Luana's eyes shot open as she rose from the bed sharply, hands clutched to her chest. Her breathing was ragged. Checking the skies, she realized it was morning already. The sun wearing a full robe as it lazily sucks up the wetness of the ground.
Rolling out of the bed, she parted the curtains in her room, allowing the reflection of the sun inside. She sighed before going to take her bath and get ready for the day.
As she moved to take her bath, she passed by a long mirror and stopped to check herself.
"Wow," she smiled satisfactorily at her reflection as if she has just won a medal.
"I can't wait for Zeidan to come and place a crown on my head."
Puffing her chest and straightening her back, she gave a fake wave and acted like a Queen.
"My Lady." She heard someone call but she ignored it and continued what she was doing.
"My Lady, we need your attention."
More silence. Chloe was beginning to get uncomfortable as she watched Luana display in front of the mirror ignoring her calls.
"We need you on the military field to welcome the recruits."
"Whose job is that?" She asked as she spread her arm like a princess who has just been asked to dance.
"The Queen's or the representing leader of the Vampire city?" Chloe replied, unsure of why Luana now suddenly thinks it is someone else's job when she proclaimed herself fit for a leadership role the previous day.
"Then," Luana twirled as if dancing. "Address me as one before I take up the role."
"Wha..." She wanted to say she hasn't even been introduced to the people as the Queen. She is only being called upon because the King is absent. But arguing with the terror queen will only bring further consequences.
"Your highness, you're needed on the military field to welcome our recruits," Chloe announced, slightly bowing.
"Now, that's better." Luana now faced her.
"I'll just go and take my bath and join you in an hour."
"An hour? These kids will be standing under the sun waiting for you..."
"Like there are tables and chairs on the battleground." She mocked, one brow arched.
"We forced these people. We made them join the army against their will."
"It's for the nation's benefit. If war looms, they'll eventually die. Let them be useful by joining the army."
"But..."
"You're dismissed."
"What ab..."
"You. Are. Dismissed." Luana turned to go have her bath, while the other woman frowned in disgust and left the room after a slight bow.
"Zeidan," Lyne muttered and felt someone place a hand in hers and squeezed it gently. She frowned and opened her eyes.
At first, her eyes were welcomed by the view of early morning birds flying overhead and the branches of tall trees. The lazy sunlight seeped through the holes between the leaves to the ground.
"Are you okay?" She turned to her side and saw Zeidan smiling at her, his face clouded with worry.
'even after the wedding, he's still caring.' Lyne thought.
"I had a nightmare."
"You screamed my name in your sleep so I guessed you were having a nightmare."
"I just said that..."
"What happened in your dreams?"
The question made her shoved as growing up, no one has ever paid attention to her dreams. They were irrelevant powers of bottom feeders, according to her siblings.
As if telling a story, Lyne narrated her dream to Zeidan who listened intently. Together, on a mat, under the sunrise, Lyne talked about her nightmare while Zeidan played the listener. When she was done, she expected him to laugh at her as she is used to being mocked back home. Instead, the Vampire King took grabbed her arm and pulled her to the edge of a cliff.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked.
"Look over there." Zeidan pointed ahead and as the fog cleared a little, she could see a beautiful city ahead with people moving back and forth, happy and cheerful.
Surrounding the city were gigantic walls with few guards here and there. Children laugh heartily and young people are full of smiles and life. Looking at another area, she could see a beggar and some kids in the street playing.
"No discrimination?" She didn't know she was saying it aloud.
"Not even one," Zeidan answered before turning her to face him.
"This is why I had to marry you. I have few guards left..."
"Few?" Zeidan heard Wikh call behind him as he walked up to them, eyes narrowing as he stared ahead.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Look over there."
Lyne and Zeidan looked at where he pointed and they were beyond shocked at the large number of army flooding the military ground.
"This is a miracle." Wikh laughed but Zeidan shook his head as he stepped forward.
"No. This is abuse and harassment. They're kids. Why are there plenty of children in the army?"
"How did you even see that?" Lyne inquired.
"He's of royal blood," Wikh answered. "He inherited eagles eye from his lineage."
"Arrange transport and the army. We're moving now."
Lyne could see his jaws clenched and the veins on his forehead visible. His eyes were now dark.
She followed him quickly and he carried her on his horse before climbing behind her. He flipped the rein and like wind, they sped off to Vampire city.