Leilania sat up and stook a step off of his lap and spoke as she regained her balance, "So, we should move now?" She made sure her attire was dressed properly and was no longer a mess. she then checked to see if there were any wet spots, peaking at her hips and legs, being adorable, as always.
And like that, the bliss and relaxation of their aftercare had ceased, as they were back in the real world once again. Alex sat there and shook his head lightly in distain for the situation, "I would prefer as soon as possible. Any later and they may catch on. We do not know if they are listening right now... I doubt it though" he chuckled with a devious grin before he rubbed his thumb on her hand. Some of the guards caught his hand holding hers and Alex noticed some of their hearts pounding harder. He scoffed and averted his gaze, feeling shame in what was initially a simple mission. Now, he was in love with the one he was destined to be with. He prefers when things are simple, but he caused this so he has to help finish it.
She nodded and called for a maid to fit him and conceal himself in a guards uniform. Alex was swiftly pulled out of the throne by the maids who finished cleaning up the mess. They had adorned him in the classic royal armor of the royal guard. They fitted him and was rather handy at certain spots. Alex would tug back every time they would touch a spot they were not to touch. He's a king now, they should respect him as one, even though they heard what he was capable of just a few minutes prior.
Exiting the castle, guarded, Leilania walked through the small town. The people were baffled at the sight of her. To see her hours after she had admitted someone tried taking her life, walk on the land of a possible killer. the same woman who had wedded the now dead Vampire prince, at least their knowledge.
She could feel the angry and shameful gazes of her people but she stood tall and walked strong, making her way to the Thelvon home. Once there she knocked on the door and stood back. A guard spoke. "This is the Queen, please open up and allow us inside!"
A young boy had unlocked the wooden door of the large mansion and peaked through the cracked door. His shy gaze looked up to see the princess and smiled shyly before he spoke, "Are you the pretty princess??"
"Callic! you cant just open the door!" The boys older brother who looked to be a little over half a century old rushed over and to pull his younger brother back and opened the door. His first glance looked slightly annoyed but the moment his emerald eyes saw the princess he gave a bashful smiled and lowered his head, "My Princess! W-what brings you to the Thelvon home?" he said softly before opening the door immediately allowing her and her guards to enter.
The home was large but seemed somewhat aged. The wood had not been lacquered in a few years, but the environment was clean and fairly fancy. The boy referred to as Callic took a few shy steps back and rushed into the hallway to the right of the main hall, "My name is Taven. I'm the first child of Cybil Thelvon. My brother who... just fled, is Callic Thelvon. The second child. The rest of the family are within their rooms," the young man gave a shy bow before he gave a bright smile to the queen. He then showed a look of concern, "I'm terribly sorry to hear of the situation that occurred these few days. The vampire Prince was one of the reasons the war ended.. So, it's a real shame to hear of his death this morning."
Two guards stayed posted outside and crafted an anti-magic barrier to prevent others from trying to spy or cause issues while one guard and the disguised Alex went inside with the princess. She bowed to them herself and smiled lovingly. Leila adored the sight of these kids, wanting children of her own, "It's a pleasure to meet you and to have met your brother. And yes it is grave news, however I need to speak with the elders of the home, could you gather them for me, sweetie? Then, could you please run off to play with your brother for me?"
Alex listened as his eyes stared at the young man. Taven glanced at the guard and then to the princess and gave a soft nod, "They're supposed to be heading to bed soon before dinner is made. They need their rest plenty now, but if it's coming from you I'm sure they will understand" He gave a proud nod before rushing over to the hall and slammed on the bedroom doors rather harshly.
Alex grinned under the helmet as he found the loud antic funny and entertaining. He wanted a child too it seemed. Being around for 6 centuries, watching his dad love him as an infant made him wonder what that feeling would be like. His hand held Leila's behind her back to make sure nobody saw.
There was a few seconds before an old geezer with drooping ears and a slight snarl walked up, "Heh?! The royal sleep is here? What does the fang lover want with the Thelvon's?!" His voice sounded ancient but annoyed. Seemed like this old man was not the most kind without his beauty sleep. Looked to 2100 years at least.
