The Lost Prince's

Chapter 11 Determination (part 2)

I took a long breath. Inhaling the aroma of the hot coffee I just made. Warm and

tranquilize. I put the cup of coffee to my lips, sipped it.

"Don't coffee make it harder to sleep?" Shane stepped into the sitting room in

second floor.

"I can't sleep without coffee"

Shane sighed softly. Grab a chair near the wall and bring it closer to the

my seat. "So how many days have you not slept?"

"Ten. I was able to last up to 21 and 17 days before. I think I'm gonna go to bed again

around day 15"

"If there's anything I can do.", he murmured.

"What?"

"Regarding your sleep problems. It's not funny if you keep falling asleep at random

place after reaching the limit"

I nodded slowly, sipping coffee again. Shane was right, last time I fell asleep on the balcony and

Zero led me into his room. I was asleep in the back garden

school.

"I'll be careful. At least I can make sure not to fall asleep at

any place"

"Good" said Shane slowly. "You know, Key, I think you're a little overdone"

"What?"

"About what happened to Zero. You don't have to be that angry"

"Aren't you going to get mad if you're in my position?"

"Eitherway. I mean.., you look scared that your sword hurt him"

"That's right"

"I thought you hated Zero"

"yeah. But not to the point of wanting to stab him right in the heart" I noticed

Shane from the corner of my eye. I thought I just saw a strange flash in

his eye.  "I thought you were his friend"

"Shine called him a friend. To me he's an ally, who for the moment works together

with mutual benefit. I can't be friends with them after that

they do" Shane looks glared into the past that's still been

a big wound in his heart. The vampire killed both his parents, just as he had

kualami. "You know, Key, I think you're overreacting. You're not like

angry at Zero's indifference, you know he always was. You're upset

because Zero doesn't understand that you're worried about him. Looks like.kau.

likes Zero.."

"Heh?! What's?" I think I heard it wrong or Shane started to slur and misspoke.

"I don't like it. Where there's time for me to think of such a thing

that's" Everything in my head

is to survive day by day suppressing the vampire instinct in me

and be prepared to wait for the time to take revenge. I don't think how

Shane could have thought so.

"That's it..." Shane looked at me for a long time, as if he was trying to guess if I was lying. Then he

take a deep breath and walk to a sofa on the other side of the room. Shane

lay on that couch. "You mind if I accompany you?"

I raised one eyebrow in my eye, quite surprised by what Shane said. Accompanying?

Shane began to close his heavy-looking eyelids. "No", though",

mummify slowly. I don't understand why Shane even asked like that.

There's no reason for me to mind if she's sleeping in this room. Oh, me

I no longer try to sleep. I think I'm getting used to it

the sleepless days that I had started to experience since my body slowly changed

being vampires. I know that even if no one says it, I don't

I can go back to my old self. But I was unable to move forward and

just accept this reality. I think Karen knew that I did too

just trying to survive day by day to avenge my father's death and

mothering.

***

"Key.are you sleeping?", asked Arion. I recognize his voice.

"No", I said, opening my eyes. I just closed my eyes, intending to rest for a while.

My body is starting to get tired. Today is my 18th day without sleep. More

long time from before. And honestly, every minute feels heavier than

preceding. My nafsuku for blood is increasing.

"Sorry.why did I wake you up?"

"No. I'm not sleeping, Arion. Just a little tired"

Arion was sitting next to me on the floor, leaning against one of the giant bookshelves on

the most unspoiled area in the library. One of my favorite places.

"I thought you were sleeping"

"I thought you were busy.."

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't there a final exam next week?"

"Eh? Hahaha... exam huh?" Arion sighed softly. "So you haven't

the final test in Humphire for vampire disciples is not about the eyes.

lessons. Humphire's goal was to train adaptations for vampires

who intend to coexist with humans"

"So the test for vampires is different..?" Not about the lessons at this school

but their ability to withstand the mafsu of blood.

Arion nodded with a bitter smile. I think that smile came because of me.

"Murid vampires can take the final exam whenever they're ready"

"I don't think you're having a problem with that"

"Eitherway. I'm not ready yet"

"Eh? Why that?"

"Um.possibly because I've never been up here too long, where humans live.

I live in the capital"

"What does that mean up here?"

"The capital of our kingdom, Lucania is an underground city"

"Eh??!"

