12 || Chapter 1.12 || Ah, How Cute

"So you were interested in such books? If I had known, I would have brought more with me."

Cadel smiled. Chuckling, he lifted his eyes from the pages of his fantasy book. "What you brought is fine. You already brought so much for me. So many things... I wonder why you haven't broken your back yet?"

Setting the blankets on the carpet, Cedric gave an amused snort as he sat beside his dear vampire friend. The pitter-patter of rain against the window panes of the attic filled the warm room with such a soothing ambiance. Beyond the glass, the world is curtained by the pouring rain, vaguely revealing the prominent figures of the forest and the mighty mountains. In their warm and serene room, they are safe and peaceful, surrounded by the little things they love.

Cedric sighed. His eyes turned half-lidded as he took a book to read with the youth beside him. Tranquil moments like these make Cedric's heart so soft and hushed, unperturbed by the uproarious life of the clans and cities. Although problems would continue to rise and soon break these mellow moments of his, he wanted to cherish every second and bathe in the sweetness and warmth.

Slowly, Cadel began making comments about the book he was reading. Occasionally, he'd nudge Cedric with his elbow and share some details about acid-breathing lizards and wild mountain giants. Helplessly, Cedric would cater to his attention-seeking actions and chuckle at Cadel's serious face when reading a serious fight scene.

A few days passed, and the warm sun caressed the slender grass of the yard. There is something exquisite in living a calm life. Far from luxury and the colorful sights of the world. A little place, hidden and sheltered, where he could forget wearisome responsibilities and the standards he strived to reach for clans. He is young and promising, as they say, but he is a soul that also yearns for peace. And he'd find his desires within this hidden home that only he knows and the little Yellow Garden belonging to one particular youth.

"You're smiling often." Cadel paused to speak while he watered the tiny yellow flowers of his garden. The golden daylight made precious streaks in his hair and figure. In others' eyes, he's like a glowing fairy, a keeper of golden flowers tending his garden with a watering can. The little vampire glanced at the young hunter studying him serenely.

"Have I?" Cedric unconsciously touched his face. In the end, he didn't want to hide anything and smiled. "Perhaps, you know why?"

Rolling his eyes, Cadel placed one hand on his hip and turned to Cedric. An eyebrow rose. "Maybe because you enjoy making me do all the work while you stay under the shade. Hah, I never thought you'd turn lazy, Cedric."

"It's hot." Cedric complained. A tease.

Cadel frowned, "Get off that seat and fetch me the hose. You're not sitting down until I tell you so."

Throughout the years he's been living in the city, Cedric had never been ordered around. The tasks given to him were out of respect for his status, his strength, and his power. Anyone who'd stand before his path when he walked would scurry away like a frail dog. However, this young man obediently stood up from his seat and did what he was told. Furthermore, he even carried a smile as he shared Cadel's work.

They bickered and joked endlessly until their supposed 'hard work' became a water fest when they began splashing each other with the hose. In the end, the noise reached Mary's ears, and they were scolded, drenched, and muddy.

"Mary, he's not a bad guy." Cadel spoke as he left the bathroom. He approached his bedroom, dressed with a new set of clothes, helplessly watching his guardian viciously dump the laundry in the basket. Watching her vent her anger through cleaning made Cadel helplessly amused.

"Young Master, the world is filled with people with bad intentions. If they were to choose between other people and their deepest desires, even a pure person would change in less than a second." Mary exhaled and straightened her back. "All I want is for you to be safe."

Cadel nodded with a sigh, "But Cedric is different. He's helpful, isn't he? He has almost shared half of your work in the house."

"Maybe because he felt indebted to you for stopping me before I punctured his lungs." Smiling darkly, Mary headed to the door with the laundry basket. She turned before leaving, "Also, please finish your lessons before dinner."

The young vampire muttered a yes before the door closed shut.

...........

"You'll be staying for a few more days?" Mark spoke, surprised. He almost spilled the coffee on his computer.

Another person within the Pack's lounge, lifted her gaze when her comrade's voice reached her ears. Her wrapped fists paused before the four feet long punch bag. Sweat glazed over Jessica's skin as she steadied her breathing, eager to learn more from Mark's conversation with the boss.

On the other side, the flame from the fireplace crackled within its reflection in the hunter's golden eyes. A cold, expressionless face spoke, "Any calls?"

"The clans have become awfully quiet. But our men picked up something from one of the Theal matriarch's men. The vampire and hunter elders will hold a gathering in the fourteenth."

"Have Jessica inside it."

"Boss, it seems your grandfather intends to bring you to the gathering." Mark added. "Valerian's actions have become widespread. The pureblood clans are restless."

"..."

The Vermillion Clan...

"I'll return after a few days." Cedric gazed at the glowing flames and the snap of wood from the hearth.

Mark sighed in relief. Fortunately, he didn't interrupt the boss during his reading time. He wondered what was so important that the young master had to stay away for a week. Was it really some secret task? He wanted to dig up more info from the call. However, before he could ask, the call was heartlessly dropped.

Mark stared at his phone listlessly and turned to Jessica, who eyed him with amusement.

Crackle!

Cedric frowned at the phone in his hand and casually crushed the device within his hand. He turned away from the fireplace and pocketed the destroyed phone. He could not risk having Mary discover his call by disposing of it within the house boundary.  The caretaker was frightfully meticulous and devious.

