13 ll Chapter 1.13 ll Wet, Cold, And A Lot Of Heartbeats

After a few days of warmth, the rain poured and curtained the wild and serene mountains. Some would find it dreary and ominous, but Cadel loved watching and listening to it. If he could feel it on his skin, it would be much better.

"I know that look."

A voice spoke, making Cadel sigh as he removed himself away from the windows. He glanced at Mary busying herself while she sewed the clothes Cadel had torn on the first day he reunited with Cedric. The woman briefly met his eyes before focusing on her work.

"It's too cold."

Of course, she would say that. Cadel frowned, "It'll only take a minute. You never let me go out in the rain anymore."

Mary snorted, "Of course, I don't. Ever since you 'almost' killed yourself chasing that stupid boy into the forest. So reckless, neglecting your health. Perhaps, you won't last a minute without anyone holding you back."

She furiously hastened to stitch the tears while berating.

Cadel sighed and turned away. Ah, no matter how much she tries to restrict him, Cadel couldn't get angry at her. Sometimes, he felt as though he was blessed to have someone worrying about him... even if he wasn't the actual owner of the body.

Cadel's fingertip traced the droplets on the windows as they slid down the glass. He sighed louder, inching closer to the windows, practically sticking himself into the glass as if he could magically go through it. His movement caught Mary's attention, and no matter how hard she tried to ignore him, she couldn't bring herself to put a blind eye on that sulking teenager.

Kerpuffle: Host, you're so cheap. (snickers)

Cadel's eye twitched, 'Say that again, and I'll skin you alive.'

Kerpuffle: (Bubble is offline)

At last, the tiger gave in.

Mary exhaled deeply, "Fine, go."

Cadel grinned and bolted out of the door in a blink of an eye. He faintly heard Mary's warning as his feet raced down the hallway.

'Now, where is Cedric?'

Cadel's steps softened as he reached the inner courtyard. Faint sounds noised ahead. Curious, Cadel peeked beyond the wall. He unconsciously closed his mouth and blinked. Within the vast area, the young man was silently performing his training routine. Golden eyes flashed sharply as his fists collided with the raindrops. His moves were as sharp as knives, and power bursts from his limbs.

Cadel stood stunned. For a moment, he remembered the first time he saw the young man. So short and cautious. Every time he'd meet Cadel's eyes, it looked like he'd stab him with a thousand needles. At the same time, Cadel could briefly see his past self inside the troubled boy. Burdened with the ambition of those above him and forced to think that everything he'd done was for the betterment of himself and their superiors.

"Luke..."

A voice pulled Cadel out from his trance. He blinked, realizing that Cedric had stopped, staring at him with a worried face. The sound from the water fountain and the rain combined in the background.

"Ah, yes?"

"Go inside. You'll get sick." Cedric softly spoke. "I'll join you in a minute."

"Don't..." Cadel hastily said. He met Cedric's confused expression before approaching the rain embarrassingly. "I-I'll join you..."

"What? No-"

However, it was too late to stop him. Cadel stepped out, welcoming the tiny drops of rain soaking his sleeves and drenching his skin. He chuckled, watching the rain create round ripples on the floor around his feet.

"You... " Cedric drew his eyebrows together. He neared the boy with quick steps and grabbed his arm. "What are you doing?-"

Snap!

Cadel narrowed his eyes, slapping Cedric's arm away, and lunged to deliver a sharp blow to his neck. Alarmed, Cedric dodged the attack and held that delicate wrist in one tight grip. The rain danced around their forms exquisitely.

The hunter stared at Cadel with questioning eyes. The latter only revealed an amused smile. His crimson eyes dazzled like rubies under the gentle rain.

"Let's see how well you've trained yourself, my friend." The vampire chuckled.

Intrigued by the sudden challenge, Cedric had no time even to flash a smile before Cadel turned and delivered a new set of attacks. Rainwater splashed around them. Their quick figures are a blur to an outsider's eyes. If it weren't for the water movements in the rain, none could distinguish their moves and location.

