Mortem

After leaving the island the group boarded a helicopter to another private island and from there took a portal to another world, the vampire kingdom.

This plane is also known as the land of the undead. A long time ago it was split into many small kingdoms or cities but now all the undead species are under the rule of the vampire royal family.

The hierarchy in the kingdom is an old-fashioned monarchy with aristocrats, vassals, servants, and slaves.

There are many different types of undead living here, be it ghouls, zombies, specters, and so on...

The capital city is called "Mortem". The city walls are around 20 meters high and 4 meters thick. It is made of an unknown material that is of solid black color.

The cityscape is symmetrical and dark. In the middle, from the entrance, the main road opens to the central square where you will see all kinds of establishments and all kinds of creatures.

The main attraction of the city is a huge floating castle in the same black color.

Daytime in the undead plane is only 3 hours every day and 21 hours of the night.

The whole undead plane knew that the princess was coming back so the city was adorned in emerald roses to welcome her.

After arriving in the Mortem Lucius and Silas bid Thana goodbye and left to deal with their own matters, while Julian stayed with her and started showing her around the castle.

He showed her the main rooms and the garden.

She met Julian's personal guard and closest assistant Linda. She was a tall, blond woman with broad shoulders and glasses. Her piercing red eyes did nothing to cover her facial paralysis, but she was very respectful towards Thana when she did talk.

Thana also met the head butler of the castle, Razmin. He looked like a man in his early 40ies, but his real age was unknown.

After the tour, Julian brought her to the dining room.

"What about Lucius and Silas?" Asked Thana.

"They will arrive here soon, they are taking care of some things." Said Julian with a warm smile as he sat beside his sister and ordered the servants to start the dinner.

As they served the food Lucius and Silas also arrived. They were still discussing some things, but after seeing Thana both of them stopped talking and greeted her warmly.

Three princes of the undead land were known as nothing but cruel, scary and bloody, and even after serving in the castle for many years and centuries workers here had nothing to say to deny those claims.

Seeing as the trio smiled for the first time ever and looking at their warm and tender expressions the workers couldn't help but shudder in fear and looked at their beautiful new princess with even more fear and reverence.

Unaware of their thoughts the royals dined with relish as they spoiled their sister.

A few minutes into the dinner Silas brought up a new topic.

"Thana, now that you are back we have lots of things to do."

"Like?"

"Well, as a member of the royal family you will have to choose 7 people as your direct helpers: guards, maids, and so on. We will also need to have an official banquet to welcome you back as soon as possible, but I have already started preparations for that, Razmin is in charge of it, and…"

"And?"

"Thana you are the official person who is first in line to the throne after our parent's death as the three of us are not biological children of Cecilia and Kieran."

As Silas's words fell all the servants couldn't help feeling cold as they shuddered. Even Razmin and Linda weren't exactly calm and everyone looked at Lucius, the current king, and Thana.

Unfortunately for everyone the main characters of the play were not even bothered by the conversation and acted as nothing happened.

Lucius still smiled at Thana softly and picked more food for her to eat and Thana also accepted her brother's care with a bright smile.

She looked at Lucius and asked.

"Do you like being the king?"

Lucius didn't stop his action as he answered.

"I am just a temporary king before you sit on the throne."

"That's not what I asked. I don't want to rule the undead plane, but in case you don't like being the king I don't want you to feel like you have no other choice and take responsibility. So, do you like being the king?" Asked Thana once again.

At Thana's words, not only the servants but her brothers were also surprised. They couldn't help but look at Thana with puzzlement.

This time Lucius stopped and looked at his sister for a while before speaking.

"Many would give everything to rule the undead plane."

"I am not many. I am me. I have no interest in ruling, it's a lot of work and responsibility."

"I can be the king before you feel like you are ready." Said Lucius thought that she was making a rash decision.

Looking at her brothers Thana couldn't help but sigh.

"Everyone should leave." She ordered with a soft voice and soon only the four of them were left in the room.

"I know that I will never want to be the ruler. I am not making a rash decision because I don't want the responsibility. I am tired in more ways than you can imagine and I have things I want to do, being a ruler is not on the long list.

I know how you feel. I understand you very well and I understand that my rejection was not in your plans so, I will get it if you don't want to be the king. We have two other candidates here and even if they refuse I'm sure we can find someone to trick into taking the hot potato." Said Thana.

Lucius, Silas, and Julian couldn't help but look at her with gaping mouths. The spot that billions would kill for was now described by their sister as a hot potato. They all couldn't help but feel troubled by the revelation that their sister had no plans to take the throne.

But before they had a chance to even speak, Thana spoke once again.

"Lucius, Cecilia, and Kieran brought you up as a future king. Have you ever thought it wasn't to keep the place for me but to rule?"