"Put my Young Mistress down, Evan. Or better yet, I'll just cut off your hands to make things easier."

I smile awkwardly as I notice Siva's sudden mood swing. In the short amount of time that I've learned about Siva's origins, I've noticed he's become more rude and harsh ever since he transformed.

Talk about a wild fox.

"Forgive me, but honestly it's difficult to take you seriously with those adorable, fluffy ears of yours."

I pinch my nose and groan as I hear Evan insult my already angered butler. I don't really judge Siva's actions, seeing as how everyone in The Kingdoms loathe the demons, but the sudden bickering between them begins to irritate me.

I scowl and shove Evan as I force myself out of his embrace. "Enough! You two are acting like children! If anyone should be making any smart remarks, it should be me! Seeing as how I'm the only child here!" Siva and Evan stare at me for a while, and for a moment I feel like I've finally gotten through to them, that is until they ignore me and go back to their arguing.

"Why don't you just leave my Young Mistress alone! The battle at the Border Between Worlds is over, thus meaning you are of no use to her anymore!"

I smack my palm against my forehead and grumble curses under my breath as those two go at it again.

"Awe, is the servant jealous that his mistress isn't paying attention to him anymore? How cute."

Evan shoots back and I can almost see the smoke rising out of Siva's ears. I shake my head and wrap my arm around Evan's neck to forcefully shove him closer. I position my lips an inch apart from touching his neck and speak a command.

"Behave. Now!" The rose tattoo on Evan's neck glows my signature shade of purple and Evan immediately quiets down. I then turn my gaze toward Siva and I give him a nice glare, which has the same effect. My butler clears his throat and I watch as his fox features begin to disappear.

"My apologies, Young Mistress. I tend to act differently in my true form."

I groan and walk past them as I mumble complaints under my breath. I roll my eyes and turn my head around to find Evan and Siva still, but silently, giving each other the stink eye. I feel a vain throbbing inside my forehead as I walk back and grab Siva by the collar to drag him to the carriage.

"Evan! I'm not dragging you by the collar too! Get the hell over here, or I'm leaving you behind!"

The demon master happily follows my orders and we reach our ride within minutes. We all hop into the carriage and I make sure to sit beside Evan, right across Siva as well. My butler signals the driver and our trek back home begins.

"Black Rose, I've gotten word of the trials you'll be facing as the Protector. Care to explain how I seem to be the last person to find out?"

I hit the back of my head against the cushioned seat and sigh as that nagging problem pops up again. "Hmph, I wish I was the last person to find out too." My smart comment receives a frown from Evan and I realize I might have hit a nerve.

"It's not like I didn't want to tell you, it's just...I've been off my head lately..."

I rest my head instead on the window and avert my gaze from locking with Evan's, knowing I'll probably never want to look away once I do. "The demons will take advantage of this. With the Protector distracted with another issue, it'll give them a short window of time to cause mayhem and whatnot." I turn my gaze toward Evan and catch a glimpse of Siva nodding his head in agreement.

I lower my head and gaze off into serious thinking, however Evan cups my cheek gently. "No need to fret, love. That is why you have me, a demon lord well acquainted with the other lords and aware of their plans of attack." Evan's prideful grin brings a frown of confusion to my butler and I anticipate another round of bickering.

"Hold on a minute. Are you implying that you'll be spending time with Elizabeth from now on as her spy?" Evan perks up at Siva's words and I can tell disapproval is rising inside my butler. "Of course, you honestly don't expect me to be a useless ally, do you?"

Siva averts his gaze and I get the feeling he's trying to hold his composure. "No, I wouldn't want you to become dead weight to my Young Mistress. She has enough matters to deal with." Evan nods his head in agreement instead and I roll my eyes as they've finally begun acting mature.

I sigh and rub my tired, sleepy eyes as I look out into the window and gaze at the bewitching moon hanging aimlessly in the sky. I feel Wonderland's eccentric magic coursing through me and I let a faint smile dance on my face. Ignoring the conversation between Evan and Siva, I say goodbye to the incredulous land as I close my eyes and feel myself drift off into a deep, comfortable sleep.

~

Feeling a cold breeze blow gently on my face, my eyes struggle to open. I groan confusingly and rub my tired eyes as I awake. Having my eyelids half open, I stare lazily at the scene happening around me.

Vampires are surrounding our carriage.

"My love, I see you're finally awake." I turn my gaze and find Evan holding me on his lap. "Wh..what..? I wasn't sitting on you when I fell asleep." Evan chuckles and rests his chin on the top of my head as he tightens his grip on me.

