16 || Chapter 1.16 || What's the fuss?

The little vampire's voice is soothing to hear. Like a drop of honey. A cool slowing river of fresh water. The calming breeze of the night. Cedric could list many things to describe his voice. However, one thing is for certain; It lightened his heart and soul. Cedric pressed a hand against his chest, feeling his pounding heartbeat.

"Luke?" His voice is almost hoarse. On the other side of the line, Cadel could sense it.

The young vampire smiled, "Yes it's me..."

A silence followed his words. For a moment, the vampire thought something unusual had happened. However, Cedric interrupted his thoughts.

"I'm sorry for not coming back." Then comes a heavy saddened sigh. Cedric covered his eyes as he sat at the edge of the bed. His back is bent and dismay surrounded his being. "It's just that... things have been disappointing during the past few weeks. The situation is... It's complicated."

"It's alright. I understand."

Cedric heard a soft chuckle which made his heartbeat quicken. His hand on the bed twitched with the urge to touch the young vampire's skin. Cedric itched to touch him. They are a thousand miles from each other and it felt much farther with this yearning in his heart.

Cadel spoke, "You must be having a hard time right now. I hope everything goes well for you soon. So you can take a break and visit me. I'm playing chess alone again. Mary is sometimes too busy to even taste my cupcakes."

Cedric never tired of hearing his voice. He laid back on the bed, smiling faintly. "Then, did you miss me?"

On the other side of the line, Cadel's smile froze. His eyes blinked multiple times. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He was oblivious to the redness on his cheeks. Ah, this boy...

Kerfuffle: (¬_¬)

Cedric was finally aware of what he said unconsciously. He awkwardly thought of an excuse before the young man on the phone suddenly spoke.

"I do..."

Like a volcano eruption was happening in his heart, Cedric sprung up from the bed. He was afraid the vampire could hear his frantic heartbeat through the phone and forced himself to calm down. "That's... Uh... me too."

Me too? Cedric wanted to smack himself on the forehead for saying such a lame reply. He didn't expect the vampire to chuckle softly into his ear. Calming himself, Cedric wanted to talk to him a bit more.

"This phone... Did you ask this from your grandfather?" He asked. A bit worried if this device would be a problem in the future.

"Yes, I was worried. I requested this from my grandfather. I'm sure you already know him. I have a similar one that I'm using right now. These phones are a set and can be used to only contact the other. Although, it might look old but its the safest."

"Your grandfather knows me." Cedric furrowed his brows and slowly spoke his mind. "Then... do you know who I am?"

After a few seconds of silence, Cadel replied. "...Mn"

"You are Cedric Grey of the Grey family... The idiot who was so mean to me at first. Rejecting my delicious cupcakes and refusing to play chess with me. The dummy who left and didn't even send me a letter for two years and even broke his promise to me a few weeks ago."

There was a cold "hmp!" at the end, making Cedric restrain himself from laughing. "I thought you'd already forgiven me?"

"It doesn't mean I'm not mad. You better make it up to me."

"Oh? What does the young master want me to do?"

"Hm, I'm going to send you a surprise. You better make sure to use it well."

"A surprise? I'll look forward to it."

"Yes... And also... " Cadel hesitated before speaking, "T-Take care and be safe."

Cedric stopped. His gaze softened significantly. The warm emotions in his heart piled up against the dam in his chest. The walls threatened to crumble until they flooded Cedric's soul with boundless affection. Ah, he absolutely can't deny it anymore.

"Thank you. You too."

Cadel made a sound of agreement and finally, the call ended. When the vampire lifted his gaze and puts down the phone, an unimpressed-looking Mary stood in the doorway. She was observing every little change in her young master's face blandly.

Cadel smiled faintly. Eyebrows, furrowed in a helpless look.

On the other hand, Cedric who had just been energized by the call stared at the phone in his hand for one whole minute. The smile on his face didn't fade even when the call ended a while ago. After a while, someone knocked on the door of his room, weakly reminding him that his grandfather wishes to see him. Cedric didn't even feel annoyed as he calmly left the bedroom. The man confusingly glanced at the young master's calm expression.

In his heart, Cedric swore he'd end everything as soon as possible. And for that, he had to work harder to stop a madman's schemes.

In the next few days, the estate was busier than it was before. Half of the staff focused on the imprisoned ferals held within tightly locked rooms and keeping them from hurting themselves. Although they were turned into monsters, they were still their friends and they couldn't give up on them so easily.

The young successor of the Grey family was busier than anyone in the clan. Together with a few trusted aides, he'd shut himself in the study or he'd leave the estate to who knows where and return several days after. Not a single person was anxious and curious but one thing they know for certain is that the young master is trying his very best, working harder than anyone else, to obtain a solution. He wasn't giving up and neither should they. His actions inspired his followers significantly even the Grey Patriarch began to frequently assemble meetings with other clans to discuss Valerian's motives.

