The Dungeon
It was the finish of the most barbaric War in history, War of the Red Flood.
Ending with two kingdoms slain and emptied, completely defeated by the Sirius Empire with no signs of life anywhere in sight.
Legend says that the Sirius Empire, Ruled by Emperor Basilius Sirius, was rumored for hundreds of years to be filled with vampires. They were so fast, the human eye couldn't see them move. They were so strong, they could tear a person to pieces in seconds. Their beauty and youth outgrew many human generations. Though many people never believed or trusted any of these 'fairy tales' or 'myths', there were others who thought them to be true.
For almost twenty years the kingdoms of Caisson and Gerald were allied against the Sirius Empire, with a similar goal to defeat their long known enemy. Though nobody knew the true reasons for such a war, it was thought that it began because of a trade disagreement and it ended up being blown out of proportion. Once over dramaticized, the flames of war were hard to diffuse.
The Sirius Empire had many strong generals and envied tactics for defense, all thanks to the Eldest son of the Emperor. Prince Drystan. Known for his strong sunkissed physique, silent personality, and his sexy rare black hair. Prince Drystan is the most skilled royal in combat, known for his diligent attitude and studious habits in military knowledge and politics.
When Drystan arrived at the imperial palace near the end of the war, the Emperor was surprised to hear he spared a single war prisoner. It was completely unnatural for Drystan so spare life during war, especially because of any potential threats to the empires security. What brought on such a twist in character? When Emperor Basilius heard this news, he immediately demanded to see whom his son had given a blessed slight ounce of mercy to.
When he set foot in the dungeon, he immediately smelled it. The blood of a young woman, but not just any young woman... a virgin? "Drystan... What is the meaning of this?!" he shouted, obviously distraught because of his son's actions, "a prisoner of war? where are your ethics son?!"
There, within a wet and stuffy dungeon cell, a young woman heavily sat chained to the wall. She hung limp and unconscious by her wrists, in heavy chains. Her extravagant golden dress was covered in blood and dirt, while her slender arms were covered in bruises and cuts in many places.
The prince looked at his father, with a cold glare. "Father." he firmly grasped Emperor Basilius's shoulder, "her scent-" "I smell it." the Emperor interrupted. "why.. is it so strong?" he placed a hand on the bars of her cell.
"I believe she is the one you were looking for, Father." he whispered lowly, "I... I couldn't ignore how... enticing her scent is." Drystan ran his fingers through his dark sweaty hair, taking in a slow deep breath. As if trying to indulge in something delicious, the smell of the young maidens blood.
"Who is she?" the Emperor glanced at her tattered dress, golden and bejeweled... "Royalty?" he spoke in a hushed tone. "Yes- she's the crown princess of Cassion. the moment I saw her I-I..." Prince Drystan stuttered, "I couldn't leave her there."
"What of the King and Queen?" The Emperor continued to whisper, "Did you...?" "Yes Father." The Prince retorted quickly. "I killed them."
Emperor Basilius tapped his chin, scratching his beard like he was lost in thought. "Guards. Unlock the door immediately." he crossed his arms. "Father?" Drystan questioned his motive, "what are you doing?" Two guards fiddled with the lock, undoing it with a loud click! And swinging the iron bars aside, with ferocious screech. "Your Eminence." A guard dressed in all black attire bowed, stepping aside.
The Emperor walked graciously towards her limp figure. Then he bent down to the young woman, grabbing her chin and turning her face towards him. Even with her rose colored curls in a knotted mess, and her body covered in injuries.. she was still strikingly Beautiful.
"She's quite, Bewitching... " he whispered. He gently fingers her messy, long strawberry blonde curls. He observed her porcelain skin lightly painted with blood and dust, yet innocently flushed pink underneath the mess. "She has an..." he sighs lightly, "air about her... We must act quickly." he gestures for Drystan to come closer.
She shuffles lightly, as if sensing a dangerous presence, furrowing her brows. Twisting and attempting to move her restrained limbs. Then slowly she becomes still again, breathing gently, and falling back into rest.
"How do we begin the Traditional steps?" The prince eyes his father curiously. "Well.. the Initial step is to pass her a sustainable amount of the family's genetic venom.... through a bite." the Emperor turns her head gently, supporting her neck with his right hand. He takes a deep breath, "As the current head of the family line, I must pass it to her."
