Flashing Red Eyes

Hena couldn't get Mark off of her mind. She really thought it was her childhood friend. But the only thing that was familiar for her was his face. And nothing else.

"Is something bothering you, milady?" asked Claire fixing her gaze to Hena, who was in a daze.

"Yes?" She snapped herself back to reality and vigorously shake her head.

"It seemed that you were surprised earlier," Claire commented. "Your vampire instincts came out."

"Ah, yes…" Hena responded.

But more like, she was even more shocked to see a familiar place here in the East kingdom, ruled by vampires. She thought it was impossible for humans to reside here.

And even coming here made her become one.

"I heard from the maidservants earlier," Claire explained as she helped her tend her dress. "They said your vampire instincts came out when you were with Knight Mark."

Hena's almond-shaped eyes fixed her gaze unto Claire as she continued to speak, "You're a half-vampire, milady. Normally, vampire instincts won't come out. Getting bitten by the prince, a royal vampire at that, will only make you heal your wounds faster than normal and as a royal offer to the prince, not crave for one."

"Then, why did I suddenly crave blood at that exact moment?" Hena asked. "It was my first time experiencing that."

"Of course, you were human all your life." The maidservant responded with a worried look on her face. "Even commoner vampires like us don't immediately jump into human beings like that, only the rich and noble vampires can acquire human servants and drink off of their blood."

Hena swallowed the lump in her throat. She wanted to ask something but she dreaded on how she would ask it, and even if she did, she was afraid to hear the answer she was looking for.

She took a deep breath and decided to ask it for her own sake.

"Am I already a vampire then?"

Claire became silent for a brief second. Even she didn't know what to answer of it. If she was to recall, it was the first time that they had such an occassion inside the palace, and even to the whole kingdom.

Human beings are not capable of becoming fully vampires.

At least, that was what they thought.

This would be the first case that a human would actually turn into one.

"No," Claire shook her head in response. "It was just a one time scenario, milady. Don't be too bothered about it."

Hena sighed in relief. Although she didn't hate vampires, she didn't want to become independent and suck human's blood as her way of getting food. Being human was what she had always been and wanted.

Healing of wounds is the best thing she had ever received as a half-vampire as well. She would never have to fear for her life. Just that and nothing else.

Drinking blood has never settled well in her.

"I liked myself better when I'm only half-vampire, and still fully human."

+++

"Did you call for me, Lady Hena?"

The brown-haired knight spoke as he entered the room. Hena had been waiting for her for about five minutes.

Claire, the maidservant who stood by her side spoke, "The guest has arrived. I will now start preparing some early grey tea."

"Please do," Hena responded as she gracefully turned her head and looked at the man whom she has requested to meet. "Royal knight, that's right. I called for an audience with you." With a smile, she gestured at the seat across her, "Please take a seat."

With light footsteps, Mark gently closed the door after the maidservant had left. He approached the seat and sat in an upright position.

"Milady, it's a pleasure to be with you here."

"It's the same for me."

"What made you request for me?" He asked worriedly, licking his dry lips in a hurry. "Perhaps, did I make you feel uncomfortable with earlier's event?"

Hena had already noticed that the knight had already changed his clothes. He was now wearing a * normal suit * that fitted his muscular body that well. Suddenly, she was reminded of how his broad chest felt and how she could hear his heart beat loudly.

It appeared that she wasn't the only one who felt slightly uncomfortable with what happened to them.

"Your face look red, milady." Mark remarked as he furrowed his brows, worrying about her. "Are you not feeling well somewhere? Perhaps, have you already gotten a cold——"

The knight abruptly paused for a while and turned his head to the side. In a split second, he had already let out a sneeze. It was a small one, and Hena could not help but find him adorable in that state.

"It appeared that I am not that one who caught a cold, Royal Knight," she spoke with a light chuckle.

"I apologize for my rudeness, my lady!" Mark blinked, flustered at the sudden situation. "I didn't mean to sneeze right in front of you."

"It's okay, royal knight." She responded with a light smile, "I sneeze as well. I have missed any normal interactions with humans. Most vampires don't sneeze or cough. The human traits I used to have already disappeared."

As if empathizing with her, he finally let out a small sigh. "There's always a reason for everything, my lady. And I'm sure there's a reason why the prince had chosen you to become one."

"I hope so," Hena said.

"And please, don't address me formally such as royal knight." Mark said as his eyes crinkled. "You can call me by my name, Lady Hena. You are the vampire prince's future wife after all."

Hena was surprised. A small fragment of memory flashed into her eyes.

"Don't address me with any honorifics as I'm only a son of a merchant and call me by my name. You are the princess, the future ruler of the North Kingdom after all."

Mark.

Now, Hena had been certain.

This man was the friend she met back then when she was a thirteen year old girl. They had the same voice and face, and even the way they talk and their mannerisms.

But how on Earth did he arrive here in the East Kingdom?