Return

The snow covered my boots as I walked down the field following the shadow. It had been days since I felt someone following me. Today I was walking back to my hut when I saw a shadow creeping behind me. I entered my hut and blew off the lantern to eliminate any source of light. The shadow took rounds in the moon light and started walking back. Getting my chance I started following it. It was easy to tell it was a man due to his physique. His robe flying along the cold breeze and I clutched my sword harder as I walked closer to him. He came to a sudden halt and I froze. The man reached to his sword belt without turning back and announced in his loud commanding voice.

"I, General Cudro in the honor of King Jayden of Vampshire am here by to take back the long lost Princess Stephanie to the court in this short notice."

What the hell? In such cold weather my body started to release sweat. I tighten my hold on the stem of the sword as I was circled with the guards of Vampshire. The vapors leaving my mouth dispersed in the cold breeze as General Cudro turned, his hand on the hilt of the sword. My breath hitched as I made my move by swinging my sword but before it could reach the neck of the guard, a sword collided with it and knocked it off. I ducked back and reached for it when I felt a cold sharp weapon against my throat. General Cudro stood with his sword close to my pulse in all his glory and ordered with his heavy voice.

"Princess, we are ordered to take you back safely so please cooperate with us and don't force me. I am not like other Generals you are used to. I follow my command when the former fails so get in the carriage without a word."

I huffed in response and arched my brow in annoyance. To be honest, I hated this man's guts also I was no one to follow his orders around. I responded with my entire attitude. I put my hands on my hips and scoffed.

"Dear General Cudro, I will recommend dying here rather than going back to that hell. What made you think, I would listen to you? You do not scare me."

He answered with his straight face. His dark eyes reflecting the dark night as his black hair shone in the moon light.

"I do not intend to scare you princess and I will be precise, you left me no choice."

He pulled his sword back and hit its stem over my head. The sudden pain crawled over my skull as darkness swept me away while I landed in Cudro's well built arms.

I regained my consciousness in the royal carriage. My hands and legs were tied basically I was being treated like a captive. I kicked at the closed door but it didn't budge. The carriage was fast and I fell on the foot as I continued wrestling with the ropes and the cloth over my mouth. I did not want to go back to Vampshire. I was running for eight whole years and still they managed to find me. I wanted to live liberty. I never wished to become a princess to be tied up with ordinance.

I had lived eight years of my life alone and happy and they were here to destroy it. Now, not even the heaven could save me from this wrath. I let my tears fall as I embraced myself for my old life. The floor of the carriage was cold but did I care? I cried like a child. I might act strong and bold but the truth was that I was never the brave princess. I slept with the fear of being caught; I lived with the fear of the death. I was never what I showed.

The carriage came to a sudden halt as I heard the murmurs behind these walls. The horses neighed and the swords were drawn out. I was in my kingdom, in front of my palace which I could never imagine as mine. It was never a home to me. The doors to the carriage opened to General Cudro. He climbed in the carriage and untied me. I rubbed my wrists which turned sore and wiped away my tears. I could never make a run now. This kingdom was a never kingdom to me. I was trapped here now. I took a deep breath and followed Cudro out of the carriage. The bright sun burned me like hell fire before a huge roof shelter was stretched over me to the gates of the castle. People were standing few miles away cheering in their dark robes pulled over.

"Princess, the royals await your presence."

I shut my eyes as I heard Cudro's voice. I sighed out of frustration and starting marching toward the golden fence. My each step got heavier as I neared the huge golden bars reminding me of prison. The gates flung open as I marched in with the following of royal music. Tears dared to flow down but I composed myself before entering the castle. The huge marble walls and tiled floor along with the enormous lit chandelier enhanced the beauty of the prison. The heavy dark curtains flowed down to block the sun light and beautiful architecture of different designs add to the beauty of the prison.

As soon as I stepped in the castle an old woman brought a golden bowl with a knife. A ritual to block the sun from reaching the land was done by the royal and young vampire princess every year. Since eight years these people and Vampshire is suffering the scorching sun due to my disappearance. I was only needed for my blood and the negotiation between the two kingdoms. I was nothing but a ransom. I took the knife from the old grinning woman and drew a cut over my palm before dropping my blood in the water. As soon as I did it, the blinds were pulled as a heavy curtain of clouds blocked the sun and I could hear people laughing, giggling and cheering over my return.

My cut started to heal as I followed Cudro to the court room. The long corridors filled with the enchanted decorations and soft Persian carpet was glorious to admire but I was upset because I was not a loved child. It was always my elder brother, Austin. He was the golden child and I was the neglected one. I was just a piece to run empire; an extra member in the family. I stopped my tears to run as the court room's heavy designed doors opened to reveal my loving family beaming at me. The noble court persons were also seated with straight faces as General Cudro drew his sword and knelt in front of my father. He raised his hand and Cudro took his position in the court beside the royal thrones.

"Well, well, well, look who is back. I must say dear daughter, you did a fine job by torturing my kingdom for eight years. Gladly, you are back with harmony of my kingdom. Now, that you are here, don't you think you have to pay for what you did? WAS IT THAT EASY FOR YOU TO LEAVE? YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THIS KINGDOM TOO AND YOU MUST PERFORM THEM!"

I listened to him and flinched when he raised his voice. My mother, Queen Marian put a hand over his shoulder to lower his anger. I gulped my hurt down as I quietly listened his scolding followed by the noble men and my brother.

"Dear sister, finally you have returned and I would punish you as ordered by the court. I am glad that I would be honored by that. I just can't believe you would be this selfish. Because of you we had to delay the bride trade. Now you must pay for keeping my love away from me."

Austin walked down the dais as a man gave him the venom whip. The wounds wouldn't heal due to the venom. I shake with fear as he walked down in front of me and passed a crooked smile. I shiver ran down my spine as I stood straight. He leaned over me and whispered which made me gulp hard. My throat ran dry as hands started to sweat.

"I am going to love it."

He turned me around and pushed me over my knees. I heard my father order my brother over me. Look, how much I am loved here.

"Hit her twenty times so that she does not dare do such a stunt again."

I embraced myself for the pain and when he hit me first, it was so hard that I had to bite myself to not let my screams escape. He hit me with a lot force and my tears fell nonstop. I stayed in my initial position and quivered with every hit. Blood started to flow down my back on the white marble. My sight was blurred due to constant tears. My back stung badly as I clutched my hands into tight fists. I bit my lip hard as it started to bleed too. By the last hit, my body was sore and screaming. If I had not bitten myself, my screams might have turned into wails now. I stood and faced my loving family kept on stumbling as my brother retreated to his throne.

"Hope you learnt your lesson and won't try disobeying us anymore-"

I could not stand anymore as I fell on my knees and lost consciousness. I could not hear my father anymore. My pain was so much that I believed, I would never wake up. I preferred dying than being tortured by my own family. I felt as if my back was on fire and my skin was burning and flesh was turning into ashes. Who would want to live with such a family? That is why I ran. Did I do something wrong?