Rosangela: The Half-Blood Princess

As the person drew nearer, my fear gave way to relief because I recognized who the person was.

“Dad?” I said in excitement.

Ivan’s lips curved in a smile. “Hi Rosanne.”

As soon as Sigmund relinquished my arm, I ran towards my father and engulfed him in a bear hug. Ivan soon hugged me back.

“Dad, you’re supposed to be still in the wedding hall fighting against the vampires now, right? So what are you doing in this forest? And how do you know I am here?” I asked curiously after we pulled away.

“Yes, I was there, but then I quietly left to find you. And I know you’re in this forest because that vampire told me to meet you here,” Ivan answered, jerking his head towards Sigmund.

“Sigmund?” I said in disbelief.

My father nodded in response.

I approached Sigmund again.

“I can’t believe it, Sigmund! I know you’re very loyal to my grandfather. So why do you help me now?” I queried out of curiosity.

Sigmund looked at my father briefly before he returned his gaze at me.

“I do this for your mother,” he said.

“What do you mean?” I asked, didn’t understand.

“My father had spent his entire life working as the vampire king’s personal bodyguard. When my father was killed, King Bellamy took me in,” Sigmund told me.

He paused for a moment, then started speaking again, “Princess Claribelle and I grew up together as brother and sister. As the time went by, we fell in love with each other and decided to date behind the king’s back. For years, Claribelle and I kept our relationship a secret. All this time, King Bellamy considered me as Claribelle’s brother and we just didn’t want to disappoint him if he knew about our ‘forbidden’ love.”

The fact that my mother and Sigmund were lovers came as a shock to me. If Sigmund was the man that my mother used to love, that would explain why Prince Maximilian and Sigmund were always fighting. Maximilian and Sigmund loved the same woman, my mother. Maximilian hated Sigmund because my mother chose Sigmund over him. Meanwhile, Sigmund hated Maximilian because he was my mother’s true mate. Even though at the end both of them couldn’t get my mother, but they still couldn’t end their enmity until now.

Sigmund continued, “When we finally plucked up the courage to tell the king the truth about our relationship, Claribelle unexpectedly met her true mate, Prince Maximilian. At that time, Prince Maximilian and his father were visiting Clanbella to see King Ignatius’s old friend who happened to be King Bellamy. Those two kings were so happy to know that their children were mates. They soon announced their daughter and son’s wedding to the people of Clanbella and Ambersky.”

“But Claribelle opposed that marriage. In a state of anger, Claribelle revealed the truth about our relationship to King Bellamy. And then, she rejected her own mate in front of everyone. King Ignatius was furious knowing his son had been humiliated in front of so many people and finally decided to severe all relations with King Bellamy and Clanbella Kingdom before taking the broken-hearted Maximilian home.”

Hearing that Maximilian had been embarrassed by my mother like that, I couldn’t help but feel pity for him. But I couldn’t blame my mother either because she also deserved to pursue her own happiness. I just hoped that Maximilian could find a woman who could make him happy.

Sigmund continued his story, “King Bellamy was very angry with Princess Claribelle for disgracing the Clanbella kingdom and severing his friendship with King Ignatius. And he blamed me for Princess Claribelle’s bad attitude and decided to punish me. But Claribelle defended me and put all the blame to herself. At last, King Bellamy banished Princess Claribelle to the human world as a punishment. He hoped by separating Claribelle and me, she would eventually forget me.”

‘My mother apparently used to love Sigmund so much until she was willing to sacrifice her own life for Sigmund,’ I thought.

“The king’s wish came true. After spending almost one hundred year in the human world, Claribelle finally got over me. But instead of accepting Prince Maximilian as her mate just like what King Bellamy expected, Claribelle preferred to marry a human, your father.” Sigmund motioned his head towards Ivan who was standing a few feet away from us.

“I felt really heartbroken to know that Claribelle decided to end our relationship and choose a human over me. But I finally accepted her decision for the sake of her happiness. I love Claribelle with all my heart and soul, and for me, her happiness is more important than anything in this world.” Sadness was written all over Sigmund’s face when he told me this.

