The Dark Prince
Chapter 14
"After shedding tears for the dearly departed our favorite subject of gossip has remained under tight restraint. Although a little quiet can do us all some good the fabulous entertainers of Verona greatly miss the presence of our Queen to be at their social gatherings. It seems that the royal couple has lost all their invitations for the past two weeks. Either that or the guilt of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Monroe has finally pledged the royal household as much as it has to the rest of us commoners. Over the past few days Ullyan Chance of South Verona has been spotted with a mysterious new man, raising all of our suspicions in the hopes that finally our leaders have come to their senses and are fighting for our defenses.Maybe the sailing of Prince Alexander was in the hopes of discovering our captured fellow friend and restoring the once held glory of the royal family. May our prayers reach our brave soldiers and protect our people."
John Kellber
Wednesday, June 5th, 1899 Verona Daily News
The early morning air was cool and to anyone unfamiliar with West Verona's environment the air might have been an indication that the day was going to be very chilly. To Alec de Leon the morning chilly air was just an indication that it was going to be a very hot day and for that reason he had chosen his morning task very carefully.
Alec struggled to lift the batch of the yellow powder. There was a great amount of it. He quickly shoveled into the powder and then slowly poured it along his path as he walked. The turmeric fell off the shovel and swayed in the wind before cascading onto the ground. Alec walked in a steady pace around the city walls. Turmeric had been rumored to repel vampires yet the government had never endorsed its benefit. Some people have stored turmeric for protection. It was already used, but only by the rich that had the resources in importing it and knew of its benefit. Alec knew however that his actions would be seen as the interest of the royal family and so he continued to shovel the powder around the city walls of West Verona in the hopes of protecting the people.
Bruce Hunter frantically thumbed his way through the newspaper. He skimmed through the small stories concerning the East Veronians, the sport sections concerning the South Veronian teams versus the North Veronian teams, and the social life of the rich elite of East Verona before he finally settled on the fifth page and began to read the gossip and political news of the capital city of West Verona. He skimmed through what he wasn't looking for and settled on what he was.
"Gerald," he turned with the paper in hand as his eyes scattered around the page. "Gerald, Gerald," Bruce's voice reached a loud whisper as he turned around in search of his friend of many years. "Gerald it is right here. He is right here."
Gerald rolled his eyes around and struggled to open them before sitting himself in an upright position. It took him several seconds to recognize his friend's voice and his location. Bruce rushed over to him and sat down shoving the newspaper straight into Gerald's face.
"That is him. I know it is him. The hair the everything it has to be him," Bruce's voice was overly excited and yet Gerald could sense the tension and fright in his friend. His eyes squinted and he struggled to make sense of the commotion.
"Bruce it is early, extremely early," Gerald motioned towards the Conference Room. "The meeting hasn't even started. No one should be functioning at this ungodly hour."
Gerald motioned once more to the Conference Room door. It was locked and no one had opened the door since the last meeting. Gerald and Bruce knew well that they were not allowed in the room. It was only reserved for the leaders and the princes.
"Just look," Bruce shoved the paper towards Gerald who grasped it weakly still exhausted from the little sleep he managed to receive before his friend rushed him to the Conference Room.
Gerald stared into a short article written by John Kellber and then focused his eyes on a poorly drawn picture of a familiar man. "It looks nothing like him," he mumbled before passing the paper towards Bruce.
"We never got a good look at him, but it has to be him. Why do you think Melanie hasn't been seen in public lately?" Bruce questioned Gerald staring him straight in his eyes.
"Melanie is-"
"This mysterious new man suddenly arrives trying to help us and Melanie is in hiding," Bruce interjected his friend's comment. "It is him. His name is Charles and he is from Earron. How dare he come cascading into Verona claiming anyone he wants and then boast about helping us?" Bruce was getting frustrated.
"He said he arrived on the day of Alexander's departure. If he was here any earlier on the day of the engagement party do you not think that the King would have known?" Gerald tired to understand the situation. It seemed rather ridiculous that a mysterious man would arrive without anyone's knowledge. If Earron was sending help they clearly would have acknowledged the King. Gerald's thoughts were interrupted at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Both men looked at each other with alarmed expressions. It was too early to begin the Conference meetings. An anxious feeling itched into them as they anticipated the person who was arriving.
It was not until Alec had made his appearance that the two men began to calm their senses.
Alec's hands were covered in a yellow powder and he appeared even more exhausted than Gerald.
"Alec, what on earth are you doing here so early?" Bruce questioned the young Prince.
