Chapter 21

…Vlad? Did le Comte just say "Vlad"? The conversation continued despite my confusion.

Arthur

"Hey. Why are you sitting there silent this whole time, Newt?"

Issac

"Well...you can use that door to cross space and time, right?"

Gabriel

"Yes. It's connected to the past and the future. When it's operating normally, anyway."

Issac

"So then can't you use the door to change the future?"

Vincent

"What do you mean?"

Issac

"Vlad traveled to the faraway future and the world was destroyed. So use the door to travel sooner into the future than that." "And then find out whatever caused it and fix it."

Arthur

"Then travel back to that place that was destroyed and see if it had any effect and if not, keep trying until the future changes?"

Issac

"That's right. I think that would be more guaranteed to work than trying to control human ideology."

Gabriel

"Unfortunately, that's impossible."

Issac

"Why?"

Gabriel

"Because we can't alter fundamental human events that might change the course of history."

Sebastian

"You mean--events that too many people would remember?"

Gabriel

"Yes. As well as history involving people who had a strong influence on the world." "In other words--I can't go back and change your pasts." "I tried to change the future after Vlad and had our falling out." "But the end result was the same every time. It was very strange."

Sebastian

"History--the world--must have its own way of course-correcting, as it were."

Dezaki

"What if you try to forcibly change the future? What happens to you?"

Gabriel

"The person who changed the future themselves could disappear."

Dezaki

"I see... You can't easily erase the things you did in the past, after all. Life is beyond one's control."

Lennon

"Plus, if that were possible, Vlad would've just changed the future himself."

Hearing the familiar name from Lennon's mouth snapped me back to reality. But I was so overwhelmed by the waves of confusion washing over me I couldn't speak. Is the Vlad they're talking about...the Vlad that I know? It can't be... That would be impossible! -Kira.

I heard someone call my name and then tap me on the shoulder. I looked up to see emerald eyes staring at me.

Kira

"Nicholas…"

Nicholas

"I think I've reached my limit. Can you help me fix up these wounds?"

He was smiling, but the sight of him panting in pain brought me back to reality. I have to pull myself together and help Nicholas . He's in pain.

Kira

"Of course. Let's go to your room so you can rest while I take care of you."

Gabriel

"I don't know when Vlad will make his next move. So I want you all to avoid being alone as much as possible." "To have this happen, I just..."

Lennon

"There's no reason for you to apologize. This is 'our' problem, Comte."

Le Comte widened his eyes for a moment and then smiled sadly. Nicholas took off his shirt and I gently tended to his wounds. Even though he's half vampire, he still heals faster than an ordinary human. These wounds are bad, though.

Kira

"Tell me if it hurts too much, okay?"

Nicholas

"I will. Thanks."

I quietly worked, trying to ignore my anxiety. I heard his deep voice quiet in my ear.

Nicholas

"Kira." "Don't you know a man named Vlad?"

Nicholas stared at me, waiting for me to respond. What should I say? The Vlad I knew was a kind florist. He had saved me over and over again. I don't know anyone who would hurt Nicholas like this. I don't know anyone who would hurt le Comte or the other residents by pushing them to the brink of sadness. I don't know how to answer. It felt like a boulder was pressing onto my heart. The words just wouldn't come out. He smiled tenderly at me and tousled my hair.

Nicholas

"Sorry for the weird question. Forget I asked it."

Kira

"Nicholas…"

He smiled reassuringly at me. Then he looked out the window, as if he wouldn't ask me anything else. I saw exhaustion and confusion on his face, and it hurt my heart. Someone he fought in a war suddenly appeared again before his eyes. Of course he's hurt. And not just physically--he must be a wreck mentally right now, too. The person who hurt him this much…After I finished tending to Napoleon's wounds, I closed the door and let out a deep sigh. And then…I'm going to go see Vlad. I have to find out the truth. Then I can get rid of this anxiety inside of me.

~~~~

I snuck out of the mansion and took the carriage to Vlad's castle. Since it was a full moon, it was quite bright, but it was very late at night. I'm sure Vlad will be home by now. He's probably already asleep. I'm sure of it. I went through the gate into the gardens that felt like paradise on earth. I took a step forward, hoping to get rid of this anxiety when suddenly I heard footsteps behind me.

Kira

"Vlad?!?"

Flynn

"...Sorry to disappoint you."

Kira

"Oh, Flynn. I'm sorry I came here so late."

I stared into his eyes, feeling desperate.

Kira

"Is Vlad here? There's something I absolutely have to talk to him about."

Flynn

"Le Voivode is absent at the moment." "He went out to take care of some pressing matters and hasn't returned yet."

The dark shadow of my worries just grew larger. It was like the ground reached out and grabbed me by the ankles, rooting me there. And then another shadow fell in front of me… Flynn reached out and tipped up my chin, training his captivating gaze on me mercilessly.

Flynn

"God was making Hell for the curious." …Although I doubt you'll go to Hell unless you get too deep in it..."

Kira

"…Flynn?"

He was looking at me like he was observing some pitiful experiment of his. Then he slowly pulled away.

Flynn

"I'II tell you where he is, because you being here is a nuisance."

~~~~

The carriage swayed to and fro as it carried me to my destination.

Flashback

Flynn

"He's at a rehearsal for a play on the outskirts of town."

Flashback Ends

Why would Vlad be at a play rehearsal? I don't understand… I looked out the window at the scenery to try to distract myself, and suddenly the memory of that day came back to me. I started remembering all sorts of things I didn't want to.

Flashback

Vlad

"That fire was caused by the citizens--by the sparks of their rebellion." "Your kindness is beautiful. I think it's a wonderful thing. But is that enough?" "Is that enough to change tomorrow? To change the future?"

—

Vlad

"It's better off being cut down now." "If it doesn't realize it's doing something wrong, then someone needs to guide it."

__

Carlos

"Hey, Kira? No matter what happens in the future…. please just don't hate le Voivode, okay?" "And…please don't hate us."

Flashback Ends

I haven't even talked to Vlad yet, so there's no reason to be this worried. But..but what if…I stared down at my hands. They were shaking uncontrollably. What if the person le Comte told us about IS Vlad?

Flashback

Kira

"Um…"

Vlad

"Hey" "...Haven't we met somewhere before?"

Flashback Ends

Has he...…been deceiving me all this time?