The First Phase: Chapter 15

And then is heard no more.

          Veann’s read out the poem last year. He likes it very much. He used to recite it zealously. He was fascinated by the struggles and the incredible feats mankind can achieve in the limited time they had in the world. He claimed that men ambition lead them to live admirably within their brief time. It was odd that I can recall this piece of trivial memory at that moment. I was never one that paid any attention to Veann lectures, especially if it had anything to do with marveling over humans. Yet Veann could not stop himself from loving these short-lived creatures. As someone who should have live a longer life, he should consider himself better than the lowlife race.

The First Phase: Chapter 14

Take me with you. Take me with you.

          I woke up with a startle. I was certain that I was dreaming. I couldn’t tell whether it was a good dream, or if it was a nightmare instead. I can only remember that one sentence repeat itself over and over, but each time I tried, the tone sounded different. In the end, I decided to ignore the dream altogether.

          That evening, Veann dressed me in another white garment. When he left at my father’s call, I rebelled the choice of clothes by wearing the sort of plain clothes Tazia loves to wear. I didn’t particularly like Tazia’s outfit, but as I rummaged through her closet that evening, I decided to wear them for the sake of offending everyone. I threw the white outfit to the floor and put on an ugly wordy t-shirt and my sister’s dark blue jeans. Still unsatisfied, I went to Firann’s room and stole his supposedly prized black hat he’d never wear. Then I waited for Veann.

The First Phase: Chapter 13

“Check our mountain borders. Dispose of those that crosses it,” ordered Kuran on one of our catch-up session.

          Dispose. He’s telling me to get rid of anyone entering our territory. This pathetic being who’s been pretending to be so good to the humans. He knew the mountain border was where I patrolled. I’m guessing he knew of Veann’s attachment to one of the village.

“It has always been to dispose of hunters, and trick the others from entering. Why the sudden change of heart?” I challenged.

“Are you questioning me?” he asked softly.

“I asked a question,” I replied, unsure if he was amused or irritated.

“Well,” he said as walks toward the door. 

          Turning the knob, he continued, “Hearts can change. It’s difficult to have it stay at a place. I guess the word loyalty was invented to counter the problem with hearts.”

The First Phase: Chapter 12

“Why on the moon’s name did you drench yourself in the lake?” asked Siena.

           Upon arriving to my family’s territory, Veann lead me to the lake, change my robes and left me to soak myself under the moonlight as he rid of the red stained dress. The lake was one of the oldest, and coldest area of our land. We Kuroli doesn’t change many things from the olden days. Be it the mansion, or the grand cottages our nobles live in, none of those was built new unless it was devastating in usage. 

The First Phase: Chapter 11

It was as Veann predicted. The city was quiet. The streetlights paved the ways but no moving shadows passed by our sight. I doubt Veann felt the pride of being right, but I strut the city nonetheless. If he have even the slightest attempt at such thoughts, I would lose my place as the master. This part of the city is walked by our kind almost every night, yet at a duration Kuran declared forbidden, no one would dare come. 

            The younger of our kind would be at the academy, listening to Kuran approved material, preached by Kuran approved educator. The adults, or more specifically, the ones that Kuran deemed to be appropriate enough to graduate from the academy would be barricading themselves in their homes or whichever else location they like planning their business, the growth of their wealth and power, or like what the Daems and my family did, create contacts. In a few hours, they will work these streets until dawn.

The First Phase : Chapter 10

After the meal, my siblings and I stayed in the living room with the odd boy. Since the odd boy immediately engrossed himself in his book, my siblings did didn't bother to talk to him. Siena discuss with the servants about some recent events while Firan, Tazia and Ienua were playing cards. I on the other hand gaze outside from the windows, impatiently waiting for my parents, Puram Daem and his father to come out from Father's study.

          After a while, I noticed the odd boy have stopped reading. He was silently staring straight at me. I detect  no malice, not even a feeling. It was just an empty stare. Maybe I was just unlucky to be the prey of his boredom. I decided to ignore it and think of an excuse to go out later at night instead.

The First Phase : Chapter 9

The next evening, my parents were out. I didn't ask for the reason and Veann didn't bother telling me so I assume it was a stroll.

          Still feeling sleepy, I got irritated when Veann told me the menu for my meal. Urgh, that damn tasteless menu again. Veann dressed me up in a white everyday robe. Then, he braided my hair beautifully that it complements the simple dull robe.The golden hair pin highlights my lime coloured hair. Veann then brought out the long mirror so that I could see my own outfit for the day. That so-called simple dressing actually turns out elegant, befitting a royal.

The First Phase : Chapter 8

It seems like there's some disruption among the nobles. I can see the tense in my parents eyes as they were discussing about it. Well, it whatever conflict the nobles might have had nothing to do with me. If the royals have to start bothering, it backfires the definition of superiority. I think.

