Chapter 1: Bite marks

Big Brother Dastan was leaning on the window frame, his arms loosely crossed while one of his hands had an open book between his fingers, but his attention was outside. On the other side of the window frame was Evan, sitting on it while his other leg was outside. He also had an open book in his hand as well but just like Big Brother Dastan his eyes were focused on someone else. While Casper was silently flipping the pages of his book on our small table.

I tiptoed and held my hands on the window frame. I jumped continuously to recognize the vampire outside.

"He's one of the best councils in the history of vampire court. He's never afraid to voice his opinion even if he knew that no one would back him up. I really admire him. Father once joined me in a meeting before and I enjoyed listening to his opinion. It's a shame that he's about to retire." Dastan said.

"He will retire? Sayang naman. I want to be his student," sabi ni Evan na nanghihinayang.

I jumped desperately to see the vampire, but I couldn't see him! I had little legs.

Hindi ako tumigil sa pagtalon hanggang kapwa na naagaw ang atensyon nina Dastan at Evan. Natigil ako sa pagtalon, natigil sila sa pag-uusap at halinhinan kong sinalubong ang mga mata nila.

Natawa si Evan, yumuko si Dastan at walang pasabi na binuhat ako.

"Here is our curious little princess . . ." ani ni Evan. Umirap ako sa kanya at tinanaw ko ang pinag-uusapan nila ni Dastan.

"His name is Leon. He's one of the wisest vampire councils in history. I heard he's one of the vampires of the prophecy before," dagdag ni Dastan.

"Oh?" Sabi ni Evan.

"What I heard is he has a grandson. Well, he's secretive about his family."

"Oh, he's going to be his successor. He's lucky to have a great teacher." Sabi ni Evan.

"I heard the grandson run away," dagdag muli ni Dastan.

Kapwa naagaw ang atensyon namin nang malakas isara ni Casper ang makapal na aklat na binabasa niya. "He's probably an idiot."

"He's not even aware that different royalties from different empires want his grandfather to be their professor. Tinakbuhan niya pa." Umiiling na sabi ni Evan.

"But I am not really sure. We couldn't just believe the council's gossip, Evan. What if a grandson was just a made-up story to give him a failure?" Sabi ni Dastan.

"He's still an idiot if that was true. Did you ask Father if Leon could give us a private—" Evan was cut off.

"He declined our father's request. I think our father has less convincing power, or he has other commitment with him that—"

Evan sighed. Isinandal niya na rin ang ulo niya sa hamba ng bintana. "Sa tingin mo ay may utang si ama kay Leon? Or maybe he's not impressed with father?"

"Maybe. I noticed that he looks so stressed when Leon's around. I think I found our father's little weakness."

"It is Leon?"

Dastan shrugged his shoulders.

"Are you satisfied now?" Tanong ni Dastan sa akin. Likuran lang ni Leon ang siyang nakikita ko.

Hindi pa man ako nakakasagot kay Dastan nang mabuksan ang silid, narinig ko ang boses ni ama.

Father had that usual bright smile. He was always radiating like the sun, and he always looked so energetic after a long meeting. Lily told me that our father was the opposite of everyone because if he was tired and needed energy to recharge, he looked as if he just come from a long respite.

"Oh, here are my bright children!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Evan at agad siyang tumalon mula sa kinauupuan niya para tumayo nang maayos.

Lumingon ako kay ama, humalik muna siya sa ibabaw ng ulo ni Casper bago siya nagtungo sa amin. He took me from Dastan, and he kissed my cheeks.

"How's my little princess?"

"Father, Dastan and Evan want him to be their teacher," I said.

Sabay napalingon sa akin sina Dastan at Evan. Natawa si ama sa sinabi ko.

"May utang ka ba sa kanya? How about your convincing power? Everyone is so impressed with you, Father. Is Leon not impressed with you like what Evan and Dastan said? Are you afraid of him?"

Kung kanina ay nakatitig pa sa akin sina Evan at Dastan, kapwa na sila nag-iwas ng tingin. Tumikhim si Dastan at nagpapaypay na sa kanyang sarili sa Evan gamit ang sarili niyang kamay.

Naglakad na rin si Casper sa may bintana, humawak sa hamba nito at sumilip na rin sa labas.

"Isn't it right to keep it to yourself, Harper? You should not tell our father that Evan and Dastan were backstabbing him!"

Sabay suminghap sina Evan at Dastan sa sinabi ni Casper.

"We are not backstabbing father!" Malakas na sabi nila kay Casper.

But Casper and I grinned in unison. Dastan groaned and Evan rolled his eyes. "This evil twin!"

Tumawa si ama at binuhat niya rin si Casper.

"Let's not just give him more responsibilities, shall we?"

"It is true that he has a grandson, Father?" I asked.

"Oh? Who told you?"

"Sabi ni Dastan . . ."

Dastan smirked at me. Father tilted his head, he smiled while watching Leon as he left the gates, and then he looked at me again. "I don't know."

"Why don't you join us for tea? Your mother and your siblings are waiting for us."

Nauna nang naglakad si ama habang buhat niya kami ni Casper. Nakalabas na ang dila namin kina Evan at Dastan.

