Adela Augusta Blood Famine

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chaise

Adela hadn't spoken since they left the Heywood farm which was fine by him. He was worried that she might do something girly and ask him if it really was her fault, and he would have told her yes. This was exactly what he was trying to tell everyone. Vampires thought themself superior and would intrude on humans' lives, killing them even, as long as it fits their agenda. He knew Adela didn't mean for it to happen. He didn't know her well but had spent enough time around her to know she was non-violent, and would never wish that fate on the Heywoods. He had the feeling though that she once knew how to fight perhaps that meant she was once a shady operative but had forgotten. Either way, her presence and lack of conviction in a battle were a liability. Even if her presence had saved his life back there, he would be happy to be rid of her.

Naturally, Henry was against this, and Chaise just couldn't see the logic in it. Adela had pure enough intentions, but her own selfishness got the Heywood family killed. Simply associating with her was dangerous. It was obvious that she either was imparted with some sort of knowledge or was part of a secret Aquilo wished to keep quiet. Perhaps it was the fact that she was missing her memory. That was something Chaise still couldn't wrap his head around, and something he was sure her father didn't want to get out. Adela was just too unpredictable; she had too many mysteries, mysteries that were unknown even to herself, and he didn't care to be there when they all came to light.

Chaise turned a cautious eye to her. Adela still walked with a head hung low. He should have let her leave when she tried. He kicked a rock, sending it skittering across the dirt. But even while bleeding out and being stitched up his old man was as stubborn as they came. It was true that if Adela just turned around and went home the Heywood family would have suffered for nothing. But how many more would suffer. Chaise's blood began to boil.

"Why are they so eager to catch you?" Chaise blurted. "What is it you're not telling us?"

Adela didn't respond immediately. Without lifting her head she spoke. "I do not know Chaise. I barely even know myself."

"Well, that's not good enough, so figure it out."

Again she didn't respond. So Chaise decided if she wasn't going to talk he was.

"You're a princess for Solange's sake, the highest of royalty. You expect me to believe you're some kind of prisoner?"

"I don't. I don't expect anything from you." Adela responded without looking at him.

"Well, I'll tell you what, we expect a lot from you. I know to you vampires were just cattle, but to people, you are a monarch. Just as you provide for vampires, and give them structure and order, you need to give that to the people too. And not just this fake farce that we all live."

"Have you ever been a princess Chaise?"

"What?" He asked, confused. What kind of question was that? Was she mocking him? She must have been serious because she now made eye contact a shred of conviction finding its way into her tone.

"Have you ever been a princess?"

"I've never been anything more than a farmer who did honest work."

"Well, Picture this Chaise Comfert. You didn't choose to be a princess. But yet here you are. The world tells you its problems and then you're expected to fix them. You certainly didn't ask for that privilege, and you certainly didn't ask for all the blame when things go wrong, or right for that matter." Adela took a step towards him and he found himself moving a hand towards his sword, but slower than normal. She was angry, emotional, but not hostile. "And if you ever get the clever idea to finally do something for yourself and ask for something you don't even get to finish your sentence. Because your father's name is Aquilo he knows what you want before you yourself want it. And you better forget about wanting it, because if it doesn't align with his master plan it doesn't exist. Sometimes the princess doesn't exist. Her memories certainly don't. Sometimes Chaise you're not a princess, not even a farmer, sometimes you're just a tool. You think I can do whatever I want; but when I do, people die. And I take full responsibility for that. It's my job and It was my choice. My choice to try and do something. It was my choice to protect orphans in Crichton when my company died. It was my choice to sustain from as much human blood as possible to protect others. I chose to seclude myself away from people so that I might avoid giving in to temptation. And in the end that killed them. I'm immortal. I'll have to live with my failures and their deaths for a hundred years and more. And yes Chaise Comfert as a princess, I get to make the choice on whether I sit back and watch a king endanger everything we know, and live with the guilt of doing nothing. Or I can do something and accept the terrible consequences that will come with that as well. So if you so want Mr. Comfert you can have my position. You can preside over executions you didn't arrange. You can meet with tyrannical lords and smile all while they try to bed you. You try to find a cure while Aquilo forbids it. Please do trade me your fathers love, for all of that. Just be ready for it, because you will be completely and utterly alone."