|| Chapter 1.7 || The Yellow Garden

"Hey! wake up!" 

A loud call abruptly yanked Cedric from the land of slumber. The young man drew his brows together as he shifted on his side. He dug into the cozy comfort of the blankets and groaned in annoyance. It was when he noticed the sunshine glowing on his eyelids did he feel awake. Still feeling drowsy, the dark-haired groaned.

Standing before the edge of the bed, a teenager frowned as he observed the lazy bum. His crimson eye shone like rubies against the soft light beaming through the translucent windows. Cadel amusingly pulled back a corner of his lips. 'This little guy must have felt so tired yesterday. He's sleeping like a dead person.'

Cadel pulled off the covers and carefully pulled Cedric's shoulder. "Come on now, rise and shine. I don't want to miss breakfast because of you."

Drowsily, Cedric rose from the bed and let Cadel lead him into the bathroom. He dazedly stared at the youth who was brushing his teeth. Noticing his stare, Cadel paused, and with foam on his lips, he smiled vibrantly at Cedric on the mirror. Cedric felt his mind become clear. Suddenly, he was conscious of his bedraggled state, and he could not help but feel embarrassed. Cadel chuckled and told him to use the new spare toothbrush on the cup.

After breakfast, Cadel brought Cedric to the gardens with him. As Cadel went out to get a pair of rainboots, Mary yanked Cedric to a secluded corner and glared at the boy.

"You aren't leaving?" Mary narrowed her eyes in contempt.

Cedric briefly glanced in the direction Cadel was located before meeting Mary's fierce eyes. Hesitation stirred within his chest.  "Soon..."

Mary gnashed her teeth. "If you dare to have nasty intentions on my master, I will-"

"Hey! There you are!" Cadel suddenly popped out of the corner and grabbed Cedric's hand. "What are you guys talking about?"

"It's nothing important," Cedric replied. However, his eyes were on the youth's delicate hand holding his.

Hearing Cedric's answer, Cadel only nodded bade goodbye to the sullen female andriod. A few minutes later, within the small shed, the young hunter watched the young vampire dig into the closet. Cedric watched as Cadel grabbed a big watering can with a proud smile. There was dirt on the youth's pale cheek, and Cedric itched to wipe it off.

Cadel chuckled and wiped his face with his sleeve as he held the watering can with two arms. "C'mon. Let me show you something!"   

Cadel's eyes sparkled as he hurriedly walked out of the shed. Cedric furrowed his brows as he followed the vampire outside. What does he want to show me that excites him so much?

The day was bright and calm. The little green tips of tender grass swayed endearingly as the two teenagers strolled. Finally, arriving at the east side of the manor. Cedric his eyes to the blue sky filled with exquisite shapes of cotton-like clouds. He had never expected that instead of fighting the seat that he was expected to succeed in his family, he was relaxingly walking under the gigantic blue sky feeling light and peaceful. For the first time in his life, he was aware and attentive to the world around him. 

Suddenly, he heard a rustle before him. Cedric lowered his gaze and realized Cadel was no longer in front of him. Instead, there was a giant bush that was as tall as a hedge. It was so tall that it reached the second-floor window.

Cedric heard Cadel's voice from the other side, and he slowly parted the branches and slipped into the green leaves.

What met his gaze as he arrived emerged from the bushes was a pair of stunning crimson eyes. Cedric's eyes slightly widened.

Cadel was standing in the middle of a big patch of yellow flowers. Dandelions.

Vines climbed up from the bushes until they met at the center, several meters above the flower patch. They resembled a dome, a barrier to protect and conceal the delicate beauty within. A small opening at the top of the dome was enough for sunlight to enter and caress every petal and leaf inside. Little butterflies fluttered around the tiny fairy-like paradise.

The young man whose smile was as beautiful as the blooms around him chuckled at Cedric's expression. Cadel tilted his head playfully. He then glanced at the dandelions tickling his smooth calves. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes..."

Cedric muttered absentmindedly. His eyes were on the teenager and spared not even one glance on the flowers before him.

Proud and satisfied, Cadel nodded. He carefully walked towards the faucet that was hidden under the vines of the walls. As the water poured into the watering can, he hummed and began talking.

"It's a little cramped inside as the flowers grew bigger. But I stopped planting more so I could have room to move around."

Cedric silently listened, observing the surroundings and noticing two small chairs. There were old books on the worn seats that looked as if they were decades old. Cedric began to realize something.

