Discovering The Arch-Duke’s Real Identity

The next few days the same things kept repeating again and again. They had a feeling they were missing something. After their training, they talked about it before returning. 

Zen:- Lucas, Nora. Don't you think something is wrong here? (He asked while wiping his sweat with a towel.)

Lucas:- What do you mean Zen? (He asked while drinking water from a bottle.)

Zen:- I mean look we get to see his grace every dinner but not at breakfast and lunch. Mika has been using the same excuse from the very first day. I mean which duke has the time to sleep all day and night and just wake up for dinner? Isn't it a little too suspicious? 

Nora:- Are you referring that he is hiding something?

Zen:- Not hiding exactly. It's just we are missing something.

Nora:- I can agree with that. He looks like he is aware of that himself but it's as if he wants us to ask him on our own accord. And also this place is.. unusually quiet during the day while it gets bustling at night. As if people here sleep during the day and work at night. 

Lucas:- We should ask his grace directly rather than dwelling over it. What do you say guys?

Zen:- I think so.

That way they spent another day away with their regular routine. At night, at the dinner they decided to put on that topic. They all were seated at the table while Zen broke the silence.

Zen:- Your grace. We were wondering something. If you don't mind, can we ask? (He was fidgeting with his glass.)

Caspian:- Uh. Sure. What has been troubling you? 

Zen, Lucas and Nora looked at each other and nodded.

Zen:- Your grace, we have been wondering why is it so quiet in the day yet bustling at night? 

Caspian:- (He smirked) So at last, you guys caught the wind, huh? 

Lucas:- What do you mean by that, your grace? (He asked confusedly) 

Caspian:- Let me clear it now that you have mentioned it. Seraphic Lunar, an empire where all types of creature live together with harmony. You surely know that there are humans, vampires, werewolves, witches, sorcerers all living together?

Lucas:- Yeah, we do.

Caspian:- The very Imperial family who founded this empire is a vampire legacy. This empire was only a little vampire kingdom once upon a time but little by little they conquered the whole continent and made this empire of now. Crimsonheart lineages have been ruling this empire for a long time. I'm sure you know that they are all Vampires?

Zen:- Sure. We know that they are all vampires but how is it connected with this? (He raised one of his eyebrows.) 

Caspian:- All the peoples of places around Nocture is mostly vampires. So, I hope you understand what I'm saying now.

Nora:- Wait a minute. Are you saying that you are a vampire too since Devlorchy is the closest place to Nocture? (She asked while being surprised)

Caspian:- That's right. I'm a Vampire. Also most of the people here are vampires. That's the reason Devlorchy is quiet in the day and bustling at night. (He replied while keeping his elbow on the table and leaning his chin upon his hand with a grin.) 

All of them:- What!? (They all were utterly surprised)

Lucas:- B-but the first time we met you were standing in the daylight without any problem.

Caspian:- Do you believe that fairy tail? We can walk in the daylight without any problems but we prefer night more. Cause you won't wish to see a vampire hunting right in front of you, right? So people think we can't go out during the day at all. We eat normal food like any other humans. Just the difference is in our drink. We prefer blood over water. (He replied calmly)

Nora:- Then, the red wine you always drink, is? (Her gaze directed toward his glass.)

Caspian:- You noticed that too? You are really intelligent, Nora. Yeah, it's actually blood. But don't worry, it's not human's blood. Noble vampires like me only take human blood at full moon but not directly. We can drink blood directly from our mate. (He replied with an impressed smile.)

Zen:- Then, what about the other vampires who aren't noble? 

Caspian:- They take human blood anytime they wish. (He said while sipping his blood drink.)

Lucas:- What!??? (He was about to drink water but he choked himself as he heard him saying that.)

Nora:- Take it. (She gave him a tissue.) (behind the scenes.)

Caspian:- But there is a law that they cannot attack any human and suck them to death. The mate thing is for them too. They are told to drink donated or sold blood but the law allows them to drink directly until they have that person's permission and don't suck them to death. But you know criminals are all over here and there. So… (He spoke in a chill way as if it's nothing. He also laughed a bit when he saw him getting choked)

Zen:- S-seriously? How can you be that chill about that?

Caspian:- Cause we have been living like this from the beginning? Humans who live here are also aware of these facts and also living peacefully with us. They just keep protection with them. (He shrugs it off.)

Lucas:- Then most of the nobles are vampires here?

Caspian:- Yeah. Since Nocture was once only a vampire kingdom, so most of the people here are vampires but it changed a lot after the Imperial family founded the Empire. And I'm sure Lucas, you are thinking that by noble vampires you understood the social rank, right?

Lucas:- Yeah?

Caspian:- Pfttt. No. It's not like that. Noble vampires are those whose parents are both vampires. I mean they are born full blood vampires. Unlike those who turned into a vampire after drinking a noble vampire's blood or those whose only one parent is vampire. Noble vampires are born with powerful natural powers. 

To Be Continued

**Khadiza Jahan**