Erica's POV.

Her presence irritated me. Not only irritation but also horrifying. I kept wondering why?

"What are you....?"

"Enjoying life huh?" She cut in with a sneaky smirk.

"I don't get that question." I told her giving her a death glare.

"You don't have to but you're just a symbol of disgrace to your people."

Her words was alarming and annoying.

"Stop your stupid parables and leave." I told her dragging the broken umbrella from her hold.

She laughed and stepped back a little creating a view of what she wore. She was putting on a matching bra and panties.

It seems she has been here long enough.

"Of course I was." She answered my observation.

"Tell me the main reason why you're here?" I queried as she let out a chuckle shaking her head.

"Having a sweet and satisfying life while you're people are suffering in agony, is what we call injustice." She mentioned out as I detected it was a lie.

"Stop your lies and leave." I told her once again as she came closer but was standing 2 feet away from me.

"So you definitely belived what Steven told you." She mentioned still shaking her with a smile. "I pity you because those shit he told you were also lies," She said out with more a rigid expression.

"What makes you say...?"

"Because I've known Steven for ages. He lies to get what he wants. For a quick reminder vampires lies, can't you see what he's trying to do. Don't be deceived. He doesn't love you... he can never love..."

"Shut up." I cut her off in anger.

My heart hurt to hear that Steven doesn't love me from her mouth. I didn't know why it hurts but fear settled in to hear such.

She chuckled evily. "Humans, you can be easily deceived."

"What wouldn't make me think you're also trying to deceive me, telling me that my people are suffering?"

"Erica, Erica. I thought you were smarter than this. Read in between the lines. When you stepped your legs into eternal kingdom what was your main goal?"

She asked but I didn't reply knowing the answer.

"You were so desperate out of hatred to kill King Steven. Weren't you? So what changed? What changed? I was the right opportunity to do so. I was the right blessing to see you revenge taken on him but you saved him. How stupid of..."

"You were hurting Emma in the process and that was wrong. Emma had no idea of him pushing my people and I into slavery." I answered trying to defend my action

"Don't be stupid Erica." She insulted.

"I'm not stupid."

"So stop behaving like one. When he sent his army didn't they eliminate your father and your sisters brutally? So what's wrong taken his away from him? Don't you want to curse him same pain the way he did? Don't you want to kill him?" She asked several reasonable questions.

"Don't you want to kill him?" She question once again. "Yes I do." I saw myself answering as guilt filled my heart for falling for a skim of a vampire.

"So stop hesitating. Do it and avenge ur parents and sisters death. Leave him with nothing because he left you with nothing. He has a grandmother who will care for him, he has a sister who is willing to look up to him but you? What happens to you? You're left with nothing?" She was giving more reasons why Steven should die and they were brutally true.

"Understand a vampires skim Erica. Once he gets married to you. You're an opening to the human race. He'll use you to capture humanity into slavery. There won't be any humans left on earth. Be wise," she said as I could suddenly feel her behind me.

"How can I kill him? He'll stop me immediately." I muttered out.

"That's more like it. It's simple. There's a poisonous dagger in babylonia, a dagger that can kill a vampire and cease up a vampire's heart. Get that knife and stab him with it and your problem is solved. Your parent and sisters will rest in peace. Your people will rejoice for freeing them from captivity of slavery also other human kingdom will celebrate you." She told me caressing my hair from behind.

"Steven is wise there's a full chance he won't let me have it." I notified her.

"True. So true. Doesn't he love you. Didn't he said he loves you. Be a smart woman and get what you want Erica." She whispered into my ears and before I knew it she was gone.

It annoys me that she was right. Steven you have to pay for what you have done to me. You just have to die. My parents and sisters would be so happy. I know they would.

"Erica." That familiar male called my name.

I raised my head to see it was Steven as fear settled in. Where is this feeling coming from? He quickly walked up to me and placed his both hands on my shoulder as I suddenly relaxed.

"Erica are you okay? You look pale." He quizzed in worry.

I blinked twice and nodded my head in reply. "Let's go inside here is giving me the chills." I told him walking away from him entering the building.

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"Hey." A soothing voice tried waking me up by tapping my right cheek softly.

