Chapter 18: Happy Birthday, Rae!

"Happy birthday to you~" Voices singing a familiar song roamed around the dining area.

"Blow the candle now, young master!" Calcifer said and pointed at the cake.

He took a deep breath, puffed his cheeks, and released the air from his mouth as he blew the tiny fire on the candle with a shape of "4".

Everyone clapped their hands as if he has achieved something great. Well, another year of living is indeed an achievement. It's one of the greatest gift from above.

"Did you make a wish, young master?" Rin asked.

The young boy nodded, "Yep. I wished my papa will come and visit me!"

Everyone paused at what he said. It was something unexpected but not unusual.

It was the first time he asked for his father. How couldn't he? Even vampires like them search for something missing in their lives.

"T-that's a great wish, young master! Someday it will surely come true!" Primo said with a mixture of lie to make the kid feel better.

Then, the small bat glanced at Calcifer with a troubled expression on his face.

The triplets noticed the awkwardness in the atmosphere. So they decided to take the young master away and make him forget the topic for a moment.

"Young master, do you want to see your gifts now?" Ren asked and the child excitedly jumped into her arms.

"Let's go, let's go!" And they escorted him to his room.

When they left, Primo turned to face Calcifer.

"What are we going to do? It's about time for the young master to look for his father. We don't even know the queen's lover!" He panicked.

Calcifer didn't respond, he walked and took his coat.

"And where are you going?"

"I'm going to check on something..." He replied and wore the coat.

"I'll be quick. Look out for the young master until I return." Calcifer didn't give Primo a chance to complain as he already opened the window and jumped from roof to roof.

The small bat sighed, "That knuckle-head... Why is he keeping things from us?" He groaned and flew towards Rae's room.

He saw Ren and Rin went out and they placed their index fingers on their lips which means that the young master is about to sleep.

The small bat nodded before they left. Leaving the door a bit open, he took a peek inside.

Ran was sitting at the side of the child's bed. She was gently caressing his head while humming softly.

"Ran?" He called, "Have you met my papa?"

The maiden paused for a moment, then she shook her head.

"I haven't, young master."

His eyes drooped, as if he was disappointed. He wanted to know at least how he looked like.

If not for his grandfather's painting, all he could see is his mother's beautiful portrait.

"But..." Ran added, "Whoever your papa is, I'm sure he's strong, brave, and kind-hearted like you, young master." She smiled.

And that made the boy smiled as well.

Once again, he became excited like he has something to look forward for another year.

'I hope papa will visit me on my next birthday.' He wished deep in his heart.

And now he's 17, when will the day ever come that he'll meet him?

"Here you go." Yana gave the bag to her mother.

"Thank you so much, I don't know what will I do without you!" Her mother hugged her.

Yana blushed bashfully, "Sure, just do your best in work, okay?" She said and gently pulled away.

"We'll be going now, take care of yourself."

"Same for both of you." Her mother said and glanced at Rae who's standing beside Yana.

"Take care of my daughter for the meantime, okay?"

Rae nodded, "I will, Mrs. Valdez. Don't worry." He smiled.

After that, they walked out of the hospital building.

"Being a nurse is sure a tough job." He mumbled.

"Well, it can't be helped. The patients need her." She smiled as if everything is just normal for her.

Being alone at home is something usual for her.

He wanted to hug her and tell her that she's not alone anymore. But doing so might weird her out. Besides, looking at her made him remember what the priest told him yesterday...

"How does it feel, father Stephen? To fall in love..."

"Well... it's the best feeling ever... Sure, fast heartbeats and butterflies in the stomach will happen but..." He paused and looked at the window as he placed his chin on his palm.

"For you to find out if you truly love her, is when you're always happy being around her. The feeling that you wanted to protect her at all cost. The feeling that you always wanted to see her. And the feeling that you trust her more than anyone." He said all those words with a smile on his face.

It feels like every word has its precious memory written in his heart and soul.

'He must've loved her very much.' Rae thought.

"If it's alright, father, may I ask where is this person right now? Is she your wife?"

The priest glanced at him for a moment and closed his eyes.

"No. We're not even married." He smiled bitterly.

"But... I gave her a promise ring. It's the cheapest one but she looked so happy." His smile became gentle once again.

"Where is she now?" The lad asked.

The priest shrugged, "Who knows? But I vowed to find her no matter what."

The lad was amazed just by looking at the priest's face. He was eager, serious, and sincere.

Father Stephen caught him staring at him, "What? You must think it's inappropriate for me to love because I'm a priest?" He chuckled.

The lad shook his head and waved his hands, "Oh no, no! It's... amazing rather. Whoever that woman is, I'm sure, she's the luckiest for being loved by someone like you, father." He smiled.

The priest laughed, "You're right. So make sure to introduce me to your future girlfriend, okay?" He teased which made the lad blushed harder.

Just by recalling their conversation, makes his face red again.

