Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

- - -

​​

"Can I help you, Lady Mezzanotte?", the guard at the door asked.

'Lady Mezzanotte', I liked it.

I plastered an innocent smile. "It's noisy and stuffy inside and I was hoping for a breather. Is it OK for me to walk through the hallways? If you can point me in the direction of the garden, that would be perfect."

"Of course, Lady Mezzanotte. The main floor is available. The master asked that you don't try to enter rooms that are locked, and you will find other guards at the points that are off-limits. You can talk to them if you need further instructions." He pointed to the right and explained how to reach the garden, and off I went.

The hallways were lit with small crystal chandeliers that were densely packed along the ceiling, and walls were filled with paintings that were mostly portraits. Based on the variety of faces and skin color, I guessed that they are either of extended family, or they include friends as well.

Some faces were familiar.

On several paintings, I saw Egoth with various people. I was not surprised to see him, this is his castle, after all.

One portrait was of Egoth and a fine-looking woman whose perfect white skin contrasted her fiery red hair and gave her an ethereal feel. Egoth was standing by her side, and she was sitting on a chair. Her calming smile contrasted Egoth serious expression. I wondered if that was his wife. Lover? Mother? Daughter?

The files didn't mention that Egoth has a family. It was almost like he appeared out of thin air.

Each member of the Council has secrets. It's for safety purposes.

Aldus told me not to bother with rumors because they are probably fueled by the councilmembers themselves in order to spread disinformation.

I moved further down the hallway, observing faces and a variety of clothing styles people wore, and I became unaware of the time passing.

I reached one huge portrait that had more than thirty people sitting on chairs in two rows, and the last row of people were standing. They all looked imposing. I recognized Egoth and Omniel. Elena and Gilbert were there as well and based on a few more familiar faces, I concluded that these are members of the Council.

I took my time observing each of the people in the painting and my breath hitched when I saw familiar blue eyes directed at me.

Those are the same eyes I fell in love with eleven years ago, but now they belonged to a striking man who appeared to be in his late thirties. He had dark brown hair and a strong jawline, and I knew that I was looking at Damiano Testa. Under those sharp features, I could see traces of my Duke.

Was he a member of the Council? It looks like it.

Councilmember Elias was not in the painting, and I remembered my father telling me how Elias is a member of the Council only in name and no one takes him seriously because everyone knows that Elias doesn't have any real power over werewolves.

Another proof of how councilmember Elias is not regarded as important is that he was not invited to this event. That must be a hit to his ego, assuming that he is aware of this gathering.

Alpha Elias doesn't have the power of an Alpha, but he definitely has the pride. Unfortunately, fancy clothes and an attitude are not enough to be acknowledged.

Compared to Elias who gave me a slimy feeling of a scheming adulterer, Damiano Testa was a powerful figure who made me look at him with respect even from the painting.

If he is alive, that would be my future father-in-law.

I wished that Duke was with me. I was confident that he would like to see his father and get a glimpse of this past trapped in a painting. I regretted that they took our cell phones at the entrance, so I was unable to snap a photo and send it to Duke.

- - -

Author's note: this is from Aldus's point of view

- - -

I didn't understand why Elena was sticking to me, as that was not part of the plan, but I didn't mind her presence even though we looked like a couple.

Since she became a member of the Council, Elena was always sensible for me to notice her without getting in the way, and I didn't care what others think.

I observed Serina while she spoke with Gilbert between meaningless chats with various people who approached me and Elena.

Serina was perfectly poised, and I could see her captivating Gilbert's attention completely. I was proud that she is my daughter.

Gilbert is such a pompous ass. More than once, I was on the verge of taking him to my lab and slicing him open. He talks like he got a blessing from a God, and I am convinced that he is no more than a defective bastard child from a giant.

I knew that Gilbert is at most a nuisance for Serina, but others who were glancing their way are another story.

Initially, I didn't want to do this, but now that Cali is out of Lemuria and our parents agreed that she can stay under my supervision, things are getting complicated because other than Serina, I also have my party-hungry sister to watch over.

Serina is relatively easy maintenance since she sticks to the lab, or she is with that boy (aka my latest research project).

Calista, on the other hand, is my personal headache-inducer. She travels through Europe and attends parties without worries, and that puts her in danger of various creeps getting their hands on her and using her against me or our family. Here I'm talking about our standing in the society of vampires. Sure, I don't care about it, but my parents do and if Calista is the cause of our demise, I will be at fault.

Ah, why can't Cali be more like Serina?

Serina is such a sensible child except when she is with that half-werewolf. Maybe if I eliminate him, my sweet daughter will… No! If I do anything to that boy, Serina will never forgive me. Unless I make it look like an accident.

Compared to other vampires, my tolerance toward werewolves is quite high, but if Serina gets harmed because of that halfie, I will not hesitate to cut off a few pieces of him that he can live without.

"Are you concerned that your daughter is talking to councilman Gilbert?", Elena's question got my attention.

I cocked my eyebrow at her silently asking for an explanation, and she gave me one, "I see you looking at her since she left."

"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Elena."

The slight twitch in her left eye told me that I hit a nerve.

Elena Valenthia, there was a time when my heart would be moved by that name. Of course, that was while I was still unaware of life outside Lemuria.

I remember daydreaming about spending eternity with Elena, but then she said how we are young and that we shouldn't commit to a serious relationship until we experience life.

I left Lemuria and didn't look back.

Centuries of roaming the world made my feelings for Elena fade, and I will be forever grateful to her for rejecting me at that time.

Of course, I am aware that Elena's goal is to rekindle our old flame, but I have my pride and she will need to live with the fact that her interest in a relationship with me came a few centuries too late.

For the sake of our families, I'm acknowledging her presence, but that is as far as we will go. Actually, if not for this ridiculous Council, I would probably not interact with Elena at all.

Elena was about to say something, but I perked up at the sight of Serina leaving the grand hall.

My eyes met Serina's for a moment and I saw her determination. She wants to go through this.

I was anxious.

If this doesn't end well, I will demolish this place and won't care about the consequences.

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