"Apparently a few vampires have urgent news they must report to you. Your butler is outside tending to their issue." I yawn and stretch my stiff limbs as I stay in Evan's embrace. "It's him...he's here too?" I glare at the tall figure outside masked in a black cloak.

Evan notices my displeasure and moves his lips closer toward my neck. "Yes, indeed. He personally came to fetch you, that is how urgent the issue is." I frown and feel all of the happiness I've felt up until now, slip aimlessly out of me.

The man standing outside hurriedly awaiting my presence, has forever been nothing but a nuisance in my life. He refrains from speaking disrespectfully in my presence, but even so I can still feel his judgment when he looks down upon me.

He sees me only as a child of his personal amusement. He bows before me with his hand over his heart, but the sinister smile he always wears gives a different impression. He has always mocked my decisions and never once showed any true respect or kindness.

"Tch..that bloody fiend..!"

I grit my teeth and ignore the gentle kiss Evan planted near my collar. I clench my fists and tremble in anger as I anticipate the humiliation that man will put me through. "Promise me you won't allow him to whisk you away from me, my love?"

The sudden question Evan asks momentarily dismisses my anger, but I regain my composure and glare at the lean figure again. "Ha! I'll kill him before he can lay his hands on me! I promise!" Evan hums sweetly and takes his arms off my body.

I angrily stand up and ready myself to scowl at the horrendous rival waiting outside. I feel a sudden hand grip my wrist and I turn around to find Evan smirking at me. "Will you allow me to come visit you when your done handling this predicament? I can't bear to be apart from you any longer, my darling Black Rose."

My eyes widen as I hear the sweet request and the longing look in Evan's eyes almost cause me to jump back into his arms. "Ah, how can I refuse? You'll keep bothering me until I'll accept, won't you?" Evan smiles mischievously and I roll my eyes as I open the carriage door.

I sense Evan teleport and disappear as I casually walk down the adjoining steps. "Vampires! A pleasure to see you again, but what quarrels seem to be troubling you?" I let my magic swirl around me as my powers turn my clothes into something more appropriate.

Black leather pants, a black collared shirt, and an elegant pair of red buckled ankle boots with a matching red cape adorn my body with a mysterious aurora. I grin when I come face to face with the man that I loathe so very much.

The Vampire King.

"My, my your highness, your beauty knows no boundaries, even if you're still a child." Making it quite clear of my age, I hide my anger and smile sweetly towards the vampiric ruler.

"Lucien, do not waste your breath on false flattery. You came to discuss an issue, so let's have it."

The cold, distant look in my eyes earns a scoff from Lucien and he merely bows before me. "My lady, it seems the demons have infiltrated my district and I require the assistance of your loyal guard dog." I raise an eyebrow and with a frightening glare, I smile devilishly and speak without hesitation.

"Oh? It seems you're losing your touch, vampire. A shame really, I guess those looks of yours are only for show."

I chuckle as I watch Lucien flinch and tremble in anger after hearing my taunting remark. "My lady, I wouldn't have expected this sort of behavior from you, however it keeps slipping my mind that you're still far too young to behave maturely."

My smile disappears and I gawk at the district leader bowing before me, although I still regain my composure and smile devilishly again. "Hmph...touché, Lucien." I cross my arms elegantly against my chest and fake a calm, sangfroid expression.

Lucien's beautiful long, white hair cascades from his shoulders as he raises his body and smirks at me. "I require her services by tonight. Please do educate her in the ways of the vampire before she arrives, I wouldn't want an imbecile protecting my castle."

My shoulders tense up and I hide my burning anger behind clenched teeth. I avert my gaze and stare toward my butler who has remained quiet this entire time. "Siva, you heard the vampire. Ready the carriage so we may fetch my Protector." My butler, with an emotionless facade, bows respectively toward Lucian and hurries to follow my orders.

"Such a loyal servant...ever considered giving him to me? He'd make an excellent bodyguard, I'm sure." Hearing the ridiculous comment, I can't help but scoff at the vampire's praise. "You fool, he only serves willingly to me. I am his only lady and mistress." A prideful grin spreads across my face as I sharply turn around and let my back face Lucien.

"Remember, when it comes to those who serve me, they will never engage in betrayal...because if they do, IT'S OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!" I chuckle menacingly at my sly remark and take pleasure in the vampire's frown of disappointment.

I turn around and head back toward my carriage and as I let my foot rest of the first step, I return my gaze to give Lucien one more warning.

"The same goes for you, my dear vampiric friend!"

I climb up the remaining steps as Siva holds the door for me before stepping inside as well. I smirk as the carriage moves and we leave a horde of vampires pouting in the background. "Young Mistress, why must you and Lucien provoke each other? He technically is one of your elders, even if he seems to be only 20 years old, he is actually 250 in human years."

