Chapter 4
Being a Pureblood, Kaname didn't need as much rest as all of the other Vampires. He barely needed to sleep anymore. He only really went to sleep to avoid some of his duties as Dorm President. Takuma knew what was expected of him if Kaname wasn't there.
Even if Takuma took care of something, Kaname always had knowledge of it.
He wasn't surprised when Takuma tried to hide the fact that his grandfather asked to visit the Night Dorm.
Asato Ichijo, also known as Ichio, was a powerful man. He had expanded the Ihijo Group enough that any Human transaction was made through the group. Being Head of the Senate also factored in a lot of power.
Kaname didn't like him.
Kaname had the power he needed, becoming Ichio's ward had more disadvantages than advantages. Kaname refused him the request of becoming his ward. Ichio wanted the Kuran name to be linked to the Ichijo name, something that would increase the Aristocratic family's station of power.
Much like Perse, Kaname didn't want to be controlled.
He would rather do the controlling.
Speaking of Persephone Greylight, she was a wildcard thrown into the neat little deck Kaname had made himself. He didn't know how much power she held, though he assumed it was a fair bit because of her standing in Witch Society and her Magic. The Order wouldn't try and hunt her down unless she was powerful, and if she was powerful, they would want to control her.
Blood Magic was a dangerous game when adding in a Pureblood as a player. The little Witch needed to be careful. If he saw her as a threat to Yuki or himself, he would easily get rid of her without a moment's hesitation. He was more concerned with what length she was willing to go to to keep her freedom.
Yuki liked her, and he hoped that friendship would become something. Yuki needed better friends than the Day Class students, even if she had been best friends with that room mate of hers.
Kaname was thirsty but the blood tablets weren't dulling the craving. He could control it, he didn't need to drink as much as others thought he did.
He remembered Perse's blood.
Having dug his thumb into her injured palm to get her to loosen her tongue, he had stained his finger with the crimson liquid. When Perse sorted herself out and got rid of all of the used materials, he had cleaned his thumb with a simple curl of the tongue.
Flavour had burst on his tongue, making him pause for barely a second. It was like sweet electricity zapped his throat as it went down, the tang of barely there spice kept the taste from overpowering the saviourness.
Witch blood was a delicacy in all forms. The Order revered the blood of their Three Clans and always kept it protected from Vampires.
Blood had Magic and Magic was sacred.
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Unsurprisingly, Perse was still awake even when all of the Night Class was asleep save for himself. She had the habit of making coffee at the oddest times of day but she always seemed to sleep fine with caffeine in her system.
Kaname let his presence be known by letting his aura out, alerting her instead of startling her. He had done that once before and it ended with her chucking one of the cups at his head.
"Coffee? Again?" He lifted the coffee cup, looking at the red writing on the black cup. He shook his head at it, lip curling an inch. "Funny."
"Blood of Perse's enemies?" She lifted the cup before putting it under the coffee machine. "I find the cup most hilarious. Was there anything you needed or are you just trying to bother me again? Has Zero been able to keep the pills down?"
"He doesn't trust me. I gave it to the Headmaster to give him it. I passed along the information so he could inform Zero," Kaname leaned against the counter, watching as Perse put three huge spoons of sugar in her finished coffee and topped it off with full fat milk.
"Does he not trust you because you are a Vampire or does he not trust you?"
"Fair point," He crossed his arms loosely. "He doesn't trust me."
"Have you done anything to gain his trust?" Perse turned back to face him, cup in her hand. "I don't trust you. I trust no one in this school, including the Headmaster, but that's me being more paranoid than anything. Did you need to tell me something?"
"Yes, Takuma's grandfather is visiting,"
"I know, and?"
"You will be here to greet him with me."
"Okay." She instantly said. "When is he arriving?"
"He is to arrive around ten o'clock tonight."
"I'll be ready by then."
Kaname didn't take his eyes off of her as she left the kitchen, going back to her room. He was surprised she agreed so easily, but it was probably due to the fact the request was a simple thing instead of something absurd.
She was right about Zero not trusting him solely on the fact that he was who he was. Zero had no reason to trust him. He had done nothing to earn the respect nor did Zero feel the pressure of needing to respect him just because he was a Pureblood. It was refreshing.
Perse respected him purely on the fact that both of them were powerful in their own right. He could kill her just as easily as she could him, if his view of her was correct. Though Perse was young and newly orphaned, she was still raised to be the next Crown of the Greylight Clan.
Just as he was raised to be the head of the Kuran family from a young age, she was raised to be the head of her family. If his parents didn't abolish the monarchy, he would have been a King in his own right. Perse didn't flaunt her Princess title, she didn't need to when she could gain respect without it.
Stone cold Ruka liked her enough to talk to her during class and on the way there and back. Even Hanabusa had begun to respect her, stopping his obnoxious flirting and now it was harmless banter. Takuma had respect for her from the moment he met her. That boy knew who was to be respected instantly and those who needed to earn it.
