Chapter 35

Nearly three days lying Lalita finally woke up. The pain in Her body had reduced considerably but she was still weak and powerless. Bright morning and in the same place every time she woke up. Without the smell of rain and dew that he always missed. Lalita misses Sean. The pain stabbing him was actually Sean's pain. Worries and guilt began to haunt him, considering that he was not by Sean's side.

Lalita got out of bed to clean herself. Today she is wearing a green knee-length dress with a little lace. Lalita sat in front of the mirror while styling her faded blonde mane which was slightly wavy at the ends. Lalita wonders why she doesn't see Helen. Was Helen mad at her? Lilita doesn't know. Her dark irises dimmed staring at the mirror that reflected her reflection.

"My lady is so beautiful."

Instantly Lalita turned and found Helen in her disguise as Alin who smiled kindly at her.

"Helen,"Lalita got up from her seat and hugged Helen tightly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"What are you talking about? Why should I be angry?"Helen hugged Lalita back with a million questions.

"Eric."

Helen immediately understood. Lalita feels guilty because Erik confesses his feelings to her. Helen smiled back and hugged Lalita tighter.

"It's not your fault, love really just comes and reigns. But I know, your heart has long chosen. Whereas every time you look at Erik you only show hatred. I know you only love Sean, your mate,"Helen said sincerely.

"Have you had breakfast?"asked Helen after letting go of her hug.

"Not yet."

"Then let's have breakfast together,"Helen snapped her fingers and various dishes appeared on the table in Lalita's room.

"Teleportation?"guessed Lalita while Helen had already sat in front of the delicious-looking clear soup.

"That's right, I'm lazy if I have to walk among Erik's maids who like running around."

"No wonder I didn't notice you were here,"Lalita said as she sat down and took a piece of grilled meat.

"Too bad I can't teleport."

"That's because you rarely study,"teased Helen who casually ate her soup despite getting annoyed glances from her best friend.

"After all teleportation requires a lot of magic energy if going to a far place."

Lalita put down her spoon and fork. Her appetite has disappeared somewhere. Grilled meat that tastes savory and delicious now feels bland on his tongue. Helen who noticed the change in Lalita's expression also put down her spoon while watching her friend who looked a little sad.

"What is it?"asked Helen after a long silence.

"I miss home,"answered Lalita softly almost like a whisper.

"If it weren't for the magic surrounding this place maybe you could have sent me home a long time ago."

"Don't worry, there must be a way,"Helen said soothingly.

Seeing Lalita's expression that never changed made Helen get a brilliant idea. A sweet smile was printed on her lips that were not covered by a mask.

"How about we take a tour of the Vampire Empire palace. Erik won't be angry because he has given you permission to tour as long as it's not far from the palace area,"Lalita raised her head to look at Helen. It seems she is interested in his best friend's invitation to surround the Vampire palace which will be very rare in his footsteps after leaving this place. Moreover, all this time she just sat quietly in the room without even being able to breathe fresh air or step on the lush green grass and wet.

"Great idea," Lalita exclaimed almost sounding enthusiastic.

"But don't forget to finish your breakfast. Aren't you hungry yourself after three days of hibernation?"

Lalita managed to pout while stabbing the grilled meat in front of her with a knife before putting the piece into her mouth.

****

The fountain is encrusted with precious stones, including emeralds and rubies that glisten in the sun. The colorful small fish looked cool swimming in the rippling clear water. Lalita can't stop being amazed by the Vampire Empire palace building.

How could I not, almost every inch of the important building was decorated with stones, often even plated with gold. But Lalita's graceful and elegant style never fails to admire all the beauty of the Vampire Empire. Helen seemed to smile with satisfaction to make Lalita happy again. Even though she hasn't been able to help Lalita get home, at least she can protect Lalita from danger, considering that Lalita is White Blood. It was an honor for Helen to befriend one of the moon goddess's special creations.

When they reached the main hall, Lalita was again spoiled with an amazing view. Clean white marble floor with pillars full of carvings of tendrils and flowers formed from the collaboration of emerald green, ruby red, and gold yellow.

Lalita also found the same thing in the throne room which was far more luxurious than the hall. Several diamonds and precious stones were seen scattered on the oversized chair and the steps leading to the throne. However, there is something odd that Lalita feels. Even though it was luxurious, the room was filled with a dark, uncomfortable aura.

"Lalita, I have to go take care of my business as an informant in the government. Is it okay if I leave you alone?"she asked worriedly.

"I can go back to the mansion alone, it's fine I'll be fine,"Lalita smiled reassuringly.

"Fine and sorry. I'll see you soon when my business is finished,"Helen teleported first and disappeared before Lalita could answer.

Lalita took a deep breath then continued to tour around the palace alone. After visiting the throne room, Lalita was faced with a long hallway with a long red carpet and several pillars hanging on the wall. Some of the paintings look gracefully displayed. It seemed that the paintings were those of the previous kings.

"Intruder!"cried the two guards who saw Lalita walking casually alone in the hallway.

"Who are you?"asked one of the guards who was surprised why Lalita didn't run even though it was clear the two guards thought she was an intruder.

"Who I am is not important. If you are facing me it's the same as you are facing Erik,"Lalita insisted trying to stay calm.

The two bodyguards looked at each other then looked at Lalita. The two of them sniffed their noses slightly then smirked simultaneously. Unlucky. Lalita hated every time she saw a man grinning at her. Bad premonitions began to haunt Lalita's mind. So you are the crown prince's pet Werewolf who is said to have special blood so the crown prince is reluctant to let you go?"asked one of them.

"Come here sweetie, let us taste a little of your blood."

