The sky was as dark as coal, the clouds rumbling as they threw icy spears of rain down on the Forbidden Forest, Underville and the castle. It was incredibly loud, drowning out every other sound.
The patter of rain barely echoed through the labyrinth-like hallways of the castle, the occupants didn't mind though.
The maids walked down with trays and whatever they needed, not bothered by the sounds.

Fallacy watched the forest from a window, gently touching the stone-cold glass as he heaved out a small sigh. He enjoyed the sound of rain, it was the music of mother nature, impossible to recreate and so naturally beautiful. Many of the vampires in the council and the Forbidden Forest thought that their King was a ruthless leader who saw no beauty in the world, and yet here he was, loving every moment of it. His father would have been disappointed with him, but for once in his life he dismantled that bother him. He was the King of Vampires, a Long who would have been thought to be terrifying. And though he was terrifying in some terms he did have a heart. Vampire or not, even though it may have not physically been there there was always something present to fill his empty chest.

His eyes glowed softly, it was the middle of the night. The moon was at its apex point in the sky, looming over the world and glowing like a newborn star, illuminating the dark sky.
A smile spread across his face as he watched. Just sitting there, alone, enjoying the peaceful moment.

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The trees waved about violently in the wind, pine needles caked the floor, some green, some having browned over time.
Pine cones were scattered around aimlessly and moss grew up the trunks of every tree and alone every rock and fallen tree. Mushrooms clawed their way as up rotting wood, some brown, some red and white.
Lichen clung to everything, including the shoulders of the huntress who stormed through the forest with unprecedented rage.

She grabbed the lichen and threw it off, tearing her way through the shrubs and leaping over the fallen debris.
The storm above was angry, just like her. Like she had been for so long now.

And though the pine needles stabbed at her, and though the rain threatened to freeze her she continued her way. Creating a path of destruction wherever she walked.
But the true destruction she was to create was yet to come. To a place. A person who she had longed to destroy.

The torrential rain had drawn the vampires away and forced them to seek shelter. The wolves and bears of the forest were gone, probably seeking shelter as well to escape the harsh weather. It drowned out her scent so no one knew that she was there, ready and prepared.
Her uniform, jacket and hat hardly helped to ease the pain and cold for this horrid weather. But she wouldn't let it stop her.

She struggled over some rocks, panting and dragging herself up over them. A grunt escaped her and she reached up to her hat with an aching hand, moving it out of her eyes and looking up to see the castle in the distance on a hill, surrounded by trees and rocky outcrops.

A grin stretched across her face.

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Encre walked through the castle, Jasper by her side. The young Prince was smiling happily, his small wings hanging from his back behind him and swaying very slightly every time he moved. The artist looked over to Jasper, staring at his beautifully glowing eyes which made her smile and look on. 'Just like his father's ', she thought to herself as they neared the kitchen doors.

She had heard how Fallacy's best baker had finally come back after a trip and she was quite excited to meet this so-called 'excellently skilled professional' as Fallacy had told her before. Jasper pushed the kitchen doors open and those who were working quickly bowed with smiles, the Prince grinned happily and looked around.

Encre followed after him, slowing her pace as she rested a hand on her stomach and she perked up at the mouthwatering smell of freshly baked pastries. At the end of the kitchens, there was a spider monster, her six arms working on the dough and numerous activities on her work station.

She wore a small headpiece, a simple plain blue and white dress and an apron, stained a little with pinks and browns. A sigh escaped her and she rubbed her hands together, humming a small tune to herself before turning. A small squeak escaped her when she saw Encre and Jasper.
"O-Oh my!" Her five deep purple eyes blinked at the same time and a smile formed on her face, her small canines visible.

Encre returned the smile, "I was told by Fallacy that you're his best baker..?"

The spider laughed a little, wiping her hands a little, "I wouldn't say the best but..." She shrugged, "If that's what the King thinks then I guess I'll play along with it."

She offered Encre a clean hand of which she took and shook.