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Instead of complaining that she was taking too long, Kaname patiently waited outside her door. He knew she was getting dressed and it would have been exceptionally rude of him to barge in at this moment. Last time someone tried to walk in was when Hanabusa tried and was left with a nasty burn on the side of his face which he hid with makeup.
The door opened.
There were some days that Perse didn't bother with a lot of maintenance of her appearance, Kaname noticed, only because these extra measures weren't needed. Perse wasn't one to care much about her appearance to the point of spending hours each day getting ready. She liked to keep things a little simpler with only a dash of makeup.
Today was not one of those days.
Hair pin straight and eyeliner sharp, Perse had put effort into her appearance. Makeup accented her features instead of hid them. A lilac smokey eye complimented her grey eyes, warming the cool steel colour into something remotely human. She wore tinted gloss instead of full lipstick, a slight pinky purple shimmer appeared in the light.
He lifted a hand, touching the end of her charcoal hair as it revealed the plum purple underneath. Her eyes trailed his actions, keeping him within sight with all of his movement. He dropped it when she raised an immaculately groomed eyebrow.
"You look nice." Kaname took in the wine coloured blouse she had left open but tied right under her bust. She wore a black lace bodysuit to maintain her modesty, though it left very little to the imagination with the tightest black jeans he had ever seen on a person.
"I always look nice," She smiled, suddenly turning on her heels and walking a few steps until she realised he wasn't following. "Coming to greet our guest? Or did I get dressed for nothing?"
"Your outfit? Do you have plans to go out?" He asked, catching up. He saw her nod. "Are you going alone? I would suggest taking Ruka or another to accompany you."
"Thanks for the concern," Perse inclined her head in acknowledgement. "I've already asked Ruka to come with me. Better safe than sorry for a couple months."
"When is your eighteenth birthday?"
"This November."
"Only nine months away," They began to descend the stairs. "You don't plan to finish the next year here, I take it?"
"Two hundred and sixty days, I'm counting down."
Silence fell between them, neither set of footsteps sounded as they walked down the marble staircase. All of the Night Class were down there, waiting for the guest to come.
"I don't see why I have to greet him," Perse muttered quietly, keeping her voice level and soft. "He's your head of government."
"In Vampire Society, it is common courtesy for the highest ranked Vampire in one place to greet any Senate members," He said, letting his eyes drift to her, seeing the guarded look on her face before looking forward again. "And it is usually the same if there are any other races present."
"And being the only Witch, it is my duty to welcome them,"
"Correct,"
Takuma quickly came up the stairs, almost halting them in their steps but they continued on. "Kaname? Perse? I don't think you need to be here. He's probably just here to lecture me about something or another. Perse, I thought you were going to town?"
"I am," She shrugged as they continued down. "But Kaname mentioned someone was visiting. It's only polite to greet the guest before I leave."
"it's only my grandfather,"
"And from what Kaname told me, he is the most senior Senate member," Perse smiled softly. "I believe that at least harbours a welcome."
As soon as the two reached the floor and congregated with the rest of the main members of Night Class, the double doors opened with a gust of window.
"I do appreciate such a warm welcome," The man said as he walked in. With pointed ears, a beard, and his age, he almost looked just like Takuma. But his fashion with the cloak was making Perse think of Dracula too much. "But I've only come to visit my dear grandson, so there isn't any need for this formality or customs. But I am quite surprised to see you, Princess Graylight."
"Princess?" Hanabusa mumbled, gently jerking Perse in the ribs when he stepped closer to her to talk. "What's he going on about? You're no princess."
"Vampires don't have a monarchy anymore, so PureBloods are called Lords and Ladies. But Witches, we still have one. Being the oldest Graylight, I get the title of Princess," Perse whispered to him, jabbing him in the ribs back. "If any Witch not of one of the Pure Clans met Kaname and not on a first name basis, they would call him Lord Kuran."
"How long has it been since I've seen you last?" Ichio said evenly, bowing a little as he took her hand to put a kiss on her knuckle. He stayed like that, holding her hand while in a bow.
Perse didn't bow or even acknowledge this. "Some time."
"My condolences, Princess." He pressed his forehead to the ring on her right middle finger, a black ring with a teardrop purple stone. "It was sad news to hear that your mother passed. Truly a waste of potential."
"And blood,"
"And blood. Nothing compares to the blood of a Witch of the Three Clans, especially of a Crown Witch. It is up to the standard of a Pureblood's, completely incomparable to anything else." Ichio's eyes flickered to Kaname who stood only a few feet away but Ichio sensed no challenge from him. "Though I missed the chance with your mother, I hope you give me the exquisite experience of your bloo—"
Kaname wanted to pull her away from him, knowing what Ichio was about to do but Perse was quicker. Ichio tried to twist her hand closer, only ending up with the tip of his nose singed. She twisted her hand until it was palm up, snapping her fingers before a flame appeared above her thumb and pointer finger. It had barely singed him before he stood up straight, his hand pulled to the side by Kaname.
