Chapter 19:
Lest Karr glared at the door as if the thing could just vanished. Never in his 2000 years of living as a vampire had he ever experienced this kind of embarrassing thing. Insulted, he clenched his fist and he left the hall with a promise to get back on Ferid's insolence. He will not allow anyone no matter who they are to step on him as if he is nothing but a rag. Meanwhile Ferid listened to his superiors who are still deliberating on what they should do about the livestock and Rigr. Krul on the other hand suggested pursuing Stafford Rigr first because he is the key to unlock the mysteries surrounding the JIDA's knowledge about the Owari no Seraph experiments. Ky agreed too but albeit reluctant because if there is someone who can handle the former second progenitor, it will be Urd alone. The rest will be no match for him.
"I have a feeling that he'll see Ferid soon" Krul started.
"Why is that my Queen?" Ky asked. Starring at his gloved hands before leaning his back comfortably into his chair.
"He should have been alerted by our arrival which means he'll suspect that Ferid or Krul—the one who summoned us all into his playground" Starring at the youngest progenitor in the room, Urd muttered.
"Not bad but I doubt he'll ever try to go near us when he is well-aware that you are staying with us, Your Majesty" Ferid tapped his chin with the tip of his index finger.
"Indeed. He'll try to avoid Lord Geales as much as he can and he'll be in disadvantage even if he is the second progenitor. Lord Geales have us while he is alone"
"Lord Stafford is smarter than what he looks and there is no doubt that if ever he is to visit one you" Ky looked at Ferid and then at Krul. "He'll do it while you are surrounded by us. Which means, he'll lure one of your out or both"
"He definitely knew it was me" Ferid sighed in defeat. "I mean he's my surrogate father and he trained me and all" He rubbed his cheek unconsciously. He felt Mahiru's fingers roughly touching his cheek. Ky stared at him.
"You know Ferid Bathory, there are times wherein I can feel something weird when I am around you. As if we have another company that only you can see" Ky Luc said at last. He tilted his head albeit slowly. "Could it be that you were seeing something that we can't because you are His majesty Rigr Stafford's Michaela"
"Age is definitely getting into you, Your Highness" A playful snort escaped the seventh progenitor's lips. He shook his head, nails digging into his palm.
"How about this then— why don't we ask Her majesty on what the First Progenitor did to her and to her beloved brother Ashera" Ferid suggested.
"…" Krul glared at the silver snake.
"How about we try to get to know each other better?" Ferid suggested. "I might even tell you what the former second progenitor did to me" A bitter taste lingered at the tip of his tongue. The mere thought of his past somewhat boiled something inside him. He can feel the bile crawling into his mouth but he chose to swallow it back. Those days were horrible. Unconsciously, Ferid gripped the wine glass on his hand too tight till the shards impaled his gloved hand, his own blood soaking his once pristine gloves.
"Ferid Bathory" Urd called out the younger vampire's name. He along with the other two observed the sudden changed in the demeanor of the child. Whatever Rigr did must have been traumatized the boy. The scent of a progenitor's blood is like a honey to the horde of vampires.
"Oh my. Please forgive my sudden lack of attention" Ferid laughed albeit awkward. He removed his gloves along with the shards that impaled his palms. Later on, he throws the dirtied gloves into the fireplace and burning it. Cleaning his hands afterwards.
"Could it be that you—" Krul narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the younger vampire. She knew what kind of experiments all the high ranked progenitors have undergo before they became vampires under the First Progenitor's guidance but she never suspected before that Ferid might have been experimented too under Rigr Stafford's order. That explains his ability to see the Mahiru even if she was turned into a demon.
"It's nothing like that. Not at all" Ferid denied the assumptions of the woman he's been obsessed with for hundreds of years.
"Lord Stafford?" The young human stared at his patron worriedly. Drinking from him was never enough for the cruel man. No, He has another agenda upon adopting the orphaned young heir of the Bathory line.
"You'll always be my precious Michaela, Ferid" The man whispered into his ear before sinking his fangs into the noble child's artery.
"?!" Ferid jerked from his seat as if he was electrocuted. He cussed at how the unwanted memories of his past are starting to haunt him as of late. Urd, Ky and Krul eyed him suspiciously. He rubbed at the crook of his neck.
"What is it?" Ky inquired. "You seemed scared"
"You are just imagining things m'lord. Where were we again?" He tried to distract them. He can hear Mahiru's laughter echoing behind him.
"If you say so" Ky just shrugged nonchalantly. Respecting the young vampire's privacy but soon they have to force the information out of Ferid's lips. Whatever Stafford Rigr did to the child might be the key to why he went missing out of the blue.
"Ferid" Mahiru whispered. "He's on his way here" She warned her fun partner. The vampire stared blankly ahead. Krul on the other hand signaled for Ky and Urd that Rigr is on his way to Sanguinem. The two kings arched their eyebrows on her but she just kept her mouth shut.
"If there is nothing we could discuss, May I ask for the permission to be dismiss?" Ferid smiled too sweet.
Urd snapped his head to the east, the familiar scent hit his nose. He unsheathed his weapon and as if on cue, Rigr Stafford came in through the wall. Bursting from the outside. A grin flustered across his lips.
"It's nice to see you again Urd" The man greeted his brother. "I see that even Krul and Ky are here" He stared at his younger siblings before he laid his eyes on his child. "Good to see you too Ferid. I believed that we have something important to talk about" He grabbed the youngest vampire's throat.