Sunghoon looked around his new room. Their tiny "apartment" had 3 identical rooms,with a kitchen and what looked like an assortment of a living rooms.

When they had played Rock,Paper, Scissors earlier,Sunghoon had lost on purpose. He really liked the other's happy expression. Jake and Heeseung. The names of his new roommates. Children of very important people in the vampire elite.

Sunghoon had no idea how their coexistence would be,also because it wasn't just the three of them,there were others too. (Sunghoon decided to ignore,for his sanity,that the Imperial Prince was only a few steps away.)

He knew Sunoo quite well,the younger was energetic and loved making friends and being around others. Unlike him who was quieter and preferred to stay in calm places,enjoying the surrounding environment.

Jake seemed to have a similar personality,only less energetic and full of life. From the little he had seen,he got excited by the smallest things and was curious about everything. Truly a puppy.

Heeseung instead....he was calmer and more collected. He hadn't spoken much during their tour,but had preferred to observe the others and the things around him. He was quite observant. They were similar on this point.

Maybe it won't be as bad as he first thought. They just had to find a meeting point between them.

The room he got had a window with a view of the sky–the moon. It was the only one of the three to look out onto the forest,which he didn't know how since they were inside the walls of the school.

"Sunghoon,remember to be careful. I don't want some crazy fan to hurt you. Your powers...try not to use them too much,or at least try to be alone while using them...."

These were his father's words,before seeing him leave the family villa they had in the middle of the woods.

Sunghoon glanced toward the bed,where he had left his hat and mask. For the first few days it was fine,but he was bothered by the idea of being confined by objects,and chains,while everyone else got to know each other better. It wasn't fair.

Maybe once he got to know them well enough he could openly say who he was. That is,if they didn't figure it out first,after all only Sunoo knew who he was,and they all seemed pretty smart.

Until then,however,the mask and hat had to unfortunately do just fine.

The nearly full moon in the sky illuminated his room. Leaning on the bed,his back to the white wall and his head down,Sunghoon looked at his hands.

It's not long until the full moon....

He sincerely hoped that he could have enough time before the end of this lunar cycle. Maybe while they were touring the surrounding areas he could find an isolated,or distant,place where he could take shelter.

He had to have enough time.
He had to.

It was the only way to keep going,to pretend that he was like everyone else,that he wasn't abnormal.

The vampire pulled on the hood of his white hoodie on his blue hair,while resting his arms on his knees,curling up against the wall.

Tomorrow.

Soobin-ssi had said that he would take them on a tour of the city. Sunghoon was not from this part of the empire,his family resided in the country of Khogral,in the far north of the empire,close to the Acadia Region.

His father was originally from the lands of Fiorë,where the capital is located but after meeting his mother they moved to live there. Since his work had flourished there,he had decided not to move back to Vampirya anymore.

All this environment,with so many new faces,was still pretty new to him. The vampires of the northern lands were colder than those of the central empire.

There is no sense of unity between them,and it is already a lot if they tolerate each other. Tensions are always high given the confinement with the werewolves....

Luckily for him,all the private schools he attended were short-lived. He preferred to spend his time on the ice rink,in the biting cold of his jumps.

Ice skating was better anyway.

He felt free when he skated,a part of him was proud to be able to demonstrate his skills,while the other was reveled in the familiar cold of home.

He had wasted hours,effort,and blood trying to get through and win every competition he entered. But it was rewarding.

I wonder if there's an ice rink here...

He really hoped there was one. It was not a sport practiced in the southern part of the empire (nightball was the favorite among all) but he hoped he could at least find something.

There was a liberation when he ice skated and let go,his thoughts disappeared and his body became light.

Maybe tomorrow during our visit...

He had no idea what awaited him tomorrow,especially with the group that they had gathered,but he fervently hoped that nothing would go wrong.

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

Jungwon woke up with a bad feeling.

Maybe it was the first time he slept in a bed that wasn't his,without the reminder that his twin was in the next room.

It was so...strange being away from her.

He and Wonyoung had shared everything since they were little. They often argued and got angry,but despite that they were always terribly close.

