The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 21. Sweet Offer

“I missed her. It was hundreds of years ago when she died but the memories she left feel like yesterday, still warm.”

“Mind if I ask how?”

Massimo turned to face her and tell everything that happened the day when Amaia suddenly craved for apples and stubbornly refused to listen to him aside from the part where they lived to avoid giving the princess a hint about his true identity.

“What I don’t understand is why she died. She should have turned like me, right?” Massimo unbelievably asked with his cracking voice, looking down.

“I kept her body, I took care of her, but as days passed by, instead of her wounds healing, it was the opposite. I’m losing her. Sh-she didn’t return to me.” He added and crumpled his fist onto his chest to suppress the familiar pain that was breaking him once again.

“Moss,” Dahlia tried to comfort him, rubbing his back.

“And you know what’s the worst of it?” He faced her while Dahlia just waited for his next words.

“She is carrying my unborn child.” He scoffed while Dahlia gasped for additional information.

“I am useless, a selfish immortal,” Massimo commented to himself as he quickly wiped the tears that escaped from his eyes with the back of his hand.

“Don’t say that. Remember? You saved me and my friends.” Dahlia tried to convince him.

“Dahlia, please. Stop this madness and return to your kingdom. I will not let you get caught in danger like what happened to Amaia.”

“B-but-”

“Listen to me,” he interrupted her words.

“It wasn’t the King of Gorgax who attacked your village.” He said, staring intently at her eyes.

“Wha-what? How did you know about it? If it wasn’t him, then who else? Besides, the villagers saw him that night and they are certain that it was him.”

“Have you seen him that night with your own eyes?” He countered.

“No, but I witnessed the fear he brought to my people’s faces. They lost their family, their loved ones and the only way to end it all is to face that evil.”

“It wasn’t for them, you’re only doing this for yourself. You want to prove something to your kingdom so you can acquire the throne. I’m right, wasn’t I?” Massimo countered, sounding bluntly.

“Moss?” She muttered unbelievably, feeling upset.

“Look, sometimes there are things that you need to give up for the sake of many. You don’t have to put yourself in this risky situation to prove yourself, because you are already worth it. And if they fail to see it, then just let go. Think about your friends, you said you don’t want anything to happen to them and it’s your call to put them in a safe position.”

“Right.” She answered, sobbing softly.

*****

The next morning, Dahlia woke up with heavy eyes and immediately looked for Baron.

“Good morning, Princess.” He respectfully greeted the lady who had a dull expression.

“Aren’t you feeling well, Your highness?” He asked.

“I’m fine, Baron. Can I have a word with you for a moment, please?” She asked.

“Of course.”

They walked out of the house and Dahlia suddenly sat on the stairs connected to the porch. Baron followed and also took the spot beside the princess.

“We’re going back.” She quickly announced.

“You mean to continue our journey? What about your wound? Are you sure you can travel already?” He worriedly asked.

“No, we’re stopping here and starting our way back to the kingdom.” She let out.

“What?” Baron was stunned.

“What about our plan to defeat Massimo Gor?” He inquired.

“No. There is no more north for us. We should stop as early as now to keep Jamie safe and everyone else.”

“Your Highness, this is insane. I can’t believe that you would give up that easily.”

“Baron, I tried. We tried, but every time we kept pushing we were always accompanied by misfortune. Don't you notice? Jamie lost his father because of me. We were attacked by unknown men and vampires and almost put you in danger.” She explained.

“Aside from that, I just have to accept that we have no match against the vampire king. Just imagine how strong Moss is. Like what I told you before, we need a battalion to rampage the Gorgax Kingdom.” Dahlia concluded and stood up already.

“Are you also giving up your right to the throne and letting the ministers rule over you?” Baron couldn’t help asking.

“No. Haru is my family’s pride. I can't stand to lose it too.” She shortly answered and stood up.

“We are leaving tomorrow morning.” She said before she finally left the man.

Dahlia heads to Gilbert’s infirmary, located in the basement of the house, and sees Moss inside as well, drinking blood from a goblet. Her face winced in disgust seeing the scene.

“My goodness. That’s disgusting.” She commented, walking in Gilbert’s direction.

“Yes, it is. I always prefer human blood over animals.” He said and wiped the remnants of the dark liquid from his mouth with his hand.

“Good morning, Your Highness. I hope I have given you a comfortable evening in your room.” Gilbert greeted her and waved his hand to offer the couch to the princess.

“Yes, it’s way more comfortable than spending the night in the wagon. Thank you so much.” Dahlia appreciated the kind gesture with a smile and turned to the vampire again.

“Animals?” she was confused.

“It’s goat’s blood, dear.” Gilbert responded while picking up some medical stuff to clean her wound.

