CORRUPTED VAMPIRES

Falcon pushed the food trolley into the room. The trolley was filled with varieties of food, easily consumable food, and food that was liquidized. He kept the trolley aside from the bed and said Vilian to have a seat on the bed so that he could place the bed table over her lap. Vilian sat upright on the bed, and he served her dinner.

"Mi'lady, Mr. Josh has instructed that you'd consume liquidized food for a few days till you get well soon." He said and handed Vilian a spoon to have the hot soup.

Vilian frowned and asked,

"Who is he, and why do I have to do that?" Confusion was written all over her face.

"He was the doctor who came to treat you when you were fallen unconscious, Mi'lady," said Falcon.

"Unconscious? Why was I unconscious? What's happening? Ahh!!" The more she tried to think of the incidents that happened, the more her head hurt. She winced in pain, which made the butler panic, not knowing what to do.

"Mi'lady! Please don't think of anything much. You're stressing yourself too much. Here, have some water," he said and gave a glass of water which Vilian willing took.

"But... Can I know why am I here? Is this Mr. Astrel's mansion?" she once again started questioning which made him worry.

"Mi'lady, you should calm down. The food should not be waiting. I'll try to answer you once you're done with your dinner, though I'm not sure of knowing all of the answers to your questions. It is not good that you stress yourself too much with the questions," he said, trying hard to calm her down, and patted her head, giving her a kind smile that calmed her down, but then the butler frowned seeing the young lady.

"Mi'lady, I'm sorry if I've offended you by any chance. Please don't cry," said the butler in a hurry seeing the girl's eyes turn moistened.

"Oh no, I'm kinda too emotional that I didn't realize wetting my eyes," she said, trying to hide the glee that she felt when Falcon spoke in concern. She always felt it that way when someone showed her concerns. "You are too kind, Mr. Falcon. Please call me Vilian or Vili," said Vilian, smiling at the butler. The butler was left tongue-tied but found himself replying to her.

"Oh no, I'm not in a place to address you by your name, Mi'lady. It is not right," said the man while handing a glass filled with orange juice below the brim of the glass. "Here, have this drink. I hope you get well soon, dear."

Time passed by, and Vilian somehow convinced Falcon to call her by her name. Her tummy was now filled with juicy food that she could hear the liquid sloshing around even without shaking her stomach. Though she was a light eater and had a low appetite when it comes to food, today she strangely felt the very need to eat a lot. Earlier, when she woke up she had felt as if her energy had been sucked dry not knowing the reason, but now she felt like her energy was regained after having all those healthy food and drinks and also felt a bit stuffy too.

Away from the room where Vilian was, a room lit in the lamp-light glow, electric rays spreading as petals upon the walls. It was the study that belonged to Astrel. The colors of the room spoke of the ocean, wave-kissed land, and rock. They kept alive the kind of memories that keep one well anchored. Seated on an armchair in front of the Louis XVI-style writing desk with marquetry and bronzes Astrel was busy working on his laptop while giving an ear to what Josh was saying. Josh was observing the newly replaced painting on the wall with admire.

"Aster, there might be a ball in the underground world shortly. Are you gonna avoid it like any other day or attend the ball? You know, it isn't gonna be the same as always. I mean, the ball. The witches are invited too," asked Josh, still eyes on the painting. Ashley was confused, not knowing what was actually on that painting that caught the psychic's interest, and came to stand beside him, giving a look at the painting and then at his dear friend. It was the painting of the Dark Creature.

"Was this what my dear sister-in-law saw?" asked Ashley, with a sudden interest and earned a glare from Astrel and a questioning look from Josh. Ashley grinned, raising both of his hands as a surrendering gesture towards Astrel. Josh questioned with his eyes.

"How about we have a drink while I say you an interesting story, Jo?" asked Ashley, winking at Astrel, trying to provoke him which Astrel ignored without any bother.

"Sure thing, but not before he gives me the reply about the ball," said Josh, waiting for a reply from Astrel, which his friend ignored as if he turned into a deaf ear, typing something in serious. Sighing out loud Josh left the room following Ashley to the cellar where the wines were stored.

Back in the room, Vilian and Falcon were having a long talk forgetting the questions that Vilian was to ask and the answers that Falcon had to answer.

"Mr. Falcon, can I call you uncle?" asked Vilian, looking straight in the eyes of the butler who was now seated on the wooden chair, his arms placed on his lap. Though he was not used to being seated in front of anyone higher than him, the young lady had insisted him doing it so.

"Better than Mr. Falcon," he said, stressing the formal word, and they both burst out into a laugh, and silence filled the room. "You remind me of my deceased daughter. She might be around the same age as yours... if she was still alive," he said with a bitter smile, the latter in a little low voice. He was broken. Vilian got down from the bed and kneeled in front of the old man. Reaching out to his hand to give him a comfort which brought the man back out of his trance. By now he was used to the girl's kind and caring side which brought a smile to his face.

"I'm sorry that I brought back your memories,"

"Silly girl. Do you realize what you are apologizing for?"

"I know but... still I'm sorry, but... if you don't mind, can I know what happened to your daughter?" she asked cautiously not wanting to hurt the already broken man, which was quite visible.

"Tch... tch... It was a long time ago. I and she happened to meet some corrupted vampires. My daughter Liliana was attacked by one of them, but I was fortunately saved by master Astrel. That was where I met him. He tried his best to save my daughter but she could not survive the harsh reality," said Falcon, remembering the past.

"You mean to say corrupted vampires are real too?" shock was written all over her face.

"Yes, dear. They are created by the evil witches." Vilian was finding hard in digesting all the new information she was getting to know.

"I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope her soul rests in peace," she said while praying on her mind closing her eyes. Falcon felt so melted by the girl's soft and well grown behaviours.

He thought this was how every daughters should be brought up. Respectful, well mannered, and well behaved with such a sweet nature and that thought graced a smile on his sad gloomy face. Suddenly interrupting both of them they heard someone clearing their throat. Falcon immediately got up from the chair which screeched by getting dragged on the floor and bowed his head soon after he saw who it was.