P.O.V: Encre

I felt that I was wrapped in bandages that almost prevented me from moving. I opened my eyes with difficulty and while my sight was in the dark, I heard a fine click like that of a lock that had just been opened. My mind was still foggy as the person approached my, I guess, bed. He took the piece of cloth on my forehead and soaked it in water, drained it and put it back. I couldn't see his face which was against the light coming from the corridor entering the room leaving the door previously opened. But what I can be sure of is that this appearance rings a bell. These clothes remind me of someone.... Finally, it was above all his cap with the visor on the side that reminded me of Suave. Wait what ?!

- S-Su...ave... ?

My voice was still hoarse and I saw the person stop and look at me leaning his head to the side. He replied in a voice that was reassuring.

- Yes, Sir Encre, it's me.

- B-but... H... how... ?

- My real job is here. I am the butler of this castle. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you about it instead... Actually, I was the king's spy at that market. The king had been relentlessly hunting them for 85 years.

I understand better. But that doesn't explain what happened to me...

- Suave... What... happened to me ?

- Well...

He turned his head and with a few small rays of light I could see an air of regret and sorry.

- The guards arrived and kidnapped the participants. But you are of course the only one who was taken away.

- And where is he...

- He is with the other participants... In the dungeons of the castle...

- And what's going to happen to him ?

- ...Normally prisoners stay only 2-3 weeks and if they have not yet been released, they are executed so as not to hang around too long within these walls...

- It means that he....

- Yes... Normally he will be executed in two weeks...

My heart had missed a beat. No, I don't want him to die ! I wouldn't accept it... But he said in two weeks, didn't he ? It means I still have a chance to save him.

- Suave, where are we ?

- You are in one of the castle's guest rooms. We are under the roof of the king and his son.

- ...Excuse me ?

- That's not very surprising with the importance you have !

An importance ? But what is he talking about... I'm a simple, completely ordinary mortal !

- Well, if you'll excuse me, my lord, I must go and inform the king of your awakening.

He was starting to head towards the exit when I stood up sharply to tell him.

- W-Wait a minute ! What's so special about me ?

Now in the light, Suave displayed an expression of surprise.

- ... You really don't know ?

- SUAVE !!!

He couldn't answer me that a young maid of the same height as Suave with orange hair and shaved left head side was coming at him in a hurry and we can say that she is pretty on edge.

- Fleur what's going on ?

- What's going on ? You're not doing anything again ! The king has been waiting in the lobby for 45sc and you are there like a good-for-nothing !

- But I was just checking in to see if our guest was okay...

She turned her head in my direction and looked at Suave again with an even more deadly look.

- I thought you were supposed to go and tell the king directly if he was awake !

- That's exactly what I was about to do before you got here and-

- NO !!!! When I arrived you were in the middle of a discussion ! You're just a useless man ! Hurry up and join the king !

- Very well Fleur...

Then he left me alone with this fury. I don't know what she blames him for, but what's for sure is that she doesn't really like him. As she turned her gaze towards me, she suddenly displayed a calm and cute face. She closed the door behind her and came to sit at the edge of my bed while taking my hand in hers.

- Good morning, my lord ! My name is Fleur and I'm a maid in this castle ! How are you feeling ? Doesn't your body make you suffer too much ?

I was puzzled by his sudden change in behaviour. A few minutes before she looked like a rabid lion and now she's a little rabbit raising hers ears.

- I feel fine.... Thank you very much....

- Good !

She smiled at me and stroked my cheek.

- You have the same color as the prince, which is very rare for us vampires ! I've heard that it's very common in humans, is that true ?

- Well yes, there is no black skeletons here, which is the opposite for you so.... But you're saying the prince is also a white skeleton ?

- Yes, he has albinism, which is why he's a white skeleton with piercing red eyes !

- Oh, I understand better...

- I'm sure you will get along well, my lord ! Anyway, it will have to be !

- What do you mean?

- Unfortunately, it's not for me to tell you. Can you move ?

- I think so, yes...

- Then you must change, my lord, you must come with me !

- Where are we going ?

She had got up and searched one of the closets of a dark wood. She got out of the clothes and handed them to me.

- Put this on !

I took them and she turned around to give me a little privacy. It was really expensive material clothes ! The fabric isn't even found in my village because his rarity is equal to his price !

