193 5.40

"You're highness, he's back." An older, well-dressed vampire kneels down tremblingly.

Dark black eyes stare deeply at the vampire as he idly plays with his long silver strands of hair. Prince Silas' lips faintly press up in a cold smile that didn't reach his eyes, causing the other vampire to shiver.

It was difficult to understand what the crown prince was thinking, but since Alaric had left to go on holiday with his boyfriend, Mr Garth, the once lazy prince had become hardworking and ambitious. However, in return, he had become rather ruthless and coldhearted. Even though many of Prince Silas' decisions when dabbling in governmental and court matter were ultimately beneficial and in favour of the coven, the palace and those close to him still couldn't help but feel a chill in their core around him.

It didn't help that there were many things that happened in the last year that made one feel oddly suspicious about the character of the crown prince. 

Since Alaric Rong had left, Prince Damian had been framed by Prince Kieran. Of course, at the time, many people didn't realise he had been framed and blamed Prince Damian for the conspiracy that harmed more than a few of their coven members. It was a brutal massacre done by the Eclipse Coven, however in order for it to be accomplished it required insider information to prepare beforehand and be so successful. Such vital information was restricted to only a few and other than Prince Damian, Prince Silas and the weak Golden Rose Coven king himself, the rest who knew were all dead. 

Under Prince Silas' decision, he not only almost permanently blocked the second prince's powers but exiled him to live a human life. No matter how much the young prince had begged and pleaded toward his elder brother, it was no use, and while the elders had also thought of this punishment as well they still couldn't help but be fearful at such a swift and heartless move toward their younger brother. If that wasn't already harsh enough, Prince Silas even suggested disfiguring the other's face and breaking Damian's legs, crippling him on top of everything else. It was only after vehement protests did he retract the idea. 

Even Prince Kieran, the one who accused Prince Damian, couldn't help but speak up with a pale and sweating face. After all, the expression Prince Damian had at that moment was truly hard to bear. 

Maybe it was because of this that when Prince Damian finally came back with the lost artefact, the Pearl of Past Truths, to bring light on his innocence, he also spoke up for Prince Kieran in turn.

Or maybe it was because he couldn't bring himself to allow Prince Silas to do something so extreme and cruel as executing his youngest brother like the eldest prince wished to do. Instead, Prince Kieran had his powers restricted greatly and lost his right to the throne, becoming a useless and idle prince of the coven. However, he wasn't exiled, still keeping the prince title in his name and living in the palace, albeit in a rather embarrassing position.

Oddly enough, while the relationship wasn't good, Prince Damian and Prince Kieran as a result formed a tentative bond over the ashes of their previous brotherly relationship. This bond was forged under Prince Silas' increasingly almost tyrannical attitude.

Many of the elders and those working in the palace had already noticed a distinct tension and turbulence in the air. People always had their own considerations, and the Golden Rose Coven was a very justice-oriented and soft-hearted coven. It seems as long as Prince Damian pushes the boat, the crown prince's status as future king of the coven might capsize.

However, there were more than a few who disagreed with the notion. After all, Prince Silas' power was too powerful and rumour had it he had gained even more power during the past year, making his abilities truly unfathomable. No matter how moral they were, if the fist was hard enough, even an iron will, can bend. 

"How… is he?" Prince Silas softly asks, it was a lazy voice full of indulgence and yet he was now more akin to a sharp sword, ready to strike at any moment. His long fingers move from touching his long strands of hair that had now grown past his lower back, to idly touch the cuffs of his black robes. 

The kneeling vampire begins to sweat. By now, most people in the Golden Rose Coven understood the prince had more than simple feelings toward Alaric Rong. They understood but also didn't understand, and a small noble vampire like himself didn't dare to try at this point. With a shaky and timid voice he stutters, "H-he's doing very well your highness."

"Heh." The prince sneers, "You may leave."

As the vampire gratefully bows and scuttles away, Prince Silas glances down at the embroidered golden thorns of roses that decorated his clothing. The roses bloomed brightly, delicate and beautiful, but the curved thorns on the numerous vines were wickedly sharp, curling around his body like chains. 

