Hurrah! Weekly updates! More of the world of VK here, guess where we're at? And warning ahead, I am taking liberties with history and historical people here, so bear with me and my imagination.

~Audriel

Chapter 9

At the north of the current city of Aachen, in the Western German Land of North Rhine-Westphalia a grand complex of buildings with various sizes and design could be seen. It was the Palace of Aachen, where Charles the Great or Charlemagne used to reside and rule his vast empire from. He divided the empire to his sons for them to rule, and the sons of his sons continued to rule although in different roles brought to the change of time that required them to adapt.

Each of the descendants of his sons had the greatest influence over the nation where they were entrusted to, and each had their own names. However, there was only one who deserved to bear the name of Charlemagne among them and remained as the leader among them. Louis was the one who was chosen to be given the honor to lead the great descendants of Charlemagne, having proven his worth among the other influential purebloods whom he shared blood with.

Louis Charlemagne, he was the third Louis to bear the name Charlemagne, but the twentieth to bear the name of Louis among his predecessors, each to their own achievements. He was told that he bore great resemblance to his ancestor and would've been named Charles if Louis' father dared to and if there was no such restrictions for the name Charles to be reserved for the truest Charlemagne.

He was rather heavily built, sturdy, and of considerable stature compared to most vampires, although not exceptionally so, given that he stood seven feet tall and that he was swift on his feet as it was shown on the dance floor. He had elegant features with square and strong set of jaws and high cheekbones, pronouncing his dark blue eyes that maintained the lively twinkle even as it grew cold and menacing. He had gleaming blond hair that was rarely tamed, giving him a youthful and attractive appearance, added with a bright and cheerful expression. His voice was clear, but a little higher than one would have expected for a man of his build and held the authority one expected for someone who was sharpened by the centuries of reigning Europe.

With his ascension to the throne, the man proved himself to be a capable ruler and worthy of the title bestowed upon him. He could be said as the equivalent of Kuran Kaname in Asia, although the comparison was hardly adequate. Zero had once saw the two purebloods together, and saw that the Kuran seemed no different than a child or a youth compared to the Charlemagne despite the youthful attitude the European adopted. The sight made him feel small in comparison to the influential purebloods although his influence was as much as both of them combined as the leader of the Hunter Association in Eurasia. His duty was surely unenviable, having to take care two of the greatest continents in the world, making travel a regular activity and necessity.

Right now he was attending one of the routine grand banquets held in the Great Council Hall of Palace of Aachen where it was used to house the speeches delivered by the Emperor once a year and gather the highest officials in the Kingdom, then Empire, dignitaries and the hierarchy of the power: counts, vassals of the king, bishops and abbots. It was a tradition that the reigning Charlemagne preserved by gathering all the influential people in both societies, not limited to the borders of continents in this place. No one dared to pass the chance to gain friends and allies to strengthen their own position, but more so to anger the European pureblood by refusing attendance.

Zero was neither of them. He simply wanted the easy way to know more of the people he would eventually interact while he was holding the position as the president of Hunter Association, which would make lesser time and cost spent to travel from one place to another in order to know which people he could trust and not to trust. That, and he actually found a liking towards the unique pureblood, whose demeanour contrasted his true nature and capability that managed to appear with the most subtle way without having to assert his authority.

The man judged people based on their worth, giving them the proper treatment based on his judgment, allies and enemies alike. It was no wonder that everyone respected him and wanted his alliance, although he was not one above lending a hand to those in need. It all returned to the person's worth in his eyes.

He only realized this after knowing Charlemagne better. He was aware of the man's status and influence to an extent, especially since he was a vampire himself, but he didn't bring himself to care, just like he did with Kuran. Thus he treated the man no different, neither trying to impress nor to gain respect. He gave the pureblood the same respect and courtesy he gave to others.

Without intending to, it seemed that his polite but distant manner only further interested Charlemagne. It was interesting how his advisors had complained of his indifference towards the influential people in both worlds when it was his indifference that gained him the alliance they desired the most.

Charlemagne didn't go as far as singling him out whenever they met, greeting him first before the others with higher social status, but he was one of the few that the pureblood chose as his company throughout the banquets or the conferences they attended together.

