Lydia and Helena hurried into the kitchen where I was diligently scrubbing a stack of dirty dishes. Startled by their entrance, I turned to watch them approach.
"Now, come," Helena ordered, her tone imperious. "Father is back, and he mustn't see you doing a maid's work." With that, she forcibly pulled me away from the sink, taking a rag to wipe my wet hands. Lydia chimed in, "I'll send a maid to complete them."
We had numerous maids in the household, yet they still found reasons to make me do their chores. I obediently bowed and left the kitchen, ready to put on another act. Whenever my father was at home, my step-siblings treated me with kindness, a stark contrast to their usual behavior. I forced back the tears that threatened to slide down my cheeks as I entered my room.
In my quarters, I closed the door and quickly sorted through my clothes. I couldn't let my father see me in my tattered attire. After selecting a suitable outfit, I wasted no time and changed into it. I rushed to join my family, aware that I needed to play my part. My step-family wanted to see nothing but my sadness, so I made sure to oblige them.
As I entered the sitting room, I joined the rest of the family. My father was the first to notice me. "Aliena, come greet your father," he beckoned with open arms, welcoming me for a hug.
My step-sisters looked at me with envious eyes, and my stepmother cast me occasional sidelong glances. I broke the hug after a while and stood beside my sister Hermia.
"Ali, why don't you come stand next to me?" Lydia offered, her voice dripping with a honeyed charm that masked a veiled threat.
"I'm okay here," I politely declined.
"Don't be a dork, come stand next to me," she insisted, her smile not reaching her eyes.
"Sure, thank you," I accepted, well aware that refusing would only lead to further retribution later.
My stepmom gave me a terrifying look before walking over to my father. Surprisingly, the two of them seemed like a well-matched couple. A lump formed in my throat as I realized I'd never gotten to see my real mother, let alone see her beside my father.
"Honey, tell us what's wrong," my stepmom inquired.
"I have news for everyone," my father stated.
"Tell us, father," Lydia requested with politeness.
"It's nothing serious. We'll be heading back to our universe tomorrow."
The room fell into a brief silence, which was shattered when Lydia exclaimed, "Whee!" She was evidently thrilled at the prospect.
"Seriously? The Dark Universe, right?" Lydia asked, her excitement evident.
"Yes," my father confirmed.
"Finally, I can't wait to see where I come from!" Lydia chimed, her enthusiasm contagious.
I, too, felt a sense of excitement, but I couldn't show it. My step-family wanted to see nothing but my sadness, so I continued to provide it. "Why all of a sudden?" my stepmom asked.
"Aren't you happy, mom? We are going back to where we come from," Helena reasoned.
"It's the king's order for everyone in the Mundane world to return. A ball will be held as well," my father explained, addressing my stepmother's question.
"I'd better go start packing," Lydia said, rushing out after Helena.
"Come on, Ali," Hermia urged me.
I was relieved to be left alone with her. Hermia treated me like the sister I wished I had.
"Aren't you happy? Don't you want to know more about the place where you come from?" Hermia asked as she placed her hand in mine.
"Of course, I am," I replied, and she seemed satisfied with my answer.
"I've heard there are many fascinating things to learn about our kingdom, and we'll receive training on how to harness our vampiric abilities."
"Really?" I asked, intrigued.
"Hmm," she nodded. "Now that papa mentioned a ball, there will be many people in attendance, don't you think?"
"Yes, they will," I replied affirmatively.
After a while, Hermia chuckled playfully and teased, "There will be handsome single guys at the ball. You might find a suitable match."
"What!?" I exclaimed, my surprise clear. "Why think such a thing?"
Seeing my reaction, Hermia laughed heartily. "I was only kidding, so don't fret about it."
I joined in the laughter and playfully tapped her. I never considered myself beautiful; that's what I believed and what my stepmom and sisters had made me believe. With Lydia around, no guy would show any interest in me.
Now that I thought about it, when was the last time I looked in a mirror?
******
In the palace of the Dark Universe, Sebastian sat casually before his father, who had been attempting to persuade him regarding matters of the throne.
"You are the most powerful being I've ever encountered," the king asserted. "With the ability to shape things as you wish. With you on the throne, this universe will flourish more than ever before. Can't you see the bigger picture?"
"Singing praises of me now, father? Aren't you?" Sebastian retorted.
