Rosangela: The Half-Blood Princess

“I hate that vampire king so much,” I grumbled while stomping my foot in anger once I had returned to my bedroom, “First off, he ordered his men to kidnap me. Then, he brought me to this stupid vampire kingdom, and forced me to accept him as my grandfather. After that, he locked me up in my bedroom like a prisoner and starved me just because I don’t want to consume blood. And now, he arranged my marriage with a stranger. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.”

Furiously, I took each pillow on the bed and threw it to the floor.

“Knock-knock.” someone suddenly knocked on my bedroom door.

'It’s weird! Sigmund never knocks on the door before entering my bedroom. So could it be Lupita?' I thought.

“Who is that?” I asked angrily.

“It’s Maximilian,” answered a man at the other side of the door.

'Maximilian? Sounds familiar. But where did I hear that name?' I asked in my mind.

As if he could read my mind, he added, “Umm… I am your future husband.”

“Oh yeah how could I forget? It’s the name of the prince whom Grandpa introduced as my future husband,” I mumbled.

“Just leave, Prince Maximilian! I don’t want to see you,” I told him.

“I’m not going anywhere before you open this door. I can wait all night if I have to,” he insisted.

Upset, I went to the door and unlocked it. “You said you wouldn’t go anywhere before I opened this door. You see, I have opened the door. So you can leave now!”

I was about to shut the door again, but Prince Maximilian grabbed my hand, holding me back. “At least let’s talk first!”

I shook him off and crossed my arms over my chest. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Can we talk inside?” he asked.

I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“You don’t want your guards to hear our conversation, right?” He jerked his head to the ten guards who were standing in front of my bedroom.

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, come in! But leave the door open! I don’t want to be in the closed room with you.”

He shrugged. “As you wish.”

We both walked into my bedroom and left the door ajar.

“Speak now!” I ordered.

“Princess, I just want to know. Why were you so angry when King Bellamy told you that we were getting married?” he asked curiously.

“You asked me why? I don’t even know you. And all of a sudden, my grandfather introduced you as my future husband. He has never said anything about it. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted to get married with you or not. Of course, I have a right to be angry,” I reprimanded him.

“I understand how you must feel, Princess. But you have to understand one thing. We are mates. Do you know what a mate is?” he asked like I was a fool.

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I know what a mate is. My grandfather has explained it to me at the dinner, remember? Besides, I have read a lot of vampires and werewolves books that told about mates.”

“I’m glad you know what a mate means. So you understand that we are meant to be with each other, right? You’re destined to be my wife. That’s why we’re getting married,” Prince Maximilian explained.

“I don’t care,” I half-yelled, “Mate or not, I am not going to marry you.”

“Why don’t you want to marry me?”

“I told you I don’t even know you. How do you expect me to marry a stranger?”

“I know we just met now. But we still have time to get to know each other until our wedding. I am sure we will get along well by then. Please give me a chance!”

'This vampire prince is so naïve. I think I can use him to escape from here,' I thought.

“Fine. I think it’s worth a try. I’m going to give you a chance to see if we can get along well or not,” I lied.

“Thank you, Princess.” All of a sudden, he hugged me.

I really wanted to push him off, but I knew it would ruin my acting. So I decided to hug him back. After a few seconds, he lastly detached our embrace.

“Have a seat please! I want to ask you some questions about this mate thing.” I motioned to my bed.

Prince Maximilian and I then sat face to face on the edge of my bed.

“Okay shoot!” he said.

“You and my grandfather said that we’re mates, right? But how do you know that I am your mate?” I inquired curiously.

“From your scent,” he answered, “You have the most intoxicated scent I have ever smelt, so I was attracted to you. That’s how I know you’re my mate.”

“But we’ve just met a few minutes ago. How could you know that I’m your mate that fast? Besides I’m sure that my grandfather and your father have prepared our arrange marriage for a long time.”

