Pokémon: Vampire Princess*

Chapter 4: Friend*

"M-My lady!" Layla bowed deeply at the woman in front of us. I just stood there, staring at the woman from behind my scarf still. I could feel Layla glancing at me, wondering why I wasn't bowing.

"Oh my! It's been a very long time since I've seen you, Princess" I glared to myself when she said that out loud "You've grown, but I can't say much about your face, considering your hiding yourself from me" Layla shakily stood up and took a step away from me.

"P-Princess..?" I frowned and glanced at her horrified face. I haven't done anything, and she's looking at me like I've murdered someone.

"This is a sudden surprise, Drasna. I was hoping never to see your face again." I scoffed. She hid her lips to suppress a chuckle.

"Come now. No need to be so rough. This is your first time leaving your room in 16 years. I wanted to check on you and see what you were up too" I narrowed my eyes.

"I wondered who was in my room when I came back" Layla flinched at me "I don't have any interest in interacting with any of you. Do you mind leaving us be?"

"Us?" Drasna looked at Layla shaking like a leaf "Oh dear, I didn't realize she was here" lier "What a shame... if I knew someone was around, I wouldn't have called you by your title. You know it's best if nobody knew who you were, Princess. I shall have her removed" Layla started crying. I lifted my arm to keep her behind me.

"You will not touch her. Who are you trying to fool? You knew she was here the entire time. Even I could smell her from where you stand. It's your fault for calling me by what I am. You will not do anything to her"

"My... You have a mouth on you" she giggled, then turned around to walk away "very well, do as you please. Because I am a woman of my word, I won't do anything, but because your identity must stay sacred, she no longer has the privilege to see her family" I clenched my fist, staring at the floor.

"Why... is it a big deal?" I looked back at her "You kept me in that room to keep everyone from finding out about me. Why is my identity a secret? It's not like it's a big deal. You can just tell people I'm like my mother, and they'll believe it" Drasna shook her head and pointed at me.

"The royal family is in charge of making public appearances. In any case of pretending to a human or greeting your fellow race, the first thing they look at is your eyes. You were taught before that it's dangerous to take the risk" the Messengers taught me that risks could lead to the road you don't want to go into. Those lessons are the reason why I'm afraid of everything "we couldn't take the risk, and it's why you had to be a secret."

"What about locking me in my room?!" I glared, crying, thankful that I have my scarf on me.

"I'm sure you already know the answer to that, but if you want a better explanation, it's easier to blame your parents for giving birth to a disgrace" I shut my eyes, feeling all my tears fall on my clothes as she walked away from me. As soon as I knew she was far enough, I sat on my legs and sobbed on my hands.

"I'm sorry, Layla..." I cried, "I didn't mean for you to lose your privilege to see your family. I didn't do anything" I sat there on my own with Dedenne comforting me before I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I looked at Layla, frowning down at me.

"You're right... You didn't do anything. Don't apologize..." she looked down "I might not be able to see my family ever again, but that's okay... at least they'll be safe" she smiled "and at least I have myself a friend" my eyes widened.

"Y-You mean it..?" She came to kneel in front of me and held my head to bring me into a hug. Even if this isn't the person I expected to cry to when I first left the room, I'm grateful I have someone I could do this with.