Right Outside My Window (ErrInk)

Chapter 48 - The Stranger

Ink's POV

Just like the other vampires, he wore a fancy outfit used for dancing and he had a mask that completely covered his face.

Me: Who are you?

???: No one important. Just someone enjoying the culture of vampires.

He said as he walked toward me. His voice was slightly softer than Error's and he had a familiar accent.

  I positioned myself so that I could run if I had to or call one of the guards. Once he reached me, he motioned towards the bench.

???: May I join you, your grace?

Me: Um... sure.

I said hesitantly and made room for him. He found a place next to me, staring up at the moon. In his hand he held a rose that had its thorns plucked away. The stranger offered the flower to me. The gesture reminded me of someone I knew.

Me: Geno?

???: Who is that?

Me: I apologize. I thought you were something else.

I looked away and blushed from embarrassment. The masked stranger let out a small chuckle.

???: I see you are trying to guess my identity. That is cute, your grace.

The way this person spoke was flirtatious. I felt awkward around it but I did not hate it either. I knew I should not be okay with it as I was presumably already betrothed to the king of vampires. This man intrigued, there was something about him that was so familiar.

Me: Where is your soulmate?

???: I do not have one, or at least I have not met them yet. It is hard to tell since I am mortal.

As I listened to him speak I slowly figured out where he was from by his accent.

Me: You are Zeranian.

???: Indeed I am. Such a beautiful kingdom, is it not?

Me: I think it is quite boring. It is beautiful but there is no life there, no sense of living. It is all politics and shallow parties.

  He hummed in response. Suddenly he stood up from the bench, reaching a hand out to me.

???: Care to walk with me?

  I did not accept his hand but I stood up anyway to join him. We slowly strolled through the garden.

Me: If you are mortal, then why are you attending a vampiric masquerade?

  I asked, twirling the rose between my fingers.

???: I find the difference in our cultures to be fascinating, your grace. At the basic level mortals and vampires are the same but with a closer look, they could not be anymore different.

  The masked stranger sounded educated, he held status of some kind.

Me: Where did you study? The cultures of immortals are not taught often in schools.

???: I am actually home schooled. My father claimed it was important that I know the lives of other races, not just mortals. I spent my time studying in a garden just like this however, this garden is more beautiful as it has you.

  I could not understand this strange feeling that I got. I wanted to walk away and call for Error but at the same time this man amused me.

Me: Why will you not tell me who you are?

???: It is a masquerade, your grace. The masks are the whole point. Also, I would prefer it if the king of vampires was not hunting me down for talking to his soulmate. Who knows what brutal way of murder the bloodsucker could come up with.

  I lightly giggled from the statement. Whoever he was, he had great confidence to call Error a bloodsucker within his own kingdom.

  The stranger released a sigh and began speaking again.

???: I must leave. It is time I return home. I shall see you again soon, your grace.

  He said to me as he left me alone in the garden, leaving through the main entrance. There was only one question that I asked myself in my silence...

Who was he?