Vampire Nightlife

What kind of face do you think you'd made in this situation?

Imagine as if you knew someone closely for years, ever since you were nothing but a small child, and even heard what this person was like from other people.

And then have that image you had crafted of them to be tossed away entirely, dumped into a blazing fiery pit that left nothing.

Not even ashes.

Von Elias Aurelius witnessed it for the first time.

"It seems like it's a fortunate day if grandfather is summoning me to his study." Elias said as he tucked a book underneath his arm.

The servants did not tell him more of the details, but he expected that his grandfather would tell him when he arrived.

Elias hoped that it was nothing related to the marriage proposals and such things, because he detested it.

However, Elias didn't think that his grandfather would bring it up in this occasion.

"We've already vehemently had arguments about it. I do not think that he'd like to experience another headache or express his disappointment of me…" Elias muttered quietly to himself.

If someone had seen him right now, they'd be shocked at how his shoulders hunched over in a slump.

He usually carried himself in a matter befitting of that of a future heir, but when it came to matters close to this, he was more or less vulnerable.

Uneasy even.

Which was why, Elias' was both shocked and relieved to see Lukas at the study. Shocked because he hadn't expected this, but also relieved that it meant this wasn't going to be a depressing subject.

However, those feelings waned slightly at the sight of his grandfather and Lukas engaged in a conversation.

"—giant sand worms? Those are paltry beasts compared to what you could encounter in the Blood Wilderness or the Dire Lands." Leonardo Aurelius rolled his eyes. "Before all of these settling down happened, I've traveled all over across the lands and wherever it suited my fancy. I've spread my roots far and wide."

"Spread your roots?" Lukas rose his brows.

Leonardo guffawed deeply and he had a twinkle in his eye. "I'm sure that a young man like you knows what I mean. You also look like you're quite vested in it."

Lukas coughed and didn't think that he actually looked that part, but then again, he made himself an attractive Vampire version of himself.

"Not so much, but I have two girlfriends."

"Just two? Girlfriends even?" Leonardo chuckled. "You need to increase that number, although you don't necessarily have to make them all your girlfriends. Being in a relationship is a pain. Now if those Carmilla ladies weren't so interested in claiming power, they'd be great, but ah, it's best to stay clear of them."

Von Elias Aurelius didn't know what to feel on his grandfather's claim now, when he used to act in such an upright manner for posterity.

Did his father and mother know about this?

Were there other possible heirs in other places around the world and Elias just didn't know?

"Excuse me, grandfather." Elias called out by the door.

The Overlord of the Aurelius House furrowed his brows, and his expression became much more serious. The laugh lines all over his face seemed to disappear entirely as his gaze flickered to his grandson.

"Ah, Von, you're finally here. You've kept your friend waiting here for too long." Leonardo spoke with a hint of disapproval.

"My friend…" Elias glanced at Lukas and for a moment, felt a wave of irritation claim itself in his heart. He managed a tight smile. "My friend you say?"

"What's the matter, Von?" Leonardo frowned, sensing the shift in his grandson's mood.

"Yeah, what's troubling you?" Lukas quickly said and stood up. He wanted to check if he could outrun the two and that needed some berth. "Aren't you glad to see me? I've got something important to say."

"Is that so?" Elias crossed his arms. Somehow, he was interested in contacting the Vardokens again, but this situation made him feel more reluctant than he think he would be.

Lukas wanted to curse. This wasn't a good thing. It was very clear that Stacy, Alexei and Theodore wasn't here… so wasn't it actually for the best for him to make his quick exit?

"You know what, how about we discuss it at another time." Lukas said as he tried to pass the blond Vampire. He wore a cool and relaxed grin on his face, putting whatever charisma he had into making sure he escaped unscathed.

The guy in front of him wasn't some kind of evil or vengeful man, but crossing their territory was still something that might have put them in 'Von's' bad shoes.

"How about you stay for dinner?" Leonardo asked. "It would be terrible for us to turn away a guest without even serving them a meal. And if my grandson is uninterested, then maybe you could stay for a game or two. I have chess here."

Lukas didn't wanted to be that charismatic! He glanced at the old Vampire and knew that it was going to be hard to escape him at least.

"I would love to…"

However, luckily for him, Leonardo noticed something else.

"What's that book you've got with you, Von?" Leonardo asked, eyeing the title. "Ancestry of Noble Houses. I did not expect you'd be bringing that here."

"Oh this?" Elias wanted to tuck the book away. "It's just me reading up a little in particular."

"Are you sure?" Leonardo clasped his hands together and looked seriously at him. "Your friend here certainly has his own fair share of escapades, that I'm sure that you feel resentful towards me."

"What? Resentful?" Elias' eyes widened and he glanced at Lukas' with a frown. Whatever it was that the two were discussing, Elias did not want any share in this matter whatsoever.

"I thought about it some more, and it doesn't make sense that you'd be friends with him if you two didn't have similarities." Leonardo said. "Of course you'd be resentful of wanting to settle down with just the Weisse girl, I'm not letting you enjoy your youth."