"It's a twins thing,it's like you're half of each other. As long as you are together,none of you will be alone."

His grandmother had told him a few years ago,when Jungwon had come into her room with tears in his eyes,after arguing with his sister.

And now we had to learn to live without his half,away from his home and their father.

So much for having a spectacular power....

So,when he woke up with a strange (bad,definitely bad) feeling,he decided not to think about it too much,blaming it on the homesickness.

He decided to continue with his morning Daily Routine.

Since he was a child he was an early riser,but in the last few months he had started getting up even before sunrise to train. After all,once he had finished his education he would accompany his father in his military career.

Coming out of his room,dressed in comfortable clothes with his sword girded at his waist,the son of the army chief went to the small kitchen space they had to prepare a small healthy breakfast.

The boy was not at all good at cooking,but at least he hoped he could manage to make himself some sandwiches or just find only some biscuits and milk.

As he passed through the corridors his gaze fell on the door of the only other room present.

Jungwon still couldn't believe he was sleeping just a few steps away from the Viscount's son. Jay was quite well known among the vampire elite,he was a very talented and wise guy.

They hadn't spoken to each other much....

He frowned at this thought.

The only ones he had actually talked to were Sunoo and Jake,he still didn't know the others. Blame it on his shyness,but he hoped they could get along.

What surprised him,however,was when he crossed the threshold of the kitchen and found Jay at the stove with a table already full of food. His presence must have been known to him because she turned to smile at him.

"Good morning. You are a bit of an early bird,huh?"
He said to him as he fiddled with the pans.

Is that an omelette?-

"Hm–yeah. What are you doing up?"
Jungwon asked,following the silver-haired vampire's fluid movements with his eyes.

He is used to cooking....

"I was waiting for you."
Jay simply said,but his brain was already in short circuit.

EH?!

What does that even mean?!

"Why?"
He asked confused,tilting his head,trying to understand his motivation.

"Remember yesterday when Sunoo-ssi bombarded you with questions? I think he also asked you if you were an early riser or a sleepyhead,and you said you woke up before dawn to train."
He explained,turning off the stove with his hand and placing the food on the plates.

"I–yeah?"
Jungwon replied, looking more confused than before.

I thought he wasn't even listening to us,he and Jake were deep in their conversation. He's really attentive.....

"I also get up quite early in the morning,and I thought I'd prepare you a substantial breakfast since you'll be spending the next few hours using that sword."
He said,pointing to the table with various dishes on it including fresh fruits,warm bread,a small toast and the omlette with orange juice.

The realization took him longer than expected.

Did he do all this for me? Even if he doesn't know me at all?

But apparently Jay had figured out what he was thinking because the words that came out of his mouth surprised him.

"I know we don't really talked or know each other,but since we'll sleep in the same dorm it's only right to try to get to know each other and try to stay on each other's good side. Only if you want of course,no pressure."

Oh.

Jay wanted to get to know him better. That was a really nice thought.

"I....it would be nice. I'm not really a talker though. I really appreciate this–the meal I mean. You didn't need too,really,but...thank you"
Jungwon he felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

He hadn't expected a gesture like that from any of the new guys,and yet here Jay was,making him breakfast,because yesterday he had overheard that he gets up early.

"You don't need to thank me,I like cooking. My mother taught me as a child and it has become one of my favorite hobbies. And don't worry,I quite like listeners,they are...cute."
Jay replied,smiling at him before inviting him to the table to eat.

Jungwon sat down at his direction,slowly eating the food that had been prepared,fully enjoying its flavors.

Apparently there must have been a pleased expression on his face because in the comfortable silence into which they had fallen,the other smiled at him.

"Do you like them? I thought they might have burnt a bit in the rush,but–"

"NO! It's really delicious! I haven't eaten something so good in a while. Everything is perfect!"
Jungwon was quick to stop him,not wanting him to doubt his excellent cooking skills.

I hope he continue to make breakfast,his food is really amazing.

Jay looked at him for a couple of seconds,taken by his answer,before chuckling.

"And if you tell me that so enthusiastically it must be true then."
He told him,before taking a bite of his food.

