The twins smiled at Hans while they sat on their chairs facing him. Before they could begin their conversation, a waitress came to ask them for their orders. When the three men faced her, she blushed and was in awe of their beauty but she came to her senses after they gave her their orders. She immediately rushed to make their orders while feeling flustered when the twins smiled at her.
But what she wasn't aware of, is the moment she turned her back on them, cold stares were looking at her as if she's like any other ladies they had met. Nothing new. Not even a tinny-tiny bit interesting. The twins' gaze shifted to Hans when they noticed him staring at them blankly yet full of judgement.
"You guys really should stop doing that."- Hans
"Stop what?"- Maxx & Peter
"Those stares…"
"We ain't doing anything, though."- Maxx
"Yeah, right."- Hans
Before Peter could say anything, their food and drinks were served so they thanked the waitress. Soon the waitress left them to give them some space while noticing some cold eyes gazing at her. Peter took the chance to start a conversation while placing some sugar in his coffee.
"So, there's this place Maxx and I visited two days ago..."
"Ooh Yeah! I almost forgot about that. You know, Hans should visit this place too."- Maxx
"What do you mean?"- Hans
"The town near by Tavaloneia, there's a famous river there and hot spring as well."- Maxx
"Oh… My friends just visited there two days ago too."- Hans
"I see, but… You haven't been to Molloagiasmid, have you? We went there yesterday after Tavaloneia."- Peter
"And the town there is so beautiful. But, they always seem to be cautious of tourist."- Maxx
"Also, we somehow heard that kids there disappeared overnight. At first, it was only orphans who lived in the street. But now, even those who aren't one disappears too."- Peter
"Really?"- Hans
"And they only have one thing in common."- Maxx
"What is it?"- Hans
"The fact that they are all 8-19 of age."- Peter
The twins continued sharing their experience while Hans was conflicted with what he heard that he was unable to listen to the continuation of their story. Before he could see through all the reasons he had thought, he immediately stood up as he wiped something off of his lips with the table napkin. Maxx and Peter slightly jolted and stared at him before asking.
"Where are you going?"- Peter
"You haven't finished eating yet."- Maxx
"Ah! I'm sorry but I just recalled that I had something to do."- Hans
"Can't you just skip it for now?"- Maxx pleading
"I'm sorry but it's really important."- Hans
"I guess it can't be helped. But don't forget to rest. Really, we're worried about you overworking yourself all the time."- Peter
"I won't. Thanks for the time guys. See you next time."
Hans took his things and went his way out of the café whereas the twins watched him leave. Their smiling expressions as they waved him goodbye slowly turned cold. Peter stood and sat in the place where Hans was sitting a while ago. Maxx complimented him while he handed the coffee and Peter accepted it then began stirring it again.
"Nice acting skills back there."
"(Snicker) And so do you."- Peter
Maxx couldn't get rid of the smile on his face as he leaned on his dorsal palm while slightly playing his dessert. On the other hand, Peter gazes through the window as he watches the cars passing and people minding their own business. He slowly lifted his head up to mesmerize the darkness of the sky as the moon slowly disappeared from the sky which he couldn't help but smirk. The two continued enjoying their night in the café whereas the moonlight illuminates the side of their faces.
The vampire's den welcomed its morning with a chime of whispering birds. Grand Duke Arthur started his morning with some paper work instead of having breakfast due to so much work not just about their company but as well as the joint allied regarding the Forbidden Venom. Among all vampires, Grand Duke Arthur seemed to be the most sensitive and meticulous about this topic. For it must have been because of his loss for his Female Blood.
Now that he thought about it, he realized why among the reports given by the hunters, there were no Female Bloods involved but one of their Female Bloods died from it. He thought of the possible reason but shrugged it off since he thought that it was just a mere coincidence and that it must have been made by some mistake. That's why it happened that way.
When he was somehow sure that they're safe, he went on to his work while scanning the details that were sent to him. He used his ability to see the past holders of the document just to make sure that they didn't think of fabricating the report since he doesn't trust the hunters and lycans yet.
A few knocks disrupted the Grand Duke then he welcomed the one knocking inside his study room. He thought that it was Khalid but to his surprise it was his nephew who came in. He watched his nephew scurrying his way as if he wanted something from him.
"My nephew, what problems might you have to be scurrying like that?" He asked.
"Uhmm… When are you going to finish?"- Prince Nikolai
"Well, since it's still early. Then, later this evening?"
"Can't you go a little faster?"- Prince Nikolai
"Is it something so necessary to be in a hurry?"
"You need to train me fast."- Prince Nikolai
"Nikolai, you don't need to be in such a hurry. You're still young, take your time."
"No!"
