It had been over two weeks since Maria marked her return to the village indigenes and its nomadic community. A little had changed in the village, but the nomads supporting their princess had since made themselves permanent residents of the village, and subjects of their new ruler. But, those who rejected had since emigrated back to their more permanent encampment across the country, turning it into their very own village from then on out.

   With free time on her hands, Maria invited Jonathan over. Wearing a formal outfit, as his mother advised, Jonathan was on his way in one of Maria’s limousines, carrying with him a handful of gifts. He was dropped off at the bridge, and made his way into the castle.

   The castle’s hall was a sharp contrast from before. A red carpet now greeted anyone entering the yellow-lit hall, with modern chandeliers and lightbulb holders installed all over... subtle signs of the castle now running on electricity. A newly installed room door now separated the throne room from the hall, with Maria just waiting at the other side.

   As soon as she saw him, Maria got up from her throne, walked towards Jonathan, and gave a formal bow.

   “Good evening, Mr. Jonathan Fier,” she greeted.

   “Good evening, Your Highness,” greeted Jonathan.

   The pair smiled, then loudly laughed at each other.

   “Oh, please,” said Maria, “I may be your princess, but I am still the same Maria you met over the bridge. How are you?”

   “I’m good,” said Jonathan. “And you?”

   “I’m fine. Are those for me?” asked Maria, eying the gifts that Jonathan was carrying.

   “Yes,” said Jonathan. “I just thought of treating my favorite girl to some chocolates and perfume.”

   “Aww! You shouldn’t have!” said Maria, feeling delighted. “Please, help take these items to my bedroom,” she instructed one of the castle servants, who gladly took the items from Jonathan.

   “It had been a while since we last saw each other,” Maria said to Jonathan. “I’ve really missed you.”

   “I’ve missed you too,” said Jonathan. “I wouldn’t ever want to disturb you from your duty as princess.”

   “It’s alright,” said Maria. “Thanks for being considerate.”

   “Anytime,” said Jonathan.

   Pointing towards a newly installed royal banner behind the thrones, hanging over the wooden facade, Maria then said, “Shall we go down into the ‘Hall of the Kings’ for a while?”

   “I guess,” said Jonathan. “What’s up?”

   “You’ll see,” said Maria.

   She ordered the staff to vacate the throne room before entering the hall behind the thrones, locking the door behind her and Jonathan.

   She then flipped a switch, and the entire corridor, and the stairway ahead, were entirely lit with modern lighting, replacing the familiar darkness with bright yellow colors.

   “What do you think?” asked Maria. “I now have modern lighting that should help us see better without our phones.”

   “Yeah,” said Jonathan, feeling mildly impressed. “Hey, I wanted to ask you about your dress.”

   “Yeah?” asked Maria, as the pair descended.

   “You were from the Medieval times, but why is your dress...?”

   “Victorian?” asked the pair simultaneously.

   “Yeah,” exclaimed Jonathan.

   “That’s simple,” said Maria, twirling her phone. “I had been reading about the British technological revolution, to better understand how these modern technologies came about. And, I image-searched royal dresses of that era, and loved some of their designs. And, I also happen to have come across a dress transformation spell on the scroll, which is what you witnessed.”

   “I see,” commented Jonathan. “I love your hair.”

   “Thank you!” exclaimed Maria. “It’s similar to how my hair was in Medieval times, before it overgrew and looked really messy.”

   “I kinda liked the old hair too though,” said Jonathan. “I’m going to miss it.”

   “Thanks,” said Maria. “Maybe, when I get tired of this, I might grow my hair again.”

   She then stretched her hand forward, and said, “I also cut my vampire claws, and applied black nail polish. You like it?”

   “They look great,” complimented Jonathan. “It fits the necklace and wrist bands nicely.”

   “I know,” said Maria, feeling flattered. “I learned that your generation considers black to be ‘gothic,’ and I actually like this appearance.”

   “That’s good,” said Jonathan.

   “We’re here!” announced Maria, as the pair were about to step into the “Hall of the Kings”.

