Chapter 2 Mask Woman

Yanna's POV,

We went inside Sir Oliver's office and continue talking about the mission.

"Sir, do you have the picture of the Duchess's daughter?" I asked when he was done explaining everything. "I don't know her face, so giving me a picture is the best way to do to protect her."

"Yes, I have." He took a picture from the desk cabinet and handed it to me.

I took the picture and looked at it. "Thank you," I replied.

"The party in human country will begin at 7:00 pm later, so make sure you will make it in time. And also," he said as he stared at me, "Be careful, both in humans and that red vampire."

I bowed my head and said, "I know sir. Don't worry about me, I can do it." I flashed a smile with full determination.

He nodded and said, "That's my student! Then you may go now," he uttered.

I waved my hand. "Excuse me, sir," I uttered before I left his office.

As soon as I closed the door, I started to walk through the busy alley where lots of food stalls are positioned. I touched my chin, thinking about what should I do later. This will be my first solo mission and it's different from my other missions.

Fighting against red vampires isn't new to us but fighting it by myself makes me feel anxious. I hope I can defeat the red vampire later. This is the best opportunity too to show off my talent!

—

"Thank you, dad!" I waved my hand as I hop onto the train.

"Take care!" My parents waved their hands as the door closed.

Frantically, I took my seat, fixing my navy blue cloak. I peer at the glass window, seeing the sunset outside. It's already 5:30 pm. I miss watching the sunset with Kishi but she's still away from the village. When will you come back, my love?

I just sighed, averting my gaze from the sunset. It will take an hour to trip, so I'll arrive there at the time of 6:30 pm.

There's only one country that contains the human race and that is Tabon city.

Once I arrive there, Sir Oliver told me to keep my distance from them. He told me to watch the princess from afar, 'cause humans will be suspicious of me once they saw my appearance, especially my hair. But watching the princess from afar will be my biggest disadvantage. The enemy could attack her without me noticing since Tabon City is crowded by humans. So upon thinking about what should I do, I came up with the idea to wear a dark wig to hide my white hair and a black contact lens to hide my blue eyes.

The party will begin at 7 pm at Naga Hall. I don't know where it is but Sir Oliver showed me how it looks. It has a large purple signboard, where the name of the hall was written.

The train stopped, indicating that we were already at the Tabon station. Many people stood up from their seats, including me as we head to the door.

The sun has already set when I reached the ground outside. I looked at the sky, seeing the glowering stars.

"Whooo!" I sighed, proceeding outside the station.

Tabon city is far more advanced than our village. They already have a lot of automatic devices unlike ours.

"Let's go to the party!"

"The party will begin after thirty minutes, so let's go!"

I heard some of the teenagers shout. They looked so excited while talking about the party. It's probably the party at Naga Hall.

I veer in my direction, following the four teenagers I just heard a while ago. The two of them who are the ones who shouted are wearing complete denim attire. The other two are wearing plain white shirts and black caps while the other one is wearing a plain black t-shirt. They seem to have the same age as me.

They crossed the street when the street lights turned red. I followed them and reached the other side of the street.

"Is it weird but I think someone is following us?" The girl who's wearing a denim jacket asked.

My eyes widened as I immediately searched for a place to hide. They shouldn't find me or else it will become worse. I put down my hood, hiding behind the thick electric post.

"It's giving me shiver," the other girl said.

"Stop overthinking. Do you see? There's no one following us," the guy said.

"Can we walk faster?" The girl asked.

"Of course! Since it's only 20 minutes before the party," the guy answered, before I heard their footsteps slowly moving away from my position.

I sighed. That was close.

I remove my hood as I peer at them. Fortunately, they are already 4 meters away from me. Now, this is my chance to follow them.

Frantically, I started to walk towards them, looking around my surroundings so people won't think of me as an outsider — but I am.

When they turned left, I saw the signboard where the Naga Hall was carved onto. This is the place!

I was about to line up but a guard is checking for an invitation card. What a nuisance. Sir Oliver didn't tell me that invitation is a must. Argh, whatever! I need to do something to enter without passing the guard.

"We don't have an invitation card, what are we going to do?" The guy asked the other guy. They are the group of a teenager that I followed.

So they don't have an invitation too huh? But why did they come here in the first place? Psh stop thinking about that nonsense Yanna and just focus on your mission! I shall watch them to know what will they do to enter.

"Let's take the entrance behind the hall. There's a thin wooden gate there, I'm sure we can use that to enter," the guy who was wearing a black cap answered.

"You're right! Let's go there!" The girl who's wearing a denim jacket and red crop top inside agreed.

I followed them from afar until they reached the wooden gate. The guy wearing a black cap break the gate and they quickly ran inside. Once I'm sure they are already inside, I emerged from the dark and went inside the hall.

Crowded people welcomed me inside. There are a lot of tables around the place. Some people are dancing, eating, drinking, gossiping, and laughing with each other.

So where should I start to search for the duchess's daughter or should I say the princess?

