After spending most of his time outside gathering information on the witches that were now used to hunt innocent Vampires, Kael finally returned home. This time he walked in through the gate, with hands casually dipped inside his pocket, he had a fulfilled smile on his lips that turned to a frown the moment he entered the castle.
"Hmm, something smells funny." he twitched his nose, his sun-kissed eyes lazily scanned the room as he sniffed the air. "Ballister," his voice was barely audible but, in a millisecond, the young boy appeared in front of his master sweating profusely.
Ballister's hands trembled as he squeezed them together. "M-master, welcome home." He gulped, his eyes darting left and right as he tried to avoid his master's gaze.
Kael nodded, a low hum escaping his lips. "Looks like you've been up to no good," he said pointing at the boy's sweaty forehead.
Ballister's face grew even sweatier as he rubbed his hand across it, making it worse. "It-it was hot, today." he stammered, knowing Kael could detect even the smallest lies.
"And we live in the mountains," Kael sucked his teeth, looking around the house, "Aside your lies, dear Ballie something else smells really funny."
Ballister felt his throat dry, he felt like he has been in a desert for days without a drop of water. Not knowing the smell his master was talking about, was it the soup he tried to cook, or the human girl that was supposed to be at the palace but was still in the castle. Finally, was it the wine gla-
"Bring a blood orange bliss to my room. I had meal while I was out. Just need something sweet." Kael interrupted, now making his way to his room but he paused when he didn't hear Ballister's feet moving.
"Ballie dear," Kael called the boy back to reality, "Why do I feel like you are not happy to see me."
Ballister shook his head, his knees shaking with fear. "N-not it, I just- can you not go to your room just for today..." his voice trialed, knowing he was asking the impossible, but he wanted to try.
Kael stood there quietly the look on his face was as if he was considering the option, "You know..." he started with a soft voice, "I wasn't going to but now I'm very much interested. If you're having fun, don't leave me behind even if I'm old, I still know how to have fun." he sucked his teeth before giving Ballister a wink now making his way to his room.
Ballister turned around helplessly, looking for help anywhere but it was just him and Kael in the house and now with the human girl who had come to cut his life short.
Running inside the kitchen, Ballister filled another wine glass with blood that had been mixed with orange. He knew Kael very well, most of the times the words he says carefreely are the most serious ones.
When he returned to Kael's room, the young boy found his master standing with his head tilted slightly to the side as he looked at something with deep interest. Following his master's eyes, Ballister eyes fell on the princess who was sleeping peacefully.
The human girl was curled on the sofa like a small ball wrapped in Kael's shirt, she slept peacefully like the world wasn't on fire because of her actions. Ballister sighed, he never knew one day ignorance would be a bliss he wished to enjoy. But. . . Ballister paused in his thoughts, if his master was looking at her calmly it means something right? the young boy asked himself mentally.
What if?
What if his master was charmed by the girl's innocence because the way she slept at the moment was heartwarming and pure. Ballister thought to himself, what if the redemption his master needed from his dark evil soul was the girl. That should explain the two times the girl got away with her unscathed. This was it, Ballister nodded.
The princess was Light, redemption. The hope of the mortals, now his master has been saved and he will fall in love with the human who would make him forgive easily. And that would help him not get punished. Ballister's face radiated joy as he envisioned Kael transforming into a good man, genuinely changing for the better. This could be the key to his master's salvation, sparing him from punishment. The thought filled Ballister with warmth and optimism.
"Balli dear,"
Feeling elated, Ballister responded with a smile, "Yes, master..." His eyes shone with happiness, lost in the hope of redemption. His master's salvation was finally here.
"I guess you're tired of living," Kael said casually, with a mischievous smile on his lips.
Ballister nodded with a bright smile, "Yes, Master. I know what you- what?" Ballister's smile faltered as his brain finally grasped the implications.
"What!?" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in terror.
"Are you?" Kael asked again, his expression relaxed, but his words laced with menace.
Ballister's fear returned, his hands trembling as he held the cup. "N-no, master," he stuttered.
Kael nodded, his gaze piercing. "Hm. Then I must be blind, for I recall giving an order before I left." Ballister shook his head, his voice barely audible. "No?" Kael asked, his tone dripping with skepticism
Ballister nodded, "I mean yes, it's...I wanted...I mean I couldn't"
Kael sighed, raising his hand to stop the boy from speaking any further. "You wanted to, or you couldn't. It has come to my understanding that a tiny human is stronger than you. Ballister, let me ask you, do you see yourself fit to serve me?"
"Yes Master! Just that-"
"It's okay, you must have had your reasons. Let me have my drink." Kael raised his hand, his eyes not leaving the human who was curled on the sofa wearing his shirt.
Ballister quickly served the drink to Kael but because his hands were trembling a part of it spilled on the ground before it could get to Kael but the vampire king didn't complain. He took the cup, raising it to his lips before he paused.
"Ballister, this is not my wine glass," this time Kael's eyes had darkened, looking at his servant with a glint of impatience in his eyes.
Ballister gulped, he knew the truth was going to come out in the end. "I-it's broken..." he whispered.
Kael grinned, placing the wine glass he was holding on a table. "Broken, reminds me of someone very handsome." closing his eyes for a moment before he opened it. "Let's get things in order, shall we?"
Before Ballister could say anything, he found himself hanging in the air with Kael's finger wrapping his neck.
"Your brain must have gone back to your stomach after spending years on earth, we should shake it back to where it belongs."
Kael turned Ballister upside down making his legs hang up with his head on the ground then he let go.
"Master, I'm sorry." Ballister apologized as he was starting to feeling very dizzy in the state he found himself in.
Kael nodded, making his way towards the human girl, he picked her up from the back with his hand on her collar shaking her up.
Jacquelyn was so deep in sleep that her head just moved to the side, causing her hair to cover her face.
"What in the ferret?" Kael raised his eyes in wonder, dragging the girl out of the room still holding her collar while her legs dangled in the air.
Ballister's heart sank as he watched his master drag the girl away, a sense of hopelessness washing over him. He knew it was the end. Despite his own impending punishment, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for the girl, who had surprisingly lasted longer than expected.
Kael halted at the balcony, his gaze outstretched as he began to hum a haunting melody. His hand extended, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought. Then, with a swift motion, he released the girl, letting her fall into the darkness below.