The Royal Quest

CHAPTER 42. Memories of the past

As Massimo didn't want to disappoint the princess again, he took her instead to his room. But before that, he made sure to get rid of all of Amaia's remembrance and put everything inside his study. While as for the clothes, Dahlia chooses to wear one of his tunics and coat while Massimo promises to get some clothes for her later.

Massimo's room was even more spacious with a wide bed in the centre. However, Massimo is right when he said that Amaia's room is best for ladies like her because his chamber was so manly and dark. It is located in the upper part of the castle and has its own balcony where she could see the Gorgax's dark forest from her spot and the glimpse of Northriver.

"Can't sleep?" Massimo suddenly appeared from behind while Dahlia was staring beyond from the balcony.

"Uh huh. I was just wondering about Baron. I hope Savanna got the antidote on time." She sadly muttered.

"Don't worry too much about that man. He has a brave spirit and I'm sure he will fight for his life." 

"Yeah."

"Come inside, it is cold out here. It is making your busts harden, it seems like inviting me to give some attention to them." Massimo teased the lady, who quickly covered her front with the coat.

"How dare you!? How could you even say those words to the princess!? That's rude!" Dahlia hissed with a blush on her face, but the vampire just laughed at her.

"Well then, I'm the King of this palace," he countered, and pecked the lady on the forehead.

"Don't worry, I have already asked someone to get you some proper clothes," he added.

"Moss, can you also get me a horse too?" Dahlia asked as she entered the room and sat on the edge of the bed.

"A horse? Why?" 

"I need to go back to Haru."

"You're leaving?" Massimo asked with furrows on his forehead.

"Well, I think my adventure ends here. Since I'm a coward and I can't kill you, I don't see any more reason to stay here. I need to go back." Dahlia said, looking down at her twisting fingers above her lap.

"And then what will happen? What will you tell them?"

"Of course, I can't explain to them that it wasn't you who attacked our people, since I have got no evidence. Also, they will not believe me for sure after all of my failures," Dahlia sighed.

"I guess I just have to keep myself silent in a corner while they continue selecting my future husband." Dahlia smiled bitterly with her teary eyes.

"No," Massimo quickly responded.

"I will not allow that." He let out.

"I understand if you refuse to choose me, but at least I want you to get married to someone you love, Dahlia." He insisted.

Dahlia looked up at the man as her tears started to roll down her cheek.

"How? I don't even know what love is."

Massimo sighed as he kneeled in front of the lady. 

"You'll know it when it comes." He said and wiped the tears with his fingers.

"Such very helpful advice," Dahlia commented.

"Perks of living for hundreds of years now." Massimo countered with a smile.

"Moss? Can you lie beside me?" Suddenly Dahlia asked.

"Of course, you don't have to ask, actually, as I love to feel your warmth every second."The vampire honestly said. 

Massimo climbed onto the bed. 

"If you want, we can continue what we have started earlier. It's way more comfortable here anyway." He playfully added, but Dahlia just rolled her eyes at him and lay on the other side of the bed.

"I was wondering if Gilbert knew about your real identity as well. I mean, that you are the vampire king?" Dahlia asked, staring at the high ceiling.

"Yes, of course he knew everything." 

"So he did lie to me too." 

"Yes, but it is only because he's protecting me from the daring princess who wants to end my life. Don't be upset with him." 

"And about the 'Moss' name?"

"It was my pet's name. Who died years ago." Massimo confessed with soft chuckles.

"That's ridiculous." Dahlia commented and moved sideways to face the man.

"Massimo," 

"Hmm?" 

"Can you still remember what happened three hundred years ago?" Suddenly Dahlia let out that the smile faded on the vampire's face and moved to get up.

He walked to the balcony's glass door and sighed. While Dahlia moves to sit up, following Massimo with stares.

"Would you believe me if I said I don't remember any of it?" He started.

"When I woke up, everything was destroyed, everyone was gone. I was covered with blood and heard chaos everywhere. I tried to leave everything behind with my little Amaia but all of the people we encountered kept on cursing me. They even want to take Amaia away from me as they said that I'm evil and I will only kill Amaia as well."

"But she chose to stay with you," Dahlia interrupted in an almost whispering voice, and Massimo chuckled softly.

"She loves me," Massimo proudly announced.

" She even suffered because of me. People started accusing her for being wicked just because she chose to stay at my side and so for the sake of her, we decided to come back to Gorgax and just live peacefully, away from anything that could harm her." Massimo continued with sadness in his eyes.

"She is very understanding and thoughtful. I never heard her complain about the life we have. She has no friends, never experienced any glamorous parties, yet she was contended." 

“And you proudly brought out the topic about her again.” Suddenly Dahlia said dramatically.

“Dahlia, you should understand that Amaia is a big part of my past, she was my whole life back then. So with every story that I tell there will always be Amaia,” Massimo explains as he faces the lady.

“Alright, I will not argue with that,” Dahlia said and buried herself in the thick duvet, while Massimo smiled and walked to the bed, then sat beside the princess.

“Don’t tell me you’re starting to feel jealous?” He playfully whispered, teasing the princess.

“I’m not, but-” Dahlia answered shortly and showed her face.

“Could you not think of her too much, especially when I’m around? She’s gone now and if you really mean the feeling you have for me, then maybe it’s time for you to move on from her memories and think of me instead. I just find it unfair, you know, everytime you speak of her name.”

“Think of you?” Massimo smirked, looking down at her.

“Oh, you have no idea what I am thinking now about you being in my bed, sweetblood.” 

“Tell me, what are you thinking?” Dahia asked, swallowing.

“Why not do it instead? That way, I can make you feel every bit of it?” Massimo enticingly whispered as he slowly leaned forward to the lady.

But before he could reach her lips, he asked.

“Will you stay a little bit longer with me here in Gorgax?” 

“I’ll think of it.” Dahlia answered.

“For now, I need to sleep. So get off me.” Dahlia pushes the vampire and immediately hides herself inside the blanket. Massimo chuckled at her behaviour and just laid down beside her, encircling his arm around, pulling her closer to him. 

“I love you, Dahlia,” he whispered.

“Thank you for coming into my life, even though you are very stubborn and keep on refusing to admit that you like this gorgeous vampire too.” 

“What did you say?” Dahlia came out with a scowling face, looking up at the man.

“Hmm?”

“I am confused, okay? How could you expect me to absorb everything? There are men in Haru who said the same things that you did, including Baron, whom I only see as a brother to me.” 

“What about me? What do you think of me?” Massimo asked, staring at her eyes.

“Well, you’re different among them, you’re a vampire and you’re the only man that ever kissed me.” Dahlia looked down. 

Massimo held her chin up to meet his eyes.

“And?” He asked, wanting to know about her deep feelings for him.

Their faces are only inches apart from each other as they could also feel each other breathing. Dahlia could feel her heart start to throb with excitement waiting for the man’s initiative.

“Tell me, what do you want, princess?” Massimo asked when he noticed Dahlia didn’t move.

“Kiss me.” Finally Dahlia courageously let out. 

Massimo smirked after hearing her words before he finally leaned down as he obeyed the royal demand.

The night seems to be longer than usual while they keep each other warm with the emotions they shared with their kiss.