Sand Scented Jar (Gazellian Series #9)

Epilogue

To my readers, thank you so much for still reading Venom and Gazellian Series, I know it's a long series, but you stayed, I appreciate your love and support <3 Ang layo na ng narating natin from Zen, and now we're ending Harper's story. Iniisip ko pa dati na parang impossible na akong umabot sa story ni Harper, but here we are, ending this.

Maraming maraming salamat po! I enjoyed this journey with you.

Epilogue

As a grandson of the highly respected council, the whole vampire court expected another prodigy.

I had not just one but four masters—two who taught me the existing laws, traditions, beliefs, and even the significant pasts that happened not just in Sartorias but also in the whole Nemetio Spiran. Another two were focused on battles and combats, which I genuinely enjoyed.

At a young age, my life had been filled with lessons, expectations, and pressure with the image and standard that I should keep. It was like I had been standing behind my grandfather's shadow and destined to follow in his footsteps he purposely left for me to trail without looking at the other side.

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa mahabang lamesa ni lolo. We were seated at both ends of the table. He was so near, but he always looked as if he was going farther and farther.

He was dressed in his usual council suit— a black robe with a small lining of gold and blue. Hindi ko na maalala kung kailan ko siya huling nakita na hindi ganoon ang kasuotan.

Kahit hindi ko na tanungin kung saan siya patungo ay alam kong papunta siya muling sa palasyo ng Sartorias. We had our small castle in Sartorias and Deltora. I liked staying in Deltora more since grandfather had more time to stay even for a day in Deltora, unlike now that we were in Sartorias, he barely stayed at home.

"Are you leaving today?" I asked, even with the obvious answer.

Mariin ang hawak ko sa kutsara at tinidor habang iniisip kung tama ba ang sasabihin ko. My grandfather is a busy man— responsible enough to leave his grandson who could understand their situation.

"I have a council meeting."

Aside from my exclusive masters, Grandfather also enrolled me in a small academy for aristocrats who wanted to learn more about swords. Different levels of swordsmanship were being taught inside the academy.

I happened to watch some of the Gazellians and Le'Vamuievos, the younger and older ones who looked foolishly proud that they were above anyone else. As if I wasn't aware that their fathers could be almost killing them somewhere giving them the worst training so they could appear stronger than anyone else.

There is no such thing as a gift in this world other than our vampire gifts— and if they would have that admirable strength that was because they received a handful of beatings from their king fathers.

Sometimes, I really do appreciate being Leon's grandson, at least I wouldn't be like those kids, gawking and admiring those royalties for their blessed and favored strength.

We shared baths inside the academy, and even if this place was filled with royal blood, aristocrats, and wealthy and influential vampires, inside the academy of swords we were trained like knights. Same quarters, same food, same uniform, and utilities.

Isa lang iyong pansin ko mula sa mga prinsipe mula sa Sartorias at Deltora. They never shared our baths, insisting that they were not used to it, but one night when I was alone, leaning on that huge rock, enjoying the warmth of the water, the three princes from Sartorias, those admired by the younger students at my age entered the shared bathhouse.