Chapter 15: Do you hate me?

Chapter 15: Do you hate me?••• Caius followed Orland’s lead through the Mansion’s corridors until they reached the large double doors into the dining hall, which were promptly opened to allow him in. His Father was already there, seated at the very end of a long dining table that could easily accommodate thirty-two people, with fifteen seated on each side and two people on opposite ends. Lucian Von Helsing had both his elbows on the table with his fingers clasped just below his jaw and his eyes were on Caius from the moment he walked into the hall. Caius knew what his father looked like thanks to memories and the descriptions in the original story but still, it was striking to see. Lucian, being a significant reason for Caius’ good looks, was a very handsome man. He had long well-groomed black hair that draped just to his shoulders. He had a full beard with some streaks of dignified grey mixed in. He looked to be in his mid-forties at most but his eyes, so rich with experience made it clear he had lived for much longer. Speaking of Lucian’s eyes, they were a deep and rich Black that Caius had not inherited. He got his violet colored eyes from his mother. Lucian wore gold-rimmed glasses with blue-tinted lenses balanced atop his nose. He had no issues with his eyesight, which was actually perfect, and the glasses were a magical tool that Caius knew, thanks to the original story, helped him see beyond the physical and observe things not even his enhanced and enlightened Mage senses could detect. As he looked him over, Caius suspected he was being observed and scanned with the glasses’ effect. As for what Lucian was wearing, Caius could only see part of the top half that wasn’t obstructed by the dinner table but it looked like a luxurious noble-wear that doubled as a slightly casual military attire. He looked like he might have just come from yet another meeting where he and his subordinates discussed how to go about hunting their next monstrous target. Lucian Von Helsing looked like a man who carried a lot of charisma and this was further supported by the original story highlighting him as someone so respected and feared that, even being ’just a Count’, there were many Dukes who would dare not cross him. That is what ultimately made the atmosphere strange when Caius looked into his father’s face and saw that Lucian was trying to smile and look inviting but he hadn’t done it in so long that it came off as a little weird and very awkward. Shattering the near-perfect image of him that Caius had in his head. "We haven’t done this in a while," Caius said as he took his seat and tried to ignore his father’s expression. "In five years, in fact," Lucian said with a nod, "I almost expected you to say no. I wasn’t sure you were ready yet." "I just spent the whole day with people. I think I’m as ready as I’d ever be," Caius said with a little smile. "Ah, but you could have been exhausted dealing with them and your... condition all day. I’d have understood," Lucian said carefully. "No. I want to be here," Caius answered and watched as his father paused before he showed a very genuine smile that lasted about two seconds. When it was over, Lucian’s expression became awkward again. In five years, this was the most words the two had exchanged all at once, and for Lucian, it was like, the moment they got going, the easier talking became. And so the Count could get rid of that weird expression on his face that Caius doubted he realized he even had. The dining hall doors opened and the Kitchen staff, all dressed in professional uniforms that matched the aesthetic of the Estate, came in with trays laden with food that they laid on the table under the supervision of Orland. After his plate was loaded, Caius picked up the cutlery and cut a piece of meat to put into his mouth and chew. The flavor was incredible. It was so rich with juices and quality that went beyond simple nutrients. In a normal person, the food would have improved constitution and even boosted enlightenment but for a Vampire, it was just a meal. A delicious meal, sure. But one that still paled in comparison to Arlette’s blood. Aroused or not. Caius took a few more bites and for a few minutes, only the clinking of cutlery to plate was heard in the Hall even after the kitchen staff had left to give father and son their privacy. Only Orland stuck around. "So how was it?" Lucian eventually asked. He tried to be casual but he was very curious. After all, he had been the one to decide Caius was ready to be among people again. All day, Lucian had been a nervous wreck. This wasn’t helped by the fact that, powerful as he was, there was only so much he could know of the inner workings of Lochxen. The Academy was almost its own government and ecosystem separate from the Acheron Empire as a whole. "It was fine," Caius answered, "A bit boring though." "What were the classes?" Lucian asked. "Theory of Magic and Study of the Arcane Codex," Caius answered. "Hmm, Important classes. But not the best to start an Academic journey with," Lucian admitted and then raised a brow as he asked, "And tomorrow?" Caius hadn’t checked the schedule but he knew what they were. "Combat Magic, Alchemy, and Mage-Knight Training." "Ah, a much better lineup," Lucian said. "It should be," Caius said, nodding in agreement. Lucian paused and then asked slowly, "So... you’ll be taking Mage-Knight Training?" Caius shrugged, "I’m considering it." "Huh," Lucian said in a casual tone after a momentary pause but Caius could see a gleam in his eyes. Mage-Knight Training is an Elective Class that trains Mages to fight with melee weapons and close-combat techniques which they can use to complement their spell-casting abilities. Mages by nature battle at a distance so not everyone readily adopts this hence why it was an Elective. Lucian Von Helsing prided himself on being a Mage-Knight. For him, spell casting from a distance was merely to create an opening to ensure he got to his opponent to finish them up in close range. It was why the vast majority of Guards at the Estate and Lucian’s Monster Hunting Force were armed with swords. It was just his way. So of course, the thought of his son possibly following in his footsteps made him glad. A few minutes of silent eating went by before Lucian looked like he suddenly remembered something unpleasant. With furrowed brows, he retrieved what looked like a steel canister from his spatial ring that he handed to Orland who walked the length of the table to place it gently on the table in front of Caius before stepping away. Immediately, Caius could smell it. A scent somehow better than the food on the table but certainly not the best he had smelled today. "Blood," he said silently. Lucian nodded and he looked a bit weary, "Harvested it myself from a Wyvern just a few hours ago." Lucian looked like he struggled to get each word out as he wrestled his strong detest for Vampires and their Bloodsucking ways with his love for his Son. "It’s Fresh, Son," he said. "I can tell," Caius said. He could smell it. The canister had kept the blood in as good a condition as it had been when it was harvested. This was how Caius had survived five years as a Vampire. A morning and Evening serving of Blood his father himself harvested from Beasts. Beast Blood serves well enough as an alternative for human blood for a Vampire and the stronger and more intelligent the beast is, the better the quality of its blood but it is never the same in taste or quality as the blood of a human or humanoid creature. Sёarᴄh the NôvelFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What’s the matter?" Lucian asked when Caius spent a minute staring at the Canister. "Nothing," Caius said as he popped it open, raised it to his mouth, and took a sip. As expected, it didn’t taste even a quarter as good as Arlette’s blood even before she was aroused but it was certainly better than the food he was already eating, delicious as it was. The Blood made him feel alert but did not contribute anything to his Vampiric Evolution which, again, Caius expected. He still liked it though. In his memories, it was better than any Beast Blood he had been given for five years because the Wyvern is a very innately powerful and intelligent beast. Some say they’re only lacking against Dragons. Caius placed the canister back on the table after two more gulps and saw tension in his father’s neck. "What—is it?" He asked slowly. Lucian looked up and he appeared anguished. "Caius," he said slowly before his voice went faint, "Do you hate me?"