020: - The Welcome Dinner

There was a knock on the door at that point, Butler Nicola poking his strangely colored hair into the room. "My deepest apologies for the interruption, but the welcome dinner will commence soon."

Rolfe parted his pale lips like he wanted to say more but instead, he rose to his feet, he had a feeling that he had completely lost a part of his son, and no amount of reaching out would get him back. "I'm… I'm really sorry, Silvan." He said instead, his voice laden with sorrow. "Live a good life son."

Silvan sighed when the door closed after his father's departure, the meal in front of him losing its appeal. He didn't blame his father despite how strongly he felt against Vampires, because he knew that if there was an alternative, it wouldn't all come down to this.

A marriage between a human and a Vampire was rare enough, what did it matter if they were both male? Neither the Vampire King and Queen seemed to have any issues with it, perhaps it was commonplace here. Silvan's expression darkened at that, he would only tolerate a marriage of convenience to fulfill the requirements of strengthening the alliance, anything more than that was asking too much of him.

He was already fully dressed so he just sat stiffly until it was time to leave. Butler Nicola was the one to fetch him, the flashy butler was surprisingly alone, Silvan had half-expected him to show up with his father and brother on each arm.

"Prince Silvan?" He called in his melodious voice, a smile in his red eyes. "Almost everyone is already seated in the grand hall, it is time to make your appearance."

Silvan kept a composed expression, rising to his feet. There was nothing he could do about the new information given to him, even if it was to be a proper marriage, he had no choice but to concede, there was too much at stake and the Vampires wielded overwhelming power.

He followed the tall Vampire's lead, paying attention to the path they followed. If he could, he would leave when there was a lull in festivities and his presence was no longer needed.

The grand hall suited its name, it was a large hall with towering ceilings. The room itself was circular with a raised dais at the center, essentially setting up the perfect 'stage' for the guests.

Silvan felt eyes on them as soon as they stepped through one of the doors into the hall, Nicola leading the way right to the center with his head held high.

On the dais at the center, there was a much grander table, one where his father and brother were already seated. Not just his family but the King and Queen of Vampires were seated at the table as well, sharing one table as equals, as well as two other Vampires Silvan had yet to meet. One was a Vampire towering and dangerous as King Vatore, his liquid black eyes were focused on the wraith-like Vampire next to him.

She looked as pale as a ghost, her hair as pale as her skin, and her blue eyes were so pale they were nearly see-through. She was frail and delicate, but next to the towering Vampire beside her, she was even more so.

Silvan's composed mask cracked a bit, a frown slipping through, because after glancing through the table twice over, the Vampire he had been on the search for wasn't seated yet. He bowed politely before taking his seat, there were only two chairs left empty, and they were right next to each other.

Queen Nadia smiled, her expression glowing. She also had white hair like the wraith but the wraith-like Vampire's hair was pale, it looked just as insubstantial as the rest of her. "I hope your rooms were to your liking, Silvan," She spoke familiarly. "I know you have yet to meet him, this is Prince Elio, the Crown Prince, and his betrothed, Luna Bianci."

Silvan politely nodded to them, sitting with a relaxed air. What use was it being nervous? If the Vampires wanted to harm him, he wouldn't stand a chance. When a few minutes passed without anyone seeming to notice the absence of a very important person at the table, Silvan had to ask. "Where's Prince Alessio?"

Queen Nadia seemed to glow like she had been waiting for him to ask, "Right there," She announced grandly.

Silvan looked in the direction she faced despite himself, Alessio was indeed walking in, the dark-haired Vampire gliding across the polished floor like it was frozen ice, murmurs starting up in the grand hall.

Silvan didn't notice until the figure walked away from Alessio that he had walked in with someone else in tow, too focused on the Vampire Prince. He caught a flash of red hair before Alessio filled his vision again.

He realized then that they had been given matching outfits, but while he wore it complete with the waistcoat and overcoat, his cravat neatly pinned, Alessio only wore the dark red waistcoat. It fit closely around his slender waist, his pale neck notably lacking a cravat, the top buttons on his cream dress shirt undone, revealing his collarbones.

Silvan had a difficult time wrenching his gaze away as the Vampire approached, focusing on the elaborate engraving on the gold plates in front of him as Alessio gracefully took the seat next to him.

"You're finally here, Alessio," Nadia spoke right after, eager to fan the flames. "Silvan was just asking after you."

Alessio turned to the stoic human Prince in surprise, "He was?"

Silvan lifted his head to hold Alessio's stare, the Vampire's pale gray eyes should be cool but they seemed to burn whenever they were fixed on him. "Merely concerned about the delay," He spoke quietly, dispelling the ambiguous air around the Queen's statement.

Alessio seemed riveted by his voice however, some of the stiffness in his back relaxed at Silvan addressing him directly. The human Prince still had a distant coldness around him, but it was nothing like the scornful look he had gotten from him the first time they met. This gave Alessio more hope, he really might get to be friends with Prince Silvan.