13 Losing and Winning

*** Still in Flashback ***

King Avalon became excited and asked for what it is. "Show us my son! What precious gift have you brought me?"

Then Prince Vincent presented dozens of treasure chest.

At his command the soldiers opened the treasure chests and revealed what is inside it.

"SPLENDID GIFT!!" King Avalon declared as he looks at the revelation of the treasure chests.

Blood drips while the entire treasure chests are opened exposed to the King of vampires.

"I present to you father, the head of every chief of the scattered islands between the borders of our kingdom and the maritime borders of the human kingdom.

Lastly, the head of the crown prince who was foolish enough to think that he could beat us.

I hope this bring joy to you father…" Prince Vincent proudly presented to his king father regarding current accomplishment.

"Of course my son! This is truly a splendid gift that brings joy to me. The death of the crown prince signifies a great start to the war that the humans foolishly think that they could win against us." King Avalon boasted around the presence of the other elite and elder vampires.

Princess Sylvia was not looking happy at the sight of the gift that his younger brother presented to their father.

"Oh, daughter of mine! Why can't you be like your younger brother? Why can't you bring me gifts like this? Instead you present me with your constant nagging and criticisms to my grandeur plans of conquering the entire human populace." King Avalon roasting her eldest daughter with his disappointment in front of the other vampires.

Prince Vincent's smile started to fade as he witness his older sister getting scolded by their father. He did not expect that their father would embarrass her older sister because of the gift he presented to their father.

He could not even muster enough courage to interrupt and defend his older sister.

"As you can see father, I cannot bring gifts like what my dear brother gives to you because I am too preoccupied and busy protecting you and your kingdom. Being the Captain of your Vanguards, I have less time to even roam around the seas, pick fights and collect heads for you. I prefer fulfilling my responsibilities since you tasked me with such important roles." Princess Sylvia had a tone of sarcasm in her reply and exhibited such calmness despite being scolded by her father in front of many audience.

A remarkable display of absolute grace and respect were shown by Princess Sylvia.

Many vampires of the audience were impressed on her character and dignified presence despite the treatment of their father towards her at that moment.

Including Prince Vincent who was amazed watching his older sister unfazed by how their father scolded her in public.

It even made him even respect her more as more superior than them.

*** End of Flashback ***

"What now? Why are you not happy about my gift to our dear father?" Prince Vincent asked his older sister.

Princess Sylvia is still ignoring Prince Vincent while looking at the lands that their father rule over.

"I did not expect for him to treat you that way in front of the public. So please stop ignoring me already. We have won a decisive battle against the crown prince of the human kingdom. For sure! This will be a big blow to their confidence. They will definitely take a back step after the death of their crown prince. I ordered a survivor from their army to return to their king with the head-less body of their crown prince." After explaining to his older sister, Prince Vincent laughed like a true villain.

Though despite all the things he said, Princess Sylvia did not budge or even looked impressed from what his younger brother said. She kept looking at the horizon.

Her mind seems to be traveling far away.

Unimpressed…

Distant …

Silent …

No reaction at all from his older sister after all the things he said. Prince Vincent became impatient and expressed his concern to his older sister.

"Come on, say something! Sylvie!!!" Prince Vincent desperately asking his older sister's attention.

A loud heaving of sigh could be heard from Princess Sylvia before she shared her thoughts, "Vincent, are you not tired of killing and being labeled as monsters by the other creatures? Don't you want to be known something else aside from being a monster alone?"

Prince Vincent went to take a seat beside his older sister before replying to her, "One thing I enjoy the most, it is being feared! I do not care about how others think of me Sylvie. As long as I live in such a way I want to, then hell to what others think or feel. I really do not care much! Don't get affected how others think or feel towards you.

For me, as long we keep winning against other creatures and avoid losing from them then I am completely alright! Don't you want to be a superior being from the rest of the world?" Prince Vincent tells Princess Sylvia.

"Life is not about winning or losing, my dear brother! It is how you live it. Being superior than the rest will deprive you with a lot of things.

You will only limit yourself from the experiences and joy in this world. There are a lot of things that are offered to us but we are in such position which deprive ourselves from it. Why do you think birds descends after flying so high?" Princess Sylvia further explains to her younger brother the thoughts she has been having lately.

Only silence fell on Prince Vincent since he could not grasp the objective or the perspective that Princess Sylvia is trying to elaborate to him.

A clear expression of being in daze is painted all over in Prince Vincent's face.

While Princess Sylvia kept her attention at the vast horizon in front of her.

=================

Somewhere on the shore of nearby one of the cities of the human kingdom,

Alliyah finally woke up.

"Aaareeej …" uttered weakly by Alliyah while trying to gather her wits and moving around.

After few glances around her and looking around, Alliyah realizes something horrendous.

"Nooooo… This can't be happening to me now. I cannot lose you!"

Finally, realization sank in Alliyah's mind that Areej is nowhere to be found around her or even near her.

Despite the sounds of the rushing waves from the sea and mewing of sea gulls, a deafening scream could be heard from Alliyah.

"AAAAARRREEEEJJJ !!!"