Byron left with such a hurry as if he had skipped the curfew limit and staying any longer would mean displaying more of the ugly and vulnerable side that he wished to hide from the world.

No one can see him this broken, it is just not right. This isn't him. He needs an escape and the fresh air will help him relieve his uneasy set of mind. 

"That'll be all, I need to be left alone."

Byron stepped out of his coach and dismissed the guards to leave him alone so he could have a walk through the place he frequented. He turned around and watched the guards leave with a confused look but he didn't mind it. It was a much needed break. 

When he was convinced that he was all alone, he used his supernatural speed to run past the palace gardens and stand before a tall wooden gate covered with grape vines. The old gate was attached to a grey stone wall running around surrounding the area and had glass shards layered on top.

He pushed it open and took a brief look around to make sure there was no one around. Byron saw the large tree similar to a banyan's form with trunk as dark as midnight and leaves a shade of bright blue. Small tufts of white blossoms with bluish splash of color in the center sprouted out from the tree branches signifying the onset of spring. The place was filled with a magical aroma but somehow it didn't seem to lift his melancholic mood.

He took heavy long strides and sat under the tree to glance up at the big white moon.

"Wish I had never met her in the first place," He spoke to himself and a small swirl of wind arose around him, ruffling his luscious light golden hair.

His heart ached at the sight of her and wherever he went, he saw her. His heart was unable to come to the terms that she was long gone and crossed out from his story. She wasn't meant to be with him but then again why did he wish to be close to her? What was so different about her? She was no royal, no carrier of a supernatural power or any special descendant.

Then why, why was it so difficult to not think of her for just once.

A blue butterfly fluttered from afar, trying to approach him but the the swirl of wind swatted the poor little insect away. He scoffed and closed his eyes when the rush of breeze turned harsh. The branches of the blue blossom tree moved vigorously and the leaves rustled against each other. A tiny flower filled with sweet aroma dropped down at his feet. He sensed the twist in climate and whispered softly, "Stop."

The rising tornado of wind around the tree stopped at once and the air stilled around him. He opened his eyes and picked up the little flower between his fingers. 

He remembered how Princess Coralynn had mentioned she loved the blue blossom, bringing a smile to his face and making him lose track of her memories for once. He stood up, straightened his jacket and made a run to the palace.

Upon reaching the palace, he made his way to his bed chambers and called the guards at once. There beside his bed hung the large portrait of a beautiful maiden dressed in a flowy blue gown and her dark hair strands waving in synchrony with the breeze. Her lips parted and eyes hooded with an unpredictable look as if she would come to life any moment.

"Take the portrait off, cover it and store it away in the attic," He commanded and the guards nodded.

"Why not send it back to her after removing your sign," Dominic, his personal guard and senior minister stepped from behind and suggested.

"And let that monster breathe fire at my face?" Byron objected.

"Why would he? If he doesn't know the name of the sender, you can always make up a story," Dominic raised an eyebrow.

As much as ridiculously smart the idea may sound to discard of the portrait to the right owner without having to destroy it, Byron knew better how that would still be a very wrong idea.

"His first suspicion would be none other than me," Byron swung his finger with a disinterested look.

"And?" Dominic shot an anticipated look.

"He would want to impale my head over the stake and act like an ill-tempered little dragon again."

"Fair enough, I might have missed some details here," Dominic frowned and thought maybe he had an encounter that he didn't know about and dwelling deeper would be useless. Moreover, he had wished to get the portrait out of the palace, burnt to ashes. 

Once the guards left, he shut the door behind them and proceeded to interrogate, "Your eyes... they are darker than usual and seem blood-shot, have you been drinking a lot lately?" 

Byron turned his face away and refused to answer.

"If you keep sulking like a wasted imbecile then you will even lose whatever is still left in your palm. She is gone, Byron! She didn't deserve you, she wasn't meant for you. I am sure someone better and someone who would actually care for you would come along to give you the love you need," Dominic reasoned by placing a reassuring hand over his shoulder but Byron swatted it away.

