Chapter 1:Lord Reginald
Albert slowly tailed Monisha, he felt hot and suffocated by her aura. She was definitely angry. Marcus walked at a faster pace than both of them. He seemed as if he was about to sprint away from Monisha's presence.
He finally stopped in front of a strange looking door that was as high as the manor's wall. He knocked thrice on the door and opened it.
"The Lady Moralé has arrived" he announced before stepping in. Monisha walked in right after while Albert stood by the door and bowed.
"Lord Nathaniel Reginald" she bowed deeply to the man who stood by the window. He wore a black russet that matched his pitch black hair and blood red eyes. His eyes were sharp yet warm and filled with care and kindness.
The room was quite spacious with odd candle stands hung at the ends of each wall. The walls were painted in black with rosey patterns of gold scattered round. At the center of the black ceiling was a golden chandelier that was brightly lit. There was a study table at the North part of the room and a set of furnitures at the center of the room.
"Lady Moralé Monisha" he bowed deeply as well.
Monisha smiled slightly as she stood straight. Lord Reginald was a significant figure in the high court, he held a great position in the continent that has maintained peace for the past century.
"Please come sit" he stretched his hand towards the set of black furnitures at the center of the room. Monisha bowed and walked towards the chairs before taking a seat on the wider cushion.
Her eyes trailed round the room, if she could remember vividly it's been almost a century she last set foot in here. "I see things hardly change here" she commented.
"I love the setting, it was all Rita's ideas and look at how nice the manor looks" Monisha stared at the large portrait that occupied one-third of the North wall of the room. A beautiful blonde woman was painted in it. She wore a white gown that was threaded with black laces at the neckline and sleeves. Her hair spread round her shoulders and curled down her sides. She had pale red eyes that eludes peace.
"Hmm, you don't say" Monisha sighed and watched Marcus walk towards them holding an odd looking bottle filled with blood and two glass cups. He placed the items on the gold center table and began to pour in liquid for both of them.
"So..." She turned to him with a questioning look. "You summoned"
"Yes I did" Marcus served both of them and left the room. Butlers were never allowed to listen to the conversations of head vampires and members of the inner court.
Monisha stared at her glass and narrowed her eyes gently. "It's just as you predicted through your letters" he started calmly. "The inner court wants to nominate a ruler from my bloodline"
A smile creeped up her face. "Vampires and humans are no different from each other" she stated gleefully.
"But if I may ask?" She turned to face Reginald "how were you able to predict the next step of the court?" Monisha arched her brow confused.
"Am I the only person who could see the handwriting written on the wall?" She asked coldly. Reginald made an oblivious look that explained a lot to Monisha.
"It baffles me that you're older than me " she shook her head disappointed. "Anyway do you have anyone in mind that would take the throne "
Reginald shook his head slowly and sipped his wine. "I haven't told my sons though "
"And keep it that way" she retorted after. "We need a fresh blood, strong, reliable, reasonable and manipulative"
"Why manipulative?" Reginald could understand all other attributes but one. Monisha smiled darkly and hummed.
"Is Mortricia pleased with this?" She asked instead.
"No, not really " Reginald had dark sores underneath his eyes which eluded death and sorrow. "Just like you predicted " he added.
Monisha sighed heavily and relaxed on the cushion. Her hair spread round the chair and her gown covered a great portion of the cushion. Reginald watched her with calculative eyes. "Well then, for now we'll just have to find an heir "
She immediately sat up and heaved. "For Mortricia, I'll deal with her"
"Assassinating my mother won't be a ride in the park" Reginald confessed. "I have sent so many vampires to her manor but none returned. Thanks to my spell I haven't been discovered yet "
"Uncle" Monisha hummed in melody. "I said I'll take care of it, don't worry about it " she looked up to the portrait and smiled " I will avenge Rita so rest assured Mortricia is occupying the top spot on my death list "
Reginald smiled warmly, he wasn't the kind of vampire who enjoyed the taste of revenge but ever since Mortricia killed his beloved, an unusual feeling had creeped into his heart. A feeling that had him hungry for bloodshed. Bloodshed of no one other than his mother.
