In The East Wing Of Pale Blood Castle....
"Speak," A menacing voice declared. The voice came for a man with large build and tall stature. He had bright green eyes similar to Duke Siegfried, as well as a similar face structure, the only difference being hair color. Siegfried had charcoal black hair whilst the man had golden colored hair.
"Lord Mortheeus, I have been scouting out Prince Godfrey's courtyard for about 5 months now, there is no indication of anyone guarding him." "Don't call that pampered brat a prince in my presence," Lord Mortheeus coldly spat. "Sorry your Majesty, Godfrey is a very easy target, we can deal with him tonight, if you so wish." Said the reporting assassin, he was clothed in pitch black cloth, similar to most assassin attire.
"Uncle, isn't it a bit early to kill my younger brother? I know father and he would never leave that brat unattended." "Do you doubt me Tibures?" Mortheeus said in a chilling tone. "N-No uncle I would never," Tibures said stammering his words.
"Good, you know you have always been my favorite nephew. I have always treated you like my own son, unlike that brother of mine who casted you aside the moment a more promising heir was born. "I know that uncle, I am sorry for my outburst earlier."
"As long as we are on the same page its fine. Our goal is to rid ourselves of that brat and let you inherit the Dukedom." "Thank you Uncle for your care and favor." Tibures said enthusiastically. "Alright Tibures, return to your courtyard l, we will meet up again in the morning after the deed is done to discuss your Ascension." "Okay uncle I'll be taking my leave," Tibures bowed and swiftly exited the courtyard.
After the Tibures left the assassin quickly said, "Lord, is it really okay to let that boy take the throne?" "Patience, my plan is perfect there is nothing to concern yourself about. The deed must be done tonight when he goes first his daily walk with interesting little girl my brother paired him with. You are dismissed, don't disappoint me." Said Mortheeus in a threatening tone. "Yes your Majesty, you will not be disappointed."
"Ahh, one more thing, use a disguise technique to take on my figure and face when you kill the boy." "A-alright your Majesty." Said the assassin with a confused look in his face, he quickly turned around and disappeared in a blur. Vanishing into thin air.
"Hehe, with that I am fully covered. If that idiot fails and they catch him they will know is not me and think someone is framing me. If he does succeed that pompous little worm will know who killed him. It's almost time, I can see my time on the throne near."
"That idiot brother of mine has grown weak, he stays couped up in the Castle every day watch over that brat. Making peace with the goblins up north, THE GOBLINS!!! Mortheeus exclaimed. He's driving our country into the ground. We've become the laughing stock of the other Dukedom's. No More!! Mortheeus clenched his fist tightly as blood flowed form his hand.
Mean While In The Dukes Study....
"So you say an assassin attacked Godfrey that looked like my brother Mortheeus?" " Yes your Majesty," said Aria. "When the assassin fatally wounded Godfrey he took off his mask and revealed his face, that's when Godfrey shouted out my brother's name?" " It is as you say Milord."
" This doesn't make sense, I know my brother has harbored a grudge with me since I inherited the thrown instead of him. But, I don't understand why he would want to kill Godfrey and be so reckless while doing the deed." " Maybe he sees that Godfrey has the most potential out of all your children this why he was targeted." Said Aria, " Indeed that is true, I have a few children but Godfrey is indeed that most promising seedling to nurture, but killing him is practically crippling our families younger generation." Said Siegfried while rubbing his chin.
" There must be another motive, what I'm not too sure about. Nevertheless, what time of day did this happened?" Asked Siegfried, " It happened during the night your Majesty," said Aria. " Okay you may leave now, I want you to stay with Godfrey today and don't let him out of your sight. If you see anything suspicious let him know his life is in danger and you both need to run. Understood?" " Yes your Majesty,' Aria swiftly left the study, shutting the door behind her.
Siegfried had a deep frown on face, wrinkles sinking into his forehead. He put two fingers into his mouth in a almost closed 'U' shape. Blowing through his mouth a high pitch sound, inaudible to most ears echoed throughout the Castle and some of the surrounding area.
A figure clad in Midnight blue attire appeared swiftly as if out of thin air. "Festus I have a job for you." "Your will is absolute your Majesty," said Festus. "Good, I want you to guard my youngest, Godfrey. Make sure no harm comes to him." " It shall be done," Festus disappeared as fast as he came, vanishing without a trace.
" That brother of mine is up to something, what that is remains to be known. I fear something even worst is coming. " I Must break through to the Half Lord Stage." Siegfried has been stuck at the 9 Stage of the Bloodline Strengthening Stage for 40 years now, around the the same time he inherited the Dukedom from his father, Zachariah Pale-Blood. Being only at the young age of 151 years ,him being at that stage was considered extremely good good for his age.
His talent was exactly the reason his father handed down the Dukedom to him instead of his older brother, Mortheeus. Since then his brother had hated him, he even left him for dead on the battlefield surrounded by 10,000 troops. Siegfried only had about 1,000 troops in his command, instead of panicking he ordered his troops to make a shield wall in the shape of a dome. After slaughtering about 70 percent of the enemy troops and losing some of his own they finally gave up and retreated.
He was named a War Hero for that battle and was dubbed the tiltled 'The Black Tortoise.' A demonic beast known for it's defense and the color of his shell. Siegfried also had a dark complexion so it fit him quite well. His brother was labeled a coward by many for leaving his brother on the battlefield. This only fueled his hatred for Siegfried even further.
Ironically enough that was the same battle that brought Siegfried and Zara together. When she heard of a young Duke standing his ground against 10,000 enemy troops with his thousand troops she became very interested in him. She traveled to Pale-Blood Castle to meet Siegfried. When they eventually met she noticed he was only at the Bloodline Strengthening Stage, Zara became even more impressed that he could complete such a feat with his cultivation.
Siegfried and Zara chatted for a while that day and fell in love with each other by the end if the conversation. Siegfried thought he was very blessed to have such strong woman in the Maiden Stage as a wife. Although he already had a wife he didn't have many feelings for her due to it being an arranged marriage. His first wife also only cared about his strength more than anything else. They barely even talked.
With Zara, even though they had just met, Siegfried felt like they had know each other for years. Zara was a bit sad know that he already had a a wife and kid but that didn't stop them from getting married. Having more than one wife in this world was common, especially for nobility.
Currently Siegfried still has two wives but has 3 children, having children for vampires was extremely hard. Most of the time it takes decades for them to conceive. He had two children with his first wife, one girl and one boy. He had one child with Zara and that is Godfrey. His oldest being the girl was 45 now and the oldest boy being 24, with Godfrey being the youngest at almost 5 years old.
Siegfried looked off into the distance through and open window. " I must do everything I can to protect our child Zara. He's the only thing I have left of you."
Meanwhile In Godfrey's Courtyard....
"Hey aunty have you seen Aria, I saw her room was empty when I woke up?" Said Godfrey, " I think she left early this morning in a hurry, she must have had something urgent to tell her father. A Lilith figure opened the door and walked into the house.
"Ohh, Aria we were just talking about you." " Really? what about Lady Helen?" Said Aria, " I was asking where you were, since you weren't in your room this room." Stated Godfrey, "Ohh, I had an urgent matter I had to take care of, but it's done with, hence I came back to the house.
"Okay now that your free you want to hangout and explore the castle with me today?" Asked Godfrey, " Sure, it would be my pleasure to accompany you," Aria said with a smile on her face. The two figures left through the front door of the home as Helen watched them with Glee upon her face. "They get along pretty well."