Cedric almost could not believe that this was the boy who saved him during the competition a few years ago. Cedric was fast, but he was faster. If it weren't for Cedric's strength, he would have submitted before Cadel's feet. Somehow, the thought didn't sound upsetting. To be on his knees before Cadel's soft, delicate soles and the exquisite arch of his...

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

"Focus, idiot." Cadel chided with a frown, advancing successfully once he sensed Cedric's distraction. His hands sliced through the rain, fingernails scratching the side of Cedric's cheek.

However, Cadel was no match for Cedric's strength and stamina. In the next few minutes, he was already panting heavily. Agh, this feeble body...

His balance turned unstabled, and he wobbled on his feet. Catching the abnormality, Cedric's movements slowed. He snaked an arm around the youth's waist and pulled him close so he wouldn't fall. Droplets fell from the tips of their damp hair.

"As impressive as you are, you get sick too easily." Cedric chuckled. When Cadel raised his gaze and met his eyes, the young hunter's breath ceased.

Droplets fell from those long lashes. Ruby-like eyes glaze with exhaustion and thrill. Water droplets slipped into his translucent shirt, exposing his pale flesh. There was beauty in his fragility. It poked at Cedric's heart like smoldering iron burning his flesh inside and out. When the young man was fighting him, Cedric felt an indescribable fire inside him. His heart pounded against his chest, and he could not help but love it and desire the smaller person in his arms.

Ah, he wanted to touch him. Slip his fingers through that smooth sliver hair, caress this soft waist, and feel those full lips. If this vampire knew of the desires in his heart, Cedric wondered how Cadel would react?

What should he do?

"Cedric..." Cadel spoke, feeling embarrassed by the deep stare punching holes into his face. Indeed, Cedric was more handsome than he thought. For a moment, Cadel felt entranced, unable to read the situation. The situation was quite... intimate.

And it felt... new and good.

Cedric unknowingly kept his gaze on those trembling lips as his eyes narrowed and responded, "You'll catch a cold."

Aware of the razing flames in his heart, he pulled the youth close and hurried towards the drier area of the courtyard. Underneath his fingers, he felt Cadel shiver. The sound of rain filled their dim surroundings, and nothing was as serene as the being in each other's arms, away from anyone's eyes.

Cedric could not bear to watch Cadel suffer from the cold any longer and hurriedly took the young man to his room. They both changed their damp clothes and settled comfortably in the attic before the crackling fire. For a moment, silence sank between them.

'Ah, why do I feel embarrassed all of a sudden?' Cadel stared intently at the cup of hot chocolate in his hands.

"Are you alright?" Cedric asked, shortening the distance between him and Cadel.

Cadel smiled. "Yes, I'm fine... It's just quite comfortable."

"That's good." The young hunter nodded. 'Fortunately, he isn't feeling ill.'

...

"So..." Cadel glanced at him. "When are you... going back?"

"..." The light in Cedric's eyes dimmed slightly. "Do you... want me to go back?"

"Huh? No!" Cadel straightened, almost spilling the cup on the blankets. "Well, if you want to... I mean, I was only wondering."

Golden eyes softened, and a playful smile hung on Cedric's lips. "I see. Well, I have to leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?! So soon?"

The reluctance in Cadel's eyes was enough to warm every corner of Cedric's heart. "Yes, Tomorrow. Something happened at home that needs my attention."

When he saw Cadel drooping like a wilting flower, he quickly added, "Don't worry. I will come back to keep you company again. Mary is so busy with the house that she can't personally watch you."

"You're obviously implying how uncontrollable I am." Cadel snorted, threatening Cedric with devil eyes. The latter only chuckled amusingly.

"That and how you need another person to look after you."

"And who is that?"

"Who else?" Cedric grinned, shifting closer until their noses were a centimeter apart. "Me."

"..." Cadel blinked, feeling heat rush up to his neck and face.

Cadel: Ah, this guy is good.

