Chapter 7
Flashback
Outside, in the palace's White Rose garden, under a gazebo;
"I was sent to propose the forming of an alliance with the House of Count Orlando, as you are aware the nobles do not fancy your ladyship and who knows how long his royal highness, the crown prince will keep someone of your status by his side and risk losing the support of the noble faction, comply on command and Lady Rosalie promise a high ranking position as a reward" the male servant/messenger relayed to Lady Lilith.
"And what would she want my help with?" the male silverette dragon disguise as a human noble female asked feigning interest taking a sip of her delicious herbal tea. 'Ah, he's from the faction supporting Duke Harborn's daughter for future Empress' he mused.
'My Lady request your support in making Lady Rosalie Harborn, future Empress of Tristan, convincing the crown prince should be easy since you are such a dear friend to his highness" he replied shameless with a straight face.
"The Empress..." the silverette's tea cup fractured, the liquid inside freeze instantly as his displeasure slip for a moment, oblivious to the rude servant. 'Lynell Orlando, you are courting death.'
"Yes, her ladyship would make a great Empress, don't you agree, given her pure noble blood" he boldly declared with a taunting smile quickening his impending doom, 'unlike a lowly thing of unknown origin' he left unsaid.
"I decline the generous offer, 'how ignorant this whelp is', leave my sight while you are still able, the dragon calmly ordered, I will pretend this conversation never happened" he subtly, magically repaired the damage tea cup and reheated the frozen liquid then sipped it soothingly.
The servant bristled but held back from acting rash, throwing a quick side glance at the silent knight close by, "you will regret not accepting my Lady's gracious offer, he gritted out offering a stiff bow then left angrily sporting a sneer, lowly wench."
He slipped on thin ice, that suddenly formed under his feet, fell and hit his head, getting knocked out.
"The things I put up with for you is astonishing, Prince Kaname, even though most are entertaining" Rosalg stated exasperated, placing the cup on the saucer.
"And I thank you continuously for being so patient instead of taking offence" Prince Kaname stepped from behind the pillar at Rosalg's back, dressed casual, coming straight from the training grounds, having heard about the arrival of a servant form Count Orlando's household.
He walked to stand behind his lover, placing both hands on 'her' shoulders, ignoring the knight dragging away the unconscious messenger and maid, kissed Rosalg's cheek softly.
"Hn, they have gotten bolder, not fearing what I can do to them, Rosalg huffs, really, insulting and trying to intimidate a powerful mage is a very foolhardy strategy, their foolish pride and ego will be their downfall" Rosalg rest his head on the firm muscular body of his lover behind him.
"Leave them to me my lovely Lily, Prince Kaname tried to placate his beautiful lover, as future Emperor it is my duty to eliminate any and all threat to the Empire and Royal family" 'I will personally see to their demise for trying to come between us.'
"I am not apart of the Tristan Royal family, and eavesdropping on others conversation is unbecoming of a Royal" Rosalg playfully teased.
"Don't say that my precious flower" Prince Kaname feigned hurt nuzzling the silverette's neck.
Flashback ends
Zero arrive at the ball, sharply dressed in an expensive, three piece ash-grey suit, curtesy of the Hunter Association president's wallet. He's two hours late but he didn't care. He leans against a pillar, away from everyone, sometime later (ignoring certain stares and whispers) sipping on a glass of wine (that was once non-alcoholic) observing the humans and vampires mingle, bored.
Reminiscing about the past, attending balls with his mate is interrupted by;
"Um, excuse me, Kiryu?" a timid female voice address him.
"Hn?" he turns to her curious.
"Can I-I was wondering if you would like to da-dance" she loud rush request draws attention, she turn red at the stares.
Meanwhile the dragon in disguise is taken aback. Given his-Zero's previous reputation despite recent change in temperament/demeanor, would've ward off any romantic interests from the opposite sex.
'How cute, he smile amuse, she bravely muster up the courage to ask, how could I refuse such an innocent child, resembling Beatrice in manners' "It would be my pleasure" he takes her hand, placing a kiss on the back, causing a stir then leads the blushing girl to the dance floor, after handing his empty glass to a passing waiter.
"Hey, what's going on, I'm not the only one seeing that right?"
"Am I dreaming or am I witnessing Zero Kiryu, willing, dancing with someone?"
"Maybe we're hallucinating?" the on-lookers question astonish.
"No way"
"I can't believe my eyes" another agrees.
Zero skillfully and gracefully leads his partner around the dancefloor, a soft smile adorn his handsome face, silently encouraging and guiding the girl through the steps, completely ignoring their gawking audience. As Zero maneuver his partner into a slow spin, he feels his spell activates, latching onto Shizuka's soul. Outwards Zero didn't react but inwards he's vibrating with anticipation. Catching the girl, Zero ends their dance in a shallow dip.
'It's time for open curtains on this play' "I enjoyed our little dance, he kiss the back of her hand again, but I'm needed elsewhere at the moment, enjoy the rest of your night" bows elegantly then walks to the exit with natural grace.
Leaving behind a daze human girl, bewilder gossiping students and a glowering pureblood brunette.
'Why is this body absorbing mana so slow and its not because the mana here is thin, its taking too long to reach my former strength, its like this body lacks a key component' Zero frowns circulating the mana in his body, heading to the female pureblood.