"Alaric.. it's good you came back." With an almost strange affection, the prince lightly traces the sharp thorny vines with a dark light in his eyes. "After all, it's much too troublesome to hunt you down."

….

In a prestigious and darkly ornate office, Kylan Laframboise kicks open the door without a hint of cautiousness. Count Vericus, who was working at his desk, reacted quickly, standing up in surprise and vigilance before reluctantly relaxing after seeing his useful little brother-in-law come in. "You really need to work on your manners." The count chides indulgently like a loving elder. 

Kylan combs his brightly coloured hair back and sneers, giving no attention to the other's hypocritical face. Instead, he walks over and very arrogantly sweeps off the contents sitting on the large desk, even ruthlessly pushing away the count's arms in the process. 

This time, the older vampire doesn't hide his distorted expression, "You- what are you doing!?"

"You really need to work on your manners." Kylan mocks, "It's unbefitting of a vampire of your status to raise your voice toward your superior."

Count Vericus glares at him with red eyes and pounces over the desk to attack the other, ready to put the other in his place. However, in a split second, the count found himself twisted over the desk as the younger-turned-vampire pinned him down unhesitatingly. In such an embarrassing and painful position, Count Vericus could only look at this white-eyed wolf with a hateful and disbelieving stare. 

"Why..?" He spat out, "I thought we had an agreement."

"The agreement is over." Kylan adds even more pressure onto the count, pushing his face painfully into the hard wood of the desk, relishing the older vampire's strained look of humiliated forbearance. "I didn't get what I wanted, so why do you deserve to get what you wanted?"

Count Vericus grits his teeth, "You ingrate!" He snarls as he tries to fight against Kylan, but both of them knew it was a hopeless battle. "The Vericus family won't stand for this! And do you understand what happens if our clients no longer get what's promised? Face it, you need me!"

"I need blood to live, but I hardly need you." The turned vampire laughs sharply, "I'm not the idiot you think I am. Of course, I know these things. However, it's not a problem."

The count pales, and a chill runs down his back as he realised despite all the commotion, there hasn't been a single vampire to rush in to help him yet. However he's been in power for so long he can't accept the implications of this so easily. 

However Kylan had no intentions of letting the other keep his state of denial, happily he shared what he had done with sadistic pride. "Your ex-wife hates you, you know? And many of the Vericus clan aren't as confident about you since your marriage with my sister. It only took a few small waves to overturn the boat." 

Hearing this, the count's face goes red. To hide the things he was doing, he used his relationship with Olivia Lafromboise as a cover-up. In his opinion, the more ridiculous his love for her is, the better; those who only see the jokes on the surface will not tend to look deeper. Besides, with his ability, he was confident this sort of romantic drama wouldn't affect the workings of the family at all. "What did you do?"

"As I said," Kylan smiles, "It didn't take much. Just a few words here and there, as well as my good sister making a mockery of herself more than a few times, and some patience. You trusted me too much, really, or maybe you trusted yourself too much; it didn't even take a year, and nearly everyone has long deemed you unsuitable for your current high position."

Count Vericus didn't just have a wife but legitimate children. Not only that, he had relatives who were just as eager for the positions should the opportunity fall into their laps. In the original story, this sort of thing was briefly mentioned when focusing on Kylan's background, but because of Count Vericus' great power and obvious benefits under his strong leadership, the dissatisfaction from the marriage was reluctantly quelled. 

Not only that, while Olivia was occasionally a bit out of line or caused some problems, the count easily stepped in and rectified it, showcasing his deep and indulgent love. This sort of thing made many people slowly change their views on this marriage, supporting his romantic 'modern' love. Even if his ex-wife wanted to make trouble, under the count's subtle manipulations, she would be cast as merely a vicious and jealous woman.

To use a fire in the backyard to divert outsiders' attention from the main house*, the strategy was indeed a good one in this lovebrain world. It was unfortunate that the blackened Kylan not only understood the concept but directly uno-reversed the situation to his advantage. 

