{This is good stuff, Chóros,} Coy stated as he dipped his head into the water, washing himself thoroughly.
{You are in for a surprise if you think this is the end, because there are certainly even better things than this plain link-bonding between contractors.}
{Still, it's something I have never seen in my lifetime back on earth,} argued Coy as he got up from the spring and wrapped a towel that was on a hanger beside the mirror around his small waist.
Looking carefully now, Coy noticed that the bathroom was seemingly empty, as there was not a sink, toothbrush holder, bath mat, or many other necessities that were supposed to be here. As he was thinking of such things, he glanced at the mirror, and his childish face reflected back.
{Do all the vampires in this world have their bodies reflected in the mirror? Or is it just the noble ones, like back in my world?} asked Coy.
{Do I look like a walking vampire encyclopaedia to you? Go figure it out yourself,} snapped Chóros.
{Agh… You! Can you stop screaming into my ear—my heart, or whatever you are screaming at?} Coy winced because of the sudden onset and also lashed at him.
He headed out of the bathroom and saw Maria waiting for him with new clothes composed of grey and black.
"Young master, you sure took your time in the bathroom," Maria said with no expression on her face.
"It has barely been 10 minutes since I went in and came out, Maria."
Maria walked up to him. "Is that so?" she said as she helped him dress up.
When he was dressed up nicely, Maria said to him, "His excellency, milady, and the young miss are waiting for you in the dining room."
'Ah, here comes the challenge. Although I'm trying to act within their expectations of my previous self, I really hope they don't get suspicious. If they do, I will either run away or explain the truth to them with lies mixed,' thought Coy about the inevitable that has to come.
"Am I late?" He asked Maria
"Maybe a little, young master."
"…"
…
Coy, who was walking on the corridor heading to the dining room, pondered about the moon castle's layout from what he remembered in these 7 years of memories as he thought about how unique it was. 'This castle, which is shaped like a crescent, is the size of two football courts. What's even more interesting is that the crescent shape has a dome in the middle, which is where the main door that gives you access to the mansion is. If I remember correctly, it was divided like this.
'The ground floors were for the servants of the mansion. The first floor was for the guests, and there were many entertainment rooms to keep them company. As for the second floor, which was the highest, the west side was occupied by my family, while the east side was used by me and Maria. The middle was where the treasury, galleries of the family's history, library, and rooms for our personal needs were located.'
He put his hand on his chin and approved. 'An efficient layout.'
Maria, who was walking behind him, noticed his silence and asked, "Young master, are you worried about something?"
Coy, who was in his own world, was pulled out of it by Maria's inquiry.
'Worried? What would I be worried about? Oh yes, the coming-of-age ceremony. This could actually become an excuse for any doubtful questions that might be asked.' Coy came up with an idea that he can use as an excuse for any suspicious questions raised by his family.
He gave a nervous smile and said, "Nothing can escape from you, Maria... The truth is, I have been nervous ever since I woke up this morning because there will be a lot of people I don't know tonight, and the scariest of them is the king. That's also the reason why I woke up soo early."
Maria lifted her hand as she tried to pat his head, but she stopped and lowered it down. She said, "There is nothing to be afraid of, young master. The king doesn't have an appetite for young vampires."
"I didn't mean it like that. But thank you, I'm feeling better now." Coy saw that Maria was trying to lighten the mood, so he went along with it.
…
The dining room had a brown double door. Coy, who was standing in front of it, was preparing for the worst that might come or not come.
Maria opened the door for Coy with ease as he walked in afterwards.
"You are 3 minutes late, sweetie!" Melaina said.
"Good morning to you too, mother. Good morning, father and Luna," Coy greeted them with a smile as he walked to his seat next to Luna.
The table was filled with different kinds of food. Vegetables, fruits, meats, soups, drinks, and more.
"How are you feeling today?" Athan said as he picked up a glass of red wine and drank it.
