Chapter II

Asteri was floating in the abyss felt something pulling him. Too tired to resist, he let it pull him away from the darkness. As he came into consciousness, he heard voices. It was too faint and he couldn't understand what was going on. He struggled to open his eyes. Once he did, he saw a beautiful man with long black hair braided to the side dressed in regal finery yelling in anger with his fangs out. This image triggered a set of memories. The man before him was the King of the Vampire Kingdom, Adonis Drakos who was his father. The King had only one wife and that was his mother Calliope Makris, daughter of Marquis Makris who was his maternal grandfather. They were well known and loved by all the people in the kingdom and he was their son Asteri Ares Drakos, the only heir and Crown Prince to the kingdom. As the memories continued, he learnt more about the world he was put in.

He was a Royal Vampire which didn't sound any different from another vampire but they had gifts. In particular, these meant abilities that were rare. He also saw how much his parents loved each other deeply until his mother's death at the hands of assassins a few years ago which made both father and son drift apart. Following the death of the Empress, Asteri tested out of the Illoria Academy and dove head first into the realm of policies and foreign trade. This resulted in many rumors coming about such as that he was a loser to a pitiful weak prince and finally a tyrant as they thought he was blood seeking.

As Asteri adapted to the situation, he realised that the boy was a lot like him except he knew that his father the King loved him and distanced himself because the man was afraid that his son would hate him. It made Asteri upset that his father thought he hated him but he had resolved to meet and tell him that he will always love him no matter what. That decision nearly led to his death where he was dosed with a powerful poison, Belladonna. In his previous world, it was deathly poison with an antidote. There was a similar cure here in the form of Healing Magic and Divine power. He managed to survive but his father was mad. He was angry that his life was in danger. Asteri decided that it was time to intervene.

"Papa...water....." Asteri croaked. The King froze at the sound of his voice and instantly turned to look. The minute Asteri tried to sit up, he speed walked to the bed and caught him from hurting himself further. He straightened the pillows and laid Asteri comfortably against it. He turned to the side table and poured a glass of water. He handed it over to Asteri, who sipped it slowly, quenching his dry and parched throat. Asteri looked at the man to see that his papa was very handsome. He had fair skin, black ink hair and eyes reminiscent of mercury. They stared at each other. Asteri saw the hints of fear, sadness and longing along with anger, love and joy. He couldn't take it the holding back of his emotions any longer.

He wrapped his arms around the King startling everyone in the room including the King. The King did not let himself feel the shock for too long because he instantly hugged his son and pulled him close. He rocked the boy in his arms while whispering reassurances in his ear. "It's going to be okay, son. Papa's here. I will protect you. I love you." he continued until Asteri relaxed and cuddled with his dad. He looked back in his memories as to who gave the Belladonna. He saw a young man with mousy brown hair giving him a cup of tea laced with it. He looked around the room through the peripheral of his eyes for the man. He found him at edge of the window. He tugged his father's sleeve, gaining his attention. He looked at the man and singled him out.

"Brian...did....tea....in it.....Belladonna." Asteri croaked having still not gotten his voice back. The King instantly tightened his hold on Asteri while two male servants immediately pounced on the boy who nearly fled but was caught. They brought the man in front of the King and Asteri. The man was trembling in fear at being caught. As he kneeled in fear, the king was having a hard time controlling his anger. This man had caused the near death of his son and his tie to the late Empress. He took a deep breath and tamped his rage down. He looked at man and opened his mouth. "Speak, who asked you to poison my son and why ?" he questioned in a cold voice. The man stiffened and immediately stammered out the answer. "I was.....ordered by...a...stranger....I don't...know who he is.....all....I know.....he.....is....a noble vampire.....of the court.....no idea...on what....he looks or smells....like....". This pissed the King off even more. He snapped his fingers. Two vampires shrouded in black appeared. "Take him to the dungeons and prepare him." the King barked. The vampires immediately took him and disappeared. Asteri was in awe of the aura his papa had around him. He looked to see his father looking upset. He tugged the sleeve again. The King looked down at him with concern. "Are you okay, Asteri ? Do you need something ?"

Asteri recalled the original soul's last wish. 'I am going to tell Papa that I love him and not hate him.' Asteri croaked out "Love papa....upset at distance...stay...please ? Miss....you.." Tears of frustration filled up. He hated his voice was hindering in spreading his intentions. All of a sudden, he felt a hand smoothing his hair. He looked to see his papa smiling with teary eyes. "Alright son, I will stay and keep company with you for a while. I missed and love you as well. I will not distance myself from you any more." The servants started to leave while ensuring that both men had everything they needed for the night. The King moved from the edge of the bed and gently tucked Asteri in. Asteri settled and snuggled into the pillow sleepily. He looked to see his father pull a chair next to the bed and sit down in it. He stroked Asteri's hair. "Sleep my little star. I am not going anywhere. I will be here when you wake up. We will talk definitely." Asteri let his eyes slowly close and he fell asleep to his father's smile imprinted in his mind.

Adonis looked at his sleeping son. "My darling boy, I am so sorry for hurting you. No longer we will be separate. I will protect you this time." he swore softly as he stroked the boy to sleep.

Meanwhile, far away from the palace, a gathering was happening. This gathering consisted of nobles who opposed the fact the fact that the King refused to take another Empress and hated the Marquess family. They were the main culprits behind the assassination of Crown Prince Asteri. "What should we do now ? That King will now not let the incident pass." one man muttered anxiously. The others were tittering anxiously worried about their safety unlike one man who was sitting calmly. "Gentleman, calm down. All is not naught. I have several plans in place. We will definitely succeed. I will ensure that the throne will belong to the rightful heir. I solemnly swear in the blood we carry." It calmed down all the anxious men. "Yes. All is not lost. Glory to his Grace." they all bowed. The man was smirking in glee.

'Just you wait, Adonis. I will pull you off your throne and become King. This is revenge for what you did to me.'

However, what the man was not aware of would be that Fate never lets plans set in stone. The time to hit back had arrived with God watching over his chosen. God knew that he did not have much time. He decided to let his chosen and parent bond before showing the real truth of the world and why he was chosen to save it.

'I hope this path is the correct one.' God thought to himself as he stared off into the dark expanse surrounding him recalling memories of a time where he was not doubtful. With a sigh, he turned around not noticing a twinkling flash of light and a voice whispering.

"Sorry."