Winter Festival in Theapan (Part 23)

The thing about bonds between mortal beings is that it can sometimes be rather fragile. A small occurrence can create a bond just as easily as damage it. Ashley knew that better then anyone when he kept watch over the princess, Isis, from afar. It would be difficult to approach her casually when she was aware of what he had done. It was not some small matter that could be brushed off between them. However she was the one his master's eyes were set on and he could not allow anything to happen to her; just as he needed to protect Chase since he would be his master's future heir to the throne.

The vampire was not wrong in his thinking. Princess Isis felt uncomfortable around Ashley knowing that he was the one who killed her father. She knew her fathers fate and had accepted it but that did not erase the pain deep in her heart. It was difficult for her to even approach Vorbuk the same way she once had. Knowing well that it was not him that deserved the blame it only conflicted her emotions.

"You should be more careful," Princess Isis called out to Chase from behind as she approached him as she watched Ashley in the distance dealing with the surrounding nobles that had just witnessed Prince Chase winning a duel against another noble's son. "if you cause trouble here the impact may be hard for Vorbuk to handle."

The young nobleman was being helped out of the palace by his friends. She could see the mess the young man was in with cake dripping from his torn clothing. Their duel was obviously not a fair one as Chase had completely over powered the young noble. He was young but Chase's bloodline was one that could easily dominate in a one on one fight.

Chase was startled when he heard the princess suddenly warning him to be careful. It was not something he was use to hearing from others. His lack of interaction with others left him uncomfortable as he tried to understand her words but only felt like he was being told he was causing trouble.

"Don't follow me." Those three words came out of Chase with a low rumbling growl. In human form his pupils slit like that of his tiger form. Turning away from the princess the young Chase stomped away with a heavy heart.

"Your Highness, Prince Chase!" Princess Isis called out to him seriously as she grabbed the young boy by the wrist in an attempt to get his attention and stop him.

PAK!

Chase reflexively slapped the princess's hand away when she reached for him. This action was enough to stir the surroundings with whispers at Prince Chase for rejecting the touch of Princess Isis. What was going on between them? Did the new heir of Theapan not agree with the new king keeping the princess alive? Rumors were easy be lit among a crowd of nobles.

Ba-Dump!

Chase felt a sudden weight in his chest as he knew he'd done something unnecessary. It was dangerous to over react in the crowd and he had been warned again and again about that. He was a child but he was not young nor was he stupid. It was simply that he was not able to experience things like normal children. The princess could see the scared and worried expression hidden in Chase's eyes as the boy tried to stay resolute where we stood.

"I apologize." Chase said simply as he gave the princess a respectful bow. The crowd became even more confused at the situation between the two of them. "I need to rest."

The Princess watched Prince Chase leave as she heard other footsteps coming towards her. She knew who it was as they were barely noticeable. It was clear that they were intentionally making sure she was aware they were coming towards her.

"Do you need something, Ashley?" Princess Isis asked him without turning her gaze.

It was silent for a moment but soon a reply came from him, "I was worried when I saw what happened between the two of you."

"You were worried about me?" Princess Isis knew that his worry was not genuine. He was a servant to Vorbuk and only cared about Vorbuk's safety in earnest. The care that he was giving her was not because he honestly worried for her from his own heart.

"Yes." Ashley said simply one word that made her pause briefly but soon that pause was found unnecessary because his words continued, "If something happens to you it would be a problem for master when he returns."

The princess thought for a long moment before asking him, "You really do not know when to stop talking do you?"

"... What?" Ashley's expression froze almost seeming cold as he gazed into the princess's eyes. That coldness was quickly hidden behind a bright smile as he pretended it never slipped out.

The princess was frozen for a moment. "... You-"

"Your Highness!" A kind voice called out to her from the side.

Turning her head she could see priestess Mai Lovette calling out to her with Zoe standing beside her. The two of them had seen everything and felt worried. Wanting to help the princess calm down the priestess was giving her a way out of her situation by calling out for her.

"Pardon me," The princess spoke to Ashley as she decided to accept their invitation and escape being in the presence of the vampire any longer, "I am being summoned over there. You should return to your work as well. The prince's actions will have rumors quickly spreading."

Ashley saw the princess walking away and called out to her once more, "I'm sorry for what happened back then."

"Are you really sorry? I think your confusing your desire to make me less wary of you with feeling sorry. I don't need that kind of apology from you." The princess's words felt like they were stabbing through Ashley's conscious as he listened to her. No intention to hold her back he watched her head towards the priestess Mai and Zoe.

Prince Chase did not wait for the princess to call out to him again. Quickly turning to get away from the situation he was in with others staring at him. He knew that he had done something wrong but he could not take the stares of the others on him. It was not something one could quickly become accustomed to.

"Getting so startled you slap the hand of your father's lover~" A voice called out to him from the side standing against a wall. The vampire, Aoki, smiled as if he was trying not to laugh at the sight he had just witnessed between the two of them.

"Lover?" Chase was confused as he carefully thought over the word. It was not a term he was familiar with yet.

"... Concubine, Mate, Bride-" Aoki started naming off things so the child would understand.

"... I got it." Chase said as he wanted the vampire to stop talking.

Is this kid serious? Aoki's smile twitched as he wondered if the young prince really understood a thing he said at all.