Chapter 18: Navigating the unknown
It was red, golden lines traced around the coach and on the door, a golden flower.
The sigil of the academy named Aurelia, he was going to, seemingly forced. But if he had wanted to, then the spy would have never found out about his existence.
He was only watching through the gap of the huge castle doors but they brought more than he had expected.
One, two..four...six..ten..around thirty?
It didn't matter but they all looked very skilled, most of them probably brought to be as imposing as they could.
Most likely their higher ups expected a fight but to the surprise of many the barrier had just been lifted and they had been allowed to march in.
There could have been a few more years of usage but the resources were already stretched so that had been deemed a bad idea. Adrian agreed and his parents ,and with that the kingdom, didn't have a choice as Aurelia had been made aware of his existence.
While they were allowed in and marched in an impressive display, they weren't the only ones.
Guards had been placed all over, every five steps guards would be beside you. They had noticed it and even n-know they were wearily keeping track.
It was evident that the one in charge had given everyone a couple of guards to keep an eye on as Adrian noticed the flickering gazes. Back and forth they went.
Just like the ever so beautiful golden hair of Dawn was swaying gently, right next to him was Aethelstan.
Aethel was composed, unlike Dawn who was clutching his writing pad tight. It wasn't difficult to imagine the underlying fear as he faced the humans standing basically right in front of him.
Humans who had encroached on his sacred place. Not all of them were humans, he could smell the different scents but Dawn only focused on the humans.
Every shift was met with fearful eyes, ever glare with a flinch as he gripped the pad thighter. Aethelstan was talking softly, trying to put him at ease but it obviously wasn't working.
In the present of others Dawn always wrote things down but now he seemed too scared to do anything. What a mess the three of them were.
He, who was reborn and still wasn't quite over his traumatic past.
Aethelstan, who lived a long life and had lifelong wounds on his core.
Dawn, who was also traumatised and refused to speak.
From what Adrian had heard, he wasn't always like that. In a one sided conservation the princess's emotions had been running high when she cried out that she hadn't even had Dawn back.
Adrian felt like he had intruded and in that way had come to know about Dawn and Elvira's relationship, well past as she missed who he once was.
It was only when she had left, that Dawn had turned into a wreck, sobs had left him and they had sounded....so pained.
Adrian had only listened, pained when he realised that everything was only going to get worse for the fellow vampire.
"Are you nervous?"
"Father!!" Gasping in surprise, he turned dramatically.
"Sorry for scaring you, little one."
Smiling sadly, he turned back to the gap. Emiris ,who noted the lack of the usual comeback, turned worried. "You don't have to be nervous, you will do wonderfully. I know it's sudden b-"
''It's not that, dad. It's just... you know."
"Can't say I do, dear."
"Daddddd"
A smile graced his father's face in glee and no sooner had he been collected in a hug. Adrian eyes gleamed but Emiris hadn't noticed it as his voice whispered "You'll do fine, i'm sure of it.''
A whisper that sounded anything but sure yet Adrian pretended he didn't notice.
"Dad...will you miss me?"
A part of him wanted to know, confirm it. Did this family love him?
Emiris, shocked, had quickly backed away. Creating a distance between him and the stern look made Adrian feel twisted, though rapidly forming his own conclusions before hands weighted down on his shoulder.
"What are you saying!!?"
Stern had turned in softness and Adrian felt the wrongness of the question and the feelings involved in it, so his eyes moved down on reflex.
His father sighed, breathed in and out before speaking. "Look at me, little one."
Reluctance aside, he faced the other with hesitation clear in his sky like eyes.
Emotions reflected in his father's black pools, he stuck, conflicted and had never expected such a situation.
Neither did Adrian, he hadn't waken up with the question, it had just flown out and depending on the answer he might have actually something to lose beside Aethelstan.
"You should know that you coming into my life was a difficult yet wonderful moment.
You changed me for the better because of you I learned how to care for such a small being and all it came with.
Seeing you grow was an otherworldly experience, I never once thought I would have children but look at you.`` Hands gestured softly before words formed once more. 'It changed my life completely, so much that I'm still not quite sure this is a dream.
I love your mother to death but for you even death wouldn't stop me.''
It was so..heartfelt, so unexpected that even before he knew it tears crashed on the floor. He couldn't stop himself as he loudly sobbed, reached out and grabbed his father tight.
Was this the most he had ever felt loved?
No doubt about it as words of reassurance and love kept leaving dad's mouth, it didn't help him as his sobs turned a little louder and his grip a little tighter.
