Chapter 1
Moriah's pov
The large table was filled up with people who supposedly came to celebrate my eighteenth birthday with me. They all had smiles on their faces and I wondered what they were so excited for because obviously it was not because of my birthday.
I swept my eyes slowly across the table and my eyes connected with my elder brother's who gave me a cute funny face then mouthed "Happy birthday" silently.
I smiled and continued scanning the table, seeing relatives whom I had never seen in my life, all smiling and laughing with my parents, talking about politics and history.
I thought it was my birthday...
Loraine was seated unbothered, munching on her food. The baby of the house, what does she care about? Just give her enough food and she's okay.
A tired sigh erupted from my throat as I sat back and relaxed on my chair. My vision gets all hazy and blurry by the minute while the incessant chattering continues.
Time seemed to move by slowly and I could not tell when I zoned out to a different place completely but presently, I found myself in an unknown place, was I dreaming or something?
It was very dark and eerie.
I could not tell how I got here. I was supposed to be scared but I wasn't. I walked further into the dark alley as I could sense an attraction that compelled me to keep going further.
My eyes looked around and to my greatest surprise,I could see clearly in the dark, even my ears were sharp to pick up sounds from a distance. What was I looking for? I had no idea at all but I kept going.
A few steps into the dark cave-like alley, I spotted a figure, tall and well balanced in posture. His long hair was left flowing freely, one hand in his pocket while the other dangled.
With his posture, one could detect power and dominance, who could he be? Obviously he was a person of the higher class in society, a noble man.
"Excuse me my Lord?" I called the man who for some reason didn't hear me, or so I thought.
I went closer to a distance where I was sure that he could hear me and I called again.
"My Lord sir? Are you perhaps lost?"
I got no response, neither did he even react as though I was present. My interest was piqued and I moved closer with inquisition, I wanted to see him properly.
Just when I reached an angle where I could see half of his face ...
"Ria" I heard my name and looked to see my aunt
"Happy birthday darling," the woman smiled. I looked around and I was still seated at the table filled with relatives. Sweat trickling down the sides of my forehead. What just happened? I wondered.
"Are you okay darling?" She asked me with concern."you're sweating "
"It's a little bit hot, I'm fine aunt" I smiled at her.
"That is a relief, enjoy your day darling " she smiled too and walked away.
"Oh my little Ria, you are now a full woman " was another one of my aunts.
I sighed inwardly but smiled out to her.
"Oh look at that beautiful smile, you must have so many suitors at your door now" she said and was supported by many other relatives. Somehow it turned into an argument between two of my aunts.
"That is true "
"So many rich and handsome suitors "
"You better choose a rich suitor, my dear"
"A man with the resources to take care of you properly"
"Or you could also choose a man who loves and adore you, even if he doesn't have all the resources but as long as you love each other"
"I disagree, choose a man with money, riches and power, to give you the luxury you deserve "
"No amount of luxury can fill in the gap of love, my dear. Choose wisely "
"Hunnie, love is not important. Once there's enough money, you won't even need love"
"What is luxury without love?"
"Well, she certainly isn't going to eat love or feed her children with love, is she?"
"That is enough, let us not make this an argument " my father spoke, thankfully because if he did not, I'm sure this argument would go on for almost an hour between my two aunts who were sisters. These two have never been in agreement terms as obviously one got married to a man with so much money while the other got married for love.
"Let us not argue, we are here to celebrate my daughter and just for the sake of making things clear, we have found a good suitor for her already"
"Ohhh... That is splendid! I hope he has resources?"
"Does he love her? Love is paramount"
The two were at it again but my father spoke up.
"Yes he has the resources and... Love will bloom between them, he has already shown interest in her and that is enough. Now, may we make a toast?"
Everyone took their glasses and held them up as my father spoke.
"This goes to my beautiful daughter who has become of age, I wish her all the good things life has to offer. Cheers!"
"Cheers!!"
**
The celebration was over and everyone had gone into their rooms as it was already night.
I lay in the comfort of my bed but I could not sleep. I was greatly disturbed with what happened while at the table earlier that day.
I had never had a daydream so vivid like that, it felt so real that I could remember exactly everything that happened.
And who was that man? Why did he not respond to my calls? Is he perhaps deaf? What was he doing there?
I searched through my head to get a picture of his face but I had no memory of that because I wasn't able to get a glimpse of what he looked like. All I could remember was his Royal attire and long black hair, also not forgetting his powerful and dominating aura.
Just as though a light switch was flicked to turn on the light, that was how morning came so quickly and the sun rays filtering into my room woke me up.
When did I fall asleep? I tried to remember but I couldn't.
A knock on my door drew my attention.
"Good morning My lady, the queen instructed that you get dressed, you will have a visitor today"
"Ugh" I groaned in exhaustion and fell back to my bed, covering myself totally with the quilt.
"What visitor? Did she mention it?"
