The wedding has been postponed

Hey dear readers. I have decided to give you a glimpse of the Book of Evil. I hope you still remember that the Book of Evil is Ruth's family heirloom.

'Death will follow his trail

Darkness will swallow the world

The gates of hades will be opened

Only him is the ruler of every single creature on earth

and in hell

When the time of destruction comes, blood will flow in the streets

Screams of anguish will be heard

Every single creature will die

Old or young

Mortal or immortal

Healthy or sick

And there will be no survivor...'

- The Book of Evil

******************

"All of you failed to look after a single weak human!" a cold and bone chilling voice boomed in the hall.

Everyone was kneeling with their heads lowered. Their bodies shook uncontrollably with fear. Cold sweat broke on their foreheads.

They all knew that the king was angry!! He seldom became angry but when he did... Things usually don't end well!

"William, I am going to ask you for the fifth time... Where is the girl?"

A pair of frosty red eyes landed on the poor frightened Lord William/ Fatty.

Fatty felt a chill run down his spine.

He opened his mouth but no sound came out.

The wedding was to take place after a week and the bride was missing!

What were they going to do now?

"Postpone the wedding. Tell everyone who had been invited that the bride's illness has been acting up lately so the wedding has been postponed. And find that human girl."

Fatty stood up and bowed before dragging his fat body quickly out of the hall.

The vampire king looked at the terrified servants. A strong stench of urine wafted in the air. He frowned and quickly covered his nose. Somebody had peed in his pants.

"You may all leave and await your punishment," he dismissed them. They all kowtowed and stood up. They did not dare to look at the king and scurried quickly out of the hall as if they were being chased by something. The king's lips twitched in disdain when he noticed their actions.

After the servants had left, a woman wearing a flamboyant red dress entered. Her dress was too tight and her cleavage was visible. Her lips were painted dark red and she swayed her hips seductively as she walked towards the expressionless king.

"Good evening, my lord," she said with a seductive tone as she hugged his arm. He did not respond. However the woman did not mind. She whispered in his ears. "Let me serve you well tonight."

He suddenly grabbed her roughly and dug his fangs into her neck. She gasped in pain but he did not let her go. He began to suck her blood until she lost consciousness. He threw her lifeless body away effortlessly and ordered the guards, "Get her out of my sight."

The guards bowed and picked up the lifeless body and left.

He licked his lips, feeling not satisfied. An image of a young woman popped in his mind and his gums began to itch. He growled in frustration and disappeared into thin air.

Athena sat quietly as she watched Lady Alisha and Trisha fight with interest. Weeks had already passed while she was staying at Lady Alisha's home.

Her wounds recovered surprisingly fast.

Trisha's clothes were drenched with sweat and she panted heavily as she struggled to defend herself from her mother's swift and dangerous attacks. The sword seemed to be to heavy for her as she could not raise it properly.

On the other hand, Lady Alisha was doing well. Her attacks were quick and she did not seem to get tired any time soon at all. One could tell that she was a well trained swordswoman. She managed to block Trisha's slow and feeble attacks. Two hours had already passed since they had started the training session.

"Can't we stop now? I am tired," Trisha complained as she dodged weakly Lady Alisha's sword. She raised her own sword and thrust it at her with all her strength. Lady Alisha dodged effortlessly and gave her a small kick which caught her off guard and was sent flying. She landed heavily on the ground and groaned.

She spat out some blood before she struggled to stand up. "It's time to end this..."

With a shout, she charged towards Lady Alisha, determined to knock her out. Lady Alisha scoffed and did not move. Trisha raised her sword to strike her. Her eyes shone with determination and ruthlessness. She wanted to win...

Lady Alisha moved to the other side, making her slash the air. Lady Alisha gave her a whirlwind kick which sent her flying again and landed heavily on the ground. This time she did not stand up. Instead she waved her hands weakly.

"I admit defeat," she said with a weak and tired voice.

"You are too weak and pathetic," Lady Alisha sneered and gave her a light kick which made her yelp in pain. "You are too cruel. You are a brute!"

Lady Alisha scoffed and began to walk towards Athena.

"Aren't you going to help me stand up, mother?" Trisha whined with no intention of getting up.

"No," Lady Alisha refused flatly.

"You are not my mother."

"I don't have a weak and lazy daughter like you."