"My name is Muffy. I haven't seen you before here... you new?" Muffy asked, looking the artist over.

"Oh. I've been living here for about.. a few years?" A blush crept up her cheeks, "I'm Encre, uhm... Fallacy's partner. 

Muffy blinked for a moment before gasping, quickly bowing, "I-I'm so sorry!!! I didn't know!!"

Encre huffed, "there's no need for that."

Jasper giggled happily, "What are you making, Miss?" He was jumping on the spot, pretty excited.

The baker smiled happily, getting back up again, "croissants and brioche!" The young Prince grinned and nodded, his wings fluttering very slightly.

Since Jasper wasn't a complete vampire due to his mother's side he could still eat some mortal foods. "May I?" He asked, glancing over to the naked goods.

"Of course!" The baker turned, picking up a tray of pastries and offering it to Encre and Jasper.
Jasper immediately grabbed one and stuffed it into his mouth with such ferocity he almost choked. Ended huffed, holding back a small laugh, "calm down Jasper, you'll kill yourself before you have a chance to enjoy it!" She smiled and took a croissant, biting into it and purring at the wonderful taste.
"This is magnificent," she hummed, loving the tastes and texture.

Muffy bowed, putting the tray down on the counter. "Thank you very much."

Eventually, the two left the baker to her work, both of them happily walking out of the kitchens, still savouring the wonderful food they had eaten. Jasper sighed softly in content, smiling until Suave walked around the corner wearing his usual smart uniform. He adjusted his glasses a little and Jasper looked over to him before his face went bright pink.

Encre snorted slightly and nudged Jasper in the arm very slightly. The young Prince hissed a little, his face bright to the point it was almost steaming.

Suave blinked and walked over to the two, a small smile on his face. "How are you, Encre? Jasper?" He asked with his usual soft, polite voice.
Of which Jasper always wished to say it was attractive too-

Encre hummed, "I'm quite alright. I need to go though, I need to talk to Fallacy. But I don't think Jasper over there is doing too good." She smirked before walking off with a whistle.

Jasper watched Encre walk of, mentally screaming in rage and agony. The butler watched him, a smile still on his face. "Prince Jasper?"

He jumped with a small startled yelp, his wings flapping out behind him very slightly. "W-ha-" He couldn't hide the fact that his face literally looked like Encre's vibrant paints.
Suave chuckled softly, his cheeks a little purple, "are you alright? Something wrong?"

Jasper gulped, staring up at him before looking away, fidgeting nervously. "Y-yeah, I'm f-ine..." His wings folded behind him, tucking in against his back.

Suave hummed and nodded, straightening his posture. "Alright then, if you need anything then you know where I am." Again with that smile.
"Remember to come to the hall to have dinner with Ms Encre and Lord Fallacy."

Jasper nodded again and watched as Suave turned and started to walk down the hallway.
He stared after him and bit his lip very slightly, avoiding the use of his small fangs. The need to just do something, say something was tugging at him and before he could even blink his wings had snapped out and he shifted into a bat.
Without even thinking he shot down the hallway, turning so he was in front of Suave who blinked. He shifted back into his skeleton form, landing on his feet, and grabbed Suave by his blazer, yanking him down and kissing him.

The butler froze, his face bright with purple as he stared down at the Prince. Questions and words ran through his head and he didn't know what to do-
Jasper pulled away, his face still pink and shifted back into a bat, flying away as quickly as possible before Suave had anytime to say a word.

The hallway went silent and Suave was just left standing there, his face a pink mess. He stared after the direction Jasper had gone and raised a hand to his lips, his eyes still wide.
"O-Oh my..."

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The front doors of the castle clanked and groaned quietly as they opened very slightly, a figure slipping in and quickly making themself scarce.

Eterna had never been in the castle before and she looked around in awe. It was a mesmerizing place, with its beautifully decorated walls and floors. The ornaments and statues that were placed on small pillars and such.

The chandeliers that hung from the ceiling every once in a while.

And finally, the wonderful paintings which hung from the walls. All unique and different, some were older than others. Some of their paint starting to crack.

