NIGHTS OF HALLOW

The loud ring of the tower bell announced the break of dawn, followed by the cries of the cocks as the day began to tick away. In contrast to the day before where the day had begun with the bright rays of the sun, today seemed to have another thought in mind.

A veil of the dark sky, a soft, and grayish-white blanket of clouds hovered above the earth, hindering the sun’s rays struggling to peek through the dense cloud’s cover. The thick cloud uniform and wispy, cast a gentle diffused light on the landscape, with hints of mists lingering in the air.

The serene vibrance of the atmosphere provided the people with a calm dampness from the heat of the night before, the world outside appearing muffled as if nature was whispering to itself. The colors of the surroundings were muted and subdued, as the arrival of the snow would be shortly known.

Looking at the overall ambiance it was peaceful and contemplative, inviting one to embrace the serenity of the cloudy morning and start the day with a sense of calm and reflection. And so did the day’s work begin among the people.

Currently, the royal family members sat around the dining room’s table having their breakfast with an undeniable tension slightly lingering in the air.

With the exception of Sthena who had an early court meeting, the rest of the royal family members in addition to Perdita who ate in silence as the royal family members didn’t bother to acknowledge her existence in the room by engaging her in small table talks. Nevertheless, Perdita didn’t mind this, instead, she preferred it this way than speaking to any of the arrogant trio.

Halfway into the breakfast, Princess Sarah broke the silence by suggesting to her mother what she had in mind. She called, ”Mother,”

In response, Lady Rosamonda replied with an uninterested voice, her expression appearing to be distant in thought, ”What is it, Sarah?” Rosamonda replied with a question.

Princess Sarah dropped her cutleries on the table beside her plate and said, ”I was suggesting, Mother if we could go hunting in the coming week. What do you think, Regan?” Sarah questioned, seeking the thought of Regan in the discussion.

Prince Regan waved his hand dismissively, ”You go ahead with that, I’ll be busy.”

”Mother?” Sarah remained relentless, wanting to get the approval of Rosamonda. The blatant refusal of Prince Regan had left her lips pursed in displeasure towards him.

”There’s no problem, Sarah.” Rosamonda agreed much to Princess Sarah’s astonishment. She quickly thanked the older Vampiress,

”Thank you so much, Mother. I’ll inform His Majesty about it too.” The excitement in her voice was unhidden.

”Make sure to invite, Mr. Hans,” Rosamonda stated much to Sarah’s shock. She took the napkin and wiped her lips clean as she stood from her seat.

”What?! No!” Sarah protested with wide eyes. ”There is no need to invite him, Mother.”

”There is no need then, Sarah. But now, there is a need for it.” Rosamonda remarked and began to walk out of the dining room. ”Besides you two are going to get married by the end of the year and that is a month from now. You should get to bond with him.”

Princess Sarah from her seat clenched her hands on the table, her sharp nails tugging into her skin as she spat out, ”I said I am not going to marry that man!”

Following Rosamonda’s footsteps, Sarah furiously walked out of the dining room annoyed by what her mother told her.

Perdita on the other hand continued to enjoy her meal unbothered by what just transpired in the dining room.

Immediately the duo left the room, the calm nature Perdita had been trying to keep up broke as her face scowled in anger directed at one person who had planned to poison her. She couldn’t wait to discuss with Sthena before she did what was on her mind.

Perdita stood up and pushed the chair backward to give her access to leave. Almost immediately, the voice of Regan stopped her in her tracks.

”Wait,” Regan spoke and stood up too. He came to stand near Perdita as she turned to face him. He politely requested, ”May I have some minutes with you?”

Perdita’s brows arced in surprise, firstly, because of the politeness from the Prince who had never for once seen her in a good light. And secondly, he was requesting and not demanding like he always did. What changed?

”Okay,” Perdita agreed, a slightly apprehensive look on her face.

”Let’s go to a more private place. I don’t want our discussion to be eavesdropped on.” Regan continued and gestured towards the door for Perdita to start walking.

This new side of Regan surprised Perdita and at the same time, she couldn’t help but be suspicious of everything. And what was he going to tell her that he didn’t want others to listen to?

”Alright,” Perdita agreed once again with a nod of her head, wanting to hear the Prince out.