The two guards stepped forward while Lalita began to step back. With her condition like this maybe he can still beat the two Vampires. But it would be very dangerous to stir up a commotion and more Vampires would only make it even more difficult.

Slingg...

Lalita attacked the two guards with her ice element which hit the eyes right which would hinder the movement of the two guards so as to provide an opening for Lalita to escape.

"Unlucky!"

"Chase him!!!"

The screams and roars of the two guards made the palace's quiet atmosphere suddenly uproar. Lalita could hear and feel dozens of footsteps from all directions. Lalita enters the door randomly. What was clear was that she had to avoid the soldiers who were hunting her no matter where the stairs he stepped on took her.

The lower the air the colder. Lighting is also very limited with torch light as bright. Without a doubt, under the palace there must always be a dungeon. While waiting for the commotion above to subside, Lalita decided to explore the dungeon of vampires. Is as terrible as the dungeon belonging to the werewolf pack.

Not long after Lalita walked, she encountered a fork in the road, the difference being that one of the roads looked darker while the other road looked so bright. Lalita chose a lighter path. The dusty black walls didn't dampen Lalita's steps even though there were various sharp objects hanging neatly on the walls. Looks like a torture chamber. Lalita wonders why the path to the room is so bright. Maybe someone is being punished.

At the end of the hall Lalita found a wooden dungeon door. The door was not locked when Lalita entered it easily. Only a large empty room. Lalita went down the small stairs to take a closer look at the room because Lalita was sure that someone was here. Behind the vault blocking his view there must be something. But before Lalita could see behind it drowsiness from nowhere ambushed her until Lalita finally fell asleep in a sitting position leaning against the wall.

***

Lalita opened her eyes with the sight of the blue sky that greeted her for the first time. Lalita woke up from her supine position on the green grass. This is weird he thought. As far as she could remember, Lalita was in a cold and dark basement wearing a knee-length green dress. But now she was in an open meadow with a flowing white dress sweeping the ground.

Lalita walked for a while on her long legs looking for someone to ask. But not only the people he met but a man who was talking to a woman who looked very elegant. Lalita walked closer to make sure who these figures were and Lalita recognized one of them. Erik seemed to speak respectfully to the girl who was across the small river in front of her.

The girl across the river was wearing a red black dress that swept the ground. Her long, black mane was let loose with a crown encrusted with blood-red crystals. The black netra exudes majesty. Her skin is white with long bare feet that tread the grass. Seeing her perfect face made Lalita wonder if she was Nyx, the Goddess of Vampires?

From a not too far distance, Lalita could hear their conversation. No one noticed that Lalita was not far behind Erik.

"How is your life going, Erik?"asked the girl softly loving.

"Everything goes in such a way, Dewi,"Erik replied respectfully.

"That's not what I want to know,"her slender fingers gently touched the flowers that were blooming beautifully on the banks of the river.

"But your life. What did you go through to nearly give up and give in to hatred."

Erik looked down at the stream of water flowing calmly.

"Raise your head Erik Night,"the goddess's orders were full of sincerity.

"You are the one I love, and you are also the one I have distinguished from the previous kings. Don't make my gift go to waste,"The goddess smiled at Erik meaningfully.

"I am very grateful to you. Thanks to your grace I was able to control the five elements and became as strong as I am now."

Nyx looked happy, but Lalita knew that the goddess was not happy with Erik's current presence. For some reason Lalita could feel the aura around her starting to change as the smile of the goddess seemed to fade.I gave you the fire element for bravery not hatred. I also gave you the calm water element for good not evil. Likewise, the air element is for gentleness, not to hurt, also the earth element is for sincerity, not doubt. As for the spirit element, I must admit I was a little disappointed. You should protect not take the spirit from his body."

Erik lowered his head again. The goddess's rebuke was like the biggest mistake Erik had ever made in life. It was clear that Erik only had the goddess as a place to lean on and escape from the painful realities of life.

"I will revoke my bounty on you."

Erik just silent. It seemed he was only submissive and obedient to the goddess. Whatever the goddess wishes is an absolute order for her, and Erik always fulfills it.

"I don't have much time. If you let go then my bounty will return to you."

Erik gasped at the goddess with an expression of disbelief. Meanwhile, the goddess still smiled gently at him with a shady jet black bead. Erik remained silent unable to answer. His heart refused while his mind was churning.

"There is a big plan that my best friend and I are planning for this world. You and he are in it. But one thing if he stays with you this plan will not work. Return him to his rightful owner,"the goddess again smiled. But not to Erik but to Lalita who was standing not far from them.

Lalita no longer knows what happened. Instantly a dazzling white light seemed to suck him in and throw him somewhere cold and dark.

****

The smell of earth and cold floor that Lalita felt when she opened her eyes. He fell asleep sitting against the cold damp wall. Lalita wondered if it was just a dream. If so, why did he fall asleep all of a sudden? And when his encounter with Dewi Nyx and Erik seems real.

Lalita tried not to care. Although there is sympathy for Erik who is cruel and violent, Lalita is sure that there is something behind Erik's other traits which are so neatly hidden.

Finally Lalita remembered wanting to check the room. Lalita stepped carefully trying not to make the slightest sound as she walked to check what was behind the safe.

Lalita almost screamed when she saw the scene in front of her. Erik's hands and feet were in hanging chains and underneath were lots of burning coals that were almost extinguished to ashes. Erik's black hair was a mess with a sweaty body full of whip wounds. His lips were dry and his eyes closed. Erik only wore a white toga that wrapped around his lower body which added to the heinous impression of the punishment that Erik received.