Prince Drystan, snaps uncomfortably "Father-! shouldn't I be the one to do it?" "Already becoming territorial I see? calm your horses. she isn't yours." He hisses back, "besides. if she is given too much venom it could kill her. we cannot afford such a careless mistake so close to the blood moon." He shakes his head, pushing his son by his shoulder. "Now, step back. There's no telling what reaction her body will give to the venom."
"Yes- Father." Drystan submits, hesitantly. "This is how it's done." Basilius answers simply, bending into the crook of her neck. He carefully sinks his teeth into her skin, just as his eyes begin to furiously glow a light blue hue.. his dark grey hair and beard quickly flashes to a pure white tone.
Suddenly she groans at the unpleasant sensation, "Hnnn..." softly grabbing at the chains on her wrists. She arches her back as if she is in pain, and tears roll down her cheeks. "AGH!" she cries out, still completely unconscious."mmh..." She shakily shuffles, becoming paler, and breaking into a sweat. Her arms and legs, tremble, as she moans softly. "Mm.."
When she finally settles, the Emperor begins to speak with the Prince again. "Have the servants clean a room for her near your sisters, I want the two of them to keep an eye on her health." he waves to the guards, signaling for them to remove her restraints. "Get her comfortable. The venom needs time to decide if it's compatible with her blood."
Prince Drystan lifts her effortlessly, flexing his exposed sunkissed chest. He begins following his father up hundreds of concrete steps and back into the clean halls of the Palace. "I want you to bring Calithea and Ira to her, I have something urgent to deal with." he turns a corner, his red cloak swings around following his body. "Make sure they understand how sensitive this situation is, Drystan. For there to be a fair race to the Throne, She must be in prime condition." With that, he descends down a long dark hallway, leaving not a single trace of his presence behind.
Drystan's POV
'Her Blood... smells like lillies. Aren't I silly for feeling like this?' he scoffs silently thinking to himself. 'It makes me thirsty...' he glances down at her, entranced by her doll-like beauty. 'Yet, I don't want to hurt her. She's so... bizzare.' Suddenly he feels a soft jitter in the pit of his stomach, like butterflies frolicking in the spring air. Reminding him of that feeling of nervous satisfaction he takes from his fathers approval, after he slaughters humans for him. The corners of his mouth rise gradually, unnoticed.
'I hope.... you don't hate me.' he suddenly remembers the bloody scene he found her in, desperately trying to wake her parents. Shaking and crying violently, she couldn't seem to stop screaming. Her beautiful golden dress tainted with the blood of her dead family, and her once tied up hair knotted and falling apart. Drystan had found her cries insignificant and annoying, and intended to end them.. until their eyes met.
The moment their eyes met she seemed to be soaked in horror, terror, and confusion. She had attempted to fight him, with all her strength until she finally collapsed in exhaustion. He smelled Something familiar, sweet, and gentle... reminding him of his childhood. His mother. For the first time in his life... the Prince felt slightly guilty.
'Come to think of it..' he gently examines the bite the Emperor left on the left side of her neck, 'Why does her presence feel this way?'
The young Princess's eyes flutter, as if she's dreaming, briefly revealing her deep violet irises. His smile grew further, ever so slightly. 'did I just- SMILE?' he shakes off the expression, 'no. A mere human cannot have this effect on me. I mustn't get distracted.' he huffs, ignoring her pleasant scent and gentle sleep. Forwardly marching on to continue with his fathers instructions.
"Madam..." Drystan calls out to a servant in the distance, "will you prepare a room in the ladies hall? we have a long-term guest." "Oh my! Drystan- your Highness! yes, yes. we will have it ready urgently! I'm very Happy to see you're back safely." The greying old woman grins, visibly pleased with his return to the palace.
She looks down at the young maiden in his arms, and attempts to keep her questioning expressions to herself. "OH- MY DEAR! is she alright?" she moves tangled curls to feel the seemingly peaceful woman's forehead. "She is alright. Father wants her to rest." he furrows his eyebrows, and pushes her hands away from the girl. "Ah.. okay. Follow me dear." she waves her hand for him to follow her down the hallway. He bows his head respectfully, following the servant. As she scurries ahead of him hurriedly, he whispers, "Thank You."