CHAPTER ONE

Cassius Salvator had never sunk his fangs into something so trivial as romantic affairs. Siya ang susunod na magmamana nang trono ng mga bampira and he had spent the last six-hundred years preparing for the role. Mula nang magka-isip siya ay dala-dala niya na ang responsibilidad na iyon. Women and marriage were his last priority or mas madaling sabihin na never man lang iyon sumagi sa isip niya. Yet, his grandfather, the honorable King lukasz, just would not let the issue die. Tuwing nagkikita sila ay hindi nito pinapalipas na banggitin at kumbinsihin siyang magpakasal na or much worst ay inirereto siya nito sa kung sino-sinong babaeng bampira. Katulad na lang ngayon. 

' Cassi, Have you find a suitable wife?' He croaked from the other side of the dining table.

Napangiwi siya ng gamitin nito ang childhood nickname niya. He hates it when someone was using his childhood name. Tanging ang grandpa niya lang ang nanatiling buhay pa, kapag tinatawag siya sa pangalang iyon. Anyone else would've been instantly thrown in the dungeon and suffered from it for the rest of their lives. No one is excempted maliban sa grandfather niya.

' I've told you before and I will repeat it again, Grandpa, marami pang oras para sa bagay na iyan.' He folded the newspaper he'd been skimming, pagkatapos ay inilapag niya iyon sa side ng table. Then, he lifted a goblet filled with ruby liquid to his mouth.' Hindi ko pa mamanahin ang trono.'

kumunot ang noo nito pagkatapos ay tinaasan siya ng kilay. Despite the centuries of experience behind that probing expression, his grandfather appeared no older than a man in his mid-thirty's. Sa mata ng mga mortal ay isa itong guwapo at makisig na binata. Ngunti sa mundo nila ay isa itong respectable elder vampire na nabubuhay pa sa panahon ng ice age. His white hair was roughly brushed up revealing his forehead. His cheeckbones were high and proud under the intense blue eyes that could see right through you. Kung iba ang nasa harap nito ay nasisisguro niyang manginginig sa takot dahil sa klase ng pagtitig nito. But, Cassius simply avoided his gaze and glanced down to the other end of the grand dining table. 

At that moment, Tatlong malalaking halimaw ang pumasok.

They looked like a gigantic wolves na may mahahabang nguso at nababalutan ng kulay gray na balahibo ang katawan ng mga ito, ang mahahaba nitong mga kuko ay gumagawa ng ingay sa marble na sahig sa bawat paglakad na ginagawa. Their jaws could've easily crushed a human skull at ang mga matitigas at banat na mga muscle nito ay natitiyak niyang kayang makapatay ng malalakas na bampira. Still, Cassius simply rolled his eyes at the sight of them and sighed. Hindi siya naiintimidate or natatakot man lang sa presensiya ng mga ito. For him, they are like a small ant he could crushed with his bare hand.

Teenaged werewolves.

' Kayong tatlo, stop showing off. Alam niyong hindi kayo makakapagtransform during lunch. Dont make me tell mom.' Ani ng isang dalagang babae na nagmamadaling sumunod sa tatlo, kulot at buhaghag ang pulang buhok nito. Kumindat ito sakanya bago pinaalis ang mga werewolves palabas ng dining room.

' Bumalik kayo kapag nakapagbihis na kayo ng damit.'

Lumapit ito sa dining table at pabagsak na umupo sa kanan niya, inabot nito ang tray na puno ng pagkain, and shovelled it onto her plate. 

Tinitigan niya ang plato nitong punong-puno ng cheese at sausages.' Rough night, Stacy?'

Tumango ito sabay subo ng dalawang pieces ng sausage, sinundan pa nito iyon ng tinapay. 'Parang ganon na nga.' Pinaikot nito ang berdeng mga mata at nag-make face.'  The network has me pinned like a mouse in a trap. If I dont come up with a winning TV show by next week. Sigurado akong bubulyawan nanaman ako ng boss ko. Prinsesa ng mga werewolves o hindi. My boss does not accept mediocore talent.' Bumuntong-hininga ito habang nakatitig sa bowl na puno ng pasta. Nakalobo ang magkabilang pisngi nito dahil sa pagkain. Werewolves and vampires clan are in good terms. Sa mga panahong ang Salvatore ang nagru-rule sa immortal world ay nabawasan ang kaguluhan at labanan sa pagitan ng mga immortal, like withches, vampires, werewolves at iba pa.

Sinubukan niyang itago ang inggit na lumukob sa kanya, pagka-mention nito sa trabaho ng dalaga. Her parents had willingly let their eldest and only heir to the werewolf throne pursue a career outside of the royal duties which his dead parents and grandpa had never allowed. Nakapagtrabaho ito sa isang entertainment na kumpanya na pagmamay-ari ng isang werewolves, isa ito sa pinakakilalang network sa Pilipinas. Of course, he liked what he was doing and the responsibility na ano mang oras ay mamanahin niya. But, sometimes he envied Stacy or those immortals who had a chance to do what they truly like or to experience the human world like they are almost like one.

