Leonard dismounted his horse and went straight into the castle. The maids around quickly bowed their heads as they squeezed past him. His long legs hit the marbled floor softly and he let out a tired sigh. He was exhausted. He had only just returned from a war—he won, and had not had a proper rest for weeks. The sickness of the king haven't reached the people's ears, but he knew it was only a matter of time. He would have to get ready the next morning to discuss with the court on what to do. But then, he recalled something, he hadn't eaten a thing all day. He was starving, not for food but for blood. He paused his steps, as he listened closely for the sound of heartbeats, and he caught few not too far from where he stood. He followed the sounds and he came cross group of maids wiping the floor. He scanned them all, and notice the one that looked healthy than the rest.
"You, over there." He voiced out catching their attention. They all stood to their feet and bowed their heads, with each wondering what the crown prince needed from them. A particular maid felt his eyes on her and she stepped forward, eager to please the prince how ever she can.
"Come with me," he ordered and she followed him, with two steps gap. He went to a secluded place, with dim lights and without warning, he turned to her. His hands shot out his coat pockets, grabbing her by the shoulders. Before she could figure out what was going on, his eyes turned dark red and he compelled her.
"Stay still. Do not make a sound." She obeyed him without a word. His fangs slowly peaked out and, since she was a lot shorter than him, he leaned toward her neck. His mouth opened wide and he sunk his teeth sharply into her soft flesh. The taste of blood filled his mouth and he shut his eyes tight. But as he drank, he picked up the sound of two heartbeats, not too far from him. He withdrew, licking the blood clean off her neck. A frown formed on his face, as he noticed a door not too far from him. He keened his ears, and he noticed a heart was beating loudly in fear, while the other in excitement.
Was a vampire feeding on a human, there? He questioned, but he couldn't catch any whiff of blood. He left the maid's side, who still stood still(AN:such a tongue twister🤭), heading towards the door. His fingers reached out and he twisted it, opening it wide.
He froze. A spark of shock in his eyes, as he was quick to notice the dark skin and red hair. The shock soon turned to a flare of anger, as he noticed the man with her. He noticed her shirt torn open, exposing her bosom, and the man's lips close to them.
Leonard, who was ready to eat the girl alive, suddenly saw light in the dark room, with a gust of wind. He frowned and looked to the door, but froze when his eyes met the crown prince's. Panic set in his eyes, as he wondered what the prince would do to him, but then something crossed his mind. Almost every vampire in the castle does this, including the royals, so it's not a big deal. As he knew the crown prince doesn't meddle with others life—little did he know. An arrogant smile formed on his face, and he opened his mouth to speak. Words didn't get to leave his mouth, and he prince's fists came flying hard on his jaw. He plunged to the ground, a little shocked by the prince's action.
Dydra whose eyes were shut, has she had long excepted her fate, suddenly felt him pulled away. Still, she didn't open her eyes, as she thought he was going to grab something. She felt a sudden chill that had her frown. Her heart pounced against her chest, as she contemplated on what to do. She doesn't want to set her eyes on the man who was about to rap her.
Her ears picked up a light thud from below her and she finally open her eyes, her hands quickly going to cover her chest area. She looked down and saw Leaned on the floor, with his palms holding his jaw and he stared at something before him with confusion in his eyes. Her eyes followed where he was looking at and she saw someone she never expected. It him. The elite from the previous night and the market. What was he doing here?
Leonard's midnight eyes shot to the girl and he took off his coat, immediately wrapping it around her body. Dydra couldn't meet his gaze as a wave of self-consciousness washed over her. She was deeply embarrassed and the prince sensed it, which only stirred up his anger towards the plump man. His soft gaze that was on Dydra turned sharp, shooting daggers at the rapist. With one hand, he grabbed one of his legs and dragged him out of the room. He immediately pounced on him, punching him repeatedly. Blood began to ooze out of Leonard's face, as his face felt like it was being hit by metal. He was too weak to fight against the prince, and he didn't get a chance to speak as the punching refused to seize. He wasn't able to bear the pain and slowly the lost consciousness.
Leonard heaved as his lips twitched. He got off the rapist and went to Dydra, whose eyes were filled with shock as she stared at the plumped man motionless body covered in blood.
Was he dead? She wondered. The prince came to her and suddenly pulled her in an embrace. Something in him didn't want her to see a thing like that. She didn't fight it as her mind was in a mess. His sweet scent filled her nostrils and she couldn't take it any longer. She could still feel Leonard's lips on her body. Hot tears suddenly burst out of her eyes and she sobbed loudly against the prince's chest.
Leonard's did not know what was wrong with him. Never had he comforted someone with words, not go talk of embracing them. He was shocked by his actions. What was that all about? Normally, he would have walked away from the scene as it didn't benefit or took away anything from him, but why was it different with this girl he only met the previous night? Was she a witch and she casted some kind of spell on him? What did he find in this woman that makes him feel he wants to protect her? To shield her from the wickedness of the world.