Who would have ever imagined that a high-ranking nobleman could cook so well...

They spent the rest of breakfast in silence,with a few words exchanged here and there. And despite his shyness and embarrassment,Jungwon tried to interact as best he could.

His heart was warmed by this event for the rest of the morning,completely forgetting the bad feeling he had woken up with.

A serious mistake that he would pay for shortly thereafter.

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

Riki looked around in the big living room among the various books on display.

Some of them were quite old and mainly concerned topics on politics or history of the empire,there were also some grimoires and odd dictionaries in between.

The prince was bored.

Soobin-ssi had told them that in the late morning he would come to collect them to visit the city,but it was still a long way off.

Stupid insomnia and stupid shadows that don't let me rest.

He couldn't even spend more time with his guard because after they had having settled their things Key had left.

"This place is pretty small. Hyung,what do you think?"
Riki said as he looked out over what would be his new home for the rest of the year.

"Your highness what did I tell you on the trip?"
His guard asked as he put away the last of the bags.

"That I shouldn't complain about the reduction in space because I won't have the same comfortable life as I have in the palace?"
The prince asked,fiddling with his hands.

"Exactly. The Academy is big,but it will never be as big as the Imperial Palace. You will not have the same comforts or rules that you have in your own home. You have to learn to live under the roof of others,I'm sure it will serve you as a lesson for when you will reign."

".....Right"
Riki avoided focusing on his words,he didn't feel like having a growth crisis. He wasn't an adult yet,that crown would have to wait a good few years

"These were the last things."
Key said as he rubbed his hands and uniform pants.

"So...you really have to go?"
Riki asked lowering his gaze to the floor,already feeling sad about having to part with his favorite hyung.

"...Riki,listen to me."

Uh?
He almost never uses my name when he talks to me....

He look up a little,finding his guard in front of me.

"I know you are sad,I am too. This will be the first time in years that I won't be with you. I know it can be a little daunting at first,but remember your parents' words: whatever happens,even if we are far away,we will rush to you."

Key knelt before him,a warm smile on her face and shiny eyes.

Wait–is he crying?!

"Hyung–"
"There will be difficult moments when you feel alone,you against the world,others when you will be happy,others when you will be sad and many more. But never think that you are really alone. I have seen you grow into what you are now: a young,talented,brave and intelligent vampire. I know you will be able to handle anything this academy throws at you."
At the end of his speech,unexpectedly,Key hugged him.

The guards had a rule regarding restricted contact with the royals,they could not get closer than 3 meters,except to protect them.

Key,even though he was his personal guard and had more freedom than the others,stuck to that rule.

This is the first time he hug me....

Riki reciprocated,not realizing that he was crying.

"Riki promise me,that you will be safe even without me,ok? And remember what the headmaster told you. Don't be reckless like always."
Key told him taking him by the shoulders.

"I–ok,I understand. I'll try to not force anything and to stay safe. You don't need to worry anymore about me while I'm here....."
The prince replied, his eyes shining with tears.

"I always worry about you,you know that your highnesses."

Thinking back to their last conversation,he felt like crying again.

The prince didn't want to admit it,but he already missed everyone in the palace: his Key hyung,his servants,his teachers and his parents. Not even a whole day had passed and he already wanted to go home.

This year was going to be harder than expected if he was already feeling this down before he even started school.

Footsteps from above made him look up,and one of the boys with whom he shared this house came down the stairs.

Medium white hair,lean build and green eyes. He was comfortable dress with a sword draped around his waist.

His name was Jungwon right? Key hyung had told him about him during the trip.

"Good morning your imperial highness."
Jungwon bowed and Riki quickly acknowledged it with a wave of his hand.

"Good morning to you too. Why are you up so early?"
Riki asked,taking another look at the clock to make sure that yes,it was 6:00 in the morning.

"I usually start my training exercises at this time,I practice swordsmanship during the early morning hours. If it's no offense,may I ask why you're awake at this hour?"
The boy asked,rising from his bow but still remaining professional.

