Epilogue

After a few months, things resumed to some resemblance of normal.

Elaine King and Henry King got on TV and explained their feelings regarding the attack o their house.

"It's truly heartbreaking," Elaine said to the interviewer. "Knowing that such a rumor from a family friend sparked a belief that we're what, creatures of the night? Ladies and gentlemen, as far as I know, my husband and I aren't fictional characters in some type of horror novel, much less vampires of all things!"

Henry nodded. "I don't know what would have happened if we didn't hire more security with the number of treats we were receiving at the time."

"If there's one thing you would like to tell the perpetrators, what would it be?" The female host leaned back into the sofa. Elaine stared into the air as if she was trying to find the right words.

"I would say, I hope you get the help you need. And that I wish them the best."

The audience gave the couple a heartfelt applause. Overall, it seems the general consensus was that the Kings were attacked by a bunch of eccentric vampire fanatics who believed in the fake rumors online. They were the victims, and should be given respect for how they handled the unfortunate situation.

Unbeknownst to the normal citizens of the world, all the rogues were exterminated, and the vampires and humans who took part in the act were sentenced to their respective prisons.

Elaine walked through her palace halls on a warm August evening. The construction workers were measuring the area where they would be building the storage house. Maids chatted happily as they did their work. Everything was in place, but something felt amiss in her heart.

She only found out what it was when she sat under an isolated tree in the garden. She was busy texting her son and updating him when she felt a cold presence on her shoulder. There, beside her, was the ghost of Mia. Elaine gasped, then smiled in glee. "Mia! I've been looking everywhere for you! Come, I still have your body and it's well preserved. We can try to help you back in-"

Mia materialized until she almost resembled her true form. She shook her head. "Please, live your life. I have already lived mine and I want you to live yours. Let go of the past."

"No!" Elaine got up and shook her head. "I can't lose you again!"

"I've always been here. And I always will." Mia brushed her cheek with a tear stain on it. Elaine could faintly feel her touch. Thank you for taking care of my daughter. You and Hendrick have been good to both of us."

Elaine went on to plead and beg to have her friend try and come back to the living. Mia refused her each time, then she disappeared. The queen dropped to her knees, sobbing. Although she would miss her dearly, she knew what she had to do.

That September, a funeral was hosted for Mia Depp and her body was finally put to rest at the graveyard near the palace grounds. Everyone had left except for Serene and a young girl stood by the freshly covered grave.

"I get who you are," Serene said suddenly. The younger girl turned to look at her. In her eyes, Brendava could see that it wasn't Serene in control of her body. She turned back to the gravesite. "You found out," Brendava muttered. Serene nodded.

"When do you plan to tell her?"

"Never." Brendava shrugged. "The past is the past. I'm blessed to be able to meet my little sister again. Our mother is buried and finally put to rest. I would want us to live our new lives."

Daphne nodded in understanding. "You're not wrong."

"I should consider myself lucky for even being reincarnated."

Daphne chuckled. "Once again, you're not wrong."

There is always a possibility that the future is much sweeter than the past.

Fall passed by and made way for winter. Before they knew it, it was Christmas.

Serene sat on a small stage with a dazzling red dress flowing down to her knees. Her fingers gracefully played on piano keys, producing pleasant classical music.

Andrew took the hand of his lover and danced with her in the middle of the crowd. His parents watched on, most likely still upset with his refusal to go through with the marriage for a human girl. Once the song ended, Serene stood up and bowed. Everybody clapped. Including her boyfriend of two months, who leaned against the door to the balcony in a black dress shirt and dark green pants.

Serene made her way over to Leo, who held her by the waist as soon as she came close. He placed a hot kiss on her lips. "You were great, darling," he whispered. She smiled against his mouth. "I bet you say that to all the girls, Leo." She winked.

"Never have I ever. I promise."

They turned their gaze away from each other to stare off into the night. Everything was almost perfect, however, there was one thing she still needed to do.

"Leo?"

"Yes, Serene?"

"There is something I wanted to tell you. I've had this voice in my head..."

Leo pulled away slightly to stare at Serene's face. He raised his eyebrow. Serene rolled her eyes. "I'm not crazy, *your highness*."

"I didn't say anything."

"It's like a second person lives in there, a second me. Every time she wants to rise to the surface, I feel this unexplainable heat building up."

To her surprise, Leonard seemed to be actually listening instead of teasing her. "Does the heat spread all over your body?"

"No, it mostly settles here." Serene took his hand and placed it on her chest. "And grows stronger. Sometimes, when she takes over, I act like a completely different person."

She waited for Leo's response. Leo stayed silent for a short while. His mouth quivered before he started to speak. "Is that what happened? On the night when we got back from the club?"

*Oh, he remembered*. "Yes."

"No wonder you were acting so odd. I did think you were a little hot, but I thought it was from the excitement of having to face a rogue for the first time."

"Do you know what it means?" Serene asked.

"I think so."

Serene removed his hand from her chest and nuzzled her nose into his. The scent of his perfume made her mind clear. Her boyfriend caressed the back of her neck, careful not to ruin her hair. "The voice in your head is a part of you. If it was any other vampire, you might have been turned into a rogue or just killed. Because I'm a royal, you would have been turned into a vampire if I permit it. However, your blood complicates things."

"How so?"

He drew in a big gulp of air. "She is an example of who you could be if you choose to be my queen. That burning you feel inside is the power you will unlock if you take up that position. So, what do you say? Is that something you would want?"

Serene bit her lip. "That's, um, a lot. Would I end up losing myself?"

"Not at all. You don't have to be her. Whoever you want to be is the person you will be."

She rested her head on his chest. "That's a lot. Let's talk about it later and enjoy our time here, hm?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Leonard pecked her forehead.

She smiled and kissed him again. It's true, she didn't know what the future held, but she knew who she was willing to spend it with.

A new family, new friends. She wouldn't run away anymore. Being here made her feel much happier than anywhere else ever did.