Chapter 33

It's been a week since my exhausting confrontation with my siblings. I have no more news about the steps they are taking regarding Adam.

I hope he's fine. I hope his family is not torturing him, I hope he is not hurting now, I hope the man I love is not crying.

He promised he would come here to follow me, but what would happen if he ran into my brothers? who is my side?

I am too drained, I just want to stay in this room for the rest of my life.

A soft knock drew my attention, I wasn't surprised when Harper walked in with a glass of blood. he quietly went to the table near my bed and placed it on him.

"Lily.." I just remained silent.

"Harper, leave me alone..." I said coldly.

"Lily, you can't stay like this. Sartorias needs a smart and strong princess like you. we want you back Lily.." I slowly turned to him and with my tired eyes I stared at him.

"Are they hunting him? What's going on?" I asked him. It just nodded gently at me. Fvck!

"There's a way, we have Claret. she can help you and your mate Lily" I was stunned for a moment by what Harper said. I almost forgot the goddess from the mirror.

"Until now, they still don't have a good relationship with Zen. she is still trying to avoid him because of the incident that happened in Halla Eberron, we need to help her for us to gain her trust. He may be the answer to your big problem Lily. No vampire can help you but him. I want to help you but I don't have the ability Lily but I can support you to ask Claret for help, I am nothing against you and that wolf. I'm happy that you found the man who will love you forever.." I have no more tears to shed. instead I just smiled at Harper.

"Summon followers, order to prepare my clothes..." Harper quickly nodded at me.

If Claret is the answer to Adam and I's problem, I have to help him with his own problem as well. give and take is always everywhere. A princess like me would not want to be indebted.

As soon as I left the room, I immediately frowned. Our follower count has dwindled. Harper seemed to read my mind so he quickly explained to me.

"His majesty ordered to reduce our followers. Only the followers who have been loyal to our family for a long time are left. it's because of your mark Lily, any vampire will feel that you have been marked by a wolf. We don't want it to come out of the palace forever.." I nodded silently at what Harper said.

Another thing we are thankful for, brothers and sisters, is that the people of Halla Eberron did not invade our kingdom. Even if I wanted to tell them that a vampire knew I was set on a wolf I chose to keep it to myself. my brothers might kill Clifford, which will be another cause of war. Why is it like this? Why does it all end up in a bloody war?

We entered Harper's room, I immediately frowned when I saw an old masseuse in his room.

"What's with this Harper?" I asked in surprise.

"Claret will switch her place, she will massage Zen. Zen will notice right away and voila! We did help her. Zen is too fragile, our sister will also give.." I nodded at what Harper said.

"She's near.." Harper hurried out of her room and soon she was with Claret who looked confused. I immediately picked up the necklace that was on Harper's table.

"Why?" he asked in surprise.

"You are the masseuse first" I just stared at Claret. can he help me? How? She's so fragile, weak and damn ex human.

"What will I do?"

"Zen needs a massage, you need to move" she stopped whining as Harper began to undress her, I helped as well.

"Zen doesn't like me..." he said hesitantly. zen is obsessed with her, just put his hand on my brother and his anger will disappear.

"Don't you feel it Claret? Zen wants you to approach! Find a way! Can't you seduce him? I'm getting hot with you two" I said irritated.

"Don't attract too much, maybe it won't go as far as greetings. Remember Claret, you have to be a virgin until the remaining three girls come. Remember this because Zen forgot it a long time ago" I put the pink necklace on her.

"Why do I have to wear it?"

"Wear that first so that Zen doesn't feel your presence. Let him think you're a masseuse first, because the princes' masseuses don't show their faces either. when you've massaged him a bit then do what you have to do" I wanted to smirk at Harper's lie.

Just like when Harper and I made a plan, Claret and Zen got along well because of this we will also be able to talk to him well. we can't ask help from her if she still has her own problem to deal with. So it's important that I help him first.

But again a few weeks passed, I couldn't tell Claret what I needed. I tried several times but something always stopped me. damn I know Adam is coming to Sartorias, he promised me.

The entire palace is busy preparing for the annual festival of Parsua Sartorias where the palace is opened for all citizens of the entire kingdom. here we will formally introduce Claret not only to the entire Sartorias empire but to the entire Parsua.

Claret is currently being measured by a vampire seamstress for an outfit she will wear to the festival. Harper and I just watched him while Evan and Finn were in the corner playing chess, Caleb was watching them who had been yawning for a while.

When should I tell Claret that I want to ask her for help? Fvck! I'm a mess.

on the other end are Zen and Casper who are being measured by another tailor. Dastan, on the other hand, was in its library and was talking to some generals from Deltora and Trafadore.

"Let's spell..spelling.." Caleb broke the silence.

"What's that Caleb?" I said lazily.

"Spell 'obsessed'" I saw Finn and Evan grinning at the same time who had been quietly playing chess.

