My Vampires

Chapter 32

turned around and saw the familiar scenery of the mansion, signaling the end of my dream....No, it wasn't a dream. It was Vlad's past that he'd held in his heart this whole time. My fingers were still chilled from the snowy air. My cheeks felt frozen and my heart was still pounding, telling me it was real.  And I made a promise to Vlad, to try to give his heart even a little bit of hope.

Flashback

Kira
"You are not alone."

Vlad
"......"

Kira
"I will be waiting for you, a long time from now--beyond eternity."

And he made a kind promise to me, too.

Vlad
"Thanks, miss!"  "For finding me! Next time I'll come find you, okay? I promise."

He'd lived centuries since then, keeping that promise close to his heart.

Vlad
"So that's why I can still vividly remember the strength and warmth of her arms as she embraced me."  "And the promise we made each other."

Kira
"The promise?"

Vlad
" I think I'II keep that part to myself."

Flashback Ends

Even after I met him, I didn't remember the promise we made. But now that I knew what happened, it changed every word he said, every look he gave me. I can't just sit here and regret hurting him. I have to do something.  I stood up and took a deep breath.

Kira
"I have to go see him again."  "Because in this world, I want..."

You were waiting for me all this time...

Kira
"...to protect you."

I took a step forward and saw Sander and Sebastian running towards me.

Sebastian
"Kira, we couldn't find you and we've been looking all over the mansion for you."

Sander
"...Don't tell me you..."

Kira
"Let me tell you about it while we go to Vlad. We have to hurry!"

~~~~

The scene outside the Christmas party was just growing more chaotic. Eyes as red as a rose turned white from the snow.  The armed villager attacked Vlad as he stood in front of the theatre, mercilessly stabbing him. He stabbed him over and over. But no matter how many times Vlad was stabbed, no matter how much he bled, Vlad did not collapse onto the snow.

Vlad
"It's no use. Your weapons can't kill me."

Man
"Wh-what are you?"  "...You're a monster! Kill him!!"  

More people attacked him with their sharp weapons, but Vlad didn't move a muscle.  He shielded the little boy with the newsboy cap with both his arms, and looked down and smiled at him.

Vlad
"I'm sorry to scare you."

Child
"Don't worry about me. But Mr. Florist, if you don't run away you'll die!"

Man
"Hey! Somebody get an axe! Surely if we cut off his head, this monster will die!"

Man
"Haha, without a doubt. That'll serve as an example for the nobles inside before we give 'em a bloodbath!"

Someone swung a rusty axe towards Vlad's neck when all of a sudden...

???
"...It's a crime to attack someone who isn't resisting."

A cloak billowed in the night as the tip of a sharp sword sliced through the handle of the axe.

Nicholas
"...You're all heartless. Who are the real monsters here?"