|| Chapter 1.18 || His Scent

The nightly breeze caressed the green grass tips as it slowly danced with the wind. In other countries, the evening was colder as the months drew close to winter. The snow was always cruel and dangerous. Under the control of the soul parasite, Cadel hadn't truly appreciated its beauty. His focus was always forced elsewhere. However, he knew the snow was beautiful, no matter how deadly it was. 

For once, he wanted to experience it. To see his fingers redden from the icy coldness of crushed snow. He wanted to shovel mountains of snow even if the painful cold would bite him. Ah! He wanted to make snowballs too! It would be great if he could make some with Cedric in the future...

In the desolate corner of the room, a young man bent over the table as he gently teased the tiny sprouts on the flowerpot with his fingers. Only a single lamp emitting warm light illuminated the room. His other hand held the phone close to his ear, wanting to hear the voice on the other side more. His ruby eyes softened as he chuckled. His laugh sounded like wind chimes to the person on the other side of the line. 

"With Mary being your representative here, you will have more time alone. You must make sure to eat well and take care of yourself."

"I know how to take care of myself." Cadel mused, shifting his attention to the sparkling snow globe on the table. 

He smiled while he tapped the curved glass. "It's been more than a few weeks. I hope I will be expecting you soon."

On the other side of the phone, where the sunshine fell on Cedric's handsome face, the young man turned silent. Keeping his composure, he cleared his throat nervously, tapping the gazebo's railing. 

His eyes softened. "I want to see you soon too."

Cedric heard a soft chuckle before the youth started talking. "Can't wait for the day."

"Me too."

When it's the call ended, the hunter leaned against the railing with a sigh. He wore a wistful look as he gazed at the extravagant garden. The flowers were bright and exotic, and the trees and bushes were neatly arranged. 

'Cadel would love a garden like this.'

Suddenly, his serene expression turned serious. A dangerous glint shone in his eyes. He exuded a terrible and cold aura that kept anyone away. 

"Grandfather." Cedric slowly turned to greet his elder. 

The older man revealed a rare gentle smile as he climbed the short steps of the white gazebo. "Who were you talking to?"

"..." Cedric frowned slightly before turning away. "Someone far away."

The urge to hide Luke from this dangerous world grew heavier in his heart. However, he knew the young vampire wanted to make a memory of himself in this world. 

Whatever Luke wanted to do, whatever he desired, Cedric would help him fulfill it. 

The older man silently scrutinized his grandson—so many emotions in such brief seconds. This boy tried so much to hide what he felt from everyone. As the successor, the burden of the clan will soon fall on his shoulders. He should think of nothing but his people. 

The patriarch secretly sighed. It would be cruel to strip Cedric of the only thing he yearns for the most. 

.....

"An engagement?" Cadel frowned as he tucked the phone inside his pocket. 

Kerpuffle: It's tradition. 

The vampire's eyes furrowed. His gaze was deep as he looked outside the window. The bright moon glistened brightly in the night, illuminating his lonely room. 

Right...

He didn't belong in this world.

.....

Many weeks passed, and the battle between Valerian and the clans grew fiercer. The half-blood vampire finally revealed his tricks one by one. Countless experiments were unleashed to bring the hunters and vampires to their knees. His hands are drenched from the blood of numerous people. He plucked any pure blood from their families to sate his desire for immortality. Soon, it will no longer be a myth. Like his ancestors, he will possess everlasting life.

However, many things hindered him from reaching his goal. Whatever move he made, his enemies were quick enough to counter him. Every single lethal attempt, DESTROYED. His poison no longer worked because, somehow, they developed a cure. A few of the branches he carefully nurtured disintegrated into dust. They could predict his next move so effortlessly that it suffocated him. 

How? How did they know? 

Meanwhile, within the vampire and hunter clans, every accomplishment was achieved with the help of the mysterious person aiding them in the shadows. Maria, his representative, would not disclose any information about him. However, none of the people complained. The only thing they knew was that he was a vampire sheltered by the Vermillion clan. Many rumors arose. 