I could still remember how Evan and Casper criticized him— the runaway grandson of the known Leon Doyle. I never heard his name before, and some believed that he was just a made-up story to tarnish Leon's name. But just like how Evan and Casper described him, I always thought of him as an idiot as well. It was a great opportunity to have Leon as a grandfather who would guide him, but all he did was run away.

But I never thought that the silly runaway grandson was destined for me.

***

Napakarami ng naganap sa kabuuan ng Parsua Sartorias. From our father's sudden death, how mother chose to stay locked inside her golden room, the arrival of the first goddess of the prophecy, the curse that killed Zen, and the biggest war between vampires and werewolves.

Hindi ko akalain na ang masayang pamilya kasama ang panunugkulan nina ama't ina noon ay maagang mabibigyan ng katapusan, at ngayon ay nasasaksihan ko ang maagang panunungkulan ni Dastan.

"Life in this world was so unpredictable, right, Casper? All I thought was I'd live this life as a princess who would always think of how to dress up beautifully. Inisip ko na habangbuhay ay narito sina ama't ina para protektahan tayo."

"Life is not all about your dresses, teas, flowers, and butterflies, Harper. Though our siblings are trying to give you that kind of life . . ."

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa hardin ni Casper. I was holding my parasol while Casper had the rattan basket. He was picking the flowers for me.

"I always admire Lily, Casper."

"Everyone of us admires Lily, Harper."

"But she's trying to make me live in this world differently from her."

"Dahil iyon ang gusto ng lahat para sa 'yo."

"To be pampered? Walang ambag sa Sartorias?"

"No one would look at you like that!" Sagot ni Casper.

Nang mapansin ko na nakatanaw sa amin si Claret mula sa silid ni Zen ay kumaway ako sa kanya.

"Claret!" She smiled at me.

Claret and the princes of the prophecy were still in the process of fighting against the curse. Naniniwala kami na kahit gaano man katagal at kahirap ay maibabalik niya sa mundong ito si Zen.

"You're aware of the news, right, Casper?"

"About Desmond . . ."

Tumango ako. It's still controversial to speak about Danna and her relationship with her father in this palace but to hear that they had a son— our brother.

"Hindi lang tayo ang biglang nagkaroon ng kapatid. You heard of someone named Kreios? Do you still remember the rumored grandson of Leon before? He's friends with Desmond."

I huffed and continued with our conversation.

"Oh? Really? Such a small world."

Dahil si Casper ang madalas lumabas sa amin siya talaga ang mahilig magkuwento sa akin ng mga nasasagap niyang balita. It was our little bonding as twins—Casper's little gossips.

Casper had been a huge eavesdropper of the empire of Parsua. Hindi lang halata dahil madalas ay sa akin niyang lang sinasabi, hindi katulad ni Caleb na alam ng buong kaharian na galing sa kanya ang impormasyon.

Naupo na ako habang pinapanuod si Casper sa ginagawa niya.

"But I want to live differently, Casper. I want to do everything I want without restrictions."

"Are you? I think you're enjoying your little image as the soft princess of Parsua Sartorias. Even if you're as bruha as Lily or even more . . ."

I laughed. "Don't say that! Tama nang si Lily ang nag-iisang prinsesang kinatatakutan ng lahat."

"Or do you want to live like our mother? A living farce."

"Do you think everyone's aware of it?"

"Maybe? They are willing to support you for everything. As your twin, wala kang itatago sa akin. I know that you got it from mother, Harper." Tumayo na si Casper at may hawak na siyang ilang bulaklak.

He sat beside me and placed the ornament on the top of my head. "I like it that my twin is a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing."

Just like how we grew up together, with our wicked schemes behind our innocent faces, Casper and I grinned at each other as our eyes turned red. Because if Gazellian had the greatest secret— that would be us.

"He's there inside Zen's room," Casper whispered.

"I know."

Because before Kreios appeared in Parsua Sartorias again and claimed himself as Claret's brother, Casper and I already knew that he was mine.

He's an idiot for coming this late when all I did was look like a vulnerable princess willing to be whisked away.

He should look hot.

Nagpatuloy kami sa pag-uusap ni Casper habang naglalakad hanggang sa maramdaman na namin si Claret, saglit kaming nagkatitigan ni Casper bago siya tumango sa akin.

"Harper, maaari ba na samahan mo ako sa aking silid? I will show you something."

Casper playfully sighed. "Go with her. May gagawin na rin ako."

"Oh, thank you, Casper." Humalik ako kay Casper. "You're always the best actor of Gazellians, Twin."

Tumango muli si Casper. "Claret . . ."

He smiled at me again before he turned his back.

"Ano ang ipapakita mo sa akin, Claret?" Tanong ko.

"I hope you'll be happy," she said.

Sumunod ako sa kanya sa ideya na dadalhin niya ako sa kapatid niyang kausap niya kanina sa silid ni Zen. Habang lumalapit kami sa silid ng kapatid ko, ramdam ko ang higit niya presensiya niya at ang panunuyo ng lalamunan ko.

