Midnight Royale

Chapter 7: Vampires, wolves, and power

"Princess, wake up..."

The sun started to stroke my face again. I guess they open up that big curtain inside my room! I don't want yet to wake up... I hate this!

"No..." I groaned in annoyance. I feel so heavy and drained! For an unknown reason, I feel this way!

Maybe Lazarus' glare is draining. I hate that cold man.

"Princess, you need to wake up... The Aristocrats representative wanted to see you..."

My forehead knotted and gather my head up.

"What? Aristocrats?" Now, who wanted to see me again?!

The ladies took a step back because of my expression. It... so early and I need to deal with some random person again?

"Yes, princess. Aristocrats," they answered in chorus.

I sneered. How can they always answer me in chorus as if they practice that?

"What Aristocrats?" I asked again. "Am I required to meet strangers again?"

"Stranger?" The lady asked as if it was unbelievable. "Princess, don't you remember Aristocrats?"

I frowned. I don't even have an idea what is this all about. In a snap, I am in the castle where vampires and royals exist!

"No. I don't want to know them," I answered before throwing myself in the bed. I pull the comforter up to my head.

"Princess!" They groaned in annoyance.

I felt someone in the bed. Then a lady touches me, trying to wake me up.

"Princess... Aristocrats are a group that represents the normal people of this place... You shouldn't do this to them. They are waiting for you for almost a week already..."

Represents normal people?

I remove the comforter from my head and look at her.

"A group that represents normal people?" I asked just to make sure.

She nods her head.

"Yes... They are the ones who push the rights of a normal person, Princess Genevierre. Don't you remember?"

I shook my head. But interesting. People who represent the normal?

"Why do we need a representative? Is the Palace unfair to normal people?" I asked in curiosity.

They shook their head. "No Princess! The King treated his people with kindness and fairness despite differences. But one day, humans wanted someone powerful enough to hear their plea..."

"So to make the story short, people wanted someone in the palace to fight for the rights of humans?" I asked again, confused a bit.

Their face started to wrinkle.

"I-It's not... Like that Princess!" Then she shook her head. Guilty. "Humans wanted a place inside the Palace to feel the equality from the King..." A lady answered.

So, it's like that? Do humans are greedy here? I smell something fishy!

"If the king is fair, he will agree..." Another one tells. "But the king is already fair. There was chaos already because the palace is resisting the idea."

Oh. So the palace doesn't like the idea of having a human inside?

"The king was not that hard to please. He wanted the idea to show his fair and genuine support to humans. But Lazarus doesn't like humans at all."

My eyebrow raised.

"Why?" This is getting interesting!.

The ladies looked at each other, hesitant.

"Hey! Tell me! So at least I have an idea about the past. You know... I hit my head hard." I smiled at them sheepishly.

Hesitant, they nod their head and started to gather around my bed.

"The king is already fair... and Lazarus thinks that humans are just greedy and will betray the vampires in the end."

My mouth opened to what she said.

"Where is the idea coming from?"

"Princess Genevierre, the Kingdom Amadeo consists of three kinds. A vampire who rules the kingdom— wolfs who guard the Amadeo, and humans who make everything function..."

Wolf?! "Do you mean a person who transforms into a wolf?!" Oh my! This is more... Surprising than expected!

They all nod their head.

"And one day, Werewolf wanted the throne for themselves. A war started and the plague was created by witches..."

"Witches!?" How many myths do they have here?!

"Yes, princess. Witches. They are a threat in the Kingdom before but the King manages to block them from entering the palace. But because of the wolves, witches have entered and killed a thousand humans."

It sounded like a straight movie!

"The Kingdom manage to get back on its feet after a decade and war. Then years later, the humans wanted to enter in Palace... the king oblige and give us work here. Now, they wanted an organization... Then Lazarus was angry about that because..."

"Humans may repeat the history of starting a war like the wolves?"

"Yes... Princess."

Well, I think Lazarus has the right to be skeptical about placing a human inside a palace and having the same rule of power because of History...

"The King is kind enough to grant the humans about organization.. and they are the Aristocrats..."

So that's the story! That's why Lazarus seems to be so cold and hot-headed when I am around because I am a human!

I wanted to chuckle, but then I realize something.

Wait...

"I am a human, right?" I asked them.

"Yes, princess."

"Shouldn't be a princess be a vampire too!?" I asked in my most horrified voice.

They looked at each other again and hesitated.

"Well... The Aristocrats wanted to offer something Princess for their gratitude. They pick the noblest human they can see around Amadeo, and your mother and father were the ones..." The lady's voice fainted as she finish her sentence.

"And before you were born, your faith is decided to be an offer to the Palace..."

My mouth hangs open. What?!

"What are you all doing?" A cold voice makes us straight back and alert!

"Your highness!" The ladies greeted Lazarus.

"Get her ready," he ordered the ladies but his cold eyes remained on me. His face was cold and emotionless. "Don't be a disgrace in front of your humans." Then he leaves.

Ah... so this is why he hates me huh? Because I am a human? Then why he cannot kick me out? I am willing to get kicked out!

