The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 360. The Castle Rules

Chapter 360: 360. The Castle Rules

360

"Do you want us to do something about them?" Maria asked when she didn’t say anything, just stared at the dresses.

"No," she replied, breaking from the trance. "Just arrange them as you would the other dresses."

"Yes, princess." The maid replied and Mauve walked back to her bedside.

It didn’t take her too long to fall asleep, she wondered if it was because it was still daylight. As soon as she laid on the bed, she immediately began to feel drowsy.

The maid took the hint immediately, put the remaining bags aside as they left the room.

The last thing she remembered before drifting off was the sound of the door closing.

Mauve woke up with a start and she could immediately tell she had overslept. The sun was down and it was obvious it had been that way for a while.

She slowly stood up from her bed and made her way toward the door. She pushed the door open, startling a servant walking across the hallway.

"Princess," the servant gave her a quick bow before running off.

Mauve blinked as she stared down the lit path unsure of where to go. She wondered if she could still make it for dinner but by the lack of sounds in the castle it was definitely too late for that.

"Can’t sleep?" Mauve heard Galath’s voice behind her.

She jerked a little, turning around, "Galath," she called. "What are you doing here?"

"Patrol," he replied. "I am on night duty."

"Oh? Is it that late?"

"Yeah, it is."

"But shouldn’t you be resting? You took the journey with me, I am sure you must be tired."

"Thanks for your concern but I already rested enough. Besides, I will only patrol for a few hours. I will definitely get some more sleep before dawn."

"Okay," she replied, wrapping her arms around herself. "I just woke up," she added.

"Ah, I see. You must have been really tired. It’s almost eleven."

"Eleven?" She asked in horror.

"Yes," Galath said with a small smile as he stared her up and down.

"Whoa, that’s a long time. I fell asleep not long after we arrived.

"It’s only typical. The journey was a bit strenuous. It’s enough to make anyone that sleepy. Still tired?"

She shook her head as she stifled a yawn. "I was but I am much better now."

"Hungry?" He asked.

She nodded, that was mostly the reason she was out of her room. It was most likely the hunger that had woken her up. If she wasn’t so hungry she might have slept for longer.

However, now that she was awake, she doubted she would be able to fall asleep again for the rest of the night. Which wasn’t good as she was bound to feel sleepy during the day if she didn’t get more sleep.

"I would inform the cook, I am sure they left something out for you." Galath said.

"No, you don’t have to do that."

"I won’t, I will ask a servant to. Unless there is something you want, I’d request you get more rest. Whatever you need, I’ll pass it across."

"Thank you," she said.

"There should be a guard stationed in front of your room soon enough so let them know if you need anything." He said.

"I will," she replied and turned to go back into her room. As much as she wanted to go around, eating was important.

There was also something about the way he said she should rest as if he didn’t want her roaming the castle walls.

Mauve closed the door with Galath still standing behind her. She didn’t want to be in the room however, she figured it was too early to walk around just yet.

Her food arrived in less than fifteen minutes. She ate and tried to sleep but she couldn’t. All she did was tussle and turn in bed.

Tired of fighting, she got out of bed once again and out of her room. She didn’t care what it was but if she had to stay in the room one more minute she would likely lose her shit.

"Princess, is there anything you need? I will get it for you," the guard said as he stood in front of her door.

"No, I just want to take a bit of a stroll and get some air."

"Oh, I am afraid, I can’t let you do that."

"What do you mean?" She frowned.

"Only guards are allowed to move after eleven."

Mauve blinked, she has lived in the castle for some time now. Never had she heard such a rule.

"That’s not true."

"It is," the guard said. He looked a little upset that she called him a liar.

"This is the first time I am hearing such a thing."

"It was recently implemented."

"What? Why?" She asked with a frown.

"I don’t think I can tell you."

Mauve didn’t like how fishy this sounded, just what was going on in the castle.

"Well, I can’t stay in my room any longer and your vague explanation doesn’t make it any better."

"I apologize princess but I am simply relaying the orders I have gotten."

"You are saying, I can’t move around the castle."

"I am afraid so, not until sunrise. If you’d like anything, I would get it for you."

"I can’t even move around even if you accompany me?" She asked.

The guard looked a little taken aback as if he didn’t expect her question. "I’m afraid not, I can’t leave my station. Not until I get orders to."

Mauve heard a sound as footsteps drew closer, she looked over the side of the guard shoulder to see Galath coming closer.

"What’s the matter?" He asked. "Is there something you want princess?"

"Sir Galath," the guard immediately stood at attention.

"There is no need for that. What happened?"

"I can’t move around the castle at night," she said.

"Yes," he nodded, looking from one of them to the other as he tried to ascertain what was going on.

"Why? This is news to me."

"I don’t know the exact reasons either but I guess something transpired at the castle a few weeks ago and the king has been extra cautious."

"What? Was it bad?" She asked.

"I don’t know the detail princess, you’d have to ask the King. I only just came to the castle. I am as ignorant as you are."

"Oh," she said gripped her dress. She doubt he would tell her but she was really curious to what this was about. It sounded pretty serious.

"Would you return to your room then?"

"No," she said stubbornly. "I would like to get some air. I won’t be able to sleep. Since I can’t move around inside the castle I might as well spend the rest of the night outside."

The guard looked horrified while Galath simply chuckled. "I am afraid that not how it works."

"Well, if I can’t move around. I have to go somewhere."

Galath pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine, I will go with you, I guess that works for you."

"It does."

"Sir Galath!" The guard called out in a panic tone.

"It is the princess. I am sure an exception can be made."

"Thank you," she said and headed from away from her door.

"You’re not to leave your post," he ordered the guard.

He nodded and straightened his stance.

Galath appeared by her side before she reached the stairs. "Where are you headed?" He asked.

"Outside," she said with looking at him. "It should be much more cooler there."

"I don’t advise it, it’s late. We could go to anywhere else you want."

"I am not afraid of the dark, I assure you. Besides, the night air would be good for me. Just staring at the stars would do me now good than being locked up in my room."

"We are breaking every rule there is." He said. "It’s not just the creatures lurking in the shadows."

"You don’t have to accompany me if you fear it might you in trouble."

"I am not worried about a little trouble."

"Oh really?" She turned to look at him. "Come this way," she said pulling him before he could reply.

"Where are we going?"

"Outside but we can’t use the main doors."

"There is another way out of the castle."

"Of course, there is. It’s a huge building. There is bound to be more than one exit."

"I know there is an exit in the kitchen and servants quarters but only the servants use that."

"True but those aren’t the only exits, there should be about two more."

"Two?"

She knew the castle like the back of her hand. Well at least the hidden places. She had needed to be scarce more often than not and following the corners were her only way to hide out of people’s eyes.

Mauve winced as she remembered a particular memory. She didn’t have to do this right now but she couldn’t sleep.