32nd Night

After what happened in the crystal forest, they all ended up in the Northernheim palace with an air of uneasiness surrounding them. Upon entering the palace, Aelvien had ordered Siegrain to take them to the underground cells where they saw all of the missing sentries that were sent to guard the border of Northernheim and Leitmeritz. However, their present situation had awakened the anger Eiraun had felt while he was being provoked by Siegrain a while ago. The sentries were all chained to the wall with magic imbued chains and shackles, making them unable to break free despite their blood as vampires. Though their injuries weren't life threatening, their injuries were abnormally not regenerating as fast as they should have been while a black substance that looks like Siegrain's ability is seeping out of their wounds. What the hell did Siegrain do to them?

Within the few seconds when Aelvien's eyes glimmered, all sentries were released from being restrained and they all fell on the ground with a thud and, with just a single gesture of his hand, their injuries were healed and their tattered uniforms were renewed as if they had never fought Siegrain's group just a while ago. The sentries were left in awe. After all, it was the first time they ever saw the Monarch whom they had no idea who he was at the moment. Those who knew who Aelvien was, none of them said a word because they knew that him being capable of doing that was just something that came natural for him.

"Siegrain, bring all the guests to the blue room. I'll be there after I talk to the Archduke."

Instead of answering, Siegrain just bowed slightly with his right hand hovering over his chest as a sign that he had heard the Monarch's order and that he'd be doing it immediately. The minute they were back in the grand hall, Siegrain and the rest, along with Blaze, who decided to give space for the two leaders of Elysia to talk, went towards the blue room while Aelvien and Eiraun went towards the upper floors, towards the audience room where he usually receives his guests even before he left the palace for over a thousand years.

Upon entering, the silence that enveloped the audience room is deafening. With their sensitive sense of hearing, they could hear the soft blowing wind outside and the rustling of leaves, even the breathing pattern of each other. Aelvien sat on the sofa across from Eiraun, who, by that time, could not even find the right words to break the silence between them. To add to Eiraun's discomfort, the Monarch had apologized to him even though he was the one that was forced to bring out his wings, the physical embodiment of his blood power, just to stop him from killing his attendant. Eiraun could feel the Monarch's watchful eyes observing his every move, as if Aelvien was trying to decipher what his intentions were in crossing over the borders of Leitmeritz and Northernheim, because in truth, when Eren Lancastrian was the one that leads all Purebloods, none of the Noble Blood vampires ever visits the Northernheim Region without asking the Royal Bloods for permission. But in his case, he did not know that Northernheim had been inhabited once again. It was not that he had planned to do anything other than to check what was happening in the region, but this unplanned meeting had brought everything he had in mind into a chaotic mess.

With his gathered courage, Eiraun stared at the Monarch. He knew, by seeing the earrings Aelvien was wearing, that he was trying to seal the powers within his blood, but even so, he could still feel the Monarch's overwhelming presence even though he was just sitting silently across from him. It actually wouldn't come as a surprise to him if he had also inked his body with sealing properties in addition to the earrings he was wearing. Because being a Monarch who has powers in his blood that far surpass everything known to every natural and supernatural being, aside from his responsibility to keep the balance of life intact, he also had the responsibility to take precautions to keep everyone around him safe from his own self. And spending his life in solitude is only one of those precautions.

Eiraun could tell exactly how long it was since he last saw the vampire standing at the summit of their race. And even after over a thousand years, he still looked the same. His expressionless face is still eye-catching even if he remains still and not doing anything in particular. And even at a minimum movement, one's attention would always be drawn to him. Not just because of how he looked, but also how he carried himself. Even without knowing who he was, one could always tell that he was of Royal Blood – a vampire revered by many, envied by many and despised by those who have become aware of the real meaning of his existence as the Monarch. He does not exist to protect Pureblood vampires from outside forces, but rather, he exists to punish those who threaten the balance of life which he protects, even though they were Pureblood vampires who were under his wings.

"Archduke…"

Chills ran down Eiraun's skin at the way The Monarch had chosen to address him. He knew it was a courtesy they should abide by, but he was just not used to it. He holds a lot of respect towards the Monarch, especially since he knew his position carried a responsibility which he bears alone.

"Can you not… call me that?"

Aelvien stared at him though nothing could be seen through his eyes, for he had hidden his emotions very well. He really was very good at that. "Do you prefer me calling you 'your highness'?"

