The Half-Blood Princess by Mihaela Bogdan (best books to read for self improvement TXT) 📖

Then with an even sorrow heart, I said goodbye to her.
  A few steps more and I was near the Black Forest. I had to be careful that no one saw me and I went home. Tomorrow will be my last day as a half vampire. I may never see daytime again, but at least I got my father near me now ... and grandpa too. Maybe aunt Linda will come visit me from time to time. Being grandpa Daniel’s lover, I’m sure father won’t allow anything bad happen to her.
  -Have a lovely night sleep, my half-blood princess! Cornelius teased me when I entered the castle.
  -Where can I go without seeing your face?! I asked him irritated as I was passing by him, to get to my bedroom.
  -Let me think, nowhere! He said with a smirk and winked at me.
  Good thing I walked fast enough and I arrived at my bedroom door in time. If I had to listen to Cornelius one more time, surely I would have done something he will be sorry for. Just when I was about to open the door, Cornelius called at me three doors away:
  -Make sure you’ll dream about me tonight!
  -Ugh, you ... you, uuggghhh! Was all I could say before entering into my bedroom and locking the door from the inside. Looks like grandpa Daniel had a good idea after all. XIV/14

(In this chapter, it is presented Amen’s life since Valentina came into town.)

  -Young man, have you no shame in front of God? How many times I must tell you not to flirt with girls inside the church? The church is God’s home and you have no respect for it! My father was angry because he caught me chuckling with some cute girls during his preach.
  -What can I do father? I am young and I have a right to love, don’t I?
  -One girl, yes; many, no! Choose one girl and settle down in your own home. You are a man now and you must find yourself a good wife.
  -Yes father. I will try.
  Then he opened the church’s front door and went inside, I was following him when I saw Count Dracula’s butler with a beautiful brunette maiden, in a red and white dress. I wanted to see her better, but father closed the door. As punishment for my inappropriate behavior in God’s house, father told me to practice my organ musical pieces until I have learned my lesson.
  The next day, father stayed at home because of his health condition and mother accompanied him. Therefore, I was responsible for the church while he was absent. It was Friday, which meant that everyone in town was working hard. The Sundays are always full of Christians. After sitting in the big, silent church all morning, I got bored and tried to play something at the organ. Usually this makes time go faster.
  Soon I heard the door open slowly and someone came in. When I finish playing, I turned my eyes to see who it was. To my surprise, it was that dark haired maiden. Maybe you don’t have to pray in order for God to grand your wishes. From the looks of her, she was the shy type, so I made the first move.
  I invited her to sit with me in the front row of benches. After a good time of chatting, her stomach began making noises. Oh, how cute she looked with her cheeks red! Happily, behind the church there is a small restaurant owned by father’s cousin, Linda.
  She always gave me free food, not only because we are related, but because all the young girls and boys in town gather at her restaurant when I am around. I may be the priest’s son, but I am the most popular guy here and the most handsome, if I do say so myself.
  I closed the church’s big windows and locked the front door careful, some people have no fear of God and they might try to steal something. The icon frames and candle holders are either gold or silver, with shinny valuable stones on them. I am not sure if they are real or counterfeit, but I don’t want any more trouble with father. The last thing I need is to be blamed because of some stupid sinner that dared to steal from the church.
  Linda was jolly and friendly as usual. It annoyed me when she came with a big smile on her face, trying to act like we are close. Even though we're blood related, me and Linda aren’t so close as people might think.
  And to my surprise, Valentina was very polite and respectful like a princess. Considering her social place, it was normal. I found out from our chatting that she is Count Dracula’s daughter and her name is Valentina because she was born on Saint Valentine’s Day. I didn’t know the Count was married nor that he ever had any children. Valentina told me her past and then I realized why the Count is so unsociable and full of secrets. Another advantage for me to become rich without working a single day. If I shall marry Valentina, then Count Dracula’s castle and wealth will be mine. For this to happen, I had to act like a real gentleman in order to win her trust and heart.
  Girls love gentlemen, that’s for sure and if I play my cards right, I can win easily.
  Our date at the restaurant went well. Few girls past besides us and looked really jealous at Valentina. I didn’t bother to look at them. For an unknown reason, Valentina’s face made me feel hypnotized and all my attention was on her. Strange thing! I have been dating countless times, but no girl was able to mess with my mind this way.
  Something unusual about Valentina made me wish to do things that I didn’t dare to. If Linda hadn’t come with a plate of home made cookies, by now I would have touched Valentina on her female body parts. Not that I didn’t liked this pleasant thought, but I might loose her trust and that wasn’t good.
  After we left from Linda’s restaurant, I wanted to escort Valentina home. She refused immediately. I didn’t know why she became so restless all of a sudden. An old man appeared, calling her name. It was the Count’s butler and he came to take ”Miss Valentina” home. I didn’t object, so I went home as quick as I can.
  When I arrived, my parents were sleeping and I went to my room quietly. That night I could not sleep properly. I dreamed about Valentina. We were together and something inside of me made me undress her and do inappropriate things to her. I couldn’t control my body and Valentina, instead of being scared, she was enjoying it. I woke up sweating hard and breathing heavily. I never, in my entire life, had such thoughts or dreams about someone.
  Although I dated many beautiful ladies, none of them made me think of doing such things to them. But Valentina managed somehow to release the animal inside me. What kind of a woman was she?! Was I really in love with her or is she some kind of witch that cast a spell on me?
  I put my head on the pillow and tried to sleep. Valentina! Why do you make me suffer?
  All I want from you is your love, your wealth and everything valuable you can inherit after the Count’s death. Is it bad to want someone for its belongings?!
  I think not. Father married mother for the same reason, therefore why shouldn’t I do the same?

XV/15

I woke up really tired in the morning. Someone knocked three times at my door. Who could it be at this time in the morning? I looked at the balcony’s glass door and saw the sun rise only half, meaning that it was early.
  -Who is it? I asked half asleep.
  -It is me, Miss Valentina! I brought you breakfast!
  It was grandpa Daniel’s voice so I got up and went to open the door to him. When he entered, he had a tray with a big omelette, honey pancakes and a big mug of coffee mixed with milk. The food was held in silver plates and the mug was made of porcelain. Grandpa put the food on my desk and turned to look at me with a sorrow face.
  -What is it, grandpa? I asked concerned.
  -Miss Valentina, you know that I care much about you and Master Dracula, but must you become one of ”them”? I mean it hasn’t been a month since Master Dracula brought you here and suddenly you want to ... to change?
  His voice, face and posture showed me how sad and afraid he was. It was a shock for him indeed. To comfort him, I embrace him by his shoulders and whispered to his ear:
  -Don’t worry, grandpa! I promised aunt Linda that you won’t be my first victim.
  After I let him loose, his face was no longer afraid, but surprised:
  -How did you find out Linda is aware of vampires?
  -She told me everything yesterday, including the fact that you two are secret lovers.
  Grandpa went to the door and before shutting it, he said:
  -Finish your breakfast, Miss Valentina, before it gets cold! I will go to talk with Linda and then we can decorate the living room together.
  I never saw him so rigid and serious. Even if he has been father’s butler for a long time, he always behaved like a grandfather. Now I was asking myself if I somehow caused aunt Linda trouble by telling grandpa about our discussion from yesterday. My attention was distracted by the delicious smell of my breakfast.
  Without any other worries, I began to eat it in the balcony, facing the rising sun. It was probably the last time I will ever see the sun light or eat normal human food. After tonight’s event, I will live for ever in darkness, drinking blood. While drinking my coffee, I wondered how could blood taste like.