Chapter 15-Epiphany's Lullaby

Silence has covered the room. They are impatiently waiting for my answer. My sweat is flowing down my skin. I looked at them, telling a half-truth. In the past, I killed many vampires within the class of noble.

"Maybe it's because I killed many vampires in the past. Including the noble ones," I said in a serious tone.

Typhon said in a fearsome tone, "You're lying. I'm sure there's a deep reason they want you. That's what I'm going to investigate. I inhaled and turned to face them. I was questioned as if I were aiding their adversaries. I cannot permit Xavier's murder. I looked at Big Brother Rowan and he held my hands. Big brother Rowan said in a sincere voice,"Epiphany, tell us what they want from you. We'll promise. We'll protect you."

They drew my attention. No one can be trusted, not even my brother. The tension in the room was relieved by an audible thud from a shoe's heel. "Before I forgot everything, why did you pretend you were dead? Mr. Falthrom always tells me he was tasked with taking care of me." When I noticed Mr. Falthrom dressed as a white knight, my eyes grew wider. He was a knight commander like Zain, as evidenced by the Cardinal Order crest on his right chest and the ten stars on the top of his uniform's shoulder.

Zain replied in a bored voice, "Knight Commander Noah Falthrom." He regarded Mr. Falthrom as he moped in a window seat. "I advise His Royal Highness to pretend that he is dead so the enemies won't target you," Mr. Falthrom replied in response to my query. "Besides, the vampires target Her Royal Highness because she's a destined priestess of the goddess of truth. You know the old legend, don't you?"

As my system responds to curiosity, my eyebrows rise. What legend is he referencing? When Mr. Falthrom saw Zain upset with him, he laughed. The next thing we knew, Zain had Mr. Falthrom in his uniform and was holding him. Mr. Falthrom held Zain's arms and stared at him. "Do you have the guts to wear your uniform after you caused suffering to Her Royal Highness?" Zain was answered by Mr. Falthrom. "So you agree that Her Royal Highness should not have freedom and should remain hidden somewhere forever to escape her destiny? Is that what you want? Loneliness is painful, but running for her life is cowardice! You should never forget how important Her Royal Highness is! She is not a captive! " Tears streamed down my cheeks as I repeatedly said to them, "I'm sorry. I never saw this reason as an advantage for my life, but all those suffering are nothing compared to their suffering. I had no idea that you had endured more suffering than I had! I was a heartless and uncaring person!"

My shrill cry stopped their argument, and they made an effort to calm me down. After an hour, they left the room. I was by myself, reflecting on how I had resisted capture. I got up and went outside to get some fresh air. It takes a lot of energy to be a dramatic weirdo. There was hearsay that a lake had crystal clear water, as I had been hearing these past few days before I passed out. I made the decision to decompress by going for a walk around the lake. When I got there, the beauty of the lake enthralled me. The surface of the lake mirrored the moon's reflection. I took a deep breath before I sang the lullaby that I sang every time I needed to released my stress and loneliness that I felt. It started by humming a sorrowful melody. I let out a soft voice to sing the first stanza of the lullaby.

In the brisk night air, blue rose petals whirl,

As we dance through the flower garden, time seems to stand still.

As fireflies pretend to be stars, the moonlight serves as our source of light.

Despite the value of our looks, destiny separates us.

The wind carried a letter with a vermillion seal.

The unknown truths will dissipate into the ocean.

One final time, goodbyes and promises rang in my head,

Those words won't be sent, and the ink blot will dry up.

The time has come; the bells are ringing.

The time of my death was drawing near;

My blood will be drawn by the guillotine's sharp metal blades above me

Please pardon me, my beloved, as I forced one last smile to come to my lips.

I was about to start singing the final stanza when I heard a clap behind me. I turned around to see Zain looking concerned. Zain muttered, "You have a lovely voice, Your Highness, but your song was full of loneliness and tragedy."

That song is all about the final second I had as Serena before I passed away. That was how things were with me and Xavier before I left him. I assured you that I would restore Xavier to his humanity. I still remember their fight earlier. The legend that Mr. Falthrom mentioned still trigger my curiousity. I asked Zain with a soft voice.

"Zain, what legend does Mr. Falthrom talk about?"

Zain bit his lower lip and diverted his attention elsewhere. My eyes widened as Zain said, in a dejected tone, "That legend. It is all about how the fearsome vampire fell in love with the goddess of truth, Alethea."

Alethea made no mention of her past or the justification for my need to kill the vampires in order to obtain a second life. I want to learn more about this legend.

I begged Zain, "Tell me more about that legend!" Zain heaved a long sigh before carrying on with the legend. "The vampire's name is Ezekiel Arceneaux; the goddess of truth was once a human; their love is the right love, but at the wrong time. Ezekiel Arceneaux was the king of their race, while Alethea was the daughter of a Marquis in the human world. Alethea has the power to manipulate the truth in any form, while Ezekiel has the power to manipulate a person's mind, body, and actions.

I'll chin up and give it some serious thought. "Former Lady Alethea joined the human knights who were ambushed by the vampire race, and the two first encountered each other when they clashed swords. Those two have equal strength. Because neither of them wants to give up, their fight ends in a truce," Zain said, sitting down on the grass.

Alethea will have to answer this question for me later, I suppose. Along with the appearance of the fireflies, the nighttime air was chilly. Zain stood up and took off his coat as I was giving myself a hug. To warm me up, he placed it on my shoulders. "You should not forget your coat or cloak to warm you up," Zain advises me as I turn to face the sky. "Spring breezes are also cold, but still, winter coldness is superior to the spring chill wind," he adds.

After mentioning his suggestion, I nod. He leads the way as I return to the palace. I found a letter on my bed when I got back to my room. When I opened it, and my eyes grew wide. I am familiar with the letter's sender. After reading it, I tore it to pieces. Why in the world is he in the Eblines?