Chapter I - New Bloodline

IMPOSSIBLE love. That's how they define the love of the previous ruler of Vampire City. A prince marries a chosen one. Their off-spring marries a mortal. And the cycle continues for every generation.

Forbidden but accepted. That's how they talk when a vampire marries a mortal.

Forbidden but blessing. That's how they see when a vampire marries a mortal.

--

I heave a heavy sigh as I read the last chapter of the book that I have read. I have been reading this for the past few months. I found this book at the restricted area of the royal library. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ang daming libro na hindi pinapagamit sa amin ang mga elders. It was so worth reading for. Nalalaman namin ang dating pamumuhay ng mga ninuno namin.

Lumabas akong silid ko at pumunta sa bulwagan ng kaharian. Base sa nabasa ko, makalumang tingnan ang dating kaharian. Hindi mahigpit ang Hari na papasukin ang mga commoners sa palasyo lalo na kung may pagdiriwang.

But now, para bang kapag binabasa ko ang libro, lihim akong nagdadasal na sana ay noong panahon na iyon ako nabuhay at hindi ngayon.

Mas mahigpit na kasi ngayon ang elders. They are very particular kung sino dapat ang mapapangasawa ng crown princess. Ang pinagtataka ko ay kung bakit hindi sila nagtataka kung bakit laging babae ang tagapag-mana. Why can't a King and Queen can't conceive a male offspring.

Ipinagbabawal na rin ang makipag-relasyon sa mga tao kaya isinara nila ang portal. So outsides are unknown to us. It's like, vampires are quarantined!

Itinago ko ang libro sa ilalim ng kama ko at pumunta sa dresser. I stared at myself while selflessly combing my hair.

Being a princess might be cool. I got the power I wanted. Lahat nang hilingin ko ay nakukuha ko. My active strength is enhanced agility and my passive power is erasing one's memory. Pero kahit kailan ay hindi ko iyon ginagamit dahil kapalit nito ang lakas ko.

We may be powerful. But it bores me. Ang sabi nila noon ay nag-aaral ang mga royal family sa Scarlet Moon University together with other vampires. Pero ngayon, kami ng mga kapatid ko, kasama ng mga pinsan ko, ay hiwalay sa kanila. We are studying inside SMU but we're never mixed with the commoners or aristocrats. Mayroon kaming sariling teachers, classrooms intended for royal families, and special subject that tackles about ruling our kind.
Vampire city is very different now. And only if have the power to turn back time, I will travel back in time and live there. Hindi ko gusto ang henerasyon namin ngayon. The elders are too prejudiced. And the council has very much neglected the tradition. A tradition that I prefer.

***

"Raia, what are you wearing?" halos mapatalon ako sa kinatatayuan ko. I was at the back door of the palace. I should have teleported from my chamber to SMU pero 'eto at nahuli pa tuloy ako ni Mommy.

"Mommy..."

"That's not the way a princess should wear, Raia. Go back to your room and change your attire,"

Napatingin ako sa kasuotan ko.

Jeans and black blouse. There's nothing wrong with it on my personal opinion. Vampires and vampirettes in my school wear this kind of outfit and it's very comfortable.

"Wait, where are you going anyway? Hindi ba wala kang pasok ngayon?" she asked with her usual tone.

"Sa SMU po, Mommy," nakayuko kong sabi.

"What's your business there?" nakataas kilay niyang sabi.

"Wala naman po," sagot ko.

This is my mother. Queen Soleia Montreux. She's very strict when it comes to how I act, how I present myself, how I speak, or on how I dress. Hindi lang naman sa akin kundi pati sa aking tatlong nakababatang kapatid.

Tiningnan ko si Mommy. She was very poised. She was wearing her pale rose gown. Her dress has metal filigree on her under-bust and shoulder caps. A chain drapes over the sides of the arms and back. A true Queen's dress. Her hair was always ponytailed that holds her crown.

"Magpalit ka ng damit, Raia or else I won't let you go out your room. And don't forget your tiara,"

All I could do is nod. Hindi ko kasi kayang suwayin si Mommy. I respect her so much. At ayaw kong binibigyan siya ng dahilan para ma-disappoint sa akin.

