Chapter 11: Crowned in blood
As soon as Aethelstan's magic had gone haywire she felt it, a thought message later she had went to get their kids. With the three of them they arrived, a flash of light and soon the surrounding was magical.
It didnt last long before dark magic intruded, Aethelstan was clearly succombing to it and a green, vile colour joined the yin and yang of silver and gold.
Displeasure rose inside her, Aethelstan had wanted to leave before, the reason for that was that he was apparently unsettled by the bond between him and the vampling. She couldn't let him, so she challenged him to a fight. Wich she had won so he had no choice but to stay.
Yet here he was, pale and shivering and possible effecting Adrian through their bond. No one could see the flowing arrey of emotions, after ages of ruling one could get very skilled in the poker face. However the day she heard of the pregnancy was the day she openly smiled, while he was the only she still believed that he would be able to safe the kingdom and get rid of the curse.
Even while thinking, she took in how silver turned more and more to green, before a golden light joined. As bright as the sun was Adrian's magic, signifying his destiny as the kingdom's light.
Gold soon overruled the green in the silver, the evil soon dissapeared in the atmosphere, filling everyone with the necessary relief.
Light that had lit up the room vanished and darkness returned.
"Why did it get dark?"
"Don't worry, I got it."
"Quickly check up on them first."
"Adrian?"
"What about Aethelstan? Is he fine?"
Chaos erupten in the darkened room before a ball of fire appeared from Angesi's hands, a variable in her rising plans.
Everything depended on Aethelstan ,the now stable breathing elf, if he got attached that she had no choice but to kill her. His only job is to provide assistence and help Adrian grow. He was not allowed any distractions or she would personally kill him.
"How's Aethelstan?" Turning she listenened."He will be fine, exhausted and his core is injured. It will take some time to heal, your highness the crown prince."
"Take care of Cole, Aiwen and Angesi." "Don't worry, your highness the Queen, we shall do everything within our power to make sure he heals properly.
"What are you thinking about, mother? You look so serieus."
"Nothing, Elvira. Now you should go and take a look so that both you and your brother can learn. Damon, honey go with her."
"Yes, mother!" Her second child was way to observational atleast her son had some situational ecperience as he quickly pulled Elvira away. If she doesn't learn to bite het tonque she'll get herself killed.
With a thought message het attention got taken by her husband. 'Silvania, don't worry. Everything will be fine.'
'We should prepare ourselves, this happening is no coincidence. There must be someone who caused this!'
With a sigh he answered 'Are you going to kill everyone with the smallest possibillity of being a spy...again?'
'We can't take the risk of not doing that. Adrian is worth more then a couple maids or quards.'
'We are talking about hundres of. You can't do this everytime. What if they are being threathened?'
'Sacrifaces have to be made.'
'You know I don't like it when your being like this. Even the first time I was against it, can't you consider my feelings in this?'
'...'
'What about the example your setting for our children?'
'When they're older they will approve of all I did for them and all the chances they got because of it.'
'I know you believe that but this isn't the way about it. They will have to things on their own one day, fly on their own someday.'
'That day won't be today or tomorrow.'
'Fine!....Do what you want but don't expect my help!'
"Everything alright, your majesty? Why did the king storm out, just now?"
"No need to worry, Emiris . He must have been overwhelmed." He nodded in agreement at her words. "How's our little wonder?" "He's being entertained by Angesi, the doctors needed to look more closely at Aethelstan so he needed some distraction. It was quite scary, either me or Dakaria had almost pulled him off when it look like that vile magic would affect him aswell. Considering their bond and such, I...never expected having a child could be so anxiety inducing, haha."
"There was no need to worry. Adrian's our kingdom's wondere, there is no way such magic could effect him. After all he will be the one that will put an end to the disputes between the vampire and the other races.''
''...That's quite a lot ot of pressure on the little guy." Apprehension filled the other's eyes, carefully watching so answered. Gauging his reaction ''He defies logic, so ofcourse the role he will play in this world will be beyound logic aswell.
"I quess you're right, your majesty. I shall take my leave.
With a flash of her eyes she left too, at night however she stood carefully listening to the conversation between Emiris and Dakaria, hands carefully flipping the carefully crafted stake.
