What Makes a Monster

♱Sixty♱

Third Person P.O.V.

After two months, Kailyn had grown accustomed to his new life as the kind of older brother, but more like a servant, to the youngest and only vampiric Archduke in history, Soran Makai.

Mere days after Soran's rampage, knights were sent to the Makai estate where Soran had agreed to retreat to. Kailyn was never certain why Soran didn't wish to leave. He worried it was because the child still wished to go through with his plan; punish the people of Vashna, innocent or not. Perhaps Soran didn't really know either because he never explained.

However, three more knights were killed that day, but only after attempting to break through the doors that they claimed were not Soran's to lock. And that is why Soran snuck his way into the castle late the following night, scared the piss out of Meysha, the only living royal and thus queen at the young age of 12, and kindly convinced her into giving him a title as Archduke.

Kailyn had no idea about Soran's plan until the following morning when he saw three trunks filled with gold, a royal decree instating Soran's newly appointed role, and proof of ownership over the estate as well as a mine in Isabe. Kailyn attempted a lecture that was only met with plates being thrown at him from the kitchen where Soran was inhaling chocolate as if it were a drug. To the deprived child, it basically was.

Knights did not arrive again. Life at the estate was quiet, almost normal, save for the elusive child that never did a damn thing about his title, estate, or ownership so Kailyn took up the role of...well, everything. He used some gold to hire a few staff members; two gardeners, two maids, and two butlers. With their help, the estate went from a cold and dusty ruin to a semi-presentable estate. Many rooms were closed off to conserve heat and man power. Old furniture that was eaten with age were tossed out and only rooms that were often used were replaced with new ones.

Soran did not associate with anyone. If he was not in the kitchen grabbing a snack then he was in his room, scouring the woods or even sneaking into town to explore. Sometimes Kailyn wouldn't see him for days on end then the boy would appear munching on buttered biscuits in front of the fire or camped out in a makeshift tent beneath the dining room table. Soran was finally capable of being a child, and the desire to do so showed, so Kailyn felt that was the way, that was how to get to Soran.

Kailyn started buying toys. Each day he placed another somewhere new. Soran, like a moth drawn to a flame, started searching for them. He found them in cupboards, under beds, sitting on chairs or hanging from tree branches. That was what led to Soran's first initiation of conversation nearly three weeks later.

"Ehem." Soran cleared his throat. Kailyn sat at the dining room table with half a piece of pork in his mouth. Soran's cheeks were dusted light pink when he grumbled, "I can't...find it."

"Find what?" asked Kailyn.

"My n-new toy."

Kailyn smirked. Soran's blush grew until he was glowing red. The boy looked ready to explode so Kailyn quickly said, "Maybe you should ask Lamaria. She's just outside."

Kailyn pointed to the window where Lamaria, their gardener, could be seen working in the grass. Tethered to her side was a fluffy brown bear. Soran narrowed his gaze. He was no fool. He knew what Kailyn was trying to do...but the bear looked really soft. He didn't have a bear yet. Did he have room on the bed for another toy? Probably not, but he could make room.

Soran ran full speed for the front door. Kailyn hacked on his lunch in laughter, watching Soran approach Lamaria and hold out his hand. Lamaria wouldn't have it. She smiled ear to ear when asking, "Do you need something, Your Grace?"

Soran pointed. Lamaria hummed, pretending to be confused.

"B-Bear," he finally said. Once Lamaria handed it over, he was gone. She glanced into the dining room, offering Kailyn a sweet smile that made his heart skip. Now it wasn't only Soran that was blushing.