His Silver Eyes
Chapter 3
It's been a month since I move out from my apartment and live here in the palace.
The palace is located at the Capitol just hours away from the city. For almost 6 years of my life I was used to living a simple life alone, without the help of others, for six years I had grown accustomed to hard life, so maybe I'm not used to it now like how it used to be before, I know we were rich but I didn't know we would reach a point where we had a palace that I didn't know.
So many things happened in that one month, I was in the news a week after I moved in, and every live shows wanted to have an interview with me. Of course I decline them all, I don't need they're fake sympathy. I know they were just after my money.
In that one month, I still continued to work as the editor-in-chief in the Publishing Company, yes I had 12 digits of money in my account, but money is also running out, and I still need to save money. I will continue to work, and resign afterwards, I can still live the way I wanted, because of the money I inherited.
I have my money back, I have tons of maids at the palace, I have Marculfo, but I still feel lonely.
"Marculfo, can you tell me, how is Alexander doing after all this years?" I asked all of a sudden while on my way to the Vzarbaltha-Cigrean Cazadores De Vampiros headquarters.
Marculfo is just months older than me, he started being my butler since he was 12, but when my family was killed, I decided to send him and the other maids to their home, I can't have my money back then because I was too young, at least that's what I know.
Alexander tried to find me after hearing the news that I moved out to the Hope City, according to Marculfo, Alexander changed his name, and finally use his father's last name after its death, his hair was dyed after 2 years of its death, he toned body now, and not the thinned Alex I knew back then. I wonder how he looks like now.
He is cute as far as I can remember, he has that baby face ever since, his big rounded black eyes, and his innocent smile, and how I miss that guy.
But why does the count's face appear while imagining Alex's face?
Yes, Fania you had a crush on the count, and it'll be bad if that feeling deepened, you're already engaged. You have to remember that.
You're engaged to Alex, keep that in mind Estefania Keannea Balthazar-Grecian, you have to stay faithful, you and Alex are getting married you have to marry him.
Minutes later, we are at the border of the Capitol and William City,
"Where are we going Marculfo?" I asked him right away,
As what I can observe, we are in forest, the side of the road is full of high trees and bushes.
The forest is full of green that calms me down
"We are going at the top of this mountain my lady, the headquarters is located at" he answered still looking at the road.
I kept silent as the car climb up the mountain.
As we finally enter the palace gate, guards are lined up to welcome us,
Marculfo stop the car, open the door for me and the maids that are waiting at the entrance of the palace, bowed down at me as I pass right through them.
I just then realized. When you are at the top, everyone will acknowledge you, they will be concern for you, they will be there for you and support you and love you, but once you are at the bottom, they will forgot you in a snap, living their life as if they didn't' know you, backstab you and then when you came back at the top, they will be there again befriending you AGAIN and act like nothing happened.
I sighed at the thought. I brushed it off and continued to walk, Marculfo is still at my side, touring me around and telling me about the organization.
The Vzarbaltha-Cigrean Cazadores De Vampiros headquarters or VzaciCaDeVam for short.
It is an organization built by our ancestors several years ago, to fight against the vampires and protect the mortals, from their hands, we exist to protect those who need protection, we save those who needs to be saved. There are different kinds of vampires the black, gold and silvers.
The black vampires are the dangerous ones, they are known for abducting humans, they abduct them to sell them, slave them or make them as they're food source, they only abduct girls, and use them, they impregnate/ rape them and once they are done delivering automatically the babies are moved in to a separated facility, where they are being held, feed and slaved and taught.
Then at the age of 7-10 they are being bid illegally, thou selling humans are legal IF and only if that person is dying and has no family to be with, but selling kids totally illegal.
The gold ones, this one's are the opposite of black or known as the good vampires, humans are not their primary source of food, they drink animal blood as living. They live peacefully, some of them are working for the organization, in an exchange of protection against the black ones. For short, they are not a threat in human race, not like he black ones.
The silver ones, they are the rarest, they are also known as the Halfling, thou there are only 30/70 % chance a Halfling can survive. Most of them died at the early age, because their body can't contain the strength and power they possess, that causes they're body to give up. An according to Gianfar one of the head of the org, the silver ones are the most powerful kind of vampires, even thou they are only Halflings, they possess power no pure blooded vampire can acquire. And as of this time, there are only 7 silver ones recorded, and one of them is the most powerful in their kind. But they're existence are illegal, as well as the marriage of a vampire and a human as a wife and husband is forbidden, thou vampires and human race are living peacefully, the marriage of two different race are forbidden. For it will cause chaos and war from two different races.
There is this traditional marriage called két faj uniója in the rural area of the kingdom, the only legal union of the two races in some part of the kingdom.
"You just have to climb a mountain and go through the forests before getting married in that area " Gianfar added.
Though she speaks Tridianas the native language used in the southern-east of the kingdom, I can understand her, I live in the Hope city for years and I think it's enough for me to learn and know the language.
"Who managed the organization through the years?" I asked while my eyes are set in a painting, my parents
There must be someone managing the org while I am away.
