Chapter 35: Damien Tepes

"If only... I want to go somewhere far away." She said and flashed a sad smile as she looked up at the sky.

He gazed at her with a perplexed expression. This is the first time he has seen her sad. There are no traces of her usual bright and cheerful smile.

Then, she continued, "I want to be in a place where nobody knows me, where there are no prying eyes. A place where no one will tell me what to do or how I should become."

She glanced at him, "Is there any place like that?"

He remained silent. He doesn't know how to answer her. All he knows is that there's a deep sadness and burden behind her smiles.

And that made him sighed and looked down. Just then, he happened to catch a glimpse of his bracelet. It was his uncle's gift on his birthday last year. And with that, he remembered something.

"What if... the place you're referring truly exists?" He held his beaded bracelet wrapped around his wrist.

"Are you sure you wanted to go there even if it means leaving everything you have?"

The wind came gushing as it passed by. And as it goes, there's silence between them. It was only him who broke it as he heaved a sigh.

"You seem like you haven't made up your mind..." Then, he removed the bracelet and placed it on her hand, "Just in case you've finally decided, you can use this. It has the power to open a portal towards another world."

"You're... giving this to me? But, how about you? Don't you want to go somewhere else too?" She became hesitant in accepting his bracelet.

"I do. But I'm not that eager for now. Well, you can return that to me if your answer is no, right, princess?" He smiled.

And that made her return the smile as well. At least, it's something genuine now.

***

He had noticed some strange things happening ever since he came to the human world. He came as a spy to someone they called the son of the Vampire Queen. It was all for the sake of his mission, but he never thought he'll discover more.

As he observed the young master's blood he obtained on the small tube, it changes its appearance from time to time.

In its usual liquid form, it will suddenly change to a red crystal. One time, it exploded! That's why he had lost one blood sample and now he only has two.

Then, it will suddenly move and will expand like blades, causing the tube to break apart. These strange things happen ever since the young master went out for 'training'.

"I wonder who's teaching him?" Damien mumbled, "I mean, it's nice that he's getting stronger. He's getting serious now to be a king."

He slumped himself on the bed as he recalled another strange thing he noticed.

'Lately, I've been seeing Calcifer going to the library more often. I tried to follow him one time, but when I get there, he's nowhere to be seen!' He solemnly thought.

'Could it be that there's a secret passage on that small library? But, what for? What lies ahead of that passage? What is he trying to hide?'

As he was disturbed by these thoughts, he heard some noises outside. He got up and opened the door, seeing Rin, who's been running the hallway for some time.

"Hey, what's the matter?"

"We've got guest! Lady Lucy has returned!" She panicked.

'Lady Lucy?' He echoed.

"Need help?" He asked, and Rin handed him one of the suitcases she's carrying.

"May I ask, who's this Lady Lucy, our guest?" Damien asked after they placed the bags inside the room.

"She's young master's aunt. And oh! She's Sir Cal's lover!" Rin squealed.

"Lover? Cal has a lover?" He scoffed in disbelief.

Just when Rin was about to retort, they heard voices in the hallway coming in their direction.

"Ugh! Why do you always keep that serious face whenever I come and visit here?"

"If you don't like it, then you shouldn't have come."

"Hmph! I came here for Rae, not for you!"

"Then why are you demanding me to smile?"

Lucy flushed and was about to answer when she noticed a familiar face standing next to Rin.

'So she's that Lady Lucy... Queen Astrid's younger sister, Lucillia Van Helsing.' Damien thought and nodded politely as he met her eyes.

The lady just stared at him as they pass by.

"Rin, what are you doing there?" Calcifer exclaimed, "Quit slacking off!"

Rin saluted, "Y-yes sir!"

"Same goes for you!" He glared at Damien.

"Fine." The gentleman sighed and left with Rin.

"Tch! He really pisses me off!" Calcifer grumbled.

"Because?" Lucy crossed her arms to her chest.

"He's a Tepes*. I hate their guts."

"So... you hated my guts too?"

Calcifer stopped from his tracks and glanced at her with a puzzled look.

"Calcifer, have you forgotten my whole name? It's Lucillia Tepes Van Helsing." Then, she flashed a bitter smile, "Astrid is my half-sister... And yes, that vampire earlier... he's my close relative."

***

"So... you're saying that Lady Lucy is Cal's lover?" Damien asked Rin soon as they left the hallway.

"Yes! Aren't they look perfect for each other?" She squealed with twinkling eyes.