Grand Duke Arthur was surprised by his nephew's stubbornness that he asked why he is so persistent in training. Although it was a good thing, somehow training too much can strain him. In spite of his teen-like image, he is still a very young prince. The third prince didn't say anything but instead stared at his uncle, not willing to back out. However, the Grand Duke didn't feel the need to give up just yet.
"So? When are you going to tell me?"- Grand Duke Arthur
"Because I want to get stronger to find Auntie."- Prince Nikolai
"(Sigh) I know what you're trying to do. But, why are you so eager for it?"
"Because Hans might know something about Auntie."
The third prince accidentally let his thoughts slip out from his lips. As soon as he realized it, he covered his lips in pure shock and horror. Grand Duke Arthur stood from his seat with a surprised face while his hands supported his body on the table.
"What do you mean?"
"I-I… uhhh…"
However, no words could escape from Prince Nikolai's lips because of how scared he is right now. The Grand Duke went near him as he knelt in front of him begging to tell him the truth. When the little prince finally decided to tell him the truth, his uncle couldn't utter a word while he explained to him everything he saw during their first meeting with Hans.
Three weeks after the shocking revelation he had just received from his nephew. Today is the day that he and Hans are in a collaboration to investigate the Forbidden Venom. Hans glimpsed at the vampire beside him full of confusion and curiosity. The Grand Duke noticed those glazing eyes that he couldn't help but ask.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Nothing, Your Grace."- Hans avoided his gaze
"I proposed this joint search so it would be easier and faster to find clues regarding the Forbidden Venom."
"How did you—?"
"Your expression says it all."
Hans didn't utter another word and just continued walking on their way to the director's office. The awkward silence felt like a void that the two wish to go in separate ways, however, the royal vampire wanted something from him making him unable to back out. Grand Duke Arthur managed to get an expression from him when the words he relayed escaped from his lips.
"I was actually hoping to find someone."
"Someone?"-Hans
"My Female Blood, Catina Epione Vaughan."
After mentioning the name of his fated bond, Grand Duke Arthur didn't need to ask anything from Hans. Given by his slightly startled expression, he knew that he knows something about his fated bond. Although he is so eager to let him spill the beans, he understood that rushing this human would only make things worse and obviously he had a gut feeling that he wouldn't willingly admit that he knows something.
An awkward silence strayed once more in such a beatified corridor. The two men kept on their tracks while Hans felt an urge of panic inside his conscience. But he chose to remain silent to protect himself and the clan. He needed to fulfill his promise to himself and even if it takes him to sacrifice something then so be it.
The instant they arrived in Dir. Melvis's office, Grand Duke Arthur didn't bother to knock and immediately went inside. What they didn't know is that the director had been waiting for them from the very beginning. As soon as Dir. Melvis saw the Grand Duke, he welcomed him and guided him to the sofa to discuss the location of their first mission together.
"It's quite nice to see you both together. What an odd combination."- Dir. Melvis
"Why don't you just tell us the location?"- Grand Duke Arthur
"Ah! Yes, I almost forgot. Here, that place will be your first mission together."-Dir. Melvis
When Hans saw what was written in the file, his eyes widened then looked at his master with disbelief. His master didn't say anything but just smiled at him then faced the Grand Duke. Before the royal vampire could ask anything he explained the details further.
"So, the city in Tasbilaonias in the Vermodias town had some weird things going on, according to some human's point of view. But, obviously, it's nothing short of what they believe as ghosts. I want you to find out what is really going on with that place."
"What are we? An exorcist? Who would serve such useless creatures when they're nothing but specks of dust?"- Grand Duke Arthur
"We all despise them. That's one thing we, three clans, have in common. Nevertheless, we still need to check. And hey! You might find what you've been searching for."- Dir. Melvis
"Uhm… I'm a human, just for the record?"- Hans raised his hand
"Oh~ Hansy, you're the only human I so much adore. You're an exemption to it."
Dir. Melvis squeezed his cheeks as he hugged him of how cute he was when he raised his hand. The Grand Duke may find Hans somewhat adorable but he shrugged it off for he realized how he could think of such a thing. Much worse to a man with not an ounce of cuteness because of his emotionlessness. He stood up and left the hunter's territory with Hans silently following behind his back.
A few vampires and hunters waited for the two while in division expressing their hatred towards each other. However, they had no choice when Grand Duke Arthur gave out his orders then they all abided the royal's commands. Hans was about to ride with the team but the Grand Duke interrupted him to make him ride with him. He didn't refuse in spite of hating himself for not even trying to refuse at all.
During the ride, Hans would take some chances to glance at him while in the driver's seat, Grand Duke Arthur doesn't seem to be bothered by it. As soon as they arrived at their destination, some of the people in town watched them with hostility.
The Grand Duke didn't bat an eye to any of them and approached an elderly man who was standing while gazing at his companion plucking the wheat. He gave him a stern look on his face then asked.
"Are you the liege lord of this town?"
...