"I'm telling you Dakarie, the queen has unusual demand of Adrian already. I'm afraid that if we stay here and allow him to grow up under her watch he will be oushed to the extremes and used as a ginua pig.
''I don't know, love. He is the only child born after sol long, iyt does make sense that he would play a big role in this world."
''He's just a child! She can't possible expect so much from a little child, every dispute! Are you kidding me?! Every race?" On a softer note Emiris added "Doesn't he deserve to live a normal life?''
"As the only vampire baby, I...don't think he's ever going to live a normal life.
What would we even do if we were to go? Where would we go. This kingdom would obviously be a no-go, going outside with all those having an urge for vampire blood? What if they kill us and use Adrian as an experiment?
Isn't it better to live under the protection of the royal family, he will have a lot of pressure but atleast he will be safe.''
Listening with baited breath, the queen waited for the agreement as ,unlike her husband, Emiris usually agreed with Dakaria.
''It will be hard, we will struggle a lot but I want him to be able to grow up and say he had a good childhood. That we gave him everything he could and everything he ever wanted. I want him to grow up with all th elove we are capable of giving. Isn't that also what you want?"
Sighing, she knew Dakaria would soften at his words.
''....yes, yes it is. I want him to grow and feel out life without added pressure."
"Alright!! Let's pack and g...''
Blood splattered everywhere as she brutally cut off his cheer, pulling it out the queen watched as the body dropped right in Dakaria's arms, who had fallen down in shock.
Trembling lips called out his name, eyes turned bloodshot as she turned to glare at her. But it was too late, she had already made her way behind her. Realisation crossed her face as long nails swiped backwards, in a desperate attempt to hurt her Queen, leaving her chest wide upon for a stake right through it.
Eyes openend in horror as a small voice called out. "M-mom?" Frantic, she gurgled over blood as she called for her son yet before she could even fully say his name she slumped sideways, right next to Emiris.
As close as they had lived, they died.
Turning, the queen faced a pale five year old standing at the doorway of his room, light blue eyes staring at the blood that filled the room.
''I'll take good care of your son, the both of you can rest in peace." Dropping the stake, she appeared next to the lacking boy. Hands , full with blood, slowly wrapped around the tiny figure, silver hair now gleaming with his parent's blood as she wisphered in his ears. ''Go to sleep, little wonder. Tomorrow, you won't remember anything.'
His body slumped in her grip, letting her magic enter the tiny head she began modifying his memories.
Picking him up, she placed him back in his bed. The little wonder needed his sleep, afterall.
"Clean up the mess."
"Yes, your highness.
"What have you done?!!"
"Don't scream like that, our wonder is sleeping.''
''Y-you!'' Seeing his eyes roam the room and watch the cleaning servants she clarified "I did what I had to do."
"You're his godmother....you liked Dakaria but now her blood and her husband's are on your hands. He will never forgive you!''
"Then we must make sure he never finds out.''
''You are unbelieveble, I won't support this.''
Triumph came over his eyes as the flicker of suprise appeared in hers.
Scowling she rapidly approached, voice whispering venom.
''Don't you want to best for our children? What will you do? As the legitimate ruler they would be placed with me.
If you want to leave, you have to leave them behind. Can you do that? You would be free, sure but it wouldn't be long before you came back and by then they will have turned out like _me_. Do you wish that?"
In a stalemate they waited, quards continued to clean. In fact every single reminder of the Acheron couple got wiped out, flames burning each and every single item, turning them into ashes.
Fire flickered in the king's eyes and for just a second he hesitated before relenting. "You're using my love for my children against me."
"I do what I have to do for the sake of my kingdom.
"You always put the kingdom first. I love you and our children love you, why isn't that enough for you!"
"I want the best for all of you.''
''We don't want the best, we just want you.'' Soft, his voice was soft, surprisingly. Reaching out she traced his long blood red hair, same red that had drenched her fingers just moments ago, before turning away completely.
''It doesn't matter how many times you say it, it won't change anything. I do what I have to do to give everyone a fair chance...even if it means destroying all relations I have."
