Alia looked at Edward with a mixture of shock and complexity, emotions she hadn't expected to surface. She had harbored suspicions that Howard was, in fact, Edward in disguise. Yet, seeing him standing in front of her now, matured and more handsome than she remembered, stirred a maelstrom of feelings she struggled to contain. Her heart raced as her mind spun. Despite her prior inklings, the sight of Edward caused an overwhelming rush of conflicting emotions—hatred and an emotion she was reluctant to admit even to herself.
The years had changed him; the boy she once knew had become a man. His sharp jawline and piercing eyes spoke of his experiences, of battles fought and hardships endured. But what truly took her by surprise were the words he spoke, words that threatened to unravel the web of history she thought she knew. Edward claimed to have a connection to her mother, a revelation that left her speechless.
Her mother? A link between Edward and the woman who had shaped her life, the one whose death had haunted Alia for so long? This was a piece of history Edward had never revealed before. Her chest tightened as she considered the implications. Could he be saying this merely to protect her? Had Edward recognized her true identity and was now scrambling to keep her safe from the prying eyes of others? Or was there a deeper secret lying beneath the surface, one that Edward had kept hidden all these years?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.
"Is this human woman your kin, or is she merely your prey?" a man inquired, his words cutting through the tension in the air.
Edward responded swiftly, his tone measured and composed. "Vampires no longer feed on human blood," he explained. "A great vampire once invented a spell that allows us to enhance our abilities without human blood. Thanks to this, we have avoided many conflicts with humans."
The man scoffed in response. "Great? You call that great? Cowardly is more like it! Fear of humans has led to this pathetic excuse for a spell. When I am free, I will see to it that this spell is abolished and the glory of our vampire clan is restored."
His words stung, but they also stirred a sense of pride within Alia. Her mother had always told her about her father—the enigmatic man she had rarely seen but whose reputation preceded him. He was the one responsible for creating the spell that allowed vampires to survive without human blood, an invention that had changed the course of history. Thanks to him, vampires no longer had to skulk in the shadows or feed on humans, and for a time, peace had reigned.
Although the deep-seated animosity between vampires and humans could never be fully erased, they had managed to coexist in relative harmony. Each stayed within their own borders, and over time, the vampire clan had flourished, growing stronger and more prosperous than ever before. This was the legacy her father had left behind—a legacy Alia was quietly proud of, though she rarely spoke of it.
Edward's brow furrowed slightly as he studied the man before them. "I haven't heard your name yet, but you speak as though you are familiar with my family and the royal line. You must be someone of great importance."
The man laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Of course. I am Duke Tulip II."
At those words, both Alia and Edward froze, their eyes widening in shock. Duke Tulip II was a figure of legend, a name whispered in both vampire and human circles alike. Born over hundreds of years ago, he had masqueraded as a human merchant, trading slaves and amassing incredible wealth. He had not only supplied the vampire world with sustenance but had also risen to great prominence within vampire society, second only to the royal family.
But it was his son, the very man now standing before them, who had taken their family's ruthless legacy even further. Duke Tulip II had gone beyond mere commerce. He had incited wars, pitting human nations against each other in order to increase the supply of slaves. His methods had crossed lines the vampire world had never dared to before. The result was a catastrophic war that nearly wiped out the vampire race.
Though their unique abilities allowed them to fight back, the sheer number of human soldiers, bolstered by talented individuals from all walks of life, had been too much for the vampires to handle. The conflict had pushed vampire forces to the brink of annihilation. Eventually, Duke Tulip II and his father had been cast out, denounced by vampire society. No one had heard from them since.
Alia's heart pounded in her chest. This was the man responsible for so much destruction, the man who had single-handedly caused vampires and humans to wage war against one another. And now, he stood before them, a figure from a dark chapter in history that both Alia and Edward wished had remained buried.
Edward's expression was one of carefully controlled tension. "So, you're Duke Tulip II," he said. "I've heard much about you. My father often spoke of your… contributions to our race." He gestured subtly behind his back, signaling to Alia.
Understanding his message, Alia's mind raced. Edward was telling her to stay alert, to observe Duke Tulip II carefully and determine whether they could escape or if this dangerous vampire posed an immediate threat.
She had already been doing just that. Duke Tulip II hadn't moved from his position, not even once. At first, she thought it was arrogance that kept him seated, unwilling to stand before them. But as time passed, she realized something was off. If this truly was the infamous Duke Tulip II, why had he not lunged at her the moment he realized she was human? Vampires of his ilk were notorious for their bloodlust, especially toward humans, yet he hadn't made a single move.
Not because he didn't want to—but because he couldn't.
Alia's sharp mind pieced the puzzle together. Duke Tulip II, as powerful and fearsome as he was, appeared weakened. Something was preventing him from acting, something that kept him tethered in place. Was it age? A curse? Or perhaps a lingering effect from the war he had started centuries ago?