The villa was once again busy with all the healers and doctors tending the injured. Unfortunately, Gilbert had it worst among all of them. Prince Nikolai, followed by his brothers, quickly went down to see the wounded soldiers and the Marcos Brothers. As soon as they saw how badly they got, the three brothers were petrified by the scene.
Prince Alexander clenched his fist as he pursed his lips of how mad he is to himself. Prince William quickly noticed this but reassured him that everything is not over yet.
"Where did it go wrong? Was I mistaken once again?"-Alex
"No. None of it was a mistake. We just didn't realize how strong he was."-William
"Nikky, do you still feel him around?"-William added.
Prince Nikolai shook his head and looked down like he was disappointed in himself. The first prince then comforted him, however, he knew that Nikky is not only disappointed but conflicted about something else. Empress Jasmine learnt some medicine despite not having any healing ability. But with her puppeteer ability, she can use it to stitch some wounds.
Some of the healer assisted her, before she started stitching the healer applied first a healing spell on the strings then she began operating. It is definitely unlikely for a woman with high status to do such things. Not even most noble women in their empire do so. However, the empress is a woman with principle but selflessness.
She never let any ranking of hierarchy or anything get in her way in reaching out to help her subjects. As she started doing her job, the injured soldier glowed while crunching his temple because of the pain. Some nurses aided the empress whereas they wiped her sweat from time to time.
After her first successful operation, she began to work on the next one. The door opened wide then Count Wanes arrived at the scene. The vampires felt lucky because he was on a break from the research and investigation regarding the Forbidden Venom's victims.
He immediately asked everyone to back off, which everyone heeded. He began casting a healing enchantment. The hall full of injured vampires all slowly began to heal. They often claimed him to be a Saint because of how high his ability is. However, he never considered himself one. He is more proud to prove himself a doctor rather than a mere healer.
As soon as he was done, he hurriedly greeted the imperial family while speaking some few words to reassure them. They chatted a little longer until Count Wanes excused himself since he still needed to get his things ready for another visit to the hunter's lab.
Emperor Charles permitted him so he quickly turned to leave but before he could even stop out of the hall, Grand Duke Arthur arrived looking gaunt and queasy. He still decided to enter, not minding those eyes looking at him. The royal family were so worried about him that the three princes ran to approach him. However, they were ignored when they asked him what happened to him.
Emperor Charles didn't like how he acted just now but he still patiently asked him the same question.
"Where have you been, Brother?"
"..."
"We were worried sick about you. You suddenly disappeared out of nowhere. Did you catch the fox man?"-He asked again.
"…"
"Are you going to ignore me as well, Brother?
"I got ambushed. When is father coming to visit us?"-Arthur
"About a month from now. Why are you asking that now?"
"... Nothing. Just asking."
Grand Duke Arthur immediately left the hall full of anger plastered in his face and went to his chamber. His brother knew something was off with how he avoided his questions to the point of lying to him. Empress Jasmine was clearly disappointed that she couldn't but gave a long sigh because of the edge-like situation they are in.
The Adonis siblings watched their uncle leave the place with anxiety and confusion but prince Nikolai seemed to be the most bothered among the three of them. When everything was settled, the royal family rested in their chamber until supper came with a heavy atmosphere around them. Even during supper, everyone ate in silence while Grand Duke Arthur refused to have dinner and stayed in his chamber ever since.
As soon as the emperor finished his meal, he excused himself and left to go back to his study room. All that was left were empress Jasmine together with her children with an awkward atmosphere. Luckily, she was able to lift up the spirit when she started a conversation regarding their studies and training. But, that doesn't seem to work on prince Nikolai himself.
He has been out of the blue this whole time. His family realized this and began to call his attention. Yet, he just kept looking at his food while separating them by variety. Finally, Prince William managed to snap him back to reality.
"Nikky?!"
"H-huh? Yes?"
"You've been playing with your food this whole time. Is there something wrong?"
"Ah- no- I was just-"
"Hey, Nikky! Are you perhaps disappointed that the plan didn't go well? Did I somehow make a mistake?"- Alexander
"N-No! Big brother, I was just worried about uncle, that's all! I would never be disappointed of you. I myself thought that the plan would work well. I-I just don't... A-anyways, that's not it. Okay?"
"I'm just kidding. You're just so out of it."
Although, Prince Alexander may look like he was actually joking or just his cheerful personality, but everyone knows deep inside how disappointed and mad he is to himself. Everyone knew that he is the most affected by this situation yet he remained playful to hide his negative emotions.
He may not look like it but he is the most sensitive among all of them. He is aware that if he somehow shows anything negative, it would affect the entire people inside this villa. Fortunately, empress Jasmine managed to change the topic which caught their attention.
"Prince Nikolai, why don't you go and talk to your uncle?"
"Pardon me?"
"Go talk to your uncle since you're worried about him. It will also be good for him because you're the one who is closest to him among all of us."
"Uhhh... What about us? Where worried about him too, you know?"-Alexander
"Alex, it's not good to interru-"-William
"Come with me, brothers."-Nikolai
"Yes? S-sure?"- William
"Yes!"-Alexander
As soon as they were done, the three princes jogged their way to the Grand Duke's chamber. When they finally arrived, all the courage they mustered suddenly disappeared like bubbles. They gulped in unison then prince William ordered the guard to inform their uncle about their presence.
Fortunately, Grand Duke Arthur permitted them to come in. They went inside to peek but were surprised to see their uncle sitting on his chair looking miserable as he leaned his hand on top of his head. He then gazed at his nephews who were fidgeting of not knowing what to do.
Prince William took the initiative to ask his uncle while hiding his nervousness.
"Uncle, is there something wrong?"
However, Grand Duke Arthur didn't respond to his question but instead, he stood up and approached his nephews with a serious look on his face. They jolted because it was the first time they saw him having that expression. He asked them in a serious manner.
"Were you able to identify the identity of that fox man, Nikolai?"
"H-huh?"
"I'm asking you. How long have you been aware of the identity of that fox man?"
"U-uncle! What are you saying?! Are you accusing Nikky?!"- Alexander
"Uncle, you know what you did is a form of disrespect to the imperial family, right?"- William
"Big brother, it's fine. Uncle, I didn't realize it at first but now I think I have a hunch. Shall I tell you?"- Nikolai
"No, you may leave now."
Prince William and Prince Alexander were curious about it. They looked at their youngest brother with eyes full of suspicion. But still, they decided that it was time for them to leave, seeing how tired their uncle was. Before they could leave, the Grand Duke spoke once more.
"Nephews… I'm sorry about earlier. I'm just on the edge, right now."
"…"
"May I ask you to keep our conversation a secret for now?"
"Even to mother and father?"
"Even to your mother and father."- Arthur
"And also, may I borrow your mother's journal, Nikky?"
"Okay. But, promise us you will tell us what is going on, okay?"- Nikolai
"I promise."
The moment the three siblings left, two figures appeared on his balcony. He watched them getting closer to him. He stood up then went near the fireplace. On top of it was a covered curtain, it has been so long since he attempted to see that portrait behind that cloth. When he finally mustered up his courage, he opened it widely which revealed a beautiful picture of three families gathering together and asked.
"Remember this?"
...