"Let's sit here" The prince told Pryalis while gesturing towards a separate room which was closed.
"It's closed," Pryalis told him.
"Of Course it is , but that doesn't mean it can't be opened." Saying that , the prince opened the door and sat on the chair . Pryalis stood there for a second and then sat on the seat in front of the prince's one. The room had huge paintings hanging down it , which had pictures of the food written with quotes . It didn't look very luxurious, but the delicious mouth-watering aroma surrounding the entire restaurant was enough to know that they served delicious food.
"What would you like to order ?" The prince asked her.
"Uh a beef stew?" She said unsure .
"And ?" the prince asked.
"And a glass of orange juice" Pryalis told him ,making him nod and stare at the menu for a few minutes.
"Hey ! COME HERE" he ordered a waiter who was passing from the side while carrying a tray in his hand.
"Yes sir?" The waiter asked while coming towards the prince .
"Note down the order" He told the waiter , who put the tray on the side and quickly pulled out a yellow notepad from his pocket , which was attached with a pen.
"1 Beef Stew with Orange juice and a Ploughman's Lunch" He ordered .
"Anything else sir?" He asked and the prince shook his head.
"What's the total?" he asked him .
"50 copper coins," The waiter said.
"please tell me how much the stew and juice will cost?" Pryalis asked the waiter who was interrupted by the prince .
"Erhm...are you trying to embarrass me or make people think that I don't have money to pay for both of us?" The prince asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"of course not...it's not it will be only fair if I pay for what's mine and you pay for what's yours" Pryalis explained to him , to make sure he doesn't get her wrong.
"Look sweetheart , the rule here is , I will pay for the ladies who I eat with . It's as simple as that , so don't debate" The prince told her.
"Okay...if that's how we are going then cancel the stew ... I will have only one juice" Pryalis told the waiter , to make sure she doesn't offend the ego of the prince and at the same time , doesn't compromise with her morals and looks like someone greedy.
The waiter gave a nod and started to cut the beef stew written in his notepad , but the prince again interrupted.
"Nothing like that is happening. The first order is the final one . Go now and ask the cook to prepare our orders fast" The prince told the waiter who nodded and quickly walked away.
Afterall who wasn't aware of the infamous attitude of prince Theseus Montgomery. He was known for making sure what he says and orders is done correctly and just how he likes it. He was famous among the commoners for the worst things . He was popularly known for his affairs with the ladies and was known to sleep with at least 10 different ladies per month . Each of them were said to be beautiful in their own ways.
Not only this ,but he also hated rules, especially keeping a diary in which rules were written , to make sure he breaks each one of them . He was a nuisance in the name of a royal and his twisted ways were known as a rebellion against his father's unfair favoritism towards his elder brother Atticus.
"Thank you so much your majesty" Pryalis thanked him .
"You can thank me without taking that stupid royal name . Just call me Theseus . Theseus Montgomery" Theseus introduced himself.
"Fine..thank you Theseus. I am Pryalis. Pryalis–Pryalis Winslow'' She quickly lied . She could have kept another surname but this way , she would make sure to remember her best friend Sepher everytime someone calls her name . She would be able to remember the reason behind her new lifestyle and happiness.
"Winslow....no way in the world are you connected to that stupid alpha Sepher Winslow" Theseus exclaimed. He knew from the scent that Pryalis was a wolf , but he didn't know that she was someone related to Sepher Winslow.
"Sepher who?" Pryalis quickly lied . She didn't want to say anything which could be used in future to track her address.
"Oh nevermind . He's just an alpha who has a fragile ego . He is also my childhood enemy, "he told Pryalis.
"You must have done something bad," Pryalis told him in irritation. She was very sure that Sepher could never do anything bad.
"How can you be so sure?" Theseus asked her.
"Well...I guessed. I have heard that Vampires are very mischievous " She lied and Theseus looked at her with a chuckle.
"Not every vampire . Just this one and yes , your suspicion is right . I was the one who was wrong as I kissed his crush , knowing very well it was his crush to piss him off . But again that doesn't change the fact that we are enemies right?" He asked and Pryalis just thought 'what kind of man is he ?' . She was divided in her opinion about him . He saved her and took her to lunch , but at the same time , his words made her feel that he wasn't a very kind man.
She just lightly gave him a nod , not wanting to dive much into his private life.
"Leave this and tell me , what brought an omega like you here ? have you come here in search of your mate?" He asked her and she shook her head.
"I was here to know about the Vampire Academy "
"Why?" He asked.
"I have got a vampire friend who wants to take admission there" She lied .
"Oh , disappointing. I thought it was you" Theseus told her.
"Haha..how can I take admission in the Vampire Academy ? I am an omega afterall" Pryalis nervously chuckled.