"I could say the same for you two if I was not in such a desperate need for help," the prince opened his arms in a greeting that was only reserved for those he was close too. The men hugged.
"What is that smell?" Gerald questioned the odor seeping from Alec.
"Turmeric. I need your help bringing a few of the boxes." Alec motioned for the two to follow.
Both Gerald and Bruce stared at each other. Turmeric had never been employed before by anyone they knew yet the two knew that many secretly did store in the case of emergencies. It became apparent to the two that if the prince was seen with turmeric all over his body that the threat of the vampires had become so intense that an attack was not only suspicious but extremely necessary.
Alec motioned towards the way before leaving and Bruce immediately followed.
Gerald lingered a few seconds gathering his coat. It was a chilly morning, but he knew that the cool air would be gone in a few hours and in its place the hot sticky near summer air would reign. He struggled gathering his arms in the coat when the sound of a woman's footsteps startled him.
Gerald turned around to face Melanie. She jumped at his appearance and gasped as if she was afraid of finding someone.
He seemed surprised by her sudden advancement especially since she had been the topic of conversion a few minutes ago.
She wore a simple pink faded dress that was not as extravagant as the ones Gerald knew she had. Her hair was pulled back and gathered in a conservative bun near the side. A simple scarf covered her neck. Even in her simple attire, Melanie's appearance drew a nervous laugh from Gerald.
"I'm sorry to startle you," Melanie apologized after calming herself from her own fright.
Gerald glanced down at himself. He was in mid pose. His left arm was fully covered by a sleeve yet the other was frozen in a grasping motion indicating that he was clearly in shock.
"No. No not at all." Gerald tried to object the fact that her appearance had startled him. She had not been seen in public for quite some time. Gerald had not really seen her since her supposed affair incident at her engagement party to the prince.
Melanie smiled faintly before sitting down by a nearby couch. She crossed her legs and folded her hands neatly. Gerald struggled in keeping his curiosity hidden. He stared as he folded the newspaper. She seemed so strange. He had never seen her like this before.
"Well, if you excuse me Prince Alec has requested my assistance."
Gerald was slowly leaving the room.
Melanie turned to him. A frightened expression covered her face.
"Where?" She questioned. Her face looked alarmed as if she was afraid of being alone.
"It's just outside the hall. I really should be leaving."
Gerald turned and left the room. He did not wait for her response. A feeling of remorse settled on him. She seemed so strange and different. She was so afraid. He suddenly felt guilty as if he had acted rudely. He should have waited for a proper goodbye, but Melanie's actions were so odd that he felt uncomfortable in her very presence.
Gerald could recall a time when he had been close with Melanie. They tolerated each other as friends. He was close to her as Bruce was with Elizabeth.
Gerald neared the end of the hallway when a freighting realization finally incubated inside him. Bruce was right. Melanie was distraught and the only thing that could explain it would be the sudden appearance of Charles. Gerald wanted to ask her so many of these things as a genuinely concerned friend, but there is only so much one can do with open doors before appearing interested in another man's fiancé.
The gentlemen of the Conference Room arrived to such a commotion. Many journalists should outside the building ready to report any accusations. Civilians stood outside ready to rush to local markets and plazas with first hand accounts of the events. As much surprise as there was on the faces of the average people, none could match the surprise of the King himself.
Alec stared at his father's image as he barged through the people. He was outraged. Turmeric could be seen near the Conference Room in huge quantities.
Alec seemed not to care. The people's safety could not be jeopardized by silly disagreements between the leaders.
He turned around and glanced at Melanie who was sitting in a perfect ridge position staring around frantically. Gerald and Bruce sat in the corner. When she glanced at Alec she smiled.
Alec could not deny her strange behavior. She was afraid and he could tell. She had never been grateful to see him as she had at that moment.
Alec walked towards her and sat down. He had never felt his duty as a fiancé as much as he did at that moment.
Melanie laid her head down upon Alec's chest. It was an act done out of fear yet perceived as an act of love. Alec closed his arms around her after glancing around the room. Bruce and Gerald both stared at the two only glancing away when they seemed under the suspicion of intruding.
A sting of betrayal rang throughout Alec and he briefly pictured Alexander standing on a ship alone with a bunch of vicious vampires.
Alec rubbed his hands together as he tried to shake the remaining turmeric off of his hands.
Melanie stared at the falling particles and whispered a quiet sentence that escaped her fiancé's ears.
"Why do we need it?" Melanie's voice was louder than the first time she spoke.
"Need what?" Alec released Melanie from his arms.
"Need it. Need that," she pointed to his hands and the tainted residue on his uniform. "Why? Are they here? Did you find them here?"