That was how he found himself standing not far from the blonde-haired man who was currently engaging a president of a European nation, a prime minister of Asian nation, some northern nobles and a Middle-eastern pureblood, sometimes switching to each native language to earn some reaction from the other. One of the few things Zero learned early on was the man was capable of almost all known language, which should not be surprising considering the man had eternity to learn all of them.

Zero himself made sure that he was able to speak in multiple languages, at least the major languages in both continents he was in charge of, so he was able to follow some of the foreign words Charlemagne spoke. He hid his smirk behind the red wine filled with diluted blood tablets when he caught the Middle-eastern's attempt to bring down the other pureblood failed by few sentences in his own language. It was certainly effective, without really going as far as humiliating that man openly in front of others. Charlemagne was the epitome of perfect gentleman indeed.

Eventually each of them left the pureblood, some satisfied, some were not with the result of their conversation. The Middle-eastern pureblood was among the latter.

"You certainly put the Shah in his place," Zero calmly walked to the slightly shorter man's side.

"You understand what I said?" Charlemagne looked at the younger man with an interested look.

"For one shall pride in oneself achievement but not in others," Zero perfectly translated those words that were spoken. He also added, "He's that kind of man."

"Ah, you've met him." It was more a statement, which he confirmed with a casual nod. "Not a very pleasant company, hmm?"

"Most people are." His answer elicited a hearty laugh from the pureblood.

"You're getting better with words, I see," Charlemagne seemed rather pleased at the fact.

"Inevitable," Zero replied, despite his improved manners to others, he was still the man with few words when he felt no need to speak. And with Charlemagne, he didn't really need to pay more attention to such things. That was the way both of them liked it.

"Walk with me," suddenly Charlemagne told him, making him look at the other man in askance. But the pureblood only looked at him with such expectant eyes that he let out a defeated sigh and took up his offer, which earned a pleased look from Charlemagne. Those gleaming eyes of the influential man rivalled the eyes of Yuuki when she wanted something.

Somehow they managed to get out from the aula regia without being noticed; walking to the direction of the gallery where only few people had access to. It was a long and wide hallway with various pictures and portraits on the wall and artistic decorations on the arched ceilings, giving the sense of wide and open space.

Although he wasn't one to pay attention and admire such things, he couldn't help to notice it as the designs seemed familiar to him. He remembered seeing this kind of designs during one of his tour with Misaki to the exhibitions she was interested in. Misaki certainly would love to explore every nook and cranny of the Palace. The thought made him smile slightly.

"Do you like it?" Charlemagne asked the young man.

"I'm honoured," Zero deftly avoided to be asked further of his opinion regarding art and architecture details, even he was familiar enough with it due to Misaki. He simply didn't have the taste. His eyes examined the length of the walls as they walked leisurely. He saw the diversity in the images on the walls, it wasn't only drawings of nature, but it was also depictions of historical events and the portraits of the people involved. It seemed the timeline was started from the Hall, and if he was correct, he would find the portrait of the first Charlemagne, which he did.

"You're correct," the current Charlemagne commented as both of their eyes fell on the full portrait of the Carolus Magnus in his complete grandeur after the depiction of his coronation in Saint Peter Basilica.

"The first Charlemagne."

"Our ancestor." There was a note of pride as he said this. Zero thought the man had the right to be, having such a great man's blood running in his veins and been chosen to bear the name of Charlemagne. No one else deserved the right to such claim any more than the man did. And with that, the man went to explain the history of his ancestry through the images drawn on the wall.

Zero found himself interested in the history of the Charlemagne and his sons and his descendants. He was getting a glimpse of understanding how the purebloods came to existence in Europe better. The Charlemagne didn't truly explain the details, but he was well-versed enough in the other man's unspoken language that he could get the impression what happened in those days.

History wasn't exactly his strong point back in the Academy, mainly because he thought that history were simply subjective depictions of the events through the eyes of those who held power. However, Charlemagne didn't seem to try to explain the past as he saw fit, but as he saw as it was.

He spoke of the successes and of the failures. He spoke of the kindness and of the cruelty. He spoke of the vampires and of the humans. There were times when it appeared that the vampires were the ones misjudged and mistreated, and there were times when it was the other way around. Indirectly emphasizing on the similarities instead of the differences. He was reminded of Misaki's words that people tended to focus of differences than of similarities and somehow found it fit with the history of the world in general, not limited to Europe, Asia or any other continents.