"Well you can take admission there , not by rules but by tricks . And if it was you , I would have helped you " Theseus told her honestly.
"Really? I mean why?" she asked while trying to control her excitement. If he could help her, then it would be the most wonderful thing for her.
"I like to break rules and I have almost broken every single one , except sneaking an omega in the Vampire Academy"
"Won't that land you in trouble?" Pryalis asked him .
"It surely will , but that doesn't matter . All I want is to create chaos . So tell me, do you desire to go there ? It's going to be a fun experience. The excitement of breaking rules will make your nerves tickle and your heart race every time . It will just give you fun and the most they can do is rusticate you . It won't be a big deal. So think carefully and tell me" Theseus asked her.
"Why do you like to create chaos?" Pryalis asked him .
"First answer my question . Will you come with me to the Academy?" He asked her and she lightly nodded. She was scared to trust a complete stranger but there was very little that she could do in this situation.
"Great" He happily exclaimed with a mischievous glint again shining in his eyes. Pryalis could see how much he loved creating problems.
"Now...answer my question," Pryalis demanded. She needed to know the reason why he would actually help her in this situation.
"Because I love doing it. I have a passion for creating problems and leading the hopes of my father down in the shallow pit . I hope this answered your question" Theseus told her and she just nodded lightly.
She couldn't believe a man like Theseus could actually exist in real life who was just living to create trouble.
Before she could inquire more about the Vampire Academy, the waiter came with the tray full of food.
"Here is your food sir . Please enjoy" He said and walked away after keeping it on the table in front of them.
"Let's eat it first and then discuss the later parts . Okay ? I will guide you step by step" Theseus told her and she nodded.
"Thank you for the lunch" Pryalis again thanked him and dug in the food.
"Tell me one thing , is your friend going to join you too in the Academy then?" Theseus inquired, making Pryalis give him a sheepy smile.
"Actually...I was the one who wanted to do it in the Academy, not my friend. I lied to get information from you" She told him.
"Any specific reason for taking such a big step?" Theseus asked her while chewing down his food .
"Actually...I want to have an adventure. I don't know if you are able to understand my words or not" She told him honestly this time .
"I can "
Theseus then again dug in his food , while enjoying the delicious flavors.
"So...should I start from the introduction or just the basic rules ?" Theseus asked while wiping his lips from the tissue and put it on the side . The table was filled with empty dirty plates . The duo have devoured the food .
"From the introduction," Pryalis told him . She knew about basic things , but still wanted to confirm whether what she heard was true or not.
"Okay...So Vampire Academy is basically an academy where all the vampires from around the world can study without the fear of being judged or falling in trouble. The royal status doesn't really matter there in terms of academics . Teachers give you marks on the basis of your performance , but those who belong to the elite class get a special respect from all the students " Theseus explained to Pryalis the basic social structure of the Academy.
"Does it mean they will bully those who are poor?" She asked while feeling scared. She was here to escape social injustice and start from a new point. She didn't want to face any such thing again in her life .
"Not really . It's just being rich earns you extra respect , but being poor is fine too . There are many poor vampires there . The only requirement is to pass the exams and then you can enter"
"What is the syllabus?" Pryalis asked him . She believed she was good at studies . She was good at calculations and at learning new information . She believed it won't be too tough for her if she gives her hundred percent.
"Lord..the exam is already over now . I will just sneak your name in the final list . Before handing on the wall of the Vampire Academy, the list passes through the royal castle and the royals have the right to add 5 students of their choice on the list. I will add you and Voila ! you are there"
"oh it's that easy?" Pryalis asked not being able to believe that everything will be this easy.
"For you ? no . Because vampires don't come in fancy hair colors like yours . You need to dye it black and wear black lens in your eyes. Added to this , you have to also drink the Circuplis potion"
"What kind of potion is that?"
"It will make your heart beat slow down and your color will turn cold and paler . It will make you look like a vampire" Theseus informed her. He had an excellent knowledge about herbs and potions . He was an expert in identifying those .
"Okay...but does it have side effects?" Pryalis asked .
"Not really . You might just faint a few times in a month if you count that"
"It won't affect my health right?" Pryalis asked him with hesitance. Fainting seemed like a bad idea , but not that bad that it can make her abandon her whole plan.
"No. Once you stop taking the potion your body will turn like before " Theseus explained it to her.
"Where can I get the potion from?" Pryalis asked him.
"From the Alchemist's shop . I will take you there because I doubt you will be able to find it on yourself"
"Why?"
"Because it's in the middle of the Enchanting Forest and it opens only at zero o'clock. Till the time you go there , I am afraid you will be late and lose the opportunity " Theseus explained it to her.
"Understandable...how much will it cost?" She asked him.
