The atmosphere in the room became tense. Ryuga was surprised. He should be overcome by fear. But he remained calm even with the serious change of tone that aimed at him.
"I do not understand why his majesty would be keeping me in his sights. I am just a lowly commoner after all."
"Don't pretend to be foolish. I know everything you've been doing since I had you come to my castle. Your research. Your little talk with the alchemist. Your growing interest in my daughter. Do you have anything to say about that."
"I would like to apologise if in any way my actions seemed disrespectful to your highness." Ryuga averted his gaze by looking down.
"We will talk about this some other time. An urgent matter just came up. Leave."
"Yes, your highness."
Ryuga left the garden and headed to his room. He layed on the bed without turning on the lights. A mocking smirk appeared on his face. He was realising what the emperor's history lesson was about.
Since he called it a summary, it had two meanings. The first meaning was as he said, a summary of long past history.
The second. If Ryuga had any intentions of living a happy life. He should stay away from Irla. If he insisted on being stubborn like the human king, he will loose a lot of things.
Ryuga couldn't help but laugh. If the emperor kept so much attention on things, how come he was going to let his own daughter die. It was frustrating, angering and saddening. But no matter how much he thought about it, there was nothing he could do about it.
"Damn it all. I hate being weak." Ryuga gets up and left the room to go for a walk.
He walked behind the hall used for gatherings when he sensed Irla 's ohra coming from the large tree. Walking to it, he found Irla lying down on the grass with her eyes closed.
Seeing her so relaxed somehow calmed his racing mind. He just stood there admiring her without making any noticeable sounds. "She really is beautiful. To me she will forever be the moon. Beautiful and shining brighter than most. But always far and out of reach." Just as he was about to leave, Irla spoke up.
"If you can't really touch that moon, I will bring it to you." She opened her eyes and they sparkled red. She sat up and pats the spot by her side.
Ryuga sat down quietly. Together they gazed at the moon shining brightly in the sky.
"Don't you want to more about me?" Irla took the innovative of a conversation.
"I would like to, but I think that would be too nosy. I am not one to meddle in others business and life."
"I just want to talk. I usually talk to my maid who grew up with me. But she is busy now. You can just listen instead."
"I'll listen if it is interesting then." Irla rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I thought you were going to confess. Do you mind not doing that, your father already is on my case." Ryuga teased her.
"You shouldn't have come here then. I would do this with someone, but she's busy preparing for the festival happening in two days."
Ryuga just sighed.
"What do you think of me?" Irla asked.
"What do I think of you? I don't really know. To me you're another noble."
"I meant being a vampire misfit. I'm sure you've noticed that I'm half human half vampire. Unlike my father who is a pure blooded vampire. on top of that, I have no vampire abilities at all."
"I didn't know that. But at least you know what you are. I don't even know what my blood lineage is." Ryuga spoke holding her hand. "But all that matters is what you want to do. So, what is it you wish to accomplish with your life?"
"Nothing too grand. I just wish to live, to be able to love someone of my choosing. But, I will probably have more wishes when I'm free."
"Then can I promise to give you that freedom? I'll definitely be able to drag it to you even if I have to die."
Irla released a little laughter.
Their seemingly pointless conversation went on for hours until closer to midnight. They went back to their rooms and slept the night in bliss.
…
[The Next Day]
Knock! Knock!…. Knock! Knock!
A loud knock on Ryuga 's door woke him up in the morning. He pulled the blankets up and covered himself.
The ignorance did him no good as the knocking became even louder. He hissed and groaned in annoyance. Just as he made up his mind to get up his door sprung open. Allura and Ryukka come in pulling Ash by the ears. They walked in and stood by the bed and shook him.
"What what what what what!!…" Ryuga shouted.
" Don't you what me. I mean seriously brother? You can't be serious." Allura chewed at him in a tone filled with surprise.
"Ash..!?" Ryuga looked at him in a question tone, tilting his head a little.
"I'm sorry but I had not choice. You left me without an explanation and disappeared for an entire day. Allura wanted your help and I had to tell her what I was thinking then Ryukka overheard us —" Ash went on monologing but Ryukka shut him him up by covering his mouth.
"It's probably best you keep your mouth shut before I really pay full attendance to you." A burning look flashed in Ryukka 's eyes. Ash gulped down and nodded.
"Allura my little sister, why don't you let go of Ash? We can talk about whatever you want." Ryuga sat up and raised his hands. "Ryukka. My dear." He turned his gaze to both of them and coaxed them with a smile.
"Now, do you mind if we talked during breakfast? I still need to get dressed anyway. Go ahead and set the table while you're at it." Ryuga added prompting them to notice he was still in bed.
…
…
…
[On The Balcony- The Breakfast Table]
The atmosphere and tension around the table is heavy. The food is placed and it is set well. But no one is eating.
Ryuga reaches his hand to the bowl of salad but catches Allura's piercing look. He gulped hard and sat back. Just then Irla came in with her food trolley with a cheerful and normal face.
All eyes turned to her. A pair with happiness, almost as if seeing a hero- Ryuga. A pair with jealousy- Ryukka. A pair with suspicion - Ash. And lastly, an expectant look- Allura - almost as if this was the moment she was waiting for.
"Your highness. Please, join us. Why don't you sit here?" Allura shows her to the seat between her and Ryuga. Irla, sensed the attention her way and the heaviness in the atmosphere. She walked to the chair and sat down quietly and slowly.
She realised that no one spoke so she poured a glass of juice and without realising took Ryuga 's glass and poured him some as well. She picked up he glass but noticed everyone looking at her and Ryuga looking far away.
"Is something wrong?" She asked taking a sip.
"Nothing much. Just that….. you seem to be my brother's wife overnight. Even serving him alone when you found us here as well." Allura gave her an answer nonchalantly.
Irla almost choked on the drink and coughed it up. Ryuga gave her the napkin and looked away before any comments are made.
"What do you mean?" Irla asked getting back to her senses. Her face turning shades of red.
"How was the secret date yesterday? Did you have fun? Lots of it? In all forms?" Allura asked. Nitpicking for every possible clarification of the question God only knew.
"Fine!" Ryuga bursted. "We went on a date. We had fun. We got to know each other very well in the evening as well. I think that sums up everything." Everyone at the table had their mouths gaping. Their eyes in pure surprise.
Realising what his outburst was mistaken as, Ryuga sighed and took the bowls and served himself. He had his meal in pure silence with everyone looking at him.
He finished eating and wiped his mouth and left the table.
He went to compensate for the training he skipped yesterday by training in the chamber all by himself all day. Practicing all spells he knew and how to use the resemblance even more efficiently. But most of all, he needed to make his body adapt to the power that was constantly growing with him. Least he got killed by it.
…
…
[The Imperial Library]
The alchemist is sat in the desk with a book oozing purple energy in her hand.
Ash entered the room and stood before her. "I am willing to learn more. As soon as possible. Please teach me."
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