Melanie's voice rose with each question. She seemed frantic. The attention in the room was drawn to her.
"No. No. No one's here. What are you-" Alec's questioning was quieted by his father's appearance in the hall. He was clearing angry. His son had betrayed him and it had taken him minutes to pass through the journalists. The king was followed by the other leaders.
William Evelyn was the last to follow. Alec stood to accompany them.
He glanced back to stare at Melanie. William Evelyn had taken his place on the coach and began speaking with his daughter.
Alec stared one last time before leaving the room and following his father who opened the door and entered the Conference Room.
The men took their respectable seats. Alec stood near the door. His father stared at him in an annoyance.
Silence took over the room. No man had much to say. Frustration and fear had taken over their lives. Alec wanted to speak. To explain that the people needed a chance to defend themselves especially since their government had no other form of protection but a group of poorly trained men on a ship. The appearance of turmeric was scaring people. Was this the only form of protection they had? Someone spoke and Alec broke his concentration to listen.
"I will send out a formal note of apology, sir. It'll blame the turmeric as some crazed joke by childish school boys and by tomorrow the fear from people will be displaced." Conrad Kellber spoke slowly and clearly.
The room fell back into silence and a knock could be heard on the door followed by an appearance by the West Veronian representative Richard Evelyn. His face looked distraught. He greeted his future son in law by slowly nodding in his direction before taking his seat.
Chad Hunter was the next to interject. "The people are afraid. They need protection. It's time we admit our faults and begin protecting them."
"What faults?" Conrad's voice was louder than before. "Do not blame your insecurities and your failures on all of the council. The people are afraid because they now believe we have no other form of protection but a silly ridiculous plant."
Chad Hunter stared in disbelief at his long time friend. His words alluded to the attack led on North Verona eight years ago. The government had done nothing to help North Verona and it lacked the funds to secure its borders. As a result the vampires had rampaged the cities of North Verona and many lives were lost.
"We had nothing and if it wasn't for your elitist and piggish behavior people wouldn't have died." Chad answered Conrad. He knew that East Verona and West Verona were wealthier than the North and South. East Verona should have help. They all should have.
"People will die if we tell them their only protection is this." Conrad threw his arms around. His words were sharp and poisonous. He stared at Alec who stood in the corner. "Your silly behavior proves nothing but the fact that you certainly have no skill in becoming our King."
The king himself did not speak no matter how much Alec wished he would. The disappointment on his face was clearly visible. "My silly behavior will let the people have a fair chance at survival." Alec could only hope that his words were effective.
"A fair chance?" Conrad stood from his chair, "it isn't about a fair chance. We protect those in our own territory anything above that involves a national threat. It isn't East Verona's fault that certain leaders of their country failed at the protection of their people. We advertise the use of this and chaos ensues. I will not let chaos ensue. People will demand it. I certainly will not fund the use of turmeric for all."
"This isn't right." Alec strode towards Conrad. "People who can afford it already use it. If we just encourage it everyone will use it. Everyone deserves a chance at survival. This isn't-"
Alec was interrupted by a banging on the table. "That is enough," the King stared at his son demanding he stop.
Alec drew himself back. He glared at Conrad and stood silent. People already used turmeric, but only the elite. The poor did not know of its benefits and if they did not many could afford it.
Silence fell upon the room. No one moved. They were all exhausted. It was early in the morning and the warm summer weather was beginning to penetrate into everyone's comfort. Ullyan Chance pushed back his chair. The old man appeared to be standing up. Everyone watched him. The King strode off his chair to assist Ullyan who only dismissed the help to stand on his own.
"Aye." He struggled to stand. The room stared at the South Veronian leader. "We must vote eventually. I vote. I vote yes. It's about time we cared for all." Alec was suddenly overwhelmed with pride. This was the spirit that would help all Veronians. It was the Veronian spirit and it was why they were all elected. He felt proud of his countrymen even though the only reason South Verona would vote for the endorsement of turmeric was most likely because it was as poor and as defenseless as North Verona.
"Aye. I vote as well." Chad Hunter stood to represent North Verona. The two men stared at each other with faint smiles in hope.
"This is ridiculous. It'll only make them more afraid. It'll prove that we cannot protect them." Conrad Kellber banged his hand on the table in frustration. He then stared at Richard Evelyn hoping that the rich West Verona would support the East.
Richard Evelyn stared quietly at the table. He was shaken. Alec felt sympathy for the old man. His daughter had gone crazy.
"Richard," the King stared at Richard Evelyn in concern. "Richard what do you have to say."