The flame was bright blue, tinged with an edge of purple as she swayed her hand in front of her hand. "Never try and take a Greylight's blood without permission. It will end… painfully on your side. Thank you, Kaname."
"No blood is allowed to be spilled on Cross Academy grounds, Ichio," Kaname dropped his hand, the coldness of his tone was below freezing and stilled the Aristocratic man. "You know this and yet you threaten a member of the school?"
"It wasn't a threat." Ichio tried but it didn't stop Kaname's icy glare. The fierce hatred was hidden behind the dulled boredom.
Ruka touched Perse's elbow. The Witch glanced at her, debating for a second before dropping her hand with sigh. The flame extinguished by itself, disappearing without a trace. It had been made of Magic, and would disappear as soon as the Magic that conjured it did.
"If you will excuse Ruka and I, we have previously agreed on plans," Perse stated as she walked until she was shoulder to shoulder with Ichio. "While my mother entertained your jokes and thinly veiled threats, I will not. I'm not my mother, nor am I someone to be pushed around. Next time, the Senate will have to find a new head because I will have yours as a trophy."
Ichio laughed, a sound that echoed a little with belief and yet he sounded like he was mocking her. "You have your father's temper, his temper and his eyes."
Silver glowed instead of the ussal grey, her tinted lips tilted into a small smirk. "I am my father's daughter." She turned around, a civil smile suddenly on her lips as she spoke louder. "Akatsuki, are you joining Ruka and I?"
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Their first stop was the cafe in town. Ruka sat across from Perse, dressed in her pale lilac dress. Akatsuki was next to Ruka, one leg propped on the booth bench across from him as he had an arm behind Rika. It was a casual move but it seemed to make Ruka smile. It also stopped people from getting close to both ladies, the small frown on his face also helped.
"How is your hand, Perse?" Ruka asked to escape the silence between them ordering and their meals coming.
"All healed, thanks,"
It fell silent again but it was comfortable. The waitress interrupted it, placing the desserts they had chosen before them along with a couple of drinks. Perse had chosen a raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake while Ruka went for a caramel drizzled brioche, and Akatsuki had a small chocolate sundae.
"So you're royalty?" Akatsuki said between spoonfuls of ice cream. "Like full blown royalty?"
"It's a bit more complicated than that, but yeah," Perse nodded. "The Order of Witches is a council more than anything, but those seats are taken by the monarch of each family, we call them Crowns. We have the Lower and Upper Courts, made of advisors and minor nobles and aristocrats, but the leaders are the three Crowns, one from each family."
"But Ichio called you Princess?"
"Next in line Crowns are called Prince and Princess to distinguish them from other members of the Clan."
"Excuse my question," Ruka said. "But if your mother, the Crown, is dead, aren't you the Crown then?"
"I am but I'm not supposed to be yet, my Princess title remains until I am eighteen and then I can take over the Crown name. Right now, there's no Crown Greylight."
"So you have to be an adult to be a Crown?"
"Yeah,"
"That doesn't seem very fair. You're already seventeen, and you're not allowed to take the Crown title?"
"I have the title but I'm not allowed to use it until I'm of age," She shrugged. "Legalities suck."
"If you're not the leader of your Clan yet, who is?"
Perse thought for an answer. "The other Clans have taken over. They pretend it is in my best interest to have one of them as my guardian until I am of age, but it's an excuse to control me. Since I haven't appointed anyone to be my guardian and my mother's will has me emancipated, I legally don't need to be looked after by anyone."
Ruka nodded. "You're waiting until you turn eighteen before returning. They can't force you to return because of the emancipation laws."
"The funny thing is that they tried to pass laws that would force any under age Witch to be under guardianship until they are of age, but they need the approval of all three Crowns, and it has to be unanimous. I voted no and they tried to make it so an under aged Crown cannot vote, which they need my approval to actually pass."
"After that, you fled the country and came here," Akatsuki said, his lip curling.
They finished their desserts before moving onto different shops, getting this and that. Ruka and Perse got a couple new dresses and outfits, even getting a pair of boots that would go with their uniform each.
Surprisingly, the three of them got along nicely. Their conversations stayed civil and even went into the range of friendliness.
Perse saw the way Akatsuki looked at Ruka. It was sweet, especially when Ruka watched him when he didn't look at her. She began to play matchmaker.
When Ruka tried the dresses on and showed them, Perse always asked Akatsuki his opinion of the colour and fit. His responses were short and a little snippy but they made Ruka blush.
Two lovesick puppies.
Perse needed to sort them out before she puked because of how lovey dovey they were without realising.
Love.
Ack.