Arion laughed and looked at me surprised. "Most of us live in the lower castle

the ground. We often use the term underworld"

"So, humans don't find it because it's underground"

"Mostly that's the reason. But now we are installing camouflage technology

robot-based and optical illusions to camouflage the entrance to

underworld"

A robot? Seriously? What that means is that vampires already have more advanced technology than

the humans. In retrospect, the laptop that Zero uses is also different from the laptop

my papa. At first I thought it was because my laptop was the first laptop

it still looks like a typewriter. But it doesn't seem like it, in Humphire, too

laptops and computers, but they're not all as advanced as Zero's. Though I thought

human technological progress has developed rapidly since the 1980s.

"Vampire seems to master technology"

"Hmm" Arion nodded. "This is the crown prince's idea. His Majesty even intervened

directly"

Ah, the missing prince. I remember talking to Shane and

Shine about. "Do you know him?"

Arion turned to look at me, his eyes seemed to twitch a little. "I guess all

vampires know him"

"Ehm, I mean I thought you knew him personally. You look less happy when

we talked about it last time"

"yeah. You could say I'm a fan. Hehe"

I looked at Arion's face with a big smile. It's just a game of light

or delusional, but Arion's face looks sparkling every time his smile expands.

But this time there was a bitter taste at the end of his crisp laughter. Ah, Arion certainly feels

disappointed with the prince he admired.

"What kind of person is the prince?"

"Eh? Hmm..what kind of person.."

"You said you admired him. So I wonder if he's someone like you"

Arion giggled softly, like he was amused. "Where could he be like me, Key. Him

a pureblood and I'm just a halfblood"

Well, even Arion distinguished himself by blood. I can't believe Arion, either

using a blood caste like that. Wait a minute, he said halfblood and

not a non pureblood. What does it mean that Arion is only half vampire?

"He was very similar to the king's noble, his father. Tall, handsome face, and

commanding. His charisma of leadership has been seen since childhood. A genius

the wise..." Arion seemed to wander deep into his own memories.

"Because of that, I don't understand what he's doing right now.

this"

"There's something I don't understand, Arion. If you can't track it with shadow why

no one can find it without a shadow?"

"You mean by physical features..?"

I'm nodding.

how he looks now"

"Eh?"

"He didn't just kill his fiancee, Aileen's daughter. He ate his heart"

My breath is stuck in my throat. My heart almost forgot the details. Eaten

her heart??!

"Pureblood can change the physical characteristics of people who drink it. Hair color, eyes,

even the color of his skin could be completely different from before. And remember

princess Aileen had Rainier's blood, there was a possibility that the prince could have

died after swallowing his heart"

Hidden shadows and physical appearance were most likely changed completely

the reason the vampire prince could not be found. Even after 2 years

elapsed. If only the prince had someone who knew him more than

just physical maybe its existence can be found. And maybe he didn't

have someone like that, and no one will be able to find him.

Unless he changes his mind and returns to his place.

"What do you think, is he dead?"

Arion looked right into my eyes. "No. I'm sure he's still

alive"

"You're a huge fan"

Arion nodded seriously. "How likely do you think he is to

back?"

"Eh? How could I possibly know"

"His Majesty the King and Queen worried about him like any other parent to his child.

Their relationship is not limited to politics and such..."

"Then he will return" I said. "Because someone is waiting for him

come home with all my heart, the place becomes home"

"I hope so..."

"You don't look so sure"

"Yeah... A lot of things can happen, you know"

"Hmm?"

Arion sighed. "For example, what if he found something

interesting, something that made him reluctant to return. For example.dia.

falling for a girl"

"Hmm” Somehow I have to respond to it. I even

not sure why a girl alone could be the reason .”Well, Arion, if you're a prince

that's what you're gonna do?"

Arion took a long breath. He looked like he was going to come back but

then his eyes hit me.  "I don't know..."

I followed with a sigh, giving Arion a small smile. Wish I could

it helps him feel calmer. It is clear now that Arion is taking sides

that prince. Not just his fans, Arion his followers. Because it's Arion

I didn't like it when the twins and I talked about the prince. Although he

saying he's just an artist not involved in politics, I think Arion

hope his prince returns to his position soon.

I grabbed another book from the shelf behind the bench I was sitting on. Arion's gone

shortly after we talked about the vampire prince. He has to take care of

some paperwork for the exam is finally next week, he said. It's so strange in

Humphire vampire disciples could take the final exam in the middle of a semester like

these. I just found out lately that vampire students can take it anytime

they feel ready. Vampires don't get into this school to graduate school,

but to adapt among humans. So once they can hold back

well then they were declared to graduate.