Walking down the old dorm's corridor Zero stop before double doors. Pushing them open he sees Shizuka Hio about to bite into Yuki's neck.
"As much as I would enjoy watching you rip her throat out, I advice you kindly unhand the nuisance while I'm still being generous, pureblood Hime" his tone extremely aloof.
Yuki stand putting herself between them, after Shizuka released her, "Zero listen, he raise a brow walking closer, intrigue she ignored his choice words about reveling her death, she can help you with-, the brunette brandish Artemis when he pulls out Bloody Rose, please she can save you from becoming a Level E vampire!"
"I pondered on my way here, on the least troublesome way to mortally injure you without taking your life, he ignored Yuki's words, inspecting Bloody Rose, but decide not to overthink and do it the hunter's way" that said he fire three rapid shots.
One hit Shizuka's shoulder, another pierce her stomach, the last a thigh. Shizuka gasp surprise at the sudden quick attack, cough up blood.
"W-what are you doing?!" Yuki scream in shock, dropping her staff.
"Enough of you, Zero's eyes glow sapphire looking into Yuki's, she crumbles to the floor unconscious, now for you Hime, his gaze shift to the hunch over pureblood glaring at him, don't worry I'm not here to kill you you're someone else prey though I will enjoy proving a point, he channel energy into Bloody Rose partially transforming it, original body or not"
Thick thorny vines spring forward and wrap around Shizuka, lift her from the antique sofa to dangle inches off the floor.
"H-how have you change so much, who are you really-you can't be the same child-" her words cut off in a pain scream.
"Ah, you have such a lovely voice when you scream Shizuka Hio" Zero compliments darkly amuse tightening the vines around his victim then electrocute her again with a lightening spell resulting in louder cries.
The dragon in disguise jumps back, seeing a glint from the corner of his eye, then his twin emerge from the dark side room suddenly wielding a sword, swipe at Zero.
"Shizuka!" the younger twin rush to the pureblood's side, cutting the vines to free her, ignoring the obvious threat.
"The younger twin that threw his family aside for shallow reasons yet after everything I-Zero was wiling to forgive him, seriously this version of myself is too soft for his own good, unfortunately for you, I care not about familial ties, Ichiru Kiryu" Zero reverts then holster Bloody Rose.
"What's shallow, Ichiru turns after propping Shizuka up in the sofa, what would you know, he lunge swinging his sword at his older twin, you had everything, our parent's attention, our master's praise and a healthy body" he rants continuing his attack.
Zero dough easily, drowning out Ichiru's words, from the corner of an eye, he sees Shizuka flee to the side room.
"She's the only one who understands me!" he shouts.
With a quick motion Zero grabs the blade, without injury, surprising his twin, "your constant whining is headache inducing little brother" he grabs Ichiru's neck with the other free hand, on contact a rush of vitality pour into him from Ichiru, strengthening the dragon's mana sensitivity, surprising the silverette for a moment in realization.
"I could kill you now but you're a needed factor in my new game, how fortunate for you, little brother" he throws Ichiru into the wall ahead. 'Of course, twins vitality are split in the womb, tempting as it is to absorb him now, its best to do so after he's outlived his usefulness, then I'll take back what's rightfully mine.'
"Y-you, Ichiru stagger to his feet, messaging his bruise neck, to think you of all people would threaten to kill me Zero, his grip on the sword handle tightens, you sound like the very thing you claim to hate, big brother!" he sneers.
"So only you gets to throw around threats, that seems unfair but are you sure you want to linger and continue expelling hot air at me instead of scurrying after your master like a good little pet" Zero jeers lofty.
Ichiru glance around then realize Shizuka's gone.
The light scent of pureblood's blood in the air suddenly becomes heavy, "oh, guess its too late now, seems the big bad wolf got to the helpless Hime first" Zero's tone is heavily condescending.
Ichiru's eyes widen at his words, "Shizuka!" he runs, hurried, to find his master.
The ex-human watch him go unconcern then shift his gaze to the brunette on the floor. Without care Zero turn and stroll out the way he came knowing someone will eventually come find her, 'Its time to depart while everyone's distracted but first a quick check-up' the silverette step outside the old dorm building.
Kaname Kuran stands under the faucet, as warm water pour down on his head, in a daze, mind swimming. After drinking Shizuka Hio's blood something in his entire being crack loosen then visions (he's sure they aren't memories) of strangers assault him.
"You are Crown Prince, a woman dressed in Royal attire spoke firmly, you must be careful of who you choose as your wife."
The pureblood turns off the water, got out then dry off and dress in clean comfortable cloth to lie on his antique coach, near the glass windows, drapes open letting the moon light illuminate the room.
"She is of unknown background, the regal woman continued, brown eyes unexpressive, she could be a commoner for all we know"
"It does not matter to me mother" his voice countered, surprising the pureblood vampire.
"Are you prepared to take responsibility for your selfish actions son?"
The brunette drape an arm over his eyes, 'What is happening, I don't remember having this conversation' he grasp his head as more visions flash in his mind at rapid speed, most centered around a silver hair woman and man with familiar sapphire eyes.
Outside Zero hovers in the sky, dragon wings outstretched, watching his spell take, and Kaname with worry and longing, 'soon we'll be reunited again as mates, be strong my love, I'll be back soon' Zero fly away from the school into the night.
Kaname glance out the window with glaze eyes.
To be continue…