"Oh,it's nothing,don't worry. I just woke up earlier than usual,it doesn't happen to me very often."
That's a lie. Most of his nights were sleepless,but Jungwon didn't need to know that.

"If you say so your imperial highness...It was a delight to talk with you,but I fear my training is waiting for me."
The prince cringed in the inside,hating the overly formal way the boy was speaking to him.

Unfortunately there was nothing he could do about it,it was the way future royal knights were trained and raised.

Still,it would be nice if he wasn't so formal though...he's older than me too. It should be the other way around.

"Yes of course,I don't want to make you wait. You can go,stay safe and don't overload yourself too much."
And after the last goodbyes Jungwon walked out of the door of their dorm,under the prince's eyes.

And I'm alone again. Yey.

"Why is everything so boring here..."
Riki complained.

There was nothing to do,he couldn't converse with anyone because they were all asleep and he didn't even feel like reading the big boring books in the room.

The royal lay down on the couch,his face pressed to the ground with a pout on his face.

"They could at least put in some fantasy or thriller,It never hurts to read something adventurous"
He muttered under his breath.

Thump.

The prince looked up,hearing a dull sound. It sounded like something had fallen from upstairs.

"Shit–"

He snorted at this exclamation. Judging by the tone of the voice,it must have been the Duchess's son.

They shared the same living area but hadn't talked much. Riki had been surprised,however,by how many servants he had brought with him yesterday...

"So this is our dorm uhm? It's nice,but a little small."
Sunoo's happy voice filled the empty space of personality before them.

Riki remained near the door,observing the surrounding area,Key positioned against the wall next to him.

"I can relate to that...."
He said,agreeing with the blond.

"Anyway,it's time to put away my luggages,so....voilà!"
With a snap of his fingers,20 servants appeared with 20 suitcases each.

Riki slowly backed away from the door as the cold rolled over him,Key followed him and closed the door for him.

They both looked at each other in silence,before the older put a hand on his shoulder.

"Good luck with your new roommate your highness. Hope I'll see you when this school year is over. Try to survive for me,please."

Just remembering yesterday made him feel his soul rising from his body again.

Despite this,he still got up from the couch to go and check that everything was okay and that the other vampire wasn't hurt. He made his way up the stairs,not at all expecting the situation before him.

In front of him,Sunoo was trying to fix a shelf that was bent in half downwards,with several books fallen to the floor.

Well...this is a first.

"Oh–I..what about this? Nope,this doesn't work. Well–"
He was pretty panicking for it to be just a shelf.

Riki looked at him not impressed.

"Uhm–you need help?"
He offered,not expecting in the least the reaction he received.

"AHH! A MONSTER!"
Sunoo threw one of the few books left on the shelf at him,with eyes closed,hitting him squarely on the forehead.

What the hell?!

"Hey! It's me,you idiot!"
Riki hissed in pain,stroking the red part of his forehead.

"Eh?–oh shit! Your highness! I'm sorry,I thought there was an intruder. I didn't mean to,please forgive me."
The blond said,approaching him and shaking the sleeve of his loose shirt,his eyes watering.

Riki looked away,feeling his cheeks redden a little.

He's cute.

"It's fine,don't worry...do you need help with that?"
He said,pointing at the now half-broken shelf.

"C-can you help me? Please? I accidentally broke it...."
The blond begged him,placing his hands in a prayer way.

"Of course."
Riki smiled at him,patting his hair.

He moved his fingers a little and the shadows of the objects detached themselves from their owners to respond to his commands.

They enveloped the shelf in their darkness,taking the various fallen books on the floor,and raising the half-broken part back to how it had been before.

In a matter of seconds,the dark protective cocoon lifted into the air and the shadows returned to their objects. The shelf was as new as ever.

"Here you go."
Riki said,fighting the slight headache the shadows were giving him.

"Wow...Thank you! You're power is really cool your highness!"
Sunoo complimented him and Riki gave him another shy smile.

"Thank you..."
He said softly receiving a toothy smile from Sunoo.

Riki didn't have many positive expectations for this year,especially after his speech the day before with the Academy Headmaster's,but maybe,Kim Sunoo could have been one of those.