*The backyard is generally where the harem was in ancient China. But it's used in modern times to describe complicated love matters generally with multiple lovers or illegitimate children etc. Main house implies career. 

Count Vericus' had used his sister against him, he was in an unfamiliar environment full of hostile people, and so on, it was natural that once Kylan began to actively help the count with what he wanted, the count would naturally lower his guard. It wasn't the same as placing trust in Kylan, but it was more akin to being too lazy to keep an eye out on him. Kylan was just the small animal he adopted, useful but ultimately someone who couldn't run further than he was allowed. Even being able to enter St. Lailah's Academy could only have been done as a reward for his good behaviour. 

So it never occurred to the older vampire that Kylan would be bold enough to initiate communication with his ex-wife secretly. Nor did Count Vericus believe the hotheaded and rebellious teenager could actually successfully sway her either. His ex-wife was a fiery and rather emotional woman, but if that's all there was to her, then she wouldn't be deserving of being the wife and essentially second-in-command of the Vericus clan. The biggest flaw was probably that her grudges and pettiness tended to blind her actions, which made it difficult to establish any alliances with people they previously held enmity with. 

Unfortunately, because of these two assumptions, the count could be said to be prepared for a possible betrayal or rebellion, but certainly not on this sort of scale and in this way. 

"I told your subordinates that I would help on your behalf when my sister makes a mess. Because of your dislike of being interrupted and your workload, it was easy to convince them to agree to help minimise these problems into small issues." Kylan continues, "Your attitude in respect to it not only offended several vampires but even made my dear sister quite insecure of her position in your heart. At the same time Madam Vericus is eager to do anything to ruin you, not to the point of dragging down the Vericus name to the mud but close enough, I suppose."

Count Vericus' eyes flicker red and dark brown as he tries to calm his breath. There was no point in losing his mind to anger right now, he had to be calm enough to understand the ins and outs and encourage the brat to continue talking. At best, someone will save him; at worst, at least he knows where he went wrong. "I get it. As long as the women fight loud and messy enough, and you point enough fingers at me, how could those sharks below me not be moved by my obvious… inadequacies." 

After all, if someone couldn't even control the fire in their own backyard, how could they be possibly trusted to control the main house's business*? It was the perfect reasoning to cast doubt over his position.

*generally, if you can't take care of your own love life, how can you take care of anything else?

However, while he could admit the flaw to his plan there, Count Vericus still couldn't fully believe this turned vampire, this fucking child, could have done so much. His pride as both an elder and a noble great vampire couldn't stand it at all. 

Kylan could easily see the unwillingness on the older vampire's face and clicked his tongue disdainfully, "What are you looking so ugly for, old man? Heh, you know, I say that but I do admit you look pretty good pressed against the desk like a dead pig ready to be cut."

Count Vericus' mature and handsome face contorts under the blatant insults, and his eyes flash red in fury. No one had ever dared talk to him like that! In a low voice that was brimming with his rage, he snarls, "Don't get so cocky, you fucking half-breed street mutt! Do you think it's easy to overthrow me? Don't forget what happens if we don't supply the drugs in time? You're a fucking idiot if you forgot that only I know-"

"Wrong." Kylan interrupts him, silver eyes glinting with an arrogant superiority as well as slight pity, "Do you think just because I'm a turned vampire, some orphan trash, that I don't have a brain as well? You've always looked down on me, and I don't blame you… much." The teenager shrugs nonchalantly, "But I'm not blind or deaf, after I paid attention for a little bit I broke your little codes and pieced together the ratios for the drug."

Upon further thought, the young turned vampire adds, "And don't worry, I've talked to your precious clients as well. And they're already much more willing to do business with me, a turned vampire rather than you. Maybe they think I'm easier to manipulate, too, but I hardly care. I'm not the one who's particularly invested in that dirty endeavour; I just want you to not have it."

The count grits his teeth so hard they could crack, "What about your sister?"

