Because first, his mother was eating with him. And second…
The existence of Eiric, the butler, and his master in arms. And worse, his master shoes the same thing as him—a steak, but with a slight burn on the side. Coincidence? Maybe. But what it screamed, was example.
Of perfection
The gesture was rather simple. To cut the meat like dissecting a corpse. Calm, composed. Without the juice spilling. Each movement flowed like silk. How much to carve, how long the slash supposed to be—everything countedEverything, within boundaries.
Seeing it, Altaris couldn't help but take a bite, rising his chin after.
His plate was empty just after he'd done observing, without him even noticing. He'd been gnawing it too fast. And his mother couldn't help but point it out
"You are eating quite quick, my Dear"
"It…it was a fine steak, mother. Lovely"
"Careful of what you say, Altaris…." His mother licked her own lips, finishing the last bite "...something might happen if you didn't finish the soup twice as quick"
"Mother, it feels like you are giving me punishment instead of…"
"Don't be silly, dear. Here…" The soup was now before him "…Enjoy"
"And while at it, let's talk about Vampire"
He took a bite
Warm
Good, he nodded. The soup was still warm
"Now…as you see, one thing to note about Vampire… is connection?"
"Connection?"
His head titled, gulping the soup on his throat
"Yes...Connection. Just a warning, dear. So, you won't be shock to find out"
Now, that made him worried
"You haven't told me anything"
"And I'm not supposed to. You find out either way. But what you need to know, is to preserve that bond. A vampire had a bond that never meant to be separated, for life even. So do you remember what I said?"
"That she was bound to be my queen?"
"She was bound to be your queen" His mother smiled. A smile with thousands means behind "Now… it seems like you've done finishing your soup. Good. Eidric!"
"Yes…master"
Eidric stood. The plate stacked before him. Clean. Like it's been washed rather than used
"See Altaris to his chamber. Make sure he sleep well… and…"
Eidric's head rose, glancing at her
"…make it obvious"
"Certainly, master"
He smirked, slipping between a deep bow. Although from Altaris place, it was a clear as day. Well, his master was always like that, especially when such things came.
"Young master…"
Eidric turned to him. With swift, he took the white handkerchief, then sliding It around his lips. He nodded, satisfied. Then proceed to follow behind Eidric. Leaving his mom.
Back to the embrace of dark corridor, lit only by mere candles
"Master?"
He called, a nickname he saved for just two of them
"Yes, young prince?"
"Between you and mother, which one is stronger?"
"You've been asking the same question for thousand times, young master…" He huffed, smirking "…And the answer will not change"
"That means, you don't know?"
"I'm not exactly sure, yet…" Edric's steps slowed—A cue "…if I may comment, young master. I would pretty much convey my amazement to the fact that, as if now, the queen has yet to reach her maximum potential. Especially, after she gave birth. And that also means..."
Altaris tilted his head, tracing the ceiling. Until a conclusion slipped.
"My potential might also be limitless"
"Possible, and very much so, Young master. Even now, a bright future awaited you—one I would gladly follow"
"Then do not worry, Eidric" Altaris paused
"I don't plan to retire you. Not now, not never"
After his word, a big smile warped around Eidric's face—almost ear to ear. It was the first time he'd seen Eidric smile like that. So raw. So genuine.
Like a man who's achieved his life goal, brimming with nothing but happiness
"I appreciate the thought, young master. Then, shall we go"
To answer, Altaris nodded, followed by Eidric with a thankful bow. Their walk continues in silence—contemplating, or grinning happily. Honestly for Altaris, the vibe matched very well with him.
Because sometimes, quietness could convey what words can't do
"We are here, young master…" Eidric said, stopping before a door. Golden string reached the ceiling, coiling around the wooden frame. Fancy—just like his entire life was.
"I supposed, you didn't need another story telling session?"
"It was enough, Eidric "
With a soft click, the door opened behind him
"Very well, young master. If I may…" Eidric bowed, for a tenth time this evening "Good night"
"Good night, Eidric"
Step—the door closed shut, leaving him with only the warm velvet bed. Beside it, a table sat, with his everyday books stacked on top, waiting to be read.
A Study of Tax, Humanity Last Expansion, and Monsters of the Damned. Three titles wrapped in hard brocade cover. Yet tonight, he didn't feel like reading, at least not the first two titles.
Instead, a name rolled around his tongue, along with a soft smile.
"Violet"
His words echoed through the chamber, his mind recalled—replaying the moments.
The missed arrow, Violet's bright-pink hair, and the soup—the warm soup. Each moment was sweeter, one after the other.
And tomorrow, he would back to training.
With his master
Altaris smirked, holding the book by hand. His step light against the carpet, as he arrived before his bed—his own safe space. And just as he threw himself into the embrace of comfort....
A knock echoed
Knock Knock
"Yes?"
"Pardon the intrusion, my Lord..."
A voice slipped past the door. What were the maids doing now?
"...I was called here by Eidric to assist you for nightwear changing. May i come in?"
Darn it
She was right, He huffed.
"Yes. You may enter"
Once again, the door opened, its hinge screamed in silence.
"And..."
Altaris paused, glancing at the maid-a young one, who by now was looking at him with fidgeting hand. As if he was a predator, ready to pounce.
And he didn't like it, not one bit.
"Haaah...What?"
"Ehmmm...Eidric also commanded us to bring you to the bath chamber. You haven't..."
"I know"
He cut her straight, having enough. It was not like he was mad, it's just...
He was tired. A single day and he felt he had aged for at least a couple years.
Today wasn't supposed to be like this, not this heavy
So, he stepped out, tossing the book into the bed where it bounced three times before settling.
His decision to read 'monsters of the damned' would not change
Well...the day hadn't ended after all
And worse—for someone like him, it felt like it might never end