"I am my lady" Marculfo answered my question for Gianfar
After touring me around the castle, they introduced me to the other 6 heads/boss of the organization, and the supporters from the Gold's Clan, there are too many people in this castle, at dinner, there are meals served at the table, and what surprised me is that, vampires are still humans, they eat what we eat, drink what we drink, they can surely survive in this world without the need of drinking blood from humans, but they can survive for a very short time, they still need blood as their main source of strenght. Some of the vampires that are with us had human spouse, so to protect their families, they live here in the castle with the others.
The next day I went to my work it was pretty boring actually not until the Count visited the company, maybe for his interview for the next issue of the magazine.
As the editor-in-chief I have to be at the meeting, I don't know why but the boss said that Count Marcus wishes me to be there with him, BESIDE HIM. I wonder why?
After finalizing my conclusions and suggestions needed for the editorial page for the next magazine, I went to the Meeting room.
And as the count wished, I sat right beside him.
"It's been a long time, I heard the news, I told you, 'you will stay as a noble.' " He whispered while browsing the papers he's holding.
I nodded, as if he can see my response.
Well, at first I didn't believe at it of course, it's been years and no one told me about that matter, and here I am being saved by the Count, and telling me suddenly I can still have my title back. What a joke right?
I thought he was just saying random words to make me feel good. But it turns out that he was actually right.
"I know, I just lost hope, who wouldn't be? I have lose everything in a snap, lived a life I'm not used to, living alone without anyone's help, then one morning I woke up and everything that once been mine came back, like I woke up from a very bad dream " I laughed a little.
"Life is really fucked up, no one knows what tomorrow may offer next" he meant a response and smiled at me.
After that small talk we kept silent and waited for the meeting to start.
The meeting lasted for 3 hours and the only thing that I remember in that whole 3 hours is I'm 'gonna be the Count's partner for this magazine, and I'm not allowed to do my editor-in-chief job for this one, so that I can only focus in the shooting and for the article. I asked them why am I included in this series, but they just told me that I should be exposed in the magazine, and let everyone know that the Princess of the Grecian household is back.
It is a 2 weeks photo shoot, and all I have to focus for that two weeks is my photo shoot with the Count,
But what if Alex find out about it? How would I explain it to him? Should I tell him that it is just for the magazine?
I do not want to disappoint him with the photos, especially his mom. This is gonna be a big issue for sure.
Would it be okay?
But I can't decline the contract now.
The count is helping me anyway, and if this one can help me find my mother's brother, why not? But how about Alex?
"You okay Ms. Estefania? You haven't touch your meal yet, is everything alright?" my secretary suddenly asked beside me as we ate our lunch with the others, and with the Count.
I smiled genuinely at her before answering her back,
I brushed my thoughts off, and started eating my foods
"You okay My Lady?" Marculfo suddenly whispered from my back
"I'm fine Marculfo ... I think" I whispered back
"You sure My Lady?" he asked once more, making sure that I'm really okay, I simply nod my head and started to finish my food.
I excused myself and went to the restroom.
I washed my face and applied my almost-red lipstick. I stayed there for another minute and went back on the table.
Everyone was done with their food, and they are just talking about random things. As I sat down, I ordered a cup of wine right after a waiter walked in our table, and seconds later, I'm savoring the sweet taste of the wine.
I was lost in my thoughts whensomeone grab my wine glass, I was about to complain and turned my gaze to that person and caught Count's face inches away from mine.
My heart, why does he have that effect in me? This isn't right.
I shouldn't be feeling this for him.
As quickly as I could, I took back my wine glass and look away,
Can he just mind his own business?
I kept my silence and play with my wine glass as our table was filled with their laughter's.
I was like that for a couple of minutes or so when I heard the person beside me talk to me.
"You should smile, it'll suit you" he whispered.
"I have nothing to smile for." I answered him frankly.
I turn my gaze at him, and found out that he was actually inches away from me.
"Oh, look at this two, they look good together aren't they?" the manager of the editing team giggled while looking at us.
I just smiled at her politely and made a space between me and the Count.
I should've told him that I am engaged already, but why can't I tell him? Is it because he saved my life before? Or is it because he just look exactly like Alexander?
But he's eyes are beautiful, as the light from the ceiling hit his silver irises, I wonder if his eyes were black, I think he perfectly resembles Alexander's features.
he has this deep sexy baritone voice that can melt any girls heart just by hearing his voice, that contradicts his innocent facial features, his looks is very young, I mean he has this baby features, and h- wait, why am I even explaining and praising him just now?
This isn't good
I have to stop this.
'She can't remember me.'
"Huh? You saying something?" I asked the Count
He looked at me confusedly then shook his head.
"Why?" he asked.
Weird,
I'm sure I heard his voice just now.
I stared back at my wine and drank it straight and ordered another glass of wine.
I excused myself from them and went to the balcony of the restaurant the company decided to have the lunch.
"Marculfo, do you think Alex can still remember me?" I asked my butler,
I know he followed me here, I can feel his presence behind me,
"Is he the reason?"
"Count Marcus."
I hurriedly turn my gaze at the man behind me and bowed down my head to pay him respect.
