Later that night, Maria was fast asleep in her bedroom. She had her fair share of pleasant dreams, but also haunting nightmares. However, what happened next would leave her frightened for the rest of the night.

   Maria found herself in an empty space that felt similar to the castle’s lounge, with dark clouds, similar to those in the old fortress, spreading till the entire room was covered. Maria couldn’t run away, leaving her helpless as a menacing stranger approached.

   “My dear niece,” said the stranger, implying that Maria was in the presence of King Marcu, “I am filled with joy that my blood could heal you of your ailment all so long ago. In return, I will be needing your blood to live. In spite of Daniel’s failure, in due time, I will have it.”

   The nightmare immediately ended leaving Maria shaken, and too afraid to go back to sleep. She reached for her phone placed over a table next to her, and saw that it was just after one in the morning. Knowing that the dreams that she usually had during the second half of the night were more pleasant, she allowed herself to lie her head on her pillow, and fall asleep till morning.

   By next morning, it was Sunday once again, meaning that everyone attended their usual churches for their weekly service. In the afternoon, however, Jonathan made time to visit Maria at the castle, even though Maria didn’t invite him. Since the funeral was just yesterday, he thought that it would be a good opportunity to keep her company. The parents wanted to visit downtown, so they agreed to drop it by the castle bridge.

   “I’m sorry, Jonathan,” said one of the guards, “but Your Highness isn’t at the castle at the moment.”

   “Did she say where she was heading?” asked Jonathan.

   “She didn’t say,” said the guard. “She said she wanted some time alone, but that was an hour ago. Maybe you can call her and ask.”

   Jonathan didn’t want to disturb Maria in case she needed no disturbance, so he decided to send her a message instead. Alas, she didn’t immediately respond, leaving him with no other choice than to visit the local church at the time being. It was, in fact, the same church where the funeral was held. He felt like it was the right opportunity to say a prayer for a prosperous future.

   But, as he entered, expecting the nave to be mostly vacant, a female voice at the front row caught him by surprise. It was Maria, saying her prayer by the altar, as Jonathan was able to pick up on some of her words: “I pray for my servants, for my subjects, and my new family. I pray for a good life and success, for my safety, and a prosperous future as a wife, and a mother. Amen.”

   Maria rose up and turned to head out the door. Instead, she was stunned to see Jonathan right in front of him.

   “Jonathan, hi!” she greeted. “You found me here!”

   “I heard you were out, so I came here to pray. I didn’t know you were here as well,” said Jonathan.

   “I see,” said Maria. “Let me take a seat while you pray.”

   Jonathan said his prayer in a whispering tone, leaving Maria curious, and wanting to know what he said.

   “Come sit next to me for a while,” Maria said to Jonathan. “So, what did you pray for?”

   “Well,” said Jonathan, stumbling to speak with confidence. “Remember back when you asked what was on my mind?”

   “Yeah...? You had me wait for so long, I almost forgot!” Maria exclaimed in frustration.

   “It’s about our future,” Jonathan confessed, getting Maria’s full attention.

   “About us?” asked Maria, with her eyebrows raised.

   “Yeah,” said Jonathan.

   “What did you say?” Maria asked excitedly

   “I prayed for my parents,” said Jonathan, “and a good future for both of us... as husband... and wife.”

   “Really?” Maria exclaimed in excitement. “So, what exactly did you want to tell me at the lounge?”

   “I was thinking,” said Jonathan, “we’ll be done with our studies in about ten years.”

   “Yeah?” said Maria.

   “I was thinking of how to prepare for that day, the time for us to settle down,” said Jonathan nervously.

   “I see,” said Maria with a wide smile on her face, nodding. “We have ten years, so we have plenty of time to plan.”

   “Okay,” said Jonathan.

   The couple said no further words, while taking the opportunity to look at each other in solitude.

   “Parenting won’t be cheap, so we can start with a savings account for our children,” Maria suggested, “You and I can commit our earnings towards it each month.”

   “I actually had an idea in mind,” said Jonathan. “So, who will open it?”

   “Why not you?” Maria suggested. “I’ll give you some of my money to deposit when you’re ready.”

   “Okay,” said Jonathan.

   “You know, in my time, maidens would get married by the time they reach fourteen,” Maria jokingly suggested, as, not counting how long she was in her slumber, she was fourteen years old herself. “I was just joking,” she clarified, seeing how her words made Jonathan blush.