'Calm down, Rae! You're here to confirm if what your feeling for Yana is indeed love.' He said to himself.

"Oh, that's right!" Yana suddenly said, "I remember there's a circus opening near the park. We should go and check it out!" She excitedly said and pulled him.

'I have to keep him busy to buy the others some time for the preparation of the surprise!' She thought.

When they arrived, Yana pulled him to play different games and rides. First, they tried the shooting range.

"You're going to shoot those targets using this toy gun. And if you did, there's a prize corresponding to the number of targets you've shot." She explained.

"That's cool!" Rae took the gun and they started playing.

And after several shots, Yana didn't get any target.

But when she glanced at Rae, he managed to hit all targets in a short span of time.

"Amazing!" She exclaimed. Even knowing he's a vampire, Rae doesn't fail to amaze her.

"Here." The lad gave her a pink teddy bear.

"I was aiming for the big one but this is what I've got. I'm sorry." He smiled apologetically.

Yana shook her head, "No! This is more than enough. Thank you!" She giggled.

'Besides, I should be the one giving you something since today is your birthday.' She thought.

Seeing her smile and hearing her laughter already made him smile and happy.

'Happy? Yana can... make me happy?' He thought and realized something.

Upon knowing that, it made his heart beat even faster.

"Oh! Bump cars! I used to ride these when I was little!" Yana exclaimed while gazing at the moving little cars on the other side.

"Do you want to ride it?" He asked and he already knew that the answer is 'yes' just by seeing how her eyes twinkled in excitement.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but we only have one car left for rent. Unless both of you will ride on that." The staff said.

"Is it alright for you? We'll stay a bit longer if we wait."

The lad smiled, "I'm fine."

"Then, is it okay if I'll drive?"

He nodded, "Sure."

'I trust her anyway.' Or so he thought.

When the game started, Yana suddenly became serious and drove the little car as if she's in a race. She bumped the other cars as if they are enemies. She turned left, and then suddenly, to the right.

It was kind of terrifying experience that made his head dizzy.

After the ride, the lass sighed in relief, "Ahh, that was refreshing!" She stretched her arms in the air.

Rae gulped, "That was... extreme..." Even he's a vampire who can jumped high from one post to another, he still didn't expect her to drive as crazy as that.

"We should try something else."

Afraid that she might pull him in another dizzy ride, he quickly looked around.

"H-how about that?" He pointed one tent.

"Fortune telling? I never know you're into these things, Rae."

"Well, who knows? Just for fun, I guess?" He laughed awkwardly.

When they went closer to the tent, they saw a sign written: 'One person at a time'.

Then, they glanced at each other.

"Ladies first." Rae smiled.

Yana shrugged, "Alright. But I tell you, I don't believe in these things." She said before going inside.

The light was dim, but filled with colorful crystals hanging around. There are also weird stuff around like dream catchers, voodoo dolls, and some unique patterns.

"Welcome." Said an old woman wearing huge gold earrings with an ethnic necklace around her neck. She's sitting in the middle with a table where there are cards and a crystal ball.

"Have a seat, my dear." And the lass did so.

"What do you want me know for you?"

"Well..." She scratched the back of her head. Since she doesn't believe on things like this, she doesn't know what to say.

"Hmm... Ladies in your age usually ask me about love."

The lass glanced at the old woman when she heard about it.

'Love... I haven't thought of that... As if!' She thought but then, the old woman took her deck of cards and placed it in front of her.

"Pick three cards."

And Yana did so. She picked randomly and did not open them as she was told.

The old woman delivered a weird prayer before she flipped the first card. There's an image of a cupid.

"My dear, is there someone you liked?" The woman asked.

Rae's face suddenly flashed her mind and with that, she flushed.

The old woman chuckled, "Worry not, this card tells he likes you too."

Yana blinked, "Really?"

"But!" The woman interrupted and flipped the second card. There's a silhouette of a man.

"There's someone who'll come into your life like a wind. And like a wind, he'll make your heart falter."

The lass furrowed her eye brows who seems confused.

"That's why..." The old woman flipped the third card. There's an image of a golden weighing scale.

"You should be able to know how to balance everything. Decide for yourself to whom you'll find true happiness."

The old woman's words echoed in her head as she went out of the tent.

"My turn!" Rae said and went inside.

'Someone will come like a wind? What does that mean? The old lady said that person will make my heart falter like a wind?'

She was preoccupied by these thoughts that she didn't notice her feet brought her to another tent.

When she turned around to the entrance, everything suddenly went black.

Soon after, Rae went out of the tent and found that Yana wasn't there.

'Where did she go?' He thought and tried to look around but failed to find any sign of her.

Suddenly, a feeling of fear crept inside him.

'What if... she got kidnapped by vampires?' He panicked but then, he saw something familiar from afar.

He went and saw the pink bear he gave her lying on the ground. It was near the entrance of a tent called 'The Mirror of Horrors'.