Trisha pouted, feeling slightly upset. "I don't want to talk to you anymore!"

Lady Alisha ignored her whining and turned to talk to Athena. "Are you feeling hungry?"

Athena shook her head. "You were really awesome!" She gave her thumbs up. Her big doe green eyes sparkled with admiration. She looked rather cute.

Lady Alisha smiled and ruffled her hair.

"I can teach you how to fight using a sword if you want."

"Really? I would love to but..." she paused and looked down.

"But?"

Athena looked at her and contemplated if she could tell her. She stared into those soft brown eyes which always reminded her of her foster mother, Rebecca. She seemed to be a trustworthy person.

"I can't do any hard work."

"Why?"

"Because..." She hesitated. Should she tell her? "I have an unknown and incurable illness. No one can cure me. Her voice lowered as she continued. "If I overwork myself, my already short life will shorten... I know that sooner or later I am going to die..."

Lady Alisha was silent for a moment. She opened her mouth and said slowly, "I don't know what to say..."

"It's okay," she gave her a weak smile. "You don't have to say anything."

An awkward silence fell between them.

Trisha who had finally managed to get up walked towards the two. She sensed that something was wrong immediately because of their expressions. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Athena shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and stood up. "I am going to fetch a glass of water." She excused herself and left.

Trisha scratched her head and turned to look at her mother. "What's wrong with her?"

Lady Alisha bit her lip. She suddenly covered her nose and moved away from her.

Trisha, "??"

"Go and take a shower right now. You smell like shit," Lady Athena said in a low tone. With a mischievous wink, she left hastily.

Trisha, "..."

Her face turned beet red and yelled loudly, "Mother!!"

She stomped her foot in infuriation.

How could she insult her like that? Feeling humiliated, she left the place in rage.

A few minutes later, a familiar little girl who was hiding behind a tree all this time watching the three, facepalmed as she stared at Trisha's disappearing back.

"That was rather too blunt," she mumbled before she fell in deep thought. "Unknown... Incurable illness," she muttered. An understanding look flashed in Sophia's eyes. She nodded her head. She casted quick glances in every direction to make sure that no one had seen her before she also left.

Athena had just quenched her thirst and was placing the empty glass down when Lady Alisha entered. Athena gave her a smile and began to walk towards the door.

"Athena," Lady Alisha called out.

Athena stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at her.

"I can still teach you slowly..."

Athena pressed her lips into a thin line.

"I want you to think about it. Don't you want to become strong? Don't you want to face your enemies head on instead of running away in the future?"

Athena balled her fists tightly. "I want to become strong..." Her eyes shone with determination. She was tired of running all the time!

"Good," Lady Alisha smiled. "Now, go and get some rest. We will start the training session after two hours."

Athena nodded and reached for the door handle.

"Umm Athena..."

Athena paused and waited for her to continue. "I am sure that your illness can be cured."

Athena bit her lip and said grimly, "My illness can never be cured. Please don't mention it again."

Lady Alisha sighed as she watched the door close.

Athena woke up when she heard someone knock the door. "I am coming!" she shouted as she climbed out of bed.

"Is it time already?" she said as she opened the door, thinking that it was Lady Alisha.

"Can you please give me a few minutes to..." she trailed off, looking surprised. The person standing in front of her was not Lady Alisha at all. It was none other than the domineering and cold Trevor.

She took a step back and said warily, "Why are you here?"

Her eyes landed on the familiar and dirty bag he was holding.

"That's my bag," she said as she took it from him. "You had gone to Moonlight Inn to retrieve my bag?"

He nodded and said, "Why do you have so much medicine in your bag?"

Her expression turned stiff and said flatly, "It's none of your business." She did not even thank him and slammed the door in his face.

Trevor shook his head and left.

In her room, she emptied her bag and slowly counted her gold coins. Not even a single coin was missing. She smiled in satisfaction. Now, it was time for her to take her medicine. She took up two red pills and went to the kitchen. She swallowed her pills and drank a glass of water.

She was meant to get married next week to a blood sucking creature.... She felt goosebumps all over her body at the sudden thought.

"Oh, you are already up." She heard a familiar voice. She turned to see Lady Alisha standing at the doorway. "Are you ready?" she said as she looked at her dishevelled hair with amusement.

"I think so," she answered, quite unaware of her messy appearance and followed Lady Alisha to the courtyard.