I grumbled a bit and opened my eyes to notice I was been spooned by Steven. I faced up to see a small smile on his handsome face.

His elbow was rested on the pillow to support the weight of his big head as he stared at me with admiration.

How can a vampire king like him adore an ordinary human like me. It just still don't make sense. At least to me.

"We're going home today?" He told me happily

"I know so what's special about." I blurted out without thinking.

"Everything about it, Rica," he said now hovering against me with a proud smile. "Why? Because today is my coronation." He answered himself which made me giggle.

Now I understand his jolly mood. "How many years have you ruled Eternal Kingdom?"

"Thousands of years." He replied with a smug smile.

What can I say is something to be proud of. I thought he would have ruled Eternal Kingdom for hundreds of years. How old is the man?

"Alright lets get packing." He told me placing a kiss on my forehead standing up off me.

Once we were done boom we hit the road. This time Emma and Nora joined the carriage Steven and I were in. The carriage was noisy because of Nora and Emma.

"Steven look at your eyes." Emma pointed at Sire.

Yes I'm back with my formal description.

"What happened to it?" He questioned touching his eyes while I squitted mine to see what went wrong with those eyes of his.

"There's love in them." Nora mindlessly spoke out while Emma giggled humorously.

I tilted my head to the side trying not to chuckle. "Is it that obvious?" He questioned carelessly.

"You love Erica and it's undeniable." Emma spoke out glancing at both Steven and I because we sat down besides each other.

Suddenly I saw myself blushing. Shit what's wrong with me? "Make her our Queen." Nora claimed and I glared at her which made her shrink on her sit.

Emma claps her hand in admiration and a sneaky smile. "That will be so wonderous. Brother make her yours." Emma notified Steven.

Steven pouted and dragged my cheeks with his thumb and index finger. "She won't let me." He replied removing his touch on my cheeks.

"You all are talking nonsense." I told them closing my eyes not ready to hear any other words they wanna say.

In no time, gone will be your king. The words rang in my head even though deep down I don't wanna kill him but he has to pay, he has to die for shedding innocent bloods.

I made a promise and it must be fulfilled.

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Preparation for Steven coronation was getting closer, in 5 more days will be a large ceremony celebrated in the Eternal Kingdom castle and I was helping the rest of the maidens set up.

You get it, we've been set up.
That is the 1st joke I've ever made.

Now how can I get that dagger. Think Erica. I walked up to the kitchen to find Sonia telling 4 maidens on what to buy in the market. Once she was done giving her instructions she faced me with a satisfied smile.

"You're a blessing please can you take this dish to Sire in his study room." She requested without giving me a chance to restrain and placed the tray of food, water and pineapple juice and gently pushed me out of the kitchen with a stressed smile facing 6 maidens which requested for her attention.

Alright everyone is being serious about Steven's coronation gathering. I couldn't find Rosa and Linda the whole day. This castle is to big to find anyone.

I walked up to Steven's reading room and placed a knock on the door. "Come in." He replied.

That's a change of reply. He's usual reply was Step in. What changed?

And I did come in closing the door behind me. "My apologies for disturbing but I came to serve you your meal, Sire." I told him placing the tray of food on the reading table.

"Erica please stop," he said being pissed off.

"What did I do exactly?"

"Can you at least stop being formal around me anytime we are in my castle. Anytime we are out of this castle of mine, your free around me and call me by my name but once we return you become formal and distant and I distaste that soo much." He told me with a squeezed knuckle staring at his reading table.

I stood there shock to see Steven could be emotional over a little matter like this. "But that's how it should be."

"I hate it so please stop and I don't give a damn about what other shitty people may say," he said now staring at me in the eyes.

I smiled softly. He's just soo different towards me in many ways. I walked up to him and sat on his laps which caught him off guard even I.

Erica what are you doing? Steven eyes widened in surprise but he quickly wrapped his both hands around my waist possessively.

"Whatever you say." I replied staring at those captivating blue eyes which I've always admired. "Can I ask for request?"

"Whatever you want I'll give you." He answered and he muttered, "Finally you're asking me for something."

"I'm not sure you would get it for me," I said with a sad voice.

"You haven't asked me yet so what makes you say such." He replied caressing my waist and sniffing my neck and hair.

"I want the dagger of babylonia." I told him.