"No. That was the same in a different way."

"You are already the present Archduke of Elysia, the rightful heir who succeeded the throne held by your father before you. Being the one who leads all the Nobles, I should give you the respect you deserve by addressing you by your title."

For a while, Eiraun remained tight-lipped. Really, being in the Monarch's presence is different on so many levels. But no matter how many years have passed, he is still someone who doesn't exert his authority over others. Aelvien is showing the same respect he had towards the former Archduke to him, the former Archduke's son.

"Did your father pass you all his memories along with the Lancastrians' blood weapon Ciergo?"

"Yes. But I can't convince those who believed you have betrayed Elysia with just that. To tell you the truth, Thryden would be the only one from the Chamber of Elders who would vouch for you."

"He's still alive?"

"Yes. The way he did with the previous Archduke, he is serving as my advisor at present because my father has forbidden him to enter eternal sleep with him over a thousand years ago. His knowledge and experience have been a great help to me in ruling the Nobles especially with what happened back then."

"The former Archduke must have known you would need his guidance in leading all the Nobles. After all, one mistake would lead to them following the steps of the Clan Leaders of a few Noble Houses who turned their backs on Elysia at the peak of the First Blood War."

"There are families who still think that it was you who led the downfall of Elysia during the First Blood War. Most of them actually. They may be protecting the country along with me, but I am certain they'll be hostile towards you once they find out that you are still alive and are back in the country. They will surely question my authority once they find out that I have been in contact with you without their knowledge, but then it isn't actually my responsibility to explain," Eiraun told the Archduke. The Archduke at least needs to know of the present situation in Elysia when it comes to his relationship with the Noble Blood vampires residing in the country. "All the Clan Leaders at present, aside from Thryden Agvain, were just but young heirs then when everything broke into chaos at the sudden decision of the previous Clan Leaders that represent all the Houses of Nobles. Their decision to enter eternal sleep along with my father coincides with the peak of the Blood War when you disappeared and they were left with no other choice but to take their previous leaders' place to keep their Houses from falling into ruin. And while they did their all to be the pillar of their Houses at a young age, they have engraved in their minds that everything has been your fault."

Aelvien's expression did not change. "I cannot be concerned about them right now. You have been leading them greatly for such a long time without any interference from me as the Monarch, and your father believed that you could do so more than he was able to. What lies in my priority is to hunt the traitors who have stabbed your father in his back and have chosen to betray my trust since their existence has proven to be a threat to others, naturals and supernaturals alike."

"We're not supposed to interfere," Eiraun reminded him. Isn't that what it always has been? "That is one of the responsibilities given to us along with our titles. And I see you have been with the Werewolf Supreme whom the Great Wolves thought had died too back in the First Blood War. What have you two been doing all this time that you were hiding from us?"

Aelvien stared directly at him and the pressure Eiraun felt that instant suffocated him, but his pride as an Archduke did not let him show that he was being affected by just his stare. What really happened that time when Northernheim palace was attacked for the Monarch to be acting like that? It's as if there's an anger and hate deep inside him that he is trying to suppress.

"Not supposed to interfere, you say? Is that why you only watch over what those traitors have been doing outside Elysia without actually doing anything to stop them?" He asked, each word being emphasized with derision and Eiraun had chosen to stay silent again.

Ever since the First Blood War, everything has been a mess with regards to all the order of things that concerns all beings. The traitors from both Tempestra and Elysia have given their powers to naturals whose greed has been limitless since the beginning of time. And even up to this date, the naturals have been evolving at a rapid rate because of their contribution to their research and technology. They were willing to become a part of the advancement of human beings in order for their original objective to be fulfilled.

The wish and hope of human beings to possess power like what the supernaturals have been born to possess within their blood has been granted with the help of the vampires and wolves who have betrayed their own race. But the success of the naturals' in that field was accompanied by a lot of bloodshed, sacrifice and death. Many human beings, children who have nowhere to go in particular, have been experimented upon by force and most of them die in the middle of the process. But humans did not stop at that. Instead, they continued abducting individuals in different communities and other places and continued on their experiments to produce more modified human beings. Especially up to this point, after their experiments showed a high success rate after all these years that they have been doing it, the Alliance, which headed the project of modifying human beings into something they were not born to become, has become active in that field.

