Chapter 14 - Sweet Surprise

Sharumez couldn't keep a straight face as he rushed upstairs to see Sharaina. He could hear the terrible sound of a guitar been played poorly but it didn't cut his thoughts. What Akirexer and Naian had said about Sharaina was too good to be true.

The tone deaf sound got louder by the time he got to Sharaina's door. Sharumez opened the door wide and saw Sharaina and Light sitting on the carpet. When Sharumez looked into Sharaina's eyes and saw no drunkenness, he took off his hat and dramatically placed it on his chest. He then proceeded to give a long gasp. Light found the whole thing odd but he didn't know what to do or say so he just kept quiet.

"So, it is true." he said, surprised.

Sharaina squealed and gave Sharumez a big hug. He sniffed her and when he smelt no alcohol on her, he lifted her up happily and twirled her around. Light smiled at them and put his guitar aside.

"Papa, you are home. I missed you so much." Sharaina chuckled.

Sharumez set his palm on Sharaina's head. "I missed you too my child." he flashed a smile at Light who was evidently feeling awkward. "How are you, son?" He greeted him.

"I am fine, thank you." Light answered and sealed his reply with a firm handshake.

"What are you two up to?" Sharumez happily asked them.

"Light is teaching me how to play the guitar." Sharaina explained to Sharumez.

Sharumez took a step back and narrowed his eyes at Sharaina. "So it was you who was playing so terribly."

His comment was met with a frown and pout from Sharaina. She sat on her bed with folded hands and a pout. Light couldn't stop himself from giggling at her. Sharaina shot an unhappy look to her father. Her classic puppy dog face was clear and it made Sharumez playfully pinch her cheek.

"I was thinking that I was getting better. Thank you for killing my confidence papa." Sharaina complained and it sent out chuckles from Sharumez and Light.

"I'm sorry dear. Keep practicing and you will get there for sure." Sharumez apologized and Sharaina smiled brightly at him. "We have a guest downstairs. Her name is Emelinia. Please go and greet her while I freshen up." Sharumez asked of Sharaina and she nodded her head like a bubbly little girl.

Sharaina and Light went downstairs immediately Sharumez left them. They caught sight of the nervous Emelinia sitting alone in the living room. Her legs were locked together and her back was straight. Emelinia's eyes were on the pictures hanging on the wall. Sharaina extended her hand in greeting to her and she recognized her from the pictures.

'She is more beautiful in person.' Emelinia silently thought as she took Sharaina's hand.

"Hello Emelinia. I am Sharaina." Sharaina kindly introduced herself. she turned to Light. "This is my friend, Light."

Light nodded his head with a smile at his introduction.

"Please, feel free in our home." Sharaina further said, with the same kindness.

"Thank you." Emelinia smiled faintly.

Light and Sharaina sat together and Akirexer walked in with freshly baked cookies. She set them on the table. Alainara set a smaller separate plate for Emelinia. This was because Akirexer feared that Emelinia wouldn't feel comfortable eating cookies from the same plate as everyone else. Her thoughts were proved by the look of relief on Emelinia's face. Light and Sharaina each picked a cookie whereas Alainara picked three and sat down on the carpet to eat.

Sharumez joined everyone and sat on his sofa. He placed the bag he was carrying on the floor. He merrily called Akirexer and Naian into the living room. Naian was first to arrive. He sat opposite Emelinia and when the two locked eyes, Emelinia felt uneasy and turned her gaze away.

"Akirexer, please come and sit with us for a little while." Sharumez called out to Akirexer once more.

Akirexer walked into the living room while wiping her hands on her apron. She sat down on her usual seat next to Sharumez. Everyone watched Sharumez zip open the bag and pull out a teddy bear.

Alainara's eyes beamed with so much joy and excitement. She screamed and snatched the teddy bear from Sharumez's hands. She gave it a big hug and jumped up and down. Everyone smiled happily at her.

"Thank you so much papa." She squealed.

"You're welcome dear." Sharumez answered her and went back into the bag. He pulled out a case and gave it to Naian.

"This is a nice watch, papa." Naian happily said after opening the case.

Sharumez pulled out another case that was larger than Naian's. "This is for you, Sharaina." He gave it to her.