          Thus, after tutoring me for the whole evening, I demanded a time out. Veann doesn't refuse to that. Well, that's what he ought to do anyway. He might be my tutor, but he's still a servant regardlessly. The minute I dismissed him, I could detect relief in his breathing. So I hold him back on purpose. What right does a servant have to be relieved off duty? He should be saddened not relieved!

The First Phase : Chapter 7

That one cold snowy day, another pureblood came over for a visit. As usual the servants took them to Father's. I usually wouldn't want to know what those puny think-they-know-it-all adults were discussing. However, this time, our visitors were of unfamiliar scent. And there's a boy around my age with them.

          My brother and sisters were in their academy, diligently studying who knows what. I used to want to go to that very same academy but Father insisted that I use a home tutor instead. That was how Veann got into the household. He was recommended by Kuran so I hated the sight of him at first. Gradually, since he's also my personal butler, I find him unlike Kuran.

The First Phase : Chapter 6

The whole cloud felt like wet salty sea. Somehow it made me believe that we could definitely fly within the clouds. Life isn't that bad up here. Human called living beyond the sky as death. I wonder. After all, having an eternal life would make death seems meaningless.
          Or there's more meaning to death than I would ever imagine.

"Young miss," called Veann, waking me up from my deep bright slumber.

          Hmmm.. Why would I ever dream of bright stuff? I opened my eyes and the only light in my room was the candles by the corners. I glanced at the curtains and ordered the windows to be opened. Veann followed my instruction like a dog. The night breeze passed through my skin. It itches but at the same time more soothing than anything else.

The First Phase : Chapter 5

I was summoned to the Kuran Mansion one day.

          "What does he want with me?" I asked Veann as he buttoned my clothes. It was an orange victorian dress. If I was human, I might need a corset. I laugh at the thought. But I'm a kid of my perfect flawless kind. That includes our silhouette, figure and curves. There's a lot of thing that our kind can do but the human can't.

          "I wouldn't know, Young Miss," he answered honestly.
          "Could it have something to do with that village?" I asked.
At this remark, Veann remained silent.
          "Whatever. I'll just tell him to back off my land. But remember Veann, if those people displease me, they'll be my dinner without a doubt!" I warned.
          "As you said, Young Miss".

The First Phase : Chapter 4

The air of the night was chill and would soon be filled with shrill. It catches one body and spread from inside the bone until one would shudder, unable to shake the feeling off. To those who could feel it, they would soon realize, a lot sooner than average garbage, that their life would soon be taken.

The First Phase : Chapter 3

          There's not much of a difference at what time I choose to wake up. The curtains are thick and always closed. The room doesn't receive any light to indicate day or night. That's why I had to rely on Veann. The nobles are more immune to the sun unlike the royals. We won't die merely to the exposure of day. But for generations we had been living in the dark, our body are accustomed to it and therefore gets weaker in the day. Royals...... That's the befitting title for the purebloods. Although we learn the terms, but it's considered to be a taboo to call us purebloods if they are not part of it. Therefore, those who are after us can only refer us as the royals. That lowly human yesterday had call a royalty pureblood. Hopefully she's dead in the mountains by now, buried somewhere under the snow.

The First Phase : Chapter 2

          The north mountain is buried in snow. Veann is asking for punishment. I have clearly ordered him not to go first yet he disappears right after dressing me up with ridiculous white coat. I let my hair loose as I take another step forward. From the mountain borders, my eyes scanned the area. There's really no one. Where did Veann go? I climb higher to get a better view. The north mountain is the hidden border between the human and us. They're not hidden to ourselves though. But from time to time, there's human who manage to find a way to trespass these borders. However no matter how many they are, they all end up dead.They made a big mistake by coming into their predators territory.

          As I scanned the area, I smelled smoke from the lower side of the mountain that faces the human world. However the smoke came just outside our magical border. Out of curiosity, I went to check. There's a small cottage just outside the border. There's an argument going on inside. I scanned my position to ensure that no one else is around before releasing my senses to eavesdrop the conversation.

The First Phase : Chapter 1

"Young Miss, it's time to wake up. The sun has set"

My heavy eyes opens. The image of the dark room enlighten only by the flames of candlelight forms on the retina. Veann, the old butler is standing beside the bed. His noble blood qualifies him no further than a butler to the Kuroli Family, the 3rd royal blood in our world. The 3rd most fearful family of this dark world that I know of.

          Veann unbutton my night gown and put on the persian indigo laces of a cloth and the black boots on me. He grooms my long lime hair which extends almost to be stepped by my own legs. Normal routine, Veann trims the hair to waist length, though it seems unreasonable to me since it's going to grow back by the next day.

"Shall we dine now?" he ask.