NIGHTS OF HALLOW

”Could you enlighten me on what that was all about in the castle, Sarah?” Lady Rosamonda’s voice came at Princess as soon as the older vampiress caught up to her.

”About what, Mother?” Princess Sarah turned to look at her mother with an oblivious expression marred on her face.

”Oh, Sarah, do not act like you do not know what I speak of,” The frown on Rosamonda’s face deepened, her gaze sternly trained on Sarah.

”If it is Mr. Hans you speak of, Mother, I only replied to his question with the appropriate answer.”

”Your tone wasn’t pleasing, Sarah,” Lady Rosamonda reprimanded. ”Don’t you want to get married? If your reckless attitude ruins your opportunity with Mr. Hans, I do not know what will become of you,”

”Oh, please, Mother,” Sarah snapped, ”It has always been Mr. Hans this and that. I do not care about the benefit it is going to be for you, Mother, but if there is something I have been so sure of is that I will not marry that man. I am a Princess, do not treat me like an option.” Saying this, Princess Sarah urged her horse forward and went in another direction in the forest leaving Rosamonda seething with anger.

In another part of the forest was Mr. Hans giving Princess Sarah the space she sought and also trying to get the biggest hunt had wasted almost all the arrows he had in his quiver, his luck in getting a bigger animal running out on him.

”Nice hunt, Mr. Hans,” Said Lady Eleanor as she approached on her horse. ”But not quite the catch,” She continued, her gaze on the small animal he had caught.

”I can see yours is quite the catch, Lady Eleanor,” Mr. Hans replied albeit smuggling looking behind the vampiress and the animal she had caught.

”Of course,” Lady Eleanor remarked, her shoulders high in pride. ”When you want something, you make sure to get it.”

”Hmm,” Mr. Hans hummed, agreeing to her words. ”Everybody sure wants the prize from the King.”

”The king himself is the biggest price,” Lady Eleanor said, jumping down from her horse. For a moment, her legs swayed but she immediately caught herself from further embarrassing herself.

”Pardon?” Mr. Hans frowned as he aimed at a cheetah currently munching on its food farther from where he was ”Could you repeat that, Lady Eleanor?”

”I was saying,” Lady Eleanor cleared her throat immediately changing what she had said, ”It surprises me you hunt without your soon bride-to-be? What great way to get closer to her if not now?”

Hearing this brought a small smile to Mr. Hans’ face as he replied, ”Why appear desperate if she is going to be my wife at the end?”

”True,” Lady Eleanor nodded as she tucked her hair away from her face. ”You must be ecstatic about it as the king had already built a mansion ready for the day both of you will get married. But what says you will be the man going in with her on that day?”

”What do you speak of Lady Eleanor?” The smile on Mr. Hans’ face was quick to wipe off his face, his curiosity peeked as he walked towards where the vampiress stood.

”It is not what I speak of, Mr. Hans but what I have heard. I hear you have quite the competitor. And what’s more? I also hear he is quite close to the king. Your chances I must say are slim if you continue waiting for the day that might turn out not to be your day.”

”I do not believe you, Lady Eleanor. Princess Sarah is being watched by her mother. There is no such thing as you speak.” Mr. Hans waved his hand dismissively, however, at the back of his mind, the discord had already been sown and it silently tugged at his heart.

”Of what gain do I have to say something that isn’t true when it is of no business of mine?” Lady Eleanor chuckled. She dusted off her shoe and climbed onto her horse once more.

”That is something I wish to know too, Lady Eleanor. You wouldn’t ride to this place just to tell me something you aren’t concerned about. Something that wouldn’t benefit you.”

”Oh, dear,” Lady Eleanor chuckled saying, ”You would know if it is of my concern or not when you come running to me for assistance which I know you would. I hope this message helps you sleep better tonight,”

”Who told you this? How did you know of this?” Mr. Hans continued to question, his mind reeling from what he had just heard.

”Mind you,” Lady Eleanor stated, a hint of malevolence lurked in her eyes, so subtle it couldn’t be noticed. ”You asking me those questions inadvertently seeks my assistance which unfortunately I am not going to render without a favor returned.”

Mr. Hans stared at Eleanor for some time. He knew she was going to ask for the favor returned once he questioned her. ”And what could the favor be, Lady Eleanor?”

A sly smile made its way to her lips, knowing the trap she laid out had caught her hunt. ”Come,” She said, bending low to whisper some words in the ear of the vampire.

”No!” Mr. Hans frowned, stepping backwards while shaking his head negatively. ”I shall do no such thing, Lady Eleanor. What will become of me if it fails? The King will kill and my plans of marrying the Princess will be washed away. No, I don’t believe you.”

”Very well then, Mr. Hans,” Lady Eleanor urged her horse around, her face showing anger mixed with disgust over Mr Hans’ rejection. ”Enjoy your hunt, Mr. Hans while another gets the biggest hunt you have been aiming for.”

”Where are you going?”

”To get my hunt of course,” Lady Eleanor scoffed, pulling the reigns to get the horse trotting. ”Not the type you know of, this one is the biggest hunt I’ve been aiming for.” Saying this, Lady Eleanor galloped off on her horse leaving Mr. Hans clutching his bow in a tight grip.

At the time, in another side of the forest was Daemon who trotted towards Princess Sarah on his black horse, bringing the attention of the vampiress to him as he praised, ”Nice aim,”

Princess Sarah turned to the side, casting Daemon a glance, ”Are you following me?”

”Not that I wanted to,” Daemon shrugged his shoulders. He stared at the Princess noting the frown that creased her forehead. He remarked playfully, ”You look like someone who wrestled with a bull. You are all red,”

”Yes, I did wrestle with one, if you could leave me to focus on my target?” She turned to him, her eyes piercing his forehead with glares as sharp as her red eyes.

”With such aim,” Daemon began, ignoring the little glares of threat from the Princess, ”You are bound to miss the animal.”

”Of course,” Princess Sarah agreed, taking another arrow from her quiver as she turned to face him. ”Perhaps, if I change my aim, I will surely not miss the target.”

”Sure, Princess, you can win the prize if you successfully get the biggest hunt,” Daemon nodded, his gaze on her as she equally stared at him. He went on to speak but was interrupted by the sizzling sound of the arrow that came at him with an inhumane speed. Barely an inch saved him from the arrow that was bound to hit his forehead had he not moved.

”Oh, my bad, I missed,” Sarah casually remarked, the arrow disappearing into the forest to wherever it landed.

Daemon shocked by the unexpected turn of event recollected himself from the sudden attack from the Princess. He said, ”You just broke the hunting rule, Princess.”

”Did I?” Sarah scoffed, her eyes still shooting glares at Daemon.

”Not only did you use your vampire ability to fire that arrow, but there’s a possibility of you injuring someone,” Daemon stated, his voice stern and reprimanding. ”Besides, I didn’t know you wanted me dead this much,”

”You would be surprised how many times I’ve wanted to do this, Chief Advisor Daemon,” Sarah snapped, ”Do not follow me, unless you want people to misunderstand,” Just as she made to move from there, the voice of the king bellowed not too far from where they were.

”Who dares disobey the rule?! The hunt is over, everyone assemble this instant!”