27-2

"I'm sorry, but have we met before? You seem familiar, but I can't remember where I'd seen you," I told her. "You have a good memory, Alina." She smiled. The sky blue of her gown complemented her eyes. "You'd met me only once before today at a party my parents hosted nearly fifteen years ago. I'm Athena, Erick's eldest sister." "Oh! It's a pleasure to meet you." I smiled back. That explains why I felt like I knew her and why she had similar features to Kenna. "I always wondered why I never spotted either one of Erick's sisters." "Well, I was away with my husband, and Susan likes staying in the castle. She's a bit of an introvert, but I'm sure you guys will get along just fine. She's only a couple of years older than Erick," Athena explained. The room we walked into was circular and fitted with several full-length mirrors and wooden sofas. There seemed to be two other doors. One was similar to the wooden door we just walked through while the other was covered with silk drapes, making it difficult to see on the other side. A beam of bright sunlight streamed in through a glass window near the ceiling of the room. Another chandelier was hung from the ceiling, only this one was bigger than the ones in the hallway. "Here." Selene handed me a folded piece of cloth made of pure white silk with a golden border running throughout the length. "You have to wear only this robe during the cleansing and no underwear. It's tradition. All of us have done it on our wedding." Selene cleared out when I was about to protest. "Okay." I took the robe and entered the room that had the other wooden door. It was like a bathroom but the size of the entire living room of my apartment. Thinking about my apartment made me sad, but I knew going back wasn't an option. I took off all my clothes, folded them, and placed them on a seat in front of the marble sink. I then wrapped the robe, which was a simple long rectangular piece of cloth, around me like a towel. The last fold went over my shoulder, and I tied it in the front to keep it secured. By the time I was finished, the cloth reached my calves. I then let my hair down from the messy bun I'd throw it into and walked out the door while taking note of the soft satin carpet under my feet. "This way." I was led through the second door with the silk curtains where I assumed Athena and Selene were waiting. We came out of the curtains and into another circular room. This one was four times the size of the one I'd just been at. This room was surrounded by blue curtains on all sides. The walls too were a bright sky blue, and the entire ceiling was made of glass. The sun rays streamed down from the ceiling and fell into a huge circular pool at the centre of the room. The pool, from what I could see and smell, was filled with milk and decorated with red rose petals. The room itself was filled with several coloured roses and lilies. A small table off the side of the pool held an assortment of antique looking bottles filled with several coloured liquids, most probably natural perfumes. Three women wearing similar white gowns appeared on one side of the room and placed a miniature throne on one side of the pool. Kenna appeared a second later, the slight flutter of the soft red silk of her gown the only sign of her supernatural speed. "Is this really necessary?" I asked her while eyeing the pool. Wouldn't the milk become sticky? Kenna's laughter was like the sound of wind chimes blowing in the air. "Don't worry, dear. It'll be washed off. This is the cleansing ceremony. Every member of the Royal and Noble family has to perform this ritual. Now please, step inside." I walked to the edge of the pool, feeling thankful for the short step on the side. The walls of the pool were really high. As soon as I'd stepped on the wall, I found two of the women, maids probably, holding onto each of my hands and helping me balance as I placed my feet on the pool bottom. The milk reached just below my hips, and the water was warm enough to relax all the tension in my muscles. I was escorted to the other side of the pool near a table, where I sat down on the bottom. I let my hair fall on the other side of the wall, where the maids began working on them immediately. "Now, it's time to answer all your questions." Kenna sat on the throne only a few feet away. "But first, it's time to tell you a story." "A story?" I asked with renewed curiosity. The bath made all the tension seep out of my body. "Yes." She smiled. "A story about the genesis of the world, of Gods and Devils and the beginning of the vampire race." "Your Highness, do you mind if I tell the story?" Several gasps sounded at once at the sound of that soft, melodious voice. Kenna and the maids stood up still, holding their breaths. That was when a figure emerged from the shadows behind the curtains and came to stand at the foot of the pool. I would have stood up too if only the sheer strength of the power emitting from her hadn't held me in place. She was young and seemed to be about thirteen or fourteen years of age. She had long hip-length dark, dark red hair that looked black unless exposed to the sunlight. Her eyes too were a deep shade of green that almost looked black. She wore a bottle green vintage gown with one corner of a black lace scarf slung around one shoulder and the other draped over her opposite arm. She wore no jewellery and no makeup. Yet, she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. Oh, the catastrophe she would bring when she grew up! "Your E-excellency! Please..." Kenna stuttered to find words. "Thank you, Kenna." The girl smiled, transforming her face from beautiful to breathtaking. "Please sit. I don't mind." "But, where will you sit, darling?" Kenna came forward and finally gave the girl a hug and kiss on each cheek. "I'd like to sit next to the new princess if you don't mind." She came forward when Kenna gave her a bright smile and a nod of approval. I still felt frozen, though. Who was she? "Hello!" She smiled again, taking a seat on thewall of the pool next to me. A couple of those beautiful ringlets of her hairfell into the water. "You must be Alina. I'mMiaka, the Demon King."