CHAPTER 288: NOW THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT

Damon grinned as he dangled the bait, letting his voice drip with exaggerated innocence. "It’s just a harmless little vial and a few musty scrolls. Nothing too valuable. I’d be happy to forget all about them, unless someone clever enough convinces me otherwise."

La Rocha still remained silent.

"Alright then." Damon shrugged and walked out of his room. "Your loss. My soul is feeling particularly strong. The elixir might be a really good one. You might be losing out on something amazing here."

La Rocha finally responded but it was not the answer Damon expected. "You want to barter with me using dusty relics you haven’t even verified yet?" He let out a laugh and became silent. Damon narrowed his eyes but did not say anything. It was worth a try. He was not really counting on it anyways.

He also had other things on his mind right now. He quickly hurried out of his room and went out to meet his family. He only barely took a few steps when a little munchkin ran and hugged him tightly.

"Uncle! Uncle! You won’t believe what happened to us!" Lola squealed, her small arms wrapping around Damon’s waist.

Damon blinked and instinctively scooped her up, holding her as she kicked her feet with glee. Her eyes were sparkling, her cheeks flushed, but there was an edge to her excitement like someone who had just gotten off a terrifying ride and was still shaking, even while laughing.

"What happened?" Damon asked, voice gentler now, as he brushed back a strand of hair from her face.

Lola leaned in and whispered, "We were in a dungeon! Like a real, actual dungeon! There were chains and spiders and really smelly guards. But then this beautiful elf lady, Auntie Lirae, showed up and kaboom! She burned the doors off! And then she stabbed a man in the face!" She made a stabbing gesture and added sound effects for emphasis.

"What did she do now?" Damon chuckled, partly in amusement and partly in relief. He glanced up, his eyes quickly scanning the hallway, only to see the rest of his family stepping into view, one by one. His mother. His father. His brother. They looked tired and disheveled, but alive.

"Georgina wanted to rest first." John awkwardly explained to which Damon only laughed. What else could he expect from his sister-in-law.

"It’s fine. How are you all doing?"

His mom was the first one to answer as she hugged Damon and started sobbing. "Damon, what would have happened if you were not there? We were all so scared. One second we were fine and just doing quests and the next second these soldiers came and arrested us in front of everyone."

Damon’s expression softened as he hugged her back tightly, resting his chin gently atop her head. "You don’t have to be scared anymore," he murmured. "You’re safe now. I am sorry they targeted you like this."

His mother clung to him for a moment longer before pulling away, wiping her tears and trying to compose herself. His father gave a silent nod of approval, his eyes bloodshot but proud, and Damon returned it with a nod of his own. Everyone was still visibly shaken from the whole experience.

Damon could only imagine how terrible it must have been for normal people to be taken in custody by intimidating soldiers and thrown into actual prison cells without any hope of even a hearing.

This was all because of him. They were targeted because of him. Damon’s gaze turned cold for a moment as he clenched his fists tightly but he then shook it off. This was not the time or place. He let out a sigh and then put a smile on his face.

"How about we all put this incident behind us and enjoy a little? Are you guys hungry? Maybe we should have a feast tonight. I feel like celebrating. Also did you guys check out where we are right now? In the middle of a freaking ocean. Come here. See this."

Damon led them through the wide halls of the castle until they reached one of the upper balconies. A cool wind swept past as he pulled open the heavy doors, revealing the breathtaking view outside.

Endless waves stretched in every direction, the ocean shimmering like molten sapphire under the first light of the morning sun. The sky above was painted in strokes of gold and crimson, and far on the horizon, a flock of seabirds soared through the clouds.

The castle was smack dab in the middle of the ocean, floating on the waters magically.

Lola gasped and darted to the edge of the balcony. "Woaaah! Where are we uncle? This is amazing!"

His mother clutched her chest in awe, while his father stared in silence, clearly impressed. Even John whistled low, giving Damon a look of grudging admiration. "You’ve really... built something here, huh?"

Damon smirked. "I did say I’ve been busy."

Damon then thought of something and his smile became wider. "La Rocha, how about you get out here with a butler outfit? A vampire castle needs a butler, you know. Isn’t it part of your contract to serve me?"

Silence. Complete and utter silence.

But after a couple of minutes, a thin and tall man walked out into the balcony, dressed in a dapper suit. He was wearing pitch-black butler uniform with silver trim.

His bright green hair was tied back neatly, and a monocle rested over one eye. A white cloth draped over one arm, and he carried a polished silver tray holding a glass of chilled wine.

Damon’s grin grew impossibly smug. "Now that’s what I’m talking about." He knew the guy was purposefully dressed like this in an exaggerated fashion just to mock him but he did not care in the slightest and only laughed in amusement.

La Rocha’s expression was as cold and flat as a tombstone. "Enjoy it while you can, parasite." He mumbled, burning with rage inside.

"Huh? What is that? Did you say something?" Damon teased him again.

***

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