Immediately after hearing that, my brain automatically made a gruesome mental image before I could even stop it. Imagining your own mother being beheaded is indescribable.

She was decapitated.

Those words were like fuel to the fire of rage within me. Almost to the point of driving me nuts, and the only thing that's on my mind right now, is revenge.

"The queen." I said without thought. "She's behind all this. Isn't she?" I asked, my tone is now a level higher than normal. I let out a loud sob before I crumpled on the floor. "She killed my mother." I said, my voice muffled underneath a pile of twigs.

I feel so helpless. Like the gravity had been maxed up at this very moment, pulling me down with intense pressure. And the fact that the mastermind is a level too high from all of us, it's almost impossible to attain what I want – revenge and most importantly, justice.

The queen is untouchable. Justice will never be served. That is the fact that I can't bear to handle.

"Victoria." Dan puts a hand on my shoulder. "This is beyond my reach. I can't do anything, but you can. You are the princess. You have the power." He said, and I sat back up.

He knew what I was thinking, or was he already expecting my reaction to this from the very beginning?

I laughed a sarcastic one. "BUT she's the queen remember? She's on the top of the pyramid." I sighed. "Plus, my real father doesn't know about me."

"That's why you need to tell him." He said, surprising me. Hearing that rendered me speechless for a brief moment.

Ugh. "I can't." I said and looked away. "Telling him would endanger Marcus and the doctor who helped me all these years." I then looked back to him. "If I want justice. I need to work my way up the ladder and get a seat on that council. Probably make allies along the way. I'm a vampire, I have a ton of spare time in my hands. Shortcuts are only for wimps." I laughed at the last two sentences.

I didn't expect that there will be a time that I would proudly say that – I am a vampire.

Dan laughed. "Why am I thinking that you're going to start a revolution?"

"I am." I said without humor. The rules sucks, to be honest, it needs to be changed. Plus, its time a voice from a new generation needs to be heard, and have an ass representative on that shabby council. Those century old vermin's has to retire, and it's time for new people to clean the cobwebs on their seats.

The bearer rule is one of my primary concerns as well, because until now, Anna's crying face still haunts me. The thought of her baby being taken away, just broke her apart.

Like my mother, when I was taken from her. It immediately reminded me of Anna, and I don't want any more bearers to suffer the pain my mother had.

Dan's eyes grew big like a billiard's ball. "You're serious?" I simply nodded to his question. He looked at me like I'm an alien that just landed in front of him. After he had finally regained his composure and realized I'm from earth. He sighed and said. "Well then, let's get our asses out of here. So that you can start climbing that ladder of change." He shook his head and laughed. I can tell that he's not liking the idea. But he has no choice, I've already made up my mind.

I kissed the top of my mother's tomb, and whispered a promise to her – something that I can't tell anyone, even Dan. Also, this is not my first and last visit. "I will be back mom, and I'll bring you a bouquet and a jar of strawberry jam."

"Let's go." Dan told me from behind. I ran up to him but then walked ahead, because he looked like he needed a moment to be alone with her. He stared lovingly to my mother's tomb and wiped a tear from his eye. My heart ached seeing that.

As cliché as it sounds, but this always happens in the movie or even in real life – the best friend never gets the girl.

I decided to give him more time and privacy. And started to walk slowly away from him like a mouse – almost tiptoeing – trying my best not to make a single sound.

While looking at the trees above me, I started to think about everything that has happened recently. Now I had more answers that I could wish for. But there's still one puzzle left, and that is how I ended up in this country. Though as weird as it sounds, I'm not curious nor desperate of knowing the answer to that anymore. It was a selfish desire. Compared to my mother, who only thought about others. She was selfless, dedicated, an awesome person in general, and I want to be just like her.

I smiled to myself. I've changed so much after knowing her, and it made me accept everything about myself. Like I've finally gained the courage to take off my mask and shred it to pieces, never to be worn again.

I am honored to be called her daughter. And I will make her proud.

But those moments of peace never lasted. It was when someone grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth with his hands. I knew right there and then that this wasn't Dan.

"You're safe now, Princess." An unfamiliar voice whispered to me, while pinning my back on a tree. I looked at him, and he seemed like someone close to my age. And with his demeanor, it was easy to guess that he is a hunter.

Then I heard shouting from the cliff. I looked back and saw Dan fighting with a group of hunters. With their number, they've easily taken him down. "Don't." I said and tried to run to him, but the stranger grabbed hold of me. And I stood there watching the others as they hit Dan continuously, until he was out of breath. I can't help but cry. "Don't. Please stop." I shouted with all I have.

"Princess. We..." I punched the stranger straight on his face, and kicked his balls. He crunched on the ground and I ran towards Dan.

"Get away from him." I pushed the first person I saw. But one safely tucked me, and held my waist, lifting me up. "Calm down Princess, we don't want to hurt you."

"Screw you!" I spitted. I then remembered how Dan escaped Keith's hold when he tried to stop him at the hotel before. Without much thought I imitated his move, and head-banged the man holding me. After the guy let go of me, I immediately ran to Dan's side. "Wake up old man. Wake up!" I said, scared that he's dead.

What's worse? Is that all of this happened in front of my mother's grave. This is unforgivable.

"Victoria." A familiar voice, yet I've only heard once, spoke in front of me. I looked up to see the face of my father – Sevyr.

***

I can't wait to upload this on Saturday. So yeah.