Lady Alisha picked up two swords and handed one sword to her. "Here."

Athena accepted eagerly to just end up falling down with the sword. It was so heavy.

"Pfft." Trisha who had just arrived stifled a laugh.

Athena shot a glare at her and stood up. She tried to pick it up but failed. Why was it so heavy?

Lady Alisha picked the sword up and gave it her. This time she tried to not fall but her body began to tremble violently. Cold sweat broke on her forehead.

"You are doing great," Lady Alisha said patiently. "Now try to move it backward and forward."

It took every ounce of her energy to move it backward.

"Great." She gave her thumbs up. "Now move it slowly forward. That's it. Now move it backward again."

Athena grunted and did what she was told. Lady Alisha clapped. "Now forward then backward again"

Athena bit her bottom lip hard as she moved the heavy object forward. With shaking hands, she tried to move the sword forward to end up falling. She had drained all her energy.

"I am so weak and useless," she said helplessly.

Her eyes watered at the thought and she let out a self mocking laugh. "I am so pathetic."

Someone came to stand beside her and stretched his hand out. Athena cocked her head and saw that it was Trevor. She was surprised and did not move.

"Take my hand," he said. His voice was neither cold or warm.

Athena hesitated. 'Should I take his hand?' she pondered.

Did he get hit in the head or something?

"I am not going to bite you," he said in a teasing manner. Her jaw dropped in shock. Did he take the wrong medicine today?

She hesitantly placed her small and pale hand in his big and cold one. She was helped to stand up but he did not let her hand go.

She suddenly felt shy and tried to retract her hand but this made his grip tightened. He looked into her innocent big green eyes and said seriously, "Don't give up..." With that he loosened his grip and moved away from her. Athena stood there in a daze. Trisha came with a water bottle. She took it away from her and drank slowly.

"How do you feel?" Trisha asked.

"I feel okay," she replied.

"Keep it up, kiddo." Trisha grinned and patted her back. Athena felt warm and smiled. She turned to look at Lady Alisha. "You are doing great," Lady Alisha began. "You just need more practise..."

"I can train her, Aunt Alisha. Only if you don't mind." Trevor said with a straight face. They all looked surprised. Lady Alisha and Trisha exchanged glances. Athena eyed him suspiciously. Why was he suddenly acting all nice? It seemed like he was scheming something.

'I have to be extra careful,' she thought and nodded to herself.

"No, I don't mind at all. You can train her," Lady Alisha said.

"But you refused to train me a few days ago," Trisha stomped her foot as she pouted.

Athena rolled her eyes at her. She was too childish and unbearable. Trevor ignored her and said to Athena, "We will start tomorrow."

"But I want to be taught by Lady Alisha. You..."

He shot her a glare, making her shut up.

"What about me?" Trisha whined. Trevor did not respond. Instead he began to walk away. Trisha immediately chased after him, still whining.

Lady Alisha shook her head and said, "Don't mind those two."

Athena smiled and suddenly remembered something important. "Have you ever seen Little Snow? I did not see Little Snow since morning."

"Maybe he is in Sophia's room," she said thoughtfully.

"I have got to go to Sophia's room then," Athena said. "I will see you later."

With that, she headed to Sophia's room.

"Sophia, are you there? Can I come in?" she said as she opened the door.

She found her sitting cross legged while reading a book seriously. Athena looked at the book curiously. It contained strange symbols and a foreign language that she could not understand. Sophia closed the book and looked up.

"How can I help you?" she said as she stared at her. Athena suddenly felt nervous. There was something strange about her. She acted too mature for her age. She was so cold and distant just like Trevor.

Athena cleared her throat awkwardly. "Ummm, why are you so distant? I mean you don't act like kids of your age. At your age, you should be playing with dolls instead of reading weird books."

She could not see even a single doll at all! This place was more of a library. Its walls were like made of books.

"I am sure that you are not here to lecture me," Sophia said calmly.

Athena licked her dry lips. "No, I am not here to lecture you. I am looking for Little Snow.'

"Your little rabbit is not here," she said as she opened her book.

Athena panicked. Where could he have gone? "I got to look for him."

She had just reached the door when Sophia suddenly said, "I won't look for that rabbit if I were you."

Athena narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

"Because you won't find him."

"Do you know where he is?"

"No," Sophia replied without looking up. "I just know that you won't find him."