Leila bowed politely regardless, having being taught to respect all her elders, "I'm sorry to disturb you this evening, sir, but I have some news I need to share with all of the adults in the home. May we sit and discuss this in your parlor?" She looked over his cranky words, whether he insulted her or not wasn't his concern but insulting royalty here was illegal so the guard next to Alex had a firm grip on his spear.
Alex watched silently. He was able to bear his fangs over this old fool but he knows restraint better than any emotion. They needed answers more than anything. They can tolerate a few aimless insults.
The old man wobbled lightly in thought as he soon walked back in the hall and smacked the doors even harder than the boy did, "GET THE FUCK UP!! THE PRINCESS IS AT OUR HALL!!" Almost immediately all the rooms had the sounds of rushed rustling and movement as some were getting dressed and others were just rushing to their door.
A woman of her mature Years rushed out the hall. She had jet black hair in a ponytail. Her body was very curvaceous and well formed. She gave a worried and confused bow to the princess as the rest of the family rushed out to do the same. 3 other elders and 1 more mature adult walked down. The woman spoke, "I am Cybil Thelvon, daughter of Serenity Thelvon. My mother has yet to come home. She is a little late but in sure she will arrive any minute. This here is my great grandmother, Claris. My grandfather father Belmont. And the cranky one is Jun, my great uncle. From what I understand you have met my children Taven and Callic," she held her boys by the shoulders gently as they averted their gazes at her.
She nodded and bowed back to them respectfully, "Yes, It's a pleasure to meet you all, and your boys are very sweet! Absolute charmers. I deeply apologize for coming so late in the evening but I have something I need to speak with you adults about. Perhaps the children can help me with a puzzle while we sit and speak in the Parlor?" She pulled a glowing puzzle sphere out of thin air. The puzzle would shift into a beautiful, small, mythical animal, but they didn't have the right body parts. similar to how a chimera looks. The limbs and parts would be able to be moved around to create even more beautiful designs. She smiled sweetly as she offered the boys the puzzle.
The boys both wandered forward, in awe to the magic in front of them. Most families, even the wealthy ones are not allowed to play with magic. Only allowed to utilize it for business and work. To have a few kids watch and then mess with a magic instrument they were dumbfounded as the adults allowed it. The boys walked to the left of the hall. The parlor and dining room were together next to the fireplace. The elders sat at their reserved seats while Cybil stood and glanced at the guard and princess, "Does any of this have to do with my mother?"
The Princess sat and nodded, gesturing for Cybil to sit, "It is, I'm afraid. I don't mean to jump to anything but your mother came to me and admitted to the attempted assassination of myself and the murder of the prince," It was still best to keep the public in the dark about knowing she wasn't the target, for now. Leila continued, "I don't believe she did it though, and I want her back with you guys as soon as possible… As soon as I know the truth."
The oldest boy, Taven, glanced at the princess in confusion before focusing on the puzzle again. The elders glared at the princess in disbelief, as the uncle spoke up, "She would never. She was the only one who supported her sister. She was even suggesting visiting the Vampire kingdom to allow that freak into the family. Serenity would never!" Alex felt a wash of guilt, recalling the moment when he snarled at his aunt, demanding answers. Cybil stared at the princess and spoke, "Why on earth would she confess to something like that..? Why would she do that?" She wondered out loud before her great grandfather spoke, "cus that freak of nature had no reason to exist. I doubt she was attempting to take your life. You were just in the way. The moment I heard my granddaughter was fallen for a king, I was devastated. She fell for a vampire, no less! We all knew of it even before she admitted to it. When the king gave her a pardon and allowed her to live with the beastly creature, we were betrayed. Then she allowed herself to give birth to that... monstrosity! Amelia deserved what she got.. But serenity would never..."
She looked to the crude old man and kept her composure, "All I know is that Serenity admitted to the crime. Unless you know who she's covering for, or have anything else to say, I have to go by the Tree Father's Oath. It is against our rules to taint the sacred tree with blood, but one paid with blood. Therefore blood must balance it out."
This was new to Alex. It seemed King Oberon tried to keep things peaceful and only resorted to death when others chose it first, especially in the castle that was their sacred tree of life and magic.
Cybil lowered her head in thought. She was visibly thinking as the rest of her family glanced around. It was clear all of them were unaware that someone within the family had made the attempt on the princess's life.
