The Curse Of A Stranger's Gift 26 Lunch

"Your eyes are reddish," he said while leaning on the head-rest.

She looked away. "I—I'm fine!"

"Look! I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to lie. I just thought it would motivate you to improve." He tried reaching out to her hand, but she pushed her away.

"If you're really sorry, tell me the truth." She looked at him straight in the eyes.

He swallowed and brushed his nape. "I—I'll try."

A tight-lipped smile carved her lips. "Did the king really killed my parents?" Her teeth chattered when she gritted her teeth. He nodded with a deep breath.

Her heart beats erratically. "Why?" She couldn't stop himself from yelling as her tears started racing down her cheeks. When he lowered his head, she started banging his chest. "Tell me why? What did my parents do to deserve death? Tell me!" Her vision became fuzzy as her tears continue to drop.

"Please don't cry, I'm sorry!" He wrapped her with his arms. Zheira didn't stop banging his chest, but it was becoming slower as the time pa.s.ses. "Ssh, it's okay now, I'm here. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you." His hand rubbed her back gently.

"I—It's s—so un—unfair!" She leaned towards him while sobbing. "Why do they have to die? Why?" Her raspy voice echoed in the room.

Vladimir stroked her hair. He closed his eyes for a moment before whispering, "The king killed them because, as you've seen in the memory, they tried helping me save my sister." He rubbed his nose. The king's laughter echoed in his ears, but he ignored him totally. He's probably enjoying everything he'd heard. "I'm sorry, Zheira. If I didn't ask for their—"

Shaking her head, she wiped her tears. "You don't have to say sorry. If it was me, I could've helped you too. At least, they died with n.o.bility." Her hands balled tightly. "It's the king's fault. I'm going to rip his throat."

"Calm down, Zheira. Vengeance can wait. You can never touch him now. He's heavily protected by the Elites." He patted her back.

"I don't care! He messed up with my parent's life, and I'm going to return the favor." She stood but he pulled her back to the bed.

"You're going to get yourself killed," Vladimir hissed, "You've seen my memory, right? He did not hesitate to attack his own son. He'd never care about you. He'll kill you in a blink."

Her tears trailed down her cheeks. "How am I supposed to live now? I killed my adoptive father and he killed my biological parents. Is there more to life than pain? I'm tired of feeling this."

He wiped her tears by planting a soft kiss in her cheeks. "I'm still here, Zheira. I'm never going to leave you."

"T—thank you!" She leaned to his chest while wiping her tears.

For a moment, they just stayed still. He finds solace while hearing the gentle beat of her heart. It was until her stomach groaned. Vladimir blinked while staring at her. She closed her eyes for a moment before murmuring, "You do have a food right? I haven't eaten since we came here."

Chuckling, he ruffled her hair. "Of course we do. Come! Let's fill your stomach." He grabbed her hand and they walked out of the room.

Zheira exhaled deeply out of exhaustion. She has not realized until now that the castle was too wide, too big, and too large for her. Her eyes found a tall and nice gold chair; she allowed herself to relax in it. She closed her eyes while ma.s.saging her sore feet.

Vladimir chuckled, "Come on, Zheira! Don't tell me you're already tired? Haha!" he teased.

"You didn't tell me your castle is way too big," she hissed with her upper lip raised, and her brow knotted.

"Haha! You're the one who suggested it." He shrugged.

Zheira heaved a deep sigh. "Fine, fine!"

She looked down at her swollen feet, and she remembered their trip to the castle. It's catastrophic. The walls embracing the castle were made with antique stones and marbles, which was glinting with gray features. On the other hand, the grounds were coated with red carpets and minuscule ruby that complimented the red posts arching high above, forming the ceiling that was hailed with dark metals and chains, cordially connected to one another. The stairs were three inches high that Zheira despised its height that makes her use all her strength.

