Episode 13

Vladimir Black, or Vlad as everyone knew him, is the eldest son of the Black clan and the future Vampire King. With his cold and indifferent gaze, he wasn't a bad person. However, he rarely formed relationships or showed his emotions to anyone outside his family.

Since childhood, he had no friends because of the gift inherited from his mother. He could see the past of any race simply by touching them. Although he couldn't control it at first, whenever he touched someone, he could unravel their intentions. It was tough for him to realize that those who approached him were only interested in advancing their own positions. This realization led him to train extensively to master his gift.

Even though Vlad and Azula always argued over trivial matters, he adored his 15-year-old sister. In the future, she would become the guardian of the vampire territory. Unlike Vlad, Azula had a magnetic personality that attracted people, especially boys. This didn't please Vlad at all because he believed none of them were worthy of his sister. Every time he "speaks" about their intentions to Azula, they would deny any interest in her or simply run away.

Despite his temperament, Vlad had a close relationship with his cousins whom he frequently visited or who came to see him. That day at the mall, he watched the two girls strolling with their ice cream in hand. As he observed Aria's happy expression, he sensed a faint radiant light emanating from her. He wondered what it was and then remembered Aria's arrival in the Black Territory. He also felt that something was different about her.

------Flashback Begins (Vlad)------

It was very early, the sun hadn't risen yet. I was patrolling the gates of the Black territory, climbing one of the towers while recalling the conversation I had a few days ago with my cousins: Magnus, the future leader in the tower of wizards and witches; Jace, the prince in the human territory; and Aaron, the beta of the Alpha King. That day, Azula couldn't be present due to her training. Despite being only 15 years old and the youngest of the descendants, she takes her duty very seriously as she will be the guardian and protector of the Black territory in the future.

Aaron informed us that day that his father was unwell. We didn't ask for the reason; we already knew it was his sister's birthday. Although a lot of time had passed since his sister's loss, we were just children when it happened. It left a painful mark on our family, especially on Uncle Albert and Aaron.

I don't remember much about her, only that she had black hair and hazel eyes like all of us who descend from the four siblings. Suddenly, in the distance, I spotted something moving among the trees. Was it an animal? The smell of blood indicated it was injured. I sharpened my eyes and realized it wasn't any animal but a woman. Her scent was that of a werewolf, but it was different from ordinary werewolves. However, that didn't matter now. I leaped from the tower next to the gate and reached the girl before she hit the ground. I saw that she was delirious due to an infection from wounds on her shoulder and leg. I sensed a faint aroma - Wolfsbane! I heard a mumble coming from her lips. "I need to see the Vampire King."

End of Flashback

Azula's voice snapped Vlad out of his thoughts.

Azula: Vlad, how about we take Aria to your favorite restaurant for lunch? I'm sure she'll love it.

Vlad (in an indifferent tone): I don't mind. Let's go to the car.

Azula: Then you guys go ahead while I arrange for everything to be sent home, so we don't have to wait for them to finish packing.

Without even giving him a chance to respond, Azula had disappeared.

Vlad-(serious) She always does what she wants (sighs), well then, let's go. Without looking at Aria, he set off towards the parking lot.

Aria, on the other hand, felt nervous and somewhat downcast. Since she arrived, she had the impression that Vlad didn't like her. Her once bright gaze turned sad, but without saying a word, she followed him until they reached the parking lot.

Her gaze fixed on the ground, she didn't realize what was in front of her until she felt something collide with her and packages fell to the floor. It was then that she lifted her head and felt a strong blow to her cheek. When she turned to look at her aggressor, she was paralyzed. Her once sad gaze turned to sheer terror. It was her... Luna Solange, the woman who had made her life a torment for the past 15 years.

L. Solange - (not recognizing her) You're such a fool! Don't you have eyes? Do you know how much all this that you just knocked over is worth?

Aria - (terrified) I... I... It wasn't my intention.

L. Solange - You cursed brat! Stop standing there staring at me and pick everything up immediately.

She was about to strike Aria again when she felt something stop her hand and then heard a threatening voice.

Vlad - (coldly and menacingly) If you lay a hand on my sister again, I'll make sure you lose your entire arm.