  "What about her?" Kylan sneers, "She's already in Europe, probably pissing the money on handsome younger men, bags and shoes. Between wealth and love, I knew very well what she would pick in the end." The teenager then dryly comforted with a wry laugh, "If it helps, she hesitated for quite a while. But she wouldn't be the sister I know if she didn't put herself first."

His position in the family, the underground drug dealings, even his new wife… Count Vericus looks at the young, handsome face of Kylan Laframboise, with his sharp silver eyes and shockingly bright red and yellow hair, and finds that he seems to have never truly seen this man until this moment. No. This vampire.

This cold, calculating vampire. Someone who can even use his sister, his only biological family, and someone who can offer his own precious blood to someone just to get a few rewards. It was really… impressive. What a shame his hubris had blinded him. 

However, even if Count Vericus could see this clearly now, he still didn't understand why this all happened. 

Kylan didn't seem to be the type to be in love with justice and morality, otherwise if he was repulsed by his illegal business he would not take it upon himself to control. The messiness of the family could be considered some form of revenge for their previous attitude toward Kylan at the beginning, which seemed to fit this white-eyed wolf's style in his opinion. 

Still, there was no reason to go this far for this matter. They treated him well materially, if nothing else. Hurting the family to this extent can only hurt Kylan's interests if the status, power and glory was what he wanted. After all, he was an important ingredient for the drug Count Vericus held, he wouldn't wrong him for that fact alone. And to outsiders, he still held a lot of weight, being Count Vericus' brother-in-law. Over time, the gossip will fade, and he could guarantee Kylan could live happily in luxury for his entire extended lifespan. 

Unable to figure it out, the defeated vampire could only helplessly ask. 

In the end, he wasn't a naturally very angry individual; once he had swallowed his stung pride and accepted reality, the count didn't bother to try to do something as useless and vulgar as begging, screaming and swearing. He was already a fish trapped in the net, it was better to be calm and think of ways to flatter the fisherman into not killing him instead. 

If it wasn't for his innate arrogance and unwillingness to stay in his current position, greedily wanting more and more… Count Vericus sighs emotionally as he waits for the teenager's answers. He really regrets it. 

"The reason?" Kylan hums, "To be honest, I don't hate you. If it was under other circumstances, I really wouldn't have gone this far. You could say my real motivator was…" The turned vampire's face flushes a little as he smiles shyly, "Love."

Count Vericus: ?????

For a moment, the noble vampire wanted to cough up a litre of blood to express his angry disbelief. "You- that's ridiculous?!" He can't help but exclaim.

"Isn't it?" The delinquent-looking teen laughs and embarrassedly combs back his hair with his fingers. The pressure on Count Vericus' body lessened as a result of this action, but he didn't dare move. Partly because he was currently in a helpless position anyway so there wasn't much of a difference if he was no longer being physically corner anyway, but mainly because such a sudden change in the younger vampire's demeanour was quite frightening ah! 

"Well, even I think it's ridiculous sometimes. But I can't control what I feel." Kylan sighs emotionally. "While we only have known each other for a relatively short while, the time together has carved a deep mark in my heart." 

The count's heart pounded as his mind frantically turned. Because of the other's importance, of course, the count still kept some basic surveillance on him. While it clearly wasn't that effective, he could still understand Kylan was a loner at heart. While he had allies, his friendships weren't very strong, and he preferred to be online rather than socialise with others, both vampire and human. The only one who interacted with him the most was… himself????

"Unfortunately, our statuses are too far apart. In order to quickly bridge that gap, of course, I had to take these drastic actions; otherwise, how could I even be considered to be worthy?"

No way?? Count Vericus flushes in panic. Even if he was still good-looking, he was still a vampire old enough to have the form of a man in his late forties, not to mention he was married to his sister! Wasn't this brat's taste too hardcore?! 

Oh, but it's true he has been quite kind to Kylan… giving him material things he couldn't have before, opening him up to a new and powerful world of vampires, while stern he treated him quite fairly and with indulgence.. added with the fact Kylan probably had some father issues it seems…. Is it not that surprising he would fall for himself? 