"It doesn't look like it to me. They're fighting earlier, remember?"

Rin scoffed and shook her head, "Damien, Damien, Damien, there are things in this world that you should observe more than what meets the eye."

The gentleman blinked, "Oh-kay... if you say so."

"Ah! I need to get back to work! There are so many things to clean!" Rin panicked.

"I'll help. What should I do?" Damien sighed, 'It's not that I have much to do anyway.'

"Oh, really? Sweet! Can you clean the library for me? It's a bit dusty now. While I'm going to clean the living room. How's that?"

"Sure." He said as they depart ways.

When he reached the library, he just realized too much work he'll be doing.

He heaved a sigh, "This is harder than I thought."

And that's when he decided to use his power once again. In just a snap, the books began to move.

"I'll be cleaning your shelves. Now, if you guys would be so kind, could you move on this side while I clean?" He asked the books on the first shelf.

"Alright!"

"Sure!"

"Okie dokie!"

The books responded and moved from the table. Then, he started wiping the wooden shelf to remove the dust.

Looks like he has won the books' favor. They don't complain nor talk too much since the first time he used his power on them. They immediately went back to their place soon as he's done cleaning it. And the books from the next shelf will move on the table without him telling them.

When he was cleaning the last shelf, he suddenly heard a strange sound coming from the shelves near the library's entrance. Quickly, he hid and took a peek. He saw two shelves from the wall moved in opposite directions: one from the right and the other from the left. And there, he saw a secret passage. Out from the doorway, Primo came out.

He stretched his short arms and yawned, "I'm so tired." He mumbled and left the library.

Before the shelves move to close the way, Damien decided to grab this opportunity and go inside.

Before him is a staircase leading downwards as he was guided by the torches hanging on bricked walls. Without further ado, he went downstairs that leads him to a small underground garden.

But what caught his attention the most is the glass coffin floating on the pond together with some floating lilies around. As he walked closer, he saw a beautiful maiden sleeping in the coffin.

Her pale white skin, pointed ears, long lashes, well-figured nose, and red lips matched her black dress. She looks familiar, so familiar that he has confirmed his hunches when his eyes landed on her blood-red hair.

"Queen... Astrid?" He mumbled as tears started to well up from his eyes.

'I thought... you're gone... I thought I've lost you!' He cried soon as he heard the faint sound of her soft breathing.

His reunion with the queen was disturbed when he heard a sound from the entrance. Calcifer and Lucy came out and saw Damien standing near the pond.

"You-! How did you get here!?" Calcifer rushed towards the gentleman and grabbed his neck.

Struggling to breathe, Damien still managed to speak, "I should be the one... asking... What's the queen... doing here?"

"That's none of your business!" Calcifer glared and threw him on the ground.

Lucy rushed to stop him from harming Damien any further.

The gentleman coughed as he slowly stood up.

"She's... clearly alive! Why are you keeping this truth to us? Does Rae know about this?"

"That's none of your concern. Besides, if it's you, the Tepes, I would gladly not hand over the queen nor share the news that she's alive. Now, get out of here before I snap that neck of yours! I don't want to see your face ever again!" He said with gritted teeth.

Damien glanced at Lucy, who's calming Calcifer's anger.

"Please Damien..." She mouthed.

And with that, he left the underground. After that, he packed his things while the triplets are still busy. Then, he left the manor with a heavy feeling in his heart.

"He's gone," Lucy said and turned to Calcifer.

"That's good." That is all he could say.

She sighed in frustration, "You know what? I agree with him."

Calcifer held his head and sighed, "Oh please, don't start now..."

"No, you started this. I still don't understand why we have to keep the truth to Rae. He has the right to know. Please, consider this before it's too late." Lucy pleaded.

It's rare to see her like this, asking him favor in a desperate tone. He's not used to it. But the fact that he made her feel like this troubled him so much.

"Alright. I'll do my best to find the right timing to tell him." He sighed in defeat.

***

"Welcome, Damien! Starting today, you're an official member of the Tepes family." A man in fancy clothes greeted him.

Back then, he was way too young. All he could do is to nod at them. After all, being inside a mansion is much better than staying in an orphanage. How could he ask for more?

"This is Professor Wilson. He'll be your mentor starting today."

A vampire with thick curly hair in a white coat came and approached him.

"It's nice to meet you, Damien!" He offered his hand.

The boy nodded and shook it.

"You can call me uncle if you want." He beamed.

