The night went on, one like no other, as I constantly kept shifting in my bed. Something was bothering me; I couldn't tell if it was the bed. Because the maids did change the sheets every week, that's something I'm not used to since the smell always brings comfort in me instead of overused fabric softener. I didn't know that vampires use that stuff too, and when they do, it's like one bottle... per load. When I found out, my jaw dropped in the moment, but now it seems the smell is what's bothering me.
I got off the bed and rang the buzzer to summon the maid, Cathedra. She was always one of the friendliest maids around here, which made me appreciate what she does around here. She never shies away from me, is never rude to me, and never treats me any less than the person I am. At times she treats me better than how I treat myself, and you might think it's because of Prince's orders, but actually... she came here on her own. The story is funny how those two met, really, but that's a story for another time.
"Hina...it's so late. Why are you still up?"
"You know I don't provide late-night services...but since I'm here, tell me what's up?" She said, putting her left hand on her hips while tilting her head to the side. Her loose curls fell onto her shoulder, and her gaze captured my eyes for a moment with an intense but curious gaze.
And honestly, if I didn't know any better, I would fall for her right on the spot; she's just so gorgeous. I can see why the other maids get so jealous of her looks and figure she has. You'd think of her as royalty gone bad or runaway royalty, or at least that's the vibe I got from her when I was always speaking to her... and sometimes I still can't help but feel she's hiding something from me.
"Cath, I can't sleep... It's unusual for me to not be able to, especially after the rough day I had. I don't understand what's wrong with me tonight."
"Miss Hina... why didn't you say so sooner? It must be your hormones acting up; it happens to every female, no matter the creature or kind, but don't worry, I figured this would happen sooner. I just didn't know when, but it's a good thing I always come prepared." I watched as she pulled out a small glass bottle that made a noticeable thud when she slammed it down on the small black cabin.
Cath...
"Yikes!!! What's that thing, and why did it sound so heavy for something that looked so small...?"
Let me explain this is... like what you humans might consider things to make you sleep. It's similar but works differently, at least. So what you do is you rub the cream on your back or any part of your body; the results are just the same. So after you apply the cream, you then add a splash of water to the area and lie back. The cream will release a scent called "pheromones" that will then allow your body to relax while mimicking a sleeping motion. See how easy that this, Hina? now you should sleep perfectly fine
Wait—
Catch! There's one more thing I wanted to ask you before you leave...
She turned around to face me only a few meters away from the door and spoke softly. Ah, what is it, young miss?
"Well, it's related to the sleep elixir. How and why do you have it? Because I know palace maids never have trouble sleeping with how overworked they usually are, no matter the shift they have, so... why do you have it on you? Does it have anything to do with... Drac? I'm not nosey, don't get me wrong. I'm just curious as to why you'd be lugging that thing around with you."
I shifted into an awkward position, not knowing how to continue the conversation. Yes, I was close with Cath, but not so much with Drac, so I tend to get a little stiff when I talk with him, and I'm sure Cath shared the same remarks, but a little differently since their status positions are far away, so naturally she'd want to avoid conflict with her ruler. Then again, she never backed down from a chance to gossip, royalty or not.
"Well, the prince is indeed having sleeping troubles despite how put together he looks, but..."
she turned away from me, giving me a distant look
But what??? "Cath, please tell me," I pleaded.
"You see, the prince isn't all that he seems to be. I know he may look arrogant, cocky, cold, and a moody jerk, but it's a role he plays because he can't get over the loss of his mother's death. She passed away a few years ago and the doctors ruled it as an accident, but he doesn't believe it was just a mere accident, but something more...."
"Something more? Like...someone killed her?"
"Yes, just like that, but he doesn't know who or why the person did it, which made him take a vow to himself that he would find the killer and end it all himself, but he's been searching, digging, doing everything he can to find the killer or whatever eventually led to her death. He's been going under for years till he built an entire wall around everyone and became a ruthless ruler who would die or be tortured brutally to death if you came across his path or angered countless humans and demons. Even amongst his own kids, he's lost their lives, and it still haunts him at night even though he was responsible for it, so he's not as innocent as he may seem; his hands are stained with the blood of the innocent and the guilty. There's no going back for him, and he slowly came to realize the dark path he was taking, but he stopped caring soon after if it meant he could ed the life of his mother's killer if that's what it takes, and all this started. That's all I know about it if you want, you can ask him yourself, but I'd rather not get beheaded for spilling any more of his secrets since it was already hard enough getting him to trust me."
"Wow, that's a lot, Cath..."
"Yes, it is! NOW..."
"GO TO BED!!! before he catches you awake and punishes you," she said before winking at me and finally leaving.
i didnt know what to say; I was at a loss for words because I thought the price was just a moody, cold-hearted bastard. I had no idea he lost someone so important to him... he must have a really nice mom for him to love her so much. I wish I had at least one nice parent. I feel kind of... jealous of him now in a sense.