Hearing another boring lecture from my butler, I sniff at his words and frown unpleasantly. "To hell with him! I'd rather die than give him any sort of respect!" Siva sighs and shakes his head as he checks the time on his watch.

"So be it...would you rather I send your clothing to the Vampire King's castle or do you want to fetch now?" I place my leg over the other as I sit and furiously tap my foot in midair as I ponder the question. "Send it to me later on. The sooner I show up as the Protector, the better first impression I'll make." My butler nods his head obediently and I groan as I force myself to transform into the Protector.

"Damn that retched vampire..!"

My clothes morph into my uniform and I reluctantly shove my body out the window. As I fly into the air, I turn my gaze and catch a glimpse of my loyal butler worriedly watching my fleeing body escape his view. I smile as I appreciate his concern and feel a little more motivated to make it to the vampire castle as soon as possible.

Once I reach the vampire castle, I swiftly land on the ancient steps that lead to the entrance of the castle. "Halt! Who goes there?!" I roll my eyes and watch as a horde of vampire guards race towards me with spears in hand. I smirk and gracefully grab on to the ends of their spears and twirl them around in the air. "My, my such rudeness...is that how you treat the people who protect you and risk their lives day and night?"

I swing the guards and slam them onto the ground as I walk past the gates, entering on my own accord. I glide up the steps and open the doors with a single push of my hand. To my surprise, I see several men wearing expensive suits and woman with gorgeous ballgowns as they dance around the glittering marble floor.

"Oh goody, a party and I wasn't invited...hmph, this'll end well."

I shake my head and walk past the rich nobles as I try and find a certain king. I swiftly dodge a few drunks and stand on my tippy toes to try and see better. Alas, I make no progress and find myself standing in front of a bar.

The smell of booze clings to the air and I pinch my nose from disgust. I see plenty of men drinking, but even with the gallons of booze scattered around them, they're not drunk. The thing is, a vampire has a greater endurance to alcohol than any human could wish to have.

Although, there is still a few drunk vampires prancing around the floor like idiots, but what concerns me is how much booze they must have drunk to be this borderline waisted.

"Ugh...what an image to display before their queen.." I place my hand in front of my eyes and shake my head with disappointment. As I peer through my fingers with half open eyes, I come across a certain vampire.

"There you are..!"

I run toward the man wearing a beautiful red suit, standing out like a sore thumb. Before I speak and try to catch his attention, I kneel down and bow my head as I cross my arm over my heart. As painful and sickening as it is, I swallow my pride and speak loudly.

"King Lucien Constantine of Valentine III, I've been given strict orders from the Queen to personally protect your district, District 6 of the Monster Side. Please, tell me how I may be of service to you, my lord."

The whole room instantly goes quiet and all eyes are on me and my spiffing image of servitude. Lucien raises an eyebrow and allows his dark, red eyes to linger on my body. "Hm? You're here rather early. Was the queen in a rush to impress me?" I flinch when I hear him say those words, and I fight my attempts to strangle him as I hold my composure.

I raise my head and stand up to meet the King's gaze. "You misunderstand Her Majesty, she was merely anxious to quiet down your childish complaining, my lord." Speaking in a hush tone, Lucien and I are the only ones who hear my rude comment.

Lucien smiles kindly and grabs my palm to kiss it. I instinctively wince as I feel his disgusting lips touch my skin. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Let us show our mighty Protector what it means to throw a party in our vampiric district!" All the vampires cheer in a choir of pride and continue to enjoy the party.

I recoil my hand and turn around in a haste to get as far away from the King as possible, so I may not rip his head off in my moment of blistering anger. As I stomp away angrily, I accidentally bump into someone. I hurriedly raise my head to apologize to the person, that is until I realize who it is.

"Wasting your vampire speed on me? How quaint."

Lucien chuckles and stares down at me with a prideful smirk. He gracefully slides his arm around my waist and uses his other hand to intertwines his fingers with mine. I'm about to begin shouting protests, but the beginning of a song interrupts my attempts.

Lucien takes the lead and maneuvers me around the dance floor. I struggle to keep up to Lucien's fast pace, but my concentration breaks when he lowers his head to whisper in my ear.

"You remind me of someone..."

My eyes pop open and I flinch at Lucien's words. The vampire takes advantage of this as he slowly dips me and grabs hold of my left thigh, to only later raise it higher and position it above his waist.

The sudden action takes me off guard and I reflexively grab hold of Lucien's neck and clutch it as he continues to hold me like this. "Your fluid movements are quite admirable, too bad your clumsy steps can't compare." I roll my eyes as I hear the rude words and decide to turn the tables around.

