Chumana proceeded to explain in detail what she'd heard about the war so far, and about the nature of the people from Drecott. Although civilised in their own way, they were almost polar opposites to the people of Nox Aterrima. Tolerance for humans was considerably less than Nox Aterrima, or anywhere. Here, humans, although the majority were maids and servants, they had protection and rights and could walk around freely and (mostly) safe from harm. In Drecott, humans were servants but weren't allowed to leave, if they did they were at risk of being attacked. Strong, reliable bonds between hospitals and blood banks hadn't been made over there so either residents didn't get enough blood, or they're overcharged for what they got. Either way, they were never satiated. They hadn't been taught to hold back their thirst for blood or restrain themselves around humans. The wealthy had more restraint simply because they could afford to. That was the main reason why most residents weren't allowed passage into Nox Aterrima: for the safety of others.

Drecottians were stronger and had stronger senses since they didn't have to hold back their instincts and they were used to fighting and hunting. This was dangerous. This was why the Monaghan's didn't want a war. Unfortunately, with people like Austin, it was inevitable. Their egos and their tempers were like tightropes: one wrong move and you're dead.

Chumana said she liked to read about the histories of different vampiric nationalities, she knew a lot about it.

To be honest, it was surreal yet fascinating to me that this dragon could even read and recall everything they read. I could barely remember what I ate for dinner the previous day and there she was recalling everything from centuries ago.

As I was leaving, Chumana suggested that I head straight to my room, keep the door locked, and if I needed anything I should call for a maid because of Alexander's stepmom: Genevieve III Duchess of Bratus Patriam, and now Queen of Nox Aterrima. If I thought Henrietta was bad, she was a whole lot worse. Although, there was a sense of irony in the matter: she despised humans so much yet she chose to travel our home.

After spending close to an hour planning out ideas to get Alexander back that I could pass on The King if anything good came up, and then planning charity events that I could hold but not necessarily host. I wanted Charlotte to get me in touch with neighbouring countries for fundraising too. Although we were an extremely wealthy nation, we were large, the damage done and damage that will be done will be too great and would probably cut into the fees we owned too much. So gathering from elsewhere as well as ourselves would be far more efficient.

After that, I tried to watch tv. What I saw was just too devastating. It was more than an orphanage with a handful of children. Instead, it was hospitals, pharmacies, schools and banks. This war was becoming out of hand. The point that Austin was trying to prove appeared to be becoming blurred and obscured as his followers seemed only to do the most damage and acquire the most material things. I heard Leandra saying the damage done to blood-banks was far below what was anticipated and security there had been revoked and placed elsewhere. Drecottians needed blood because of their shortage so why weren't they targeting that?

A timid knock came from my door, I almost didn't hear it because of the tv. A maid peeked her head through the crack. I smiled and she came in closer and then curtseyed. "Dinner will be served in an hour as I'm sure you're aware, your Highness, however because of the Queen's presence, you'll need to be escorted to the dining hall. So please," she approached me on my bed and extended her hand out with a tiny white remote with a light blue circular button on it while she bowed. When I took it she stood back up straight, "use the big blue button when you're ready to leave any time while she's here until the King says if safe for you."

I thanked her and she dismissed herself. I analysed the strange remote, assuming it was used to call for a vampire. It was about the size of smart keys for cars, except it had a baby blue button on the front and the back, there were four smaller buttons on the back arranged vertically, each had an initial on it: 'C', 'L', 'L' or 'J'. I figured they were the initials of Charlotte, Leandra, Leyton and Jayden, but how could I tell which was Leyton or Leandra?

When I finished getting ready, putting on a black a-line skirt, a bottle green blouse and some platformed ankle boots, I used the blue button I'd been directed to use and in no less than 10 seconds the same maid from earlier and one I hadn't seen before appeared in front of me. I jumped a little; I still couldn't get used to vampires just appearing in front of me so suddenly. The other maid stepped aside so I could exit and closed the door behind me and proceeded to follow behind as I was lead to the dining room.

The maid upfront seemed a little nervous, she had her hands clasped together in front of her, and every adjacent hallway we passed she'd peer down it and sniff a little, or sometimes she jumped when a door opened. I didn't understand why since she could sense another's presence, she was a vampire after all. The one behind me seemed a lot more composed, probably because she was at the back though.

"About the remote I was given, there's two L's on it, but how do I know which is Leandra and which is Leyton?" I questioned.

"It's the girls first, and then the boys. So Charlotte and Leandra, then Leyton and Jayden." The maid at the back spoke up.

I turned and thanked her.

We finally took the last turn which led straight into the dining room, it had a lingering smell of lavender again. My nostrils itched. I hated that smell.

Leyton, Charlotte, Leandra and Henrietta were already seated at the table.

Wait.

Henrietta was there too! Why?

I tried to be discreet when I checked to verify that it was her. And it was.

