Three days before his arrival at the Crimson Castle, Carlos Decker was in a private meeting with Vivian. His demeanor was strained. "I feel like I don't have much time to live," he admitted, his voice rough. "It is really difficult to control this thing inside my body."
Vivian chuckled before placing a vial on the table. The liquid inside the vial looked identical to water. Decker picked up the vial to take a close look at the clear fluid.
"So, will this assist me in defeating Leonidas?"
Vivian gave Decker a light chuckle. "I modified and increased the Alpha Wolf Venom to the equivalent of an Alpha Lord Werewolf's venom. That will be more than enough to secure your victory."
"You have done a good job, Vivian. I don't plan to just kill him outright; I want to make him suffer. Then I will exterminate his whole family."
Vivian couldn't help but giggle at the thought of the great Leonidas suffering such a horrific fate. "What plan do you have in store, if I might ask?"
Decker took the vial and placed it carefully in his pocket. "I have a pet that needs feeding. Who better to be eaten alive than Leonidas? I would love to stay, Vivian, but I have to make some arrangements with some mercenaries."
Before Decker reached the door, Vivian called out a final instruction. "Listen, Decker. Pour the venom in his tea and wait thirty minutes. Snap your fingers and say 'Activate.'"
Decker smiled, a cold, predatory curve of his lips. "I will let you know when everything goes as planned."
====
[Present Day]
When Carlos Decker walked out of the carriage, he saw John and the maid Haven standing on one side waiting for their carriage to arrive. As he and John made eye contact, Decker smiled and gave the boy a light nod, concealing the monstrous power now fused with his soul. He then walked purposefully toward the castle door, where one of the butlers was already expecting his arrival.
The butler led Decker through the familiar halls and directly to Leonidas's meeting room. When Decker entered the room, he saw the family patriarch sitting at a large table, busy filling in paper forms.
Decker gave Leonidas a deep bow. "Greetings, My Lord, I have come with good news."
Leonidas put down his pen and looked at Carlos Decker. "Speak. When is the meeting?"
"In two days, My Lord," Decker said while still bowing to the ground.
"Good. What is the client's name and where does he stay? I can fly there and handle business quickly."
Carlos Decker suddenly became very nervous, and little sweat droplets began to appear on his face. "No, My Lord, the client specifically told me that he wants to be anonymous until the meeting. The client is very careful as he is very important and has very dangerous enemies. I suggest we take my carriage, My Lord, in order to not attract much attention. The client also gave My Lord a gift as a token of trust."
Carlos Decker then took out a beautiful wooden box from his storage bracelet and placed it in front of Leonidas.
"Oh," Leonidas replied before opening the wooden box. Inside the box was a dagger with three small holes in the middle.
"The dagger is called The Dancing Flame, perfect for fire users and is made from one of the best blacksmiths in the world. Please, My Lord, take a look."
Leonidas picked up the dagger and gave it a good look, his interest piqued by the supreme quality of the weapon. "Hmm, is this a supreme grade weapon?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"I like it. Tell your client I accept this gift and that we will see each other in two days. Now leave, I have a lot of work to do."
"Thank you, My Lord. I will take my leave then," Decker said, bowing one last time. He felt a wave of triumphant pleasure. "Everything is going just as planned," he thought.
====
When John and Haven, accompanied by the two Crimson Knights, arrived in town, the young vampire immediately directed them to a restaurant. They were led to their tables, the imposing presence of the armed knights ensuring immediate and respectful service.
John ordered different kinds of dishes that had chicken, beef, and pork. Haven watched, astonished, as the fourteen-year-old began to devour the food. Plate after plate was quickly emptied. "Why does the Young Master not drink blood instead?" she thought, the hybrid's massive, unusual appetite an anomaly in her vampire understanding.
John offered the dishes to Haven and the two knights, but they were not interested and politely declined, adhering to their vampire diets. John took no offense and resumed his hearty meal.
====
After John finished eating, they left the restaurant and headed to the magic shop. John wanted to buy magic stones, as he had used up his supply during his private training sessions.
When they entered the shop, an old man was already standing behind the counter. "What's up, old man Clarence," John greeted him, his demeanor casual and familiar.
Clarence returned the warmth with a cheerful smile. "Greetings, Young Master, long time no see. How may this old man be of use?"
John thought for a moment, ticking off the elements he needed. "I want a fire, water, lightning, and wind stone, please."
Old man Clarence then took out the available stones and placed them on the counter. "I am sorry, Young Master John, but we do not have any wind elemental stones at the moment."
John didn't mind. "It's fine, just give me the three elemental stones."
He paused, recalling his intense training. "Old man Clarence, do you by any chance have strength and speed potions?"
"Of course, Young Master," Clarence replied instantly, retrieving two vials of each potion.
John paid for his purchases. He quickly scanned the shop, but finding nothing else of interest, he left after bidding old man Clarence farewell.
====
Next, John directed the group to a jewelry store. The salesperson behind the counter was a young Asian lady.
The young lady began to feel nervous, instantly recognizing the importance of the young boy accompanied by two knights and a maid. She gave John a respectful bow. "Greetings, Young Master, how may this one be of service."
John was still not used to people bowing to him and scratched the back of his head, visibly uncomfortable. "Please stand up, you don't need to bow."
The young lady quickly stood up and introduced herself. "This one is called Viola. Please look around and let this one know if the Young Master is in need of any assistance." John then also introduced himself. "Oh, you can just call me John."
John looked at Haven, seeking her perspective. "What do you think is a good present to buy a girl, Haven?"
"This one does not know, Young Master," Haven replied softly, her eyes downcast. "This one always stays in the castle working and hardly goes outside."
