Adrian
That evening, we were all seated in the great dining hall. The dinner table was lavishly decorated with all sorts of delicious food, most of which the common folk didn't even get to try, let alone have as their usual dinner.
I never liked joining these dinners with employers, mostly because I never felt a part of them, but at the same time, they insisted on this, thinking that it made me feel more comfortable. The truth couldn't have been more different.
Tonight was no exception. Everyone was silent, probably still under the impression of what happened the previous night. All that could be heard was the clinking of the knives and forks against the fine china. The flickering of the candlelight cast an ethereal glow, adding an air of mystery, which I was sure the younger daughter appreciated more than anyone else.
I noticed her glancing in my direction several times since we started eating. I didn't look back at her. But I did notice it with the corner of my eye. Maybe she had forgotten that I was a vampire and as such, details like that didn't get past me?
Her father, the king, seemed to savor each delectable bite. All the food had been carefully prepared to tantalize the taste buds and satisfy the palate of the king, the princesses and the younger princess' future husband.
The feast began with a selection of appetizers, served on delicate porcelain plates. A platter of smoked salmon, adorned with dill and accompanied by slices of freshly baked baguettes offered a burst of savory flavors. This was followed by roasted lamb cooked to perfection, presented with a fragrant herb crust, served alongside a medley of roasted vegetables,including caramelized carrots, tender asparagus and buttery baby potatoes. To complement the lamb, there was also a wild mushroom risotto.
Accompanying the main course, there was a selection of fine wines carefully selected to enhance the flavor of the meal. To conclude the dinner, a selection of decadent desserts awaited the guests. A tower of profiteroles, filled with luscious vanilla cream and drizzled with warm chocolate sauce, provided a sweet indulgence. Alongside them, delicate fruit tarts showcased the vibrant colors and flavors of seasonal fruits, nestled in a buttery pastry shell.
As I ate sparingly, I couldn't help but think how many hungry mouths would have been fed by this plethora of food, which was more than enough for four people. I wondered if the food went to waste after dinner.
As I was wondering that, I didn't realize that the king had been talking for a while now.
"Once, there was a time when humans and vampires coexisted in a fragile harmony," the king began, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "As our friend here will tell you," he gestured at me with his fork, "they've always been considered immortal beings, blessed with strength and captivating allure. But their insatiable thirst for human blood led to unrest and conflict."
He paused, his gaze shifting from one princess to the other, ensuring their attention was firmly captured. "A century ago, a war broke out between our two races. Humans, fearing the vampires' insidious influence, sought to protect themselves and preserve our way of life. It was a time of darkness, where bloodshed stained the land and tragedies befell both sides."
Everyone present seemed to be listening in awe, although I suspected they'd heard this story more than once, just like I had. Only, we probably heard different versions of the samestory. But I knew better than to interject with anything and correct the king's version. Then, he decided to pull me into the conversation.
"Adrian probably remembers as much as I do of these old, ancient tales," the king continued to speak.
"I'm not that old," I frowned, but they all thought it was a joke. I let them think that.
"Do you still live as long as before?" Cassandra's question took me off guard. I didn't expect that she would be the one taking part in this conversation.
"No," I shook my head. "Everything changed, depending on where you grew up."
"What do you mean?" It was Lilith's turn to join the conversation.
I turned my gaze to her. She welcomed it with an inquisitive expression.
"I grew up in civilization, with human parents," I explained, and as always, the utter look of shock didn't escape my notice. I expected someone to ask more, but they remained quiet, so I took that as an opportunity to quickly end my monologue. "Others grew up in the wilderness. I'm sure you all know of the serum that we use, which fights off the hunger and helps us keep it under control."
"But you still feel that need?" Cassandra asked again, a slight hint of fear in her voice.
I knew what she was referring to. Was she and everyone around her in danger of me going berserk and mauling them all?
"Not in the way of those two feral vampires at the cemetery," I tried to reassure her, but I wasn't sure I managed to do it.
Luckily, the king interfered at this point. "You see, vampires, much like humans, are a diverse group. Some adhere to the law and seek to peacefully coexist, while others maystill succumb to their primal instincts. That is why vigilance is necessary, for the darkness within can never be fully extinguished. However, there are those who strive to forge a different path, to rise above their bloodlust and live alongside us in harmony."
