Of course, Alia was well aware that even if this vampire remained seated, she and Edward wouldn't stand a chance against him unless Edward had spent these past years in seclusion, honing his skills to a remarkable level. The vampire before them, Duke Tulip II, was no ordinary foe. His aura, though subdued, exuded an oppressive power that made Alia's instincts scream with warning. She knew that they had to tread carefully.
"Don't try to deceive me, young man. But it doesn't matter now. Come over here, I'll teach you a few moves that will serve you for a lifetime, and then we'll leave together," the Duke's voice carried a mix of mockery and impatience, his eyes narrowing as if daring Edward to reject his offer.
"Do you really know how to escape from here, sir? Let's not rush into learning now. Once we're out together, I'll welcome you back to the vampire world, and then I'll learn from you," Edward replied cautiously. He hadn't noticed any peculiarities about Duke Tulip II, but something didn't sit right with him. Caution kept him from accepting the Duke's offer too readily.
"Hmph, you don't know what's good for you. If you don't want to learn, so be it. I do know how to get out of here, but why should I tell you?" The Duke's eyes flickered with a cruel glint as he leaned slightly forward in his chair. "Unless, of course, you bring that human woman to me, and let me enjoy a delicious meal. Then, perhaps, I might consider helping you."
Listening to the exchange, Alia's mind raced. She quickly put together the puzzle pieces. There had been countless opportunities for Duke Tulip II to stand since they entered the room, yet he hadn't moved once. His regal figure remained unnaturally anchored to the chair. She tugged on Edward's sleeve, pulling him gently backward, away from the Duke and closer to the door. "Edward, I've figured it out. He's trapped—more precisely, he's bound to that chair. Whoever sealed him here must have done so to restrict his movement. He hasn't stood once since we arrived, even though he had every chance to. We don't need to fear him, as long as we keep our distance."
Edward, though hesitant at first, allowed Alia to pull him along. Her touch, warm and familiar despite the years that had passed, stirred something within him. He glanced at her, surprised by her certainty.
"You're right. We should explore the palace. If we don't find any other leads, we can come back here to deal with him." His voice softened as he corrected her, "And by the way, my name is Edward."
Alia's heart skipped a beat. Hearing that name—Edward—after so long brought a flood of memories, some cherished, others painful. She had once loved him deeply, but so much had changed since those days. Now, as she stood beside him, it was clear that neither time nor distance had erased the complicated emotions she felt.
A sinister chuckle escaped from the Duke, interrupting her thoughts. "Kid, you're sharp. Yes, I've been imprisoned here by a trickster's hand. But the solution to my predicament is simple. If a vampire sits here in my place, I'll be free. I'm not asking you to do it—I wouldn't be so cruel. But bring the human girl to me, and I'll turn her into a vampire. She can sit here, and we'll all be free."
Edward's gaze shifted from the Duke to Alia. Her eyes were distant, distracted by his earlier revelation. Seeing her like this, so vulnerable yet strong, stirred emotions he hadn't felt in years. But it wasn't just those emotions that compelled him to refuse the Duke's offer.
"I don't trust you," Edward said, his voice firm. "And I won't sacrifice anyone for your freedom. We'll figure out another way out of here."
A flicker of rage passed over the Duke's face, his façade of calm cracking. "You're not worthy of being a vampire! To refuse your elder's plea for a mere human woman? Once I'm free, I'll teach you what it means to be part of this bloodline—and turn you into my thrall!"
Alia stepped back as Edward faced the enraged Duke. They had no time to waste. They needed to find another exit before the Duke's fury escalated further.
Edward was about to lead Alia deeper into the palace when something alarming happened. The Duke, still seated, glared at them with malevolent eyes. Without warning, he reached over with his right hand and ripped his left arm off in one swift, brutal motion. Blood gushed from the wound, but the Duke seemed unaffected, muttering incantations under his breath.
"What is he doing?" Alia asked, her voice tense as she saw the ritual unfold.
"It's the 'Severed Arm Blood Ritual'—a forbidden Tulip family technique," Edward replied with urgency. "It grants temporary power, even new abilities, but at a great cost. We need to leave. Now!"
But it was too late. The Duke's chanting ended, and his remaining arm began to elongate, grotesquely stretching toward them like a living whip. Before Edward could react, the monstrous limb struck him with incredible force, sending him flying across the room and crashing into a wall. Dazed, Edward slumped to the ground, struggling to regain his senses.
"I'll deal with you later," the Duke sneered, his attention shifting toward Alia. His grotesque arm lashed out again, this time wrapping around her neck like a constricting snake. "Now, let's see if you're as delicious as you look."
Alia gasped as the vice-like grip tightened around her throat. The Duke yanked her closer, his fangs bared, and prepared to sink them into her neck.
"NO!" Edward's voice broke through the haze of pain and disorientation. The sight before him transported him back to a night he had long tried to forget—back to the underground passage, when Alia had been taken from him once before. His heart surged with a mixture of fury and desperation.