Sinunod ko si Mommy at bumalik sa bedchamber ko. Tinulungan ako ng mga chambermaid ko na suotin ang gown ko.

"Princess Raia, ang sabi po ng mahal na reyna ay ito ang suotin niyo ngayon,"

Napatingin ako sa hawak na gown ng chambermaid ko. It was an ombre silk maroon gown. The netting overlay of the skirt has a pattern of large lace with trails of gold chain up to the waistline.

"This is too much. Can I have a simpler gown?"

"Pero 'eto po kasi ang gustong ng mahal na reyna na suotin niyo, princess Raia,"

Tiningnan ko muli ang gown. Sayad hanggang sahig ang haba ng gown. There is no way on earth na maglalakad ako sa SMU na ganito ang suot.

"Ako na lang ang magbibihis. You can go now," I said beaming at kinuha ko sa kaniya ang gown. Madali namang lumabas ang chambermaid ko.

Ibinalik ko sa closet ang gown at kumuha ng brown cloak.

I'm sorry, Mommy. Pero hindi ko sususotin ang gown na iyan. I said on my head.

From my room, I teleported myself inside the Scarlet Moon Academy.
Nakarating ako sa open field ng university. The night was starry. Ang daming estudyante ang papasok sa kanilang classroom. May mga nakatambay lang sa corridor. At ang iba ay nasa grassland, nakaupo, nagbabasa ng libro kasama ang mga kaibigan nila.

I feel envy on them. I do not have a bestfriend. Mabuti pa nga ang mga kapatid ko ay may mga kaibigan na commoners. Kung kakausapin ko naman sila ay kusa silang lumalayo dahil intimidated sila sa akin.

Kaya everytime na binabasa ko ang history ng dating vampire city ay sobra akong naiinggit.

"Princess Raia? What are you doing here?" napalingon ako sa nagsalita at agad na napangiti.

"Sir Riam!"

Sir Riam is my combat teacher. Siya ang nagtuturo sa akin sa pakikipaglaban, fencing, and archery.

"May klase ka po ba ngayon?" I asked and he nodded.

"Tuturuan ko si Priela ng archery ngayon," he said referring to my middle sister.

"Talaga po? Can I come?"

"Sure! Priela will be glad to see you there," he said beaming.

Naglakad kami papasok sa main building. Sa west wing ay restricted sa lahat dahil mga royal family lang ang puwedeng tumuntong do'n. Classroom in different subject intended only for us.

We entered the archery room. Agad kong nakita ang kapatid ko na pinupunasan ang bow niya. She was sitting on the floor. Mommy will surely scold her if she sees her like this.

"Are you ready, Princess Priela?" Sir Riam said. Nag-angat ng tingin ang kapatid ko. Nagpalitpat-lipat siya ng tingin sa aming dalawa ni Sir at biglang tumayo.

"Ate! Sir!" tumakbo siya palapit sa amin at isinaklay ang bow sa likod niya. "Ate, bakit ka nandito?" she said brightly.

Priela Safia Montruex has brown wavy hair. Unlike me, she has a doe-eye. Sobrang haba ng pillik-mata niya at namumula-mula ang labi. You would mistake her as a doll dahil sa naïve at innocent looking niyang mukha.

"I came to watch you," nakangiti kong sabi.

"Eee! Ate!" nagulat ako nang yakapin niya ako. "Wala naman siguro si Mommy, 'di ba?" she asks kaya natawa ako.

"Wala, don't worry," I assured her. Bumitaw siya sa akin at tumingin kay Sir Riam.

"Turuan mo na ako, Sir. Excited na akong matuto," she said giggling.

"Bakit hindi ka ganiyan ka-excited noon kapag archery ang tinuturo ko sa'yo?" Sir Riam asked me at napangiti lang ako.

"Nakabantay po kasi sa akin si Mommy lagi, eh. Mapapagalitan ako no'n kapag nakita niyang tumawa ako ng malakas o kahit bumungisngis man lang," sabi ko.

"Sabagay," he said then turned to Priela. "Let's go, princess,"

After ng practice ni Priela ay umalis na ako. Maingay na sa corridor ng main building. Sa harap ng academic building ay mga halo-halong estudyante ng SMU. Everyone is happy and seems contented with their life. Commoners, but happy.