I was looking at my long nails with my bright red eyes, when Claret turned around. Agad kong ibinalik sa dati ang kulay ng mga mata ko at ang haba ng kuko ko.

"Harper . . ."

"Yes?" I smiled.

Si Claret mismo ang nagbukas ng pintuan ng kuwarto pero masyadong mabilis ang pangyayari. May mga buhangin nang agad humila sa katawan ko patungo sa silid.

There he was, sitting on the floor under the huge window frame. He was looking up at me with his lips parted. The rope made of sand was still around my waist as I met his eyes.

"W-who are you? Ano ang ginagawa mo sa silid ng kapatid ko? Why did Claret offer me to someone—" I looked over my shoulder to dramatically show him that I was desperate to escape.

When I noticed that he was just sitting on the floor without any movement but staring at me, I sighed. I crossed my arms over my chest and arched my brows.

"Are you going to just stare at me after coming this late?"

He gasped. "Y-you're aware of . . . me?"

Itinuro ko ang buhangin sa baywang ko. "Remove this."

Agad siyang sumunod at lumaglag ang mga buhangin sa sahig. I sat on the floor and started removing the laces of my dress. Nang mapansin ko na nakatitig pa rin si Kreios ay mas pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Aren't you going to bite me?"

"Y-yes . . . of course."

Nagmadaling gumapang si Kreios patungo sa akin. I tilted my head and pointed my neck. He wrapped one of his arms around my waist. "Here . . ."

At first, I allowed myself to close my eyes, but when I felt his fangs on my skin, my eyes suddenly opened. I gasped and covered my mouth as the paintings on the ceiling turned blurry. One of his hands cupped one of my breasts, as he took another bite on my shoulder. "More . . ."

He nodded and gave me another bite when I brushed his hair. But when I felt his hand slowly gliding to my legs, I quickly pushed him on the floor. I sat on his stomach before I pulled one of his hands. I took a bite on his wrist. I looked into his red glowing eyes as I sipped his blood, laces of his spilled blood were slowly flowing my lips to his arm. I purposely pressed his hand on my left breast as I leisurely traced the laces of his blood from his wrist to his arms.

"Harper . . ."

Hindi na rin siya nakapagpigil at hindi na niya ako hinayaang manatili sa ibabaw niya. Suddenly, he was carrying me with his speed until I felt how he gently sat me on the table.

Kapwa na may bakas na dugo ang mga labi namin, may pulang mga mata at matatalas na pangil. Nang akala niyang muli kong itatagilid ang aking leeg upang pagbigyan siya, at nang akma na siyang kakagat muli isang malakas na sampal ang ibinigay ko sa kanya.

I quickly pinned him on the wall with my arms on his neck. "You want me? What took you so long?"

"W-what?"

Marahas kong itinulak ang leeg niya bago ako humiwalay sa kanya.

I huffed in front of him. "If you're thinking about having a princess as a mate when you have nothing as someone who ran away from his good future, then you're wrong."

Sinimulan kong ayusin ang kasuotan ko.

"So you're an arrogant royal blooded who wants someone—"

"Masarap ka, pero mas masarap ako."

Umawang ang bibig niya at tumaas na ang kilay niya. He brushed his hair before he placed his hands on his waist. "You arrogant Gazellian—"

"It took you so long to find me, and you'll show yourself just like this? Ano ang ihaharap mo sa mga kapatid ko? Do you think I deserve better?"

"Ha! Y-you!"

"Tama naman ako hindi ba? Kreios, I've been trying to prove myself in this kingdom, I hope you'll do the same. Baka kapag naging hari ka . . ." bumaba ang mga mata ko sa gitna ng mga hita niya. "Luhuran kita."

Kung kanina ay halos hubaran niya na ako sa titig niya ngayon ay halos patayin niya na ako. He even teleported himself in front of me with his hands shaking near my neck. He was about to strangle me to death.

"You're not the Harper I've heard from this kingdom . . ."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay sa kanya. "The blood of the proud Gazellian is in my veins, Kreios."

Humakbang paatras si Kreios sa akin bago siya namaywang at malakas na tumawa. "I was deceived . . ."

"Why? Do you want your timid mate, Doyle?"

He laughed more. "Isa palang bruha . . ."

I bowed formally at him.

Lalo siyang nainis sa ginawa kong iyon. Hindi na niya napigilan ang sarili niya at inabot ng dalawang kamay niya ang leeg ko.

He was not choking me as his hands were wrapped gently, but he purposely pressed his lips on my cheeks and whispered.

"You want me to be a king? Alright. You want a crown? Alright. I can give it to you. Because the moment I claim a throne, you'll always kneel before me, Gazellian, wearing just your crown."

Hindi ko na siya sinagot matapos niya akong iwan at tumalon na siya sa bintana. And when I noticed Claret outside, I dramatically cried as I left the room.

"Harper . . ."

"I want to be alone, Claret. Sorry . . ."

Matapos kong malampasan si Claret, pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko. I licked my lips with Kreios's blood.

I wanted him to whisk me away and live a life with him, but I vowed to be a princess in this kingdom worthy of being called a Gazellian.