The Lore of Eshia Arc 2 - The Royal Saga #2: The Royal Sceptre

Chapter Five

"You still down in the dumps?"

Julian turned around in the garden of Mary-Beth's old home and saw Daniela standing at the front gate. He smiled slightly as he walked slowly towards it.

"Yes," he replied. "But actually, this time, I'm a little more satisfied." He opened the gate and stepped aside.

She tried to enter, but something stopped her. He raised his eyebrows in question.

"You need to allow me," she told him. "I'm a vampire."

"Oh, that's right. Come on in, Miss Sung."

When she moved again, Daniela still couldn't budge. An annoyed frown took shape on her pretty little forehead.

"Oh, I think I should specific which Miss Sung." Julian could almost feel the drop of sweat on the back of his head like an anime character. "Come in, Daniela Sung."

And suddenly, the young vampire felt herself fall forward, but instinctively thrust her arms forward and caught herself. Astonished, he rushed towards her to help her, but she got up by herself.

She eyed him not-so-happily. "Thanks," she grumbled.

He had a nervous smile on his face. "I'm so sorry. I never actually let a vampire into a house before. Always wished to keep it out!"

They shared wry smiles.

"So," said Julian, breaking their eye-contact, suddenly feeling awkward, "you want to know what happened, I assume?"

"Do you have to ask, sir?" She winked playfully at him.

He shook his head. "You can call me Julian."

"And you can call me Daniela. Spill it."

He gave a nervous laugh. "I... did call her. And she... did pick up the phone. Though she seemed nervous, when I asked her why, she was relieved and she told me that she didn't love me anymore and that..." He gulped. "That she was afraid of how I'd react if she told me that. So, she was trying to postpone it. So you see, she was intending to tell me all along!"

Daniela's eyebrows raised and a smile lit up her face. "That's great news!" She immediately grimaced. "Er, I mean about the closure, of course, not, uh..." Her voice trailed away.

He smiled sadly. "I know. It's okay. I'll be okay."

"I'm sure you will. So, why are we here? I was told by Lady Norris to come here as soon as I could. I was out hunting in the Dark Forest."

"Oh yes! Well, Bethy is here and she's making preparations for Alicia and Daniel to go to the Temple City to bring back the staff a priest there made for her."

"Oh. Is that the one that she wanted made to seal her line to the throne?"

"That's the one."

"So, why am I needed?"

He shrugged. "I don't know why she needs me, either. Come along."

He led her across the garden and into the house. Bethy's old house was the one she had been living in hiding, ever since she lost her mother with a battle against the vampires who attacked the Cassandra Castle a year after she was born. And a year ago, when she was to become the Fairy Princess, another horde of vampries attacked and made a mess out of most of the city of Athenia, including this very home. Mary-Beth had spent a lot of her inherited treasury for the repairs.

Julian and Daniela entered the house now and there, in the living room, something went zigzag all across, as if it were a tornado.

Julian looked around and blinked. "What in the world is happening, Bethy?" he asked.