Prince Regan led Perdita along several hallways of the castle, giving Perdita the chance to explore parts where she had not bothered not to go as she didn’t want to look like an intruding visitor in the castle, though she had a lot on her plate to think of exploring the castle.

She could remember when on the night of the Hallow ball she had lost her way, and in the process had encountered the strange-looking creature that had chased after her that night. Speaking of which, she needed to question Sthena about that creature since he was the one she had run into that night.

Prince Regan led Perdita to a quiet part of the castle, void of noise and people. The only sound heard was the clicking of their shoes on the marble floor.

”Haven’t we gone quiet a long distance, Prince Regan?” Perdita couldn’t help but voice her concern, her eyes skeptically glancing around them for any sign of threat.

”We are almost there,” Regan replied, and just like he had said, he led them to an opening outside the building of the castle. He further said, ”Pardon me for taking you this far, what I wanted to ask is a question I do not want the king to hear.”

Now Perdita was genuinely curious to know what Regan was going to say. She watched the young Prince pursed his lips with a contemplative look on his face, trying to find the best word to use.

He began hesitantly while clearing his throat, ”I know this is awkward for the both of us as we have not been on like terms for as long as we met.”

”I have nothing against you if that is what you want to know,” Perdita let the Prince know. His eyebrows considerably rose in surprise at the unexpected confession.

”Umm,” Regan scratched the back of his head as he tried to get his next words in order. He remarked, ”Thank you for letting me know, but that is not what I brought you out here to ask you.”

”Oh,” Perdita nodded her head in understanding. She decided to keep shut and let the Prince ask his question.

Regan muttered a ”Yes,” to Perdita’s response before he resumed speaking, ”What I wanted to ask you and also know is related to what happened on the day when your brother suddenly disappeared.”

Perdita’s gaze became sharp and alert, staring back at Regan to hear what next he was going to say. She queried the young Prince, ”And what about the night do you want to know, Prince Regan?”

”Look, listen to me,” Regan began, his hand moving to demonstrate what he was saying, ”I was there on that day when it happened when the king had killed Daemon and asked me to dispose of the body. I just want to know, what happened that day. How come I still see Daemon alive?”

”I know what I’m saying is sounding absurd in the ear but I was there that day. I walked into the scene of His Majesty running his hand into Daemon’s heart.” Regan rushed to explain to Perdita about what he knew.

That day had left him confused with so many questions and puzzles going through his head. He recalled rushing to report to the king about the fire that had broken out in one part of the castle, only for him to witness such a scene. Why had the king killed Daemon? He had asked himself confused with no forthcoming answers.

What shocked him the most was that he had seen the murdered Daemon in the castle. Not dead anymore, but alive.

Perdita’s voice cut through the thoughts swirling in the head of Regan as she questioned him, ”What are you talking about?” She feigned ignorance of what Regan was asking, meanwhile, she knew exactly what he was saying. The Daemon he was asking about was the fake Daemon Sthena had killed. The one the witches had crafted to stand as a guard outside the door to Marco’s room. It made her remember the one in her dream that posed as Daemon too.

Regan exhaled, feeling perplexed about the situation. His red eyes appeared wild as though he was on the verge of losing his sanity over the situation. He paused to look at Perdita, his expression calm yet also wild, he said, ”I know exactly what I saw. Did what happened perhaps relate to what my mother said about witches coming to the castle? Was it related to the disappearance of your brother?”

Perdita’s once narrowed eyes turned guarded as she briskly stated in a flat tone, There is no such thing, Prince Regan. The Daemon you speak of is alive and still breathing comfortably. Any other thing you speak of is something I can’t give an explanation to because I didn’t see such a thing happen.”

Regan’s shoulders slumped in defeat, he slowly nodded his head in acknowledgment knowing that Perdita wouldn’t tell him anything and would continue to deny it. Asking the King was not on the list of his options either, but he must find out what happened that day.

”My apologies for asking such questions, please allow me to walk you back.” Regan proposed and led Perdita back to the outer part of the castle.

Just then, a maid appeared before them, bowing her head deeply in greeting, she informed Perdita, ”His Majesty calls for you in the courtroom, My Lady.”

”Please, allow me to walk you there, My Lady.” The maid continued while Perdita exchanged a stiff bow with Regan before following the maid.