"Is there a problem?" She asked, narrowing her eyes at me. As usual, she used her harsh and interrogating tone when talking to me.

"No," I cleared my throat to give me a few seconds to think, "where's Jayden?"

"You would want to know wouldn't you?" Henrietta immediately retorted.

What was that supposed to mean?

I took my seat next to Charlotte on the same side of the table of Henrietta so I wouldn't subject to dinner with a side order of uncomfortable eye contact topped with freshly picked hatred.

Charlotte informed me that he'd soon arrive, she said he was undertaking some kind of training, but wouldn't specify what type and what it was for. I just assumed it was something to do with his craving for blood and left it at that.

An air of awkwardness hung over the dinner table as no one was talking. I looked around the room, the maids to escorted me here were still here, they were stood at the far side. It was strange, usually, they would dismiss themselves, but not today. They stared straight ahead, backs straight and hands clasped in front of them like they were in a trance.

Jayden arrived and he couldn't have done so any sooner; the silence was killing me. He seated himself in-between his brother and Leandra. His irises were noticeably lined with red and his fangs were out, resting on his lower lip. So I was right, the training was to do with his blood craving.

"Well, hello. Looks like we have the Princess of Nox Aterrima dining with us this evening." The corner of his lips quirked up as he faced Henrietta.

"I'll be dead before I dine with that woman Father married," she hissed.

Jayden laughed.

Henrietta harboured a lot of hate for The Queen. She hated humans, according to Chumana, but I thought I'd dine with her today so we'd be formally introduced, that was what usually happened. I can't say I was disappointed, quite the contrary. I was terrified of her, and even more so because she was my mother-in-law and my superior. She was the queen.

Dinner went along with no hitches. I was filled up and we managed to have conversations, it still felt a little empty without Alexander. I'd been doing everything under the sun to keep my mind occupied but when nighttime struck, my mind was plagued with memories and images, often keeping me up.

One night I was starving, and when I checked my clock it was only coming up to 4 am. I tried my hardest to ignore my stomach and just go back to sleep but it was impossible. Groggily, I grabbed my dressing gown and slid some shoes on before journeying to the kitchen.

Of course, when I got there it was empty, I didn't expect the chef to be awake at that time. I made a ham sandwich and a cup of mint tea and had them in there, no point in taking them back to my room.

While walking past a series of those pitch-black hallways, which humans were forbidden to go down, I heard footsteps. At first, no notice was taken because I didn't know which hallway they came from, nor did I want to stop for a conversation. But when I yawned, they began to speed up, like at running speed.

I froze.

The footsteps were coming from my left.

Slowly, I turned my head to their direction and all I saw, emerging from the darkness was a pair of glowing red eyes coming straight at me. I, too, wanted to run, but my legs didn't get that message. Maybe it was another monster, or Henrietta, or a Drecottian, or even worse: Queen Genevieve!

I reached into my pocket for the remote I'd been given in case I needed to call for assistance, but my hands grabbed nothing but air. The remote was on my bedside table!

My eyes locked tight just before the figure escaped the darkness. I held my breath and waited for what was going to happen to me.

"Why are your eyes closed? Are you expecting a kiss?"

I knew that voice.

I peeled open my eyes and in front of me was Jayden, he was fully dressed. He appeared to either be coming from somewhere or going there. I immediately glared and shoved him away from me. The breath that was being held came out as a frustrated and relieved sigh.

"Why are you aware? You nearly gave me a heart attack!" I nearly yelled.

"I didn't know you'd anticipate another one of my kisses so much," he joked, when I kept my glare targeted at him, he stopped joking, "I could ask you the same thing, Arianne."

"I was hungry," I answered folding my arms.

"And I was busy. Where's your escort?"

"I didn't call one."

"Oh!" He grinned. "Then I guess I'll be the one to escort you back to your room, m'lady."

I rolled my eyes and turned down his offer, I wasn't even that far from my room now anyway. I could walk by myself perfectly fine. I doubted The Queen wouldn't be awake and on this side of the Castle anyway.

Jayden wouldn't take no for an answer, and so we walked back to my room together.

"Have you met your mother in law yet? It's been two weeks since her arrival." Jayden inquired.

"No, The King still thinks it's best I avoid her."

"He's right about that."

After a few moments of silence Jayden spoke up again, "you've been asking about ideas to raise money for here, and I have one... a charity ball. You could invite wealthy elites from here to Astrus Patriam!" He exclaimed.

"I don't know wher-"

"It's far. I'll pass the idea on to Charlotte or Leandra."

"Okay, thanks."

"No problem. Here's your room. Don't forget to lock your door. Night." Then he disappeared.

I was astonished how excited he was about the charity ball. It was a really good idea, something I wouldn't have expected from him if I was honest.

I did as he said, and locked my door behind me. Finally, I went back to sleep.