When had he grown so attached? He didn't know but the idea of leaving them now made his heart ache.
Minutes had passed before Emiris gently moved Adrian. 'I'm sorry but it's time.''
''Daddy..I don't want to leave you.'' He had no choice but the words had unleashed the child in him longing for love. Now that he was going to lose it, he didn't really want to leave so fast.
He was making it difficult for the both of them,black pools rimmed with redness as he looked conflicted but they both were aware of what happened as with one last, emotional hug Emiris turned stern.
Conflict and emotions vanished from his eyes as if it was never even there.''
"There's no choice , Adrian. You don't have a choice."
"Daddy, please.'' His voice cracked and like the child he was he reached for him only to be held back with some force. A cry left him and a slight falter was visible.
It left a slight budding feeling of appreciation in him, that even in his sternest moments his father would never change before turning so serious that even Adrian stilled.
"If you don't go, what do you think they will do?"
Adrian knew they would never leave it at that but a part of him...."...leave? Without me?"
"Yes, yes they would.''
"Then, daddy can't we--'' It wouldn't happen but nonetheless his face turned happy, smile broadened widely.
''They would leave and return with an army.
Everything will burn, screams would die out from voices that would never be heard again."
"B-but...'' Smile vanished and for the first time he realised that his father could in fact be cruel.
''Everyone you care about could die. All the people that your godmother cares for would be killed, hurt or enslaved.
As the godson of the Queen you have a duty to them!!"
It wasn't soft at all, embers burning in black orbs, Adrian didn't want to look at the morbid expression but he was rooted in place.
"Everyone....Dawn, Aiwen, Angesi, even Aethelstan wouldn't be safe. But neither would we, your mother and I.''
His reflection mirrored between the embers and he was pale, his own eyes puff and red from tears that kept falling.
"Do you understand me, Adrian?"
A second or even the minute he was given wasn't enough to gather his feelings.
"We all have to do things we don't like. I would protect you through everything but what if I'm not there?
Just because I'm not beside you, doesn't mean I would forget you or love you any less.
Silence stretched just like the time and before they knew it they couldn't wait anymore, guards having approached Aethelstan angrily.
"Adrian, do you understand?"
He expected silence once more but a flare of pride spread within him as Adrian nodded and answered with words that rapidly doused the flame.
"Yes...father.
He was no longer crying but Emiris felt horrible when he picked up the underlying emotions in the answer. Maybe he had been too stern, a stream of guild erupted as he had possibly destroyed his only son's innocence.
Had he been too rough, too stern? As much as he would kill for the boy, Emiris still didn't know what parenting entailed. Everyone he could ask for advice raised children over a thousand years ago.
Not even including the fact that it was on a whole other planet, with an entirely different atmosphere.
Yet here vampires were limited in their actions , space and he had doomed his child to that fate.
''....i'm sorry.'' He wasn't able to look into Adrian's eyes as he said it, fear of seeing his son's hate at his powerlessness clenched in his heart but when arms reached around and hugged him he realised he was being stuped.
Familiar scent of coconut washed over him, relaxing and breathing it in, he smiled at the fact his son loved the scent. Wrapping around the smaller figure, not by much, he wondered how long it would before he would be able to hug him again.
When would the smell wash over him again or even the boisterous laugh around the halls whenever he had pranked Aethelstan or someone else.
Would he even return, would they allow him?
What if they hurt him or even bully him. He hasn't even met someone close to his age, the youngest was Dawn and he was already well into the thousand.
"Don't worry, daddy. I'll make you proud.''
There was relief at the words. ''No need to make me proud, just survive and come home whenever you can. If something happens, tell Aethelstan and he will let us know.''
After Adrian's nod, he added something. ''Now, take care of yourself and Dawn. Don't be impulsive again, you know he had it difficult. I don't want to hear anything bad again.
"Yes, yes I got it dad."
Adrain looked at his father and burned the image in his brain. He had a feeling it would be a long time until they would see each other again.
"...."
"Is it over? No chicken hen anymore?
What a relief!"
"You little brat." Both cracked a smile before one vanished slowly.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"You are an advisor of the King.''
"If I ask..then maybe..I can arrange something?"
Even though he said it, it still came out as a question for no one in particular.
"You said it, I'll be fine.
I would say take care of mom but we both know who takes care of who here."
The horror on his father's face was hilarious and Adrian felt glad that he could at least leave with something to laugh about as his father spluttered embarrassed.
Snickering, he opened the door and ventured outside.
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