Chapter 3 Kishi Yamado

"I've got the thing you want, Your Majesty." Kishi bobbed her head as she went to the king of red vampires.

"I know you could do this," he said, accepting the glistening diamond necklace. "It's been a long time since I last held this."

"I should leave now." Kishi turned her back, removing her mask as she strides towards her room.

"Kishi," said the emperor, which made Kishi stop and looked at him uninterested.

The guards beside the king started to feel nervous when the emperor's expression changed into horror.

"What is it?" asked Kishi, ignoring how terrifying the stare of the emperor.

"Don't you have respect!" The emperor yelled, slamming the right arm of his throne.

"I addressed you properly, Your Majesty. So what's the problem?" Kishi asked. Her glowering red eyes became cold while staring at the king.

"I am your father, so address me in that name!" he yelled, pointing abruptly at her daughter.

Kishi sighed as she shook her head unbelievably. "Right. I'm sorry, Father." She bobbed her head again before turning her back and proceeding to her room.

Upon reaching her room, Kishi clenched her fist as she smirks. The veins in her right arm are starting to show up on her skin. She looks so mad and disgusted while thinking about what happened just now.

"Call him father? Hahahaha! As if he acts like a real father to me. How funny." She laughed sarcastically, holding her forehead.

"That bastard got on my nerves," she muttered, wiping her face using her right hand. "If it's not for that I wouldn't come here in the first place."

Kishi throw her mask on the table and started to remove her black cloak. Looking at the mirror, Kishi noticed the small scar on her left flank. She got it from the red vampire she fought a long ago.

After removing her cloak and clothes, she grabbed her towel and was about to proceed to the bathroom but Yanna's picture placed on her table got her attention.

A smile curved on her lips involuntarily. She holds it, admiring the beauty of the woman. This picture is a gift she received from Yanna. Kishi was very happy that time and bought an expensive picture frame for this picture.

But her smile faded as soon as she remembered the woman she saw earlier in Tabon City.

"Was that you Yanna?" she asked herself, putting back the picture frame in its place. "Did your teacher Oliver assign you to a mission to stop me?"

Sighing, Kishi proceed inside the bathroom, placing her towel on the dry faucet before she went to the shower.

"They knew that my threat was only a diversion that's why they went too to the humans' village. Unfortunately, they didn't get the chance to catch me." She scratches her nape, turning the shower on.

Once the water touched her skin, Kishi started to reminisce about her past with Yanna. Waking up early. Eating together. Roaming around the village together. Laughing together. All those unforgettable memories flew smoothly inside her mind.

She lowered her head, facing the wet tiles. She opened her eyes and stares at it.

"I'll come back, Yanna. I'll promise to take you with me at the right time," she blurted out.

Yanna's POV,

As soon as we arrived at the village, I asked Sir. Oliver why did they appear in front of Tabon City?

"Ahh about that? The duchess got so worried so the team decided to follow you. Fortunately, the red vampire didn't kill the princess," he answered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"But the red vampire got away and she even took something from Princess Alina," I said almost whispering.

"What did she get? We just see her running away from the village but didn't see what she's holding," asked Sir Oliver, putting his two hands behind him.

"She stole the diamond necklace from Princess Alina. Anyways, you did see the red vampire?" I asked back after answering his question.

He nodded. "Yes and our team tried to catch her but she's too fast so we just retreat."

"She's strong too," I murmured, lowering my gaze. I'm lucky we didn't fight each other and I'm sure I will lose if we end up doing that. But one thing I'm certain about her presence. I'm sure we saw each other back then...but I couldn't remember what time was it. I've seen a lot of red vampires in the past so I couldn't tell who is she.

"Yanna where are you going?" he asked, making me look at him and noticed that I was about to cross the street. "We need to go to the manor to report to the duchess what happened to her daughter."

"I'm sorry for spacing out." I glanced at the street before following him.

Once we reached the manor, Sir Oliver and I reported what happened in Tabon City. The Duchess was so worried about her daughter and didn't even punish her for running away from their home.

I wish my mother is just like the duchess. I'm sure she would keep nagging me if I would leave the village.

"I'm home," I muttered, removing my shoes. Dark surroundings greeted me inside, meaning my parents are already asleep. Well, I can't blame them. It's already 10 pm and time to sleep.

Frantically, I locked the door and proceed to my room. The duchess invited us to have dinner with them at the manor which Sir Oliver agreed, that's why we came home.

"I'm tired!" I whined, flopping myself on the bed.

My friends texted me earlier while having dinner. They asked me what happened to my mission and told them that I'll answer their questions once we meet each other. Because typing on the phone will take a lot of time.

"I should change my clothes — oh I forgot to close the window." I walked in front of the window 2 meters away from my bed.

Upon reaching the window glass, I saw someone walking down the street. They're wearing a black cloaks with hoods and striding to the dark place.

Are they spies?

Those black cloaks are the same as the red vampire I encountered earlier.

Perhaps they're the two red vampires that Sheena told me about earlier morning? Or maybe not?

