...

It's been a while since I've delivered anything.

But now I have to help deliver a Pureblood.

The entire Dietrich household is in complete chaos.

That is, there are no servants running back and forth—the halls are basically empty.

Aside from Morwenna coming in and out to bring water and other essentials, there is no one. All the other maids and butlers are hidden in their rooms, trying to ignore the smell of fresh blood.

I can't blame them. Alvena is extremely tempting.

Thus, I'm the only one she is safe to be around.

But I may not be safe.

My ears have been hearing screaming for the past five hours. I'm not sure how much longer I can endure.

"Evelyn!" I hear Morwenna call my name, snapping me out of my slight daze.

I extend my arms just in time to catch the baby as it comes out covered in strange substances.

Alvena is finally quiet now. Morwenna's heart stopped beating.

During that awkward moment of silence, the only thing I could do was wait for further instruction.

As I waited, I couldn't help but notice the tiny thing squirming in my hands.

The birth of a Pureblood is so...

...messy.

"It's a little Lord!!!!" Morwenna's voice breaks the silence as tears overflow from her tired eyes. "A little Lord Dietrich!!!" she exclaims in joy before applauding.

"Where's Master?" I ask. Is he still not here yet?

"Why Evelyn! He's in your hands," Morwenna's tone was spilling with unconfined excitement.

I look at the young master in my hands. Right. The child is my master as well.

"Master Alek," I practice saying to the baby. "Master Aleksandar."

"Evie," a feeble voice calls suddenly. "Can I see him?"

I immediately bring Little Master to his mother.

Alvena was still weak, so Morwenna had to help her sit up to hold her son.

"I don't know what's taking London and Adrian so long to fetch Master. I promise to have him back home shortly!!" Morwenna yelled as she rushed out of the room.

"Evie, do we have some cloth?" Alvena asks nicely. I hand a clean towel to her.

I watch intently as she carefully wipes the baby clean with a beautiful smile on her face. I haven't seen her smile since finding out about Master's marriage engagement.

She must really like the young Master.

"Why isn't young master opening his eyes?" I ask, moving a little closer to help her carry the child.

Alvena stiffened as she looked at me.

"Where's Master Aleksandar?" Mistress questions worriedly.

"In your arms," I answer.

"I meant the older one...Nikolaj," Alvena clarified. She didn't hide her discomfort using Master's name.

"He should be returning from Rosehold anytime now," I answer.

Alvena cast her eyes down in disappointment.

"Master was forced to go meet with the Rosigarden family. London and Adrian have already went to bring him the news. He will return soon," I say, hoping to comfort her. "Master will be delighted."

"You don't have to cover for him. It takes almost a day to return from Rosehold. I doubt Niko will return anytime soon," Mistress says apathetically, trying to cover the obvious hurt in her heart.

"At least you have Little Master Alek with you."

Alvena looked at me and I hint at the unmoving baby in her arms.

Suddenly, the human starts weeping, causing droplets of water to fall on the still child.

"Evie," Alvena calls my name with less composure. "Help...please help..." she whimpers as she hugs the child in her arms. "He needs fresh blood."

"Master will be home soon," I try to reassure.

"Please, Evie," my mistress begs, desperation filling her eyes. "Please..."

"A servant isn't allowed to give blood to her Master," I recite Master's orders.

I have never disobeyed him.

"Purebloods need noble blood to get their heart to beat," Alvena says in defeat. "If they don't drink soon after they're born, they can die."

I didn't question how Alvena knew when I didn't, but I wasn't going to doubt her. Indeed, the only two heartbeats in the room were mine and Mistress's. There was nothing coming from the tiny Pureblood.

It was moving at first, but now there was not even the slightest movement.

Full grown vampires can die if they lose a heartbeat for too long. He was just a baby...

"Alvena."

Using the last of her strength, Alvena lifts the baby from her arms and places it in mine before whispering a heartfelt thanks.

I cradled the young prince in one arm as I brought my other wrist to my mouth. With one swift slice, my fang tears through the arteries running vertically down my arm.

Slanting it ever so slightly, I watch as the red liquid trickles down onto the baby's lips.

Alvena clasped her hands together, praying her child would wake up.

But there was really no need. I could hear its eager gulps and tiny heart thumping healthily against its chest.

"Little Master shouldn't drink too much blood from a lowly servant," I lecture.

But of course, the Little Master has no need to take orders from a servant either.

Alvena let out a cry of relief as she noticed the baby moving again. I knew the mother was itching to carry her baby again so I place the fidgety boy back into her arms.

Then it finally happened. The young lord opened his eyes.

It was no sweet strawberry-like eyes. Nor was it bright cherry-like eyes. And it was absolutely not the dullish red of Master's beloved roses.

His eyes weren't red like the average vampire's.

The child had eyes the color of the red moon—the color of war.

They were a Pureblood's eyes.

Blood red eyes.

Instead of fearing them, I thought them breathtakingly beautiful.

And for once in my entire life, I didn't hate my own pair.

"Nero."

I look at Mistress.

"Evie, his name is Nero," Alvena said, her face beaming with pride.

I wanted to tell her that vampire nobles take the longest time to decide on a proper name. Purebloods symbolize the pride and joy of the entire nation. Such names are decided by the Elders after long debate. They can't be made on the decision of one person alone—much less a mere mortal woman.

But I didn't.

Because I too, believed that it suited him perfectly.

From this point on, there may be larger time skips as I am trying to move the story along. But like always, if anything gets confusing, I'll be happy to clarify.

For those whose questions haven't been directly answered, it's because I wanted to keep it a surprise in the future chapters and because I don't like you. On the contrary, I'm impressed that you're asking the right questions.

This chapter debuted relatively quickly thanks to all the great support I've been getting from regular readers and newcomers alike.