Peace in the mountains

"Why do you feel it is wrong for a human to head the supernaturals?" Luciana asked the vampire man next to her, who introduced himself as Terrence. They were taking a break after working for a while.

"Humans have always been the most primitive beings among us all." Terrence replied. "You have no strength, no speed, you age fast, you die young, eventually you do not stay long enough to do anything that matters."

"That's a really poor mentality you have there Terrence." She told him, and he tried his best to hide his frown. "Do you know why humans do not really contribute much to the society?"

"I just told you."

"That's why I said your mentality is poor. It is because they are not given the chance to do anything, because of people that think like you." Luciana told him calmly. "I should give you an example. Do you know why I am here today?"

"Because the prince brought you here."

"The prince brought me here because I was able to create something you have not dreamt of doing. How many times do have you seen a vampire die instantly from an arrow shoot?"

"It never happens."

"But it is possible now. I made it. Single handedly. Even with my human limitations." Luciana said.

"You are basically telling me that you made a weapon that could be used against us."

"Yes. And that is the more reason you shouldn't look down on me." Luciana said looking him in the eyes, her gaze holding meaning.

"What about the wolves? Did you manufacture any weapon against them?" Terrence asked.

"Unfortunately, you are not entitled to such information." She said with a polite smile. "I guess you see now that humans could be much more useful apart from being used as slaves."

Terrence only nodded, not knowing how to argue against her. Luciana on the other hand knew that it would be difficult to change his life long mentality that had been passed on from generations to generations. But she was going to try. Starting from the few people she was in contact with.

She also wished she could do something that could be of benefit to them also. She found out that she was starting to have the urge to be relevant to the society that she was in.

"Let's get back to work everyone."

********

Luciana sat on the chair in her room, writing on a paper on her table. A lamp was on in front of her, which provided her with light, as it was almost dusk. The door slowly opened behind her. She didn't need to look back to know who it was. No one else would come in without knocking. Perhaps Evelyn, but she wouldn't open the door that respectfully, and besides she hadn't really disturbed her since she got married to the king. Maybe she had forgotten about her existence.

"Your highness." Luciana turned back. She then blushed when she remembered his peck that morning. And also his lips on her neck sucking her blood. It was just supposed to be him taking her blood, but she couldn't explain what she began to feel.

The prince would not let a single drop of blood flow down her body, as he would wipe it with his tongue. As much as she hated to admit it, she found herself not wanting him to stop.

"Why are you cheeks red Lucy?" Raziel pointed when he came close to her.

Why did he have to use her short name on her now? She blushed even harder.

"It's just the reflection of my hair."

"Liar."

Luciana then turned away from him and faced her paper. But then she felt the annoying prince standing behind her. He bundle her hair and held it up.

"It shouldn't be able to reflect again now. But you are still red." He teased.

"Why have you decided to torment me your highness?" Luciana asked. She raised her hands to her hair, trying unsuccessfully to pull it away from his grasp. "I like the colour of your hair Lucy. It is uncommon, just like you." Now he sounded serious.

He then tried to tie her hair into a bun, feeling that it would be a disturbance to her as it was let down. He ended up tying the hair into something that was not a bun. It didn't look good, but at least it wasn't on her face.

"What are you writing? Is it related to work today?"

"No." She answered, surprising him.

"It's for Annalise."

"Annalise?" The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't make out who he was talking about.

"You took her away. Remember?"

"Oh. I remember now. She was a friend of yours right?"

"Not really my friend. I met her when I was bought as a slave. She was brought in too the same day as me." Luciana explained. "She was just the only one who could tolerate me. Even though we had two opposite personalities."

"I guess you didn't let her in."

Luciana shook her head. "I didn't want to let anyone in anymore. I didn't have the mental capacity to take another loss."

"You do now?"

"No. I am only trying."

"You are doing well." He commended her. "Why are you writing to her now? Do you miss her?"

"I just wanted to make sure that she is okay."

"She is."