Or is he obeying rules... and Aristocrats are powerful enough that he cannot just throw me?

Regardless of what I heard about the history of Palace, vampires, and wolves—plague and all... I still proceed with my wicked plan.

I started to run down the aisle as the ladies follow me around with their plea.

I plan to ruin everything.

I grin in excitement and hope for success immediately even though I am just starting!

"Princess! You shouldn't run!" They all scream in horror.

I am running in my white dress and unfinished corset. Why does everything look dramatic in this era? This is not even finished yet, but the dress is already heavy! Another thing that I hate is how my hair is done!

It felt like they put too much gel to keep that big curls! This... is not my style! I look like a villain! I can do my hair better than them!

They want me to attend a formal gathering again! How many meetings do I have in a week as a princess?

I sighed in disbelief. I thought a princess is just being pretty and polite! But I guess it's wrong, huh?

"Princess! Don't run!" They screamed harder when I reach the stairs.

I chuckled. I looked at them for a bit and run down the stairs with no caution at all! I rushed down as I heard them scream again!

I stared down and was slow for a bit. I don't want to fall here even though I am acting... stupid right now. Being sick is the last thing I want to happen to me.

A bunch of ladies was still running after me, but they slow down since we are on long stairs. I just shrugged as I reach the ground.

I already made a decision! I will be a very... unusual princess to get kicked out of this palace!

That is my brilliant plan! I just want to get out of this strict place to know where I am and how will I get out in this timeline.

"Princess, you cannot just go out showing off your skin!" They shook their head with disbelief.

I ran to another aisle. How long I will run before I get noticed by that cold prince- Lazarus? I am starting to get tired!

Before I even notice, I crashed into something making a vase fall to the ground!

"Princess!" A voice roared. "What is this mess!?"

I am expecting Lazarus was the one who will show up in front of my face. But... I guess it's wrong!

I felt my blood run down and my face turn white because of the death glare coming from him!

I took a step back and slightly turn my head to look at the ladies—as if they can save me. Not to offend or anything—but what can these ladies do... in front of him?

"King..." The ladies greeted in chorus.

"What are you wearing!?" The King shouted in my face. He looked at me from head to toe as if... I am a disgusting creature.

I am silently cursing myself for making a big scene inside the palace, and didn't even bother to think that the king might also see me! Stupid!

"Where is the prince?!" He shouted on his... I think follower? Butler? What should I call guys who follow the king around?

Dang, it... What am I even doing in this era? Again, this is worst than my normal life! It's taking my sanity away!

"What are you doing running around almost naked, Princess?!" The king asked me.

"Naked? This is... not naked—"

I shut my mouth when I heard a gasp behind me. Is that a bad thing to tell!?

But it's true, though! I have layers of gown under me, and satin on top covered with an undone corset! Is this already naked?!

For sure, the king will not be ready in the next generation!

I look at the king again—and his face was turning red because of anger.

"Turn your back! You cannot see the princess like this!" He shouted to his followers.

They all oblige and turn to the side where they cannot see me. My mouth hangs open in annoyance. This...is weird! Now, I feel like the worst person who wears nothing but tape or leaves to cover themselves!

"I... I did nothing, your highness. I am just playing around—"

"Are you a child, princess?" The king fired. "Bring Lazarus here and let him take the princess! What happened to you, dear?! Don't you want to be a princess anymore?!"

I was about to open my mouth and nod my head repeatedly when someone snatch my waist!

"I am already here, father. Don't yell at her..."

It was Lazarus!

That... that is my perfect opportunity to run away from this castle! If I will make the king mad, maybe I can get kicked immediately!

"What is happening to her? I didn't sign with the De Lucca to bring an incompetent woman!" The King shouted again.

"I'm sorry father. She hit her head hard and things must be still so hard for her..." He bowed his head. "I am sorry, your highness..."

I winced a little when I felt a pinch! I looked at Lazarus in disbelief. That pinch didn't hurt—but hey!? What was that for?!

He talks to me using his eyes. He widened his eyes at me then looked at his father.

Is he telling me to say sorry?

"What for—"

Before I can even finish my word, he holds my waist tightly. Does Lazarus loves to stop me?!

"What–"

Lazarus gritted his teeth to show a forced smile.

"Princess... Say sorry to your highness. I guess you hit your head hard to remember some rules—but what you did is wrong and punishable... you cannot just run around in the sacred palace and wear that in front of a king."

Punishable? Sacred?

"What punishment?" I asked him nonchalantly. I do not even care if the King looks so confused because of my casual tone while talking to Lazarus.

"Like slicing your head," he answered.

My eyes widened. Slice my head?!

I looked at the king and bow my head.

"I am so sorry your highness, please forgive me!" I beg for my life.

Why he didn't say that earlier?! God, I don't want to get sliced!

But just for disrespecting, I can get that?!

The king, still with his glare nodded at us. "You should take care of the princess, Lazarus. I don't like this to ever happen again..."

"Yes, father."

I glared at Lazarus. How can he act so obedient now?! What a two-face vampire!