"That rule only applies when the balance of life still remains intact. But a few Pureblood vampires and Great Wolves have so far ruined that. Isn't it the cause of the First Blood War in the first place? Those born with strength and power who wish to free themselves from the restraint put on them upon birth fueled the greed of the naturals to conquer and devour the weak. We, supernatural beings who are born with privileges such as blood powers, have to bear the infirmities of the weak no matter which race they belong to, but they do not abide by that. Besides, I am still the Monarch. Do you expect me to remain silent and unbothered when those under my wing have been causing massive changes in the world of the living just with their mere existence?"

Eiraun bit his lip. At a loss for words once again. He admits that he only watches over the activities of those who have betrayed them in the past, but his responsibility as an Archduke prioritizes the Noble Bloods over others. That is his responsibility's difference from the Monarch's. If no one threatens the peace within Elysia and the existence of Nobles residing in it, he need not to intervene with what was happening outside their territory.

"Haven't you been investigating the whereabouts of the traitors who turned their backs on Elysia and went to live in the world of the living for a while now? You yourself know that we can no longer ignore their existence. They must be held responsible for what they did back then and what they have been doing in the present."

Eiraun nodded in agreement. With what they have found so far, they really can no longer turn a blind eye on the Nobles who tarnished the existence of Pureblood vampires. Maybe they really have to set aside some of their rules from back then to cope with the changes happening around the world. After all, the Golden Age had long since gone and another Blood War seemed to have been brewing around the corner at the instigation of the Alliance.

"Why does it seem like you have a deeper reason as to why you are hunting them down?"

"For the Nobles? There is none."

Eiraun frowned. "Nobles? You're talking as if a Royal Blood had joined in on their betrayal. And that Royal Blood in particular is the one who was at the receiving end of all your hate and anger."

Aelvien nodded. "Victor Landegrei," he answered, which made the eyes of the Archduke widen in surprise.

Why wouldn't he? Victor Landegrei was known to be the blood brother of the Monarch's father. Which means the Monarch is hunting down his blood and uncle – one of his own family members.

The Landegreis weren't a large clan like the rest of the Noble Blood Houses whose members multiplied through intermarriages. They are but only one family with very few members, though they are the only ones known to be Royal Bloods – the strongest among all Pureblood vampires, and the Monarch himself is standing at the summit of their hierarchy. No one actually questioned it even though they knew of that fact, but the Landegreis practice consanguine marriage to keep their vampire blood the purest among the rest. It was not like they were not allowed to marry outside their family. It was just that no one's blood and family lineage had ever passed their standard to become a marriage candidate for their family members. And it was known that the parents of the Monarch were siblings and Victor Landegrei was a brother of theirs.

"He is the Royal Blood who was the cause of the fall of the Northernheim palace and I cannot allow him to live since he has become a threat to the only existence I cared about the most."

Eiraun stared at the Monarch, trying to figure out whether he had heard him right because he said the last words of his sentence in barely a whisper. His frozen heart started to thump as it beat in happiness and anticipation while his eyes gleamed, showing what he came to feel at the mention of that person. He had an akin idea of who Aelvien was talking about and the way he worded it out, he just indirectly told him that she was alive. Not once, for over a thousand years, did he think that she had died when the palace of Northernheim was attacked. He had met her once when his father, Eren Lancastrain, brought him with him when he once visited the Royals, back then when he was still young…

_

"Father, do I really have to go with you?" Eiraun asked.

The little duke adjusted his cravat while taking note of the large jewel pinned to it. His thoughts were somewhere else even though his eyes focused themselves on the scenery they were passing by at the moment. Even though they could just travel from the castle of Leitmeritz to the Northernheim palace using their speed as vampires, the Archduke took the pleasure of using a carriage as if they were one of the human beings who needed such transportation whenever they went to places too far for their own two feet to bear. His father said it was for formalization. Besides, he wanted to leisurely look around the territory where the Nobles lived while they were on their way to Northernheim, a region solely for the Royals.

"It was an official meeting with the Landegreis, was it not?"

"Yes."

"Then why am I here with you instead of your advisor and attendant, the Clan Leader representing the Noble House of Agvain?"

"Thryden had a prior engagement with the Clan Leaders of Houses Kaznier and Adair. I sent them to Cenchrea to investigate something."