Could he be a long-lost son?

A loyal servant of the Vermillion clan?

A spy hiding among Valerian's men?

As time passed, they grew more curious. In the end, they nicknamed him Ghost. 

Cadel was in the kitchen while drinking milk when he heard the nickname. He almost sprayed the liquid all over the floor out of disbelief. 

Ah, he was named many things: a cold-blooded murderer or ruthless assassin. Now a ghost? 

Well, something new wouldn't hurt him. 

Cedric Grey of the Grey Clan became widely known throughout the country. He was just a young man. To accomplish so many successes at such a young age was a fascinating feat. It was because of him that many joined the hunt for the half-blood lunatic Valerian. The hunter-vampire band he led gained more people. 

It wouldn't be long before Valerian would be forced into a corner. 

One night, when the world was chaotically searching for Valerian and his men, the famous hunter was leaning on the headboard of his bed after an exhausting day. He hadn't slept for three days. However, there was one more thing that was more important than sleep. He tucked the device close to his ear with a faint smile. 

The other person on the phone teased, "It's almost your birthday."

Cedric's brows rose. He helplessly wanted to hide the loud beating of his heart as he straightened his back. "You remember?"

"How could I? You told me the last time you were here." Cadel chuckled. 

"Oh..." 

Of course, it's been six months. The ache in Cedric's chest slowly worsen. He couldn't help but let out a deep sigh. 

Cadel furrowed his brows. He spoke timidly, "Do... You want anything?"

...

"Want to see you..." 

Cadel blinked. 

The hunter furrowed his brows. Then he froze, realizing what he had just said. 

"I mean- I didn't... It's..."

A soft laugh silenced him. 

"Me too..."

The hunter stiffened. His heart was beating so hard it felt like his internal organs were being turned into mush.

...

"Cedric?"

...

"Cedric-"

"I want to see you." 

The man's deep voice startled Cadel. It was thick and husky, almost hoarse, tickling his ear. It shot through Cadel's chest like a lightning strike. 

"I want to be there with you. To see you cook and tend to that little garden of yours. I miss sitting in the attic together with you." Cedric lowered his gaze to his hand while he voiced his thoughts. 

"I want to listen to you play the piano again. I want to duet a song together again. I want to play chess, learn to cook, and read books together. Everything. I miss everything..."

Words tucked within his heart began to pour out.

In the quiet room, Cadel stood speechlessly. Every word the hunter spoke echoed endlessly in his mind. Cedric continued to speak, unraveling his emotions bit by bit. Little by little, the heaviness in his chest lightened. 

Crash!

Cadel stiffened when the flowerpot he was holding fell from his arms. It shattered over his feet, and pain exploded on the curve of his foot. Shards of clay are scattered all around his feet. 

Cedric stopped, alarmed by the sudden sound on the other side of the phone. 

"What happened?"

Cadel took a deep breath as he glanced at the scratches on his bare feet. "J-Just... Nothing... Something fell."

"Why? What is it?" Cedric was suddenly on his feet, wearing a serious expression. 

"It's... It's..." 

'No one had ever said anything like that to me before.'

This feeling. It's so warm and... foreign. For him, the sudden confession was a like a burst of warm water, drenching his cold and scarred flesh. 

Biting his lips, Cadel slowly breathed through his nose as he lowered himself. He was crouching on the ground, red as a tomato. 

Kerpuffle: Host? Your heart rate is rising unusually. (ಠ_ಠ)

'You think I don't know that?' Cadel squeezed his eyes shut. 

Kerpuffle: ...

Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door in Cedric's room. Mark's words could be heard.

"Boss, we have a very important package addressed to you. Looks pretty fancy."

"Mark!" 

Cedric's voice exploded within the room, startling the young man behind the door. Blood drained from Mark's face as he stepped back with raised hands. Agh! This is exactly why he doesn't want to do this! Was he in the middle of reading again? Fuck me.

