4 Away from Vampires

It was already morning when Alice's opened her eyes. The sunlight was falling on her white face from the window.

But she didn't get up immediately. Laying in her bed for some time, Alice was enjoying the view and waited, until her maid came and got her ready.

The remorse which she felt earlier has now completely faded. Somehow, she was glad that a peaceful sleep helped her to get herself energetic for the entire day's ride

KNOCK KNOCK

"Good Morning Princess Alice. It is the time to get your ready as the other members will be leaving very soon." The voice grabbed her attention. Alice peaked at the door and nodded her head.

As Alice removed the soft blanket from her body, her feet touched the cold surface beneath her. "Sh... it's really cold today."

"Oh Princess, here are your sleepers." Mary put the sleepers on the ground which Alice wore and made her way to the bathroom. Taking a quick bath, relaxed her nerves in the morning. When she arrived back in the room, her eyes fell on the dress that was kept on the bed.

"Mary, is this what I'm going to wear today?" She asked with a bit of surprise to which Mary nodded her hand and brought the dress near her. "This is comfortable and I am pretty much sure that you will be able to ride a horse by wearing this."

Alice wished to say something but no words came to her mind. Accordingly, as the obedient person, she wore the dress while Mary helped her to zip it up from the back and tug the knots.

Since Alice learned the fighting techniques, her father bought her a special ready-made battleground dress to protect herself. It was comfortable to ride the horse and practice fighting.

She got ready at a steady speed and soon after, she made her way to the entrance of the Palace, where Alice saw her father and brother in between some serious conversation.

"Good morning to you both." Alice politely greeted them which made them pass her an assured smile. "Good morning Alice. Looks like you are perfectly ready to have some roughness today."

"Absolutely father. After all, we are going to the NoMan's land." As she said these words, a carriage was brought in front of them. It wasn't hard to guess who would be inside and neither was she shocked to learn.

But despite that, her eyes narrowed slightly when her gaze fell on the two ladies who departed from the carriage. "Here goes the bride-to-be and her sarcastic mother…." Alice mumbled in between her breathe. Yet brought a wide smile to hide her wicked mind.

"Hello, aunt. How have you been all the time." Alice started the conversation on a lighter note. Neither she nor her brother Dominic was excited to see their faces early in the morning.

Moreover, it was too much of a task to maintain cordial relationships, despite knowing that their uncle is plotting against their father behind everyone's back.

Her aunt stepped closer to them. She is wearing a long gown, a taken shawl behind her which covered her shoulders. A bright smile was pestered on her lips which contained a mockery. "Alice, it is nice to you after so long. I was waiting for the time to arrive.. and finally, Flora found the right match."

"Absolutely. I'm extremely happy for my younger cousin. She is going to marry the Crown Prince, it will be wonderful." Alice left no stone to add the softness in her voice, indicating that she was genuinely happy. Otherwise, who can expect that she doesn't even care who their daughter marries?

Her aunt didn't say anything further. After exchanging a few words, she once again walked on her carriage. Her father started to gather their people as they all will be leaving in the next few minutes.

Their horses were arranged in the front where all the troops hoped on their respective horse's backs. Caressing it lightly, Alice smiled when she bent a little down, to whisper in the horse's ear, "We have a long journey. I hope you will be able to walk for a long time now.."

With these words, Alice kicked it from the side through her boots and the army started walking. The ladies were coming in a carriage, except Alice since she knew how to ride a horse by herself.

The army was led by King Vilas and Prince Dominic. Just behind them was Alice, who walked along with two other soldiers. In the mid, was the carriage for the ladies and also the food and clothes for them. In the end, was the army of the Suzania Empire, protecting them from any attack.

The journey was very comfortable. Alice had no discount as expected by Mary in this dress. Moreover, the pleasant weather also cheered up her mood.

In between, Alice kept on talking to Dominic. The brother and sister didn't let this journey be quiet and boring since they were used to having some fun. If not fun, then keeping their energy alive through talks.

The journey carried on till the afternoon. In the middle, they surely did take a few rests, to give water to their horses but their main objective was to reach as soon as possible, before the sunsets in the sky. The terrain was different and kept on changing with time. Traveling via land, mountains, sand, and whatnot, they finally arrived at their destination and the selected palace for them, in Noman's land.

A large gate of the Noman's land was present in front of them. Inside was the palace for two kingdoms to live in different places yet, have some fruitful talks.

King Vilas moved his gaze at his son, "Go ahead and tell them that King of Suzania Empire has arrived in their place."

"Sure father." Dominic stepped down from his horse and walked to the guards who were standing near the door. Meanwhile, Alice's age was lingering at the large gate. 'So much similar to how our gate is..' it was made of wood, attached with a very heavy chain to hold it tight.

In the middle was the slight gap, separating the palace from the rest of the places. 'Surely no one can enter this place without getting caught..'

Just when she was wondering different things with her hand on the ropes of the horse, she saw when Dominic walked to her and her father and spoke, "We can go ahead now. They asked us to simply proceed into our palace, instead of meeting the Vampire King right now."

"Any specific reason if they are mentioned?" King Vilas asked with utmost seriousness. Dominic nodded his head, "It was a long journey for us. We all can meet them at the lavish dinner arranged by the civil court. The ladies can rest and we can have some conversation during the feast."

King Vilas agreed simply and let his entire army inside. The large gate was entirely opened for them, closing the gap between the exterior of the palace as well as the interior one, when the army moved inside. Inside the palace, Alice noticed that there were three different places.

On the left was a palace, entirely separate, probably for them to stay and on their right, was a palace for Vampires to stay. Whereas in the middle, was where the people from the two Kingdoms could meet and seek their relationship. A place where civil members can have a peaceful stay.

"Alice! Come, we have to go now." Her father's voice entered her ears when she found herself staring at Vampire's palace. Breaking her gaze in the middle, she looked at her father with an apologetic gaze and entered the same palace as that of Human, but King Vilas noted how she looked at the other side.

Although, he knew that his daughter has the same thought as the rest of them, the hatred and the old saying about Vampires. Yet his heart can never be at ease till they leave from this place, without any misfortune.

'Looks like I will have to keep her away from everyone.. especially the Vampires. If they are made aware of her powers, it will be disastrous.'