Some were of landscapes, of the mountains and the hills, of the castle itself. Others of animals and mysterious creatures that roamed the world.
And some of people.

She tried her best to attempt to recognise them, but some were harder than others because of the dim light.
A small grumble escaped from her and she turned a corner. There were so many rooms, probably too many, and if she wasn't too careful she might risk getting lost in this maze-like building.

The huntress walked down a new hallway and stopped when she saw a set of doors. They were a lot different to the other ones, these ones had patterns engraved in them and were a lot larger than the rest.

Glancing over her shoulder she then pushed the doors open very slightly. Peeking in t see if anyone was inside she then slipped in, met with a large hall. Her eyes widened and she couldn't help but stop and admire the beautiful room.

She walked around, her boots clicking against the wooden floor. Trailing her fingers across the surface of the great table that was in the middle of the room. And at the end, there was a wonderful fireplace, not lit though. Her eyes narrowed a little before she looked up.

There was a painting.

There were three people.

Fallacy, a younger vampire, and Encre.

She stepped back slightly and gritted her teeth. How the hell could her friend fall for such a monster!?

Her eyes focused on the younger vampire and she scoffed. "So he has a son." She growled a little before pinching the bridge of her nose, sighing in agitation.

She suddenly perked up at the sound of approaching footsteps outside and she quickly ran to one of the blood-red curtains, hiding behind it and covering her mouth. Not wanting to make any sounds. 

The doors opened and a few maids walked in, talking softly as they started to clean and set the table. Eterna listened in but only heard useless gossip.

A few more staff members walked in, putting down plates of food and bottles on the table. One of them lighting the fireplace with their magic.

Eventually, they finished, but they didn't leave the room. Instead, some of them stood at the end of the room and some by the doors, taking their positions. Eterna watched them, her eyes narrowed before she looked over to the main doors.

They opened, two male skeletons walking in. Both of them had weapons, some hanging from their belts, some strapped across their chests.

She watched and hummed in thought quietly, 'thieves? What the hell would Fallacy want with thieves?' She asked herself.

They sat down at the table, one of them smiling and cheery while the other looked around with a narrowed eye. His mouth a thin line, but when he looked over to his accomplice it twitched up in a very subtle smile.

A butler walked in, joining the ranks of the other staff. But he seemed a little... Distracted. Watching the door nervously, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Then, a younger vampire walked in. Looking around with bright eyes of purples, golds and blues.

Eterna watched carefully. 'The Prince.'

He glanced over to the butler who swallowed and looked away and he blushed softly before sitting down at the table.
Another vampire joined him, looking like a little human boy.

She was starting to grow impatient, fumbling around with her stakes and adjusting her hat.

Then, Encre walked in. Two maids walking by her and smiling at her.

Eterna stared at her old friend. The friend she had hurt. The friend who she watched bleed out last time she had seen her.
And yet here she was, a smile on her face, her cheeks flushed and...
And...

The huntress saw how Encre's belly had a bump.
'Shit. You've got to be kidding me.'

Encre sat down with a small wince, resting her hand on her belly, earning a few smiles from the thieves and the Prince.

The doors creaked and Eterna snapped her gaze over to it to watch the King of Vampires waltz in, his cape swaying behind him as he looked around with those sharp eyes.
The eyes of a predator.

He watched the butlers and maids who bowed politely and he smiled a little, his fangs slightly visible.

He then headed over to the table, sitting down in his seat with a small sigh of content. Looking over to Encre who smiled happily among his arrival.

He leaned back against his seat as he picked up a glass of blood, swirling it. "Thank you everyone," his tone softened. "I'm so thankful to have you all!"

The maids laughed softly and smiled as well as a few others.

Eterna looked away. Maybe Fallacy wasn't bad after all? Maybe he had changed after living with Encre for so long? Maybe that heart of his had finally shone and softened?

No.

He was a vampire.

The King of those horrible beasts.

And those beasts.
Must always die.