Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 183: A good father

Chapter 183: A good father

"Thank you," Nikolas said after hearing Alex’s declaration.

It was like a breath of fresh air, providing an opportunity to protect what Damian threatened.

Alex nodded as he remarked. "You should return for now to keep an eye on things. I will have to make preparations."

"As you wish." Nikolas didn’t bother to stay further as he rose to his feet before making his way out of the sitting room with Claudia following closely behind.

***

Once outside, Nikolas had barely traversed the distance between the porch and the house gates when he paused and turned to address Claudia.

"You will remain here."

Claudia was taken aback by the sudden remark as she met her father’s gaze.

"No, I want to come with you." She replied after a moment of hesitation.

Nikolas shook his head. "That won’t be possible."

"Why?"

"We are about to go to war and as an enemy to the Monarch, staying with me could be dangerous. You should remain here for the time being."

"No."

"Claudia..."

"I said no!"

Nikolas’s eyes shook as he watched Claudia refuse his request.

For some reason, the girl before him seemed to overlap with a long-forgotten mental image.

He pursed his lips before letting out a sigh. "Do what you wish."

Then, not wasting another second, he turned to leave.

Claudia stayed silent for a moment, unsure if she was free to follow along.

Seeing as how her father said nothing, a smile crept up the corner of her lips.

She had made a promise and no matter what, she would keep it.

However, just as she took a step forward, Claudia’s world spun and a moment later, went dark.

She had fallen unconscious.

Nikolas paused in his tracks before slowly turning back.

Seeing her lying down on the lawn, a peaceful expression on her face, he couldn’t have asked for much more.

The corners of his lips arched slightly before he glanced toward the house to find that Alex and Nadia were standing on the porch, watching the scene play out in silence.

He met Alex’s gaze and after a brief exchange, nodded before turning to take his leave.

Alex sighed as he watched the wide back of the Vampire Duke up until he entered his carriage and left.

No words were said but a lot was communicated between them.

"A good father," Alex muttered as he wondered if he would have done the same if Mary-Jane were to be here.

It wasn’t hard to find the answer as he left the porch and slowly made his way to where Claudia lay.

Upon getting to her, he crouched and slowly picked up the young Vampire only to pause as he sensed a gaze in his direction.

He looked toward the gate and for a moment, felt his breath escape his lungs due to the figure standing there.

Quickly regaining his composure, he rose to his feet and in a casual tone, remarked. "Come in. We have much to discuss."

Then without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the house while holding Claudia in a princess carry.

Elizabeth watched him enter the house, unsure of what to do.

Taking a deep breath, she finally decided as she let go of the switchblade she was holding and made her way into the house.

***

The day quickly passed and soon enough, the Nighteye graced the world with its ethereal glow.

The streets of Krobridge were calm with its citizens preparing for the celebration of the Emperor’s birthday but not all were preparing for a celebration.

On the contrary, war was on the horizon for others.

"How are the preparations going?" Nikolas inquired while seated in his study, scribbling away on a notebook.

Standing a few meters away, Roland replied. "Going smoothly as of now. The messengers to the other dukedoms have been dispatched and we are currently preparing for the battle that is to come."

Nikolas nodded before letting out a sigh. "What we are doing is extremely foolish."

"..."

"But... is it wrong to want to fight back when death comes knocking?"

"... We will always abide by your decisions, sire."

"I know." Nikolas seemed both disappointed and happy at Roland’s words.

Letting out yet another sigh, he tried to stand only to pause as he sensed a fluctuation in the aether.

Frowning deeply, he moved to the window behind where he was seated and moved the curtains aside only for his expression to crumple at the sight.

Instead of the night sky, an unfamiliar yet familiar red sky greeted him.

Roland noticed this as well as he muttered. "Sire..."

"Mn, someone betrayed us."

"The other Dukes?"

"I won’t be surprised," Nikolas muttered as he pulled back the curtains.

Taking a moment to scrutinize his study, the dancing shadows obscured in the corner caused him to mutter. "Fear has caused them to sell everything just for a chance to survive."

"I will prepare the defenses."

"No," Nikolas remarked. "If that is what I think it is, there’s no need to defend."

"Then..."

"You’ll have to leave."

"Sire?"

"Inform the Dark Lord about the specifics regarding the Blood Ritual and the best way to stop it."

"But..."

"No time for buts, Roland!" Nikolas bellowed. "Leave, now!"

"... Yes, sire," Roland replied after a brief hesitation.

"Thank you."

"..." Roland dropped his head as an unfamiliar emotion pricked his heart.

Turning to leave, the 1st Duke called out to him.

"Wait!"

"Yes, sire?" Roland looked back, expecting to be stopped but what happened next was even more of a shock to him.

Nikolas walked over and pierced his chest with his right hand, grabbing hold of his heart in one swift motion.

"Sire?" Roland muttered hoarsely with wide eyes.

The 1st Duke replied. "From now onwards, I will no longer be your Sire."

Roland blinked at the words spoken, unsure of what to make of them but the next moment, it became clear.

He felt an unfamiliar power engraved on the surface of his heart.

"If ever you feel like Claudia would make a fine leader, I hope you give that mark to her."

With those words, Nikolas left the study to prepare for the upcoming battle, leaving Roland to ponder on the numerous thoughts floating in his mind.

***

"Lady Charlotte, it is an honor to have you in my manor," Nikolas remarked with a warm smile as he stepped out through the front door.

Dressed in a black suit, he walked with his cane, only coming to a stop a few meters away from Charlotte and her Silver Knights.

Peering behind her to find that the red light was a result of an enchantment cast by the Red Knights, he let out a sigh.

"You are aware of why I’m here, no?" Charlotte muttered as she took a step forward with a smile on her lips.

Of course, despite the smile, the amount of bloodlust she exuded was enough to cause Nikolas utmost distress but he tried hard not to show it.

"I have not the faintest clue." He replied.

Charlotte chuckled. "It’s really unfortunate. Amongst those useless dukes, I found you quite interesting but you decided to turn over to the side of the Dark Lord... do I take it I was wrong about my assessment?"

"..." Nikolas remained silent as he met Charlotte’s gaze without flinching.

"You don’t plan on begging or pleading for mercy?... I might be generous enough to let you go."

"..." He stayed silent a bit longer before shaking his head. "Don’t take me for a fool, Charlotte."

"Oh?"

"You and I both know why you are here."

"Is that so?"

"I figured out the ritual."

Charlotte’s gaze cooled as she inquired. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Do you feel no shame going ahead to sacrifice your kin?"

"..." Charlotte’s eyes shook at the sudden question only to purse her lips as she remarked. "It would seem our discussion ends here."

"..." Nikolas returned to silence as he gripped his cane tightly.

Recalling the image he was lucky to come across earlier on allowed him to maintain a semblance of calm.

With a warm smile hanging at the corner of his lips, he said. "Do whatever you want."

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