But I have to admit, I feel pretty good in it. And they fit me perfectly. Fleur turned around and put her two hands tied in front of her mouth.

- You are beautiful, my lord ! Well, it's time to go, the king is waiting for you !

- Wha- The king ?!

She took my hand and started to rush out and pull me out. We're going to see the king himself ?! Why is this happening to me ? And what's so special about me at the end ?!
Fleur let go of my hand and opened a big door before pushing me into the room in which I almost tripped. (See media) In front of me was a small table with a sofa and two chairs on the opposite side. A large mirror stood above the crackling chimney and you could see that it was dark by the moonlight passing through a window. In this sofa there was a refined black skeleton dressed with a skull adorning an imposing crown. My blood only turned one turn as I froze. He spoke to me with his deep voice.

- So you are our young guest saved from a merciless market. Don't be afraid and come and sit down.

What made me move was Suave's encouraging smile, standing next to the king. So I was going to sit in one of the chairs in front of him and I must admit that I am far from comfortable.

- You're tense. You should relax before my son arrives. Come on, have a cup of tea.

Suave handed me a cup and I took it while politely thanking him. So the prince was going to come too... it looks like a family reunion, I don't feel comfortable at all... What I'm trying not to let appear. After all, they are royal blood vampires.... If they wanted to kill me, they would have done it a long time ago. We were sipping our tea with the king when the big door opened again, leaving for the prince to enter. He must have been the same age as me to see a little more.

- Father ! Please excuse my delay, some cases have delayed me.

- It's all right, come sit down.

- Good.

So he sat down in the chair next to me and smiled warmly at me.

- So you're the survivor?

- Yes, my prince...

- Haha no need for formality you can call me Wren.

- Okey, Prince Wren...

- My son, I think it's time to let our young friend know, don't you ?

- He still isn't ?

- Well, no, he just got out of the room.

- Oh, I understand better why he doesn't say anything.

- It is true that this will make a big difference in our country. I am proud that you accept your obligations meekly.

- Father you are the king and you are much wiser than me so it's normal that I follow your instructions !

- Haha, you were well brought up, I'm glad.

What the hell are they talking about ? I am completely lost... A difference for the country ? Accept his obligations ? I took a new sip as the prince turned to me.

- Well, you'll become my partner, which means we're getting married !

I had just choked. Excuse me ?! Getting married when I just got here ?! But it's a crazy world ! I didn't ask for anything !!! The prince was pounding me on the back while I was coughing.

- M-m-m-my wedding ?!

- Amazing, isn't it ? You must be surprised that a vampire would marry a mortal. But you see, in my kingdom it's important to show our superiority and see what the marks you wear on your body mean and being a mortal, you will be a perfect model.

- My tattoos ? What's so special about them ?

- You really don't know that ?

- W-well, I've already been alluded to a certain importance, but I admit I have no idea.... I've always had these tattoos since I was born and I was never told they had any meaning...

The king smiled and stood up. Wren did the same and he reached out his hand to me, which I hesitated for a moment to take before getting up. The king had his arms crossed behind his back and was looking out the window.

- It's a very personal meaning that every being must know. But given your accent, I conclude that you're a foreigner ?

- I'm French, but I've been living in this country since I was 5 years old.

- I understand. France, huh... Gastronomy and haute couture, right ? But tell me, my friend. What profession did you practice before you became a submissive ?

- I'm an artist...

The king turned to me and took my hands between his hands.

- That's wonderful ! So much good news ! The union between my son and such a talented person like you will be perfect ! I'm going to plan the wedding. You can exercise your passion in this castle as much as you wish !

I couldn't answer anything other than the king had already vanished into thin air in the hallway, leaving me alone with Wren because Fleur had already taken Suave elsewhere. Prince who put his hand on my hip which make me jump slightly.

- With all this excitement I didn't even have the pleasure of knowing your name !

- I-I'm called Encre...

- Well, Encre, how about getting to know each other better ?

- Um, why not...? But Wren....

- Yes ?

- Far from offending you or anything else, but I can't accept the wedding...

- What do you mean ?

- W-well.... I-I already love someone and why marry someone you don't even know ? I mean, you must already have someone and-

- Unfortunately not.... I don't have anyone else. My father always kept me away from everything to better focus on my studies, my fighting skills and my disciplinary learning.

- Oh... It's sad...

- I don't see why. After all, I can't regret something I've never known !