To witness the growing harmonious bond within the Grey estate, Cadel wondered why he had never known such things in his previous life. The trust people had in each other was precious, invaluable. A person shouldn't think only of himself during these tough situations. Working together will help them overcome these tenacious hurdles. He wanted to experience these things too when he was free from the Soul Parasite's control. He dreamed of leaning on someone for comfort as the entity controlled him from his actions to his feelings.

How does it feel like to be saved when you had begged for help your entire life?

....

One day, a man hurriedly headed to Cedric Grey's study with a small brown box. He carefully knocked on the door just as his superiors reminded him to. When he received permission to enter, he stepped inside the room, taking a deep breath.

"Boss, the Vermillion clan just sent you a package. I have it here."

Cedric slowly lifted his gaze from a neat stack of paper before him. "What is it?"

"We don't know, Boss. Here's the note attached to it." The man carefully handed the folded card and slid the box towards his boss.

Cedric narrowed his eyes slightly, taking the note and reading it.

'It will help. Use it wisely... L.'

'L?'

Cedric glanced at the box. The gears in his mind clicked in an instant. 'Luke!'

"Leave and don't let anyone come inside until I say so." He ordered before taking the small box in his hands.

The confused man tilted his head before scurrying away, faced with the golden-eyed hunter's sharp glare. The doors shut with a click and as silence descended within the room, Cedric had already peeled off the paper, finding a small black rectangular leather case sitting on his desk. It was big enough to fit two thick pens.

Cedric didn't hesitate to open it, pressing the clasp until it clicked free. A strange scent entered his nose when the lid was pulled open. Reflected within his eyes was a single glass vial nestled in foam. Full of bluish fluid.

Another note was taped at the bottom of the interior box that read, 'For the infected...'

The hunter stilled, and various questions swirled like a violent tornado inside his brain. But then he calmed down. Perhaps, his grandfather told him about the current situation. Cedric took the vial and examined it closely.

Inside the Vermillion's hidden estate, the windows struggled against the fierce rain and wind. The fireplace crackled. Cadel propped his cheek on his hand as he stared at the screen Kerpuffle opened for him. His eyes squinted childishly. I perfected that thing for a whole month. I didn't even get any decent sleep until I finished it. Why are you still hesitating? He yawned with moistening eyes.

Cedric had his suspicions but he chose to ignore them. If this is what he thinks it is, Cadel must've had some resources that Cedric hadn't obtained. There were three days left until Valerian's supposed deadline. The ferals weren't getting any better... Finally, his decision was made.

Jessica impassively entered Cedric's study for she was called. When she exited the room with Cedric, everyone noticed her conflicted and concerned expression. After weeks of looking so dejected and pale, she finally revealed a different mood which made everyone confused and curious. What did the young master tell her? What did she know?

The people couldn't look further into it when both of them disappeared. It wasn't until midnight when a guard noticed Cedric and Jessica along with a couple of people enter the facility where they imprisoned their feral comrades. They didn't come out until dawn.

The next day, Valerian had sent a message. A location.

"He wants one of us to meet him and deliver our answer." One of the patriarchs in the meeting announced. He watched as each leader within the room complained in refusal as well as throwing in a couple of insults.

"He wants us to give up the carriers of our families? Over my dead body!"

"Our men, what should we do with them?"

"He's testing us!"

"We cannot give him the chance to control us. None should be sacrificed for his sick schemes."

"What should we do?"

They spent a few hours arguing but did not come to an answer. Most of the patriarchs were old and their tempers were uncontrollable. Soon enough, a series of loud shouting could be heard outside the door and the guards could only flinch as they try to ignore their wild voices.

Suddenly, the doors opened and three renowned people entered. The moment they stepped in, the people inside slowly turned silent. The Grey patriarch and his successor had arrived. And the Vermillion patriarch who has been away for quite some time finally attended his first meeting ever since his return.

"My friends, calm yourselves. There is hope." The grey patriarch spoke.

One elder frowned, "What could this 'hope' bring us right now? Tomorrow, Valerian will meet one of us for an answer. And the ferals in our estates are going rampant in their cells."

"The ferals are the least of our problems now," Vermillion spoke with serene eyes.

Confused faces spread throughout the room the moment his words were heard.

"What do you mean?"

The grandfather glanced at Cedric who nodded and called someone in. The doors opened and every single person in the room turned to see who had entered. Jessica stepped inside, pushing a man in a wheelchair. A few of the people within couldn't recognize him. However, to those who did, their eyes widened in shock. Incredulous expressions filled their faces. Who wouldn't recognize each of Cedric's few trusted men?

Wait, why is he here? Wasn't he infected?

Mark waved his hand weakly. There were wounds on his face and arms but they were bandaged properly. He looked pale but his bright expression indicated how energetic he was. The once feral man looked at the small silent crowd before him.

"I could hear you guys shouting in the hallway. What's the fuss?"

Cadel chuckled, watching the screen while sipping hot cocoa as the rain poured hard against the windows.