Chapter Five
Adrian
The weight of the newfound knowledge regarding my family bloodline still weighed heavily upon me, but I knew that life had to continue. Those were my thoughts as I was sitting in my study, my mind focused on the unfolding concerns in the kingdom. The moment Leopold, the commander of the king’s army told me this morning that he needed to speak to me, I knew that things had taken a turn for the worse.
A map lay open before us, showing the northern region, marked with various indicators, denoting the recent vampire attacks. Leopold stood by my side, discussing the urgent matter at hand. The man had always been a formidable presence in the kingdom, a man of strong stature, his silver-tinged hair a testament to the years of service and experience he had amassed.
His eyes, a deep shade of steel gray, held a resolute determination that had seen him through many battles. The wrinkles etched on his weathered face told the story of a man who had faced countless challenges, yet had emerged unyielding.
Leopold was not just a commander; he was a confidant and loyal protector of the kingdom, having served the late king. Growing up together with him, Leopold had not only been a trusted ally but a close friend. Their bond was forged through the crucible of shared experiences, and that history had instilled in Leopold a deep loyalty to the royal family.
Leopold’s stern expression mirrored my own unease. “Your Majesty, the vampire attacks in the north have become more frequent and aggressive. The local garrisons are struggling to contain the threat. We need to send reinforcements.”
The words weighed heavy on my shoulders. The safety of our kingdom and its people was my utmost concern, and the escalating vampire attacks posed a grave danger. I knew that a swift and strategic response was essential. Everyone expected us to protect them, just like the late king had always managed to do.
“Commander, assemble a unit of our best soldiers. They need to reinforce the garrisons in the northern territories immediately. We cant afford to let this threat spread further.”
Leopold nodded in understanding, his experience and authority a reassuring presence in times of crisis. “I’ll see to it at once, Your Majesty. Our soldiers will be ready to move with the utmost urgency.”
Leopold and I discussed the pressing matter of the northern vampire attacks, but our conversation naturally expanded to the challenges posed by neighboring kingdoms. During the late king’s lifetime, there had been talk of all the kingdoms coming together, both human and vampire, in an effort to fight off Constantine and show him that we would not yield to his reign of terror. However, fear was a powerful weapon that made even strong men weak.
“Your Majesty,” Leopold began, his voice carrying the weight of experience, “the situation in our neighboring kingdoms remains tense. The border disputes with Westoria have flared up once again, and Eastfields diplomatic negotiations have been strained.”
I nodded, acutely aware of the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding our kingdom. “We must tread carefully, Leopold. The safety and security of our kingdom are paramount. Keep a close watch on the borders, and ensure our diplomatic envoys are prepared for any negotiations. Our strength lies in being both vigilant and diplomatic.”
Leopold’s gaze held a hint of concern as he replied, “I will see to it, Your Majesty. We will maintain our readiness while pursuing peaceful resolutions.”
“I am fortunate to have you by my side, Leopold,” I told him in all earnestness. “It is obvious why the late king thought so highly of you.”
Leopold smiled. “I could say the same of you, Your Majesty. The late king, may he rest in peace, held you in the highest regard. He often spoke of your unwavering dedication, your wisdom beyond your years, and your empathy for the people of our kingdom whom you have accepted as your own family. He had immense faith in your leadership.”
A surge of gratitude welled up inside of me as I listened to Leopold’s words. King Theodore’s belief in me, his vision of my potential as his successor, was a source of profound inspiration. As someone who had lost his entire family, he had taken me in and provided me with what I lacked the most and that was faith in human kindness, in love. It had always been my aspiration to live up to his expectations and serve his… well, now my kingdom to the best of my abilities.
“I am truly grateful for your words, Leopold,” I replied, clearing my throat a little. “King Theodore’s legacy was and remains to be a guiding light, and I am determined to honor his vision for our kingdom. We must continue to protect our people and ensure the prosperity of our realm… no matter what.”
“No matter what,” Leopold nodded, without any need to explain any further.
Just as I was about to tell him that he was dismissed, a knock on the door interrupted our conversation.
“Yes?” I called out, turning my attention to the door. It creaked open revealing Lilith.
“Am I interrupting anything?” she asked with a smile.
“No,” I replied. “Come in.”
Leopold, ever respectful, didn’t say anything. He merely bowed as he always did, then excused himself without being told. A moment later, Lilith and I were alone.
I turned my attention to her, concern mirrored in my eyes. “Is everything all right?”
She inhaled deeply, walking over to me. “I was thinking something…”
“You were awake almost the entire night,” I reminded her. “I supposed you were doing something of the sort.”
She smiled again. “I was going through Father’s scrolls and documents, but I didn’t find anything.”
“I supposed that as well,” I nodded, deciding not to make this into something that would change my life forever.
