7

Savior Subaru?

"Don't I deserve to finally be free of you?" – Laini Taylor

I rented a room in a town that was miles away from where the Sakamaki mansion was located. It was cramped but it's not like I have a choice. It was the one that suited my budget, but I'm not complaining. I'm not a fan of wide spaces anyway. At least I'll be free from those vampires for a while.

I didn't even notice that I fell asleep until I felt hungry. I had to admit that the meals from convenience stores paled in comparison with the ones prepared at the mansion. I even wished I was back there for a moment. But tomorrow will be another day. I wonder if the rain won't stop, but I'm sure I'll be in my bedroom in our house. And I will be with my father again. I can't wait.

But before that, I need to sort things at school. I was kind of sad that I have to leave. What else can I do? Maybe I can afford to continue my studies there, but how will I explain my school hours to my father? Night schools are not unusual, that's for sure. Still, I haven't heard one that lasts in the wee hours of the morning. Farewell, Ryoutei Academy!

That's just some disadvantage I had to deal with in exchange for my freedom. There is nothing more important than that, and I owe that to Subaru. I wonder how I can return the favor. All I know is that I'll do anything but be his bride. What's with him, anyway? One minute he's as ferocious as a lion then the next he's as tamed as a sheep. Do vampires experience mood swings too? I know they're capable of emotions. I guess there's nothing different between them and humans except that they're mean, stupid, and alright, supernatural.


I never thought I would be back at the mansion sooner. I didn't even remember going back. Did they somehow teleport me back? That's impossible, though. They're vampires, not sorcerers. I thought I'd find Reiji to ask him if they got something to do with it.

There was something different as I roam around. I didn't feel anything. I thought that was weird because I saw the water from the fountains flow. I felt like I was floating even though I was not in the water. I didn't even feel my body, which did not make sense. I thought I need to find him fast.

Instead, I found the triplets Ayato, Kanato, and Laito. They were running towards me or my direction. I'm sure they won't recognize me because I never recognized them earlier. What I saw was not someone my age. They were young boys playing around catching bats. They were as queer as they were even at their young age. Maybe I was in one of their memories. I had to admit they were cute. They looked happy but then Kanato started crying. He was upset that he didn't catch the bats. Both Ayato and Laito told him to stop blubbering like a baby and that they will catch them for him. A woman suddenly called Ayato. She had long, purple hair and eyes which was the same color as his. I recognized her right off the bat. I just don't remember where I saw her first. I thought that she was maybe a celebrity.

She told him to go back to his room to study. He refused, asking her why only he has to study while his brothers get to play anytime they can. She answered that as he was to be the successor, he has to be the best. If he fails, then he isn't worthy of his mother's love. And he deserves to be drowned in the lake where no one can hear him scream. Poor Ayato. Maybe that's the reason why did that to me before. How can she call herself his mother? I don't have one, but I'm sure that's not the way to treat your child.

I left the scene, wondering when it will stop. As I wander, I saw that witch of a woman sitting lazily on a bench. Kanato went up to her. She asked him to sing for her, and he did. Laito came up next. She may be their mother, but she definitely didn't act like it.

I heard a dog barking. I followed the sound and it led me to a gazebo where Reiji and a woman were staying. He was reading a book while she was embroidering. The woman resembled Shu a lot. She had his blond hair and blue eyes. I heard the bark again and saw Shu holding a puppy. He was very happy to have it. He showed it to his mother but she told him to let go of it. He refused just how a child would usually react. His mother then reminded him that he would be head of the family someday so he must act properly at all times. Manners, schmanners. Reiji got that from her for sure. She took a side glance at the butler and he immediately got the dog away from him. He was the one who took my bag when I first came to the mansion. I wondered how old he was.

Shu was upset so he ran away. His mother sat down in frustration. Reiji then told his mother he finished the book he was reading. She didn't care. Poor Reiji. No wonder why he hates Shu. I decided to leave when I saw a white rose on the ground. I picked it up and my fingers were pricked by its thorns. As I looked up, I saw a long hedge filled with white roses and a tower in front of me. Curiosity got me so I walked towards it. I saw Subaru staring at its window. There stood a woman who looked exactly like him. She hid behind the wall and left him yearning for her. He didn't notice he dropped the very knife he gave me. I went to pick it up but I was in a different place when I looked up. Whose memory was it?

I saw the triplets' mother sitting in the gazebo with a man next to her. He said sweet, beautiful things to her as an indication of his adoration for her. Was that their father? I doubt it somehow. He doesn't exude an air of authority with him. I looked around and saw Ayato looking at them with hatred in his eyes. I wonder if he hates her until now. I guess, unlike humans, vampires never forgive someone even in death. That's impossible though. She can't be dead because I saw her recently. Everything turned to gray as realization hit me. I looked at them and they didn't move. I stared at her, finding the reason why I knew her even though she was dead. I know I didn't see her in pictures. Suddenly, she turned to face me. Everything in my body hurt.


"Hey! Hey, wake up!" I heard someone talking. I saw his eyes and I jerked back. I thought that woman was out to get me. I only realized it was Ayato when I was back to my senses.

"What are you doing here?"

"Reiji called for you. Maybe he wants you to come back. Why did you leave anyway?"

What does he need me for? I hope I was not in trouble. "Alright, but it better be quick."

"Your finger is bleeding. What did you do to it?" he asked. I thought I was only bleeding in my dream or whatever it was. Maybe it was a lucid one because I remembered it so clearly. But does someone get wounded from a dream? That's not possible. I know it sounds crazy, but I felt that woman had something to do with it. Maybe she had something to do with all of it. Maybe she was the one who led me to the Sakamaki brothers and chose me to be their sacrificial bride. I need to find her. I need to know the truth.

"I'm going to buy bandages from the store. I'll be right back," I lied. I have a collection of colorful adhesive bandages. I just needed an excuse to leave. I was about to open the door when Laito suddenly appeared in my room. "Why are you here?"

"Hmm… you give up such a sweet aroma. You should bottle that scent and call it 'Temptation.' I'm so glad I ran into you here. What do you say we have a little fun together?" he replied.

Ayato chimed in. "It certainly is a potent fragrance. I'm certain that I've smelled it before."

"That's a great suggestion. If I decide to have a perfume business, I'll let you two be my consultants. Now can I leave?" They shrugged. I reached for the doorknob but the door won't open. "Open the door!"

"We'll do that on one condition. Come here and have fun with us," Laito ordered. I refused. He came to me and suddenly I was under him on the bed. He was about to bite me, but then Ayato told him to stay away. He bit me on the neck. I was hurt after a while. It was what I feel when I saw that woman from my dream. He got up, confused. I pushed him away but I was caught by Laito. He pushed me back to the bed and bit the insides of my thigh. Ayato came back to me, pulled my shirt down, and bit me again. He stopped, saying he was bored, and disappeared. I was relieved. I got up and struggled away from Laito but it was in vain.

How dare I think I can be free from them?