After closing the window and about to change my clothes, I caught glimpse of hair from one of them.

"White hair?" I asked, going back to the window to check if I saw it right but they already disappeared.

"How unfortunate." I bit my lower lip and proceed in front of my closet.

—

Third Person's POV,

Kishi went outside her room when the bell rang. She ran towards her best friend named Cyrel. They were friends since they were young.

"Cyrel!" Kishi waved her hand, beaming, which made Cyrel see her.

"Kishi! Let's go home!" Cyrel waved back as they started to walk to the gate.

The young woman started to talk to each other about what happened in class. They have different sections that are why they can't see each other during class hours.

"Kishi, do you remember this place?" Cyrel asked when they started to cross the bridge.

"Of course I do! This place is the reason why we became best friends!" Kishi answered happily, making the two of them laugh.

"It's been 3 years since then no? We were just 4 years old back then," said Cyrel, reminiscing about their past.

"Yes. And I'm thankful to you for saving me back then," replied Kishi, watching the fish under the clear river.

Kishi was walking back then on the bridge when suddenly three white vampire alphas bullied her and removed her white hair which made them know about Kishi's real identity.

The three young boys kicked her face but Kishi didn't even try to fight back. She just kept crying, enduring all the pain.

In about two minutes, Cyrel arrived and stopped the three young boys. The bullies were confused why she was protecting the red vampire but Cyrel told them that Kishi isn't a red vampire. She told them that they know each other and they will go to a cosplaying party that's why Kishi's hair is red.

Since they were still young, the three boys believed Cyrel and apologized to Kishi. Kishi stood up from the ground, rubbing her clothes as she accepted those bullies' apologies.

After that, the three left Kishi and Cyrel alone.

"I'm still wondering why did you save me back then?" Kishi asked. Now they are already seven years old.

"Because they were bullying you," Cyrel replied, stepping out from the bridge.

"I know but I'm a red vampire why did you save me?" Kishi asked again, walking straight to their small village.

"Hmm...that's because I sensed that you're not bad," Cyrel answered, nodding her head.

"I understand now." Kishi nodded, lowering her head.

"I don't care whatever my friends' race is. For me, as long as they're not bad, they're my friends!" Cyrel wrapped her right arm around Kishi's neck.

The two looked at each other and started giggling.

"Look there, Kishi!" Cyrel pointed to the wooden stall where corn dogs are made. "Let's buy food!"

The two went to the stall and buy food. They waited for almost 15 minutes until their order arrived. The two started walking again talking about each other.

"I'll go here now," said Kishi, pointing to the road located on the left side.

"I'll go here too." Cyrel pointed to the right said road. "Take care, Kishi! Let's see each other again tomorrow!" Cyrel waved her hand cheerfully, making Kishi laugh.

"Yeah see you!" Kishi waved her left hand before turning her back and walking towards their house. Their house is located far from other villagers to avoid rumors and ruckus about them. Kishi's mother is a white vampire while her father is a red vampire.

Little did she know she'll witness something terrible.

Kishi looked at the corn dogs she bought. Her mother likes to eat that food that's why she felt excited, thinking about what will her mother's reaction.

As soon as she saw their house from afar, blood scattered around the grass. Her eyes widened in shock as she ran towards their house.

"What happened?!" she panic, tears forming in her eyes.

Five meters away from their house, she saw a white vampire lying on the ground, lifeless and bathing in her blood.

Kishi's mouth went agape as she dropped the food she bought. Her knees trembled as she walked to the lifeless woman which is her mom.

"Mom!" she shouted, caressing her mother's face. "W-what happened?!" The tears she's been holding onto started to drop from her eyes.

"Mom please wake up! Don't lie here on the grass. You said it's dirty to sit here right?" she pleaded, holding her mouth not to sob.

"You finally arrived."

Kishi wipes her tears as she lifts her head, seeing her father standing in front of their house door, holding a knife with blood with him. Blood is scattered around his clothes and as well around his body.

"F-father, don't tell me you-"

"Yes, Kishi you're right!" He laughed like a crazy man, tightening his grip on the knife. "I did it, Kishi! I killed your mother." He walked towards Kishi, making the latter back away.

"N-no! Don't come here!" Kishi shouted.

"Your mom deserves to die."

"No, she doesn't deserve to die! Why are you doing this Father?!" Kishi's voice quivered as she bit her lower lip.

"Why? That's because I don't love her anymore." He stabbed the soil in front of Kishi, using a sharp knife, making the girl flinch.

"I can't believe you did this. You're evil!"

"Yes Kishi I'm evil!" he shouted, laughing devilishly. "So now sleep!"

He reached for his daughter's neck and pressed it aggressively, making Kishi to lose her consciousness.

—

"Please stop!" Kishi yelled, catching her breath. She looked around the place and noticed that she was inside her room.

Panting, she get out of her bed and went in front of the window. "That dream again."

Mindlessly, she went towards her cabinet and took out her black cloak. She looked at the wall clock to check the hour and it was already 3 am.

