CHAPTER 21: DRAKHUL VOLKOM - THE FIRST KING

«That hat really suits you, little sister. But the one you tried earlier was fantastic too,» Daphne comments with a hint of warmth, while Ayra keeps trying on every hat in the boutique—mostly oversized styles, like the ones English noblewomen wore centuries ago.

«Then I’ll take both!» Ayra exclaims, far less composed than her older sister.

Kajetan and I stand a little aside, under the watchful eyes of the princesses’ bodyguards, probably worried we might try to escape.

«Your mistress seems like a truly refined woman, graceful and well-mannered. Is she like that in private too?» I ask casually, trying to chip away at the wall of coldness Kajetan has built between us.

I’ve never given him a reason to treat me this way.

Maybe, like Aron and most familiars in the dorm, he despises me because I’m a predestined one?

I doubt it—he’s never glared at me with hatred or thrown me insults.

He just ignores me.

That rigid posture and his German accent give him the stern, authoritarian air of a military officer.

I’d bet that, before ending up here, he held some kind of army rank.

And it’s not just me he brushes off—he ignores everything around him, except for Daphne.

That elegant, mesmerizing woman seems to be the only focus of his attention, as if he were her bodyguard too.

Or... could he be harboring indecent thoughts about her?

Well, I do the same with Ayra to awaken my strength, so maybe it’s the same for him.

Still, his impassive, serious expression doesn’t really suggest he’s daydreaming about Daphne.

«Yes,» he replies curtly, as if to make it clear he has no interest in talking to me.

I sigh loudly, exaggerating it in hopes of showing my frustration at his attitude.

Seriously, would it kill him to at least humor me a little?

Shopping with vampires is just as boring as shopping with a girl.

A bit of conversation would make the time pass faster.

Clearly, he’s not the type to enjoy company.

«I could really go for a hot chocolate! All this shopping wore me out!» Ayra exclaims, clearly thrilled with her two new hats.

«Hot chocolate?» I repeat, confused. «But don’t vampires live only on blood?»

«Who ever said that?» Ayra shoots back. «Blood is our main source of energy, sure, but it’s not the only one. Anyway, here, hold this for me!» she adds, shoving a large shopping bag into my hands. «It’s not polite to let your master carry something this heavy!»

This heavy...? A bag with two hats? Fine, whatever...

Kajetan, unlike me, doesn’t need instructions from his mistress—he’s clearly more experienced as a familiar.

Behaviors like that must come naturally to him.

«Allow me to carry it for you,» he offers Daphne in a servile tone—even Ayra’s older sister couldn’t resist buying a hat.

«That won’t be necessary, Kajetan. I’m certain I can carry it myself,» Daphne replies, her gentle tone paired with a smile that could melt anyone.

At that, Ayra yanks the bag from my hands with a brusque gesture.

«Do you think I can’t carry a bag myself?!» she snaps, imitating Daphne’s decision to hold her own purchases.

It’s incredible how my mistress tries to mimic every gesture, behavior, even the way her older sister speaks.

She must admire her deeply, wanting to resemble her in every possible way.

For the hot chocolate, we head back to Primus Rex Square—the square with the black stone fountain and the statue of a sword-wielding warrior that gave it its name.

On the way there, Daphne explains in detail the long history of the statue and the square, the only visibly ancient spot in a modern setting.

I’ve never been into history, but the sweetness and calm in her voice captivate me so much I don’t miss a single word.

The statue represents Drakhul Volkom, the first vampire king, who five thousand years ago united the realm of Mildelar under a single banner.

The square and the surrounding buildings, also ancient, were the first constructions of Noxscura.

At the edge of the square rises a building far more imposing than the others—the first royal palace of the Volkom family.

When the family grew larger, they commissioned the construction of a massive castle—the current royal residence.

Not that these details interest me much, but a bit of general culture never hurts.

We walk leisurely toward Primus Rex Square along an exceptionally wide boulevard bustling with nobles, when the guards escorting us suddenly halt, forming a tight octagonal formation around the two princesses, Kajetan, and me.

Their behavior is alarming, and even more so when they suddenly arm themselves with Blood Word Weapon, standing alert with weapons raised.

The vampires crowding Noxscura’s streets visibly panic, screams of fear echoing everywhere.

Everyone looks unsettled, terrified by something I can’t see.

Panic spreads quickly as they scatter and run in every direction, fleeing from us.

What the hell is happening?