"Z-E-N," Finn answered with a smile.

"Obsessed," Evan said quickly. I can't help but be sad, not only me but Harper is also applauding our brothers' foolishness.

"I didn't think the Princes of Sartorias were good at spelling, you impress me brothers," I said sarcastically.

"Zen hears you, there's a lot more to fix in our palace, don't add any more," Harper scolded.

"Uhuh? I know he can't hear us anymore, Harper." Harper just sneered at Caleb's words.

"Just don't hold the sound Harper, let Zen hear what those three are saying. I'll just see if they don't freeze, you're afraid of Zen" I said.

"I'm not afraid of that gag," Caleb answered quickly.

"Me too" Finn said.

"I just don't punish him" Evan said.

"Uhuh? Can we believe you? What can you say Claret?" Harper asked Claret, who just grinned at us. The surveyor said goodbye when he was done with Claret, he also sat down on the sofa Harper and I were sitting on.

"I'm just saying what I see. Look at him, Zen doesn't even notice that we're all looking at him while he's staring at Claret. He's too obsessed Lily, it's like the prince of snow always dies when he looks into his eyes Claret.is that really the mate thing? It's impossible for that to happen to me.." Caleb's words made me feel hot.

"Me as well, I can't be crazy about women. With or without fangs" Finn said for sure.

"Falling in love is not part of my plan" Evan also said holding a chess piece that he will keep.

"Harper, Claret. Stand up first.." I said coldly. Although Clare and Harper were surprised, they followed me. I strongly lifted the big sofa and threw it recklessly at my brothers who didn't know what they were saying.

"What the fuck Lily! You're so hot!" Caleb shouted loudly.

"What the hell? I thought you didn't want to break anything?" Evan also whined.

I know Finn's using his illusion right now, because Zen, Casper and the newly released majesty don't notice.

"You don't know anything brothers. You haven't met them yet, your paths haven't crossed yet. tell me that when you meet the women who will claim your fangs, tell me that when both your eyes are on fire because of the woman. don't question Zen because he was more than you before he met Claret.." the three of them were silent from what I said.

I glared at them before turning back but I hadn't even taken a few steps when I heard Finn's voice.

"Is what you said for Zen, Lily? or for you the wolf that Dastan is chasing now?" I took a deep breath and bravely faced my brothers who never understood me.

"Both brother, I can't bear to hear you making fun of Zen's feelings because I feel the same thing. I feel that I have to stop because of the position and responsibility that I have become aware of. the three of you, remember what you said this time because I'm sure you'll all eat what you said. I swear that I will never be able to help you when your fangs are thirsty and hungry for the women who are destined for you. and I'll be the first to laugh at you when you start going crazy about women with or without fangs" the three almost jumped when I slightly moved the sofa with my smoke.

I tortured them again until I left them all.

more has happened in the past few weeks, Claret informed us Gazellians that she will be staying in Deltora with her grandfather while Zen is away from the palace.

His Highness and Zen were scheduled to attend a meeting, but unexpectedly, His Highness returned home earlier for an incomprehensible reason.

"Princess Esmeralda, your majesty is calling you..." the follower handed me a glass of green liquid again. this is the liquid that Claret made me that temporarily hides the presence of Adam's mark on me.

Then we have guests again.

When I first came out of my room, I noticed the bad aura of my brothers. Finn, Caleb and Evan can't look at my eyes.

"What's the matter?" I asked in surprise. They couldn't answer me, instead they avoided me with their eyes.

when we got to a small hall where we were waiting for our guests I was almost stunned by the two men gently bowing to Dastan who was currently sitting on his throne.

on both sides of the hall were the high officials of the vampires from Halla Eberron and Lodoss Pegana.

my whole body felt cold as the two powerful princes from different empires slowly turned to me, at the same time as they both smiled at me, the non-stop pounding of my heart.

Orion and Clifford..

Why are they here Dastan? my eyes asked my brother. Instead of hearing an explanation from Dastan, I only heard Orion speak.

"Forgive me for interrupting your rest, Prince Esmeralda. Allow me to ask you properly. before the council of Parsua Sartorias, Gazellians and the officials of our kingdom, even the people of Parsua Eberron..." I could hardly breathe properly because of the heaviness in my chest as I watched Orion. I didn't like the its destination.

"I am Prince Orion Atticus from Lodoss Pegana, will you marry me Princess Esmeralda Gazellian?" Orion was smiling at me while I was dumbfounded by what was happening.

But before I could recover, I heard Clifford's determined voice.

"I know, you need me. your empire needs the power of my empire Prince Lily. Marry me, I'll protect you no matter what. I won't let the past happen again, I won't let you go this time.." Clifford said directly which made my mind even more confused.

I shake my head at them all a few times as I step back. What the hell is happening?