Notes: This was written years ago and was once beta-ed by the lovely Kizuna author, Cio-Cio san. ^_^

It was proofed by me and any mistakes are mine. This was written years ago, but I didn't post it around too much. I just found it again and wanted to share it. I hope you like it! ^_^

Cio-Cio san had once titled this for me but silly me, I forgot what the title is. ^_^;; I remember the word Velvet was involved so this story is now known as "Velvet Era". ^_^

This is based on the vampire pic of Enjouji and Ranmaru wearing waistcoats and Enjouji embracing Ranmaru with fangs bared, with Ranmaru holding a jewelled cross.

Warnings: Ranmaru and Enjouji may seem somewhat out of character because of the different time period. ^^

C&C's welcome!
Thank you for your help all that time ago, Cio-Cio san! ^_^

P.S - This is one-shot. ^^

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~Prologue~

The silent night was as still as death.

The sharp breezes made no sound as they whipped through the reeds surrounding a small koi pond. The ripples of water circled lightly in repetition, swirling in concentric circles hypnotically.

The sprawling mist-coloured manor stood over all of this protectively and quietly, for they all stood within the houses elaborate steel gates, and so no one but the master of the manor would touch them or be near their presence. The master of the residence was nearly as silent as the nature that surrounded him.

He was not one for words, content for speaking when necessary and spending large quantities of time by his lonesome. And because of his enigmatic quiet, he easily became the object of gossip for the civilians that lived in the small city only a few miles from his home. Stories of his lifestyle were discussed as well as his penchant to be alone. Others fancied that he thought he was too good for people of lower classes whilst others kinder and romantic in heart believed he desired to stay locked within his own gilded prison of a house due to a lost love.

And so it was.

And so it stayed for quite some time.


To be continued (soon)...