Her eyes sparkled while speaking of her grandfather which contrasted her cold demeanor yet that made it more attractive.
" Hmm.. Hendrik was a different person from the start. Unlike his father Madaruk, he was more interested in nature and beautiful things.
His Curious nature had got him into trouble many times." for Azriel no matter how old a memory was he could still recall everything vividly and even remember the texture of someone's hand and the smell of the flower that was sent to his chambers everyday by Selene.
He remembered the small kid who sometimes followed Madaruk to meet Azriel where others would dread him. He was full of energy and gentle by nature. Ophelia could see that Azriel was very fond of his grandfather seeing his eyes.
Her grandfather had always bragged to her before how he had met the Progenitor and how he told her wgen people had feared him just because he was too powerful.
" Grandfather would have come back from his coffin if he knew that My Lord was here." though she tried to joke it out, her sad voice was difficult to miss.
Maybe she was closer to her grandfather than even her parents. After his death was there no one she could rely on ?
" Where are your parents?" he couldn't help but ask. She frowned at the mention of her parents. Maybe it had do with some unpleasant memories. But surely whatever it was it wasn't a good thing.
" They're not my parents! They are just some greedy fools who have sold their loyalty. They deserve the worst death."
Azriel wasn't surprised much, Loyalty is something that follows power not a person. True loyal subjects was a blessing that not everyone could have.
Ophelia was surprised at how much emotions she was showing and how easily she was telling him everything ' Is he using Mind control? No, it's because the intimacy my bloodline is feeling with him.
Just like a child wanting to be pampered? It feels so weird but still good. '
When she saw him giving her an amusing look, she realized that even though her mind was not influenced but her thoughts were not hard to see for him and it made her embarrassed.
" My bad, I couldn't help it. It has become a habit for me to see other people's thoughts." she was surprised to see how easily he apologized for this. Reading other vampire's thought was indeed considered rude and even the higher ranking vampires couldn't mind read the weaker ones without their permission.
This was the rule made by Azriel himself, but she didn't expect him to follow it too. ' He's really like what grandfather told me and that fake King only made sure to ruin his image and even the mention of his name had become a crime in his rule.'
" So I guess Sullivan still rules ?" that was the name of one of the three Grand dukes who led the other two to backstab him while he was surrounded by five Eternals of the supreme races. It's not like that he never considered this, but he never took those three as a threat for himself.
" That bastard is enjoying his nice sleep and passed the rule to his son, Gerald." she didn't have an inch of respect for them. They would always be traitors in her eyes no matter how sweet they spoke and the same with her parents.
" Oh, Gerald De'Mart. These people from Oblivion's outcasts had always been an eyesore. Same with the
Devil's Mark and Nether Shadows. Ambition is really a scary thing I guess." his voice emotionless as if speaking about dead people made even Ophelia numb.
She could sense that even though he wasn't angry at them as they were not worthy but his killing intent was manifesting slowly which stifled the air making it hard for her to breath.
Luckily for her, he dispersed it when he saw the door opening as Scarlet and Venus entered .
Though they didn't feel the intent, they could see the tension present and when they saw Ophelia breathing hard they glared at Azriel to which he could smile wryly as it was not intentional.
" Don't be rude, you two!! " but instead they were the ones being scolded by their Lord. ' Is he threatening My Lord? How dare he! ' they ofcourse didn't know the story and could only make assumptions. Their hate for this guy was increasing and almost reached the same mark as Albert and Ysabelle.
Azriel didn't even need to read their minds to know that he was being hated by almost everyone in this mansion. ' It's really a new experience. Even though before also I was hated by many but no one dared to show it to my face.' but he was enjoying this new feeling.
Taking the raw emotions of the people around him rather than filtered and disguised ones.
" Arrange the things and leave immediately. " Ophelia didn't want these two to offend Azriel. She didn't think she was close enough to him which would make him think twice before killing them. Ofcourse her worries were unnecessary.
Azriel looked at Venus " You go and ask Albert and Ysabelle to join us and then you two can join too." his gentle words made the two think if they have made a mistake in judging him.
Still she looked her Lord confirmation. Ophelia felt that Azriel was being too kind to them even though he didn't need to be. " Do as he says and remember from today his words are like my own.
You need to address him properly as Lord, call me just madame from now and tell the same to Albert." Venus and even Scarlet were finding it hard to believe what they've just heard.
' Calling him My Lord and you madame?! Is this for real?! Did he threaten My Lord with her daughter??! ' the doubts they had disappeared and only pure hate remained in their eyes.
Ophelia was getting disappointed in her subordinates ' Why can't they take the hint!! ' little did she know her words had caused a big misunderstanding. If she knew she would have died of embarrassment.
Shortly after Albert and Ysabelle joined them and they all took a chair at the dining table. Albert and Ysabelle found it hard to believe what Venus had told them but when they saw Azriel seating on the main seat and Ophelia by his side their mouths were wide open.
" What are you doing, Mom ?! " Ysabelle was only one though who dared to question Ophelia like this.
But when she got a empty stare as a reply she didn't speak anymore " Ysabelle, you need to learn some manners.
It seems I have been too much lenient with you." her casual words made Ysabelle scared even more than of Azriel.
' Just because Lord is kind to us because of Great-grandfather doesn't mean he could be disrespected. It seems I need to have a nice 'talk' with the three later.'
Three people felt chills at the same time and when they looked at each other they realized that maybe they're doomed now.
Azriel was enjoying his streak with the premium blood which tasted a little bland but nonetheless he still drank it.
This exchange among the family members made him realize how much he had lost. He was someone who couldn't share a genuine bond with anyone because of his Strength.
Ophelia saw that Azriel was a little lost " Is the food not to your liking My Lord? Should I have them prepare something different? Is the Blood of poor quality? It's from a Pure-blood Rank-5 Elf, as I thought, something inferior like this is no good.
I'll get you blood from a virgin succubus next time." her worries for her Lord was mistaken as a worry of a loving wife for her husband.
' Blood from a Rank-5 Elf is low quality?! And what do you mean by Blood from a virgin Succubus?! That's a luxury for even an Earl class vampire! What did this guy feed you, mom!! '
If only Ysabelle knew Ophelia had actually sucked a drop of his blood, a drop of blood of their Progenitor!! Not even Grand dukes had the honor of drinking his blood directly.
Albert and the two elf vampires were equally shocked and had the same suspicions.
Azriel looked at the three ' Though I'm not a good judge for character but I can see that these three care about Ophelia and Ysabelle more than as servants. Even as half-blood, they have shown more of a vampire's nature than from whom I had expected.
He knew what he had to do but he wanted to wait a bit and see more so he could be sure.
Seeing Ophelia who had a natural cold air around her being so flustered about him reminded him of someone. ' I didn't cherish you back then, that's why I'm going to cherish everything in this new life you gave me. '
His smile dazzled others and made their heart beat faster. Even Albert felt that he wouldn't mind- ' Mind what?! ' thankfully Azriel finished eating and he came of his fantasy. ' Truly a disastrous beauty. '
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