Cedric left the room, hearing the soft, harmonious melody of piano-playing. The rhythm was gentle yet full of life, tickling Cedric's ears and heart. There was only one person who would play so beautifully within the house. Oblivious of the soft look in his eyes, the young man walked to where his ears would lead him. He's like lured like a predator, driven by the sweet scent.

He reached the attic where he knew Cadel kept his piano in the other room. The circular window revealed the bright scenery of the mountains and welcomed soft daylight within the room. As usual, the floor was cluttered with books and other things Cadel carelessly placed. Ever since he arrived, it was always Cedric who tidied after Cadel's 'mess of comfort.' However, the young hunter doesn't find it bothersome at all. It was endearing.

While the music flowed into Cedric's ears, he began picking up the objects on the floor and neatly arranging it on the shelves and tables. There were more papers than usual, Cedric realized. After a short while, he finally paused, straightening his back,  to study a sheet.

A crease appeared between Cedric's brows. The words were unclear. A foreign language- No, coded writing. There is a list of comments on the far side of the document. Evidently, fresh writing unlike the old writings of the document. A translation of the message. Ingredients?

Cedric glanced at the doorway where Cadel's presence was. The music picked up its pace.

Returning his gaze to the other sheets of paper, Cedric began skimming the documents and absorbing the information they gave. Slowly, he vaguely unraveled the subject, the center of all the data he read. A drug?

Suddenly, the music stopped. Cedric's brows furrowed, and he returned the papers on the desk beside the bookcase. The vampire's footsteps grew closer until Cadel's figure emerged from the doorway. The youth didn't step forward and leaned against the door.

"Found something interesting?" The youth's ruby eyes gleamed. It was as though he was being secretive yet bold.

Cedric paused and smiled faintly, "Hardly..."

Cadel's smile became wider. "Truly?"

He looked like he was testing the hunter, poking at his most vulnerable parts. He didn't need to hide anything.

"..."

Finally, Cedric opened with a lowered gaze, "I wasn't intentionally reading your work. I came to look at it by accident."

Cadel: Look at him, a young man acting so cute even when he's already caught. Is he doing this on purpose? He's making this harder for me to tease him.

Kerpuffle: Host, both of you are really 'good' at pretending.

Cadel smiled. His eyes glinted with a soft alluring look. Chuckling, he beckoned Cedric to follow him before returning to the room. When his figure disappeared, Cedric moved his stiff body. His heartbeat pounded against his chest, and he could not stop the warmth rising into his head.

Ah, why did it seem that Cadel was becoming bolder and bolder with each passing day?

"Do you play?" Cadel asked as he sat on the bench before the piano. His slender fingers traced the length of the keys delicately. His other hand patted the space beside him.

"A bit..." Cedric replied, taking a seat beside the youth. His deep golden eyes never left those caressing fingers. He learned to play a year ago, and while everyone praised him for his excellence, it wasn't enough. His music was far from the melody created by Cadel's fingers.

"Hm..." Cadel glanced at the hunter's calloused hands. He used to have hands like those, thick from exertion and scraped from metal. But he never missed it...

Cadel urged Cedric to play a duet with him. They picked something slow and easy to the ears. Two pairs of hands moved elegantly. Fingers danced on keys. Every note seemed to knock into their hearts. It felt fascinating.

Cedric lowered his golden gaze with a smile. A sense of completion finally emerged from his heart. It was hard to believe how soft and gentle he has become after a few days with the youth. Perhaps, it was his unforgettable memories from two years ago that broke down his walls. However, he knew he would never be this soft to anyone other than the strange vampire child who saved his life a long time ago.

'A sanctuary only for me. This place, this home..., and him.'

..............

The scent of iron oozed into one's nostrils. Nauseously potent.

In a dark room, only the spotlight of the swaying hanging bulb illuminated the damp area. Under the light, a man was tied on a steel chair. He is blindfolded and gagged, damp from head to toe. He shivered from the cold and trembled, terrified. His bare torso suffered the marks of a knife, red streamed down his chest, drenching his pants and the gaping wounds underneath them.

Creak!

The rakish sound of the opening steel door echoed loudly within the windowless room. Two people stepped inside passing the table filled with blades, stained with blood. Footsteps echoed and the man trembled more violently, sobbing underneath his restraints.

Another person joined the them, walking slowly as though he was strolling down the garden. The swaying light caught his wicked smile. His footsteps ceased before the tied up man.

"Who." He spoke.

The man behind him replied, "A cousin of the Bhurman patriarch. His deceased father is a pure-blood."

"Ah, so you brought me another cheap vampire yet again..." He laughed. The man behind him went stiff and hurriedly went down his knees.

However, his throat is caught in a tight grip. Before he could plead, a dull knife ran through his neck. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell into a deathly silence. Blood pooled underneath the corpse.

"Ah, I'm sick of diluted essence." The murderer turned to the remaining man behind him. "Find me another one."

The man nodded and hurriedly left the room, dragging the bloody corpse with him.

"Now..." Frightful fangs glinted against the light.

The trembling victim on the chair began struggling in fear, screaming soundlessly.

"Shh... " The voice spoke as if lull his prey to sleep. "... this won't hurt a bit."