The Queen threw herself at the King’s feet and begged, “Forgive me, my Master, for I have been very foolish!”

The King’s deep voice rumbled, “Leave us now!”

The bevvy of beauties bowed their heads frightfully backing their way out of the

Great Hall. He glowered at everyone else present until one by one they all vanish. The Queen clung to his arm but he cast her aside in disdain. She stared at him pleadingly shedding a mournful tear.

The King leaned forward and stared ominously into his fearful Queen’s eyes as he lowered his voice and spoke chillingly, “My evil sweet, you would dare to risk my deepest wrath?” But all she would do is cry and shake her head.

Sebastian sat back angrily in his throne and suddenly became deep in thought. His mind took him back to a time when he had first found Valentina. She was destitute and forging through a pitiful existence as a lowly scullery maid. To his dismay, she had captured his attention. And so, he indulged his curiosity and observed her unseen from afar. Night after night, he would hear her cry herself asunder. She was always dressed in the same awful rags but somehow, he saw her beauty shine through. He never thought it possible for his black heart to feel anything ever again. But there were these weird unexplainable moments where he felt a hole so deep in his heart and from what he could not fathom. Only that his most loyal and trusted servant, Murhl, swore it was upon his request that he not remember such things ever again. It all lay locked away and hidden behind a door magically enchanted at the very top of a solitary tower. Any who would so dare be foolish enough to attempt at opening it, risked immediate death! The decrepit old Witch Doctor sternly warned him that time was a vicious cycle bound to repeat itself. One where he will revisit those memories again but of when this would occur or how often, he did not know. Murhl also mentioned time was something that should never be messed with as it could lead to catastrophe. There were still remnants of a voice echoing inside of Sebastian’s mind and he could never seem to grasp who it belonged to. But in times of crises, he would always hear them say ‘no matter for good or evil, always respect the power you have been given and it shall remain’. Perhaps this was his due to suffer such disloyalty from the one he finally gave his heart to. However, he will never forget the moment he decided to make her his Queen. A beautiful moment where she had spoke these most unusual words but with such eloquence. She had touched his face so very tenderly and whispered softly, “My darling, I love you. You are the light that shines in my eyes. Always and forever.” Sebastian swore to himself Valentina would suffer no more and would want for nothing. She would rise again anew. Rise above all and the world would lay at her very feet!

Sebastian broke out of his reverie and cried, “Have I not given you everything your heart desires? Have I not made you my Queen to rule by my side for all eternity?” Then he scowled turning his face away from her melodramatically and added, “Perhaps it is time I chose another.”

“Sebastian! My love, please… do not say such things!”

However, Sebastian remained obstinate. As he looked upon her again, he narrowed his eyes and hissed, “It is time you take your leave this very second, my ‘dutiful’ Queen.”

Valentina could see his eyes begin to blaze like fire and that only happened when he was about to do something terrible. Nevertheless, she cried out to him begging and pleading for his forgiveness. Declaring, again and again, she belonged to no one else but him. However, in his enraged state, he growls at her to be gone from his sight. Valentina dramatically transforms herself into a ferocious black cat then roars fiercely at him before bounding out of the Great Hall past the fearful guards and far away from the castle.

Sebastian was seething with anger from the unpleasant news his spies informed him of earlier. He felt like incinerating his Queen on the spot. How dare that filthy fisherman takes liberties with what belonged to him. Unfortunately, he still needed the treacherous weasel for many secret trade missions. There were very few large vessels that could transport his precious cargo without raising any suspicions. The Captain had all the major trade routes with the right connections and this alliance had already cost him a great fortune. For now, he will keep his wrath in check. In due time the Captain shall pay dearly for his treasonous affair with his disloyal Queen. He will deal with the lowly mortal the moment he no longer had any use for him. An evil smile spread across Sebastian’s face at the thought of Captain Anton’s eventual slow and horrific death.

~v~ V~v~

From a lonely dark terrace, she had stolen his heart and soul

His love for the beautiful Queen he would risk all of death’s gallows

Just outside the Dark Prince’s chambers, he hears her suffer his wrath

The vampire listened raptly while hiding within the shadows