David hopped into Joseph's car, gripping the steering wheel as he drove back to the office. His mind raced with thoughts about the lead he had uncovered during his investigation.
"What was her name again? Anika… yeah! She can be the evidence and finally clarify everything to Joseph! He will also come to known something is off about Lopez."
Eager to get back quickly, he decided to take a shortcut through the forest road. As he entered the dimly lit woods, his phone rang, the screen flashing Lopez's name.
The deeper his car ventured into the forest, the more the surroundings darkened. Above, the sky stretched endlessly, a vast canvas of black velvet sprinkled with shimmering stars.
The Beginning of a Legacy
Inside a grand, old-style lavishing white castle, a dimly lit chamber flickered with the warm glow of candlelight. The golden illumination danced across the stone walls, casting soft shadows that shifted with the gentle flicker of the flames. At the center of the room, a luxurious beige-colored bed stood with elegant curtains draped around it.
A group of nurses stood nearby, their faces filled with a mix of joy and concern as they assisted a woman in labor. Their uniforms were pristine—long white aprons covering the front of their light blue dresses, neatly tied at the back.
The dresses had short sleeves with folded cuffs, revealing a crisp white lining, adding a touch of refinement. Classic white nursing caps adorned their heads, symbolizing their dedication, while their sturdy white shoes ensured comfort as they moved swiftly across the floor.
The head nurse, positioned at the bedside, spoke in a soothing yet firm tone.
"Just a little more. Push. Everything is going well."
The woman on the bed let out a strained cry, her body trembling with exhaustion. Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead like droplets of rain sliding down a windowpane. Her hands clenched the blankets with a grip so tight that her knuckles turned white.
Then, with one final, agonized scream—
"NGGGHHH!! AAAAH!!"
A profound silence fell over the room, thick and heavy like a held breath. The nurses froze, their gazes locked onto the scene before them.
And then—
"AWWAAAHH!! AWWAAAHH!!"
The loud, piercing wail of a newborn shattered the stillness. The baby's cries rang louder than the thunder rumbling outside.
Relief and joy filled the chamber as the nurses cheered softly among themselves. One of them dashed toward the door, flinging it open. Just outside, a figure stood motionless, his presence commanding yet undeniably anxious.
It was none other than Vampire Lord William II—the King of the vampire race.
The air around him was usually thick with an aura of power and dominance, enough to make anyone cower. But at that moment, all of that was stripped away. The only thing visible in his crimson eyes was the raw emotion of a husband desperate to see his wife and child.
The nurse, still catching her breath, met his intense gaze and gave him a reassuring nod.
"It's a boy."
The moment those words left her lips, William moved—no, RAN—toward the bed.
He hesitated for just a second before pulling the curtain aside, his hands slightly trembling. And then he saw her—Lady Aria—sitting up on the bed, holding their newborn son in her arms.
The tension in William's expression melted away, replaced by pure relief and happiness. His voice softened as he approached.
"Oh, my love… what a beautiful gift you have given me."
His arms wrapped around both of them, his embrace warm and secure.
After a moment, he reached out and carefully lifted the baby into his arms. Turning toward the open corridor, where a gentle night breeze carried the scent of rain, he raised the child slightly, his voice filled with pride.
"Meet my son, the heir of my blood and Aria's love!"
The castle fell silent in anticipation. Then, taking a deep breath, Lord William II announced the name of his child.
"Joseph Valemont."
A deafening clap of thunder roared across the sky, as if the very heavens acknowledged the arrival of something extraordinary. The crowd in the corridor erupted in cheers, their voices blending with the howling wind.
For centuries, a child born of both vampire and human blood had been deemed impossible. The difference in Ourja—the life energy that defined every being—made such a birth unfathomable. Humans, who sat at the lowest rung of the hierarchy, lacked the Ourja strength of vampires, who were at the pinnacle, embodying raw power, blood-driven vitality, and eternal youth.
Yet, against all odds, Joseph Valemont had been born—the first and perhaps the last of his kind.
Years passed swiftly. The castle was constantly bustling with caretakers and maids, all attending to the young prince.
By the time Joseph was five years old, he had become a whirlwind of energy, darting through the castle halls, causing delightful chaos for the maids and guards alike.
One clear morning, Joseph tugged at his mother's gown, his large, eager eyes shining.
"Mom! Let's go out for a walk!"
A vampire guard standing nearby, his uniform crisp, his stance disciplined, hesitated before suggesting,
"Lady Aria, if you wish, we can arrange for our top guards to accompany you—"
Before he could finish, Aria turned to him, her deep brown curls falling over her shoulders. Her delicate yet striking features held a charm that was both rare and mesmerizing. Her eyes, though warm, carried an unspoken authority.
"That won't be necessary. This is a private walk between a mother and her son."
The guard stiffened, clearly torn between duty and obedience. It was his sworn responsibility to protect her, yet disobeying her direct request was out of the question.
