"That aside, why are you in a room with two vampires? Or should I rephrase, why are two vampires in your room?"
Malcolm glared at them, feeling very anxious. If they were to attack, he wouldn't be able to take on one of them, let alone two of them, and still protect Mauve.
"It's fine," Mauve said, touching him lightly. "That's Danag. He is Jael's personal guard, and that's Louis."
Malcolm frowned as he noted that she didn't offer more explanation on who Louis was. He didn't like how unreadable the vampire was. Malcolm could tell imdiately that Louis was the one to be wary of.
"We co in peace," Louis said with a goofy grin.
"You're one of the Princes, I suppose," Danag said.
"Yes," Malcolm said, eying Danag. He didn't trust any of the vampires, not in the slightest. "What are you doing here?" He turned to Mauve. "Why are they in your room?"
His eyes widened as realization dawned on him. "Are they the reason you want to leave? Are they forcing you to go back?" He asked with a dark look in his eyes.
"No!" Mauve responded.
"We are not so barbarian," Danag said with distaste.
"Then what's happening?"
"They are only here to tell Jael wants to return to the vampire Regions."
"Jael?" Malcolm repeated after Mauve.
Danag took a step forward, a scary look in his eyes. "You don't get to call him by his na, human."
"Danag," Louis called out. "There is no need for that."
"Is this why you suddenly want to leave? Even if they are not forcing you, surely they are using so other ans to coerce you."
"I don't appreciate the insinuation," Louis said. "Unlike you lots, I prefer to let Mauve decide what she wants to do."
Malcolm shrank into himself as he rembered why he was here. He did not have good news, and hearing the Vampire toss it at him was shaful.
"How did it go?" Mauve asked, changing the subject. "Would I be able to leave?"
Malcolm shook his head, "I am afraid not. Father is adamant about keeping you here. He won't listen to reason, and no matter what I say, he has no plan to let you leave."
"I see," Mauve responded.
"Excuse ," Louis suddenly said. "Sorry to interrupt, but I don't see how that's a problem. The window is literally wide open. We can leave right now if you want."
"I don't want to have to rely on that option," Mauve said.
Malcolm winced. He didn't like the look in her eyes. Father's reason for being unreasonable was just as absurd. It was hurtful to watch how she was being treated. She wasn't so tool to be used.
He could tell inasmuch as Mauve wanted to leave, she didn't want to do so without getting their Father's permission. She was probably afraid she might cause trouble for everyone involved.
"What do you want to do, Mauve?" Malcolm asked.
She blinked as she stared at him, "What are you insinuating?"
"I am saying whatever you plan to do. I will support you a hundred percent. You want to sneak out of the castle. Well then, I will help you and make sure no one realizes you're gone on ti."
"All that is unnecessary," Louis interrupted. "I doubt Evan would chase after all if he found out that we took her. He doesn't seem like the type."
Malcolm tried not to react to the fact that the vampire had just called his father by his first na. Vampires indeed didn't have any regard for humans, but he couldn't help but agree with Louis.
His father knew better than to start a war with them. They already had one on their hands. If they were to take her, he would not try to stop them. He might try, but he wouldn't go out of his way.
"Did he say why he wants to stay?" Mauve's soft voice said. "He keeps saying it is for my own good, but even I know that's a lie."
Malcolm turned to face her. Malcolm wanted to lie to her; he truly wanted to, but there was really no other reason than their father being petty.
Vampires obviously treated Mauve better than any of them thought they would, and sothing must have happened that night as his father was utterly convinced that Mauve was important to the vampires and there was no way they could let her go.
He just wanted to use her so more. The thought tore at him. It especially hurts because even though he was the crown Prince, he couldn't directly go against the King.
"Malcolm," Mauve called when he didn't say anything for a while. "Did he say why he didn't want to leave?"
"It's best you didn't know," he whispered.
"Isn't this interesting?" Louis said with a sly smile.
Malcolm turned head toward Louis' direction, staring daggers at him.
"Don't look at like that. I am not the enemy here."
"It's fine, you can tell ," Mauve said, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Father discovered you're pretty important to the vampires, and his plan is to keep you here until they agree to help us with the upcoming war."
"What?" Mauve asked, a little dazed.
"Yes, he is utterly convinced that you can make that happen."
"I see."
Malcolm watched her heart break all over again, and he wished he had kept it to himself, but he needed her to know the kind of person she was dealing with.
It was a bit sad that the one place that was labeled dangerous seed to be the best place for Mauve. Still, he wasn't sure she would be in safe hands after all; these were the sa people who had attacked the castle even though there was a treaty in place.
At first, he was going to keep her here even if it ant going against so vampires, but he could see that was a bad idea, and she would be better anywhere than here.
********************
Mauve tried to keep a straight face as Malcolm told her the reason why she wasn't allowed to leave. She couldn't believe so part of her actually thought the King actually had her best interest at heart.
After everything, she was still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. She couldn't believe she had left Jael to co here, only to be handed the sa things she had always gotten.
"Isn't this interesting?" Louis said. "Well, he isn't wrong, but surely he didn't think we were going to sit back and let him do as he likes."
Mauve blinked, staring at Louis. Did he just casually admit that she was that important? Though she couldn't see Jael starting a fight about this.
However, if Louis said it, she didn't have any reason not to believe him. It was pretty much very clear what she had to do. It was just a bit sad that it ended this way. She had high hopes.
"You would think he had learned his lesson after the last incident," Danag added. "Withholding the blood…"
"What's your decision, Mauve?" Louis interrupted Danag, changing the subject.
They all turned to look at Mauve, and she shrank a little at the sudden switch in their attention. She knew what she wanted to do, but she wasn't completely pleased that this was the only option she had.
"I am going to leave," she said without hesitation.
Malcolm's lips ford a thin line. Danag looked relieved. Only Louis looked unbothered. His expression didn't change. He was still looking at her with the sa bored expression.
"That would be best," Malcolm comnted. However, the look in his eyes said otherwise.
"You can leave tonight, right?' Danag blurted out.
"Tonight?" Malcolm and Mauve called out simultaneously. "That's too soon," Malcolm added.
"I don't think I am ready to leave tonight," Mauve said, nodding to Malcolm's words.
"Then when do you intend to leave?" Louis asked.
"I am not sure yet," Mauve said.
Uncertainty filled her thoughts. What if she was making another terrible decision again, and it was best if she remained here? As she had found out, they were both horrible places.
What were the odds that Jael would treat her better than he used to? She still had to be wary of other vampires. At least here, she wasn't concerned about getting killed, and she was getting the princess treatnt.
Sure, she felt like an outcast playing a role half the ti, but it wasn't too bad, and she could do whatever she wanted. She could also roam the walls easily.
She has left the castle several tis in the company of Malcolm and Sir Galath. She was treated with respect, and the guards and servants all acknowledged her presence. Would it be a good decision to leave all these?
"You have to make a decision now," Louis said.
"No, she doesn't," Malcolm interjected.
Louis narrowed his eyes at Malcolm. "Yes, she does. It doesn't matter if she doesn't pick today or tomorrow, but she has to make a decision now. Saying she isn't sure yet is the sa as saying she isn't ready to leave. She might as well stay…"
"I didn't say that," Mauve spat out. "Stop putting words in my mouth. I simply ant I would need so ti to prepare to leave. You don't expect to leave imdiately."
"Actually, that is exactly what I expect. As Danag has said, we can leave tonight if you agree to it."
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