"I also want to let her know that I am okay. She must have been worried sick about me. Maybe she would fear that I would have gotten in a fight with Rebecca, or even a royal, and they have had me executed." She chuckled.

"Well, her fear is valid. You killed five vampires. That is enough to get you executed."

As if remembering something, she turned to him. "How do you know my last name your highness?"

"I saw it somewhere in your house."

"Oh. And you remembered?" Same way he remembered her name after the first time she introduced herself to him.

"I have a sharp memory."

"Prince Raziel what does it take to be a baroness?" She asked curiously.

"Don't tell me you are planning to be one." He uttered in disbelief.

"Is it such a bad thing?"

"You are one ambitious woman Luciana." He smiled. "Anyway to be a baroness, you need to attend some classes, have connections, have a certain amount of money."

"Will my three thousand gold coins be enough?"

Raziel chuckled. "A little more than that."

"I would have charged you more." She whispered, and Raziel laughed out loud.

"Why the sudden interest if I may ask?"

"Because of your kind and the other with furs."

Raziel laughed again at the way she described the werewolves.

"You shouldn't let yourself be pressured into doing anything, or else you really want to. You being a baroness is not impossible, but it would be difficult as you are a human."

"Are you trying to discourage me?"

"No. I am just being real with you." He said. "Are you done with your letter?"

"No. Just a little more to finish it."

"Come with me. You will finish it later, and I will help you deliver it."

Luciana stood up. "Where are we going?"

"You will see. You should wear something thick."

Luciana went to search her closet for thick clothes, most of which Raziel said they were not thick enough. She wondered if they were going to dive on ice. She finally wore the one he approved, and they went out together.

When they came out of the castle, Raziel said; "You might want to hold on to me."

"What? Why?"

He then grabbed her by the waist and zoomed off with his vampire speed, and she had no choice but to grab him like his life depended on it. Somehow it did.

"Slow down!!!" She screamed, but the prince was not listening.

"I like when you hold me this tight." He teased. Luciana concluded that she was going to kick him for real. But the more he ran, or flew or whatever the fast movement was called, the more she found herself enjoying it.

Raziel suddenly came to a stop, and she found herself wanting him to continue. But she decided to take a peek at where they were. What she saw surprised her.

They were in a place surrounded by rocks, grasses and flowing water. It was a beautiful sight.

"Are you afraid of heights?"

"No. Why?"

"Hold on tight."

Before she could register what he meant, he leaped up with an acceleration that almost made her soul leave her body. She screamed.

He finally stopped and put her down.

"We are in the mountains. And we are at the top of the highest one."

Luciana stared at him for a while. "How do you even think of this?"

Raziel sat on the floor. "I come here when I feel burdened. It is peaceful."

Luciana didn't doubt it. The environment was calm and had a serene feeling. Maybe cold, but Raziel made sure she was covered. Raziel suddenly took her hand and pulled her down to sit beside him.

"Prince Raziel?" She called.

"Yes?"

"Before I met you, I heard so much rumours about you."

"Tell me about it." Raziel said, seeming very curious to know about himself.

"You are known for being merciless in battle, you are feared, I heard so much of your ruthlessness." She paused. "But I don't see any of that."

"Everything you heard about me is true. You don't want to see me in the battlefield."

"I know, but..."

"You are actually the first person I let see me. Maybe apart from Lorenzo." He pulled her close. "I consider you a friend Luciana."

Raziel suddenly lay down, using Luciana's laps as his pillow.

"This isn't proper your highness."

He didn't know why, but he got irritated by his title on her mouth.

"You are a prince." She reminded him.

"Nothing has ever been proper with you Lucy. Remember you stay in my quarters." He closed his eyes, enjoying the serenity of the environment. "Don't say anything again."

Luciana looked at the prince who had made himself comfortable on her laps. She took a moment to admire his face, and she was tempted to touch his hair. Slowly she lifted her hand and did so.

"Don't stop." Raziel stated, and she smiled.

"Marry me prince Raziel."

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Thank you all for reading. I really appreciate you.