"Why do I keep dreaming about my terrible past?" she asked herself, wearing the black cloak.

"This can't be helped. I need to go out to freshen myself," she murmured, striding towards the door when she was done wearing the cloak.

As soon as she opened the door, chilly air greeted her. She started to walk through the hallway and her footsteps echoed eerily. When she turned left, two red vampire beta males noticed her and bob their heads.

Kishi kept striding to the exit, ignoring the two guards. She turned left again, seeing the back exit of the castle. Wordlessly, she went to it and pressed the triangular stone, hanging beside the combination of rock and metallic door.

The sounds of the moving rock and rusty door echoed throughout the peaceful castle. The four guards that were supposed to be guarding the backyard exit, fell into a deep sleep which made Kishi to go outside smoothly.

If those four were awake, Kishi would need permission first from the King to let her go out at this hour.

As soon as her feet touched the ground outside, Kishi turn around and pressed again the triangular rock to close the door.

Once it was done, Kishi proceeds to the small pond and take her seat on the grass beside it.

Watching the fish swimming peacefully, Kishi suddenly remembered what happened to her back then when the late king of white vampires found out that her father killed the west Duchess's sister which is Kishi's mother.

Kishi closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. The late king offered her to live in the village but found out that she was a red vampire. Fortunately, that news didn't go around the village when the late king died because of an incident that no one knows about the cause of.

Kishi stayed there for ten years but after that, she decided to go where her father is currently living. Her father which is the current king of red vampires favored her to live here but on one condition. Which is to do everything that the king wanted even if she hates it or not.

"Why are you here, Your Highness?"

Kishi looked behind her back and saw Jason wearing a night robe with messy hair.

"I'm freshening up myself, Lord Jason." Kishi turned around, facing the pond again.

"Come on don't call me Lord. That's uncomfortable around friends," he whined, sitting one meter away beside Kishi.

"Then don't call me Your Highness too. It's uncomfortable since we're friends," Kishi muttered, still watching the fish.

"Alright, sorry." Jason nodded. "Kishi do you think they miss us?" he asked with an expressionless look.

"Are you talking about our friends in the village of white vampires right?" asked Kishi, glancing at Jason who was seriously looking straight somewhere.

"Of course. They are the only ones," Jason replied, sighing.

"I think...they do. I'm not sure either." Kishi grimaced, shrugging her shoulder.

"If they do, then I miss them too. What about you?" Jason asked, shifting his gaze to Kishi.

"Of course. Especially her." Kishi curved a smile involuntarily, making Jason smile halfway.

"We can visit her tomorrow if you want," said Jason, averting his gaze to Kishi. "Since we're going to report there to him." His voice became more serious, emphasizing the word 'him'.

Kishi nodded. "I know."

"Speaking of reporting, we should go there without drawing any attention from villagers." Jason stood up and picked up a stone.

"Then what should we do?" asked Kishi, her red eyes still focused on the fishes.

"We should disguise ourselves as white vampires just like what we did back then when we were still living there," answered Jason, throwing the stone into the pond.

"Hey, why did you do that?" Kishi stood up, looking concerned about the fish.

"Don't worry, I didn't hit them." Jason shrugged as he picks up another stone.

"Hey, Jason."

"Hmm?" Jason started playing with the stone by throwing it up and down on his palm.

"Do you think our plan will succeed? I mean can he defeat our enemies?" asked Kishi, still doubting their plan.

"As long as we did properly our part I'm sure we will succeed," Jason replied, curving a genuine smile. "Stop overthinking about that, we should relax and think positively."

Kishi curved a half smile. "You've been smiling since earlier, did something good happen to you?"

Jason let out a soft chuckle before answering Kishi, "I just read again Angelo's message."

"You've been reading that over and over again," Kishi hissed, curving a wince on her face.

"What's the problem? I just want to keep admiring him," said Jason, smiling ear to ear, making Kishi shake her head.

"Why don't you send a letter too to Yanna? So you two can be able to talk," Jason suggested. "Although, I'm not exchanging letters with Angelo anymore."

"I don't want."

"Why?"

"I don't want her to drag in this ruckus." Kishi sighed.

"You will not tell her about our plan just exchange letters with her," Jason said nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulder.

"Do you think she wouldn't ask if we exchange letters?" Kishi glared at Jason, making the latter shift his gaze to the pond. "Yanna would probably ask me repeatedly about that."

"You're right she's indeed persistent."

"So avoiding her is the best way to do to protect her. To prevent her from get drag with us." Kishi looked upon the clouds.

"You love her do you?" Jason shifts his gaze to Kishi, curving a teasing smile.

"Shut up." Kishi turned her back to Jason as she started to walk away.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going back now. I'm done refreshing myself." She raised her right hand and wave it.

"I see. Goodbye then!"

Kishi look behind at Jason as she curved a smile and mouthed 'thank you' before proceeding inside the castle.

Jason on the other hand mouthed 'You're welcome' before Kishi entered the castle.

***