Midnight Royale

Chapter 10: Greed

I am still dazzled because of what I witnessed earlier in Lazarus' room! I mean—he showed me his powers and his fang! Not to mention how he slice his fangs on my wrist earlier!

I thought I am going to die there! But in just one touch, my wounds are already healed.

It's too much to process! How come history didn't let this in our class? Where are the magic and vampires?! If I were in the past right now, then I think this one should be in the books!

Unless this is not normal.

I stilled on that thought. What if this is not a... normal world?

"Princess, are you even paying attention to our meeting?" An old lady asked me, she looks annoyed.

I am in a meeting with the Aristocrats. They are wearing glamorous ball gowns and accessories on their head. I almost thought that they are a part of the royal family. But they were... the Aristocrats.

"Yes, madame. I am sorry," I apologized.

The old woman glared at me. "You better focus on this matter princess. The farmers of Kingdom Amadeo want to have a right on the land."

I nod my head even though I am clueless about our topic. I don't know what the hell are we even talking about. I don't want to bother myself too.

I feel so uncomfortable here. The Aristocrats never showed a single smile to me since I entered the room. They look grim, emotionless, and intimidating and some are looking superior!

We are at a round table, all of them are old or in their mid-40s. I am the only one who is young! Did I enter the wrong group of Aristocrats?

"You should stop the King from granting the farmers' wish, Princess." The old lady said to me.

My forehead knotted. I don't even know what the hell are they talking about! What will I stop?

"W-What?" I asked the old man. "What will I stop?"

"Aren't you feeling well, princess?" The lady sneered at me.

I gulped, didn't know what to answer. The old man tapped the table so hard that I almost jumped in my seat.

God, why are they so heated up!? Can't they just chill and repeat what they are talking about!?

"Genevierre De Lucca, why did you take your life? Don't you want to be a princess anymore? Should we raise another one?"

I don't know how to answer that question. For Pete's sake! I want to go out of this suffocating room already!

"Answer!" The old man said. "We pick and make the princess out of you, Genevierre. Do you want your mother and father to suffer for what you did?!"

"Aristocrat Vaughn," a calm woman called. "Stop yelling at the princess. Genevierre is a part of the royal family."

"But without us, she wouldn't get here!" Vaughn shook his head in annoyance. "I didn't tell anything about how she took her life Marissa, but I cannot act blindly now and let her act like a foolish woman. Did you ever heard that she is acting crazy inside here?"

No one dared to speak after what Vaughn yelled. I felt a lump in my throat as I feel their heavy stares at me.

"Genevierre is not like her usual self. We didn't raise her like this," Vaughn added.

"Let's not waste our time yelling at her," Marissa dismissed. "Let Genevierre redeem herself."

I gulped. How can I redeem myself?!

"Right. We cannot just remove her, Vaughn. Genevierre has the title now, and raising a princess takes so much time... We probably need eighteen years again before we offered a perfect one again." Marissa defended me again.

I feel relieved because Marissa is making the old man calm. I just want to melt here and now.

"It's tiring to raise a princess. I hate it," a man said. "Why humans cannot just grow over midnight? Why should we wait over eighteen years to use them?" He sighed.

Eighteen years? I couldn't get it. But he sounds... so wrong. Humans to use? Humans aren't a thing!

"Find another family Lola. Search for another family that may have a perfect infant to be born."

"Yes, master."

Wait, are they raising the child from the very beginning to be a princess?! From infant!? That sounds so wrong!

"But if ever I heard something wrong from you, Genevierre—your parents shall be punished... because they raise you wrong even we already instructed them..." Vaughn threatened me with his death glare.

I gulped. My parents? I don't have my parents in my present! Well, I have a father that makes my life harder because of debt.

Even if they are not my parents—I feel threatened so I just nod my head.

I don't have any choice!

"Let's get down to the real agenda, Vaughn. The people want to name their land."

"Where do they even get the idea that they wanted to name their land?"

I started to listen carefully. I should. Vaughn would kill me if I will act clueless again, I guess.

"It's from an unknown man. He is offering so many books and a free lesson to know about agriculture," an old woman said. "We need to catch that man first. He also has a nice book..."

Then she tossed a book on the table.

"This is not a normal book. This is expensive!" One pointed out.

"Sooner or later, people will beg the king to name their land..."

"Genevierre, say to the king that he cannot grant that. It will be the cause of greed." Vaughn told me.

I nodded my head. But I was confused for a bit.

I thought Aristocrats is for humans? Like a judiciary office where humans can run to have their rights?

Why are they opposing the right one?

"But can I ask why?" I couldn't help but to speak. "I think naming the land is a good idea. They can fight for their rights. Own what they own. The oppressive or opportunists may stop because... they have their name on the land. It is a great rule for poor people..."

Well, that is basic economics and agriculture. I am glad I have an excellent teacher way back in high school!

Again, I heard nothing but a suffocating silence from them. I thought they will give me applause or anything—but the atmosphere is heavier!

"What, Genevierre?!" The old man shouted in anger. "Are you clueless, huh?"

"Vaughn, Genevierre lost her memory. You raised a perfect princess, remember? It's only natural that she will say they are right." Marissa shook his head and looked at me—hopeless. "Maybe I will teach her so at least... she has an idea."

Vaughn looked at me with so much hate before storming out of the room. The people started to stand up and looked at me with disappointment.

Did I say something wrong? That is a basic human right—how can I possibly go wrong?!

"Genevierre," Marissa called me when we were left behind. "Let's meet tomorrow. Okay? I need to teach you about the Aristocrats..."

I just nod my head. She looked at me and shook her head too.

"Just do what Vaughn told you. Stop the King for the people's wish. It will cause agreement of the human race. State that reason and the king will surely hesitate. Convince the King—and you will redeem yourself back to Vaughn..." Then she left.

What Marissa told me caused so much confusion inside my head. Why... they sound like an oppressor? I am a political person. I am liberal and their lines... is the cause of greed of a nation.