Sharaina opened the case and Light peeped at what was inside. She marveled at the beautiful pearl necklace with matching earrings. Sharaina went to Sharumez and kissed him on his cheek. She went back to her seat and took out the necklace.

"Help me put it on." she asked Light.

Light was caught off guard by her sudden request. He nervously eyed Sharumez and Naian. They didn't seem to mind that Sharaina asked him to help her. Sharaina gave the necklace to Light and turned her back to him. She held her hair apart as he slowly and carefully put the necklace on her.

"I love it so much papa. For once your taste in jewelry hasn't disappointed me." she teased.

Sharumez grinned at her snappy remark and when he got a glimpse of Akirexer frowning, he smirked. Akirexer had peeped into the bag and saw that there was nothing left. She sadly faced away with her hands folded.

'Oh, no.' Naian internally thought and fidgeted in his seat so as to conceal his tension.

'Mama will definitely be in a bad mood today. I may have to sleep at Liss's house tonight.' Sharaina plotted as she maintained her straight face.

"Akirexer, I didn't have enough money to get anything for you." Sharumez said softly to her.

'Oh yes, I'm sleeping over at Liss'.' Sharaina made up her mind.

'Today is going to be a long day.' Naian pulled his collar.

"I understand, honey. You don't have to explain yourself." she said and sadly got up.

"Akirexer wait!" Sharumez called out to her and she turned to him with hopeful eyes.

'Phew!' Naian relaxed and leaned back.

'I knew papa was fooling.' Sharaina grinned.

"My coat is dirty. Please wash it now. I want to wear it tomorrow." he said to her and her heart dropped.

'What?!' Naian's eyes stretched.

'Okay time to take my necklace off.' Sharaina sighed.

"Sure, I will do so now." Akirexer replied lowly.

"Would you mind checking if there's anything in the pockets? I think I left some money in there." Sharumez requested of her.

'We're doomed.' Naian and Sharaina lamented.

Akirexer nodded her head and slowly started to check the pockets. She suddenly felt a hard box like thing in the third pocket she checked. She pulled out a tiny black case. Akirexer gasped and dropped the coat.

She opened the box with shaky hands and shrieked in happiness when she saw a diamond ring in it. She started to jump up and down like Alainara did. Everyone started laughing at that point. They really believed that Sharumez didn't get her anything.

"I know that it has been long overdue." Sharumez lovingly said to her.

Akirexer gave the case back to him. "Put it on my finger." she asked of him.

"I would love to."

Sharumez slowly slid the ring down Akirexer's finger until it set on her wedding ring. Akirexer held out her hand and admired the flashy ring on her finger. Sharumez pulled out two cases that he carefully hid before sitting down.

"Here, I got you a jewelry set too." he said and watched her eyes twinkle in anticipation.

Sharumez gave the other case to Alainara. She put her doll down and opened it. The colorful bead necklace and bracelet delighted Alainara. She wanted to wear them immediately but Akirexer forbade her.

"You'll only wear them on special occasions. Remember what happened to the last necklace I got you?" Akirexer told Alainara.

Alainara closed the case and gave it to Akirexer. She picked up her doll and sat on Sharumez's lap.

"Wow papa you had us fooled for a moment there." Naian said and everyone laughed.

"I really thought that you were going to ruin our day by upsetting mama." Sharaina added. "I even regretted trying on my necklace."

"This just goes to show that your old man can pull a good joke."

****

The day was active and busy as usual in Cherilisia. Everyone was going up and down with their business. King Raglan sat drinking tea on a roof of his castle. He was in the company of twenty guards.

King Raglan enjoyed the view of his kingdom from his rooftop because he was able to see far beyond the horizon. It was always a beautiful moment for him to admire his kingdom.

King Raglan faced down to drink his tea when he heard his guards gasp. He reluctantly looked up and tilted his head when he saw over 20 kremis attacking Cherilisia.

His eyes glowed red and he was able to see the terrified people screaming and running for their lives. He looked on baffled as to why so many kremis would attack Cherilisia because the city had no gaku berries.