Monisha pulled out a letter from her jacket and handed it over to him. "How is she?" Her eyes were peachy red in color, she didn't look sinister and deadly anymore. She looked calm and kind.
"Hopefully she's still sane " Reginald confessed brightly. He always felt warm and at peace whenever he saw his niece's beautiful eyes.
Monisha nodded slowly and stood up. "Proceed to finding a potential heir " she stated before walking over to the door. "Have a good day Lord Reginald "
"Have a good day Lady Moralé " he stood up and bowed at her as she left the room. Reginald sighed heavily and turned to the portrait. "I'm sorry Rita just a little bit longer" he made his way to the portrait and gently pulled the frame. He opened the portrait like a door and a standing coffin slowly fed on the light in the room.
He gently opened the coffin and stared at the beautiful being who laid peacefully in it. Darkness swallowed the entire room, Reginald's eyes were pitch black and his hands were balled into fist. He walked closer to Rita's body and gently kissed her pale dead lips savouring her undying taste.
Flashback
"Don't you dare" Reginald daggered through his mother's spine. Mortricia was unfazed by the hand sticking out of her body. She was determined to end the woman who was under her mercy.
Mortricia growled loudly like a beast and raised her hand, aligning it like a spear and stabbing Rita's heart. Reginald roared in fear before separating Mortricia's upper body from her legs. He quickly caught Rita and held her in his arms.
Why did he have to leave? Why did he have to put the court above her? "Rita please don't do this to me" he wailed as he gently tapped her face to wake her up. "Rita I beg you, open your eyes. Look I came back early. Rita!!"
"Good that abomination is put to eternal sleep" Mortricia's body began to merge back, her blood coagulated and her organs stacked back together.
"What did you do to her?" Carla yelled from the door. Her hands covering little Monisha's eyes.
"She's no more than a vegetable now" Mortricia finally took form and glared at her pitiful looking son. "Neither dead, nor alive. Bound by my spell of the Sleep of the Dead"
Reginald breath in and out heavily. His hair waved in the air like fire and his eyes turned pitch black. "I'll kill you " he roared and darkness engulfed the room and beyond. Carla quickly shielded Monisha while Mortricia smiled like a devil.
Flashback ends.
"Very soon, I'll get you out of here" tears rolled down his eyes and stained Rita's face. "My love"
Chapter 2:Twist and Turn
Leif stood by an old fountain, it had vines and weeds growing around and on it. He stared at the wavy waters and fishes swimming in it. He was lost in his thoughts, his eyes were deadpan and furious. He couldn't believe what he witnessed a few days ago. The visual of a human being burnt and melted like honey traumatized his existence.
He couldn't digest what had happened till this very moment. It was ethereal and confusing. How can a demon be allowed to move freely after commiting such atrocity?
"This is wrong" he said to himself. He could see it, the darkness, the evil that hovered in the room. The intent of the girl who smiled in the chaos. "What in God's name is going on in this kingdom?" He yelled angrily.
"Stop growling like a hungry puppy" he turned to Magnus who was playing with some weeds. He then turned to their surrounding, it was a vast field of weeds and wild flowers with the castle standing tall and proud few miles in sight as the sun cast it shade on it.
"Didn't you pay attention to what I just I told you?" Leif walked up to Magnus angrily. "There something diabolical going on in the kingdom and..."
"It has something to do with the creepy looking teenager" Magnus hummed sarcastically as he cut him off. "Listen, I understand that things are looking odd at the moment but getting involved in the inner court is not advisable."
"Why are you so nonchalant and passive to the kingdom affairs?" Leif glared at Magnus angrily, his fist balled with white knuckles peeking through his skin. "Aren't you worried about the well-being of our home?"
"Doesn't that show I'm not interested?" Magnus picked up a wild flower and gently admired the bright blue petals that stood out in the gloomy environment, it's center hall light web like filaments that wiggled an swayed in the gentle breeze. "I'd like to live life for myself for a change."
Leif's raging eyes turned calm as he could understand where his brother was driving at. "Could you stop classifying yourself like some rag." He rolled his blue eyes and loosened his fist.