"How long have you lived here?" Cedric turned to Cadel.

The young man paused and then lowered his head, watching the water fill the can. "All my life, I guess? I don't remember the first day I moved here. "

He's been living in this isolated place for that long?

Cedric stared at Cadel incredulously. Countless questions began to cram inside his head. He recalled Mary being overly protective around the boy numerous times. Dense forests surrounded the estate as if to hide it from the world. The tall walls enclosed the manor to protect something precious inside. And... this pure vampire boy that was prohibited from leaving the gates.

"Who are you?" Before Cedric could stop himself, his mouth spouted the words.

"..." Cadel furrowed his brows, confused. Was he talking about his name?

"I'm Luke Vermillion. Does... that answer your question?"

Vermillion...

The name struck like lightning into Cedric's brain. He could feel his hair rise and hear the violent pounding of his heart in his ears. He knew one clan who bore that name. They came from an extraordinary league of pure-blooded vampires. They were loyal to their blood by heart and would stop at nothing to protect their clan. The patriarch of the Vermillion clan was vicious and cunning. In his youth, he was unstoppable and outstanding. Now, he was old, but his people remained strong and loyal.

Cedric recalled that the patriarch's only son had died along with his daughter-in-law, and his grandchild died. They weren't any children in the clan that was as old as Cadel. Then... who was Cadel? A secret is hidden by the clan? Why should he be hidden? Was he an outcast?

"Hey, you're spacing out..." Cadel's voice abruptly brought Cedric back. Cedric blinked and muttered an apology.

Cadel cocked an eyebrow haughtily. "If you're really sorry, then help me water my yellow garden."

The young vampire gestured to the large watering can that was filled to the brim.

Cedric drew his brows together. "You're doing it to me again."

"Do what?" Cadel chuckled as if he didn't know what Cedric was talking about. "Come on now. As you can see, I'm sick and fragile. Between the two of us, who's stronger?"

Staring at the young vampire's pitiful eyes, Cedric sighed. Surprisingly, this young man was good at using his mouth. If he were spiteful, he'd become a manipulative villain. However, even though Cedric kept reminding himself that this was the vampire that took out Alexander's men, he recalled the blood continuously pouring out of the young man's mouth during the storm.

It was not a lie. This vampire was sick. However, although Cadel knew, the vampire didn't seem to be bothered by his illness.

Cedric and Cadel spent the rest of the morning in the Cadel's "Yellow Garden." The two were watering the flowers and talking while time passed. The more Cadel talked, the more Cedric realized how lonely this child's life was. Hidden from the world and unable to discover many things. When Cadel heard Mary's call for lunch, the vampire hastily pushed his friend out of the garden, and they hurried to the manor. They were chuckling as if they were doing something secretive and wrong.

As white clouds rolled in the sky and the wind carried the leaves, the manor stood peacefully hidden from the world. Before Cadel could realize, one day became two, then three, and four...

"Checkmate..." Cedric declared as he moved his rook. He amusingly raised his gaze to the young boy supporting his hand on his cheek like a bored young master.

Cadel drew his brows together. There was a slight pout on his lips. "Again?..."

He groaned and rubbed his face. "That's three wins from you and two for me."

Usually, when it was him challenging Mary, he'd always had the upper hand. Now, when he's challenging this boy, it felt as if he was climbing on Mount Everest each time he'd make a move.

They were sitting in the cushions laid on the floor beside the big circular window in Cadel's attic. Little lanterns were strewn around the room, hanging under the ceiling, emitting warm light. On the small coffee table between the two teenagers, there were empty cups of hot chocolate beside the chessboard they were playing with.

"Good game," Cedric said with a hint of a smile. The vampire squinted his eyes at him as if feeling wrong. Cedric faltered, and his smile almost twitched. Of course, he wouldn't let Cadel know that he was letting him win during those two games of victory.

"Um, you want another round?"

"Nope." Cadel chuckled as he tilted his head. How, cute...

He turned to look at the windows. Crimson eyes softly gazed at the dark sky and the horizon.

Although Cadel couldn't realize it, Cedric could sense the longing within the youth's pupils. The desire to seek out the wonders and beauty of the world had accumulated in his mind for so many years until it was a giant boulder sitting in the depths of his heart. The heaviness and urge should have driven him mad. However, here was Cadel, peacefully staring as if the world was something he could only watch and not touch. Nevertheless, there was nothing more he could gaze at than dense forests and tall mountains.

