Forbidden Lessons

37

37

Jacob’s POV

The ancient library’s dim light barely illuminated the scattered scrolls and tomes in front of me. The words blurred together, and the intricate symbols seemed to mock my attempts to understand them. I leaned back in the leather chair, closing my eyes for a moment, trying to block out the overwhelming sense of responsibility that weighed on me.

I hated ruling. Every day was like a battle against my own nature. This was never meant for me. It was meant for Ian. Ian, with his calm demeanor, his unerring sense of justice, and his unshakable resolve. I’ve always admired my elder brother, even envied him. Now, I’d give anything to have him back, to see him stride through the grand doors of the palace and reclaim his rightful place on the throne.

I can still remember the day everything changed. Ian disappeared without a trace, leaving the vampire realm in chaos. Father, already weakened by centuries of rule, deteriorated rapidly, the burden of the lost heir crushing him. And then, the crown was passed to me.

I tried to refuse. I argued that I was not ready, that I was not fit to rule. But there was no one else. The council, the nobles, even the common vampires looked to me with desperate hope. I saw the fear in their eyes, the uncertainty that spread like a disease through the realm. So, I took the crown, not out of desire, but out of duty.

The first months were the hardest. I was thrust into a world of politics and diplomacy, of ancient rivalries and fragile alliances. I stumbled through negotiations, made mistakes that could have cost the realm dearly. But I learned, slowly, painfully. I learned to wear the mask of a king, to hide my doubts and insecurities behind a façade of confidence.

Yet, no matter how much I learned, no matter how well I played the part, I could never shake the feeling that I was an impostor. The throne was meant for Ian. Ian, who had been groomed for this role since birth. Ian, who had the natural charisma and strength to lead our people. I feel like a pale imitation, a shadow of the ruler my brother would have been.

The responsibilities weighed heavily on me. Every decision, every decree felt like a test. I had to be careful, had to consider the consequences of my actions. The vampire realm was a delicate balance of power, and one wrong move could tip it into chaos. I’ve seen the signs of unrest, the whispers of dissent among the nobles. I know there are those who question my right to rule, who long for Ian’s return as much as I do.

I stood up, pacing the length of the library. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, creating an eerie, almost oppressive atmosphere. I ran a hand through my dark hair, feeling the tension coiled in my muscles. I needed a break. I needed to clear my mind.

I made my way to the balcony, stepping out into the cool night air. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the sprawling city below. The sight always took my breath away, the beauty and majesty of the vampire realm. But tonight, it felt more like a prison than a kingdom.

I leaned against the railing, staring out at the city. The flickering lights of the houses, the distant sounds of laughter and conversation. These were my people, my subjects. They depended on me, looked to me for guidance and protection. I had to be strong for them, had to be the ruler they need.

But I couldn’t help the longing that gnawed at my heart. The longing for the days when I was free, when I was just another noble, living in the shadow of my elder brother. I missed Ian. I missed our conversations, our shared laughter. He always knew what to say to calm my fears and doubts.

I thinked back to the last time I saw him. Ian was so full of life, so confident and assured. We talked about the future, about his plans for the realm. And then, the next day, he was gone. Vanished without a trace, leaving behind a void that I’ve been struggling to fill ever since.

I closed my eyes, trying to remember Ian’s face, his voice. It felt like an eternity since I last saw him, and the memories were beginning to fade. I clinged to them desperately, afraid that if I let them slip away, I’ll lose my connection to him forever.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I turned and saw my advisor, Lucian, standing in the doorway. Lucian has been a loyal friend and confidant, one of the few people I could trust completely.

“Your Majesty,” Lucian said, his voice low and respectful. “The council is waiting for you. We need to discuss the situation with the Lycanthropes.”

I nod, a sense of dread settling in my stomach. The Lycanthropes have always been a thorn in our side, our ancient enmity with them flaring up time and again. Negotiations have been tense, and I know that one misstep could lead to war.

I followed Lucian back into the palace, the weight of the crown pressing down on me with every step. The council chamber was filled with the murmur of voices, the nobles and advisors gathered around the long table. They fell silent as I entered, their eyes turning to me expectantly.

I took my seat at the head of the table, trying to summon the confidence that eluded me. I glanced at Lucian, who gave me an encouraging nod. I took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand.

The discussions were long and arduous, every point debated and dissected. I listened carefully, weighing the arguments, trying to find a solution that will avoid conflict. It was exhausting, and by the end of it, I felt drained.

As the meeting finally drew to a close, I felt a wave of relief. But it’s short-lived. I knew there will be more challenges, more decisions to make. The vampire realm was a vast and complex web of power and politics, and I was at the center of it all, and I couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t handle being at the center. Ian was the one who was trained to be the leader, trained to handle pressure like this, not me.

I returned to my chambers, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. I collapsed into a chair, my thoughts returning to Ian. I imagined what my brother would have done, how he would have handled the situation. Ian was always a natural leader, able to inspire and unite those around him.

I felt a pang of envy, wishing I had his strength and confidence. I knew I had to keep going, had to keep ruling for the sake of our people. But the burden felt heavier with each passing day since he left.

I rose from the chair, moving to the window. The night sky was clear, the stars twinkling like distant beacons of hope. I made a silent vow, a promise to my brother. I would do my best to rule in his absence, to protect our realm and our people. But I will also never stop searching for him, never stop hoping for his return. I knew he was in the human world but the human world was big and vast and I didn’t know where to start searching.

As I stood there, a sense of determination settled over me. I had to find a way to carry on, to be the ruler our people needed. But I would also hold on to the hope that one day, Ian would come back and take his rightful place on the throne.

Until that day comes, I had no choice but to bear the weight of the crown, the responsibility of the realm. I had no choice but to face the challenges, make the difficult decisions, and protect our people. Because that is what Ian would have wanted, and that is what I owed to my brother and to our realm.

I remained at the window, watching as the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon. The city below was waking up, the signs of life beginning to stir. I took a deep breath, feeling a much better than I had been. I will rule in Ian’s stead, but I will never forget the brother who was meant to wear the crown.

As the sun rose, casting its golden light over the vampire realm, I felt a glimmer of hope. Today, I had to start searching for Ian. If it meant sending out some of my trusted men to look for him then so be it. He and I had to be reunited soon. Until then, I had no other choice but to carry the burden of the crown, not out of desire, but out of love and duty. For my brother, for our people, and for the realm we both cherish.

I ran my hands through my hair with a sigh. I had to start the day’s work now.