"Leif," Magnus calmly called out to his brother. His voice gently weak and low to hear but light and soothing in the wind. "Mother said I should do what I think is best for me." Leif stared at his brother sadly. "I want to live a life that wouldn't be wrapped around my childhood. I have no interest in the kingdom, not like they have any interest in me."
Magnus gently stood up and dusted his trousers, he turned to his brother and walked closer to him. Closing the gap between them, he gently pushed in the stem of the flower in his hand into Leif's golden hair. "I wish I could make you see how much of a human you are than you see yourself." Leif stared at his brother with pity in his eyes.
"You've already done that," he gently pat Leif's head and walked towards the direction of the castle. "My adorable younger brother."
Leif watched his brother's retreating figure. This is how it has always been, the never ending wall that Magnus built around himself. Ever since the death of their mother, he became more secluded and isolated. Almost as if he didn't exist, he clouded his pain with smiles and kind gestures.
"I wish you were here to comfort him." He looked up to the grey sky and sighed. "I feel like I'm losing touch with him with every passing day." Tears brimmed Leif's eyes.
"Hey!!" Magnus called out to him. "Come on, let's get going before they notice you aren't in the castle."
Leif smiled lightly and ran towards his brother. "I'm not a child you know that right?"
Cerdonia dinning hall.
In the large glowing cerdonia dinning hall, the royal family quietly enjoy their dinner. The sliver marble tiles that are the same shade with the neatly carved table and chairs. Rare gem stones are engraved in different parts of the patterns on the table. The same patterns as the beautiful chandelier which is brightly lit and is hung at the center of the ceiling in the room. The large thick black curtains are packed to both sides of each window in the room. Outside in the sky the beautiful full moon shines into the room.
"So Leif, I heard that you were outstanding in all of your elite test." Jasper who sat on the left hand side of the king which was opposite Leif started a conversation. He wore a magenta russet that could barely button up due to his protruding belly.
Leif smiled and nodded as he chewed gently. He was dressed in a dark blue russet that matched the color of his priceless eyes. His golden hair was neatly waxed to the back.
Sirius looked like a proud father who couldn't help but admire his son. He gently adjusted his silver sleeves that had precious stones decorated in them. His hair was styled in a half ponytail.
"Brother, you're so lucky to have such a brilliant child by your side." Jasper shook his head wisely.
Magnus who was a seat away from Leif quietly ate his meal. He wore a brown russet, a color that wouldn't make him stand out. He didn't even pay attention to the sounds of his surrounding. He was locked up in his own world, his brown eyes were dim and almost bland and dead.
"Brother?!" Magnus snapped out of his thoughts and turned to his brother who was gently tapping his shoulder.
"Yes!" He turned to Leif and then darted around the faces on the table. "Oh, did you ask a question?" Sirius glared at him intensely, while Jasper stared at him with disgust in his eyes. A gaze he was quite familiar with.
"A royal should always be attentive." Sirius said in a gruff and harsh tone. Magnus smiled warmly and nodded as he then turned to his meal and took a bite of his salad.
Leif sighed and turned to his father looking offended. He hated the way his father changed skin around his children. Parents are supposed to love their children equally with no fail.
"He was just lost in his thoughts father, we all do sometimes." Leif defended
"Is that the supposed future king of cerdonia?" Sirius retorted back to Leif, his eyes never leaving Magnus.
Magnus scoffed quietly and ate his meal. "Don't act like you would have me an heir when a perfect son sits beside you." He calmly said.
"Are you insane?" Jasper was one to raise his voice. "Don't you have manners?" He pointed at him angrily. "You rude, uncultured boy."
"I wouldn't point at someone who is much better than myself. Remember three fingers are pointing back to you." Magnus sent a deadly glare back to Jasper. The room fell silent and cold, breeze gently blew into the room and the moon shone a little bit brighter.
"I'm full," Magnus gently dropped his cutlery and stood up, bowing to his father. "Good night, Your Grace." After saying those words he left the room quickly.
Leif stared at the door sadly and turned to his meal. "You should really keep a distance from him. Evil communication corrupts good manners." A vein popped on Leif's side and his eyes sharply glared at his uncle.