“His wounds barely heal on their own, that’s why he needs to take some, but animal blood is not that effective as human’s.” The doctor explained.

Dahlia stood up and walked closer to Massimo. She reached his hand where he had been burned by the crucifix and saw the wound was still there.

“Do you want my blood?” She suddenly offers out of nowhere, which made the vampire and Gilbert surprised.

“You’re crazy.” But Moss refused and withdrew his hand.

“What!? I’m just being kind to you.” She retorted, but Moss just walked past her.

“Are you out of your mind, young lady? If I wanted your blood I should have consumed it instead of letting it flow to the river or before Gilbert treated your wound.” Massimo countered bluntly, but Gilbert stopped him by raising his hand.

The vampire shook his head unbelievably and walked out of the room.

“Did I offend him?” Dahlia suddenly muttered, looking down.

“No, just let him be. He’s just being grumpy as usual.” Gilbert tried to soothe the lady.

“Come on, sit down. Let me see your arm.”

Dahlia obeyed and sat on the couch again, resting her wounded arm on the arm chair.

“During my younger days I used to offer my blood to him as well. Especially when he arrives at my ridge full of stabs or burns. But when I came to this age, he started to refuse, saying that it may make my life shorter.” He said with chuckles while attending to the lady’s arm.

“How did the two of you meet, by the way?” Dahlia suddenly inquired.

“You call each other brother, I am just curious.” She added.

“I am an orphan and have no direction at all, I used to be a pickpocket and, without bragging, I’m best with my profession” He confessed playfully.

“Until one day he found me. At first I thought it was my last day on earth but he suddenly gave me food and shelter, but under one condition.” He smiles remembering the moment.

“What condition?” Dahlia couldn’t wait to hear.

“To be his little brother.” He let out.

“And since then I swore not to leave his side. He provided everything for me, he supported my dreams until I became a healer. Unfortunately, I met the love of my life and broke my promise,” Gilbert continued.

“We found this place, surrounded by strong smelling herbs, which is perfect for a new home for my own family against the vampire roaming the forest. Moss helped me build this ridge." He sighed before he continued again.

"Now that I’m getting closer to the line, I just realize that it is him who never left my side.” Gilbert’s tone suddenly cracked.

“I just hope that when the time comes that I have to leave this life, he will find a family again.” He added.

Dahlia is moved by the story as she learns a deeper understanding of being an immortal.

Meanwhile, when Massimo is on his way to his chamber, he is blocked by Baron.

“I am fully aware that there is bad blood going on between us. I just don’t understand why you suddenly just appear and want to approach me.

“What did you tell Dahlia? I saw you with her last night. What did you tell her to change her mind?” Baron firmly asked, standing in front of the vampire.

“You should be thanking me because I just saved your princess from danger that awaits in the north” Massimo proudly said.

“You are not saving her, you are ruining her life. You have no idea what’s going on with the princess, you are just a strange vampire who suddenly appears when we get attacked. Stay away from the princess.” He said and walked away, leaving him puzzled by what he meant by destroying the lady’s life.

“Is that why she was crying all night last evening?” He thought.

Dahlia, Baron and Jamie, tidying up their wagon all day, getting ready for tomorrow's departure. They also washed up their clothes and dried them under the heat of the sun, including Tala's cloak. And in the afternoon, she went to help Gilbert get ready for their dinner.

"Doctor, I'm starting to wonder now if it is true that garlic does really help to keep the vampires away." Dahlia suddenly got curious while chopping some on the counter.

Gilbert chuckles before he answers.

"Yes, the garlic ring really keeps the vampires away."

"How and why does Moss still enjoy his food even though the food has garlic on it?" The princess keeps questioning.

“Vampires have a very sensitive sense of smell and the scent of garlic irritates them, but a little just won't do,” Gilbert explained.

"And why are you so interested?" Massimo appeared, making his way from the door without his speed.

"Why? Do you have any problems with my questions? I am even starting to wonder how comfortable your coffin is to sleep on." She bluntly countered, rolling her eyes at the newly woke-up vampire.

"You mean the bed?" He questioned back and walked closer to the lady.

"Do you really want to know how satisfying it is?" He asked and bent near her ear.

"Then why not join me tonight in my bedroom, sweetblood." He whispered with his enticing voice that brought goosebumps to Dahlia's entire system.

"Is that a blush, Your Highness?" Massimo teases the lady even more as he laughs at her madly.

"Urgh!" Dahlia grunts and pushes the playful vampire away from her.

"You are so disgusting!" She hissed at him but Massimo just continued laughing at her with Gilbert.

But the scene was cut off when suddenly a tall and beautiful woman with long straight hair appeared in the kitchen as well.

"Now I see why you haven't noticed my arrival."