Even he was way too young at that time, he completely understood why the Duke adopted him. That's because of his exceptional talent - creating inventions, things that haven't been discovered and will have a greater impact on the vampire race. And through Professor Wilson's help, he was able to hone his skills. He has created a lot of inventions that helped most vampires to overcome their weaknesses. And the duke was more eager to keep him around.

"Damien? It's broad daylight, why are you still awake?" The professor said when he saw him on his working table.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, uncle. But I can't sleep."

The professor blinked, "Is that so?" Then, he opened one of his drawers and took a small box.

"Here." He handed it to him.

"What's this?"

"It's a music box. Back when I was your age, I used to have a hard time sleeping as well. So I created that to help me. Why don't you give it a try?"

Young Damien blinked as he stared at the small box, "Alright."

He tucked himself to bed and started playing it. As he listens to its sweet melody, he slowly drifted off to sleep. It was sure effective!

From that day on, he often uses that box. It helps him calm down and keep his mind at ease.

And a year after that, he was finally done with the final output of his inventions. After his first product, the lotion, he created the choker which is way more effective to help his fellow vampires overcome the sun.

"I should present this to the duke tomorrow." He mumbled and suddenly heard a knock on the door.

Then, Professor Wilson came in while carrying a cake.

"Congratulations!" He cheered.

"Is it way too early for that? I haven't shown this to the duke."

"You're right about that. But there's another thing we can celebrate asides from your victory."

Young Damien furrowed his brows.

"Today, we also celebrate the day you came to this household. Happy birthday, Damien!" The professor smiled gently and it was the sweetest thing he has seen and heard that day.

Back in the orphanage, no one really cared about their birthdates. Let alone to care about their existence.

That's why he was moved when someone finally took notice of him and even paid attention to his growth.

"Thank you, uncle!" He mumbled.

"Oh, right! I have a gift for you." The professor said and gave him a small box which is messily wrapped with a ribbon.

Young Damien excitedly opened the gift regardless and saw the beaded bracelet.

"This is my latest invention. It can take you to another world." He said as he wraps the bracelet around the young boy's little wrist, "I want you to travel someday, to see and visit different places."

His warm smile made this young boy hugged the vampire in front of him.

"Thank you so much!"

How he wished he could call him 'father' instead of uncle. Because he's the perfect picture that fits that name.

That night, the professor tucked him earlier to bed.

"You should have a good rest before you face the duke tomorrow. It would be your big day." He smiled and played the music box.

The boy managed to sleep with a beaming smile on his face.

The big day has come!

The servants came to his room and took care of him before he was presented to the Duke. Beside him, two boys are seated. One with grayish skin and black hair and the other has honey blonde hair with a pale complexion. They must be his sons. The Duke's blood-related sons.

"Now, we shall put to test your latest creation." Said the Duke and have one servant wear the choker.

Then, the servant nervously stepped outside. When the sun rays touch his skin, he didn't get burnt. And everyone was surprised, it feels like they've seen a miracle.

"Well done, Damien!" The duke patted his head, feeling proud of his work.

Because of that, he was transferred to a more comfortable room. The Duke even gave him a separate laboratory where he can create more inventions.

All the equipment he need was complete inside that laboratory. It was like a dream come true.

In such happiness, he can't wait to tell the good news to the professor. So he ran around to look for him but he can't find any traces of him.

"Strange... I haven't seen him since this morning." He sighed and decided to go back to their small room.

He saw some servants from afar splashing some kerosene from the professor's room.

"What are you doing? That's the professor's laboratory!" He rushed towards them.

"Who cares? Who would want his trash anyway." Said one of the servants.

"What are you saying? Those are precious to him!"

"Out of the way, kid! A dead vampire won't be needing it anyway!" Said the other.

"What..? A dead vampire?"

"Hah! Don't tell me you didn't know? The duke had him executed after finding out you've succeeded in your invention. Who would want someone like him if the duke already has someone as talented as you."

"That's right if you didn't come in this family, he's still alive until now."

The servants said before they set the room on fire.

Hearing the news, it feels like time has stopped for this boy's little world.

"I... killed uncle..?" Tears stream down his cheeks as he recalled all those precious moments with the only vampire who showed him love.

It feels so heavy in his chest. Even tears kept falling from his eyes, it's not enough to heal the pain he's feeling at that moment. The feeling of losing someone can be compared to your world falling apart. What's worse, his precious someone died because of his inner gift. It was the first time he has ever regretted being born a genius.