Belmont and Claris held hands softly as they both gave a soft sigh, as Claris then spoke. Her elderly tone sounded shameful and regretful, "While the information regarding the vampire prince is a surprise, the attempt could not have been from this family," Alex glanced over at the elders and listened carefully as they continued, "There was a boy in our lives who was madly in love with Amelia. His name was Delion Brymns. We tried to keep her secrets within the family but somebody had slipped to Delion that she had fled the kingdom to be with Alucard. Several years after, the hybrid was born. Delion convinced my father to seek her out. One day Delion entered the house and gave a big hug to everyone. He gave such a loving smile to us as he gave us a letter. He told us to not read it until Amelia had returned. He left along with my father. Several days pass and the war started. During the war, we thought we were not going to make it. We looked at the letter..."
Alex's eyes were glowing through the helmet that hid his face. This was the information he was craving for so long. He knew her family was the cause of it, but he never suspected another lover.
Claris averted her gaze as Belmont continued the story, "It was scrambles of madness. Putrid pleas of violence and blinded cries of hate and dark wishes. It became clear to us how the war started. Amelia's wishful past lover and my wife's father had mutilated our daughter when She rejected them..." Belmont's voice quivered as he never hated his daughter nor did he ever wish any harm to her, "I just wanted to keep her safe..." he whimpered out to the Queen.
The princess stood up and hugged the pair in a soft loving embrace, "Thank you for telling me this. I promise to get this sorted out as soon as possible and return Serenity here with you, where she belongs… and we will hold a remembrance festival for Amelia… She deserves it. I assume you do not know where your father and Delion are since the war. Do you still have the letter? It could help us find him," She looked back slightly at the prince in disguise, wondering if he wanted to tell them the truth yet.
Claris gave a soft nod, "The letter is in my closet, I'll bring it to you" she said as she kept her hands down when Leilania embraced them to avoid the guards from suspecting anything. She walked back into the hall.
Alex had his eyes glowing on instinct. His gaze was softer and calmer but the rage behind it was not easy to hide. He knew who killed his mother. He must find them no matter what.
Alex calmed himself but them felt a small hand grab his. He looked down and saw the two kids wave at him. "Can you play in our room? We have super cool play swords that we can play with!" Alex gave a soft chuckle under the armor and glanced at Leila. His eyes still glowing. It seemed he did not even realize that they still glowed.
Leila nodded to him, allowing him to entertain the boys if he wanted. She had to stay and continue to chat and delve deeper into the story and get as much information as possible and wait for the letter so she could use magic to track him down.
Taven took Alexandru's hand and pulled him into the kids room. While it was pretty spacious, it was also slightly dirty. Two kid-sized beds and a whole play space. Callic ran to his wooden sword and hands it to the guard and immediately pulls out a wooden sword for himself that was in the toy box they had at the corner of the room and began to swing wildly, having fun. Alex was able to swiftly parry and protect himself but would happily pretend to miss and allow Callic to hit his arms and shoulder whenever the Callic was getting pouty that the guard was too good at playing swords.
Alex allowed himself to take the last hit and fall to the ground and pretend to die. he made a dramatic and audible gurgle sound when he was on the ground, pretending to die.
Callic cheered gleefully until his brother Taven walked to their closet and reached for his sword, "My turn! My turn! I wanna see if I'm good enough for the royal army too!"
Alex spoke lightly, "I have no doubts. Maybe when you get a little older you can apply," he spoke so joyously as the boy grabbed the sword from the closet a few things fell out of the closet but Alex did not take immediate notice on it.
Claris rummaged through her closet and suddenly started panicking when she realized the note was gone.
Alex watched Taven swiftly un-sheath his sword which was now obvious to Alex that it was a real, large knife. His eyes glanced at the floor next to the closet and noticed an unfolded letter on the ground. Deeper in the closet was a small bow rested against the wall inside the space.
Alex's gaze widened to a look of stunned horror. Callic was still in front of Alex when Taven started charging towards Alex with the knife. Alex grabbed Callic by the shoulder and shoved him to the door. He then instinctively propped his hand in front of his chest. The knife slid straight into his palm.
The searing pain of his skin being split out by the sharp blade was somewhat overshadowed the shock Alex felt as Taven stared directly into Alex's eyes with pure rage behind them, "....you.. should be dead.." He mutters.
Alex was bewildered and stunned, "No... Not you."