"...This is the last i'll help you, do not ever speak to me outside of managing the kingdom. From now on my love for my children will be put on number one. So that atleast one parents loves them."
He souded sad as his clothes shifted because of his movement. " They were going to leave."
He stilled and just for a second longer ,in her moment of weakness, she kept talking.
"We need him, he is our answer. He can give our children the chances we had. Why don't you understand?
''It's not that I don't understand, it's that they won't understand. The chances we had? A loving mother was one of them.
We're over.''
Slamming door made the deal and for the next sixteen years they lived side by side yet miles apart.
Never destined to be as close as the Acheron couple.
Huffing, Damon tried his best to avoid the falling arrows, his voice screaming at nothing as he practically begged Adrian to stop.
He was tired, they had been at this for hours but unlike other times the difficulty only got higher and higher.
He wasn't healing either, he didn't know why put the sword cuts stayed and kept bleeding.
Stumbling out of his thoughts he screamed in pain as an arrow lodged itself in his calf, more blood dripped down as he ,breathing heavily, started limping to the door.
Relief, he felt relief as he came closer and closer only to have the door slam close right in front of his face. He felt a tear of despair slipped and before he could do anything another arrow hit his upper arm.
Unstable he hit the floor, crying out as feet appeared before him. "Gorgeous, gorgeous! Preciselt what this place needed, don't you think? The decorations have been lacking for years, a little red never hurts."
A little red? The quards and maids who had entered after hearing him scream had their heads cut off and hearts pulled out, their blood dying the floor and mixing together.
Not a single one was killed with a stake, and just like him not a single one could heal as the sword slashed at them.
Clutching his arms, he looked up bewildered. "Why are you doing this? We cared for you and haven't wronged you."
"Dear Damon, why are you still so naive? Really, you should take some of your sister's cautius nature for yourself.
Oohh wait you can't cause she's dead, together with her silent lover. Courtesy off me ofcourse."
Gulping at the news, more tears fell and in a fit of emotion he screamed like never before, hair wildly swinging. ''Why,!!! Why would you do this!!''
''Ofcourse you don't know. Your beloved mother and father kept it under wraps."
"What are you talking about?'
"Well you see on the night that I saved Aethelstan, my father came to a shocking realization and wanted to leave with me and my beloved mother. He feared what the Queen had in store for and wanted me to have a normal childhood.
A childhood full of their love."
A distant look had filled the younger vampire eyes, Damon eyes softenend. "I'm sorry..but mother wou--.''
''Shut up, i'm speaking."
''Mmmh" He didn't know what happenend but suddenly no words formed anymore, hands now painfully clutched his neck in a desperate attempt to understand what happened.
"Now as I was saying, all their love they would have given me but before they could do that a stake went through both their hearts. They fell and my mother couldn't even say my name for the last time as I watched her eyes dim forever."
Damon looked at his fallen knights and realied ,if the story was true, why not a single stake was used. His neck ,wich had been freed from his own grasp, was grabbed by other as he brutally whispered "Your parents shamelessly killed them, even going as far as trying yo erase it. Their blood that had splattered across her face vanished and seconds, she even tried to do it with my memories. Now speak or forever hold your tonque."
With a snap Damon felt like he could breath again, with the second he protested. "She..she wouldn't. No, they wouldn't. You're lying!!''
''Ask them yourself." Just as the words left his mouth, the door slammed open.
''I see you made it out.''
''Yes, such petty tricks. Now give me back my son!"
Once he saw his father reach out to him, he slacked in relief, only to stare in horror as shadows wrapped around the arm and cleanly ripped it off.
''Father!!"
"Don't worry, he can have it back.'' The arm, in the hand(?) of shadows got directly smashed in his father's face, fortunatly he manged to stop it just in time and reattached.
''Ask them." Biting his lips, he refused in a childish way. He was afraid of the answer as the emotions he carried on his sleeve where things his mother or sister never could replicate.
''How long have you been planning this?!" He had always been more like his father, who had asked the question."
Yet the only words that left Adrian's mouth where "Ask them!" accompanied with a hard thug on his hair. "Mom...you woul...wouldn't right?"
Silence that had followed was enough, as he broke into sobs and without the grip in his hair, he crashed to the floor.