Still, to trap him like this for the sake of love was really too much ah. The count couldn't help but complain internally. Kylan's methods were too strange and extreme. Is this a result of his poor upbringing and lack of love growing up that has caused this? Does taking away his everything allow Kylan to feel a sense of security and assurance in making sure he will always stay by his side? Is he really so important in the other's heart he would go to such lengths?

"But despite everything.. My efforts were hardly noticed. I.. was hardly noticed."

Count Vericus suddenly felt a bit guilty. Well, maybe he could've been a bit more generous in praise toward the other in the past. Kylan had done quite a lot, after all, more than some of his own long-term subordinates, really. Recalling the other's surprising acts of competency that he had previously dismissed so derisively, the count felt a little ashamed at his arrogance. 

At the same time, he was also a little flattered. 

No one has ever done so much for him. His first wife was strong, and their marriage was more the product of mutual benefits and interests than anything. And his second wife, while more affectionate, was very much just an exchange of interests as well, with Olivia loving the fame and fortune as well as his doting behaviour toward her. Count Vericus tried to recall anyone who would actively go out of their way to do things for him for the sole sake of liking his person and, depressedly, couldn't think of anyone.

Glancing at Kylan's face, Count Vericus suddenly realised the youth was really quite handsome. While not to his usual gorgeous and elegant tastes, the vibrant hairstyle was flamboyant and added a fiery, wild charm that contrasted attractively with the other's ruthless and unexpectedly cold nature. The more the noble vampire looked, the better he felt Kylan looked. 

Even though the other was still objectively too young for himself, vampires tended to value maturity and competency over physical age. And the fact Kylan had completely overwhelmed him in his plans was enough to make the count see him in an equal, even superior light. 

Count Vericus calculates in his heart and feels… Hey, this, this probably can be done? 

Well, it'll be a bit difficult if the young man wanted to be the top in the relationship, and given how aggressive the other was, the count didn't believe Kylan was the submissive bottom sort. But… it's not completely out of the realm of discussion either. He has friends with these inclinations, so it won't be too difficult to consult them about it. The problem, though, is the extent of how obsessive Kylan is. 

If Kylan's willing to go this far to pursue himself, then would he be able to even go out anytime soon after this? Is this the irony of someone like himself, the head of law enforcement, being imprisoned in his own home? 

Hmm… well.. it can't be helped… while he can't accept it as a permanent measure for the sake of appeasing this lovestruck fool, he supposes he can consider this more like a vacation if anything else…

"Because of everything, I was too late. I didn't even get to talk to Jasmine before he left! Much less let him see how good I am, how good I'll be to him!"

Count Vericus: ( ⚆ _ ⚆ )??? 

"I'm sorry I didn't quite catch that; whose name did you say-?" The count weakly asks.

Kylan gives him a strange look, "Are you talking about Jasmine?"

"…And Jasmine is-?"

"The love of my life." The young delinquent youth proudly admits, "And when he comes back, I will use the power of the Vericus as well as the connections and products from your underground deals to chain him to me, and let him truly see I am the only one who can love him!"

Count Vericus: ...

Jasmine… Jasmine… suddenly an image of a pretty girl that was starred on the screen of one of his nephew's phone and computer, as well as multiple posters decorating his coffin, popped into the count's head. 

"The crossdresser?!" Count Vericus was suddenly so angry he really spat out blood there and then before fainting. Before falling into unconsciousness, his head was full of nothing but curses.

Are you telling me this fucking bastard really ruined his life not because of his secret taboo love with this brother-in-law, but because he pathetically didn't have the ability to seduce some pretty boy in a dress?! 

Then??? How??? Was??? This??? His??? Problem??? 

What a psycho!!!! 

…

Little Theatre:

Kylan: It wasn't his problem but I made it his problem haha ☚(ﾟヮﾟ☚)

Count Vericus: I was ready to dedicate my heart, body and soul to this twisted, sadistic love game, only to find I wasn't even a player on the board. ( ༎ຶ ཀ ༎ຶ )

…

The author has something to say: Not going to lie, I want the Count to get bottomed hard now ah _(:3」∠)_