   “I knew that,” said Jonathan.

   But, Maria glared at Jonathan with a wide smile in doubt, saying, “Your reaction said otherwise.”

   Maria then dismissed the conversation, and changed the topic to something unrelated.

   “There is a reason why I came here,” she said to Jonathan. “Last night, I saw my uncle in my dreams. He was confident he would have my blood in due time, in spite of Daniel’s failure. It felt so real, that I almost had a hard time falling back asleep.”

   “I see,” said Jonathan.

   “I know I’m supposed to be a princess, but I need your advice on this,” said Maria. “Dreams sometimes foretell the future, but, most of the time, they don’t matter to the waking hours. Do you think I should be worried about this, or am I stressing myself?”

   At least on one occasion, Jonathan did have a dream that sort of foretold his encounter with Maria. It was likely that Maria’s dream could be a message, but he also felt unsure.

   “There was a dream I had last year,” said Jonathan. “It was about meeting you, before we first met.”

   “Really?” Maria exclaimed in excitement.

   “Yeah,” said Jonathan. “But, I’m not sure about yours. Maybe just be vigilant, just in case.”

   “I’ll heed your advice,” said Maria. “But, there is one thing that keeps me worried.”

   “What’s that?” asked Jonathan.

   “Before my parents were laid to rest, I donated my blood to a lab,” Maria confessed. “They claimed they wanted to study my human and vampire DNA. Do you think the Brotherhood of the Wolves may have men all over?”

   “I hope not,” said Jonathan. “Only time will tell.”   

   “Maybe,” said Maria, moving her shoulders implying her uncertainty. “But, who knows?”

   The couple didn’t say anything else for almost a minute, as they enjoyed the solitude alone in the house of worship, staring at each other giggling.

   “It’s time to head back to the castle,” said Maria. “But, before we do so, do you want to join me for one last prayer? It’s for the two of us.”

   “Sure,” said Jonathan.

   The couple placed their hands together, and raised them close to their faces.

   “Dear Lord,” said Maria, as she led the prayer, “I give thanks for what I’ve been given, and on behalf of Jonathan for what he’s been given. I offer this prayer for both of us, that we may continue to strive at school, as princess, and shepherd’s son. When I finish my studies, and relinquish the throne, I pray for a prosperous future for Jonathan and me, as a shepherd, and a shepherd’s wife, and make us caring parents to our children. Amen.”

   Jonathan concluded the prayer with an “Amen.”

   But, there were a few things about the prayer that left Jonathan confused.

   “Wait,” said Jonathan. “Did you say you’re relinquishing your throne?”

   “Oh! I didn’t tell you,” said Maria. “You’re not a prince. If I marry you, I’ll have to give up being a princess forever.”

   “I see,” said Jonathan. “And there’s no other way?”

   “No,” said Maria. “That had always been the rule of my old kingdom. A princess can only be married to a prince, or a king.”

   Maria then assured Jonathan that it wasn’t something to worry himself over.

   “Don‘t feel so sad for me,” she tells Jonathan. “The truth is, even before I became a half-vampire, in my time, I had always wanted to know what it was like to live like a commoner. Although the students and teachers still treat me as their princess, I love going to school for it allows me to feel like a commoner. It’s an experience different from the mundane royal life, and it lets people see me for who I really am. But, I don’t want to feel like a commoner just in school; I want to feel like a commoner all the time.”

   Jonathan nodded understanding where Maria was coming from. Maria paused to look him in the eye, with the two exchanging nervous smiles. 

   “Do you know what the royal family and your family have in common?” she asked Jonathan.

   “No,” said Jonathan, feeling rather baffled.

   “The child inherits the parents’ role, just as how your forefathers were all shepherds,” said Maria. “I like your parents not just because they felt like my foster parents; they‘re humble and kind, just like my parents. I believe I’ll fit into that shepherd life well... as a shepherd’s wife.”

   All the talk about their future together made Jonathan feel rather glad, and happy to have the love of his life right next to him. The couple almost kissed, but they didn’t feel it was appropriate to do so in a church.

   “Shall we start heading back to the castle? We’ve been here for so long,” said Maria.

   “Sure,” said Jonathan, leaping out of the chair to escort Maria home.