"Now to answer your question, it would be exactly five years ago"
"That's when Aethelstan dissapeared." It was the first time his mother spoke and he blinked tiredlyas he tried to follow teh conversation. "What an asture observation, god mother.--" On a more serieus he added " It only took you so long, congratulations!" He bowed towards them, a mocking clap accompanying the movement.
Raspy, Damon struggled to form words. " W-what you do.....cough''
''Even after five years, I still don't like the concern you have for him. You never understood the fact that he was only mine, even with your responsibilities as a crwon prince you kept butting in every singly moment you could.
It was so annoy. ing! Your mother took away my parents and you kept trying to take away Aethelstan. The only person that actually loved me for me."
"D-did you kill him..because of m-me?."
"Don't flatter youself. It wouldn't have been worth it killing him, just because of you.
It's just he found out about my plan and that I was connected to the marquis of hell. He actually wanted to erase his influence and then send me to mental institute. Can you believe it?! I'm not insane, i'm not crazy. You all deserve this!
For killing my parents.''
The three of them shifted, eyes on the ripped apart bodies and the blood that drippen on Adrian's sword.
''But e thought I was. Told me I shouldn't pay blood back with blood. There was a fight and he left.
Alone with my thoughts- ''joyfully he added'' and the marquis ofcoure. He told of a way to make the moon elf stay with me _forever._ It was an easy fix, just some magic in his core and he would turn to stone. He would never fight with me again, never give someone else more attention and he would always be with me and he would also never dissaprove of anythin I did.
So I went and found him walking towards your father's chambers. I felt my heart blood as even though we fought he still listened to and agreed that the Queen wasn't to be trusted. However he could also mess everything by going to your father , I hadn't planned to do anything yet but he forced my hand. Because of that I had to make sure he would never utter a word to anyone else again.
I went towards him and I quote sias:
"Aethel I-i don't know what went over me. I'm just missing them so much. I grew up without them and i j-just thought that I should take revenge for them, after all they are my parents. And I feel so lost and alone, never experiencing their parental love for me. I'm really sorry, can we talk sowhere secluded? Afterwards I will do whatever you want me to, just please. End quote.''
Damon reacted in a fury "You're horrible. You used his love for you against him!''
"Now, now Damon that's not very nice. After all your mother did the same to your father.
Using his love for both of his children against him."
The fury had quickly doused by the revelation and hesitantly he asked once more. "Mother?"
"Look, she's even evading your eyes. What do you think that means? She put the kingdom at place number one, even before her children and spouse.
Anyways now that we have cleared that up and you all listened so attentively to my quote let me tell you what happenend next.
"We went and arrived at his room. All with good reason as his room was sound proof and no one could enter suddenly. Added value was the fact that his room was secluded so it would be rather easy to take his statue away. We talked and talked for hours, tears leaving both our eyes. I couldn't believe he bought all that nonsense but it makes when you nrealised he was the only one hurted me in any way.
That moment really made me realise how much I needed him to stay by my side forever, so I went and asked for a hug. Wich he gave immediately. That's when I injected it. The marquis had made sure it was fast working and paralyzing. So after removing myself from the hug, I looked at his face wich was still covered with a pleasant, understanding smile.
It was only when I looked at his stormy silver eyes that I could see the turmoil inside him, they where bulging, straining.
The last thing that left was my name, and at the very least he could finish it before he turned into the most beautiful statue. Ethereal even, forever in the position of a hug.
His last embrace, fitting isn't it?
"You psycho!! He tried to get you help..arghh!"
"He just had to be there for me and he wasn't going to be if I had let him talk to your father. So I made sure that he would never be able to leave me. Now let's stop this, After this talk, I need to pay him a visit. It has been so long, I hope he isn't angry with me?''
"Now I will see you two later, have fun with the new decorations. I'm sure you will like it.
Damon..blame your mother. Goodbye!"
Startled he wondered what Adrian meant as he vanished into darkness, same darkness that soon headed towards him.
Frightenend he look at his father, who headed in his direction with his name coming from his mouth.
But it was too late as darkness engulfed him and with screams he succumbed to it.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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