As I looked out the window, I could see that the surveillance in the castle was now greater. There were guards at the bottom of my window, by the other towers near mine and on the terrace. Annoyed, I entered my room, I closed the window and closed the curtains as well. I went to the next room, where I kept my wardrobe and there, I locked myself. From the pocket of my cloak, I took out the presents that Ion had given me.

Irhin - Ion, now I can call you by a name my love.

I sat down on the dresser chair, opened the notebook Ion had just given me. I quickly looked for the page where he had his portrait. God! his drawing technique was so beautiful, and he was still as handsome as a human.

The traits that caught me were his beautiful hazel eyes, which were bright green before, when he was a human. His hair was so black and now it was silver. But something I couldn't take my eyes off was his beautiful blood-red lips. They were the same color and shape when he was human.

I was so focused on the portrait of my beloved Ion, when someone knocked on the door of my room. I left my adjoining room and went to the door, without opening it.

Irhin - Yes?

Lestat – Princess, can I come in?

It was Lestat, what the hell did he want now? Wasn't it enough to have been the reason for my discussion with my father? now what?

Irhin - What do you want?

Lestat - Can I talk to you for a sec?

I paused, remembering my father's words - "Lestat told me about his feelings towards you"- No, I didn't want to be alone with him! It would be awkward to have him around now that I know his intentions.

Lestat - Irhin?

Irhin - No, Lestat. I prepare myself to sleep.

Lestat didn't immediately respond.

Lestat - Can we have breakfast tomorrow Irhin?

What should I say? Dammit!!! my "princess" values; It is not polite to decline a direct invitation.

Irhin - I don't think I get up early Lestat.

Lestat - I will wait until you are up.

He was not going to leave my room's door until I give him an answer.

Irhin - Okay Lestat, good night.

Lestat - Sweet dreams, princess.

I didn't answer him anymore. This situation was already uncomfortable for me.

The next morning, I woke up early. As I sat up in my bed, I saw a red rose next to me on the pillow. It had a small piece of paper underneath; I took it and opened it.

"I'll wait for you in the back-garden princess Irhin"

It was a note from Lestat that was his calligraphy. Surely my nanny Lucy had placed it there. I remember having that breakfast with Lestat. So, I got up.

Upon leaving my room, were five soldiers, three in front of my room and two on the sides of the door. Great!

Irhin - Good morning!

The soldiers responded in unison to my salute. I went down the stairs and then at the foot was Lestat. he had his armor, and he had a smile on his lips.

Lestat - Good morning, princess

he reached out his hand to me, to help me down the last steps.

Irhin - Good morning, Lestat.

I didn't take his hand, I finished going down the steps and bowed in greeting.

Lestat - you look amazing this morning.

Irhin – Thank you, you too.

I tried to behave a little distant with Lestat, I don't want him to think that I'm interested in him.

Lestat - I prepared for you to have breakfast in the garden, so you can have a different view.

Irhin - Thank you very much Lestat.

We walked to the garden; he was next to me. I must admit that Lestat is a good gentleman. He has excellent manners and is very polite.

We got to the garden, I had used one of the garden tables and it was so beautifully decorated. It had many roses of various colors; it was quite colorful. There were the palace chefs and the cleaning girls; with whom I made a great friendship.

I tried to behave a little better, so I could treat Lestat like a friend. It really bothered me that he was so serious about things in the palace; but we really were good friends in the past. Since Lestat's father death, he has changed so much. I can well understand their hatred and resentment.

I remembered who had murdered Lestat's father. it had been my beloved Ion. My father always wondered why Darklion hadn't turned Lestat's father into a vampire, like him. Also, how it was possible for all the wounded soldiers to return without being bitten by the vampires. I had to ask Ion.

Lestat - Are you okay?

Lestat spoke to me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Irhin - O-of course! I'm sorry, what were you saying to me?

Lestat - I was talking about when we played hide and seek in this garden, do you remember?

Irhin - of course I do! I was barely eight years old, and you were...

Lestat - fourteen, every time my...

Lestat paused, those memories involved his father.

Lestat – when my dad came to report his findings to the king, and to train new soldiers.

Irhin - your father was wonderful Lestat.

Lestat - Until he had to go that day to attack that bastard.

Irhin - Calm down! Don't be like that. Your father was not turned into a vampire; and your family managed to give him a good burial. That should be comforting.

Lestat - What do you say Irhin? To be calm? That vampire killed my father!! he pierced a sword from his back to his chest.

Lestat had gotten upset, got up from the table and looked at me with a cold look.

Irhin - No! Listen, I'm just saying...

Lestat - Say NOTHING! You don't know anything. The war we are facing is to protect the people we love, the town and the countries under your father's rule. You are nothing more than an ignorant little princess who should only stay in her little castle living a "happy" life with all her servants, serving you.

WHAT??!

I didn't resist it anymore and raised my hand; the thud was heard. I slapped Lestat so hard on his chick. I got up from my seat.

Irhin - You are nothing more than an arrogant man; you want to have details with me and then spit your poison at me. If I spend it here it is because my father has done so by locking me in the castle; not letting me learn to fend for myself, because those are the "king's orders". Protecting myself from everything, even from the air itself if possible.

Lestat had placed his hand on his right cheek where I had just slapped him.

Irhin - My father was unable to overcome my mother's death and he believes that by locking me here he'll protect me from everything. But he's wrong, I'm not a "little and ignorant princess" as you have called me. I'm a woman before being called by that "real status" that defines me, I'm more than this and if I wanted, I would give up everything here. I don't want this life if I can't learn to do things by myself. Don't you dare call me well-off because I'm not, I want to be part of everything my father does and the lieutenants he has. Give my own opinions, but he doesn't allow me because I am a "woman" and for him and for you I'm only a little princess.

Lestat - I-Irhin I...

Irhin - Don't ever give me a single invitation, Lestat. And don't ever speak to me again...

I took out of my pocket the paper that Lestat had given me and the red rose; I put it on the table and left. Lestat stood there. I went up to my room and locked myself, I didn't want any more shows and I didn't want my father's sermons.

I sat on my bed; I was shaking. I looked at my right hand with which I had slapped Lestat; It was red, and it felt hot. Never in my life had I slapped someone. God! what had happened to me?

I got up from my bed and went to my desk near the window, there was my notebook and the notebook that Ion had given me the night before. I took both out of the drawer and then opened in the notebook that was from Ion. I look the page where the human drawn portrait of him was. His eyes were beautiful, such a brilliant emerald green.

I quickly fell asleep.