I was deeply moved by Sigmund’s undying love for my mother. I wish someday I could find someone who would love me unconditionally just like Sigmund loved my mother.

“It’s time for you and your father to leave, Princess. You don’t have much time,” Sigmund said.

“How about you?” I asked.

“I will stay here,” he answered.

“But Sigmund, you will be seen as a traitor if my grandfather finds out that you have helped me escape. And he will surely kill you for what you’ve done,” I said worriedly.

“No, he won’t kill me,” Sigmund said confidently.

“Are you kidding me? If he can kill his own flesh and blood without a second thought, he definitely can kill you too, Sigmund,” I scolded at him, but Sigmund didn’t say anything.

“You’d better go with us, Sigmund. I will never forgive myself if anything happens to you,” I suggested.

“Yes, Rosanne is right,” my father agreed, “You can go with us if you want.”

“No, Princess. I can’t go with you. Clanbella is my home and I don’t want to leave it behind,” Sigmund said stubbornly.

“I can’t let you die because of me, Sigmund. So please you have to come with us!” I pleaded.

“How many times do I have to tell you that King Bellamy won’t kill me, Princess? He probably will punish me severely for betraying him, but I assure you that he can’t kill me,” he reassured me.

“How can you be so sure? King Bellamy showed no mercy to his own daughter, and I am sure he won’t spare your life too if he finds out about your betrayal,” I said.

Sigmund let out a sigh and then asked, “Remember when I said my father worked as the king’s personal bodyguard his entire life?”

I nodded. “Yes. So?”

“When I was a little kid, Clanbella Kingdom was attacked by some rogue vampires. The vampire queen, King Bellamy’s wife was killed in that attack. King Bellamy and Princess Claribelle could be dead too if it weren’t for my father. He saved the vampire king and princess from the rogues, but at the cost of his own life.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that, Sigmund,” I said sympathetically.

“That’s okay,” Sigmund said with a sad smile.

Sigmund went on, “King Bellamy felt deeply indebted to my father for saving his and his daughter’s lives. He then made a vow in front of his people that he would bring me up as his son and protect me with his life, and he also wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”

“But King Bellamy can’t be trusted, Sigmund. What if he breaks his promise?” I asked apprehensively.

“A king never breaks their vow, Princess. Trust me!” Sigmund said with certitude.

I looked at my father and he nodded his head in agreement.

Actually, I still didn’t believe Sigmund. But I didn’t want to argue with him anymore. Sigmund knew my grandfather better than me. And I hoped he was right about King Bellamy who wouldn’t kill him, or else, I would feel very guilty.

I wrapped my arms around Sigmund and whispered, “Thank you, Sigmund.”

“Never mind, Princess,” he responded as he hugged me back.

After we pulled away, Ivan approached us and gave Sigmund a pat on the shoulder. “Thank you very much for your help, Sigmund. If Claribelle were here with us now, she would be very grateful too for what you have done for our daughter.”

“No problem,” said Sigmund, “I did everything for Claribelle. Princess Mirabelle is an—”

“Rosanne,” my father interrupted, “My daughter’s name is Rosanne, Rosangela Grandville.”

‘Rosangela Grandville. Yes, that is my name now,’ I thought.

“Sorry, I mean Rosangela,” Sigmund corrected, “Rosangela is an important part in Claribelle’s life. I am sure Claribelle would be happy knowing that her daughter is safe and sound with her father.”

“Yes, I know. Claribelle must be so proud of you, Sigmund,” my father said sincerely.

Sigmund give him a weak smile as a response.

“Come, Rosanne!” My father took me by the hand and was about to pull me forward, but I held him back.

“Wait, Dad!” I said.

“Can we meet again someday?” I asked Sigmund hopefully.

“I hope so,” he said with a smile.

“Goodbye, Sigmund.” I waved my hand at him before I and my father took our leave.