"I need no love. I am not sure if such thing really exists anymore. It's all a game, Dominic. A sick game where if you find someone opening their heart to you, you just snatch it, squeeze it to pulp and throw it away like it never happened," He picked up a vase and thrashed it against the marble floor breaking it into pieces.

"When you wake up with a hangover and step on it, the hop-dance of painful bloody feet and girly yelps would be interesting," Dominic folded his arms.

Byron turned around with an annoyed look as if silently asking if it really matters anymore.

"What? I am using my logic here instead of mourning over a lost cause," He tip-toed and skipped over the glass pieces like a professional ballet-dancer and stood before Byron with a grin.

"And I think you should too."

Byron glared at him for a second until he cooled off and shrugged, "I am considering to accept Jonathan's proposal of his daughter's hand in marriage and would be pleased if the ceremonies commence by the end of this week."

"It's too early. Shouldn't you give them some time?" Dominic asked drumming his chin with his fingers.

"Time to Jonathan? The bastard who tried to back-stab me? No," Byron paused and plopped over the sofa next to him.

"The fact that I am even approving of this wedding is the biggest kindness I am willing to show. Why not just leave the time management to him?"

"Very well then, at least this will take your mind off. Who knows she might be the one," Dominic winked and took a step back. 

He halted when he heard a soft crush of broken glass under his boot and looked down uneasily.

"Well, it seems you need to be more cautious than me," Byron grinned at him but Dominic just turned his back and raised an arm.

"Whatever, Frosty," Dominic teased.

"I think I remember very well reminding you a hundred times not to ever call me by that name," Byron growled.

"You can remind me a hundred more, Byron." Dominic smiled amusingly annoying him even more.

"Come on, it's just a term of endearment, my dear," Dominic turned and shoved his hands down his pocket. He continued walking towards the door carefully without turning behind.

"You'll make your wife grow jealous by being so 'sweet' to me," Byron rolled his eyes.

"Oh, don't worry, she curses us enough already," Dominic pulled the door but paused for a second and said, "Good night, pumpkin pie."

Byron simply ignored his fancy minister and finally heard him leave. 

He kicked his boots off and picked the candle stand on the table to blow the flames off. Byron then threw his head back and shut his eyes to let the darkness consume him.

______________________________________________________________________

Venue : The Midnight Castle, Vamparia.

________________________________

"What caused you to submerge so deep in thoughts?" Rose stood up from the bed-side and walked closer to her husband who stood alone at the balcony staring at nothing in particular.

He flinched and turned back with a blank look, "Nothing important. News is that Jonathan who once allied against kingdom of Skrines now wishes to marry his daughter off to stir friendly relations back again."

"Princess Coralynn?" Rose asked innocently.

"Yes," Henry brushed a strand of hair off her face.

"How did you know this?" She asked seeing him shrug.

"I have my ways," He responded.

"I think she is a sweet young lady. She would be perfect for Byron, don't you think?" She brightly smiled up at him.

Henry who wasn't very pleased by hearing his name from her tongue raised an eyebrow but decided to let the thought slide.

"However, there was something different about that girl."

"What do you mean?" Rose blinked.

"Something stunk of grievance from her aura. Something very off-putting," He narrowed his eyes.

"Maybe you are over-thinking this. Who knows she might be exhausted or stressed due to the big news?" Rose suggested and Henry mentally scoffed at his wife's naïvity but decided it would be best not to discuss any of this anymore. The last thing he wanted was to discuss about Byron and his fiancee with Rose.

"Perhaps, you are right," He smirked and within a heartbeat, he scooped her off the ground into his arms.

Rose gasped and wrapped her arms around him, "You surprised me!"

"I love watching the expression on your face, it's adorable," Henry said making her blush.

He delicately placed her on the bed and crawled close until he was hovering atop her.

"Now, where did I leave this morning?"

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