did it, that's why Massimo got mad at me." Dahlia mumbled.

"And now, I'm certain he will be furious again when he learns that I'm draining my blood again."

"So? Are you ready?" Sebastian asked.

Dahlia took a deep breath before she nodded her head in response.

Sebastian wipes her skin with a clean cloth and gently presses the part where he is planning to thrust the sharp blade.

"Now take a deep breath." He ordered, which Dahlia obeyed with closed eyes and, just an abrupt moment, Sebastian successfully nicked her veins, letting the blood flow into the ceramic bowl placed underneath her arm.