8. A Town

"Eight hours?!" She screamed in shock. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept so long at a stretch. She often woke up at least once or twice in the space of five hours. She must have been very tired.

Vae nodded her response, still standing, her head bowed a little as she looked down at Mauve who still sat on the bed with her legs sprawled out in front of her.

"Did you get some rest?" She asked, picking up a leg of her boots.

"Yes, Princess."

Mauve didn't bother asking any more questions. She wasn't curious and the faster they left they continued the journey, the closer she would get to the vampire region but first, they would have to go through Nolands. 

She shuddered at the thought, the suspense wasn't killing her but she would like to get this journey part over with. Just a day and she was already losing her mind, the idea that she would have to endure this for another two weeks was sure to drive her nuts.

The boots proved a little too difficult to wear at first that Vae had to help but soon enough she was ready and she walked out of the tent. She stepped out and came face to back with a vampire. "Argh!" She yelled unladylike.

The vampire didn't flinch, he merely turned around slowly studying the girls. He was tall and even though he wasn't as huge as Danag, Mauve was certain he was taller. He stepped aside without a word, Mauve didn't think she had seen him before now. She scoffed and walked away. 

Just how many vampires were there? She wondered how come she had not seen him before now but he was the least of her worries. The journey was about to resume which meant she had to brace herself for another bumpy ride. 

They would have to go down the hill to get to the next town. The roads weren't bad but the speed exaggerated the tiny bumps and made the journey annoying but she could not complain, the faster the journey ended the better for her.

She got into the carriage once again and Vae got in after her, she couldn't help but notice the maid peep out to have one look at the tall vampire. She couldn't really remember his features but his dark sleek hair had stuck itself to her memories.

They sat in the carriage for almost a full half hour before they began moving again. Mauve wasn't eager to move again but she was annoyed that she had to wait in the hot carriage. The sun had gone down but its effect had not fully disappeared. It wasn't like she could complain but she couldn't help but wonder why it took so long to pack up rather than to set up.

Once again, she heard the loud whistle and the ride continued. She immediately gripped the side of the carriage seat, bracing herself for a bumpy ride but surprisingly, it wasn't as speedy as she thought it would be.

It didn't throw her to the sides but it was still going pretty fast. They had some fruits in the carriage so she wasn't hungry even though she hated the vampire's style of feeding them she couldn't help but eat. It felt demeaning, like how one would leave out food for a pet to find.

The ride was long and tiresome. She wished there was something to do but all she could do was think as they drove on. She couldn't even see the scenery as the carriage windows were covered in curtains.

Not that it mattered considering how dark it was outside. She probably won't be able to see anything but the sky. She hoped it was at least bright enough and the stars were out.

She sighed, she could start a conversation with Vae but the maid didn't look like she wanted to be disturbed. She thought about home but didn't dwell on it as all she could think of was how they couldn't wait to get rid of her.

She thought of her new home and wondered if she would survive. The vampires she was riding with didn't seem too bad, maybe vampires weren't as bad as rumored. Still, there was no hiding the fact that they had absolutely no regard for her and only treated her with some respect because she was their king's new toy.

She gave up and pushed back the curtains. They were passing through a town, there were houses everywhere and the light was seeping out of most of them. 

She could hear voices but not loud enough to hear any definite conversation. Just sounds that showed the town was alive. She heard shrieks of joy and she wondered what the commotion was about and if the screamer had a normal life.

She could not think of a time when she was happy enough to scream. She sighed and closed the curtains, it was making her gloomy and well aware of her situation. She rested her head and hoped that she would doze off but she didn't. 

Halfway through the journey and Mauve that if they hit one more bump, there would be a wet patch in her underwear. She swallowed and summoned the courage to ask for a stop. "Hello!" She muttered but no response or reaction.

She immediately became annoyed, the night was silent enough for her voice to be heard and Vampires can also pick up the smallest of sounds, so she knew she was being ignored.

Mauve did not realize what she was doing until Vae yelled out, "Princess, you are going to hurt yourself."

Mauve stopped banging the carriage and rubbed her hand, it was a little sore but not enough to be alarmed. "It is their fault for ignoring me." She blurted out as she tried to look for a reasonable excuse to not look deranged.

Vae did not say a word but Mauve could feel the judgment in her eyes. She sighed, the vampire king would know something was up if she didn't tone down her erratic behavior.

However, she was just frustrated from the long journey and her hurting buttocks that it was getting pretty hard to be prim and proper. Thankfully, the carriage stopped and she could turn her attention away from Vae.

"What is it, princess?" Danag scoffed when he got to the door of the carriage. "I am not your babysitter."