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Chapter One
Adrian
No death is easy. And the death of a father is among the most difficult ones to bear. I knew that well.
Amidst the somber air that hung heavy with grief, the kingdom mourned the loss of their beloved ruler, King Theodore. The funeral was a solemn affair, with dignitaries, subjects, and family of both human and vampire origin, gathered to bid their final farewells. Some could barely lift their heads, refusing to allow others to see their bloodshot eyes. Lilith, dressed in mourning attire, stood by her father’s casket, her eyes swollen from tears shed in sorrow. I stood by her side, trying to be as much of a support and comfort as I could, although I knew that it would take a long time for her to process her father’s death and be her old self.
Together, we agreed that our daughter Cass would be better off with one of the servants, away from the procession that she might find overwhelming. It was enough that she, too, had lost an important figure in her life, just like the rest of us. Exposing her to this was unnecessary. She would witness enough heartache in her lifetime when she got older. Until then, it was our job as her parents to shelter her from as much of it as we could.
I turned to Lilith and gently placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. I could understand the magnitude of the loss she was enduring, the weight of her grief. Hopefully, my touch offered her some solace in this dark time, a silent promise that I would be there for her no matter what. But I hoped that she was already aware of that.
As the priest offered prayers for the king’s departed soul, memories of happier times flooded my mind. I was certain that the same was going through Lilith’s mind as well. No one could have known that man as well as she had known him. I moved closer to her, wordlessly reminding her of our united front, even amidst devastating loss.
The ceremony continued, each eulogy painting a poignant picture of the king’s legacy and the indelible mark he had left on his kingdom. I remained a steadfast support for Lilith, absorbing her pain and grief, all while striving to infuse a glimmer of hope into her world.
I would occasionally lift my gaze and scan it across the chamber. The gathering at the funeral was a diverse tapestry of emotions and roles. Dignitaries and common folk stood side by side, all united by their reverence for the departed king. The nobility, adorned in somber attire, exuded an air of solemnity, their expressions reflecting a deep respect for their departed leader. There was no social differentiation between anyone now. They were all the same in their sorrow, and in a tragic moment such as this one, I knew that the king would have been proud to see that his death managed to do one last thing, and that was to bring his people together.
After the ceremony had ended and everyone went home, I realized that I had lost sight of Lilith in the commotion. I began searching for her, my heart weighed down by the sorrow that clung to the air. I knew she needed my support now more than ever. I found her in her father’s study, a sanctuary of memories, surrounded by the faint scent of aged parchment and memories of days long past. I should have known immediately that she would be here.
Lilith was seated at her father’s desk, a sea of papers and documents before her. Now, it was her obligation. Ours, to be exact.
She appeared lost in thought, her eyes tracing the lines of writing as if seeking solace in the familiar strokes of her father’s hand. I approached gently, giving her a moment to collect her thoughts.
“Lil?” I called out to her, my voice laced with both concern and tenderness.
She looked up immediately, her eyes red-rimmed and weary. A weak smile danced in the corner of her lips, attempting to mask the soul-crushing amount of grief that lay beneath. “I’m just trying to… find some closure.”
I walked around the large, mahogany desk, approaching her. “Your father was a great man. His wisdom and strength will live on in you. Always remember that he believed in you, just like we all do.”
She sighed, nodding slightly. “I know, but… there seems to be so much to handle… his affairs, the responsibilities he carried. It feels like the weight of the kingdom now rests on our shoulders.”
“Yes, our shoulders,” I confirmed. “Never forget that I am here for you, and whatever fate has in store for us, we’ll face it together.”
She was about to say something, her lips parted, but the words didn’t seem to come so easily at a moment like this.
“What is this?” she suddenly frowned, and at the same time, we both noticed a subtle seam in the desk, hinting at something that wasn’t meant for everyone’s eyes.
“What?” I asked, as she fumbled with it a little, her delicate fingers revealing a hidden drawer that seemed to hold secrets from the past. Lilith and I exchanged a glance, curiosity and a sense of discovery fueling our determination to unlock this enigma.
With careful precision, we examined the drawer, noticing a subtle irregularity. It seemed to have a hidden lock mechanism. Working together, we searched for a way to release it. Gently pressing on certain areas, listening for the subtle click, we finally found the hidden latch. As it disengaged, a sense of anticipation and excitement surged within us.
The drawer creaked open, revealing a trove of memories, carefully preserved by her father. Among the collection were old letters, faded photographs, and a locket. We delicately picked up the locket, feeling its weight and tracing its intricate engravings. Inside, there was a miniature portrait of her parents—a cherished memento of their love.
I could see tears in Lilith’s eyes, when she turned to me. “I didn’t even know he kept all of this. Why would he hide it?”
“These were his most cherished possessions,” I explained as best as I could. “You want to keep those safe, no? Sometimes, we go to extremes, like your father did, but be sure that he hid them because he wanted to keep them safe.”
She smiled at me, as she took one of the letters and started to read it. Her eyes flickered above the aged paper, widening at some parts, as if she had read something important. I didn’t want to interrupt her. I was sure that the letters revealed a deep connection between her parents, the challenges they faced, and the love that eventually prevailed. Their lives were lived with purpose and dedication to their people as well as each other.
She put the letter down, then continued to rummage through the hidden drawer, revealing a key. She looked at it, turning it in her fingers. It was an ornate, ancient key which seemed to hold a secret tale of its own.
“What is it for?” I wondered, looking at it.
She didn’t say anything at first. She looked around, then rushed towards a simple-looking painting of a serene landscape, which she took off the wall, revealing a safe. With a trembling hand, she placed the key into the old lock. I walked over to her, trembling myself, wondering what weight would be placed upon our backs now with the opening of the king’s safe. Would we find more of his documents, more of his mementos or something that he truly wished to remain a secret?
Inside, we found a collection of ancient scrolls, each bearing the seal of the royal family.
“What are those?” I asked loudly, although I could venture a pretty good guess.