King Raglan finished his cup and rose to his feet. He took off his kingly robe and tossed it to a guard. His huge dragon mark on his hand morphed into a thick double edged sword.

King Raglan launched up before his guards could stop him. He landed with a thud in the midst of the market. The people ran past him in great fear. They were too petrified to notice King Raglan glaring at the kremis.

King Raglan launched up again and swung his sword. A large static wave was created and wiped out more than half the kremis in its direction. They were all completely burnt to ashes. King Raglan held his sword to the side as he ran on rooftops.

He punched one kremis and its entire body burst. It's body pieces rained down on the people. King Raglan blocked a blow from a kremis with his sword. He hit it under its jaw with his knee and its head popped out. It's foul blood drenched him.

King Raglan turned to the remaining kremis. He swung his sword at them and it produced another static wave that wiped them out. King Raglan jumped off a rooftop and found himself surrounded by his people. He ignored them and focused on a familiar presence. He walked to a wagon and sliced it open.

There were kremis eggs in it.

King Raglan furiously kicked the wagon onto a wall and all the eggs got destroyed. He looked at the nervous crowd around him with so much fury. None even dared to cough let alone sneeze in his presence.

"In as much as these eggs are a delicacy, it is completely stupid to steal from a herd of kremis!" he thundered at the people. "Who is responsible for this?"

"It is him, your majesty." A woman pointed at a hibernating man.

King Raglan turned away and his guards surrounded him. They forced the people to back away from him. One guard walked over to Raglan and covered him in his robe. A dragon gracefully landed in front of King Raglan and he got on it.

It then took off into the sky and left the people murmuring to themselves. Some expressed their anger for the man who put their lives in danger whilst others praised their king.

****

The day went smoothly in Gemhules. Light said goodbye to the family after he had dinner with them. Emelinia had gotten a little comfortable in the Sharumez household. She was fascinated by how Sharumez and his entire family were kind to her despite knowing very little about her. She got into her bed and snoozed off.

Sharumez sat on his bed and took his shoes off. Akirexer was brushing her hair at the dressing table. She caught Sharumez smiling at her through the mirror. Akirexer tied her hair and faced him.

With a wide smile across her face, she asked, "What did King Raglan say about Sharaina?"

Sharumez's smile turned into a frown and he turned his face away from Akirexer. Her heart skipped a beat and she rushed to Sharumez. She knelt down at his feet and placed her hands on his knees. Sharumez looked her in the eyes and saw how scared she was.

With a lump in his throat, he replied. "He wants her to join the military."

Akirexer broke down crying upon hearing that. Sharumez picked her from the floor and made her sit beside him. He held her tight in his arms and rested his chin on her head. The sound of her weeps were all that could be heard.

Sharumez could feel her warm tears wetting his shirt and he held her tighter. He too wanted to cry but he had to hold back his own tears. His fear was that if she saw him cry, she was going to get even more upset than she already was.

"Akirexer, we have always known that a day like this was going to come. We knew this the moment we set our eyes on her dragon mark when she was born. She has never really belonged to us but to Dark Star. We were just care takers." Sharumez lovingly said to Akirexer and she cried even more.

"I am not ready to let her go. Once she leaves, there's no telling when she will return. She will be gone for years. I can't imagine living without her." she voiced out her heartache in between her sobs.

"You should have convinced King Raglan otherwise. Perhaps there would have been another way. She isn't even of age so how can we send her to go and endure the harshness that comes with the military?" Akirexer asked Sharumez with so much pain in her voice that it made him loss for words.

Sharaina was walking down the hallway when she heard her parents talking about her. Her curiosity got the best of her so she stood beside the door to listen.

"It is very important that she goes, Akirexer. We can no longer provide for all her needs. Now that her powers have activated, she will need to start feeding. Where are we going to find vampires to feed her with?" Sharumez softly tried to reason with Akirexer.

Akirexer sniffed, "How much more time do we have with her?" she asked.

"We have exactly 28 days." Sharumez whispered.

Sharaina's heart sank so deep that it momentarily made her dizzy. She couldn't hold back her tears when she realized that she only had 28 days to be home with her family. She covered her mouth and rushed back to her room crying. Sharaina closed her door and slide down on it crying even more.