' You could just have them all sent to the dungeon.' He blinked innocently at her.' I'm sure a few nights down there will change their minds.' 

Nabulunan si Stacy dahilan para tumalamsik ang mga pagkaing nasa loob ng bunganga nito. Mabilis nitong dinampot ang napkin at ipinunas sa bibig. Namumula ang mukha at maluha-luhang hinarap siya nito sabay siko sa dibdib niya.' Hindi porket iyan lang ang alam mong solution sa lahat. Doesn't mean we all have to be tyrannical rulers.'

Ngumis siya rito, revealing his long white fangs. Sa loob ng daang taon ay bilang pa lang ang nakukulong sa ancient dangeon ng castle, hindi dahil walang gumagawa ng kasalanan o nahuhuli, kundi minsan ay hindi nagpapahuling buhay ang mga ito. And sometimes they dont deserve to lived.  Being inside the dungeon means suffering and torture  to the point na mas pipiliin mo na lang na mamatay kaysa ang makulong dito. kaya minsan ginagamit nilang pang-threaten para mapanitili ang peace and order sa clans ng mga bampira. It kept vampire's in their toes. 

 Princess Stacy and her identical twin sister were the royal counterpart to Cassius and his wild younger brother, Micheal. Nung mga panahong ang ama pa ng kanyang lolo ang namumuno sa Astral. (Ang astral ang council at namumuno sa buong lahi ng mga bampira na nalalapit niya ding pamunuan.) Hindi ito pumayag na makipagisa sa kingdom ng Monstrana, ang safe haven ng mga werewolves, pati na rin sa mga witches and all other supernatural creatures of the world. Ngunit, nang mamamatay ito sa blood war na nangyari sa pagitan ng mga witches at bampira at mamana ng grandpa niya ang trono ay nagbago ang pamamalakad sa Astral. Nagkasundo at namuhay ng magkakalapit ang mga kingdoms. Sa tulong ng mga witches ay nagawa nilang maitago ang totoo nilang pagkatao at ang ilang parte ng kingdom. There are some part of kingdom na open sa mga mortal na matatagpuan sa Palawan, like the castle of Everis where some humans lived, ang mga mortal na nakatira doon ang nakakaalam at willing na nagdo-donate ng dugo sakanila kapalit ng pera at protection mula sa kanila. The kingdom  had managed to pass the passing time and the curiousity of humans. With both a werewolf throne and Vampire throne, the two factions peacefully ruled their kingdom together. 

' Princess Anastasia, Buti naman at sinaluhan mo kami. Will you please try to talk some sense to Cassi? ' King Lukasz said in authoritative voice as he sipped from his goblet.

Lumaki ang mga mata ni Stacy, huminto din ito sa ginagawang pagsubo ng tinapay. ' Tungkol nanaman ba ito sa love life ni Cassius? I barely escaped the last conversation unscatched, Alam niyo naman Permanent bachelor yang si Cassius.  A shut in. A hopeless case.'  Tumingin ito sakanya at nagkunwaring shocked ito. ' I'm suprised that women dont run away screaming but rather cling at him. Lahat ng nakakakilala kay Cassius knows that he has a heart of stone. Let's be honest his only saving grace is his pretty face.'

Cassius couldn't help but hissed. He hates ths kind of attention he was getting at the moment.

' Para namang naiiba ka.' He gently proaded her with his elbow,  he was teasing her like how older brother do to his sister. Sabay silang lumaki ni Anastasia at ito lang din ang nag-iisang babae na masasabi niyang close at kayang makipagbiruan sakanya. ' Honestly, you are worst than me, you fall in love every week. Dapat nagtatago ang mga lalaki kapag nakikita ka.'

Dumiretso ito ng upo then she gracefully put the fork down on the edge of her plate. She reached for a napkin and carefully wipe her mouth.' Well, what can I do? I happen to like the idea of falling in love, Thank you very much. It's a wonderful feeling which you will never experience.' pang-aasar nito.

As if he liked to experience it. 

' Ha.Ha! Good for you, but not so wonderful for those guys who get dumped days later. Proving that you're much worst than me, I never hurt anyone's feeling tulad mo.' bulong niya. 

Tinitigan siya nito ng masama, her lips pursing, showing that she did not like his statement. He felt a sudden feeling of guilt towards her. Alam niyang napipikon siya at wala siyang ibang mapagbalingan kundi si Stacy. And he knows he wasn't being fair for her, but this conversation had put him in a grumpy mood at kung paano siya pilitin ng grandpa niya na magpakasal. It was the tenth time since he turn three-hundred -four last month that his grandfather had brought the idea. Everytime na magkikita sila nito ay laging ang pagpapakasal niya ang topic na binubuksan nito.

He ignored Stacy's glaring eyes, he lifted his goblet when he caught his grandpa shaking it's head. 

' I believe you haven't given it a serious enough try,' king Lukasz continued, unconcerned by their little squabble. ' And I wont stop bothering you until you find a suitable wife which I approved.'