   “Remember when, on the phone, you asked if my parents were laid to rest here?” asked Maria, as she dropped the Vampiress’ Staff on the floor.

   “Yeah,” said Jonathan, feeling a bit hesitant. “Sorry if I’m stressing you over this.”

   “Don’t worry,” said Maria.

   From the entrance of the tomb to the other end were the precise order of which the monarchs were buried historically. But, when they reached the last row of tombs, Maria pointed and said, “I’ve thoroughly searched the tomb, but I couldn’t find their resting place.”

   Placing his hand on his mouth and chin, feeling rather concerned, Jonathan commented, “Maybe they escaped your uncle’s siege.”

   ”I’m not sure they did,” said Maria. “My guts tell me that they were slain outside the castle.”

   “I’m really sorry,” said Jonathan, placing his hand on Maria’s shoulder, trying to comfort her. As Maria looked, Jonathan added, “I just hate to hear that you had a gut feeling on this; you may be right.”

   “What happened to my parents doesn’t matter,” said Maria, with her head lowered. “I just desire to find out where their corpses are, and honor them with a decent burial here.”

   “And your uncle, he’s still out there,” said Jonathan. “What if their final resting place is closer to him?”

   “With enough training, and unlocking my potentials, I shall smite him once and for all,” declared Maria.

   “Too bad I’m not a fighter,” said Jonathan. “I would have loved to help you if that day comes.”

   “Don’t worry about that, my sweet,” said Maria, rubbing Jonathan’s hand. “This is a family feud. Don’t get involved. Besides, from the horror stories I’d heard, he’d cut you down in seconds. Out of spite against the living, he did end our kingdom overnight while I was asleep. Only with the Vampiress’ Staff I can stop him.”

   “I really hope we can take him down,” said Jonathan.

   “Me too,” said Maria, staring at her staff on the floor.

   “I‘m still bothered,” said Jonathan. “I really thought that everyone in the nomadic community would support your return, vampire or not.”

   “Don’t worry about that,” said Maria. “It’s human nature to be judgmental, sadly. That was why I had to protect myself in my castle, scaring people away from getting too close. But, now, I do feel a bit more tolerant.”

   “I actually felt bad when you cried over the bridge weeks ago,” said Jonathan, feeling sympathetic. “I’m really sorry that they abused you the way they did. If I had known about it back then...”

   “Like I said, my sweet, I’m fine,” said Maria. “It was long ago when they all happened. If you let the past bother you so much, it could consume you in the present, and the future... just like it did to me before we met, or in front of that crowd.”

   She placed her hand on Jonathan’s shoulder, and said, “Thank you for your sympathy. As I said earlier, I couldn’t have asked for a better boy, trying to make me feel happy during the loneliest of times.”

   “Don’t mention it, sweetie,” said Jonathan, feeling a bit modest.

   “’Sweetie’?” Is that your way of saying ‘my sweet’?” asked Maria.

   “I guess so,” said Jonathan.

   “I think I’ll start you ‘sweetie’ then,” said Maria.

   “Yeah,” said Jonathan.

   No further words were said between the pair. The silence felt prolonged and deafening, with Maria nervously playing with her hair, prompting Jonathan to ask, “You didn’t just bring us downstairs just for the parents’ whereabouts, did you?”

   “Admittedly... no,” said Maria. “I also wanted to spend time with you, as we are now. At least, here, the servants wouldn’t be passing by, hearing our conversations.”

   “I see,” said Jonathan, “and the ‘Hall of the Kings’ is a good choice for privacy.” 

   “Yes,” said Maria.

   Looking at how mildly anxious Maria was feeling, with her cheeks turned red, he asked, “Is there something else you’ve been meaning to tell me?”

   “Well... umm...,” said Maria, feeling a bit shy and bashful, “I’m still trying to find the words.” Looking at Jonathan’s own face, she commented, “But, you also seem to want to ask me something...?”

   “Well, yeah....,” said Jonathan.

   “Then ask,” said Maria, smiling in anticipation.

   Evidently, Jonathan struggled worse to find his words than Maria seemingly could.