Yes, I believed that there was something to that scroll. But did it really matter? Why would the type of blood that ran through my veins change anything about who I was? I was her husband. I was the king of these people, and I would give my life to keep them all safe and sound. Wasn’t that enough when one wanted to know one’s identity? Blood had nothing to do with it. Yet, it was obvious that Lilith couldn’t let it go.
“What’s really on your mind, Lil?” I asked, sensing that there was more to come. Much more.
“The scroll,” she admitted. Then, she took me by the hands, as her eyes held a determined glint. “Adrian, I… I believe we should consider seeking the help of the witch once again. She helped us before, in the past, when we needed her the most, and her knowledge might be the key to understanding the scroll’s significance and the danger it might pose for us.”
I sighed, the weight of the scroll and its mysteries bearing down on me. “Lil, I appreciate your determination, but we have already been entangled in dangerous situations. I just want to put this scroll behind us and focus on the kingdom.”
Her resolve was unwavering as she countered. “I can’t forget about it, Adrian. The scroll might hold the answers we need to protect our kingdom. We can’t ignore it.”
As the weight of our conflicting desires hung in the air, I looked into Lilith’s eyes, recognizing the earnestness of her intentions. “I understand your curiosity and the need to protect the kingdom, but we’ve already been through so much. I can’t bear the thought of putting our family in harms way again. I mean, that scroll doesn’t change anything… does it?”
She met my gaze with a mixture of understanding and frustration. “Adrian, I know the risks, and I’m not suggesting we rush into danger. The witch might provide answers without putting us in harm’s way. We have a family now, and I want to ensure Cass’ safety as much as you do.” She paused, hesitating for a moment. “Don’t you want to know?”
I honestly didn’t have an answer to that question. At least, not a clear one. I was pulled in both directions, torn almost. It was easier to simply not think about it, to focus on keeping the kingdom safe.
“I don’t know,” I admitted.
She released my hands, only to caress my cheek. Her eyes gazed into mine, with all the love she had for me.
“Deep down, I know you do,” she whispered. “And I know you’re scared. I am also. But… that could be the reason why Constantine kept you alive all that time. He kidnapped you and kept you as a prisoner for weeks. He could have killed you at any point, but he didn’t.”
“He also didn’t tell me or show me in any way that we might be related,” I said a little more gruffly than I intended to. “What if he also doesn’t know?”
“What if he does?” she answered my question with another question.
I inhaled deeply, turning away from her and raking my fingers through my hair. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts, then I turned to her once again. “Even if he knows… does it really matter? I mean, in the grand scheme of things… does it make any difference? We’ve all made our life choices, we’ve chosen our sides. The mere fact that we are brothers, cousins, whatever that stupid scroll claims we are, changes nothing, Lil. Not a single thing. I am still who I am and he is still who he is.”
“Others might not see it that way,” she whispered back to me.
I frowned. “After everything we’ve been through, are you afraid of what others will say about us, about me?”
“No, no,” she shook her head immediately. “Of course not. But you know that it might make them distrustful towards us. The kings of our neighboring kingdoms, the truces and unions my father had been working all his life for, might be taken back, revoked permanently if this proves to be true and comes to light.”
I grinded my teeth with displeasure. I knew that she was right. The mere fact that I was a vampire married to a human princess was already a thorn in many eyes. And it was solely through King Theodore’s insistence that they had accepted me as their equal. But now, with him gone, there were bound to be challenges, which I was ready to face. Now, it was turning out that there were more challenges than I had predicted.
I felt her hand on my shoulder, and it immediately relaxed my body. “I am not your enemy,” she whispered. “I will stand by your side against the whole world if I have to. Just… promise me you’ll think about it, okay? That’s all I ask.”
My mind lingered on her words for a few moments, then I nodded. I could do that much. “All right,” I told her. “I will think about it.”
“Thank you,” she smiled, standing on her toes to kiss me on the forehead. “I will go put some fresh flowers on Cass’ grave site.”
“Will you take Cass with you?” Sometimes, it was strange to talk of two Cass’, with one being dead and the other alive.
“No,” she shook her head. “I think there has been enough death in her life for a while. Maybe soon, but not now.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good idea,” I agreed. “Should I watch her?”
“Could you?” she smiled.
“Of course,” I beamed. I welcomed the distraction of my sweet little daughter and her funny stories. “As long as she doesn’t make me wear the pink hat again for the tea party, I’m fine.”
“You know that the pink hat is a must,” she chuckled, and I had to join in.
“Unfortunately,” I pretended to sigh, which made her laugh again.
“I’ll bring her shortly,” she told me, then slowly walked out of the room, leaving me alone.
I promised I would think about her suggestion, but the truth was, I thought we would never seek the witch again. Now, it seemed that everything I had thought true was proving to be wrong.