"Don't cross the line uncle." He warned subtly.
"He isn't lying though." Sirius chipped in. He picked a piece of meat and stuffed in it his mouth. The room was once more quiet and tensed.
"Father!" Leif squeezed his cutlery and tried his best to control his anger. "Is Magnus your son?"
Sirius raised a brow while Jasper rolled his eyes. He hated that fact that Leif had a soft spot for his useless elder brother. Those were feelings that weren't needed in a ruler.
"Why would you ask that?" Sirius asked calmly, he didn't have the will to rage his anger on his beloved son. "If he wasn't my son wouldn't I provide him all he had ever asked for."
"Your words and actions don't align." Leif replied before sending a displeased look back to his father. "He is treated like a visitor than a son."
Sirius gently placed his cutlery on the table and turned to his son, gently placing his hand on his. "I care for Magnus, believe me I do but somethings are left unsaid."
"Like the demon who visited a few days ago." Leif abruptly said causing shocked expressions from his father and uncle. "Yeah, right." He gently stood from his seat and quietly bowed to them and left the room.
Sirius looked dumbfounded and unable to speak. He could only wonder how his son has found the hidden room in the castle. Monisha was a secret he has planned to introduce to him a bit later on.
Jasper had a mischievous smile, one that looked almost as if he had found a treasure. "Only the court knows about the hidden meeting room. How did he tail us while keeping his tracks hidden." He hummed brightly.
"I am as surprised as you are." Sirius has his eyes glued to the door Leif exited.
"Brother, truly you have an outstanding son." Jasper praised while stuffing his mouth with a chunk of meat.
Sirius POV.
I turned to Magnus's plate and stared at the barely touched meat and pieces of vegetables that were probably cut but not eaten. His meal looked like it was just served. A certain surge washed into my chest, a heavy weight that had been with me for years.
My true feelings towards Magnus had finally gotten Leif's attention. His disapproval and anger proves how much he loves his elder brother. Leif is just like his mother, Marisa would have acted up the exact way he did.
I don't have a valid reason for disliking my son. Infact I feel guilt whenever I set my eyes on him. He reminds me of the one woman who I wronged dearly. Her chocolate hair and graceful brown eyes, her beauty was serene and pure but I never once praised it. I made Magnus's mother a living corpse as she spent her life trying to please me. She abandoned her children for the sole purpose of receiving at the very least a drop of love from her husband.
I took away the motherly love he needed as a child. I made my hatred towards his mother so evident it left him with a scar. Magnus grew up knowing fully well that his father hated him, that his father only adored the child of the woman he loved.
He knows his father as the man who took all his sisters away from him. As the man who drove his mother to madness and finally death. He realized at a tender age that he was worth nothing to his father, that no matter what he did, he would eventually end up like his mother or worst. Why try to climb a fallen wall? Isn't that what you would say Magnus?
If only I could make myself regret choosing Marisa over his mother. If only I could regret falling in love with Marisa. But how, how was i supposed to regret falling in love with the sun? How was I supposed to regret basking in her ray of love? My Sun and Moon, My Marissa.
But at the very least I do have one regret. I wished I was a father to Magnus, just like Marisa, who was an irreplaceable mother to him. It's funny how I pictured myself as the broken one when Marissa died but in truth Magnus was the one who needed saving. I pushed him away completely, neglecting him, abandoning him, castigating him.
Why? Maybe it was because I could see my old self in him, I could see a boy who grew up knowing what true hate felt like. It hurts knowing I have finally lost my son, I can see it, the sadness that has become his newly found peace. His calm in solitude and desolation, Magnus has become a shadow of himself. To think I swore once, that I'd never be a cruel man who ruins his children but at the latter end, I became him. I became the same man I despised for so many years.
I wish I could find real courage to ask Magnus for forgiveness, to tell him that I failed as a father. To tell him that I'm unworthy to be called father. But how, the distance between us is as far as the horizon.
"Brother?" I gently wiped off the tears that rolled down my eyes. I turned to Jasper and smiled reassuringly.
"Eat, don't let the food go to waste."