"Why is the castle too big? When its occupant is just the royal family and the maids?" Zheira blurted, annoyance taking over her heart as the thought of the three-story-castle crossed her mind. She's starting to pity the servants, they'll be doing the hard job but none seemed to appreciate them.

Vladimir smiled slightly, "I don't know that either." He reached her hair and ruffled it. "Maybe to show power and wealth."

Zheira's brow furrowed. "Power and wealth? How?"

"If other vampires can see the castle standing tall, no one will go against its jurisdiction. If, on the other hand, they see the opposite, they will start to rebel asking for the renewal of a ruler. Because, no one will follow a poor government." He sat beside her. He raised his hand and rested it in her shoulders. "That's just my view, I don't know if that's what others perceive."

She nodded. "You are probably right."

Their conversation had been interrupted by the sudden outburst of maids. They brought with them gold plates, bread knives, and foods. Zheira followed their moves with squinted eyes. Her right brow raised when she heard loud tickers from them, and she could certainly feel the blood flowing from their every nerve. She sniffed and the fresh smell of blood wafted her nose.

"Mortals?" she whispered as she turned to look at him.

He closed his eyes, and released a deep breath. "Yeah," he said, his voice barely audible.

"But why?"

"Father's type of fun."

"It's not something to make fun of. Life is not a playground, and these mortals aren't his toys." She gritted her teeth.

Vladimir patted her shoulder. "I know, I know. But, the king's order is life here in Volioirae. If one disobeys, every vampire living in here, will disown the traitor."

"Just like how they disown you?" she said all of a sudden.

Vladimir became frozen in his seat. "P-pardon?"

Zheira grimaced, she lowered her gaze and played with her fingers. "I kind of heard other vampire talking about you. They said that you betrayed the clan just to save me. They even despise that you can still walk in the threshold of the castle with your head held up high. You have no dignity, according to them."

"It's okay." He caressed her hands. "I'm okay. Their words will never kill me, anyway. So why worry?" He smiled bitterly.

"Right." The last thing Zheira said before they face the table that was now full of different dishes.

"Thank you," she whispered to the mortals but at her statement, they fret. They blinked and stared at her as though they couldn't see her.

"Why-"

"They are not supposed to talk to anyone unless it's the king, that's the rule of slavery."

"Oh," she said, realization forming her mind.

At the same moment, the king walked to the kitchen, Eleanor and Louie were in his back. He smiled at Zheira who nodded. The king sat at the corner of the seat wherein a chicken breast was near. The table they were eating with was too wide that if normality prevails, they might not hear each other talk.

"What do you do for a living, Zheira?" the king asked as he ate porridge. Vladimir cleared his throat but none take notice of it.

"Just this and that," she said with a shrug.

The king smiled widely. "Oh, but I've heard your parents are filthy rich?" His smile turned to a grin. "I mean, your adopted parents." He inclined his head.

Vladimir's grip to his spoon was strong that it broke in his hand, again, none seemed to notice this.

Zheira's brow raised. "Well, yeah! They are filthy rich. Why'd you ask?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just curious."

Rolling her eyes, she focused intently on eating. She now knew that the king was the one responsible for the death of her biological parents, but knowing that he's powerful, she has to wait for the right timing.

Eleanor cleared her throat, "Zheira." She caught her attention.

"Hmm?" Zheira slightly moved her head.

"Do you like the food?" Her lips curved, but Zheira didn't understand why she felt that genuineness was not something she could take seriously once she's around with vampires, it's just that their nature seemed to be filled with lies.

Zheira nodded. Their conversation ends there, but she's well aware that they were all looking at her; she found it distracting, yet, she forced herself not to be affected with it.

Zheira and Vladimir were the first to finish lunch, they both stand and bow before leaving the company of the king.

"Good luck, Zheira. May the truth be grace to you," he said with a slight bow, his eyes silently intent to Vladimir who wore an impa.s.sive stare.

"Thanks," she said simply with a nod.

Vladimir gently touched her hand before leaving.