"No, my lady"
Even if she didn't mention it, I knew it was Jude Eddington, my supposed perfect suitor. Getting married to Jude Eddington was not in any way my decision but father kept saying that love would bloom between us so why not give it a chance?
It won't hurt to do so, right?
I quickly washed up and got dressed in a beautiful dress then stepped out to meet mother in her chamber.
"Mother?" I called while stepping into the lounge.
"Ria dear, come have breakfast with me" mother said while at the table. I moved closer and joined her.
"Did the maid inform you? You will have a guest today"
"Yes she did"
"Oh very good. Jud-"
"Jude Eddington, I know " I rolled my eyes a little, not offensive though.
"Hunny, Jude is a very nice Man, don't give me that look "
"Have I said that he isn't nice?"
"Your face says it all "
"My face says nothing, mother. I am very excited "
"Well you do not look excited, a smile would do "
I looked up and let out a sarcastic smile, even the sarcastic smile was very hard to pull off because I wasn't excited in any way.
"Do not worry Ria, you'll see. Jude is very nice "
"I hope so "
I ate breakfast and then returned back to my room, very surprised to see two maids in there, waiting for me.
"Is there a problem?" I stepped in confused and closed the door.
"The prince will soon be here, we have to make you look very pretty "
I blinked in confusion, made me look pretty?
"Are you saying that I am not pretty?"
"No, my princess. You are very beautiful. We just want to accentuate your beauty "
"I don't need it. After all, Jude Eddington will have to see my real face if he wants to get married to me, right?"
"Well... Yes but -"
"But nothing. "
"The queen asked us to do this "
"Tell the queen that princess Ria is beautiful enough and doesn't need a make up"
I sat on my bed and watched them leave, yes they may think I'm stubborn but I don't care. After all, I am now a full woman according to aunt Melanie.
I should make decisions on my own, shouldn't I?
About an hour and half went by and I heard the gates open up. That should be Jude's carriage coming in. I stood by the window and stared out, watching as his coachmen rode in and stirred the black horses to place.
I could manage to see Jude sitting in the carriage, it wasn't a clear view from up here though.
Not even bothering to check my appearance in the mirror, I grabbed my coat and went out to meet him.
"My princess" he flashed me a charming smile but I am not phased at all by it.
"Prince Eddington"
He stretched out his hand and held mine as we strolled together.
**
_THE DITCH_
"You do not seem to be perturbed, Benjen"
"And why should I be?"
"Your lady is ready. After thousands of years, you can now be free"
The two voices echoed in the dark ditch. One of the women, the other of the man.
The lady, lady Ashlyn was a powerful witch who ruled the dark ditch, a place of doom. A place for suffering and punishment. It is like a dark cave which has no end and the further it gets, the darker it gets too.
So many souls had been locked in the ditch for crimes committed. Among these souls was the soul of El Mazikeen Benjen Luwin. He had been in the ditch for the longest of time.
He had witnessed the coming in and going out of different people, but had not gotten his own liberation yet.
"The girl is now of age," Ashlyn said.
"And how am I to be concerned about some girl?" Benjen turned around and revealed his horrible face. His skin was white and very dry; it had taken the shape of his skeleton.
His face had taken the shape of his bones, hollow cheeks, eyes were very pale and bulging out, his lips were dry and chapped.
"It is of great concern to you because she is your salvation"
"What do you mean?"
"Have you forgotten? Moriah Archwin Danté. The only one of her kind. Descendant of the most powerful wizard, Archwin Danté, the most powerful pure blooded vampire, Damien and the very treasured efficient seer, Shawn Loki.
"Oh, the messiah girl. Very splendid, I desire to get out of here as soon as possible"
"She has awakened and has found you already. Pray she understands the assignment"
"And why won't she?"
"Because she is about to get married and once she does, there will be no other way out for you. You will be stuck in here forever and I will watch you turn into bones... Bones!!.... Hahahaha!!!" She cackled in high pitch.
That wasn't good news for Benjen Luwin, he had spent countless years in the ditch and so badly wanted his freedom.
"Moriah..." He whispered in thoughts, despite not knowing her, he wondered what she would look like.
"You will not get married, " he declared.
Benjen had to interfere and be quick about it.
"I will stop the marriage "
"Oh you better do that!...or else.... BONES!!! Hahahahahaha...." Ashlyn's cackling continued in a higher pitch.
**
_PALACE_
"Goodbye my princess"
"Goodbye prince Eddington"
I only waved at him while he gave me a smirk. He got into his carriage and rode away.
"What a long visit" I exhaled and headed back up to my room. With each step I took on the stairs, my tiredness doubled and I couldn't wait to sink into the comfort of my bed.
For some reason, the palace seemed unusually quiet and somehow empty. Where were the maids? The butlers and servants?
Okay, there was one butler standing at the very end of the corridor, what a relief. I casted a glance at him but my glance lingered for a bit. Something was off about him.
The way he stood solidly and unshaken with only his backside in view and that back view seemed very familiar, the long black hair and expensive long coat.
'That isn't a butler, that's him!'
.
.