My Husband is a Vampire King

Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Forsaken Tower

Palabas ako ng kwarto nang makita ko si Solene na nagmamadaling naglalakad. She's wearing her dark purple cloak. Lalabas na naman siya?

"Saan ka pupunta, Solene?" I asked. I noticed that she's been wandering off outside the palace these days. Hindi ko alam kung alam ba ito nila Ama at Ina. But I chose to stay silent kasi hindi rin naman ako nagpapaalam kung lalabas ako.

Gulat itong napabaling sa akin. I creased my brows. She surveyed my outfit. Nakasuot ako ng itim na balabal. Tumaas ang kilay niya sa akin.

"Ikaw? Where are you going?"

"Sa kuwadra." sagot ko na totoo naman dahil sasakay ako sa kabayo papunta roon. Sinara ko ang pinto sa likod ko.

"Sa bayan." sagot niya sa akin na ikinagulat ko.

"Ha? Anong gagawin mo doon? Solene delikado." Maraming krimen ang nangyayari sa bayan sa mga nakaraang araw. Iyon din siguro ang dahilan kung bakit abala sila ni Ina at Ama.

"Sasamahan kita."

"I can handle myself, Aisha." Umismid ito bago sinuot ang balabal sa kanyang ulo at nagmadaling umalis. Sinundan ko siya. Dumaan siya sa pasilyo papunta sa likod ng palasyo. Ngunit bigla nalang siyang nawala sa paningin ko nang maabot ko ang hangganan ng pasilyo kung saan merong hagdanan pababa. Sa dulo non ay ang maliit na pinto palabas. Sa labas ng pinto ay ang kagubatan. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako. I hope she'll be safe.

Tinungo ko ang daan papuntang kuwadra. Merong tatlong nagbabantay doon. Tumungo ako sa harap nila. "Afternoon, Sir Victor." bati ko sa punong tagabantay.

"What can I do for you, your highness?"

"Gusto ko lang po muna kunin si Alice, gusto ko lang siya ipasyal sa lupain ni Ina."

Tumango ito sa akin. Pumasok ako kasama ni sir Victor sa kuwadra. Gumawa ng tunog si Alice nang makita niya ako. Ngumiti ako sakanya. Nilabas siya ni Sir Victor sa kaniyang lagayan at inalalayan palabas. Sumunod ako.

Hinaplos ko ang leeg ni Alice. She's a dark brown horse. Inalalayan ako ni sir Victor sumakay kay Alice.

"Be careful in your way, Princess."

"I will. Thank you, Sir Victor."

Dadaan muna ako sa lupain ni Ina bago tumungo roon. It's a pasture full of roses on the other side. Hindi akong nagsasawang tingnan iyon. On the other side is just a land covered of green grasses. Mother called this, Gresilliales. At the end of the field is an alley to the forest of Eclisias. In mother's word, the place we are prohibited to cross, but why not? She never told us why.

I slowly gallop my way into the alley. At the end, a mosh green bushes and vines were covering the opening of the alley. I stop Alice and slowly get down from her. These really are very nurtured by nature that it's growing fast devouring the place by its natural self.

I sway the vines to the side and guide Alice to follow me. I walk my way towards the path I came to be familiar with. The tall trees looming above me with a bit of sunlight passing through the leaves, gave me a familiar sense of comfort. After a long minute, I could hear the sound of streaming water from the pristine river of the forest.

I silently smiled when I realized I'm close to finally see him. The silent whispers of the wind, the sound of swaying leaves, the stream of water brought tranquility within me. But it was cut-short when I felt an unfamiliar presence. I didn't stop walking, but I became more alert of my surroundings.

A glimpse of shadow passes my peripheral vision which I instinctively turn my focus on. Alice begun to make noises as I start rubbing her shoulders, trying to comfort her.