Viel carefully wrapped the bandage around Akuma's injured hand. Halfway through, he paused when he noticed Akuma quietly staring at him.
"Is something wrong?" Viel asked, puzzled.
Akuma shook his head. "I was just wondering... why are you always so kind to me?"
A gentle smile appeared on Viel's face. "Because you're the very first friend I made here at the academy. You're important to me, and I won't let anyone bully or hurt you."
Akuma couldn't help but smile as well. "You're my first friend too. You're like the sibling I never had... always there whenever I'm feeling down."
The two laughed together.
"Are you two done having your little bonding moment?" Mist interrupted teasingly.
The pair immediately turned toward him.
"Ah, yeah. Let's go," Viel replied.
The four of them left the dormitory.
As they walked through the academy grounds, they noticed groups of students whispering among themselves.
"Mist! Have you heard the news?" one of their classmates called out.
"Heard what?" Mist asked.
"They found the ashes of three students near our dorm last night," their classmate informed.
"What?" Lucas exclaimed. "Does that mean someone attacked them?"
"But how is that even possible?" Viel frowned. "The academy is protected by powerful barriers and heavily guarded."
"We don't know either," their classmate answered. "Officials from the capital are arriving later today to investigate."
After saying that, the student hurried off.
"Do you think an enemy actually managed to infiltrate the academy?" Akuma asked.
"I don't know," Mist replied grimly.
"We have to inform Father," Viel said seriously. "What if the enemy is already hiding inside the academy, blending in with everyone without us realizing it?"
Mist nodded in agreement. "We all need to be extra careful."
.
.
.....
Meanwhile, Heberlin and the others silently watched the Prime Minister as he leisurely sipped his tea.
After setting his teacup down, the elderly man cleared his throat. "I came here today to ask all of you about something very important."
"And what would that be?" Xenon asked.
"The Royal Council has been wondering..." the Prime Minister began. "Why are none of you married yet? We've never even heard of any of you courting a vampire woman—or even a human."
The dukes exchanged confused glances.
"That's your 'very important matter'?" Heberlin asked with obvious annoyance.
The Prime Minister nodded earnestly.
"...Seriously?" Blake sighed. "I thought it was something urgent."
"Is that really important?" Zake asked innocently.
"My esteemed Dukes," the Prime Minister said with concern, "aren't you worried you'll never marry? What will happen to your bloodline?"
"Our family line isn't our priority," Xenon replied calmly. "Right now, our concern is the Aznar."
"But you still need to marry someday!" the Prime Minister insisted. "Isn't there anyone in the kingdom who has caught your interest?"
Once again, the dukes looked at one another before simultaneously shaking their heads.
The Prime Minister massaged his temples.
"If I get married... will my wife give me lots of blood?" Zake asked with complete sincerity.
"No woman is more beautiful than my little sister," Yvess declared proudly.
"Bring Jade's cousin back to life, and maybe I'll consider getting married," Heberlin said flatly.
Everyone immediately looked at him.
"You still haven't moved on from Jade's cousin?" Blake asked.
"Dude... she's literally a zombie now," Stephen reminded him.
"I know. You don't have to keep reminding me," Heberlin muttered.
Xenon simply patted his shoulder sympathetically.
Just then, Cedrick and Aria entered the room.
The Prime Minister instantly brightened. "Lord Cedrick! Lady Aria! Perfect timing."
"How may we assist you, Prime Minister?" Cedrick asked politely.
"Since the two of you have been together for quite some time..." the Prime Minister said hopefully, "when are you planning to get married?"
Cedrick and Aria exchanged embarrassed glances.
Aria's cheeks turned bright red.
"W-Well... we haven't really discussed that yet," Cedrick admitted awkwardly.
"I see..." the Prime Minister sighed.
His attention then shifted toward the other dukes.
Blake had already started a pillow fight.
"Haha! Catch me if you can!" Blake laughed.
"Waaah! Who drank my blood?!" Zake shouted dramatically.
"Get back here!" Heberlin yelled as he chased after Blake.
"Behold my ultimate attack!" Sagi declared before hurling a pillow across the room.
It flew straight into Xenon's face.
The Prime Minister let out a long, defeated sigh.
Perhaps... there truly was no hope of seeing the dukes settle down anytime soon.
.
.
.
Elsewhere...
Xerxes suddenly grabbed Ji Park by the arm and pulled her into a secluded corner.
Ji Park's eyes widened in disbelief. "L-Lord Xerxes... You're alive?"
"I am," Xerxes replied calmly. "More importantly... how did you survive the war?"
"Thanks to Mistress Beatriz, my lord," she answered.
"Beatriz?" Xerxes repeated.
"Yes. Come with me, Lord Xerxes. Together, we shall reopen the gates of Hell. At last, Father's dream will become reality," she explained.
Xerxes slowly shook his head. "My apologies, but there is only one person I serve now."
"The young prince?" Ji Park asked. "Where is he? Father's son..."
Xerxes remained silent for a moment before answering. "He's here... at the academy."
"Akuma?" Ji Park murmured in surprise. "So he truly is the prince? But then... why didn't the—"
Before she could finish speaking, Xerxes turned and began walking away.
"My apologies," he said without looking back. "I already have a life of my own now. Whatever your new master is planning... I wish them good luck."
With that, Xerxes disappeared into the distance.
Ji Park remained standing alone, her face completely devoid of emotion.