Hearing the noise, Cadel regained his composure and cleared his throat. He hoped not to sound strange. "Y-You're needed elsewhere." 

Cedric narrowed his eyes. "No, it's not-"

"I'll wait for you." Cadel hung up. 

With furrowed brows, Cedric stared at the phone in his hands. Mark, this fucking bastard! Rage filled his eyes as he reached for the door. Unfortunately, the 'bastard' already fled far away from the room. Panting desperately, Mark cried invisible tears. What the hell? How was he supposed to know that the boss was busy? Why was he always stuck doing the worst tasks, ah?

On the other side of the world, Cadel was crouching on the floor with a red face. He placed a hand on his chest, hoping to calm his enthusiastic heart. It felt terrifyingly new but it was also warm and beautiful. And how wonderful it felt.

Slapping his cheeks, Cadel took a deep breath and placed his hands on the table. Head bowed like a helpless man tripping on the edge of hopelessness. 

Kerpuffle: Host, I-

Cadel abruptly raised a finger to silence the system in his mind. Ah, he would rather choke himself than let Kerpuffle ruin his mood right now.

Kerfuffle:...

Kerpuffle: AM I THAT ANNOYING?

Rolling his eyes, Cadel muted the dumpling's blabbering and headed to the storage to find himself a broom to clean up the mess he'd made. In a few days, it will be Cedric's birthday. 

A birthday... 

The vampire's ruby eyes softened. Ah, it would be nice if he could remember his birthday. His real... Birthday.

.....

Surrounded by a cold untouchable aura, the young man narrowed his golden eyes on the small and seemingly 'important' package placed on the table before him. This insignificant thing ruined his phone call with Luke. 

Jessica silently stood beside the couch her boss was seated on, cautiously observing his very dark expression. She made herself look busy by taking out her phone and wondered what made the young master's expression so terrible. 

With a narrowed gaze, he ripped the package open, and a small book with a poorly made flower ribbon fell loudly on the table surface. A tiny card fluttered away from the wrapping and landed near Jessica's foot. 

Cedric furrowed his brows. A guess entered his mind and before he could tell Jessica to leave, the girl curiously picked up the small card from the floor. 

'I'm sorry I couldn't be there. Wishing you a wonderful Birthday...'

"L?" She muttered. Who is this?

Whoosh!

In the next second, Cedric snatched the card from her fingers. He looked like a beast about to maul every living thing before his eyes. 

Jessica blinked. She swallowed and hurriedly excused herself from the room.

"Huh? Why're you outside?" Mark raised an eyebrow in confusion. The man had spent an hour outside the room in fear of Cedric ripping his off his shoulders. He gnawed on his burger, sucking the sauce from his fingers, and stared at Jessica curiously.

 "I touched his things." Jessica blinked.

Mark grimaced. "Boss is getting too possessive of his stuff lately. Maybe they're gifts from a secret lady?"

The girl shrugged. 

The 'secret lady' watching their interaction through an invisible screen from another country coughed loudly with a red face. 

...

Meanwhile, within the silent room, Cedric curiously picked up the book from the table. Various emotions tumbled inside him like the raging currents of a deep ocean. Warm light caressed the leather cover of the brand-new storybook, giving a shiny sheen to its bold golden letters. It was one of the books, Luke and Cedric used to read a few years ago. 

Holed up in their little attic, they read each other stories while listening to the rain. Luke's soft voice whispered jokes and ideas into his ear as though he was sharing forbidden secrets.

Rough fingers carefully removed the wrinkled ribbon and he flipped a few pages. A wonderful fragrance filled the hunter's senses. He recalled beautiful dandelions and chrysanthemums, and the scent of old pages and worn wood. 

Luke's scent...

My little vampire...

With closed eyes, he pressed his forehead against the smooth page of the book. A faint smile graced his handsome face.