Grace's Point of view:
"Flower is dead"
"What?" I said in a barely audible voice, not able to believe what I heard.
"It's the truth," Queen Floisa said with a sad expression on her face.
A gasp escaped my mouth, how did she die? My heart felt as if it was filled with boulders. I wiped the tears from my face and looked at Queen Floisa's golden face.
"How?"
"Let's sit and talk, my dear," she said and tried to touch my shoulder but it passed directly through me.
She murmured something about how she can't touch the living beings.
We both sat on the bed and I looked towards her.
"Close your eyes, and hold the pendant which is in your neck," she said gazing at the pendant, "I believe Thomas gave you that when you arrived in this castle."
I had forgotten about the pendant which I was wearing. I looked at her with confusion.
"Thomas gave me this pendant so that no vampire could drink my blood, because I am a human," I said.
Realization dawned upon me; I am actually a vampire. My eyes went wide. Why did then Thomas give me this?
Queen Floisa had a knowing smile on her face.
"Do what I said," she instructed.
"Okay," I said.
I took a deep breath and held the pendant in my hand. I closed my eyes and suddenly saw lots of brightness.
An image of smiling old lady emerged in my mind. She looked like a very older version of me but she had light blue hair. She started waving at me and a tear tumbled down her face which made me sad.
She sent a flying kiss towards me and disappeared. Who was that lady?
"My dear, open your eyes," Queen Floisa said and I opened my eyes.
"Why did you tell me to do that? I saw a person," I frowned.
I know I should be freaking out because there is a spirit in my room who is telling me to do things, but I felt safe around Queen Floisa's spirit.
The golden light which was coming out of her body was illuminating this room.
"The person you saw was Flower, your grandmother," she said.
"What? She was Flower?" I said with my eyes wide like an owl's eyes.
Queen Floisa nodded. What the heck?! I can't believe Flower is my grandmother. But maybe she is really my grandmother; she looks like me.
"Today I found out that Thomas is my grandfather. But I know he would be very sad," I sighed, "his beloved is dead."
"Thomas and Flower aren't beloveds," she said with a chuckle.
"But-"
"Thomas is your father's father. And Flower is your mother's mother. Sorry, I am confused with the words 'paternal' and 'maternal.' Why can't you all use Klatarian?" She interrupted.
"And don't worry that Flower is dead. She is with us on the other side, living peacefully," she said.
"So can she come here like you?" A spark of hope ignited in my heart, I wanted to meet Flower.
"Sorry, my dear. As per the rules, only the master spirits can visit the life side. And Flower is not a master spirit," she answered.
My heart sank hearing this.
"I need to go now, follow Flower's pieces of advice," she said and her body started fading slowly.
Her hand immediately pointed towards the table where a notebook and pen were kept. They flew towards her.
The notebook got open in the air and the pen started scribbling something on it, both hovering in the air. The Queen was using some magic.
"Some rules can be bent," she said and completely faded.
The book and pen fall down on the floor. I inched towards that book. I took it in my hand and saw the words:
'Visatra sunda fra pulua lapia walda, yall mu surpla.'
I felt annoyed, now I had another thing to get translated.
---
I headed towards Katherine's room. I should ask her to teach me Klatarian.
I knocked on her door and she opened it.
"Hey, Gracie! Come in," she said and gestured me to come in.
I walked into her room. Her room was lively as usual. I sat on her bed and looked around.
"Hey, can you tell me what's written on this note?" I handed her the note.
She read it and then looked at me with a frown.
"It is 'Best wishes from the spirit world, may you succeed.' Grace, where did you find it?"
"Queen Floisa's ghost gave it to me," I said.
"What?" She started laughing, "she died hundreds of years ago. What would her ghost be doing now in the living world?"
"She came here to me."
"You can do better, Grace. This prank isn't that great." Katherine chuckled.
"Come on! I am not pranking you."
"Okay. Okay."
I sighed. I don't think anyone would believe me if I tell them what's going on.
"Mom said Andrew is gonna give you a surprise tonight," she said in enthusiasm.
"Yeah," I said with a chuckle.
"YAY! Where's my make up kit? Andrew won't be able to keep his eyes off you today," she said and made me sit in front of her huge dressing table.
"But first we need to find the perfect dress," she said and ran towards her walk-in closet and brought tons of dresses with her.
"Katherine, I am not going on a date with him. He just called me on the terrace," I protested.
"A girl should always be prepared," she said.
---
The Moon was in the sky, pouring its milk. I walked towards the terrace of the castle in my red dress. I can't believe Katherine made me wear all this. I am sure I'll get embarrassed because of overdressing.
"What surprise will I get today?" I asked myself.
I chuckled. I already got so many surprises today. Maybe these vampires are hiding lots of things from me.
I reached the terrace and saw it was lighted with colorful lights. Heart shaped balloons were flowing on the floor, an old man was playing the piano which was kept away from the center.
My eyes went towards Andrew. The world fell away, drained off all colors but him, standing near the table kept at the center.
He was wearing a white suit. A breathtaking smile was on his face, making him look even more handsome. His muscles were visible from his coat. He passed a hand through his hair and my heart skipped a beat.
Oh my gosh!
He walked towards me.
"May I?" He said and gestured me to give my hand in his. I nodded.
He took my hand and we walked towards the circular table.
He took the chair out for me to sit. What a gentleman.
We both got seated. The smile on my face couldn't be wiped.
This was the best surprise ever given to me in my whole life.
"So how did you find the surprise?" he asked, taking my hands in his.
"Magnificent," I replied.
The pianist started playing a different melody. Andrew kissed my hands and looked into my eyes. I felt blood rise in my face.
"Sorry, we never get to spend time together often," he said.
"It's fine, Andrew," I said.
His green eyes looked so alive today.
Suddenly a black crow landed on the table and started looking at me, flapping his wings.
We both looked at it with confusion.
"Why the f*** is this thing here?" Andrew muttered and tried to make that crow fly away.
It didn't go away.
"You will die," the crow said looking towards me.
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Did you like this chapter?
What was your favorite scene from this chapter?
Why would've Thomas given Grace that pendant?
Are you liking the suspense? ;)
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I'll try to publish the next chapter on Friday :)
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