He's not wrong. But it's still a pity that he grew up in a tower.... Oh ! But I also have to talk to him about the Master !

- Wren ? I know I'm extremely misplaced to make such a request, but you see, the night your guards found me and the other participants, I haved a friend who was locked up and sentenced to life imprisonment except that he did nothing wrong...

- Oh ? And who it is ?

- His is the person who played the role of my master...

- But then he's not innocent ! If he was your master, he's just as guilty as the others !

- No, that's the point ! He was acting for our own safety ! Please, I don't want him to die... I couldn't bear it...

- ...Good.

I looked up at him, a hint of hope in my eyes.

- But I don't make the decisions. You have to ask my father. All I can do is just delay his conviction until marriage, but that's all.

- Oh so you really care about this wedding...

- These are my obligations and even if I wanted to, I couldn't let you go as I wasn't yet king. And then I'm going to admit that you please me !

My cheeks must have been showing rainbow colors right now. I lowered my head, embarrassed.

- I'm flattered, but I really need to find another person...

He sighed and felt his grip on my hip. He started to move forward by taking me with him.

- I doubt you can talk to the king today, he's still extremely busy. Do you mind if we talk about it tomorrow ?

- No, of course not !

- I'll show you around the castle !

He showed me every nook and cranny of this place. I have to admit, he's really sweet. We ended the day by spending time together playing chess or just talking in his room. The meal had gone quietly. Wren addressed me as a good friend when we were together but he explained to me that in the presence of the king he was obliged to get closer to what I understood. I was beginning to head towards the gest's room in which I had woken up in the early evening but the prince held my hand.

- Encre where are you going ?

- I'm going back to my room from earlier, why ?

- Haha, this is not your room ! Now that we're supposed to get married, we share the same bed.

I rainbow to these words. Sleep in the same bed with him ?! He smiles to reassure me and leads me to his room. Well, it's not that disturbing, is it ? It's like sleeping with a friend like when you were a child... We were back to back in bed and with all these events, I couldn't stop from quickly getting asleep, carried away in dreams. Nor did I pay attention to the arms that had just surrounded me, nor to the warm breath against my neck that instinctively made me shiver. The only image that came to mind was Fallacy. I hope to see him again one day....

P.O.V: Fallacy

- It's nice of you to accept...

- It's nothing. While I have a chance to find Encre, I don't see why I wouldn't accept.

- You love him very much, don't you ?

- He's just the person who saved my little brother's life.

- Are you sure it's just recognition ?

- ...

I also wonder about that. Since I first met him, I found that he had a really attractive aura. He's very kind, caring and talented. Jasper had shown me works that some customers had bought from him without him realizing they were vampires. When Gazelle told me he was lost in the forest, I immediately saw the worst and didn't want to lose him. I want him to stay with us, Jasper and the others, at the castle... This feeling that only him can make me feel just by thinking about him.... Yes, Loop is right... If I'm so desperate to find him, it's because I have feelings for him. An other reason to find him as soon as possible.

- Tell me Loop, don't you have any family ?

- No.... They were killed when I was really little... I have always been submissive.... I changed a lot of Masters and the one I was with bought me two years ago...

It's awful.... Poor child, I understand better why Encre was trying to protect him. He's ready to help anyone. At that thought I had a laugh.

- Are you thinking about him ?

- Indeed.

- Heh It's cute !

- Loop, are you cold ?

- A little bit, but the wood fire warms me up.

He may say that, but he's shivering. I sighed and stood up a little before opening my cape that surrounded me.

- Come on. You'll be warmer here.

- Are you sure about that ?

- Of course you're frozen and also you can use the familiar form.

- Thank you !

He then came to take refuge in my arms. I felt him relax and sigh with well-being. A few minutes passed before he fell asleep, which made me smile gently. Tomorrow we'll go back on the road.

~•°•~

Well, some revelations are starting to appear ? Heh :p

Ah and I also have to give you a little update on some details that must have surprised you or even lost you haha

- I know that Jasper is the son of Encre and Fallacy but in this story his a brother.

- Suave is butler in the castle of Fallacy but there his the butler of the other royale vampire family.

Mmm I think I haven't forgotten anything.... If you have any questions, don't hesitate !

PS: THANKS FOR THE +4K OF VIEW !!! AND ALSO FOR ALL THE VOTES IT REALLY MAKES ME HAPPY !!!!

See ya~