At that moment, the bodyguard who came with Luna Solange tried to hit Vlad, but without letting go of her arm, he delivered a kick that sent the bodyguard

flying to the other side of the parking lot.

L. Solange - (with fear) Sir, I didn't mean to. You don't understand, this girl was the one who attacked first and knocked my things over; it was a misunderstanding. Please let me go, you're hurting me.

In that moment, Vlad's fury dissipated as he noticed the panic-stricken look on Aria's face, who couldn't stop staring at the woman. He let go of the woman with such force that she fell to the ground, then he ran to her side and embraced her tightly, telling her to calm down, assuring her that everything would be fine.

Aria, her gaze still filled with panic, looked into his eyes. She saw warmth in them and then whispered in a trembling voice,

Aria - Please, get me out of here.

Vlad wrapped his arm around her shoulders and without hesitation, guided her to the car. He helped her into the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, then quickly got into the driver's seat and drove away from the mall.

As he drove, he telepathically contacted one of his best Vampire Warriors and ordered him to go to the mall for Azula.

Then, he linked with Azula and told her to wait at the mall because a warrior would soon come to take her back home, and he ended the connection before she could ask any questions.

They drove for about 20 minutes until they reached a lake on the other side of the city. Vlad stopped the car and Aria followed him.

Both of them sat by the lakeside, silently gazing at the crystal-clear waters for a while until Aria became calmer and broke the silence.

Aria - (sadly) Thank you for helping me. I'm sorry for causing you trouble; I've only been a nuisance to you.

Vlad - (surprised) Aria, you have never been a nuisance. Where does that idea come from?

Aria - (hesitant) It's just that I thought you didn't like me and that my presence bothered you.

Vlad - (sighs) I know that sometimes I can seem cold and serious, but the truth is that it's not easy for me to express my feelings. But that doesn't mean I don't like you, quite the opposite. I don't know why, even though we have just met, I feel a very strong bond with you, one that makes me want to protect you. (Embarrassed)

Aria - You know, knowing that you like me makes me very happy. I don't know why, but I also feel a strong bond with you.

Vlad - (extending his hand) So, friends?

Instead of shaking his hand, Aria embraced him warmly and said - Friends.

The embrace surprised Vlad, even though he had recently embraced her to comfort her, this embrace he just received carried warmth with it.

Vlad - Now Aria, will you tell me what happened? Please trust me. Why were you terrified when you saw that woman? Do you know her? Because I think I've seen her before, but I can't remember where.

Aria - (sighing and in a shaky voice) I thought I was no longer afraid of her, but it seems the mark she left on my soul cannot be erased.

That woman has been my executioner for as long as I can remember. She is Sunshine's Luna, Solange.

Aria begins to recount everything she has experienced, every abuse, humiliation she endured during these 15 years, all inflicted by that woman. With every word that comes out of her mouth, tears also stream down as she recalls those moments. She also confided her "story" with Kiran, the first person she tells.

Vlad remained silent, holding one of Aria's hands as she narrated her story. He could feel all the pain and suffering that wretched woman and Kiran's dog had inflicted upon her.

He felt fury growing inside him, so he took her in his arms and allowed her to release all the pain she carried within. As she cried, Vlad gradually calmed down. Finally, he understood why Aria had arrived in such a state. He wasn't referring to the wounds from the beatings, but to the scars on her back, her low weight, her astonishment at the world outside their home, her joy over ice cream – everything was new to her.

When Aria finally calmed down, Vlad took out a handkerchief and wiped her tear-streaked face. Then he said, "Promise me you won't shed another tear, not for them or anyone else. Promise me you'll become stronger in such a way that all those who have ever humiliated you will regret crossing your path." Vlad saw a hint of doubt in her eyes and added, "Don't worry, I'll help you achieve it."

After saying these last words, Aria's gaze changed to determination, and all traces of doubt vanished. She said, "I promise you, brother."

Hearing the word "brother" made Vlad feel happy, and he couldn't help but smile. Finally, after a long time, the cold vampire prince felt warmth within him.

The evening had arrived, and they decided it was time to return home. Tomorrow would be a very intense day as Aria would begin her training. They got into the truck and set off on the road towards Black territory.

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