"4 gold coins"
"Okay...and what are the fees of the Academy?" She asked awkwardly. She didn't want to seem like a poor person , but she wanted to know if she could afford it . Sepher had given her 2 thousand gold coins so any fees which are equal to , or less than it will do for her.
"It's 3000 gold coins for the whole 3 semesters, but I will write your name under a special scholarship , which means you only have to pay 1000 gold coins. Do you have that much ? Or shall I pay on your behalf ? in return , I can ask you a favor later on" Theseus offered.
"You don't need to pay on my behalf . The scholarship will be more than enough for me . I do have 1 thousand gold coins with me to pay the fees" Pryalis told him
"Okay...sounds good to me "
"So...now that we have eaten ? Can we go?" She asked, feeling excited about the starting of her new life and Theseus gave her a nod.
"Do you have a wagon or horse ? Because it's far away and you won't be able to go there just by running," Theseus said and got up from the chair.
"Yes..I do have a wagon "
"Great then" Theseus told her.
He followed her till the place her wagon was kept and she gently put Pica in the small basket in which she first got her. Theseus sat on his black horse .
"Let's go !" Pryalis beamed and Theseus gave her a stern nod.
They both rubbed the side of their horses which started running towards the east . Their hairs were flowing due to the fast wind . It made Pryalis smile brightly . She loved the brushing of wind against her face .
The weather was now good and a fresh cold wind was blowing . The sun had hid behind the clouds while painting the sky in a pink and orangish tint.
Due to the cold wind , remembered the first time she met Sepher . The weather was like this only .
'What a beautiful day it was !' She thought to herself while looking at the sky with a smile remembering the 'sky' who brought happiness in her life.
"Woah..Who are you thinking about so deeply with this dreamy smile?" Theseus asked her . He had stolen a glance of her while they were riding and needless to say , he thought she looked beautiful.
Her hairs were matching the shade of sky and the way her slight curly ginger locks were flowing on her face , made her look like an alive sculpture carved by the goddess herself.
"Oh...it's nobody," She lightly said .
"Huh?" He asked as her voice was barely audible due to the loud rustling of leaves and blowing of the winds .
"IT'S NOBODY!"
"OH COME ON ! TELL ME ! I AM GETTING BORED WHILE SIMPLY RIDING THE HORSE " Theseus screamed to make his voice more audible. He enjoyed hearing stories from different people . He loved knowing the personal experiences and it was a cherry on top , if they were filled with drama.
"I WAS THINKING ABOUT A FRIEND OF MINE !" Pryalis screamed back
"JUST A FRIEND?" He asked while expecting to hear from a boyfriend.
"NO... HE'S MY BEST FRIEND"
"ARE YOU HIS TOO?" Theseus asked with a teasing chuckle.
"I DON'T THINK SO...BUT WHO CARES . MY EMOTIONS ARE FOR ME . I DON'T JUDGE THEM FROM WHAT OTHERS FEEL ABOUT ME" Pryalis yelled back with a smile .
Theseus stopped at her words for a second . It was the first time he was ever hearing someone say that they don't expect the same emotions or feelings in return .
"WHO DOESN'T LIKE THAT?"
"I WOULD LIKE THAT TOO ... BUT I WON'T FEEL BAD OR DISAPPOINTED . ON TOP OF THAT , THIS FRIEND OF MINE HAS DONE A LOT OF THINGS FOR ME WHICH NOBODY HAS DONE" Pryalis told honestly.
"DO YOU HAVE A BEST FRIEND TOO?" she asked him back.
"YES MANY" Theseus simply lied .
He didn't have any friends . He hated being with people.
After this question from Pryalis , he didn't ask any other questions and just focused on getting her to the Alchemist's shop as fast as he could.
At night , they finally reached the Enchanted forest.
"It's so beautiful," Pryalis gasped.
She could understand why it was named the Enchanted forest. It was truly enchanting and magnificent. The trees has glowing flowers .
Small glowing fairies with pixie dust falling down their wings were flying here and there. Pica jumped down from her hands and ran towards the fairies to catch them . Her tail was wagging here and there excitedly.
"She seems to love this" Theseus told Pryalis who nodded with a smile.
They looked at Pica who was now silently standing while her tail was wagging . A butterfly had sat on the top of her nose which she was staring at.
"It seems like Pica got a new friend," Pryalis giggled .
"Yes..now leave your kifery here and come with me inside"
"But why?" Pryalis asked him . She couldn't understand why she needed to leave Pica here.
"Because the Alchemist is allergic to their furs and your little pet won't go anywhere . It seems to be having a lot of fun and even if it goes , we will ask about it's whereabouts from the fairies "
Pryalis liked Theseus's idea. It seemed to make a lot of sense so she decided to follow it.
"Okay...Stay here Pica..I will be coming in a short time" Pryalis told the kifery and followed the Vampire prince inside the dark forest.