John felt a pang of guilt and a little bad when he heard what Haven said, realizing how confined her life was. He then looked around, quickly abandoning his initial complex ideas for a gift. Since he didn't have any more ideas, he picked out a gold bracelet with a star charm and turned to Viola. "Do you think this is a good present for a girl?" he asked.
"This is an excellent present, Young Master," Viola assured him with a warm smile, knowing that simple, bright gifts often held the most charm.
John felt very happy buying this bracelet for Elena. He paid for it and tucked it safely away. After buying the present, John, Haven, and the two vampire knights walked around town for a few hours, enjoying the sights and sounds that were forbidden to Haven and rare for John, before finally coming back to the Crimson Castle.
====
That evening, Leonidas and his wife Anna were lying in bed together, bathed in the soft, dark light of their chamber. They kissed for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet intimacy before Leonidas brought up the matter of business, pulling himself back to his duties.
"Listen, honey, I am going to a meeting in two days with Decker," Leonidas said. "This is a good opportunity to make our family stronger. I want you to handle things here while I am gone."
Anna touched his face, her touch smooth and reassuring. "I think Zeno will be back in two days. Markus and his wives will also maybe be here by the time you leave. The castle will be well defended while you are away."
Leonidas then kissed her on the forehead, satisfied with her management. "Good."
Anna then became curious about the impending deal, her political instincts kicking in. "So, what is the client's name that will benefit our family?"
Leonidas did not immediately reply. "I do not know. He wants to be anonymous for the time being. He even gave me a supreme weapon as a token of trust."
Anna's brow furrowed, a flicker of genuine concern crossing her eyes. "Do you think it's a trap?"
He gave her a dismissive side look, his confidence bordering on arrogance. "Who would be foolish enough to ambush me? Decker is but just an insect beneath my feet, and I can crush him anytime I want. He is not a foolish man, only a desperate one."
Anna then grabbed his hand, her touch changing from reassuring to possessive, sensing an opportunity for John. "Then I want you to take John with you. I want him to spend some time with his grandfather."
"Absolutely not," Leonidas snapped instantly, recoiling. "I do not want to be near the boy."
"You spend most of your free time with your other grandchildren, but not John," she pressed, her voice insistent. "Leonidas, he is special, and he is training very hard. He is going on this trip with you whether you like it or not."
"No, he is not special, and he will not come with me; this is business, not pleasure, woman," he roared, his voice low and firm.
Anna's expression turned dangerously angry. Her hand shot out and she grabbed him with sudden, sharp precision, using leverage he dared not fight. "He will come with you, right, honey?" she asked, her voice dangerously sweet.
Leonidas looked into her eyes, where he saw a dangerous, unwavering glint. They stared at each other for ten agonizing seconds, the tension thick and undeniable.
"Fine," Leonidas conceded through gritted teeth, acknowledging his wife's powerful position. "The boy can come."
Anna grinned, a triumphant, satisfied smile spreading across her face, and proceeded to remove his pants. He looked at her, the annoyance melting away as his eyes began to turn a bright, desirous red.
====
On the roof of the Crimson Castle, John and Elena were sitting on their own respective chairs and staring at the sky, enjoying the rare, peaceful quiet of each other's company. The air was cool, and the vast expanse of the starry night stretched above them.
While they were looking up at the celestial glow, John remembered the purpose of his trip to town. He took out the small jewelry box. "Hey, um Elena, I bought you something."
Elena, who was still looking at the stars, turned to John. She was shocked at his words, a look of disbelief crossing her face. "No, Master John," she whispered immediately, attempting to refuse.
"Stop calling me master, we are friends, and this is what friends do. Here, take it." In all her one hundred and ten years working in the Crimson Castle, she had never received a gift like this from anyone, especially not a member of the main family. She looked at John, her eyes welling up, but she held the tears back. John smiled, his own excitement bubbling up. "Open it," he said.
Elena slowly opened the box and saw a beautiful gold bracelet with a star charm. She looked at John, and he stood up, gesturing to the sky. "Look, it also has star charms, just like how we are watching the stars right now, isn't it cool?"
Tears began to stream down her face, no longer contained. She felt every bit of warmth of the tears rolling down her cheeks, a release of emotion she hadn't allowed in decades.
John saw her crying and he began to panic instantly. "What is it? Why are you crying? Don't you like it? Must I take it back?"
"No, um John, this one very much likes the bracelet, thank you very much." Elena then got down on her knees and bowed deeply to John, a gesture of profound respect that transcended their friendship. He quickly held her up. "Please, Elena, you don't have to do that."
While they were standing, they looked at each other for a few seconds, the moment thick with unspoken feelings. "Come, let me put it on ya," John offered. Elena held out her hand, and John slowly, carefully, put the shining bracelet on her slender wrist. As John was putting it on, she couldn't help staring at him. "But I don't have a present for you," she murmured.
"It's fine, I don't need one," John replied.
As they stood there in silence, John felt an urge to say something important. "Listen, Elena…" Before John could finish his sentence, he felt something soft and sweet on his lips. He was completely shocked and surprised when Elena kissed him. He felt her cold, soft hands on his cheeks, and she, in turn, felt his warm, soft skin beneath her hands.
After a few seconds, they slowly separated from each other. Elena could not help but blush, her eyes wide, and she slowly whispered, "Good night."
John was speechless, his mind reeling. This was his first kiss from a girl. Elena then disappeared with a quick movement, leaving him standing there alone, looking up at the starry sky, feeling an intense happiness bloom on the inside. He touched his lips, still tingling, and thought about the sudden, surprising kiss.
He breathed a little bit of air out, the word escaping him softly: "Wow."