From looking outside through the window of the carriage, Eiraun slowly moved his head and stared at his father who was sitting across from him. Cenchrea. It was a word used only by supernatural beings to call the land where naturals lived. It was a place that lies beyond the horizons of Elysia, Tempestra and Sythra, which was divided into different countries, territories, kingdoms and dominions. Even though only naturals or in the common tongue, human beings, occupied the land, they were in conflict with their own race because of the greed each of them had come to possess along with their titles. Their avariciousness always drove them to kill and conquer, leaving a long trail of blood and death of their own race behind them.

Supernatural beings, vampires in particular, have never paid them any mind because they were too busy minding their own solitude away from other races. Most of the Nobles let the naturals create havoc amongst themselves, while a few readily give the vulnerable naturals a helping hand whenever they ask for it from them. That has always been the cycle. But that is the extent of it all. What could have been the reason for his father to send three Clan Leaders to Cenchrea just to investigate something? In all of his one hundred and fifty years of existence, it was the first time his father, the Archduke, had issued an order for such an assignment. Did the naturals engage themselves in something that concerns them?

"Eiraun…"

He sighed as his thoughts came back to his present predicament. "Couldn't you have just brought with you either the Clan Leader of Ivrea or Chernomyrdin? I'm sure those two aren't busy at the moment."

Eren smiled at his son, who looked like he was ready to disappear the moment he allowed him to go to Northernheim palace with him. "Don't you want to see the Northernheim palace?"

"I can always see it using clairvoyance," he pointed out, which was the truth. That ability of his gave him the privilege to see something that was not present to his senses.

"But don't you want to see what's inside? Even if you're my heir, you can not use clairvoyance, even if you have honed it well, to look inside the Northernheim palace. The Royals would immediately overpower you and, in a worse case scenario, they might strike back at you within only a few seconds. It was widely known that without invitation or permission, no one could enter the palace using every means available."

"I'm sure it's the same as the castle of Leitmeritz," he deadpanned.

Eren chuckled at the statement of his only son. "You brat. Show some excitement about discovering new things, will you?"

"I have enough time to do that at my own pace, father. What's my lengthened life for if not for that? So, are you still going to beat around the bush and not tell me why I am going to Northernheim with you?"

Instead of answering, Eren just smiled knowingly at him, which made Eiraun frown a little bit more.

"Father, I swear if – "

"I'd like you to meet someone, so I brought you with me. With the way the Monarch has chosen to live his life in isolation, I don't want the poor girl to end up living her life like him."

Eiraun eyed his father. "You brought me to meet a girl?"

"I'm sure you'll like her."

"I won't be marrying her if that is what you are planning for the future."

"I'm not asking you to marry her. But she is someone who was born to become your wife, so meeting her this early will surely benefit you both when the time comes."

Eiraun pursed his lips as he remained seated in his seat. He almost used one of his abilities as a born vampire to escape, but the way his father was looking at him made him think otherwise. So his father really had a hidden agenda as to why he had taken him with him today. With it something to do with his marriage life, it just ruined his day entirely.

Eren subtly stared at his son as a subtle smile etched on his lips. Eiraun is obviously irritated, though he remains tightlipped in his seat. His ruby-colored eyes were ablaze with anger but he had chosen to stay silent as he focused his attention back outside.

During their whole journey, not a word had been exchanged between them. The only sounds that broke the silence between them were the galloping horses, the rolling of wheels of the carriage, the whistling wind and the chirping birds of the forest. When they arrived at the Northenheim palace, Eiraun was in awe that words seemed to have left his mouth and irritation during their journey had long been forgotten. Moonflowers almost covered the garden along with other rare blooming plants which he had only seen for the first time. He couldn't wait for the night to come to see all the moonflowers glowing.

"There aren't any Lunar Roses," he whispered to himself while his eyes wandered off to the wide expanse of the garden, not expecting that someone would hear him.

"It is said that they only grew at certain places where the lands of the Great Wolves and Pureblood vampires meet. The exact borderline between Tempestra and Elysia. But no one has found the roses yet because, as legends would say, the witches of Sythra have kept them hidden up to this day."

From looking over at the garden, Eiraun glanced in the direction towards his right where the female voice came from. At one glance, though the woman was smiling at him with such kindness and adoration, he knew he should give her his respect. Like an instinct which his blood as a vampire born had obliged him to do, he slightly bowed in front of the presence of a vampire whose blood was higher than his. A Royal.

"Eiraun Lancastrian, greets Her Majesty Veshneya Landegrei."

"Raise your head, little duke. You don't have to greet me that way. I may be of Royal Blood, but I am but the mother of the Monarch."