"Sebastian—"
"Don't bother me. You have Sergius, Miquel, Clifford, and Lusander. Tell any of them to take the throne. I have no business or interest in it. After all, I am your illegitimate son. Have you forgotten?" Sebastian responded calmly, dredging up past events.
The king closed his eyes, appearing both worried and weary. His concerns centered on the kingdom's future and his efforts to persuade Sebastian. For some reason, the king had placed his hopes on Sebastian to rule the kingdom.
"You are the firstborn, Seb. You are also a witch and a vampire. You could unite these two entities. I have reached the ripe age of 500. We need someone like you to guide this kingdom, especially with unknown forces threatening us."
"Unite? Why didn't you do that when my mother was alive? Instead, you allowed her to be beheaded when you knew she had done nothing wrong," Sebastian challenged. "She was a witch, and she could have helped you unite witches and vampires. But that time has passed. For a king like you, I'm disappointed that you look down on your sons."
"I'm not looking down on anyone. You are my son as well," the king said, feeling somewhat intimidated. He was frustrated that Sebastian could easily intimidate him without lifting a finger.
"An illegitimate one at that," Sebastian pointed out.
The king gazed at Sebastian with an unblinking stare, wondering what more he could do to convince him.
"If I were to become king..." Sebastian began, only to trail off and leave the thought hanging.
"Never mind," he continued. "I have somewhere to be. May I be dismissed?"
"Yes, but son, under what conditions?"
"Well, if I were to be king, I wouldn't want a bride. 'If,' father," Sebastian teased with emphasis on the "ifs" before he stormed out of the room, leaving his father deep in thought.
As soon as Sebastian uttered those words, he left his father in a state of contemplation. Sebastian's role as king would require him to have a queen for the sake of appearances and the respect of the people. Despite being the most feared being in the universe due to his dark and intimidating aura, Sebastian still needed the prestige of a queen by his side.
The king's mind kept returning to those "ifs." Sebastian had not clearly stated whether he wanted to be king or not. Sebastian always had a way of manipulating things to get what he desired. No one, not even the king, questioned or dictated Sebastian's actions.
Outside the palace gates, Sebastian stopped and observed the atmosphere. Palace guards were stationed at every corner, surrounding the area outside the castle. Sebastian walked farther away from the gates, and a guard came running towards him.
"My prince," the guard called out.
Sebastian turned to face him, causing the guard to bow immediately, unable to meet the prince's gaze.
"It might not be safe for you to walk alone. May I be your escort? You need protection," the guard said, his tone unwavering.
Prince Sebastian allowed a few moments of silence to pass, making the guard feel uneasy. Sebastian finally smiled cynically at the guard's bravery.
"You speak of protection? Whom do you think needs protection, you or I? One snap of my fingers, and you'll be groveling on the floor. Is that the protection you speak of?"
"No, milord," the guard replied.
"Then return to your post. You are lucky I am in a good mood today."
The guard bowed and let Prince Sebastian walk out of his sight. Sebastian walked about fifty miles from the palace when he abruptly stopped. His hands were at his back as he stood regally in his princely attire. He found himself in a dense, swirling forest, with shadows casting strange shapes.
"Come out now," he ordered, his eyes locked on the shadows.
A man emerged from the forest, clad in a black cloak and wearing a mask that concealed his face. He approached the prince and respectfully bowed his head.
"Did you discover any useful information or movement?" Sebastian inquired.
"No. The only movements are from the returning vampires from the Mundane world," the cloaked man reported.
"I sense a presence," Sebastian said, paying close attention to the forest.
"My prince, about that," the cloaked man began hesitantly.
"On my way here, I encountered—" the man's sentence was abruptly cut off by another voice that emerged from the shadows. The newcomer was a massive figure with an air of self-assuredness. His silver hair felt like silk, and his smile was warm and welcoming.
Sebastian stared in surprise and asked, "Grandpa?"
"It seems Seb hasn't changed much," the newcomer commented, looking at the man in the black cloak. "Why are you shouting at the poor servant? He has been loyal and has been with you for so long, hasn't he?" The newcomer directed a question at Sebastian, adding, "What an annoying prince," as he grumbled and departed from the forest.
Sebastian was left in shock by his grandfather's sudden appearance. He quickly followed his grandfather, eager to find out why he had come to the Dark Universe.