He opened his mouth to protest but quickly closed it, bowing his head instead.
"As you wish, my lady."
As Lady Aria and her young son Joseph strolled through the city, the boy's face beamed with joy. He was rarely allowed outside without guards, and this rare taste of freedom filled him with excitement.
The air was crisp, carrying a gentle breeze that rustled through the trees, creating a soft whistling sound. The sun had begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold.
They reached a small crossroad, where an ancient tree stood on a tiny patch of land surrounded by water, its long shadow stretching across the rippling surface like a lone sentinel watching over the fading day.
Sensing that it was time to return, Aria turned to Joseph and spoke softly,
"Well then, if our stroll is over, let's head back to the castle."
Joseph, however, was not ready to leave. His small lips curled into a pout as he protested,
"I don't want to go back!"
Aria crouched slightly, her tone persuasive yet gentle,
"We have to, dear. This place isn't safe at night."
She attempted to scare him, hoping it would make him more willing to leave.
Instead of fear, Joseph's eyes sparkled with excitement,
"Is it because of the demons we fought back to their base?"
Aria couldn't contain her laughter as she saw a striking resemblance to his father in his words.
"Hahaha! Yes, you truly are your father's son!"
Joseph was about to respond when a sudden commotion from the other side of the street caught his attention. His ears perked up, and his playful expression shifted into something more serious.
Aria noticed his gaze shift and asked,
"What is it, dear?"
Joseph's senses sharpened as he listened intently. His voice carried a rare urgency,
"Mom… a crowd is rushing toward us!"
Aria tilted her head, straining to hear. The distant murmurs grew clearer, filled with anger and resentment.
"The Lord's wife is in this direction!"
"I never thought she would betray humans!"
"Yes! She sided with the vampires! We will have our revenge!"
"Her son is a disgrace to humanity!"
A wave of panic washed over Aria as realization struck. Why are they acting like this? What is happening? She instinctively clutched Joseph's hand, her heart pounding in her chest.
"If we stay here, Joseph will get caught in this madness. We have to run!"
She knelt down swiftly, cupping Joseph's face.
"Listen to me, my love. We will not look back. We will run straight to the castle, alright?"
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Joseph swallowed hard and nodded.
"Okay, Mommy."
Without wasting another second, they ran.
Aria led Joseph through narrow alleys, taking shortcuts between houses, trying to put as much distance between them and the approaching mob as possible.
But just as the castle came into view, their worst fear materialized—a wall of angry people blocked their path.
"There she is! And her son is with her!" someone yelled.
Aria's stomach twisted in dread. There was no way forward.
With no other choice, she scooped Joseph into her arms and sprinted toward the dense forest.
"Joseph, close your eyes! I promise nothing will happen to us! When you open them, we will be back at the castle!"
Joseph, shaken by the terror in his mother's voice, squeezed his eyes shut, covering them with his small hands. Tears threatened to spill, but he held them back.
"I'm sorry, Mommy… If I hadn't asked to come outside, none of this would've happened…"
"No, My Son, this is not your fault, don't blame yourself!" She continued to run deeper in the forest.
Meanwhile, in the castle, the guard in charge of Lady Aria and Prince Joseph's safety grew increasingly restless. His instincts screamed that something was wrong.
Unable to shake the unease, he hurried toward the main gate, preparing to head into the city to find them.
Outside, the distant uproar had already caught the attention of the gate guards stationed at the castle's entrance. As the general approached, the rising clamor from the town reached his ears.
His expression darkened. "What's happening in the city?" he demanded.
One of the gate guards turned, standing at attention before saluting. "Nothing unusual, sir. Just another outburst from the opposition crowd. They become active from time to time."
The general's frown deepened. "Opposition?"
The guard nodded.
"It's the same faction that opposes our Lord's marriage to Lady Aria."
The general's eyes widened in alarm.
"Lady Aria… and Prince Joseph… are in the city." he thought.
His pulse quickened as the pieces fell into place. This was not just a simple outburst. This was a threat.
Without hesitation, he seized the nearest guards by the shoulders, his voice sharp and urgent.
"Listen carefully! Lady Aria and Prince Joseph are in the city. Gather every available man and search for them immediately! This is an emergency!"
The guards stiffened at his command, their expressions turning grave.
"At once, sir!" they answered before rushing into the castle to rally the others.
As they disappeared into the corridors, the general turned toward the city, his gaze heavy with worry. The setting sun, once a symbol of warmth and peace, now cast long, eerie shadows over the land.
The sky, painted in deep orange and crimson, no longer felt soothing—it was a silent omen of the darkness that lay ahead.
What was the night about to bring? Would Aria be able to escape the enraged mob? It was going to be a long night for everyone—the mother, the son, and the general, who bore the responsibility of protecting them.
To be Continued…