I expected them to ask more questions, but the king quickly changed the topic and now they were discussing the wedding. I couldn't help but notice that everyone seemed excited about it. That is, everyone but Lilith, who was supposed to be the ecstatic one. She spoke the least, choosing to focus on her food instead, while her father and her future husband discussed the details.
As always, I kept out of it, as her father, a mix of excitement and pride, spoke of the grandeur and splendor that would accompany the ceremony. He envisioned a celebration befitting their royal lineage, filled with regal traditions and opulent festivities. His words carried a sense of joy and anticipation, his gestures illustrating the grand vision he had for his daughter's special day.
Lilith's future husband was also caught up in the enthusiasm of the moment, adding his own ideas and suggestions. He spoke of the plethora of guests who would be attending, of the arrangements, and the exquisite details that would make an already special occasion even more memorable. His voice resonated with delight, as he shared his vision of the union of their two families and the beginning of their life together.
I observed their interaction keenly. My eyes had been trained to detect even the subtlest of hints in someone's eyes and facial expression, and I instantly caught the flicker of hesitation that crossed Lilith's face. Her eyes, though polite and attentive, held a glimmer of wistfulness. It was as if her thoughts had wandered off somewhere else, contemplating the weight of theimpending commitment and the notion that her life would never be the same after that day.
After what seemed to be a small eternity, the dinner ended, and everyone retired to their rooms. Mine was located right next to Lilith's, and from the first day of me being here, I kept leaving my door open, so I could hear hers. She hadn't noticed me before, because I tried to keep myself out of sight for as long as I could. That allowed me to watch her uninterrupted, to see the kind of person she was and in turn, to know what the best approach would be with her.
I believed that this evening, she would remain in her room. I believed it even when I heard her door open. I straightened in bed and headed out into the hallway. She was still tiptoeing away from her room, when I voiced myself.
"Another nightly adventure?" I asked, and almost gasped upon seeing her.
She looked like a being that did not belong to this world. The soft fabric draped gracefully around her curvy form, catching the ethereal glow that spilled through the windows, creating a halo of radiance around her.
As she stopped moving along the polished floor, the moonlight played upon her features, highlighting her delicate beauty. Her golden tresses cascaded down her shoulders, glimmering like strands of spun silver in the moon's gentle embrace.
Get it together, man, I told myself silently.
I had no idea why I was so mesmerized by this woman. It had to be my exhaustion, and it being the middle of the night. And that form of her body, wrapped in that thin satin nightgown. No man would be able to resist her. No man or vampire.
"No," she frowned. "I'm just going downstairs for a glass of water."
Alright. A plausible enough excuse. Then, I looked at her feet and she was wearing light ballerina shoes. In other words, shoes for outside. Not for inside.
She immediately noticed I was looking at her feet and she tried to hide one behind the other. "I couldn't find my slippers," she offered this explanation.
"Of course," I nodded.
I didn't believe her. I didn't think she'd learned a lesson. I should have let her sweat it out a little more in the cemetery, but I felt bad for the two girls crouching behind that tombstone. I could hear their heartbeats even from afar. Cassandra was more frightened than her sister, but Lilith was close behind.
Even after that, she was still contemplating going out into the darkness again, outside the confines of her father's castle, which was the safest place on earth for her. I couldn't understand women like this. What was she missing so desperately that she wanted to risk her life for it?
"Should I prove it to you?" she asked, looking at me defiantly. "Come downstairs with me and you'll see that water is all I want."
"I'll stay here," I told her. "I am your bodyguard, but that doesn't mean that I get to follow you around, leaving you no privacy whatsoever."
She seemed stunned by my response. Her eyes widened, as the shadows around her danced along the intricate carvings and the ornate tapestries on the wall.
"Well…" she started, but she didn't know how to finish, which was sort of amusing. "In that case, I will uhm… go down… for water. Yes."
"You do that," I nodded, as she took one step back, then another.
As she did so, she passed by an open window and the gentle breeze that flowed through it carried the faint scentof night blooming flowers, intertwining with Lilith's delicate presence.
I didn't watch her go down the stairs. I went back to my room and listened. A few minutes later, she returned. I didn't go out to check. She didn't peek into my room to show me that she was telling the truth. I heard the sound of her door closing, but even then, I didn't fall asleep. At least, not at first.
Besides, I never slept soundly. It had been like that since I lost my mother, since I knew that no one would watch over me while I slept, so I had to keep one eye open at all times. That meant that deep sleep was not an option.