He was listening to Charlemagne's passionate explanation when his eyes caught a brief of golden waves and blue sky. Before he fully registered what he did, he stopped his stride and found himself unable to look away at a certain portrait on the wall.

It was a portrait of a woman that was standing by the river with the dark sky glittering with stars behind her. The woman was looking towards the heavens as if she was seeing something that no one else saw as one of her hand raised to pray while the other was dipped into the waters. Of all the portraits he had seen, this portrait stood out the most. The previous portraits he saw showed a certain figure in their grandeur, whether it was the portrait of them wearing their finest clothes as kings and queens, their achievements as scholars, or their conquests as warriors. Its depictions were clear in meaning, but this portrait appeared vaguer in meaning.

But most of all was the appearance of the woman. The woman had the clearest blue eyes and the gentlest waves of golden hair that framed her graceful features. She had thick eyelashes where her eyes were half-hidden beneath, elegant set of eyebrows above her eyes, delicate nose and chin, and lush red lips. She had translucent skin that seemed to glow underneath the darkness of night and pronounced her flawless figure from her slender neck, small shoulders and her dainty fingers.

Zero was never one to really pay attention to appearance, or beauty that was greatly prized in women, but he could acknowledge and appreciate beauty when it came to it. As inexperienced as he was, he couldn't find the best way but to describe that the woman was an image of perfection. He recognized the distinctive features of Charlemagne descendants in her, leading him to the conclusion that she was a relative of sorts to the current Charlemagne. However, as he looked longer at the portrait at the woman, he couldn't help but to see Misaki in the woman. They shared many similar features, and maybe more, because the woman seemed to be older than her.

"…Who is she?" Zero unconsciously whispered, unable to look away from the portrait. There was a moment of silence before he heard an answer.

"She's my sister." The answer caught Zero off guard; he never heard that the Charlemagne had any sister. Charlemagne seemed to understand his surprise; his smile was nostalgic and poignant when he elaborated.

"I had a sister, Mariė. She was lost to us before I was the Charlemagne."

The way Charlemagne spoke of her and looked at her portrait gave him the impression that his sister wasn't gone the way the predecessors were. And when he looked at the small details drawn alongside the figure of the woman, he started to suspect that the man didn't lead him here without reason.

I

I

I

When the banquet was over, Zero excused himself from the host and his family to retreat to the small palace near the thermae that was reserved for guests. He easily found the way to his room, already been around the place. He closed the door shut before heading towards the direction of the bedroom. The guest room was more like an apartment than a normal hotel room with several separate rooms inside with smaller measurements and without kitchen and dining room. He laid his weary body on the bed, his mind unconsciously recalling the image of the portrait of the supposed sister of the Charlemagne.

The symbolism in the portrait was unmistakeable to him and was too much a coincidence. He might be reading into it too much, but he couldn't ignore the suspicion that he had after he saw the woman, and the similarity she shared with Misaki.

The river signified Aruda that was derived from Årud in Norwegian that meant a river by a clearing.

The stars signified the foresight ability the Aruda was known of for the foretellers of old used to use the stars and the other sky dwellers to tell the future.

The way she dipped one of her hand in the water and one raised above signified the way the Aruda changed the flow of the future while at the same time they let the future take its own course.

And he couldn't deny the gut feeling that Charlemagne intentionally brought him to the gallery to see his reaction to that certain portrait, making him think that the man was aware of his relationship with Misaki. He mulled on it for several moments, and decided there was one way to find out. He checked the time on his watch, and pulled out his phone to dial the numbers he had grown to remember by heart. He waited with a baited breath before he could hear the phone being picked up.

"Hallo?" Those gentle, feminine voice immediately made him at ease, he slumped tiredly against the soft mattress of the bed.

"Zero?" Misaki who was currently working late in her drawing room stopped her movements when she heard the faint sigh across the line.

"Am I disturbing?" It was the usual greeting the silver-haired man took whenever he called her through her cell, making the aspiring architect smile at the thoughtfulness.

"Not really. You're a welcomed break," and that was how she usually answered. First she could sense his awkwardness, after being out of touch for so long, but now the awkwardness were long gone and what was left the unusual way of greeting.

"Good to hear," he smiled a little to hear the answer he never got bored of.

"You sound tired," Misaki noted observantly, wearing the wireless earphone to her ear so she could continue working as she conversed with Zero through the phone.

"Yeah. It's the annual banquet of Aachen," he once told her of the event, if he recalled correctly.