"I thought you were busy" I said as soon as I heard footsteps approaching. I

I raised my face towards the sound. Guessing will find

Arion stood there. But not him. Zero looked at me, twitching confusedly.

His face looked flat as usual. "Sorry, I thought you were Arion.."

Zero did not respond, he walked over to one of the bookshelves. Grabbing

book and open the page. "So here you were when you truant

class"

Is correct. I used to run away and come to the library. The reason is simple.

This place was quiet and there were barely any people while the class was still going on. I

can rest my heart that keeps beating fast while I'm in

near another student, I mean a human. I must admit, lately it's been harder to

retaining my sanity. The other reason is none other than by ditching

I can stay away from Zero.

Zero grabbed a chair across the table in front of me and sat down. Looks like he wants to

read the book he just picked up. I glanced at the cover of the book, reading

its title. First Love. Eh?! A romance novel??!!

"What?"

Ah, I guess I just made a weird look on my face in shock to find out

the title of the novel in Zero's hands. Well, who would have thought that vampire psychopaths were interested

with roman stories. Zero's blue eyes looked at me from behind his bangs.

"Ah, there is no. I didn't think you were interested in the book.."

"Oh... Can't you?"

I lifted both my shoulders. Not that I mean I can't. "Normally female

who would rather read such a thing..."

"Woman?", murmured Zero. "But you don't like it..."

I can't say he's wrong. I don't like it. I don't know. It was me

it does matter what he likes or not. It's none of my business, my mind while returning

drown myself with my reading.

"Key..."

"Hmm?"

"You know, about before.sorry.."

Eh??! Whahuh? Did I hear wrong?!

"I don't think well"

"Yes.", I said slowly. Can't say anything that sounds better. Gosh darn.

My head really stopped. Who would have thought Zero could apologize. Well, time

that's me being mad at Zero. I don't know why I think I am

overuse. Maybe little. I should have known Zero was such a person.

Ah, forget it. It's not like I'm gonna apologize to her. I

refocused myself on the book in front of me. Cramming word for word into

in my head. Slowly but surely I drowned. Drowned.

I opened my eyes, blinked a few times. I'm still in the library. But

everything looks dark. Holy hooch! Am I asleep? I woke up, wake up,

I lifted my head and sat on the sofa. A couch? My heart rate's stuck

I realized that a pair of eyes were looking at me from behind the dark. Topaz's blue eyes reflected the moonlight

which enters through the window trellis. Zeros!

"Have you woken up?", he asked flatly.

"Yes.. I fell asleep", my dream was more like muttering to myself. I

I didn't think I'd be asleep in the library. I mean, I was trying to sleep

in the library these past few days and it hasn't worked at all.

I grabbed the phone in my uniform pocket. Hour 1. Through midnight! I slept more

from 12 hours?!!!

Zero stood up from his chair. A little bit of stretching his back.

"Thankfully.. I thought I should stay up till morning"

"You waiting for me?"

"Should I have left him alone?" Zero asked back. As usual, Zero chose

say something that pisses me off. But I guess that means he did

been waiting for me since noon. Zero even moved me to the couch.

"Let's go home. I'm going to sleep too"

I'm nodding. Rise up from the sofa and follow Zero who starts walking to

window direction. Zero unlocks at the bottom of the window, pushing up

window glass until open. Then he jumped out of the window

that waist. Zero who was already standing outside turned to look at me, giving

my telling gesture followed him and he stretched out his hand. I

gulped. It was not that it did not understand why Zero reached out. It

offer help for holding on. Of all people, I don't

understand that Zero could do this kind of thing. I grabbed Zero's hand, though,

who then grabbed me, and went out the window.  Zero took my hand off as soon as I had

stand outside. He closed the window behind us. Then Zero

jump down onto the branch of a tree next to the library building. I

following him as soon as Zero gestured. The tree is more slippery than

my guess. My leg slipped a little. Luckily, Zero had reached for my waist before me

losing balance. His sturdy arms were coiled behind my waist,

it almost made us crimp. Zero's eyes grew, slowly he let go

the hold. Zero turned his face and jumped down to the ground. Need

a few seconds to remember following him. For a moment I thought

I heard a slow thumping sound many times.