"She is gone. Gone." Richard rocked himself and laughed slightly. Only Alec seemed to understand his concern for Melanie. "Everything we have done was a failure."
The king leaned forward in concern over Richard. "Richard, what have you say about the turmeric."
"God damn it Sir, let the people protect themselves. Give them all a chance."
Lady Melanie sat between Gerald Chance and Bruce Hunter. She laid her lead on Gerald's shoulder. There were no reporters to comment on this indecent behavior and the three all received comfort from that. They were human and this was a time when all were in need of humane actions. At that very moment, Melanie couldn't help but think of Alexander. Every time she did think of him she pictured him fighting. He would fight bravely. Melanie closed her eyes to picture it. Alexander would trash around his sword and throw the turmeric, but he would always die and Melanie would always have to open her eyes. It was almost as if she needed him. She was afraid, very afraid because if she didn't picture Alexander fighting she would picture the monster.
A loud banging noise could be heard from the Conference Room.
The monster was called Charles. Melanie never wanted to see him again.
The door to the Conference Room was opened. The men stumbled out slowly. Melanie's thoughts were distorted. Gerald shook her to reason and the two broke apart. The King walked over to the balcony. He was going to deliver a speech on the Veronian's next move.
The men all followed out onto the balcony. Melanie leaned on Alec and the two stood for the duration of the speech where she paid little attention to the king. He spoke of closing the borders and endorsed the use of turmeric. Melanie stared into the crowd. The faces blended, but there was one face she had wished to never see. Melanie pressed herself into Alec. Could they all know? Melanie wondered if the reason why turmeric was being used was mostly because they knew. They all had to know that Charles was one of them. Melanie knew it. That was why her neck was bruised. It had taken her a while to understand it. He was a vampire. Melanie took comfort in the fact that Alec knew, but dared not tell him that she knew Charles was one. She reasoned that of the government was employing the use of protection they clearly knew that monsters were among them.
Melanie was mentally absent throughout the speech which was probably why she was startled when Alec called her to follow the others out into the hallway. They stumbled into the shade of the building. It was a hot day and the heat was increasing the tension of everything.
Alec arrived with pleasure at the comfort of the palace. He was exhausted from the early day and the heat had made him anxious. He laid himself down upon the couch after explaining that he did not feel well. His thoughts wondered. He thought of Melanie and why she seemed so afraid. It was normal to seem frightened but someone as resourceful as Melanie seemed to have no right to become frightened. Alec thought of Charles, the new man Earron. He had been absent for days. Where was he? He was supposed to help and at the most important decision of Verona he was absent.
Alec stood himself up and stumbled into the washrooms. He cleaned himself of the turmeric. There seemed no need of it at the moment and although the day was young he was exhausted. It seemed unusual that at the appearance of Charles, Melanie would lose her sense of direction and sanity. It was at the moment that a daunting thought entered Alec's mind. Had his father known of the appearance of Charles in advance? The King should have known if help was supposed to have arrived from Earron and yet Alec had not received word from his father. It was the strangest thing that Earron had not even sent a note claiming that help was to arrive.
With that thought in mind, Alec exited the washrooms, laid himself back down upon the couch, and after what had seemed forever he thought of Elizabeth.
He imagined her as she was. It was the right thing to do and it was the only thing keeping him sane.
No matter how happy he was picturing her happy, Alec knew that she was probably not happy at that moment. It made him even more anxious.
An image of Elizabeth frightened entered his mind. Alec shook his head trying to rid himself of nightmarish thought, but no matter what he tried to concentrate on nothing could shake her terrified image out of his mind until Claudia called out to him.
Alec was so caught in his imagination he missed Claudia's message. She reached out and tapped his shoulder. Alec jumped clearly agitated. Melanie's frantic behavior had finally affected him.
"Yes." Alec sat himself into a sitting position.
"There is a man here to meet you. I'm sorry I tried to tell him you were not well, but he insisted. He insisted so much it seemed like it would be a crime not letting him in." Claudia had spoken fast. She spoke so much faster than usual that Alec knew something was amiss. She had slowed her voice on the last words as if she was remembering something.
Alec rubbed his eyes, "Claudia you must get some rest. Please enjoy the day rest of the day off. You seem so anxious."
"But he is coming sir. I will bring him." Claudia left the room. Alec noted on the fact that everyone seemed so agitated and anxious.
He could not understand why until the figure of Charles Daggery entered the room.
Thank you so much to those of you that have stuck with this story for a while now. I know i don't update as much as i should but i'm trying to change that. I'm going to start working on the next chapter ASAP. :)