The Blood Maiden

Chapter 15 | The Heir

Elaire's POV

"Remember, Elle, you must wait for a royal to speak to you first before making eye contact with them for the first time," sabi ni Doris habang papalabas kami ng Hall of Secrets. "Panatilihin mong nakababa ang iyong tingin hanggang sa kausapin ka ni Prince Mirev."

Nanliit ang aking mga mata, at inalala kung paano ko tinignan si Prince Inouen no'ng una kaming nagkita.

"Maintain a respectful attitude at all times. Do not ever raise your voice and lower your head for when you greet him or excuse yourself." There was warmth in her voice, but also a sense of seriousness. "Be alert. Be attentive and responsive to the prince's needs."

Maaga pa ng gabi nang lumabas kami at tumungo sa king's tower. Hinatid ako ni Doris sa entrada nito kung saan sinalubong ako ni Prince Inouen na nakapagbihis na ng uniform ng Academia.

Prince Mirev's private quarters cannot be accessed from the first floor of Sapphire Hall. Hindi konektado ang unang palapag ng hall sa mas matataas na palapag. May hagdan pero nasa loob ito ng king's tower na kasalukuyang tinatahak namin ni Prince Inouen.

"You'll have to get used to these stairs," sabi niya.

I lost count of how many spirals we climbed before we arrived at the second floor. Dalawang guards na nakatayo sa magkabilang gilid ng malaking archway ang yumuko kay Prince Inouen. Hindi niya ito pinansin at nagpatuloy kami sa paglakad sa kahabaan ng hall.

Unlike Prince Inouen's residence, Prince Mirev's residence was more closed and reserved. Hindi open ang corridor nito pero mayroon namang malalaking bintana na nakabukas. Nakasarado rin ang halos lahat ng mga pinto. Makulimlim at mas seryoso ang dating ng hall.

Nararapat lang din siguro na ganito. I think it's not a coincidence that the heir's residence is the above floors of the Hall of Secrets, where most soldiers are staying. He is the second most important vampire in the entire palace, right after his father, the king. Pero kahit makulimlim, maganda pa rin naman 'yong hall. Hindi rin ako pwedeng manghusga agad dahil baka nag-iibang anyo pala ang lugar na'to kapag naarawan.

Golden chandeliers lined along the ceiling, at may marbled pillars din na nakahanay sa magkabilang gilid ng malaking walkway. The hall may be intimidating but it was also enchanting— gray marbled floors, majestic doors, royal tapestries... everything was finely detailed. Walking along the luxurious hall made me feel surreal— pakiramdam ko lumulutang lang ako sa isang panaginip.

Huminto kami sa tapat ng isa sa malalaking pinto. Kinatok ito ni Prince Inouen bago buksan. Pumasok siya rito at pagkaraan ng ilang segundo, humakbang palabas.

"My brother's not in his drawing room," aniya. "I'm sure he's in his study."

Patungo sa kabilang dulo ng hall, napakunot ako ng noo nang mahagip ng aking ilong ang mayamang amoy. It was warm and inviting, with a hint of sweetness.

What is that?

For some reason, I can't use anything to compare it with because the scent was everything to me. I continued to sniff the air. Palihim ko itong ginawa habang nakasunod kay Prince Inouen at ilang sandali pa'y napagtantong galing ito mula sa loob ng isa sa mga pinto.

At nagkataong tumigil kami sa tapat nito.

Magkasalubong pa rin ang aking kilay nang iyuko ko ang aking ulo bilang paghahanda sa aming pagpasok. The scent has become duller now but my nose could still catch it. It was making my head spin. Bumuga ako ng mahinang hangin mula sa aking ilong.

"Elle," Prince Inouen called. He has already entered the room. Ni hindi ko narinig ang pagbukas niya ng pinto dahil nakabaling ako sa amoy.

Naalala ko ang sinabi ni Doris sa'kin— about meeting a royal for the first time. Nakasayad ang aking mga mata sa sahig nang pumasok ako sa malaking silid. The warm scent started to fade. Pinalitan ito ng amoy ng mga aklat na nakapalibot sa'min. The walls were painted the same color as an old page of a book— a dirty yellow. I couldn't look up at the high ceilings but at the top of my view there was a soft glow of white, illuminating the many wooden book shelves.