He quickly stopped sniffing my neck and stared into my eyes with confusion and suspection.

"What do you want with such deadly weapon which kills my kind with ease?" He asked waiting for a reasonable answer.

"I need a weapon of my own. I want it." I persuaded.

Suddenly his face expression changed from confusion to an inquisitive one. "I can tell my craft men to make something suitable to your taste." He negotiated.

"Steven I want that dagger. I just want it." I told him feeling uneasy knowing he won't give it to me.

His eyes glimpse red. Shit he suspects me. He started playing with my fingers as his inquisitive expression turned to a sad smile. "I'll get you the dagger of babylonia." He told me placing his head on my shoulder.

"You will." I asked in askance. He just gave into my request. Deep down I wanted him to refuse. What's all this feeling?

"Anything for you Erica. It's the first time you're asking me for something and I'll grant it to you." He told me softly I just nodded feeling uneasy. "Let me finish some works I'll be with you soon." He awared me as I quickly got off his lap.

"Yes. I'll let you be, thanks soo much." I appreciated leaving his room as I could feel his intensive stares at my back. I opened the door and stepped out closing it and rested my back on it breathing a bit fast.

"Why didn't he refuse further?" I questioned myself heading to my room.

Steven what are you up to? I just need a clue.

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THE DAY OF THE CORONATION.

"Erica. Yeesh get up." Linda kept wobbling me to wake up.

"Yeesh. Give me a break." I grumbled slapping her hand off me and immediately covered my blanket over my head.

"Today is Sire's Coronation." I could here Lisa's voice of excitement.

"Yes I know it's till midnight." I murmured as I moved lazily on the bed as something fell off my bed.

Being lazy I didn't bother to check what it was.

"Oooh this is a well carved dagger." Sia chipped with amusement as I could feel the rest of the girls gather her.

"Yeah just look how beautiful the designs are." Rosa also chipped.

Noticing what it was I jumped off my bed and dragged the dagger off Sia's hands.

"Can you all stop touching my stuffs." I told them being annoyed without realising so.

They stared at me blankly and raised their hands surrendering. "Where did you get such expensive weapon?" Linda questioned noticing it was not an ordinary tool.

"My apologies I can't answer." I told her entering the bathroom holding the dagger firmly.

Yes. Steven gave me the dagger 2 days after I requested for it, since then he didn't bother questioning me about why I needed such weapon.

All day the girls and other maidens spent hours getting the castle prepared for such a wonderful event.

I was arranging the flower vases when Sonia approached me. I knew she wanted to ask me for something. "Erica I'm sorry but can you head to the market to get me this on the list. Thank you." She requested, pecked my cheek and left.

She didn't give me a chance to decline her offer. She's been busy ever since I returned from the beach vacation.

I asked Rosa to accompany me to the market as she willing did. Rosa bought some food stuffs while I went of to get fruits for fruit juices.

A man on rag cloths approached me holding my maiden dress in a fist. He had an angry expression which also showed how depressed and how he has suffered for a long time.

I stared at him in fear. "Stupid princess. You don't deserve be a princess of velthelment kingdom. You're a cause to our lives." He started yelling at me in anger.

Being too anxious, I watched him in an undefined fear. He pushed me with force but it only resulted to me stumbling back. "Cause you. You caused our slavery. You can't even avenge your families death but instead you're enjoying privileges and life in the castle while you left us all to suffer in this land." The man kept yelling and grabbed the hem of my maiden uniform.

"Avenge us. My family is dead. We have died enough, we have suffered enough we have cried enough. Save us from this misery and kill the King."

Suddenly other vampires in market dragged the man away from me. "Save the Royal maiden from this insane human." Spoke a vampire woman.

Rosa ran towards me in worry. "Please tell me you ain't hurt? I hope the man didn't hurt you?" She quizzed.

"I'm good." I managed to breath out still troubled by the man's words.

Steven told me my people ain't suffering anymore. He told me that... "A quick reminder, vampire lies Erica." Nika's words rang in my head as my heart tightened.

How dumb can I be?

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My apologies for the long chapter
The end of Eternal Kingdom
Is in the next 3 chapters.

🤧🤧🤧.
I'm proud of myself. My 3rd book is coming to an end.