I smirk as I take the lead and glide Lucien instead across the dance floor. He accepts my challenge and we both fight in a dancing manner. Our feet synchronize with each other and our bodies seem to be one as we dance along to the fast, elegant song playing in the background.

I might loath this vampire, but I cannot deny the fact that he and I make worthy opponents for one another. Seeing as how we're both stubborn, ambitious leaders who find a draw unsatisfying.

At the end of the song, Lucien decides to make himself the center of attention as he grabs my waist with both arms and pulls me into the air. I hold on to his shoulders and raise my chin to play along with his antics.

A roar of applause explodes and echoes powerfully throughout the ballroom. Lucien takes pride in this and wraps his arm around my waist, sort of giving a message that I'm his.

I scoff at his actions and I sharply escape his grasp. I walk away with pride, knowing I was able to show Lucien I wasn't clumsy at all, However that doesn't seem to stop him from making a smart remark. 

"Protector, haven't you've been taught that it is impolite to turn your back on your King?"

I freeze on the spot.

My shoulders tense up and my hands clench into fists. I tremble in complete rage as I feel my killer instincts boil inside of me, trying to get out and show this vampire a lesson or two of how to really sink your fangs into someone else's flesh!

My eyes bulge out of their sockets and feeling inferior to that snobby vampire is really starting to leave a number on me.

"I only serve one monarch, and you are not her, my lord."

I mock the King and smile as I feel satisfaction of having the last words. I swiftly turn around and march up the steps to find a room to occupy for the rest of my visit. Once I find a suitable room, one that was especially far away from Lucien's, I fall face-first on the bed and groan into the pillow I shoved my face into.

I turn my body around and let my tired back rest easy on the plush bed. I rest my arm over my eyes and breathe a sigh as I feel my anger slip away. I calm down and feel my eyelids slowly droop over my eyes. My pulse slows down and so does my breathing as I begin to relax on the comfortable bed.

"My lady?"

My eyes quickly open but my lazy body doesn't spring upwards to face whoever called out for me. "Hm? What do you want?" I muffle my response as I shove a pillow on my face again and block out the light shining from the now open door.

"My apologies, but King Lucien strictly ordered me to inform you that dinner will be held shortly." Just hearing the retched vampire's name burdens my ears with disgust. "Tell him I do not wish to eat...and if he sends you over again, don't bother to follow his orders because they won't make a difference. Quote that to him as well."

The maid seems to cower in my presence as she listens to my cruel, heartless words. "Y..yes..m..my lady...as y..you wish..!" After that, the maid scurries away and leaves the door open. I mumble curses under my breath as I get out of the bed and walk to close it.

"Damn that servant..! Siva would never leave the door open to let that dreaded light in while I slept..!"

I slam the door shut and lazily walk back to the bed with a temper that could kill. I sigh again and feel a lump in my throat beginning to add to my annoyance. I groan as I mentally complain over the day I've been having.

I couldn't really sleep last night thanks to that stupid 'nightmare', I had to tolerate a stupid trial for the Red Queen, and to top it all off I couldn't spend more than an hour with Evan!

"Gah! Stupid, stupid, stupid!"

I clutch my hair and tighten my grip as I feel more anger swell over me. I then calm down as the memory of Evan's face brightens in my mind. I suddenly forget all about my anger and rage as I remember the sly smile I last saw on Evan.

I lower my hands and let them fall on the bed, above my head, as I recall my time with my lover. The beautiful sensation I feel when he touches me, the intoxicating scent I always breathe in, and the seductive way he always looks at me as if he wanted to spend every hour of the day pleasuring me with his romantic gestures.

"I really have missed him..."

I close my eyes and treasure the memories I have with Evan as I feel myself drift off into a pleasurable sleep, that is until a sudden slam of a door jerks me awake.

"PROTECTOR! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"

My stunned expression fades away and a face of pure annoyance overcomes me. "And?" I say sarcastically as I get out of bed and walk threatening toward the butler, standing next to my door panting from fear.

"Please! You must take this seriously! The King has been captured!"

My eyes pop open as I hear the butler's last few words.

"A pity I was strictly ordered to protect him...oh my darling Queen, why must you torture me like this? Not allowing me to see my rival bellow in pain..hmm..what a shame.."

I bite my lower lip and appear to the butler as some kind of sadist, which I probably am.

I shake my head and race past the fearful servant, so I may not miss the promising sight of seeing Lucien beg for my help and mercy.

Whoever these attackers are, I won't let them have all the fun!