The moment the he carried her across the threshold of the inn, the biting cold of the night was replaced by a thick, welcoming warmth.
The heat from the roaring hearth wrapped around her like a blanket, chasing away the lingering chill and terror.
The scent of roasting meat and fresh bread filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the faint, sweet undertones of dried herbs hanging from the rafters.
The walls were lined with rough-hewn wooden beams, darkened with age and smoke and the flickering light of oil lamps cast dancing shadows across the worn but clean floorboards.
The owners of the inn seems to be the gray haired elderly couple who were standing behind a sturdy oak counter, their faces creased and wrinkly.
Beside them, there was a young pretty lady who looked just like the couple so she guessed she was their daughter.
But what stunned her was not that they were human, Orion had mentioned that before. But the fact that they welcomed them warmly and politely and it seems they were aware of his identity but yet they were smiling at the man who was carrying her.
Not just polite, forced smiles but genuine ones.
Warm and unafraid.
It was completely unexpected.
Princess Eleanor's breath caught in her throat as she looked at them in awe.
She had never seen any human who would not cower in fear at the presence of a vampire, let alone welcome them politely into their home.
Yet here they were, bowing their heads respectfully and smiling warmly, their voices steady as they greeted him.
"Your Majesty ". The old man said with a smile , his voice rough but kind. "We weren't expecting you tonight."
The vampire king whose name she knows not inclined his head slightly, his grip on her never loosening.
"Prepare a bath and a change of clothes for Her Highness". He said, then noticing Liora and Orion entering behind them, he added. "And for this young lady as well."
The innkeeper's daughter nodded eagerly and stepped forward. "Right away, Your Majesty."
She then turned to Eleanor and Liora, dipping into a quick curtsy. "If you'll follow me, my ladies?".
Eleanor hesitated for a while, her gaze flickering between the girl and the king.
"Go ahead ". He said as he caught her gaze, his voice softer now. "You're safe here ".
She nodded and allowed the girl to lead her and Liora down a narrow quiet hallway.
The room they were led to was small but immaculate. A copper tub sat in a corner already filled with steaming water, the girl then entered a corner in the room and reemerged , clutching a handful of dresses to her chest.
"I'll leave you to it then ,Your Highness". The girl said, bowing slightly before slipping out , leaving the two ladies alone.
Perhaps , they were so tired and in desperate need for comfort ,the ladies didn't speak as they undressed, sinking into the tub immediately.
The heat seeped into their muscles, loosening the tension of the day's events and they both relaxed.
Soon, the ladies were done bathing and were already dressed with Liora combing through Eleanor's hair when a growl echoed in the inn.
She felt Liora stiffened and pause in her actions and so did she.
What was happening?.
There was another growl and this time it sounded more lower and dangerous and Eleanor couldn't help but shiver.
The growl was followed by a desperate, pleading voice, one she recognized not to be Orion's instantly.
"Your Majesty, I beg of you! I was totally unaware of their actions. I would have never allowed such a crazy action, please spare me!".
Eleanor stilled, wondering what was happening and listening in to hear their conversation.
Above her, Liora's hands stilled in her hair for a while before she continued and Eleanor could tell she was also trying to listen to their conversation.
But she knew that wasn't Orion's voice.
So what exactly was happening?.
Did they had company?.
And why was the person begging for mercy?.
Everywhere was silent for a while before she heard the vampire's king response , his voice sounded quiet yet dripping with menace as he crawled lazily.
"Unaware of their actions ?". He scoffed. "You're telling me your lowlife playthings went rogue without your permission? And, most of all, they decided to attack their future queen?".
Attack their future queen?.
Future queen.
The word sent a shiver down Eleanor's spine and she needed no one to tell her he was talking about her and perhaps to the one in charge of the group of vampires that attacked her.
The man's voice grew more frantic and he even stammered . "I didn't know! I swear I had no idea! I'll definitely teach them a lesson—please, I beg your pardon, Your Majesty!".
"Them ?". He said, his voice like ice. "I've already killed them all and you're next. Maybe in the next life you'll know to stay in your place and control your people."
"I beg your pardon! I beg your pardon!"
"Begging can't even help you at this point". He mused, his tone almost amused. "What's done is done. You've scared Her Highness. Made her sad. I think even death is a light punishment for you. Tell me how do you want to die."
Eleanor's stomach twisted and she felt the hair on her neck stand at his words.
Liora's hands trembled as she finished braiding her hair. "M-my lady, I'm done".
And immediately, Eleanor stood abruptly, she didn't know what to do or how to pacify him against killing an innocent man but she knew she had to do something so she stepped out, Liora behind her.
The moment she stepped into room, she was stunned.
A vampire was on his knees, his forehead pressed to the floorboards as his entire body trembled .
He was broader and more muscular than the king himself, yet he looked like a beaten dog, his huge frame curled in submission.
"You should apologize to Her Highness". The king said as soon as he noticed Eleanor 's presence in the room. "If she pardons you, I'll go lightly on you."
The man didn't hesitate.
He immediately scrambled toward her on his hands and knees, his eyes wild with terror.
"Your Highness! Please, I beg you—spare me! I didn't know, I swear it! Those fools acted on their own, I would never dare threaten you! Please, please".
His words tumbled out in a frantic, incoherent stream, his forehead already bruised from how hard he had been bowing. His shaking hands clutched at the hem of her dress.
Eleanor 's breath caught and she glanced at the king helplessly but was immediately in awe at his beauty and graceful stance.
He sat elegantly in a high-backed chair, one leg crossed over the other with his fingers steepled beneath his chin.
In the firelight, he looked like a breathing piece of painting with his sharp jawline and his long dark curls.
He then nodded as their gaze locked for a moment and she was immediately drawn to those beautiful eyes until she heard him say. "I understand ". He then turned to Orion who was beside him and said. "Deal with him".
What!
Deal with him?.
She then realized he might have misunderstood her silence as that she didn't forgive the man.
The man at her feet sobbed. "Please, Your Highness—mercy!"
Looking at Orion who was approaching, she immediately answered. " I forgive him, I forgive him. Please spare his life".
The man collapsed in relief, his forehead thumping against the floor. "Thank you! Thank you, Your Highness! You are magnanimous, you are—"
"Get lost". The king said, cutting him off.
The vampire didn't need to be told twice.
He scrambled to his feet and ran out of the inn in a flash, vanishing into the night before Eleanor could even blink.