Ever since that day, the Duke used his skills to the fullest and made him work so much. But he never once heard praise nor words of compliment coming from his lips. It feels like his efforts weren't enough. Everything around that house is so tiring, so frustrating, and so... suffocating. How he wished he could escape. But where else can he go? He doesn't know a place where he belongs.

***

"You must be Damien?"

He heard a sweet voice one day. The voice and smile of someone who saved him from all loneliness.

"I'm Astrid." She beamed, something he can't forget.

If there was indeed a god that existed, he wanted to thank him from the bottom of his heart for giving him a chance to meet someone like her. Since that day, they became friends and pen-pals. Somehow, he found something similar to her.

They both share the same pain and burden from the pressure of their families.

"I wanted to be free! I wanted to go somewhere far away."

When he heard those words, he was well reminded of himself. He has the same wish as hers. But he wanted to help her so bad that he gave his bracelet to her.

"That will take you to another world. You can return that to me if you change your mind." He smiled.

Though they both wanted to be free, he wished for her happiness more than his. He'll find other ways to get away from the Tepes someday.

"Thank you!" She smiled genuinely.

A week after their last meeting, news spread out across borders like a wildfire.

"What?! The princess is missing!?" He heard the duke exclaimed.

"Yes, we want to ask for your help to find her all over the land of Bleak Grave Hollow." Said Ashford together with Calcifer.

"Alright, we'll ask for a search team. We won't stop until we find her." The duke assured them before the two gentlemen left his presence.

Damien followed them, "Wait!" He rushed towards them.

"Is it true? Princess Astrid is missing?!"

Ash and Calcifer exchange glances.

"And you are?"

"He's the adopted son of Duke Tepes, Damien is his name as far as I can remember." Calcifer said.

"Yes, that's me. I've been friends with the princess for a while. Now, tell me what happened."

Ash sighed in defeat, "She's been reported missing three days ago. We've searched everywhere but found none. Is there anything you noticed when you last saw her?"

"I..." Damien recalled everything.

He remembered the bracelet he gave her which could be the only possible lead to her disappearance.

And with that, he became pale.

'It's my fault..?' He thought as he trembled, 'Is it... going to happen again?' The memories of his late uncle suddenly flashed his mind.

Ash and Calcifer noticed his strange behavior.

"Hey, do you know something?" Calcifer grabbed his collar.

"I-I'm sorry!" Damien exclaimed, "It's my fault! I'm so sorry!"

He cried and explained about the bracelet and the possibility of Astrid using it.

"You said it was your uncle's invention. Can you make something like that?" Ash asked who's trying his best to be calm.

"I-I'll try..."

"Don't try! Just do it!" Calcifer burst, "Because if you don't, I'll make sure to make you suffer from that pathetic life of yours!" He glared as he burned in anger.

Even without Calcifer's threat, the guilt of not being able to see the princess haunts him down. He didn't sleep as he worked to make the same invention as his uncle. Several times he failed. Several times he almost died experimenting with his works. But he didn't stop. He doesn't want to stop.

'I can't die until I bring her back!' He said to himself.

It took him almost a month to complete the work and created the same invention, it might be different how his uncle did it. But the way it functions is still the same. Soon as the tryout was successful, he immediately gave a word to the Van Helsings. But he was not forgiven for that.

Instead, the duke sent him to the academy far from their place. They call it punishment for what he has done. And it was fine for him.

He wasn't able to see the princess' return. All he heard were rumors of how she almost conquered the Alucard. And that alone, made him happy knowing she's safe.

***

Damien slowly opened his eyes as he dreamt of the remnants of his past. How he cried so much after he learned the news of the queen's death and her rumored son. And now that he found out she's alive, all the burden, guilt, and tiredness were all washed away.

"That's enough for me." He smiled to himself.

Just then, he saw a black car that stopped in front of the bench where he's sitting. The door was opened as he saw the face of the vampire he least wanted to see.

"Care to have a chat with me, dear brother?" Edward smirked as he glanced at him.

Damien glared at and was about to refuse when two vampires suddenly grabbed his arms and forcefully pushed him inside the car.

"Unhand me! What do you want?" He struggled but it's too late since the car is already moving.

"Don't be so bitter, Damien. Like I said, I wanted to have a chat with you. After all..." He glanced at him with his red-shot eyes.

"...we have a lot of things to talk about." Edward grinned devilishly.