2030-08-13: Trust.

Milla consumes all the food when one of the pilots serves them and leaves her be again. She peeks at the beautiful lights on land that can be seen from the height they are currently in, with all the darkness everywhere- these lights stand out. Then she checks out the bedroom and decides to stay there until they reach her destination. 

She dozes off then wakes up eight hours later or a little more than that of tossing and sleeping. The small refrigerator inside the bedroom enters her sight, she scans it and sees some snacks and chocolates. Like an ordinary human, she doesn't let the opportunity go and eat these free foods.

Anyone would feel satiety or the physical feeling of fullness after eating every food inside the fridge. But she smells the food outside prepared by the pilots and she doesn't hesitate to head there. Both of them are not informed about who their passenger is since she's concealed earlier. They realize she's a vampire because of her glass stained with blood.

They never expect the vampire to be this strikingly beautiful and none other than the Empress, herself. She seems to be forgetting that she's not wearing her hood or her mask- showcasing her messy dark red long hair, white skin that makes both her eyes and lips stand out the most. Despite feeling their stares, she only cares about the large steak on the table and nothing else.

Watching her pour herself a glass filled with blood is like a wake-up call for one of the pilots. As he pulls the other one who hasn't found his way back to Earth because his co-pilot's mind is currently absent. And they successfully get back inside the cockpit, unscathed.

It doesn't take long for the second person to recover and the look of incredulity can be seen on both of their faces while looking at each other. The co-pilot widens his eyes and signals his hands towards her direction, though they can not talk about a vampire who would definitely hear them. So, the pilot shushes him to warn him, they will have to wait until they land. Neither of them knows that there will be no next time whereas who would have guessed that she can erase memories.

Milla doesn't like using any of her powers in view of the fact that it depletes her energy and Lucinda urged her not to. For what reason, she doesn't recall receiving any justification. 'She probably doesn't want me to exhaust myself,' that's what she keeps saying to herself.

It takes them 10 hours and 42 minutes to reach Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia from Gustavus, Alaska. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world because of its physical beauty. She observes the city from above, the sight is incredible particularly when the sun is up and bright like today.

Before landing and parking the private jet in a hangar, the pilot announces on board, "We'll be landing shortly, please fasten your seatbelts. Thank you for flying with us, Empress."

Instead of staying in her seat, she rises up and goes to the mini pantry of the aircraft. She takes a lot of what looks like a juice pouch or sachet which has a resealable spout as its cap. The discrepancy is it doesn't have juice in it, but it all contains blood. She puts them inside her bag then returns to her seat.

Taxiing is done hence the co-pilot exits the cockpit and opens the hatch door. Thereafter, they clean up everything and dispose of the remaining stock of blood. In this way, she can dash in subtle full speed and nobody can follow or catch a glimpse of her. They spot the private jet empty with their memories wiped and have no knowledge of who their passenger is.

"Where...? Who...? Bro, why can't I remember?"

The pilot talks back to him with concern in his voice, "Me neither… the heck? How can we explain this? What if we get fired?"

Contemporaneously, the smell of seafood everywhere penetrates Milla's nostrils, 'Wow! Should I stay here- uhm, where am I right now, in... Richmond for the meantime? But I just ate, right? Ugh, I guess food has to wait and I'll head straight to... Washington.'

…

Back in Hinchinbrook, Island.

The majority of the vampires inside the mansion can't discern a change in their daily routine. Except, the Empress isn't with them at lunch. The vampire king inquires about her from the head servant who's older than him, "Did the Empress eat earlier than usual?"

She answers him with regard, "The Empress didn't come down to eat breakfast thus I increased the meal portions for lunch."

"Oh, maybe she's still sleeping. We should let her rest and not disturb her." 

The evening is about to start and they haven't seen her or even a blur of her all day. They are beginning to feel worried- not for her skipping meals but the likelihood that she already left. They- consist of the vampire king, Frederick, Rhine, and Steve… maybe.

Frederick, the most sincere out of everyone, has the courage to check up on her because he truly wishes to accompany her on the outside world. He doesn't have any child to care for and he views her as a daughter to a father. Some may say that it's unlikely for the short duration that she's with them, but they don't get to witness personally the little child she is on the inside.

He feels bad for her because which parent would allow their kid to spend an eternity consigned to the grave. Where were they to guide, discipline, and cherish her? Are they alive? Do they know she is awake? These are some of the few things that he randomly asks himself every time he sees her.

Back to the present, the others aren't brave enough to knock on her bedroom if the reason isn't significant. The Grand Elder arrives upstairs as he knocks on her door, "Empress? It's almost time to eat dinner, you didn't eat breakfast and lunch."

Nothing. No response from her or any noise coming from her room. Only silence answers him back.

"Empress…? Are you… there?" Sadness is painted on his face as he ponders despite knowing the truth, 'If she's here, she'll give no attention to my constant nagging and continue sleeping like a kid who doesn't want to attend school. *laughs lightly* You shouldn't be by yourself… again, Milla. 300 years of being deserted, wasn't it enough?'

Steve and the vampire king detect the drop shoulders of Frederick with no one following behind- earning their answer. Being his usual joking self, the vampire prince grumbles, "She didn't even bother to say goodbye, the temerity! Aww! What's that smack for?"

"You can't talk like that regarding the Empress! Even though she's not here, she's still our Vampire Empress. Don't speak like she'll be gone forever. Who knows, she might have heard you from wherever she is right now." His father recognizes whenever his son is being a tease so he also wants to pick on him.

Steve nervously laughs, "Dad, that's not funny. Don't say jokes like that."

"When did I say I was joking?"

"..."

"And do you even know what temerity means?"

"No. I heard my professor say it so I wanted to try mimicking her. I sounded smart, did I?" He raises his eyebrows up and down while wearing a goofy smile.

His father smiles meaningfully back at him, "Let me guess, she unquestionably said that word to you. What did you do this time?"

Steve touches his head with his finger acting like he's thinking about something, "Ohhh! I forgot that I have to do a project. Got to go, dad!"

The bickering of the father and son duo lifts up the mood of Frederick. But his concerns are not fading away, "Samuel, do you think I should go after the Empress?"

Samuel, the vampire king, replies respectfully, "Grand Elder, I don't recommend you doing that. Remember her warning to us?"

Her warning is as clear as the daylight in their minds, "After I depart for my travels, don't follow me. No excuses. I'll contact anyone from the mansion if I ever need to. Is that clear?"

"We have nothing to worry about, Grand Elder. I believe that she can take good care of herself. Trust that she understands what she's accomplishing." Frederick can only nod at the vampire king but his words do carry weight.

While Rhine is currently at their headquarters because he's not allowed on the fourth floor of the mansion. He has no business there at all so it will be suspicious of him to roam. Dianne, one of the elite vampire guards, visits him and walks straight behind the table to where he's sitting.

She halts in front of him and leans forward as they share a quick but light kiss. She studies his face which has a surly expression on, "What's up with you lately? We haven't seen each other that much and now you welcome me with that look."

"I'm just busy with something. And what if someone discovers the two of us here? You should leave, we'll meet up soon."

Stepping away, she stamps her feet while mumbling to herself, "I went all the way here for nothing. Nevermind that report, I don't care-"

"Rhine, you-" Dianne finds herself pinned on the wall with his hand on her back and another on her side, 'What's gotten into him? I thought he wanted me to leave.'