Perhaps, he already knows how dangerous the world could be for him. Cedric's eyes deepened as he kept his silence. There was a sudden presence of dismay that hung in the atmosphere around them.

"Haa..." Cadel suddenly stretched his arms and fell back into the cushions. He flashed a smile at Cedric and abruptly raised his brows as if an idea had popped inside his mind. "Hey, let me show you something!"

Watching the enthusiasm in the boy's eyes, Cedric felt his heart thump. He ignored it and calmly replied, "What is it?" He felt like Cadel was going to make him join his naughty tricks again.

"Get up and follow me!" Cadel said as he abruptly rose from the cushion and darted to the door.

Cedric blinked curiously as he followed his cheerful friend. He found himself pursuing the little vampire into a hidden passageway within the floorboards under a table in the hallways.

They crawled inside and arrived in a narrow area, big enough for them to stand tall. A narrow staircase is situated at their left, waiting to be trodden. From the cobwebs and don't that surrounds the area, Mary must not have known about the place.

Cadel bounced beside him and grabbed Cedric's hand as they made their way up the stairs. The steps creaked under their feet. For a moment, Cedric wondered if the staircase was able to withstand the weight of both of them.

Finally, they reached the end of the stairs. Moonlight fell over their figures, caressing them gently. The top hung window was big enough for one person. Cadel smiled, and he looked to the young hunter who was two steps behind him. Holding his hand, Cedric raised his head. It was the divine glowing halo of the youth that caught his eyes. The vampire seemed like a creature far more serene and precious, like a rare gem or a bright shining star among the lights in the sky.

He was holding Cedric's hand tightly with that usual bright smile like a being too pure for the wickedness of the world. An urging feeling boiled inside Cedric's heart. Someone like the cruel, cold-blooded human he is, wasn't worthy of such innocence. However, during the last few days of his stay, he felt as if he was like any other average teenager for the first time. There wasn't the pounding pressure of the elders of his clan, the suffocating trials and training, and the cold gazes stabbing his back.

He felt... free.

Indescribable warmth bloomed inside his heart.

"Watch your step..." Cadel reminded, ducking his head as he stepped out of the window.

The nightly breeze greeted them, embracing their bodies. Cedric's eyes slightly lowered. His muscles relaxed as he sighed.

"C'mon!" Cadel urged him towards the top of the roof.

"Be careful," said Cedric as he followed the youth. The roof was steep, and they were several floors above the ground.

The wind carried the youth's laughter. It rang like tiny bells, pleasant on one's ear. When they finally reached the horizontal surface of the roof. Cadel stopped and spoke.

"Look up...."

Cedric did. And the breath left his throat.

The sea of stars filled the skies, glittering as if it was near. A thousand lights twinkled in the reflection of his golden eyes. It was breathtaking and magnificent. Truly magical...

As Cedric was silenced, Cadel observed the young man. Cedric grew sheltered but was forced to live up to the expectations of those above him. At this age, oppressed and underestimated, he hadn't even realized the true beauty of the world in front of him that was not all blood and power... like how Cadel had been before he broke free from the Soul Parasite. Cadel wished that even for once in Cedric's life, he'd be able to realize that there was beauty even from the faintness of the wind or coldness of the night.

"Wonderful, isn't it?" Cadel muttered as he squatted and leaned back. Only when his hand left the hunter's did Cedric snap back, conscious of the emptiness in his grasp.

Clenching his hands, Cedric sat down beside Cadel, and the two relished the silence between them. The awkwardness had left them several days ago. Now, there was only understanding and harmony.

"Thank you..."

Cadel flinched. He blinked a few times before he turned to Cedric. Cedric abruptly turned away with a giant flush on his ears.

The little vampire stifled the laughter inside him and coughed. "Mn..."

Ugh! If I knew he'd be acting like this, I would've done this days ago! I wanna squeeze him and rub his head until he'd whine!

Kerpuffle had the urge to mute his host's thoughts.

Cadel: Sigh... Such a specimen. It's a shame that he couldn't stay long...

Kerpuffle: It is time for him to catch up with the others. Otherwise,  it will be too late! And your efforts will be wasted.

Cadel mentally sighed once more. Indeed, they didn't have much time together. It was fun having to spend time with someone else. Mary was always busy guarding the manor that he'd mostly spend the day alone.

Depressed, Cadel could only keep a smile as not to ruin the mood. The time ended like that, and they had to go down and sleep for tomorrow.

The next day, Cedric stared at the band on his wrist. The red light had stopped blinking.