*Same time in Havilla Castle*
The two hooded men stepped into the Castle and all whisperings and chattering ceased immediately. Everyone lowered their head, not daring to look up at them. The men walked with their heads high, sparing not even a single glance at the people around them.
When they got to a huge black double door, the strange one pushed it open and they both walked into the dimly lit room. Six pairs of eyes turned towards them the instant they stepped in.
The strange man looked into the eyes of everyone present in the room before his eyes finally rested on the person sitting on the throne.
"Everyone out. I want to speak with my father." He spoke in his usual cold, slow and demanding tone.
"Axel, you can't just walk in here and order my guests out. Can't you see we're having a meeting which you just interrupted?" His father looked annoyed as he spoke.
"Fine with me if you are okay with them being here while we talk. So tell me father, why –" His father raised his hand, stopping him from speaking further.
"Leave us. We will resume the meeting in ten minutes." King Gregory ordered the people in the room.
"But your majesty, this meeting is important. The prince needs to learn how to behave in the presence of his superiors." One of the men in the room spoke up.
"It's okay, Martin. He will learn." When the king said this, the four men went out of the door one after the other, but not before bowing to Axel. When the man called Martin got to where he stood, he greeted and bowed slightly.
"Keep your pretentious greeting to yourself, Martin." Axel spoke without looking at him and the man subtly glared at him. He sent another glare to the second hooded man before exiting the room.
Once everyone exited, leaving just his father and his father's personal bodyguard, Axel began.
"Why did you send your dogs to go slaughter humans?"
"That is a strong accusation, Axel." His father responded calmly.
"Just answer the question, father." Axel spoke through gritted teeth.
"Prince Axel, stop being disrespectful to your fath–"
"I wasn't speaking to you, Henry. I was speaking to my father. Keep your thoughts where they belong – right inside your head." Axel cut his father's guard off.
"Axel!" His father called in a sharp tone and Axel's eyes travel back to him. Anyone would tremble in fear if they saw King Gregory's face right now, but Axel was not the least affected.
"Are you trying to start a war?" He asked his father and the King let out a sigh. If not that Axel is his only son and heir, he would have gotten rid of him a long time ago. The boy was a thorn in his flesh but he couldn't pull the thorn out no matter how painful it becomes.
"I didn't send anyone to kill humans, Axel. I don't know what you are talking about." The King answered.
"So you are saying that your loyal dogs decided of their own volition to go eliminate an entire human household?" Axel asked, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"They are not dogs, Axel. And yes, that must be what happened. I have no hand in it." The King replied, nodding his head.
"Good thing I killed them all." Axel commented and the King's face turned sour immediately.
"You should have brought them or at least one of them here for questioning." The king's voice boomed. He sounded angry.
"There was no need for that. Asher was a witness. They are trying to instigate war with the humans and went on such a mission without prior permission from the King. Both crimes deserved the death sentence. I don't delay judgment; I hand it down immediately. Isn't that what you taught me, Father?" Axel asked as a crazy smile made its way to his lips.
"Yes. You did well, son." The king praised half-heartedly. He knew he was crazy, but this son of his was crazier in all aspects.
"Thank you, father. I shall now take my leave." Axel bowed, the smile on his lips still intact. When he turned to exit the room he heard his father's voice.
"Don't mess around with humans, Axel. They are beneath us."
Axel chuckled and the smile on his face widened. "I know that, father. That is another thing you taught me." He said and left the room with Asher.
"He's lying." Asher –the second hooded man– spoke up when they had walked far from the throne room and Axel let out a low chuckle.
"I know." He responded as they approached his quarters.
"Two blood wines to my room. Now." He ordered one of the guards stationed at his quarters before he and Asher disappeared behind a black door.
***
Time passed by quickly and before Alita knew it, it was already four years since the tragic incident. She started college six month after the incident and six months later, uncle Ben disappeared too, leaving her with a message on how to continue her life.
The pain of the incident had dulled down, but the scar was still there deep in her heart.
"I don't know why you brought me here, Kayla." Alita gave her friend a disapproving look when the taxi dropped them in front of a club.
"To buy you a drink, have fun, and get you a man, of course. I can't let you die a virgin." Kayla winked at Alita but the latter grimaced.
"Isn't that supposed to be my decision?" Alita asked, feeling somewhat embarrassed and annoyed because of what Kayla said.
"Not while I am still your friend. If you don't pick one today, then we will continue doing this until you find the one you want. Now come on." Kayla linked their hands together and half dragged her inside the building.
Three years ago when her uncle suddenly disappeared, she transferred to another college just as he had previously instructed and she moved to Greenlight City.
She met Kayla and Brian that same year and both of them stuck to her like leeches. But instead of being parasites, Kayla and Brian had been good friends, being there for her whenever she needed them and bringing color into her once dull life.
Light music was playing inside the club and some people were on the dance floor swaying their bodies to the tune. While a few danced alone, others had partners. Tables and chairs were placed at strategic angles to avoid obstruction of movement from one place to another. Although there were lots of people in there, the place was not as cramped as she expected.
Kayla pulled her to the bar and they sat on the empty bar stools. She ordered drinks and soon the both of them were drinking and laughing. In less than five minutes, a man approached them and before she knew it she was left alone at the bar. Kayla was already dancing and laughing with the stranger.
Alita let out a sigh. This always happens whenever they go out and she's beginning to believe that Kayla does it intentionally. She gulped down the remaining drink in her glass and signaled for the bartender.
"Give me something stronger." She ordered when she had the attention of the man. In no time, a different drink was given to her which she downed in a few seconds. She skillfully passed the glass to the bartender for a refill and he gladly obliged.
When the exchange happened the fourth time, it caught the attention of one of the men sitting at the bar. Out of curiosity, the man turned to his right to look at the person ordering the drink. At the same time, Alita turned to the left to collect her drink. Her eyes strayed slowly to the side until they met the most beautiful set of honey or was it gold orbs she had ever seen. Before she could get carried away, her senses alerted her that he was a vampire and she quickly looked away with a frown on her face.
Axel's jaw dropped when he saw her face. Damn, she is beautiful and he just couldn't look away. Apart from her beauty, he felt a sudden pull toward her. A pull that was just too hard to ignore.
White blonde hair, big grey eyes, he knew he had seen her somewhere before, but where? He turned back to his drink as he tried to remember. After a few minutes of racking his brain, his eyes widened in realization. She was the girl he saved four years ago.