I went to downtown. Maingat kong ikinubli ang sarili ko para walang makakilala sa akin. I am at the plaza at pinagmamasdan ang mga nasa paligid ko.

I could see the hotel with come and go guests. I can see the mall. Sa right side naman ay ang daan papuntang open market. Kahit kailan ay hindi pa ako nakapunta doon.

The portal was closed for the sake of everybody. Its location was unknown and the keeper of the key can only open it.

Keeper of the key! Nabasa ko iyon no'ng palihim kong binabasa ang history book ng vampire city. Pero hindi naman binanggit kung sino ang keeper ng key. Pero malamang isa sa trusted ng council ang naghahawak ng susi.

***

Today is the council meeting. Ayaw ko mang pumunta ay kailangan dahil ako ang susunod na reyna ng Vampire City. Makikita ko na naman ang mga dating namumuno sa vampire city. Ang magulang ni Mommy at magulang ni Daddy.

Politics here have become chaotic.
Inside the closed room, is a long table. Nasa gitna si Daddy. Kami ni Mommy ay nasa gilid sa tabi niya. There are twenty four vampires inside the room excluding us.

Twenty councils and four elders. The councils, I can manipulate them. But the elders, let's say na sa kanila ako medyo iwas. They are my grandfathers and grandmothers on both sides pero malayo ang loob ko sa kanila. They are very intimidating. And aminin ko man o hindi, kahit hindi na sila ang ruler ng city, kagustuhan pa rin nila ang nasusunod. They are very dominating.

"How's our crown princess?" my grandmother from fathers side asked me. Yumuko muna ako para magbigay galang bago ako ngumiti sa kaniya.

"I am good, grandma," pagkasabi ko noon ay simpleng tumango lang siya.

"Let's not call her crown princess. She's not yet pronounced and she has not proven herself first, Lady Nerissa," my grandmother from mother side said and all I could do was bow my head. She was the former Queen of vampire city-Queen Felicity.

"You're right, Felicity. Our granddaughter must prove herself first if she's fit to be the heir of the crown and if..." my grandfather Noriall stared at me and I felt a lump on my throat. "And she does find a husband to fit our reference,"

"We will find her a husband to be the next King, Noriall," my grandfather from my mother side said-grandpa Zull.

"Enough with this topic," my father interrupted and everyone behaved. "I gathered you all here today because of this,"

Lahat kami ay napatingin sa hawak ni Daddy. He placed a cloth on the table. Dahan-dahan niya itong binuksan at tumambad sa akin ang estrangherong susi.

Everyone gasped inside the room except for me. What is that?

"I don't think it is wise to discuss that matter in front of the Princess, King Phileas," grandpa Noriall said.

"I know what I am doing," my father said void with any emotion. "My Queen and I decided to give this key to our elder daughter, Princess Raia."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ng lahat. Maging ako ay nagulat din. The key must be very important to gain that kind of reaction.

"Are you out of your mind, son?!" bulalas ni Grandpa Noriall kay Daddy.

"But your highness..." I heard one council said.

"The Queen is the keeper of the Key, your highness. Princess Raia is not yet confirmed. How can you trust the most important thing in this City to the princess?" another council said.

Napayuko lang ako. I felt degrade. Wala ba silang tiwala sa akin? At para saan ba ang susi na iyan? It looks ancient and rusty! Ganoon ba kaimportane ang susi na iyan para i-down nila ako?!

"She is my daughter, have you forgotten?" my Dad answered. "Princess Raia may not be crown as the Queen but my decision will not change! Regardless of her being the crown princess or not, I want her to be the new keeper of the key!"

Lahat ay natahimik. Ako naman ay lihim na napapangiti kasi may tiwala sa akin ang aking Daddy. He may not be showy of his feelings towards me, pero alam kong mahal niya ako-kami ng mga kapatid ko.
Tumingin sa akin si Daddy at tipid na ngumiti.

"I want you to keep this key, my princess. Don't lose this. Don't let anyone have it. And never, ever, in any circumstances, use this key. For the safety of our kind depends on this...on you,"

"What opens this key, Daddy?" I asked innocently.

"The portal, my princess. This is the only key to open and close the portal between the mortal world and the vampire world."

**********