Coy reached out for the soft brown bread that was beside him and dipped it in the soup before him. The soup spewed misty clouds because of how steamy it was. Coy gently blew on the fuming bread and ate it. It was spicy and flavorful.
{Vampires are one of the weirdest species I have ever encountered. You guys won't die if you don't eat normal food, Yet you still do it,} Chóros remarked.
"I was nervous a while ago, but I'm better now," replied Coy as he sipped on black tea.
{Is there a rule that forbids vampires from enjoying food? No. Regardless of your question, you won't understand it until you try it yourself, which I doubt you can even do. Heh,} Coy mocked him for his inability to consume food.
{Hmph!}
Luna, who was sitting close, whispered to him, "Psst, what are your plans for the day?"
{Hey Chóros, what do you recommend?} asked Coy. He wanted to get his opinion on the matter since they were stuck together.
{Why ask someone who doesn't understand anything? Figure it out yourself.}
'Senile geezer... He sure holds grudges well.'
Coy whispered in return to Luna, who was sipping juice. "I'm going to the library after breakfast; I want to read books today."
"Oh my, Coy, what are you going to read about? Magic? Basic sword skills and magic spells? Runes? Or romantic novels from the Biskar kingdom? I heard that the authors there are experts at what they do since they write from their own rich encounters," Melaina comically asked.
If this was the Coy from before, he would have already become flustered, but now, he had the knowledge and experience of a thousand years, and he could be considered to be the oldest person here at the moment.
He replied with a smile, "Mother jokes a lot; why would I be reading books like that? I don't even have a romantic interest in anyone. I was thinking about reading the history and geography of our continent."
Athan, who had finished his breakfast, glanced at him and spoke with surprise, "You sound a bit old for your age this morning. Who taught you to speak like that? Because your mother certainly did not do that."
"Excuse me, I'm sitting here, you know." Melania reminded him as she reached for his thigh and pinched it. Athan simply shrugged off the pain.
Coy, who was heading for a morsel of a twin-headed boar, answered. "My dear sister, of course."
"Huh?" Luna, suddenly mentioned by Coy, replied in confusion.
"Hoh, is that true, Luna?" Melaina urged.
Being put in a tough position, she eyed the culprit, who was looking at her, winking his eye in secrecy.
'You definitely owe me for this!' she thought.
She puffed out her chest and exclaimed with confidence, "That is in fact correct! I have educated Coy about the art of eloquence."
Athan and Melaina long ago noticed the cues both siblings were giving, so they just chuckled.
Coy patted her shoulder and said with a disappointed expression, "You are terrible at lying." He then wiped the hand on which he ate with a handkerchief of high quality that was next to him and stood up from his seat.
"I will be going ahead; have a nice day."
Athan nodded at him, and Melania leaped from her seat and gently fell before Coy like a leaf falls from a tree. She gave him a peck on the forehead. Coy was surprised by that, but he just smiled to not raise any suspicions.
"Have fun, sweetie, and make sure you take a look at the—you know what I'm talking about. It will help you in the future when you meet a girl you like." She advised quietly.
{What a caring mother, looking after her useless son.} Chóros chimed in.
"Thanks... See ya, Luna, I will get you that cat that you had been eyeing recently for consolation," Coy promised as he was leaving the room.
Luna, who was in a state of shock due to Coy's earlier sabotage, heard that and instantly jerked her head at the leaving boy. "Don't you dare take your words back! Mother and father are witnesses to what you just said!"
…
Coy, who was already meters away from the room, heard her and just shook his head with a smile.
{How was your new family? Do you like them?}
Coy touched his forehead and contemplated his question. Did he like them? It would be a lie if he said no.
Unlike on earth, where he only had his mother if he excluded his friends and subjects, here he had a father, mother, and sister. A new member would also be joining them a few months later.
For the 7 years he lived with his memories sealed, he truly loved them, and getting his old memories back would not change that. If he could not even reciprocate the love he was receiving, what kind of man—a vampire—would he be? properly a failed one.
{Yes,} he replied softly.