The Vampire's Rose

Chapter 2: The Wretched Duke

As the moon rose higher over the silent city of Elysia, another figure gazed upward to look at the moon's beauty. Although it was not quite full, the splendor of the celestial being was enough to bring a smile to the man's face as eyes the color of blood drank in the sight. Large hands with slender fingers pressed against the pane of the window, practically feeling the cold from the unforgiving night - knowing that the days were numbered as winter drew closer and closer. The man - if one would even call him that - knew that once the first of the winter snow came rolling down the mountain side, his city would be buried beneath it; sealed in until Ostara came. Not that he cared, of course - it would keep many at bay and away from his city and secrets for a few months, allowing him to ease the stress that was still tightly coiled around his soul ever since that fateful day nearly a decade ago.

'Because of your vanity, greed, and pride, you shall become a creature of darkness...'

He growled softly, turning away from the window and falling into his seat at his desk before striking a match and lighting the candle that perched there. The glow, although it was unneeded as his eyes could see in the dark better than any normal person's, reflected off of his unnatural silver tress that fell just beyond his shoulders, pulled back by a ribbon of ebony leather. Skin the color of freshly fallen snow glowed in the candlelight as hands gently pulled the paperwork from the desk, eyes skimming over the notes and messages from his sources as his lips pressed firmly together in disappointment.

A knock echoed in the room, the man not moving an inch or shifting his eyes towards the doorway as he bided the guest to enter.

Another man entered, a silver tray with a goblet perched upon it in his gloved hand.

"Your grace," the man spoke, approaching the desk and setting the tray before his master, "I have brought you your meal as requested."

The other man shuddered before taking the goblet and swallowed the contents quickly, returning it to the tray, "... I despise this."

"I can sympathize with you, your grace," the butler spoke, "Although, if you would please hear me out-"

"Don't say another word," the man growled, flinging the paperwork down on his desk and standing to his full height, "That idiot uncle of mine would be better running his damn country than sticking his nose in my personal affairs."

"However, if you don't respond," the butler answered, "his highness might try something soon."

"I could care less about what that man tries to pull, Aldous," the man answered, turning back toward the window, "I've ignored his responses for several years and declined every invitation - the emperor will give it up soon."

"I doubt it, your grace," Aldous answered, "He and his empress are worried about you - the last they saw you was nearly a decade ago at your debut into society as the Grand Duke of Kallistar. Since that little... mishap of yours, you've become quite reclusive. The city is already talking, word spreading like wildfire most likely have already reached your uncle's ears."

"I demanded that you never speak of that night again, Aldous," the duke growled, red eyes flashing a bright crimson as he turned on his servant.

"Forgive me, your grace," Aldous bowed low, "however, the only reason I bring up this dark past is because Raelynn and I are concerned for you. As I said, it's been nearly a decade and, although you keep insisting on finding a cure to your illness, there may not be much we can do anymore."

The duke pushed his hair away from his face, nestling his hand on the crown of his head. Of course Aldous was right - he and Raelynn had been his stand-in parents following both his mother and father's deaths.