"Miss, where are you going?" I looked at the man who hold my wrist. He's wearing a black shade and a black blazer. He's indeed drunk I knew it.

I shoved his hand away. "O-oh I just want to roam around."

"Why don't you drink with me?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

This guy is giving me shivers.

"Sorry but I need to find someone-"

He snatched my arm again, making me face his disgusting face for once. "Come on miss, it's only for today."

Pheromones started to come out from his body. So he is an alpha. I need to get away before it gets worse.

"Sorry, mister but I need to go." I shoved his hand again. He was about to pull me again but a guy who was wearing a black cap blocked his hand. He's the guy before.

"It's rude to force someone, sir. If they don't want to come, then don't," he said, glancing at me and the shady guy.

"Haah! Youngsters are annoying!" He shoved the guy's hand before he glanced at me. "I'll find someone else who's better than you!"

"Then go!" The guy nonchalantly said but anger could trace on his face.

Wordlessly, the rude guy turned his back on us and started to walk away. I should be the one to become mad but he seems madder than me.

"Sorry about that, miss. Those kinds of alphas are scattered around this village." He turned around to face me, removing his black cap.

"Don't worry, it's fine. I'm used to it." I smiled forcefully. Those kinds of alphas are scattered around our village too. They thought they are cool for doing that but in reality, they are just de lulu who wants to have sex slaves.

"Coming here while wearing a cloak means you're from another race," he whispered, staring directly into my eyes.

My eyes widened in surprise as I ball my right fist. How did he know? Is it too obvious? No. He's just probably bluffing me.

He looked around the place. Perhaps looking for his three friends. And when he's sure about something I don't know, he nods his head and turned to me at once. "Don't worry my friends aren't with me. You can tell me the truth."

I was right. He was looking for his friends.

He slightly flipped his hair, making me see the color white under his dark hair. "I'm a half-blooded vampire. My father is human while my mother was a white vampire."

So he's wearing a wig too the same as me. "But what's the reason for telling me this?"

"You're here to do a mission, don't you? I felt your presence earlier and I purposely didn't mind you knowing your intention. And it turns out you're heading for this hall too." He looked around the place.

"Yes, I'm here to do a mission. But I don't need to tell you the whole details about it. You've been living here for almost I don't know how many years, but I'm sure humans already influence you. I'm not a dumb half-blood. I'm one hundred percent sure that once I trust you, you'll surrender me to the police," said I, trying my best to sound threatening to make him leave me alone.

He chuckled, scratching his nape. "My mother got killed by humans." He smirked. "So why would I surrender you? Perhaps helping you with your mission will make me understand why white vampires are so kind to other races."

"Sorry for your loss. But if your mom got killed why are you still staying with her-" I stopped from blurting nonsense. "Sorry I got carried away. I shouldn't ask that kind of question."

"No, it's fine. I'm staying here for my father of course."

"I see." I looked around the place, searching for the princess. Where is she? I should've found her now.

"Judging from your movement, you're probably searching for someone," he muttered.

"I don't fully trust you but do you know her?" I showed him the picture of the princess. I know it's wrong to trust someone easily but I need to hurry now before the enemy makes a move.

"The white vampire west duchess's daughter Alina. Yes, I know her," he answered, nodding his head.

"You're living here but how did you know that she's from our race?" I asked, putting back the picture inside my pocket.

"Simple. I was the one who helped her when she went here to Tabon city." He crossed his arms.

I was about to ask another question but a flash of very fast lightning ran 4 meters away behind me. I quickly looked behind to see what is it but the surroundings seem to be calm. They didn't notice it.

"A red vampire." The guy beside me glared, clenching his jaw.

"This is bad!" I panic. "Where's Princess Alina right now?"

"She's probably enjoying herself on the second floor since the main party is there-"

Upon hearing his answer, I didn't waste my time and hurriedly ran to the second floor. I should get there before the red vampire!

Once my feet touched the floor, fascinating decorations greet me. There's no such ruckus around and all people are enjoying their selves.

I looked at the wall clock beside the hall post. 2 minutes before 7 pm and the party will begin.

It seems the red vampire haven't made their move and just went here to watch the princess. Speaking of the princess, where is she now?

"I'm glad you ran like a human, not like a vampire, or else I wouldn't get here faster." He bent down to his knees, catching his breath.

"You again?" I hissed.

"My name is Ashton not you," he muttered, knitting his eyebrows.

I want to hiss at him again but I chose not to. I forgot that I'm a kind person.

"Thank you for coming to the Naga Hall everyone!" The emcee shouted through his throat on the mic.

"The real party will start." He looked at me. "Let's find Alina, she's just here." He leads the way towards the billiard board and there we saw Princess Alina talking with someone else.

"Wait Ashton," I stopped walking. "She shouldn't know about me."

"Oh, I understand. Then keep your distance away. I'll be by her side to prevent the red vampire from coming at her," he uttered, proceeding to the place where Princess Alina is currently standing.

"Wait, Ashton!" I grabbed his shoulder which made him face me.