"It's his blood, Veshneya. Vampires are meant and obliged to recognize those on higher ground."

Veshneya chuckled. "You make it sound like a curse, Archduke."

Veshneya herself had guided them to one of the drawing rooms of the palace and while she and the Archduke talked about some important matters, they had met Veshneya's husband in one of the hallways. The Landegreis almost never leave Northernheim and in his hundred and fifty years of existence, Eiraun only ever met them once, while he had met their son, the Monarch, twice, both when his father had called him in the castle. To be honest, this was the first time he had ever stepped into their residence and, just as his father had expected, his interest had been piqued.

When they entered the Drawing Room, two presence had been there waiting for their arrival. One was the Monarch who only subtly nodded at Eren as an acknowledgement, while the other was the little girl who was clinging onto the Monarch's foot as if the Monarch would disappear if she let go. Without wasting another second of their meeting, Veshneya took the liberty to introduce the Archduke and his son to their daughter before she introduced her to them.

"This is our daughter, Aelyasviel Xerl."

Eiraun's red orbs were glued onto her and she stared back at him with the same interest in her eyes. She was wearing a dress that made her look like a doll with lace gloves covering her hands and jewels adorning her raven black hair. Her ruby-colored eyes gleamed in curiosity but her face remained expressionless. Does looking pokerfaced come natural between siblings? They are a sight to behold, yet they were perfectly in sync at not showing their emotions. She's probably around four or five years old – the youngest vampire he'd ever met in his lifetime.

"Father, you brought me here to befriend her?" He asked his father through telepathy while his attention never left the young girl who was still clinging to her brother. He is taking note of every movement she does, especially the way her eyes blink, because that is the only thing that could tell him that she is alive, aside from the subtle raising of her chest as she breathes.

"Don't look at her like she's some kind of a fetus."

"Compared to my age, she is one!"

"You may be a hundred and fifty years old, but you are still a child, Eiraun. In human age, you are still around below ten."

He frowned. "I am not."

Eren chuckled in his mind though he just smiled at him. "Sure. Tell yourself that."

His irritation while they were on their way to Northernheim came back and he unknowingly glared at the little girl with his fangs on display for her to see, but instead of looking away, her eyes glowed and suddenly he could not breathe, as if something had restricted him at that moment. He heaved and then gasped, wanting so badly to take in the needed oxygen, but he couldn't.

"Eiraun! What's wrong?"

"I... can't... breathe..." Fuck! He cursed in his mind.

Sweat started to appear on his forehead. At that moment, he's already on his knees for everyone to see how much he's suffering. He may be a vampire with a lengthened life, but damn, he needed to breathe in order to live! His suffering only stopped when the Monarch put his hand over the eyes of his sister, who remained silent beside him.

Veshneya crouched down beside him as she personally checked on his well being after what happened. Worry was written all over her face as well as guilt. The Royals knew what had just happened to him and he was certain it had something to do with the little princess.

"Are you alright, little Duke?"

"I'm… fine…" Shit! What just happened? He thought to himself.

"I apologize," a little voice told him almost in a whipper and he was left staring at the little girl. It was her who spoke. "I did not mean to threaten your life."

Eiraun blinked. How old was she again? How can her words sound like those of an adult? With her looking like she really did not mean what she did, as if she had no control of it, he could not find it in him to hate her for it even though she had just made him experience hell for a few seconds on their first meeting.

"You don't have to apologize. I'm fine."

"You could've died," the Monarch pointed out.

"What?"

"Aelya had the power of life and death within her blood. Something which she could not control yet. If I had not forcedly stopped her, you could have easily turned into crystal dust right where you are."

With widened eyes, Eiraun glanced at his father. "And you want me to befriend her?"

Eren smiled. "Why not?" He asked back before he said something to him through telepathy. "Didn't I tell you that she was the girl born to become your wife?"...

_

"You found… your sister?"

"After a thousand years, yes. Though at present, she has become someone else entirely. My mother casted Erythrós Signum on her when the palace fell after Victor instigated an attack to keep her safe from him. My sister was able to live after all this time even with the threat posed by the existence of our uncle, but with a lot of vulnerability one could ever have."

"What do you mean?"

"She has become too sensitive to the sun while she has been living her life as one of the naturals."

Eiraun's eyes widened in surprise. "She's a... human?" He asked. He almost could not mention the word human because his brain did not want to accept it.

"Yes."