Prince Maximilian chuckled. “Maybe you can’t remember it. But actually, it’s not our first meeting.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

He smiled. “I had ever met you when you were a baby.”

I was shocked. “What?!”

He nodded. “Yes. So I have known that you’re my mate since a long time ago.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” I commented.

Ignoring my remarks, Prince Maximilian held my hand. “You know, Princess, I was so desperate when I heard that you suddenly went missing after your parents passed away. But I’m glad you’re back now.”

“But if I’m really your mate, why can’t I tell that you’re my mate?” I asked suspiciously.

“You won’t know it because you’re only a half-blood vampire,” he replied.

“Oh I see.” I nodded.

“So Prince Maximilian, you’re like those vampires in the stories that I ever read who were obsessed with their mates and would do anything to get them into your arms, right?” I asked out of curiosity.

“No Princess, I am different with those vampires you’ve ever heard about,” he refuted.

“If you’re really different like what you said, then prove it!” I challenged him.

“How can I prove you that I’m different?” he asked.

“That’s easy! Take me out of here and then I’ll be—no, I mean I’ll try to believe in you,” I replied.

“Why do you want me to get you out of here?”

“I was kidnapped, brought to this vampire kingdom against my will, and locked up in my bedroom all the time, so why don’t I want to get out of here?”

“So you try to trick me so that I can help you escape from here?”

“No, no, no, it’s not a trick, but it’s a test. I just want to see how sincere your love for me is.”

“I’m sorry Princess, I can’t help you. The King will kill me if he finds out I help you escape.”

'No, I won’t let other people die because of me. Not anymore,” I thought, “But I have to get out of this place no matter what happens. Then, what shall I do? Think Rosanne! Think!'

“Hmmm…I am sure there is a misunderstanding between us,” I said, “When I told you I wanted you take me out of here, it didn’t mean I wanted to get out of this place forever. But I mean you can take me out tonight and then maybe get me some food in a restaurant or something like that. Let’s just say that it’s our first date. How do you think?”

“Hmm…” He was hesitating.

“Please Prince Maximilian, take me out of here tonight!” I pleaded, “You know, the food here is so disgusting. Everything is made of blood. I can’t stand eating it. I really want to eat out so that I can get normal food. I’m starving right now. I—”

“Okay, I get it,” Prince Maximilian butted in, “If that’s what you want, I will talk to the King to let us eat out tonight.”

My eyes shone. “Really?”

He nodded. “But after that, you’ll try to trust me, won’t you?”

“Of course!” I said. However, I added in my mind, 'I won’t.'

“Okay, then I’m going to meet the king.” He started walking to the door.

“Wait!” I shouted, holding him back.

He turned around to face me. “What else?”

“Remember! I just want to go out with you alone. I don’t want all of my guards follow us,” I said.

He frowned. “Why?”

“You still asked me why? Do you like it when ten bodyguards follow you anywhere and watch you all the time? I need my privacy too, you know.”

“Okay, hmmm, but… it’s a little difficult. I don’t think the king will agree with your condition.”

“Then don’t ever think to see me again! I don’t want to have a husband who won’t listen to my wishes.”

“Hey what are you talking about?” he protested.

“Take it or lump it?” I said firmly.

His mouth gaped. “What?!”

“Then goodbye, Prince Maximilian,” I said angrily.

“Wait! Wait! Okay, I’ll do that. But I don’t promise it will work out as you wished,” he said.

“If you fail, never think to show up in front of me again!” I threatened him.

He furrowed his eyebrows. “Is it a threat?”

I smirked. “You’re saying that.”

He touched my cheek. “You’re lucky you’re my future wife, Princess. If you were someone else, you might not be able to live to see another day after threatening a prince like me.”

I gulped, while he just grinned. Without saying another word, Prince Maximilian walked out of my bedroom and shut the door after him.

'He’s a bit scary. I hope he won’t find out I only use him to escape from here, or else I’m done for,' I thought.