Crimson Crown

⌠28⌡

It was the next morning that Jinyoung had decided to piece everything together after spending the rest of the night before reading the secret history book he'd found. He felt somewhat confused, and held some suspicions toward the people in the palace and even his own family; how could they keep such an important piece of history a secret?

His biggest suspicion of all laid with the person he thought he could trust the most.

By noon he made his way to the library again with the book in hand, telling one of the many other servants to get the word out that he was looking for Youngjae. He sat impatiently on the couch, knowing that the latter would show up within a few minutes.

Lo and behold, the door creaked open, the sound of footsteps slowly approaching.

"Jinyoung? You called for me?" Youngjae asked curiously as he stood in front of the prince.

"Yes."

His tone was scarily calm, instantly setting off Youngjae's senses. He could tell something wasn't quite right. 

"What is the matter?"

"I... want to know what this is." Jinyoung mumbled, patting the book on his lap.

The servant's gaze shifted downwards. He cocked his head while reading the title, frowning in confusion. "Um... looks like a history book of some sort..."

"Yes, a history book." Jinyoung opened the cover, slowly flipping through the pages. "One that historians wrote in over three or so centuries ago."

The latter blinked, still confused as to why his presence was requested. He wasn't getting the significance of any of this. "What about it? I don't understand."

Jinyoung took in a long breath. "I found it hidden in the library, in some odd secret compartment. Why was it not with the other history books? Why was it kept a secret?"

Youngjae faltered, shaking his head. "I can't tell you why those who lived in the palace over centuries ago did what they did, Jinyoung."

"'Those who lived in the palace', as if your own family didn't live here for centuries?"

"And so what if they did? Does that mean I know everything that happened over all that time? Do you even know?"

"I just learned, actually. And I have a feeling you knew, too."

Youngjae frowned, shaking his head. What are you talking about, Jinyoung."

"What is this?" Jinyoung flipped over another page before finally reaching the part of the book he was searching for. He held up the heavy volume on the page where 'The Great Vampire Purge' is written in bold lettering. "What is it, Youngjae?"

Youngjae scanned the chapter title, his eyes slowly widening. "That's... how did you... uh..."

"Tell me what this is." Jinyoung demanded, watching as Youngjae's expression turned to one of guilt. He scoffed at the lack of a response. "Or do I have to read it to you?"

"No-"

Jinyoung turned the book back around, ignoring Youngjae, and began to read.

'On this day of June 20 120AG, The Choi's, the Kingdom of Alveras's current ruling family, passed an order that all vampires that dwell on our lands be slain. The blood-sucking demons are dangerous, their power unmatched; with such abilities, it is inevitable that they will overtake the human race. Thousands of vampires must perish to preserve the fate of humanity.'

"...Did you know about that? Tell me honestly, do not lie-- did you know?"

Youngjae faltered as he tried to gather his words. "I--... I didn't know the extent of it, but it was centuries ago--"