Footsteps echoed through the forest, their hurried haste evident in their strides. Leaves flew up into the sky from the collision, leaving a trail of chaos in their trail, yet it wasn't that noticeable.
With heavy breathing, panging hearts, and narrowed eyes, they tried to escape, hand in hand, A vampire and their human lover, hiding their lies from the world, from them and from each other yet oblivious to all of it.
"Where are we going?" The woman asked in the hands of the vampire.
"Its not safe here, Eva," He managed to say with dilated breaths., "You need to go back to town!"
"Aren't you coming with me?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowing in concern as she stared at him though her eyes saw nothing but his blurry outline.
"I-I can't not yet," He sighed, stopping for a bit.
Footsteps other than their own were heard echoing through the forest, approaching ever so closely.
"Go on, go without me! Keep going straight and you'll find your way out!" He shouted, the woman nodded and headed straight her eyes watering, filled with confusion and sadness having to be separated from her husband once more.
"Fraus Vagabond," voice echoed through the forest as they came closer, no longer trying to hide thier steps.
Three vampires who all looked alike had slicked back white hair and red glowing eyes; their faces were slim and pale like any other vampire.
"The council wants to see you on the claims of rendezvousing with a human woman. If you come quietly, we will ease whatever punishment is brought upon you." The one in front of them all muttered, walking up to him.
"So? What will it be?"
Fraus thought about it for a while, his hesitation evident as he looked behind him subtly. Slowly, he nods, following them back to the castle.
'Eva,' He thought to himself as he followed them closely, his eyes to the floor in shame and dread for what's to come. 'Please, be alright.'
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"Why did you do it?" The demanding voice of his father took the forefront, sitting in front of him on the throne as he gazed down on his foolish offspring. "You know we've had a feud with humans for decades, yet you decided to betray us like this. Why?"
His eyes narrowed waiting for his response, the gaze of two other vampires staring down at him from their respective thrones, he felt trapped in their gazes the vampires that escorted him her standing far off into the sidelines, their own glares on him.
"Disgusting, utterly disgusting—this is the man who will take the throne from you? We're surely doomed." A lady muttered, her body chubby and her face even more so, a crimson gaze staring down at him, flowing brown hair cascading from her head.
"Lady Mirisa, please. I'm sure he has a good explanation for all of this." A slim man spoke up, his mustache covering his mouth and his eyes closed, hiding their colorful hue from the world. His comeover was shaky, not doing a good job at hiding the spots he desperately tried to.. "Well? Speak up, boy."
Fraus hesitated for just a minute, his eyes dancing between the three opposing figures in front of him. Two extra seats residing in the room empty. Their glass touch cold as if not being touched for years maybe eons.
"Father," He finally spoke, looking up to stare his dad in the eyes.
The man looked down at his son, his eyes narrowing as he sensed a bit of defiance in the voice of his offspring, tapping the glass of his throne repeatedly, waiting on the next few words to escape his son's mouth.
"I love her father! And I plan to be with her until the end, even if I have to die." He delcared, his words striking a nerve from the father.
"Don't be foolish, boy!" He shouted, hitting the arm rest of his chair, slightly cracking under the immense pressure. "You don't know what you're saying! Who's to say that woman even likes you?! Marrying her, nay, being with her will only bring chaos to the family! Don't be selfish!"
Fraus didn't say a word after that, his gaze unwavering against his fathers outburst.
"Do you forget?" His father muttered, his breath heaving from rage, tugging at his heart as it quickened in his chest. "The people that died, at the hands of those humans, your mother!? Your sister!? Are you willing to forget all that for this girl!"
"That girl, has done nothing to me, father," Fraus responded, his voice quick cut and serious.
"So you're going to give her a chance too?!"
"Calm down, your highness, there wont be any convincing him," The vampire with the mustache spoke up, his eyes opening slightly to glare at Fraus, yellow glints shining from their sockets.
"Claus is right, you're energy is better spent on other things."Lady Mirisa agreed, her gaze staring into Fraus's soul.
"You're right," He muttered, rubbing his templees to calm down, "Take him to his room,"
The vampires that guided him here from the forest escorted him out of the throne room, his gaze turning to look behind him to gaze at his father once more, his hands comforting the bulding veins on his head.
Fraus vision narrows soon looking infront of him once more, knowing that this family squabble is far from over.