Kerpuffle:... Control yourself.  T-T

Cedric smirked at his silence, "Or do you want someone else to-"

"No! You're okay!" Cadel hastily turned away and downed every last drop of his drink. He quickly escaped the room with quick steps, saying he needed to go to the bathroom a bit.

"I'm okay?" The young hunter's shoulders turned slack as an amused grin filled his handsome face, layered by the orange glow of the fireplace.

The next day, Cadel woke up early and cooked breakfast on his own. Mary was shocked at first sight but then turned listless when she knew he was doing it for their 'guest.' Fortunately, Cadel managed to pull off a decent meal instead of chunks of big black things and a triggered fire alarm. His eyes brightened when Cedric ate it enthusiastically, finishing everything on his plate.

"Do you have everything?" Cadel asked softly as he walked Cedric towards the manor's gates. He stared at the snowball in his palms. Snow glistened within the glass as warm sunlight beamed through it. Warm air surrounded the two people as the green grass swayed around their feet.

Cedric sighed and turned to Cadel with a smile. The young vampire slowly lifted his gaze and met his golden eyes.

"I'll come back."

Cadel pulled a corner of his lips back. "Hopefully, It won't take you a few years again."

Furrowing his brows, Cedric shook his head. He promised with a soft smile. "I'll come back next week."

"Really?"

"Yes." Cedric chuckled, shifting the traveling bag on his back. "And I promise to bring you more interesting things."

Beaming, Cedric nodded.

Watching Cedric's departing back slowly getting smaller the further he was walking away, Cadel stood unmoving, clutching the snowball in his hands. Suddenly, Cedric, who was already a distance away from him, turned around to look at him as if wondering if Cadel was still there. The young vampire grinned and waved his hand, sending him off warmly, always waiting for him to come back.

The smile on Cedric's face widened, imprinting the sight into his mind. If it weren't for the power he strove to obtain over the years, he'd never had time to visit Cadel.

As he walked further away, he realized that the only reason he worked so hard for years was to go back to the calm place where the wind sang and trees danced and the isolated piece of land where there lived a little vampire who saved his life.

'What should he bring for Cadel next time?' Cedric thought as he closed his eyes.

....

One day, Cadel sat languidly at his desk, stretching his arms after hours of writing on the documents spread out before him. He already cracked the code. Now, it was time to analyze it properly. But first...

'Kerpuffle.' He called, lazily propping his chin on the back of his hand.

'Yes, host' The system sighed and immediately opened the screen, revealing a curious scene.

Darkness filled the sky as a group of distinguished people gathered around the large round table. A crystal chandelier sparkled on the ceiling, illuminating the room with warm white light. Although the room's ambiance seemed noble and cozy, the people assembling within all wore grim and anxious faces.

The elders murmured to each other before the meeting commenced. Voices filled with unease noised within the room like endless resounding echoes of a dark cave.

"Let us begin." The Grey family Patriarch announced, sitting on his seat with his favored grandson.

Not one of the people objected. Not only were they respectful of the esteemed elder of Grey Clan, but they were afraid of his grandson's cold power. Cedric Grey was unforgiving and fierce, an influential young leader for his age.

The meeting started smoothly, reporting incidents and minor issues. When an hour had passed, grave reports began to gather. Every single vampire and hunter turned pale as every word reached their ears. Numerous missing reports have spread throughout their respective districts. Corpses were unearthed, poorly hidden as if to strike fear in the hearts of residents.

Each of the victims possessed something common. They were descendants of a pureblood bloodline. Even if it was significantly diluted, the victim wasn't spared.

When one elder asked for the person behind this cruelty, Cedric expressionlessly gave a name. Valerian. An unknown half-blood.

There was an uproar. How was a half-blood capable of doing this?!

In the corner of Cedric's eye, he saw the Patriarch of the Vermillion Clan flinched at the first mention of the name. Cedric didn't believe he had imagined it.

"Hm..." Cadel's eyes gleamed in interest as he watched from the invisible screen. His fingers tapped on the desk in succession.