"Just Marcus for you Fania" he said with a smile
I was about to complain about it but he never let me
"No buts."
He added and walked beside me and leaned forward the grills of the balcony
I look down and watch the people underneath us passing by
"Who is he?" he suddenly asked breaking the silence between us.
"Who's who?" I asked.
"The guy you mentioned earlier"
"Oh"
I stared at beautiful scenery in front of us,
The sea is just meters away from the restaurant, the kids playing around and the people that is passing by had smiles in their faces
"Well, he is my childhood best friend." I answered him honestly.
"Where is he?" he asked.
"The last time I got a news from him, he's in a city in Castellan Kingdom, and 6 years later I never got a news from him not even once, or letters about him" I bitterly laugh as I answer his question
"What happened to him?"
Why he is so persistent to know about Alex, does the Count knew him?
Maybe, as I can remember Alex is an heir of some royal title.
To answer his question I simply shrugged my shoulders and kept myself quiet, di ko din naman alam ang sagot sa tanong niya.
"Maybe his busy with something."
"Well for me, he may be busy with all his shits in his life, but I know he still remembers you."
Maybe he already forgot me, and since my parents are both dead so is his dad, and his mom needs medical attention. He may be decided to call off the wedding and found someone abroad that can make him happy.
"How sure are you? I mean you haven't met him yet?" I look at him
"I'm also a man, so I know" he said as a smile formed in his pink lips.
"You're thinking of a girl do you?" I teased him and laugh
"Sort of" his smile became a genuine one.
The girl is lucky
Why do I suddenly felt a sting of pain with that thought?
This isn't good
"Been engaged from her for 8 years now. Our parents arranged our marriage before I was even named a Count and my father died. "." I look at the peaceful sea in front of us, and quietly listen to him.
"Just like yours my father is murdered." That made me look to him. I know very well what kind those eyes are, it shouts pain and vengeance, and I once had those eyes when my family was killed in front of my own eyes.
I wanted to comfort him somehow. I know how painful it is to lose someone,
"She's very supportive, at my father's burial, she was just sitting beside me, ready to accompany me and comfort me when needed. She never leave my side not even once, she saved me from the loneliness and pain, but I never saved her from her pain" he tried to stop himself from crying by looking at the clear blue sky.
"Where is she now?" I suddenly wanted to ask. She is lucky she had someone like Marcus.
"We were away from each other for years now because of my responsibilities, she faced her family's death alone, lived her life alone, faced the challenges alone, and I wasn't there to save her from her misery, I tried to look for her, but years had passed before I saw her again, I did not seem to be able to face her, I tried to tell her I am me, but I was discouraged. I can't face her, she can't even recognize me, hell." he laughed bitterly and drank the wine from the cup he was holding.
I was looking at him the entire time he tells me his burdens.
"We had same fates I guess, both can't even had a glance with someone the love, the goddess can't even allow us to be with them" I laughed.
"Life sucks." I said jokingly
"Yeah, life sucks" he agreed.
A week had past and everyone is busy preparing for the incoming photo shoot.
Marculfo will be there to accompany me, and help me with some of my personal stuffs, and my secretary to assist me.
Everything is settled now, my luggage, my important papers, we will be out in the kingdom for two weeks straight, and tonight we will be off to the ship.
Marculfo and I are in the car now, heading to where our ship at the southern-east of the capitol. I am busy reading a newspaper, and the only noise you can hear inside the car is the song playing in the radio.
30 minutes had passed since we left the mansion and we are now a kilometer away from our location.
The moment my feet touches the tiled floor of the Astra ship, it caught everyone's attention, that made me smile, the company rent this ship only for this photo shoot trip, and the travel will took us 3 days before landing in Wendlyn Island located just in the middle of Finadara borderline of Lothlrein Kingdom and Castellan Kingdom borderline.
I wear my sweetest smile as my black stiletto seek attention as I walk soundly with elegance and beautifully in front of this people, and perfectly pair my black short dress that shows my curves elegantly, my hair is in a low ponytail, and a hairclip in the right side of my head to give my look a bit of color.
I lowered my head a little to hide the nervousness that is hovering over my body, when someone grab my hand and carefully guided me in a table. I was just staring at the man in front of me as we slowly get to our destination.
He pulled me a chair, and help me sit comfortably.
What a gentleman Count he is.
I gave him a sweet smile t thank him for his gentle manners.
"I never know, that the Count can be this gentleman" I teased.
"A real man, should always be a gentleman for a beautiful gentleman, like you." He teased back as his lips curved upward and sat in his own sit, beside mine
"A drink perhaps?" he asked.
"A cup of Beaujolas Saint Amour – Domaine Lucie would be perfect, thank you" I answered him.
"Hmm, you got a thing with wines?" he asked while waiting for our drinks and meals
I chuckled lightly.
"Well, I got a father and a brother who had a thing with wines actually, but after what happened years ago, I started loving the thing they loved, and here I am, keeping a 60 year old wine while I was still at my apartment" I answered his confusion.
It is rare for a girl like me to be interested in such thing as liquors, people think that only guy can have a thing for them. What a pity, for a lady like me exist that knows a thing or few about wines.