"Surely, Yana wouldn't go inside this place." He mumbled but still can't shake the possibility that she's inside.

When he took several steps forward, he saw himself on each side. The walls are made of mirrors.

"I've got to save Yana. I'll protect her no matter what!" He said while looking at himself in the mirror.

And then, his hair turned red so is his eyes. Suddenly, someone jumped behind him but he was too fast and grabbed that man's neck.

It was a man wearing a scary clown costume. He was planning to scare Rae but it turned out that the tables were turned.

His sharp red glowing eyes made this poor man ran away in fear.

"Tch! Pathetic!" Rae mumbled and he suddenly heard someone shouted.

He rushed where the sound came from and saw Yana trembling in fear seeing the illusions of the scary clown reflected on the mirror.

"Get a grip, stupid!" He said and pulled her out of the tent.

"R-Rae... people are looking at us. We should get out of here." Yana said as she saw everyone's gazes landed on them because of what happened.

"And where do you think we'll go, dummy?"

"Err..." Yana glanced at her watch. They still have half an hour before the sun sets down. They can't go home just yet.

"Well?" Rae crossed his arms to his chest as he raised an eye brow.

"There! Let's ride there!" Yana exclaimed and pointed at the Ferris wheel.

"You want me to ride that pathetic thing?"

"Please?" She clasped her hands and showed him her puppy eyes.

Rae sighed in defeat, "Fine. After that we'll go home."

"Yes! Awesome!"

And then, they ride the Ferris wheel which she's been wishing for so long. But riding the cart all by yourself is indeed lonely. Good thing Rae is now with her.

"Oh look! It's the city!" Yana pointed from the window when their cart reached the highest point.

Rae glanced at her beaming face. Despite what happened earlier, how can she still smile like that? She's really an odd girl.

Now that makes him wonder.

"Yana..." He called.

"Hm?" She responded without looking at him.

"What will you do... if I'm gone?"

Upon hearing his question, she turned to face him. But he suddenly came back to his human form.

"Eh? Did I transform again?" He blinked few times.

'Did I misheard it?' She thought.

But then, their cart stopped and it's time for them to get off.

"Thank you for bringing me to the circus, Yana. It's really fun!" Rae said as they walked on their way home.

"No problem." She smiled.

'Right. I probably just misheard it. Rae couldn't possibly gone all of a sudden.' She thought and suddenly remembered the surprise party.

"Well, if you had fun, I bet you'll have more." She said as they went inside his house.

Suddenly, the lights turned on and party poppers popped in front of him.

"Happy birthday, young master!" They all exclaimed.

He was surprised. He looked at Yana who obviously know what was going on.

"Happy birthday, Rae!" She smiled.

And it was the very first birthday that he celebrated with new people. There's Damien, their new family member. And Yana, a very special girl in his heart. He believed this is the start of more best birthdays to come.

As for the servants, they're surprised and relieved that this is the first time that Rae didn't ask about his family, especially his father. Looks like there are first times in everything.

Everyone enjoyed the party. It was indeed refreshing as they've adjust in their new surrounding. And as usual, Calcifer and Primo are in the secret passage where the queen is sleeping.

"My queen, if you could just see how the young master smiled tonight, it was truly magnificent. He seems to enjoy his surroundings." Calcifer said talking to the sleeping queen.

"Good thing he stopped asking about his father." Primo said as he flew towards him.

"But that doesn't mean my curiosity stops as well." He added.

Calcifer glanced at him, "What do you mean?"

"Thirteen years ago, you left the house when the young master asked the whereabouts of his father for the first time. And you didn't tell me, where you went that day." The small bat said with a serious face.

Knowing he can't escape him, the gentleman looked down and heaved a sigh. Seems like he can't hide it from this demon bat who lived longer than him.

"During the war, someone died that broke the queen's heart. I didn't know him. He doesn't seem like one of the soldiers either. But... the queen wailed as he died in her arms. It feels like he's someone very dear to her." Calcifer began the story.

"When King Alucard escaped, Queen Astrid took that man's body. She traveled back to the human world and buried the man. I offered help but she dug on the ground herself. It feels like she doesn't want anyone to touch this man's body but her. It took long enough before she closed the hole and went back to the our world. Right after that, Queen Astrid became lifeless like never before."

"She almost lost everything dear to her."

"Are you saying... the young master's father is... dead?!" Primo asked in disbelief.

"That's what I thought so too." Calcifer sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"I went back to that grave, Thirteen years ago. Call me heartless, but I planned to dig that grave to see for myself. At least, I could describe his features to the young master. That's what I only wanted."

"And then, what happened?"

Calcifer took a deep breath, "When I arrived on that place, the grave was... empty..."

"Empty?" Primo echoed, "How could that possibly be if he's already dead?"

"It doesn't look like the body had been stolen. Then, there's only one possibility I had in mind. Unless..." He paused and looked at Primo with a horrified expression.

"He had become one of us."