Chapter 27: A Silver Secret: The Unknown Being

"Silver, you need to become a part of the royal family, either through adoption or marriage," Lily's sister said.

"What?!!!" I exclaimed louder than intended before I started to cough.

I placed my hand in front of my mouth. When I finished coughing—which felt like my chest was being hit from the inside—I looked down at my hand and saw blood.

Did I move too much? I thought I was fine now...

"Are you okay?"

"I... don't know," I answered, placing my hand on my chest.

My chest was starting to feel cold, but it wasn't painful—just very uncomfortable. Not only that, but my throat was also dry.

"Lily's sister... Can I please have a cup of water?" I asked.

"Just call me Rose, William!"

A male servant and a maid came in through the door, each holding a glass.

I found it strange at first, but I didn't care because my throat was getting drier by the second.

"Yes, Your Highness, I have brought what you asked for," the male servant said in a calm tone.

"Give it to him."

The servant approached me, holding a smooth silver cup filled with water. He handed it to me and stepped back.

I didn't even thank him—I just quickly drank the water, thinking it would relieve my thirst, but I was completely wrong. Not only did it not help, but it only made me even thirstier. The cold in my chest also became stronger.

It only got worse as time went on. I had never experienced something like this before. Then, a thought pierced my mind like a needle.

Blood.

My head filled with only this thought. I didn't care about anything else—I just wanted blood.

I opened my mouth. "Blood..." I whispered, my voice barely audible aa I stared at Rose.

Why isn't she doing anything? Why is she just sitting there so calmly with her legs crossed? What's going through her mind? I could die. Doesn't she even care?

I looked at Rose without saying a word before she signaled to the maid behind her to bring the golden cup toward me.

She was afraid of me for some reason. Hesitantly, she handed me the cup before quickly pulling her hand away.

Now, holding this golden cup in my hand, I could immediately tell what was inside. The metallic yet sweet aroma—it was blood.

I didn't hesitate. I immediately tilted the cup over my mouth, gulping down every last drop, not even worrying about choking. As it entered my mouth, my thirst disappeared. As it went down my throat, it warmed my chest. It tasted extremely sweet, but not overwhelmingly so. My cheeks started to feel warm.

What was this feeling?

After a few seconds, I let go of the cup, letting it fall onto the bed and splash droplets of blood. I held my head between my hands.

My mind felt clear—too clear. I didn't think—no, I couldn't think. My mind started to go blank, but before it completely did, I glanced at Rose. Her eyes were wide as she stepped back from me.

Why... does she... look so scared?

***

(Rose/Alfred's POV)

I expected his nails to grow and his teeth to extend as he tasted blood, but why? Why is the color of his hair also changing?

This isn't just any color—it's crimson, the color representing a pureblood. Just how...

Silver suddenly stopped moving for a moment before lifting his head and looking toward me.

When our eyes met, a chill ran through my body. Fear crept up my spine. I got off my chair and instinctively took a step back. Not only me—Michael and the maid also seemed to feel the same thing.

He looked at me for a moment before closing his eyes. Then, he opened them again, his gaze eerily calm.

"You. What's your name?" he asked.

"..."

"Didn't you hear me?"

"Y-Yes, my name is Rose," I stuttered.

I was completely mesmerized by Silver's eyes. They were a beautiful gold—the color of magion. The fear I had felt moments ago had completely disappeared.

"No, I meant your real name."

What!?

How does Silver—no, this being in front of me—know that?

I'm not even sure if he's a Vampire anymore.

"What do you mean? I've always been Rose," I said with a steady tone, trying to hide my anxiousness.

"Fine. I'll just look myself," he calmly spoke, sitting upright on the bed, his head turning in my direction.

"T... Ei."

What did he just say? I couldn't make out the first word, but the second word he said was definitely Ei. So, he is a vampire.

"So... you're Albert, the son of Alcard."

"Who are you?" I exclaimed, taking a defensive stance.

Is he a spy sent by King Eclipsys? But how is he using Silver's body? A skill?

"Let's just say I'm Silver. Or Silvey, as your sister calls me," he said with a faint smile.

Then, his tone and expression suddenly became very serious.

"More importantly, there's Fallen everywhere in this building," he said, staring out the window beside him.

Fallen? I thought we got rid of all the spies when I came back.

"How do you know this?" I hesitantly asked. This person was at least as strong as Roi—he could kill me at any moment if he was a spy.

"I just know. Silver is a Fallen, after all," he answered, getting up from the bed.

"Or should I say... a half-Fallen?" he added as he walked toward the window.

Every step he took radiated magion. Not just his steps—his entire body. It reminded me of the fairy that gives magical elements.

He gazed out the window for a moment before turning back to face us.

He was truly beautiful. Even I, as a man, thought so. As he stood there, it was as if the sun itself was embracing him, wrapping its light around his body.

Without realizing it, I dropped to one knee.

I wasn't the only one—Michael and the maid behind me did as well.

Why?

Why did I bow to this person when I had never willingly bowed to my father, the King of Drayula?

I slightly raised my head to see his expression. He was smiling warmly. Then, he spoke.

"I took care of all the Fallen, except for one who was out of reach. I didn't kill them—I just knocked them out."

He took care of them? But he was clearly here the whole time.

"What do you mean—"

Before I could finish my words, I saw his eyes starting to bleed.

Blood dripped down his chin onto the ground, yet he still smiled as if nothing was happening.

"Alfred, tell Silver he needs to head to Eclipsys to search for an item."

"Yes, but your eyes..."

I was worried about this person's well-being, yet I didn't know why.

"Alfred, don't worry. It's natural for this to happen."

He walked away from the window and sat back down on the bed. His hair began turning black again, the color creeping down from the top to the bottom.

"Alfred, take care of Silver. This body is very unstable, and it could break at any moment," he calmly spoke, looking down at me, who was still bowing.

"It's because he is too powerful, and the vessel to contain that power is too weak."

"Yes, but please... first, tell me who you are."

I was desperate to know. Could he be a Progenitor? That would be the only explanation for all of this.

"Didn't I tell you already? Think of me as Silver."

"Yes, but—"

I didn't get to finish my words.

He fell backward onto the bed, his hair completely black again, breathing softly—calmly, simply asleep.