The sun was setting in the west, as Alora and Dan walked towards the cave. It was located in the deep forest where no one used to go at that time of the day.

It was spooky and dark. But for the vampires like Alora and Dan, it wasn't scary at all.

Alora was dressed in a white, sleeveless dress,which dripped down royalty from every corner. She walked side by side with her friend.

"Can we take Ron with us too?". She asked innocently.

"Like I said before, let's keep him waiting here for you. It'll be more exciting". Dan replied. "But ask Jade, he'll know better". He said and started taking faster steps.

After walking past some big, old trees, they stopped. There was a cave, quite ancient. A lot of bats rested outside the cave and there was a lantern hanging in the middle of the entrance.

"It's here". Dan told.

"Cool". Alora looked around. As soon as she reached the entrance, all the bats flew and sat on the ground, dunking their heads down.

"They're welcoming you". Dan smiled.

"Uh_ thank you?". Alora chuckled. She walked in.

The cave was dark, a few books rested in the wooden shelf. There were various potions in glass bottles placed on a big table.

"Welcome Princess Alora, welcome,your highness". A rough, brittle voice echoed.

Alora searched for the voice. A man with shaved head walked out of a dark corner. He was holding a long stick in his hand. There was a scar on his left eye and his nails were grown out like that of a witch.

He bowed in front of Alora.

"Hello". Alora greeted like a child.

Jade smiled and stood straight. "The last time I saw you, you were twelve years old. Playing and running around the whole palace. Annoying the servants and the guards. Today, you're a grown up woman who is ready to take the throne.. time flies".

"I have heard about you but never saw you". Alora replied.

"I lifted you up in my arms when you were born. Your eyes were shining and you were continuously smiling". Jade told, with tears in his eyes. "Look at you, you're a lady now".

Alora looked at Dan helplessly. "Umm, please don't cry_ I'm unable to resist it".

"Yes_ because you're a mercy". Jade said. "It rained like cats and dogs the day you were born. We were longing for the rain since forty years. It never came. But as soon as your cry echoed in the palace for the first time, rain started pouring down".

He moved to a corner where a bench was placed. He took a red velvet cloth and spread it on the bench. "Here your highness, sit".

Alora and Dan moved towards the bench and sat down.

"I know what happened in the city". Jade said. "I cannot exactly tell who the guy is, because that's the actual task. But I'll tell you how he looks like".

Alora nodded.

"Many years ago, your father came to me to know about the chosen one. It was a woman. But now, the chosen one's a Man". Jade didn't looked directly into her eyes because of the respect. "He would be in his middle twenties, a handsome, infamous guy. Ofcourse it's stupid to find him in the whole human world. As soon as you go there, he'll automatically come to your life. He'll be in the ones whom you'll be seeing often. One more thing, he will have a mark on his lower back. The guy will be the first to lay his eyes on you, not you.. the more men you meet, the more it will become easier for us to figure out who the chosen one is".

"How will I seduce him?". Alora asked.

"He'll himself fall for your charm, my princess". Jade smiled.

"Okay?". Alora said.

"Anything else, Jade?" . Dan asked.

"Stay with her, Dan".

"Can I take_ umm, Ron- with me?". Alora blurted.

Jade chuckled. "He's not your destiny, my princess. You deserve someone special".

Alora's face fell. "But I like him".

"I know_ but it's useless to run after something which is not made for you. He loves you too, but you'll never be together in future". Jade said.

"Why?". Alora's eyes filled with tears.

"He'll die, if he stayed in your life. You're the daughter of a powerful king. Don't act weak. Love makes people weak". Jade warned.

Alora closed her eyes and cried for a while. Her tears, as soon as left the eyes, turned into white pearls.

Dans stood up and went out of the cave with Jade to give her some space.

A few hours elapsed when finally, Alora came out. The bats dunked their heads down again. "Let's go, Dan".

"I'm sorry, my princess. But if I hadn't told you, you would have been heart broken in the future". Jade apologized.

"It's okay". Alora said. "I strongly believe in fate. I'll survive this sorrow".

Dan took her hand and they walked back towards the city.

Alora didn't talked to Dan on the way back home.

At the house, everyone was waiting for Dan and Alora on the dinner table.

Elle was pouring blood in the glasses and passing it to everyone.

"Where are Alora and Dan? Wouldn't they join us on the dinner table?". Ron asked restlessly.

"They went to Jade".

"Jade?Oh okay I forgot!". Ron chuckled nervously.

Meanwhile Dan and Alora entered the dining room.

"Good evening everyone". Dan greeted.

"Oh hey! come on join us we were waiting for you". Elle said.

Ron looked expectantly at Alora.

Alora passed a smile and sat beside him.

Ron was so nervous right now. His breath fastened.

"So,what did Jade said?". Stephen asked.

"He told us how the guy looks and that he'll automatically come in Alora's life when she would go to the human world". Dan replied. "He told us that he'll easily fall for Alora's charm".

Ron shifted in his chair.

"I don't want to betray anyone, Mother". Alora looked down sadly.

"We don't have any other options". Ron said. "This is how our kingdom prospered for like thousands of years ago.We used to take away someone's soul so that we can give life to our throne. It is now a tradition".

"Can't we change the tradition?". Alora asked.

"Ahh! Charles used to say that Alora would always think differently of everyone else. She's mercy". Stephen sighed.

"We can't change our traditions ". Veronica told. "Better do it soon, dear".

Alora looked at Dan disappointingly from across the table.

She took her glass and gulped all the blood down in a second.

After the dinner was over, Dan left for his home and the elders talked to each other.

Alora took Ron to her room.

"Is everything okay, My princess?". Ron asked worriedly. "You didn't said anything at the dinner table. Why did you invited me?".

"Ron, I-". Alora rubbed her temples. "I need to tell you something".

"I have all the time in the world". Ron smiled.

Alora moved at him. She started sobbing.

"Alora?". Ron's eyes widened. "What happened?".

She wrapped herself around Ron and cried.

"What-". Ron was confused.

"I love you, Ron". Alora confessed. "I love you so much".

Ron's shoulders slumped. "What?". He was surprised.

"Are you kidding me?".

"No". Alora cried.

Ron stared at her for a while and moved closer. He was about to kiss her when Alora stepped back.

"I know you think about me too.. and I want to stop you from doing so". Alora said.

"What?".

"Don't think about me again, Ron". Alora wiped her tears. "We're over, before we even started".

There was a complete silence for a minute or two.

"Anyways, the reason I invited you tonight was to tell you that while I'm gone, you're gonna look after my family and dig into my father's murder case. When I get back, I want the killer". Alora pulled herself together.

"I will, try my best, Princess". Ron said in a low voice. He turned to go.

"I love you more, Alora. I love you since the day I first saw you". He said.

Alora stared at him.

"What? Not believing me?". Ron asked and moved back.

He opened up his shirt buttons. He showed his chest. He had written her name on the chest with a blade.

"RON!". Alora was surprised. "Are you crazy?".

"It's an evidence of my love". Ron said.

"This is-". Alora touched his chest.

"Goodbye, princess". He was sombre and was about to cry. He buttoned up his shirt and left the room.