Napatiim-bagang siya. His grandfather's idea of the proper lady was no doubt someone with centuries of vampire experience under his belt, a fine pedigree, at higit sa lahat someone who had a great ambition for riches and power. And the last trait could'nt be helped. Halos lahat ng babaeng inireto at naka-relasyon niya ay nagpakita ng ganong pag-uugali. They loved the throne. They adored the money. They loved what he has, not him. As simple as that. 

Looking at his grandfather determined expression, he knows that this discussion wont end hanggang hindi siya pumapayag sa kagustuhan nito. 

' Matatapos ba ang discussion na ito if I agree.' Nahilot niya ang sentido ng maramdaman niyang sumakit iyon. ' like if I let you parade them in front of me?'

' Yes! of course my dear!' His ancient eyes beamed with excitement. ' I've already got a few in mind.'

Tumango-tango siya habang umiinom. As expected of him. Inilapag niya ang goblet at itinaas ang tatlong daliri. ' I only accept three candidates, nothing more. And please, bring them all here at the same time. Ayokong mag-entertain ng isa-isa, I rather use my time dealing with important matters than waste it escorting air-headed and vapid women to parties and on dates. I want it over and done with.' He irritatingly declared. 

' Hmm..I'd like that. Three vs one. Alright, three vampiresses.' He nodded solemnly. ' Expect them to be here next week, and one more thing treat them with gentle.' 

' Wait! I've got an even better idea!' Malakas na sabi ni Stacy, pakiramdam ni Cassius ay nabasag ang eardrum niya sa lakas ng pagsigaw nito. ' Puwede kong i-film ang dates ninyo, like those variety shows the humans all love. I'm sure magiging patok yon!' Excited na sabi nito.

' NO!' Tutol niya.

' What a brilliant idea.' King Lukasz replied, ni hindi man lang binigyang pansin ang pagtutol niya, inilapag nito ang steak na isusubo sana.  Vampires still eat human food pero hindi nila nalalasahan iyon. it's just tasteless. They mimic how human lives and does. '  Prince Cassius could use some positive press.'

' Yes!' Parang sinisilihan si Stacy sa upuan nito.' Our very own royalty romance reality show. Siguradong magugustuhan ito ng boss ko.'

' We can't, we have a rule. A prince of vampire are not supposed to mingle with humans.' Cassius said habang sinusubo ang steak. ' If the lycan-'

' We wont break any rule, Stacy wil filmed it here herself and all you're dates are vampires not humans. So, no harm will be done no rules will be broken.' Simpleng sagot ng grandpa niya. 

' I still wont accept it, absolutely not.' 

Broadcasting his romantic business was the last thing on his mind. Mas pipiliin niya pang saksakin ng isandaang silver daggers and thrown into the afternoon sun without his magical ring for protection kaysa sa i-broadcast ang love life niya on some cheap, daytime television show which can ruin his reputation and damage his image in the council. And of course, if the lycan especially Darrius knows this. Their kingdom and the humans in Philippines will surely be put in danger. 

'Please Cassius.' Pinagsakilop ni Stacy ang mga palad nito at pinapungay ang mga mata. 'Please, we wont make it too complicated. Just film a couple of dates and that's it. Dont be a Jk, sa pilipinas lang naman i-e-e-aired, It will not be aired worldwide kaya hindi iyon malalaman ng council sa Europe. Lastly, tulog ang lycan probably nakalibing pa rin iyon sa kailalaiman ng lupa. Ha.Ha' Pagmamakaawa nito.

She had a point. Lycan's are asleep for centuries since the blood war. Kaya hindi ito enough reason para tanggihan niya ang pakiusap nito. Shaking his head, he ran a tongue over his fangs and grimaced. ' Ayokong ipakita pa sa public ang private life ko. It's bad enough having these women forced on me.'

' I'ts just a show, a small show. Nothing intrusive.Tulungan mo naman akong i-save yung job ko. My dream job? please cassius?Prince Cassius?' May sincerity ang boses nito habang nakatingin sakanya. 

He groaned through his teeth. Kapag ganito na si Stacy ay alam niyang desperado ito. Dati kasi kapag tumututol siya sa kagustuhan nito ay hindi na nagpupumilit pa. Napabuntong-hininga siya, kanina lang ay inii-enjoy niya ang breakfast niyang type A blood, and the next thing he knew he was being pursuade to signed up by some ridiculous reality show. These creature wont let him breathe.

' Fine.' Sumusukong deklara niya. ' Just keep it simple. No drama.'

Mabilis pa sa kidlat na tumalon ito sakanya at niyakap siya habang tumitili. King Lukasz clapped his hand pagkatapos ay kumindat sakanya at lumabas ng dining room. Nakabuntot ang kanang-kamay nitong si Miguel na naghihintay sa hallway. Malamang ay sisimulan na nitong piliin ang mga nasa listahan nitong eligible vampire bachelorettes. Habang nakatitig siya sa apoy sa fireplace , hindi niya mapigilan na makita ang sariling parang ang mga kahoy na nasusunog at kalaunan ay nagiging abo. Hopefully, He made a right decision. 

I hope it will not harm and bring doomed to my future kingdom.

Darrius stay asleep.