"Ah, it's May already," she proved him that she remembered.

"Did I tell you who host the banquet?"

"Yes, you did. It's Lord Charlemagne, isn't it?" Misaki suddenly felt nervous, wondering why that all of the sudden Zero spoke of the pureblood now.

"He just showed me the gallery," he paused, putting a hand over his eyes, "It was filled with depictions of the history of the pureblood family and portraits of the descendants of Charlemagne…"

This time Misaki found herself unable to work as she listened to his words attentively. She had been there too, when her patron told her of his suspicions regarding her ancestry. If Charlemagne did the same to Zero, then he would have seen the portrait of the woman.

"I saw a portrait of a woman… She reminded me of you." His words made her breath catch in his throat. She was told by the Charlemagnes that she indeed shared many similarities with the woman in the portrait, but now that Zero thought the same…

"And the drawings around her reminded me of Aruda," another pause, "The river by her side, the hand beneath the flowing water, the stars behind her…" his voice trailed away, as if his mind drifted away somewhere she couldn't reach. Misaki chose to wait whatever he would say next.

"…Misaki, is that your ancestor?" It was as straightforward as she expected from him. She had yet to share this piece information with him and thought that it was about time for her to do so.

"Yes, she is," silence greeted her answer, but she continued, "Mariė, the pureblood or she was later known as Maria Årud, the mother of the Aruda."

"That was why she was considered lost," it all made sense now, Charlemagne's words, "She was married to a human, didn't she?"

"Chose to be," Misaki corrected with a hint of pride in her tone at her ancestor's decision, "And decided to lock her own powers in order to remain by the side of the man she loved."

"You've known this?"

"Only after I saw the portrait in the gallery in Palace of Aachen. I've seen her portrait once when I was a child, and it was difficult to forget." Zero couldn't deny it; he could barely get rid of the woman's image from his mind.

"I was told that she was an immortal being that chose a mortal man and lived like a mortal. I've long suspected she was either a noble or a pureblood, since they possessed unique abilities that might be out of our knowledge, but I didn't expect her to be a pureblood, and a descendant of Charlemagne herself."

Zero had the same suspicions when she told him that her ancestor might be a vampire, but what caught his attention was the fact that Misaki was able to see the portrait in the gallery where only selected few could see it, which were the members of Charlemagne family and the people given access to by the Charlemagne himself.

"Charlemagne… he found out that you're the remaining Aruda?" Despite his tone, it was more of a statement than a question. There was slight worry in his tone, he knew that Misaki tried hard that her identity as an Aruda kept secret.

"It seemed that he had been watching the descendants of his sister for a while." Misaki could hear a snort from Zero at the understatement.

"He's been looking for you." Zero recalled the concealed look of intense longing behind the sadness on the pureblood's features. He didn't find it difficult to believe that the man would go such length to make sure that his sister wasn't completely lost to him.

"He has a little foresight ability, although not as strong as Maria. That was how he found me, just simply by looking at my portfolio."

"…He's your patron." With this everything fell into place. He was aware of the Charlemagne tradition to give patronage to those who prevailed or gave promise in their fields. He was aware that Misaki was among the ones worthy of his patronage, giving him the best cover to get closer and protect her, especially if the man was aware to the incident befalling her.

Kirihara once mentioned to him in one of his reports that there was no need for him to watch over Misaki anymore for someone else with better capability and wider influence had given his protection. He had thought that it was Francis at first, but the vague report might actually mean the master of the vampire himself. Misaki had the direct protection of the influential pureblood by being his cliens, a better, if not the best protection than he could provide for her and the children. Thinking of this, he became silent for rather a long time.

"…Are you angry?" Misaki felt worried when the line went silent, making her wonder if it was a good idea to keep such important information from him. Zero didn't fail to notice the guilt underneath her tone, and it made him feel bad. He indeed felt disappointed that she didn't tell him about her relationship with Charlemagne. It made him felt jealous for the pureblood for knowing what he didn't know and doing what he couldn't do.

"No I'm just, sort of-" he finally answered, rather reluctant to share the reason why, "-sort of jealous of him." There, he said it, and he wasn't surprised to get a shocked silence through the line.

"…Why?" Confusion was clear in her voice.

"Because he's the Charlemagne," he spoke rather bitterly at that.

"And you're Zero," she countered. "Although with this newfound revelation, I don't know him as much or as long as I know you."

