The distance between Hans and Grand Duke Arthur takes closer and closer as the royal vampire forged his way towards him. He slowly managed to take a step back to create a distance between them. The scenario went on and on until he can no longer escape from the grasp of the royal vampire.
Being cornered by the wall made Hans unable to find a way to escape because the hands of the Grand Duke were leaning on it. It would be a lie if he doesn't find the whole situation cringe with how dreadful his face can be, but that is, if only he wasn't at disadvantage as well.
Hans closed his eyes shut the moment he saw Grand Duke Arthur opened his mouth revealing its sharp fangs. Expecting him to make dangerous advancement, he gladly shield himself however he felt no pain at all that made him cautiously glance at him.
When he saw the Grand Duke raise an eyebrow at him, he hastily dropped his guard down. Grand Duke Arthur was confused why this human suddenly tried to defend himself since he only wanted to converse with him. Hence, he asked him with a puzzled look on his face.
"What are you doing?"
"Weren't you trying to eat me, Your Highness?"
Hans asked in bewilderment as he was about to cover himself again. Grand Duke Arthur's eyebrow arched with complete annoyance and confusion that Hans could hear the wall emit a cracking discord. The Grand Duke gave an impressive remark.
"Huh? What made you think you're worthy to be my meal?"
"So, you won't eat me?"
"Why wou- (Sigh) You're the tracker, right?"
Hans nodded in response.
"How many years has it been since you landed on that job?"
"5 years." Hans bluntly replied.
"Then you should have been aware that we vampires are different from those silly story books you've heard of. We don't drink human blood but animals instead, specifically deers."
Grand Duke Arthur sighed heavily as he started explaining to him to clear out some misunderstanding.
"And also, you don't even look like a good meal to me. If you happen to be an animal, I would have ignored you and hunted others that could be a feast to fill my stomach." The Grand Duke added candidly.
His last assertion made Hans irk in irritation as he forcefully smiled while imagining beating the royal vampire to the pulp. It only lasted until Grand Duke Arthur decided to speak once more. Hans' complaining expression wondered what he wanted from him again.
"Let's stop this idly talk. What were you doing in our territory?"
Prince Nikolai and the rest remained inside the van as they waited for Grand Duke Arthur. However, the third prince seemed restless leaving the two behind. He tried entertaining himself but failed when his older brother noticed.
"What's wrong, Nikky?" Prince Alexander innocently asked.
"What do you mean, Big Brother?" Prince Nikolai asked back.
"You looked restless." Prince Alexander smiled yet with concern.
"How do yo-"
Before Prince Nikolai could even finish, the second prince pointed through his lips and spoke.
"You've been shifting your pinkies against each other while playing a game."
"And you keep losing which only happens when you're nervous or worried." Prince Alexander added.
Despite the second prince's carefree personality, he tends to notice and is very observant in a lot of things. So, he knew exactly the mannerism his family is displaying if they ever felt uneasy or something, especially when they're lying.
A delinquent smile curled up in Prince Alexander's lips, "Is it about this Hans or something?"
On that note, the emperor silently yet attentively listened to his son's conversation.
"Are you worried about Uncle? Or are you worried about Hans?" Prince William joined the discussion.
Prince Nikolai heaved a sigh and replied, "I was just wondering when are we going home, that's all."
Prince Alexander chuckled and pointed out his mannerism, "You know, you should really do something with your behavior when you lie."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"You usually sigh when you lie. And sometimes your sighs tend to change depending on how heavy that lie is." the second prince giggled at his remark.
Hans slightly snapped in surprise by the sudden interrogation of the Grand Duke. He sighed heavily and calmly replied.
"The female agent suddenly went missing so, I-"
"That's not what I meant. What I meant was, why did you cross the border twice?" Grand Duke Arthur held in his suspicion instead his protruding aura resurfaced.
"You even met my nephews twice. And that makes it thrice today," he added.
"I-… I needed to track some clues regarding the Forbidden Venom, Your Highness."
"You should have informed us ahead of time. Even though we, vampires, and the hunters including you, human, had a joint alliance then now with the lycans, tsk. It doesn't mean you can freely wander within our territory. Especially, when we are wary of the hunter's clan." the royal vampire explained.
Hans couldn't defend himself after what the Grand Duke told him, especially when he knew what he did was wrong. So, he sighed in defeat and gave him his word.
"I promise not to go to your territory unless it is necessary, Your Highness."
Grand Duke Arthur didn't know the reason but something is telling him that this human in front of him is lying. Still, he decided to ignore unnecessary feelings and trust Hans instead.
The Grand Duke began to wonder as he intensely stared at him which made Hans uncomfortable, 'Why is my nephew so attached to him? Is there something I should know?'
'Whatever. If it doesn't benefit me then it's expendable for me to meddle with it. He's just a human after all.' he thought again.
He removed his hands from the wall and placed it inside his pocket and demanded, "Escort me out."
Hans was dumbfounded by the change of attitude that he was about to blow because of anger. Fortunately, he managed to control himself and abide by what the Grand Duke told him to do while the royal vampire ahead of him.
Before they could even reach the parking lot the Grand Duke decided to converse with him again. "Stay away from that lycan."
"What right do you have to say that, Your Highness?" Hans asked.
"I am not saying this out of right. I am merely giving you a warning." He bluntly replied.
"Who I am associated with is none of your concern, Your Highness. And aren't you the same? A vampire like you is a threat to us hunters, so you're no different from them, Your Highness." Hans calmly rebated.
"You are not a hunter but a human."
"But I belong to the hunters."
"You're a stubborn one, aren't you?"
"I get that a lot, Your Highness."
Grand Duke Arthur didn't protest anymore which Hans was thankful for and they continued their way with complete awkwardness portraying in the air. When they finally reached the parking lot and the van opened revealing the royal vampires, Hans took a step back and bent forward.
"Have a safe trip, Your Highness."
"Bye-Bye, Hansy!" Prince Alexander casually bids his farewell.
And the rest followed with formality whereas Prince Nikolai did the same with worriedness in his face. But Hans just smiled at him to reassure him that everything was fine.
The moment the cars disappeared in his sight, he quickly marched his way to his office and closed it with a loud bang. When everything processed in his mind, his knees began to lump as he fell on the ground. He then curled up and hugged his knees with an emotion of frustration building up inside him.
He flickered his tongue and said to himself, "Not now."
A few minutes later, a call caused him to go back to his senses. As soon as he saw the caller's I.D, he answered without any second thoughts.
"What is it?"
"I found some clues about the Forbidden Venom." Ashley calmly informed him.
"And?"
"I found an abandoned lab and there were bottles with the venom in it. Failed ones."
"Good. Give me the address. I'll go there as soon as possible."
"And also-"
Ashley hesitated which Hans questioned to make her continue, "And also?"
"There are dead bodies. I am guessing that they're the failed experiments."
"Are they... humans, per se?" Hans hesitated to ask.
"Yes. However, there are vampires and lycans. And if what I'm guessing is right... we, hunters, are next." Ashley clenched her fist as she bit her lips to control her anger.
"What?" Hans's tone in disbelief.
...