   “Well, say something!” teased Maria.

   “I’m trying,” said Jonathan. “Just... trying not to say something foolish.”

   “Sweetie, look at me,” said Maria, grabbing Jonathan’s fingers. “You can tell me anything. A real man doesn’t cower from bravery.”

   Jonathan took a deep breath, stared into Maria’s eyes, and said, “Maria, I really, really like you so much. You’re cute, fun to hang out with, and I’ve learned so much about you since our first day together. But, I think we shouldn’t be friends anymore.”

   “What...?” said Maria.

   Her heart fell. Not knowing what to make of Jonathan’s last words, previously feeling blissful and flattered, she felt like her world was about to end. But, in case she misunderstood Jonathan, with a sense of gloom, she tried to remain optimistic.

   “Have I done something wrong?” she asked, as she felt confused and at fault.

   “No! No! It’s not like that!” assured Jonathan, feeling rather frantic. “What I meant is... I want us to be more than just friends.”

   “What do you mean?” said Maria, feeling a bit confused.

   With full confidence, Jonathan asked, “Maria, will you be my girlfriend?”

   Maria was stunned, gasping with her eyes wide opened, and placing both hands on her mouth. Jonathan’s proposal was a very meaningful one. He was asking to be a significant part of her life, which she had secretly wanted of him the whole time.

   “Yes!” she cried, jumping for joy. But, immediately, she shrugged off the feeling, and said, “But, I am still an old-fashioned maiden at heart, so let’s make a promise. I’ll be your girlfriend... if you become my husband.”

   “Wai... what?” bellowed Jonathan, with eyebrows raised. “Maria, I do love you, and I do want to marry you, but not this soon!”

   “I didn’t mean right away, of course!” said Maria, laughing uncontrollably. “I know you need to finish your studies first; I’m enrolling at the same school as you.”

   “You are?” asked Jonathan, referring to Maria’s enrollment.

   “Yes,” said Maria. “I have been homeschooled as preparation.” With rosy cheeks, and nervously rubbing her neck, she said, “But, thanks for spelling out how much you love me.”

   “My pleasure, babe,” said Jonathan. Stretching his hand for a shake, he added, “In that case, it’s a deal. Like I said, I do have plans to make you my wife in the future.”

   The pair shook hands on their proposal.

   “Then, it’s a deal,” said Maria. “So, how should we mark this milestone?”

   Jonathan stared at Maria in a way while drawing closer, giving signals that were obvious to his girlfriend.

   “Just to test our agreement,” said the smiling Maria, feeling rather anxious, “when she was alive, my mother said that the first man I kiss must become my husband....”

   As his response, Jonathan placed his lips on Maria's. Feeling loved, and comfortable around her boyfriend, Maria wrapped her arms around Jonathan, with Jonathan placing his hands on Maria’s waist.

   “Not bad,” commented Maria. “You’re a talented kisser.”

   “Thanks,” said Jonathan. “You were a natural too.”

   With a slight giggle, Maria took a step back, and the pair stared at each other for a short while.

   “But,” said Maria, “if the time comes, and we’re done with our studies, will your parents be okay with having me as their daughter-in-law?”

   “Of course, babe,” assured Jonathan. “They were open to the idea of us being a couple... mom especially. They, of course, kept reminding me to finish my studies first, and wait till I’m older.”

   “That’s fine,” said Maria with a big smile on her face. “Let’s go back upstairs.”

   “Okay,” said Jonathan, as Maria lifted the Vampiress’ Staff off the floor. “Ladies first.”

   “What a gentleman!” giggled Maria, leading the way.

   On their way back to the throne room, Maria asked, “Can you stay over for dinner? I’d love to have us eat together, like that morning.”

   “Of course, I will,” said Jonathan. “My parents told me I can stay for dinner, if you ever invited me.”

   “Yay!” exclaimed Maria in excitement.

   “So, what are we eating?” asked Jonathan.

   “We’ll see,” said Maria. “I have some of the best talented chefs around. I’m sure they’ll please.”