"Then why didn't you tell me of him?" he asked, trying not to sound accusing. He had to remind himself that Misaki always had a reason behind everything she did, and it wasn't his right to question it. He was about to retract his words when she answered.

"I suppose… I cannot really wrap my mind over the idea that I have a relative, as distant as it is…" she paused. "And someone who cares that much…"

Zero was silenced at this unexpected answer.

"I know, it sounds weird, huh?" there was a nervous laugh from the other line. And Zero felt the dire need to bang his head to the wall for his lack of sensitivity. He should've known, he would've felt the same way if someone who claimed to be his relative appeared before him and showed that he/she truly cared for him. The bond of blood was undeniable, as much as it was.

"…Is he nice to you?" He wanted to apologize, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"…He is. The children call him Uncle Louis."

"He's met the children?" That explained how Charlemagne figured out his relationship with Misaki.

"Yeah. He knew that I had children, so I couldn't stop him from meeting them." Zero smiled a little at this, it seemed that he wasn't the only one that Misaki tried not to mention from the other.

If he were to think more, he could understand the reason why she was reluctant for them to know each other through their relationship with her, because it would influence their relationship as the leading figures in both worlds. If Charlemagne knew that he was the father of her children, he might not approve of their relationship as the man was the closest to father figure to her now. If he knew that Charlemagne was a distant relative of Misaki, he might unconsciously try to get closer to him. Misaki wanted them to like each other, but not because of her. He let out a sigh, this time he let his emotions to affect his judgment and nearly cost him her trust.

"It's alright. That makes us even now." Now they both knew their relationship with Misaki. "Don't worry; we won't let it affect our judgment of one another."

"I know." And from the tone of her voice alone, he could picture her gentle smiling face that made his heart ache to realize how easily she forgave him because of her faith in him. "I'm proud to know you both." Those words only further confirmed it.

"Get some rest. The banquet is just the beginning, isn't it?" Her words were soft and kind, easily finding its way through his aching heart. There was so many things he wanted to say, how he wanted to apologize for everything, how he wanted to say that she meant a lot to him, how he felt just by listening to her voice, how… how… So many things he wanted to ask, such as why she chose him, why she didn't choose someone else worthy of her, why she had so much faith in him, why… why…

But he was such a coward, not being able to find his own voice and said it out loud. His throat was tight as he managed to speak,

"Alright. Good night."

"Good night."

And like every call he made to her, he was never the one to hang up. He held on the phone until the constant beeping that signalled the end of the call greeted his ear. This time he let the sound lulled him as his eyes drifted shut with her voice the last in his mind.

I

I

I

Zero regained his equilibrium the next day, no trace of the turmoil caused by the newfound revelations. He went through all the matters he needed to discuss in the capacity of the president of Hunter Association with every parties involved with his usual razor-sharp intensity that he came to be known of.

When it was over and done with, Zero retreated to the porch that overlooked the vast and beautiful garden of Palace of Aachen, subtly avoiding the newly-arrived Kuran and his trusted circle with him. He minimized the need for him to interact with the dark-haired pureblood if there was no absolute necessity, and usually in the form of the Kuran princess.

He never grew to feel comfortable in the presence of Kaname, despite the trust and respect they now had for each other as they both had the same intention when it came to Yuuki and the world in general and he did start to see the better side of him when he took off the prejudice he held towards the man, but as his growing understanding of the way the world worked, he became to realize the true danger the Kuran represented, which wasn't in term of physical strength. That man was cunning, especially when it was related to the safety and happiness of his Yuuki. He had no qualm to use everyone, even those who were dear to him and Yuuki as his pawns. He was one of them.

He slowly and carefully learned to release the ties that bound him in order to make him dance under that man's fingertips. At first he wanted to do it for his own sake, but now that he had someone else to think about, he became more eager to get rid of those strings.

The truth was, he was afraid if the Kuran knew his growing relationship with Misaki, and his children, he would try to make them his pawns, at least to make sure he remained as his ultimate pawn. And that was the last thing he wanted to happen. For now, he needed not to worry about Esterházy, if the look on the older man's face was any indication when those darkened brown eyes fell on him.

The previous thoughts lingered in his mind after his midnight conversation with Misaki returned, once again making him question himself. Now that Misaki had the protection of the Charlemagne, it shouldn't be difficult for the man to choose someone worthy of her that had no such problems like he needed to face, that he would inevitably involve her in. However, he knew it wouldn't be fair for both of them.

