"My father?!!" Ruby exclaimed in bewilderment. She can't believe the words this man just uttered. Surely he must be bluffing. It's impossible! How can he be her father? Her mother never mentioned anything about him regardless of how many times she begged for the truth. Altria would always refuse and say that she has work to do that's why she gave up on the topic. Now this man, this stranger from nowhere, comes up to her and tells her he's her father. How the hell is she supposed to feel about it?

Anyway, there's also the possibility of an ulterior motive behind his introduction. He might actually be evil or something, so he drew her away from her friends before kidnapping her or murdering her. The only way to find out if he's telling the truth is to see if he really knew her mother so might as well play a little game.

"What's mommy's favorite color?"

"Blue." Well, that's correct but it was pretty obvious due to her portraits and clothes.

"When is my birthday?"

"January 24." Gilgamesh replied confidently. Well her birthday is common knowledge but mostly among the Northern citizens.

"What is mom's favorite food?"

"Everything, since she's too busy with work to mind the taste even if it's bland. I told her to live with more pleasure but it seems that her definition of pleasure is work and protecting others. She does her best to do the right thing to give her people a good life at the cost of her own suffering. Her utopian ideals are utterly foolish and absurd but that's what makes me more drawn to her. Her stubbornness is what makes her more captivating."

"Wow, you're on spot. So, you really are my father aren't you?"

"I suppose that it's only natural for you to feel negatively and I don't have much proof to back it up since I only have this." Gilgamesh handed her a picture which she hesitantly took, afraid of what it might reveal to her.

She saw a woman in the photo, her mother, carrying a baby in her arms, probably her. Beside Altria stood a man, Gilgamesh, who was hugging her and kissing her cheek. The picture seems to be taken when she was still a newborn baby and she couldn't deny the look of love in her mother's features. She took a deep breath to process things before beginning to question the man.

"First of all, why were you never there while I was growing up? You could have paid me visits or did you do something wrong that's why mom banned you from seeing me?" Ruby interrogated, trying her best to stay calm.

"If I could, I would have lived with you and Altria to complete our family but I can't. You see, I'm a cursed man." Ruby was astounded by this. What curse could it be and what could he have done to deserve it?

"Does it have something to do with you being a dragon?"

"Being a dragon was my curse. I was just a man, a king a long long time ago and I was ambitious. I wanted to take over the world and possess all of its treasures and I did. I amassed a mountain of treasure and weaponry and conquered every realm there is but of course, no one wants that so long story short, the gods got angry, blasted me from the precipice of my glory, imprisoned me in my castle, and turned me into a dragon to selfishly guard my treasure for the rest of eternity."

"But why do you look like a human now if you're cursed to be a dragon?"

"My curse is weakest on the night of the blood moon so I can freely roam the earth for one night."

"Is that how you met mom?"

"Nope, it was actually a funny story about how we met. A different dragon wreaked havoc upon her land so she went out to track it, I think his name was Vortigern or something. The townspeople who lived near my castle told her that I might be the dragon she was looking for which is very offensive because I'm more handsome than that lowly reptile. Anyway, she entered my castle and then challenged me into a fight to make me pay for 'my crimes' so we fought for 3 days. It was so intense how we sought to end each other's lives and how we evaded death numerous times. Her sword Excalibur was something not to be messed with so we were really on par even if I'm a dragon. We were terribly exhausted after the battle, but we had intense sex. I think we fucked longer than we fought. It's funny how adrenaline can turn into an aphrodisiac when you're both hot."

"Whaaaat?! So slaying the dragon turned into laying with the dragon?"

"Pretty much, what brilliant wording. You really are my daughter, aren't you?"

"Hold on. Even with that, why didn't you at least try to reach out even once? Didn't you love mom? Didn't you love me?"

"Of course I love you! It's just that you and Altria are my greatest treasures and if the castle acknowledged that then you'll never be able to leave. I don't want that for you. I want you to be free to go where you want and be whatever you want. So I had to let you go. I can't leave anyway so what's the point but know that I would never abandon you." Gilgamesh encased her in his arms and rested his head on top of hers.

"You're my daughter. My only hope in this world. Of course, I love you."

"Okay, thanks, dad."

"Well, that sounds... Lovely. You know I expected you to be more hostile. Your mother was always the fierce type." Gilgamesh mumbled against her hair before pulling away with a hardened stare.

"But I didn't come here just to see you, I came because I needed to warn you. I only have a limited time to access this mirror dimension so listen carefully." Ruby only nodded in understanding before wiping her tears and putting on a brave face.

"Once this night passes, your enemies will be closer to you than ever. Be wary of the queen, she may not be who she claims to be. Always watch your back." She felt Gilgamesh kiss the top of her head before completely losing the feeling of his body against hers.

"You're my sweet little princess. Always remember that." were his last words before everything faded. Ruby was back again in the ballroom. Music flooded her ears as people danced all around her. She was utterly confused. Was all that just hallucinations? But, her father's warmth felt incredibly real. She can still faintly feel his arms around her in a loving and protective embrace. Her head was telling her that he might be bluffing but her heart is screaming that he's real. He is truly her father.

"Ruby!" she heard Bedivere exclaim before rushing to her side. "I was looking for you all over and you were just here. Thank the stars you're okay."

"Bedivere I told you that she's okay. She just went to the restroom to powder her face. Look at her she's a bit pale."

"Well, she is unnaturally pale. Perhaps there's something wrong with her. Are you feeling okay, Ruby?" Cecilion inquired as they noticed her flabbergasted appearance.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Let's go on with the night shall we?"

"There's a Gothic-themed ballroom on the west wing. Cecilion and I would like to see it. Do you want to come with us?" Carmilla offered as she read through a brochure.

