Chapter 34 Kiss of Betrayal
Princess Tatiana walked ahead of me. I didn’t know what made me take steps and follow her. But something inside me kept saying there was something I needed to see from the past. Should I get ready for this?
The moment we reached the edge of the water that served as our passage, we suddenly got to a dark and cramped place. I noticed the only light in this dark space was a small crystal ball lying on a red cloth.
“Where are we?” I asked in surprise.
“I don’t know, but from what I see, it looks like we’re in a fortune teller’s place.”
She started walking again, which I followed right away. I almost screamed when we ran into an old woman.
“What are you doing here?!” she asked me and Princess Tatiana angrily.
I saw the princess pull something from her long dress and give it to the old woman.
“I think that’s enough.”
My eyes widened when I saw it was gold. The old woman didn’t speak again until we left her place. Now I know, we’re in the vampire market.
The princess quickly pulled my hand and we walked again. I noticed she was slightly hunched over because vampires were staring at her burned face. Why does my chest feel tight seeing this happen?
We passed by a clothing shop to pick out long clothes that could handle the cold weather. While the princess was choosing, I stayed outside for a bit and noticed snow starting to fall. Did this come from Kaizer?
I just looked up while holding out my right hand to the small snow falling here. So it’s natural snow. It didn’t come from my prince.
“Saera, pick one now.”
I nodded at the princess and took a black outfit.
“We need to hide our faces, we can’t look familiar to their eyes. Especially my face, I’m quite disturbing.”
My hands shook at what the princess said.
I put back the clothes I was holding first, and I didn’t understand why my hand slowly touched her burned face.
“You’re beautiful, Princess Tatiana.”
She smiled sadly and moved my hand away.
“I don’t know if you’re blind or a liar, Saera.”
I didn’t answer her and just chose to stay quiet because I know she won’t believe me. The first time I saw her face, the word ‘ugly’ never crossed my mind.
After she paid for the clothes we picked with gold, we both put them on. Our faces weren’t easy to see clearly because of the cloth covering us.
“Where are we now?” I asked the princess.
“We’re in Wisteria, and today is the kingdom’s annual celebration. It’s also the queen’s birthday.”
I just nodded at her answer. No wonder the vampires we passed looked so lively. So even the vampire world has events like this. But did I hear the word ‘queen’?
“Which queen?”
“The mother of the Lancasters.”
I grinned wider at what the princess said. I haven’t seen Kaizer’s mother yet. She must be very beautiful, just like her children. Why didn’t Kaizer tell me anything about their parents? I only know his siblings so far.
We rode a carriage. Since I’m not familiar with the places in Wisteria yet, I still don’t know which part we’re in.
“Where are we going?” I asked again.
“To the palace.”
I got even happier hearing that. If I can’t see Kaizer now in the future, I’ll see him here in the past. What could have changed about him?
When we got off the carriage, I was even more surprised to see so many vampires all over the Wisteria kingdom. It’s not like the times I stayed here before, the palace is alive now.
“Every celebration, the palace opens its doors to all people under Wisteria’s rule. This is where princes and princesses meet ordinary vampires.”
I just nodded while looking around every corner where I might see a Lancaster. Where are you, Kaizer?
I saw the first prince first, Larkin. He looked so young back then, he could be 18 or so in the human world. I noticed right away he was with a woman. He gave her a red rose that made her smile.
Who is she? Why don’t I see her in the palace?
“Can you meet me under that tree after an hour?”
He pointed to a huge tree at the side of the palace.
“You can go to the place you want now, just don’t let anyone stare at you for too long. Be careful.”
When I looked back at the princess, she was gone.
Instead of wondering, I started walking again, maybe I’ll see Kaizer now. What does he do during palace celebrations like this? Is it possible he meets people like the princess said?
I chose to go inside the palace. I also passed by servants offering food and drinks. There were young vampires running around and couples being affectionate. Where are you, Kaizer? I’ve been walking for a while now.
“You can’t go any further into the room you’re heading to.”
I stopped walking right away and pulled the cloth covering my face down more. I know who this cold voice belongs to, it’s from the most handsome prince of Wisteria. Why do I need to get close to see him? I’m fine just seeing him from far away.
“I’m sorry, your highness.”
I turned to him with my head bowed. Shit. I want to look at his very handsome face, but I can only see his clothes. He can’t recognize me or see me.
“People know the rules about which parts of the palace they can go to. Which kingdom are you from? I want to see your face, woman.”
I just rolled my eyes at how Kaizer speaks. He’s always this arrogant. But I got nervous right away. Fuck. What will I do? He can’t see me.
I bowed even lower to the snow prince. If this were the present, he’d probably get mad at what I’m doing, he doesn’t like me bowing to him.
“I’m sorry again, your highness. I can’t show my face. Because only people with beautiful faces should be seen by royals like you.”
I waited for his answer but noticed he had already turned his back on me and started walking away.
I just stood there staring at his back as he kept walking away from me. Now I realize I miss him. I want to hug him, I want to call his name, but here I am, just a lowly common person from Wisteria.
What would happen to me if I wasn’t one of the chosen women? Would this handsome prince notice me? Would he know there’s a Saera Yvaine alive if I wasn’t the chosen one?
He’s just facing away from me, but his presence really screams how handsome he is. The clothes he’s wearing now look good on him. Kaizer, I want so badly to hug you.
I probably stood there for a few minutes before I remembered I was supposed to meet the princess under the tree she mentioned. I hurried to get out of the palace. And while I was rushing, I noticed it was snowing again. I felt the first snow drop on my hand again and just smiled, this came from my prince.
I started walking closer to the tree but stopped when I saw two vampires sitting on a big branch. I couldn’t stop the corners of my eyes from getting warm.
Along with the gentle snow falling all around us, the second prince of Wisteria and the woman who was with Larkin were kissing hard.
“Kaizer, you are the one I love.”
“I’ll take the throne from him. I’ll rule all of Wisteria, and you, Cosette, will be my queen.”
I didn’t wait for their lips to meet again, I ran away crying.