His hand absently went to the new metal ornament adorned his ear, the feel of cold sting against his skin reminded him of the day when she wore him that by herself. He remembered the brief moment when they were so close to each other that he was tempted to let them remain in that position longer.

He wondered what made his relationship with Misaki so different with Yuuki. Back then when he lived together with Yuuki he was still able to hold tight rein of his feelings, never letting a glimpse of his feeling to anyone, not even to Yuuki. He managed to keep himself detached even as he was given the permission to drink her blood. However, when it came to Misaki, he couldn't help but to lose the reins of his emotions.

Maybe because he thought that for this once, he stood a chance? He was in no threat in falling into a Level E. He didn't have to compete with a certain Kuran pureblood that was first in her life.

Zero had to stifle a snort at the thought. A chance huh? After what he had done to her? After what he made her go through?

The hand holding the wine glass he had been drinking from trembled in supressed anger, but the emotion rolled from him in waves, unconsciously affecting his surroundings, creating turbulence in the air that scattered the leaves and petals in the garden.

"That's quite an impressive display."

The sudden voice broke him out of his stupor, making him immediately tighten the reins over his control and regained his composure once again, ceasing the disturbance he created in the instant that left no trace of what happened. Zero calmly turned towards the direction of the voice that belonged to a familiar blond-haired figure of the head of Charlemagne family.

The man seemed rather calm and thoughtful, which was a rare sight because the bright and cheerful expression was part of his persona that he rarely dropped before others. Zero chose not to answer, because he knew that acknowledging that it was unintentional only showed his lack of control of his own powers or his emotions, and it wasn't something that should be seen by others. Inwardly he cursed himself for his carelessness.

Charlemagne fearlessly moved to stand beside the man who just released a wave of tumultuous emotions that could easily hurt him if he were too close, but he didn't seem to care. The blond man raised an eyebrow at the slight mess he caused on the garden.

"Seems like I have to remind my gardener to clean up," he commented offhandedly then calmly sipped his drink.

Zero usually liked the other man's company, but right now he wanted to be alone, so he didn't bother to initiate any kind of conversation and let the man speak if he wanted to. There was a long silence between them, Zero maintained his façade of indifference and Charlemagne simply enjoyed the view, or at least appeared to be, occasionally sipping the wine.

"Someone's bothering you?" the question was casual, but Zero knew better.

"Everyone is," he gave him the kind of answer he usually chose.

"Including yourself?" At this, Zero tensed, he recognized the tone very well. The tone Charlemagne often adopted whenever he tried to see into others, to judge them inside and out. He rarely used that kind of tone with him before, especially in such personal matters. Zero knew that the only way to prevent the man to search deeper into him was by giving him the truth, although not necessarily everything.

"Yes."

"Why is that?" There was a hint of pure curiosity in his voice, he could sense the man's glance toward him but he kept his eyes trained to the distance.

"How does one know one self's worth?" Zero managed to sum everything in those simple words. Only himself who truly realized the depth of that question.

"That's quite a difficult question, indeed," the man agreed, this time following the younger man's example. "But I believe that one's worth can only be measured by oneself."

"Then how does one know of worth?" Zero knew he was being vague, but he was sure that the sharp mind of the pureblood was able to follow him to an extent.

"One does not know worth until one finds the one who gives oneself worth." The answer was no less cryptic or confusing, but somehow Zero understood the meaning.

"How do you know whether you're worthy?" This time Zero chose the more direct way of questioning instead of the vague ones before. The silver-haired hunter thought he saw a glimpse of smile on the older vampire's face at the question.

"You never know. You can only keep trying. Only when you think you're worthy, that's when you know that you're not." Blue eyes shone brightly in the darkness of the night, looking straight at him as if wanting to make sure that he wouldn't forget that. That moment was broken when Charlemagne released their gaze.

"I'm afraid I have to excuse myself. They'd be wondering where the host is by now."

Before he turned to leave the young president, Charlemagne gave a firm seize on his broad shoulders. Zero could only watch the leaving back of the pureblood with unconcealed surprise, wondering what that gesture would mean.

Hmmm, what would the gesture mean? I wanna hear your guesses, or simply leave a simple hi to know that you're still following this story.