"No, I'll look for Aurelius. You should go ahead and I'll meet with you later. Have fun." Ruby smiled gently as she grabbed her brochure.

"Alright. Have fun too, darling." The two shared a kiss on each other's cheeks before going their separate ways.

"Bedivere... There's something I want to ask you." Ruby started as they left the ballroom.

"What might it be, my lady?"

"Have you ever heard the name of Gilgamesh?" This seemed to astound the knight as Ruby can clearly see the obvious shock that darkened his face.

"He is a dragon your mother fought years ago. Why do you inquire?"

"Is he my father?" Her question seems to have shaken the knight to his very core. He had a look of frustration and grimace which he so desperately tried to hide.

"I--I shouldn't be the one to tell you that. It would be better if you sought out this matter with your mother. But I assure you that keeping it a secret from you was for your sake more than anything else." Ruby was hesitant to take his answer but it seems that even if she pushed him to the brink, Bedivere wouldn't tell her anything anyway so she chose to drop the subject and interrogate her mother at a later time. Hopefully, since she already knows her father's name and a bit of their background, Altria will begin spilling some information.

Ruby ventured deeper into the castle feeling like a little lost lamb in the middle of a foreign place. She knew exactly which paths lead to where because of the blueprints Aurelius had given her but being here still makes her feel lost in the crowd even if Bedivere is with her. She decided to venture somewhere a little peaceful instead of participating in the blaring party going all around her. Everyone was drunk and doing some indecent or inappropriate stuff so she decided to visit the garden party which sounds to be a bit more tamed compared to this.

True to what she expected, the garden party on the veranda was indeed nice and gentle. Glowing fireflies fluttered in the open air as if trying to depict the magnificent view of the stars and the nebula above them. Mellow music is being played by a band while the people dance slowly to the melody or simply admire the flowers and plants around them. Ruby took a flute of champagne being offered by a naiad and thanked her for her service.

She took a seat on a white stone bench and fished out hors d'oeuvres from a little plate she got from the buffet table. She watched the brightly colored fishes frolic about in the decorative little canals thinking of what she could do at this party. Meeting with her father certainly shooked her to the core but more so the words that he left before they parted.

What does he mean by her enemies becoming closer to her after this night passes? Is he warning her about an impending danger that's going to happen tonight? She just wishes that they had more time to chat so that she could have asked for the specifics. Seriously, why does no one tell her things plainly? Why do they always have to complicate everything by speaking in metaphors and mystery? Couldn't they just say "Hey, the queen probably hates you so she's most likely gonna kill you tonight so watch your back." Anyway, if by queen he means Rel's mother then it would be unlikely that she'll be the one after her so it might be Alice who is plotting something tonight. Knowing the Abyssal witch she would definitely take advantage of the situation to wreak havoc on everyone giving her motive and opportunity and if that's true then she needs to warn Rel before things go downhill.

Then again why should she trust the words of a man she just met. Altria had always lectured her about carefully picking who she can trust. But everything Gilgamesh said felt so true, every touch he made on her was so caring, he was so fatherly, and filled with longing. Additionally, the reaction Bedivere gave when she mentioned his name was enough of confirmation to prove that he knows him and that his words were true. And if the dragon was lying, then Bedivere would have denied his claims instantly instead of telling her to discuss it with her mother.

Why must everyone hide things from her? She's old enough to understand why they do what they do but why do they keep on keeping her in the dark as if she was some child that needs extra caring. She sighed despondently. She won't be getting anywhere if she only focuses on the negative. Right now there's nothing amiss so she should enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.  There are certainly plenty of activities for her to experience but she's quite unsure which one to try first and doing them all alone seems kind of lonely. Oh, right Bedivere is still with her.

"Exactly where I thought you would be." she heard a voice say from behind her. Ruby turned her head and saw a smiling Aurelius walking up to her. He paused in front of her and bent down to meet her eye to eye before taking her hand in his and placing a respectful kiss upon her skin.

"I've been looking for you, you know." He began as he took a seat beside her.

"Have you now?" Ruby said playfully as she smiled at him.

"Most certainly. I have so much to show you. I'm sure that you would be very delighted by everything I prepared tonight. Every single thing has thought of you in it, I hope you noticed." Aurelius spoke with a bright glint in his eyes as he held her hand. He is obviously smitten with her and not even a blind man can deny that fact.

"Carmilla guessed as much and teased me about it. She and her partner Cecilion are in the Gothic-themed ballroom. Do you want to join them and say hi?"

"Perhaps at a later time. For now, why don't I take you on a little adventure?"

"Sounds great."

🌹

"Looks like the preys are having too much fun." commented a sinister voice as she gazed upon the partying crowd.

"They are so foolish to lower their guard on such a dangerous night. Shall I execute them already? I'm getting bored of doing nothing while the powers of the blood moon course through my veins. I can't wait to taste their blood and slice through their filthy flesh." grumbled another creature.

"You filthy brute. We can't attack while they are still sober. Wait for their guard to lower as the alcohol flows. Soon enough they'll be too drunk to know that they're already dead." reasoned another demon with a spear.

"Patience, my beloved generals. It's only a matter of time before the moon reaches its peak along with our powers. Better make sure that our horde is in order before that unless we want to be discovered. We only have 3 targets tonight so better be efficient about it. Helcurt, begin setting the stage."

"Of course my queen." The hellish shadow creature grinned wide as he began crawling into the darkness. Alice grinned wider as the moonlight glinted on her silver fangs.

"Dyrroth, you will return into the Abyss tonight and forget about this frivolous dream. I'll make sure of it."