"What is it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Don't do something stupid. Remember I don't fully trust you," I said, narrowing my eyes. I shouldn't have told him that I'm on my mission but it's too late now.

"Roger that!" He salute, curving a smile before he went to Princess Alina.

Am I imagining things or that guy is weird? Look he was serious earlier but just now he acted so happily. Haah never minds I shall focus on my mission.

"Tonight we will celebrate the promotion of my students being blah blah blah!"

If y'all are wondering what the emcee said, I don't know too. I didn't bother to listen more and went to a place where there were only a few people around. This will be the best place to watch Princess Alina. But doing this is enough? But if I approach her and tell her that the Duchess is pleasing her to come home she will probably run away just like what Sir Oliver said.

Princess Alina and the west Duchess had a misunderstanding back then before Alina went out of the village. Whatever the reason for their misunderstanding none of us know about that. And asking what is it could invade their privacy.

Gingerly, I watched Ashton and Alina talked to each other. The other guy I saw earlier went somewhere else. I'm wondering what's their relationship with each other but I'm not that privacy invader to ask. Alina probably trusts him knowing that he has the blood of a white vampire flowing in his veins.

"Let the party begin!" The emcee once said before the people started to make noise.

Once I turn to Ashton, Alina isn't with him anymore which made my eyes widen. Frantically, I proceed to his place. I just glanced at the emcee but Alina already disappeared from my sight.

"Where is she?" I asked when I got beside him.

"Oh, she went to the bathroom." He pointed to the bathroom 6 meters away from our place.

"Why did you let her go alone?!" I hissed, glancing at the comfort room.

"Look I'm a beta man so why would I go there? And don't worry she'll come- here she is, go, now hide!" He pushed me to my hiding place and told me to trust him though I didn't fully trust him.

"Sorry for waiting I just wash my hand. Oh, I thought there was someone with you?" Alina asked, looking around to see me. Fortunately, I got back to my place where I was.

The music turned from pop to a romantic genre. All couples are starting to go to the dance floor where the roses are scattered around the floor.

"N-no, there's no one with me. Anyways, do you want to dance?" Ashton knelt using his left knee, offering his right hand to Alina.

"Oh sure." Alina didn't hesitate to take his hand.

Ashton smiled as he stood up. They started to walk towards the dance floor but before they arrive there, he glanced at me first and nodded. I nodded too before he averted his gaze.

They started to dance, feeling the soothing music. All couples in front seem to enjoy their selves. Well, of course, they will enjoy it.

People are enjoying their time together with the soothing romantic music not until a scream echoed around the second floor.

Frantically, I search where the scream came from and saw a lady lying on the ground. She's still alive but the right side of her face is already broken. Blood trickled from her head as she tried to crawl toward the crowded place.

All of them started to panic upon seeing the woman. They scream and called for help.

"This is bad!" I ran towards Ashton and Alina who was being pushed by the people. Please I need to go there!

Nervously, my heart seems to stop beating. My whole body is trembling. My palms and face are sweating. My feet froze in my position upon hearing their fast footsteps from them. The enemy is already here! They purposely wait for the right time when there are a lot of people.

I started to panic but I still tried my best to look around. Where is it? Where are they going to emerge?

"Found it!" I drew my sword, approximately hitting the enemy but she was too fast and got away from me.

The wind she created slapped my face hardly. I swallowed a lump. She's not ordinary. She's a threat.

I looked behind my back. My eyes widen in surprise when Ashton is already lying on the ground unconscious. While Alina is being hoisted up while the enemy is holding her neck aggressively.

The red female vampire is wearing a black mask, paired with a black cloak. I didn't anticipate that my enemy would be a female.

"Put her down!" I shouted, walking towards them. "I'll kill you if you do something bad to her."

"What a nuisance." Her voice is deep enough for me to feel nervous. Get it together Yanna! You need to succeed in this mission!

"Then your wish is my command." She threw Alina away, making the latter get hit by the bumpy wall. "I only need this one. I'll go now." She showed me a glowering necklace before she ran away like a lightning.

I put my sword inside and went to Alina to help her. "Are you okay?" I wrapped her arm on my nape, supporting her to stand up.

"What are you doing?" she asked nonchalantly, but anger drew on her face.

"What do you mean?" I asked back, glancing at the humans who were now glaring at us. I'm sure they already know that we are not the same as them.

"They already know about us." She took her deepest breath as she removed her arm from me. "Let's follow that red vampire. She'll pay for this."

"But doing that is nonsense."

"But staying here longer is dangerous too, so let's go!"

Reluctantly, I followed her and ran normally like lightning until we reached the exit of the village. Unfortunately, white vampires including Sir Oliver are already scattered 7 meters away from Tabon City which made us stop and lost the chance to chase the red vampire.

"What nice timing," hissed Alina, looking disappointed at them.

"Your grace I'm sorry but we need to go back now," a butler said.

"Let's go back to our village now," Sir Oliver said, patting my head. "Nice job! You've done your mission again, Yanna."

"Thank you, sir."

***