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“Ada. You’ve returned at last.”

The room towered. The rustic and ancient atmosphere of the castle was emphasized in the throne room. The man that sat atop the granite throne had hair the color of the void. His red eyes filled the room with presence. No matter who he gazed upon, the pressure exerted on them was akin to that of a lion looking upon a gazelle.

“Yes, Father. I have returned with success.”

The girl, who’s jet-black hair matched her father’s, kneeled when she entered. She had been raised with an iron fist, and this was one of the many duties of a daughter of the Vampyre family.

“I’ve been told.” The man grumbled angrily. “I’ve also been told that you have killed another member of the Thorne clan while accomplishing your goal.”

Ada winced. However, she was not the type to retreat.

“Father, it was self-defense. The dog attacked me while I was gathering the information on the crops of the villages… He must have been a stray.”

“Enough excuses.”

The weight exerted upon Ada’s shoulders was incalculable. Her head felt as if it would implode from the sheer pressure. After a couple moments, the fanged man sighed.

“While your actions are undesirable, they are understandable. Did you give him a clean, painless death?”

Sweat dripped down Ada’s forehead. Her vertical pupils tightened as she hurriedly answered.

“Of course not, Father!”

“Good.”

The man’s voice bellowed. It was said in the inscription tablets passed down by the Vampyre family that their ancestor Ambrogio Vampyre was the strongest vampire that will ever live. The housemaids had come to think that the current head, Grey Vampyre, was living proof that this was false. Ada had not known Ambrogio, as he had died almost a thousand years before her birth, but felt as if her father would surely best the man in combat. After all, she had seen him stand his ground against all five elders of the Thorne clan at once. This was in the event of a previous battle when she was but a child.

“Moving on, the Feast is approaching next month. You will participate this year.”

“Understood, Father.”

Ada had figured that she would be the family’s sole representative this Feast. Her two older siblings had both already participated in the previous, and her younger brother was not ready.

“The Night family and the Dawn family will both provide three participants. Even though you are our sole representative, I expect nothing less than absolute victory.”

“Understood, Father.”

“Before that, however, there is one more task that needs tending to. You will travel to the village of Carta.”

“Carta?” Ada blinked. Carta was an irrelevant village of the North. What could possibly require the Vampyre family’s attention there?

“Yes. I have been informed that a vampire in the surrounding area of Carta has been overfeeding. The only vampire that would dare act this way is Alaric. According to my subordinates, he has always been somewhat unruly. This will grab the attention of the Kingdom, or worse, the Church.”

Ada thought for a moment before speaking. She had long learned to choose her words carefully before her father.

“Father, I do not understand. Why does this require the attention of our esteemed family?”

Grey snickered.

“Foolish daughter. Despite your intelligence, you have a nasty habit of asking before personal thought.”

Ada’s eyes narrowed. She pushed her black hair, which was tied with a crimson ribbon, out of her face.

“Think about it. While our Vampyre family has nothing to fear of agents of the Kingdom or Church, it is not so for lesser vampire families. These skilled assassins will extinguish the flames of lesser vampires without trouble, thereby reducing our total strength. While they wouldn’t dare risking their personnel by attacking the Vampyre, Dawn, or Night family, they have no issue with picking off the capable soldiers under our command.”

“I truly did not think such matters through, Father. I will reflect.”

“Good. You will speak to this Alaric and straighten him out. Remind him of why countless vampires adhere to the rule of the Vampyre family. If he refuses to obey, take him captive and return him here. I have been informed that he is bordering the status of an Elder, so if that is the case, killing him is acceptable.”

“Understood, Father. I will correct his selfless behavior. I will depart at sunrise.”

“Excellent. You are dismissed.”

Ada stood and turned toward the door. Her black leather upper slightly reflected the candlelight of the castle. She mumbled to herself as she moved down one of the many hallways of the castle and approached a wooden double door.

“This Feast is more important than the previous ones… With the rebellion gaining so much traction, many capable daemons and vampires are vying for power. Losing the rituals of the Feast would project weakness to the other races and encourage rebellion and encroachment of our territory…”

The Northern Rebellion had been brewing for many years. The Sangria Continent had recently had the Midnight Kingdom come into consistent power. This power had rubbed the proud and historically independent Northerners the wrong way. The only thing keeping the Northerners from rebelling was King Alexander. Even though he was from the South, and despite his success in conquering the continent, he had often spoken fondly of the people of the North. He had praised their independence and fortitude, and had even gone as far as claiming one of their famed warriors, Bjorn, as his sworn brother. Bjorn had also spoken highly of King Alexander. However, upon the sudden and conspicuous death of the King, the North showed immediate protest. They would not be led by some boy from the South without any success to his name.

The door swung open.

“Sister Ada!”

The little boy torpedoed into the stomach of Ada. His arms clamped tightly around her, he was ecstatic at the presence of his older sister.

“Titus… have you been well?” Ada looked down warmly.

“Yes! I’ve missed you, Ada! Can we go play now?!”

Ada laughed softly. Her younger brother, despite being the favored son of the feared and tyrannical Vampire Lord Grey, had the demeanor of a child that simply wanted to enjoy life and live a normal life.

“It’s good to see you, Titus. I can play for today, but I am departing again at dawn.”

“Wha-!” The boy retreated in anger.

“You just got back, and now you’re leaving again?!”

“Now, now.” Ada pet his head as she ran her fingers through his hair.

“We have duties as members of the Vampyre family. I will return in a few weeks. For now, let’s play.” Even though it was Ada that was saying these words, her tone reflected that she was more disappointed about this reality than Titus.