The Vampire King

Creak~

"Mother, can I ask you something?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

I was in my archive room. Seeing the now sixteen-year-old Lux standing completely still, nervously tapping his foot, I decided to stand up.

"Let's talk in the dining room."

Heading to the kitchen to prepare drinks for both of us, I heated some milk. Ever since I found out he had become an adventurer, I never asked him about it.

“In the end, he is the one bringing it up to me.”

“Hah~ sixteen years went by so fast. He is almost as tall as me now.”

Looking back, Lux was already sitting in his chair, his brows furrowed. He was clenching his fists and fidgeting.

"So, what are you going to ask?"

I placed our drinks on the table and sat across from him.

"U-um... now that I'm already of adult age, I think maybe I should go to the town and work?"

Without taking my eyes off him, I took a sip of my drink.

"Hmm, why is that?"

"Well, I want to thank you for taking care of me, so I think I should repay you."

"Hmm, you don't have to, you know. I really don't mind it."

Suddenly, he slammed both his hands on the table and leaned forward. The impact caused our drinks to splash and spill a little onto the table.

"But I mind it! And I want to do this."

“He is taking this way too seriously.”

Taking another sip of my drink, I let out a sigh and stared straight at him, motioning for him to sit back down.

"Hmm, fine then. I have no problem with that, but what kind of work do you want to do?"

"Umm, maybe an adventurer, and then later a soldier?"

“I already knew you were an adventurer... but a soldier, huh.”

The nearest kingdom from here would take at least three days of travel, but it was a massive place, and soldiers would always be needed there.

"Hmm, sure, why not. But are you absolutely sure?"

"Umm, about what?"

"You know, setting being an adventurer aside, becoming a soldier means you will be killing other humans. And you will rarely come back here."

Raising an eyebrow, I questioned him. He fell silent, his hands clenching tightly. It seemed he hadn't thought this through completely.

“Well, thinking things through isn't exactly his strong suit. Outside of his sword skills, he is a bit... average in everything else.”

"U-umm, yes, I know about that, and I think I am fine with it... maybe."

"Hah~ I raised you to truly know what you want, so you should understand your own desires."

"Yeah, I know. And I will do it."

Nodding, I leaned back in my chair and stared at the wooden ceiling where the sunlight filtered in through the window.

"Well, it looks like you really have become an adult, huh~"

"I have."

"Then when will you leave?"

"Umm, maybe one or two weeks from now?"

That was pretty fast, which meant he had been planning and preparing for this for quite a while. Besides, I knew he was going to leave sooner or later, so there was no real issue.

"Then make sure you are fully prepared."

"Of course!"

Nodding enthusiastically, he smiled and went back to his room. I finished my drink and decided to return to my own room.

“He is really leaving, huh~”

“I am going to make sure to crank up his training before he goes.”

.

..

…

As the days passed, it was finally the day before Lux was set to leave.

"Here, take this."

Handing him a pouch with money inside, I made sure to at least give him enough funds to last two months, provided he didn't spend it on anything stupid.

"Hey, why are you so surprised? I do have money, you know."

"N-no, I mean, I don't think I need this..."

"Bah~ you never know what will happen later. Just take it and use it for emergencies."

I just didn't want to forget to give it to him tomorrow. Looking past him, I could see his room was already clean, neatly packed, and entirely empty.

"Make sure you-"

Knock. Knock.

"Hmm?"

Turning toward the entrance, I saw a silhouette through the door. It was extremely strange, considering almost no one knew anyone lived out here in the woods.

"Wait here a second."

As if sensing the sudden tension radiating from me, Lux readied his sword. I materialized my own blood sword as I slowly approached the door.

"Who is there? I am warning you, if you are someone suspicious, I am ready to attack."

"It's me, niece."

Hearing that deep, horribly familiar voice, I furrowed my brow and gritted my teeth. I threw the door open and thrust my sword straight at the creature standing in front of me, but my blade was stopped midway.

"Woah, woah, niece. Is that how you greet your own uncle, hm?"

"Tch. Lux, do not come any closer!"

I snapped at Lux because I could feel the intruder stepping closer to us. I glared sharply at the man in front of me. He had the same hair color as I did but towered over me. He was my uncle.

"What are you doing here, Mael?! You have already become the Vampire King, are you still not satisfied?!"

"Wow, calm down. I just came by to check on your condition. You are the daughter of my younger sister, after all, and she was worried."

Clicking my tongue, I dismissed my sword and stepped back from the entrance. His towering height forced him to stoop slightly to enter my home.

"Hmm, you are taking care of a human now? How interesting."

I extended my right arm out to shield Lux and keep him from stepping forward. Mael casually strolled around, inspecting the inside of my house.

"Hmm, what a lovely home, don't you think? You wouldn't want this place destroyed. That is why I told you, I am only here to check on your condition, Princess Asteria."

"You know I have already left the court."

"You are right. But you know, to me, you are still a princess of the kingdom of the night."

Ting.

Tapping a frying pan with his sharp nail, he smiled at me and at Lux hiding behind my back. Ever since I was young, I truly despised him for acting exactly like this.

"Hmm, hmm. So it is a human... is he like a pet to you, or something?"

"Do not mess with me."

"Ohoho, forgive me if I misunderstood. Hmm..."

He stopped right in front of me, towering over my frame. The thick stench of fresh blood wafted off his body; I was absolutely certain he had just done something terrible.

"Alright, it seems I am not welcome here, so I will be taking my leave."

"By the way, Asteria... I always hope you will return to us, niece."

After saying that, he walked out, pulling his black hood over his head. He closed the door, and his presence completely vanished from my detection.

Sigh~

"Lux, are you alright?"

Grabbing both of Lux's trembling shoulders, I pulled him into a hug and patted his head to calm him down.

"W-What the hell was that? What kind of creature was that?!"

His reaction was completely normal because Mael was terrifyingly strong. The fact that Lux could even stay standing meant he was strong enough to withstand the immense pressure Mael emitted.

Looking into his eyes, I explained.

"Remember this. If you ever meet him, or any creature like him, make sure you run away. You are not strong enough to fight him yet."

"Is that what a strong monster feels like?"

"It just might be."

Continuing to rub his back, I felt him slowly calm down. Today wasn't supposed to end up like this, if only Mael hadn't shown up.

Lux still decided to leave the very next day, leaving me alone.

The next thing I knew, a few years later, I heard the rumor that Lux had killed Mael.