Ch. 391..395: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 391-395

Chapter 391: Griffin’s Past 2

Griffin’s eyes locked onto the gleaming sword in the man’s hand, knowing what was coming but he was powerless to stop it. With a swift, brutal motion, the blade was driven into his abdomen.

A sharp pain tore through his body, and blood spilled from his mouth as he doubled over, gasping. The leader and his men burst into cruel laughter, their mocking voices echoing through the night.

"Pray to the Lord that I didn’t skin you alive, Griffin," the leader sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You and your filthy family owed me a lot of money."

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Griffin reached out with a trembling hand, gripping the man’s boot. "I will haunt you to death," he muttered, his voice weak but filled with venom. "Remember my words."

The leader only chuckled, a twisted grin spreading across his face. He viciously kicked Griffin’s shoulder, then pressed down hard on the gaping wound, causing a fresh wave of agony to surge through Griffin’s body. "The poor don’t have the power to dominate. Keep that in mind," the leader said, his voice cold and final. "Now die and join your family in the afterlife."

Satisfied, the leader turned away, ordering his men to withdraw, leaving Griffin to bleed out alone in the desolate forest.

As the pain coursed through him, Griffin looked up at the dark, starless sky, tears streaming down his face. Despair weighed heavily on his chest, more suffocating than the wound itself. "Why?" he whispered, his voice breaking. "Wh-why did you do this to us?" He questioned the heavens, his faith shattered, searching for answers from a God if he existed.

Griffin had lost all sense of time as he lay there, bleeding out in the darkness. Each second felt like an eternity, the pain intensifying with every heartbeat. He didn’t want to die—not like this, not before he had the chance to avenge his family. But his strength was waning, his body growing colder as life slowly slipped away.

Then, amidst the oppressive silence of the night, Griffin heard the faint rustling of leaves. Summoning what little strength he had left, he forced his eyes open and managed to whisper, "Please... save me. I want to live."

A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, towering over him. As the figure stepped closer, Griffin could barely make out the features of a man with an air of regal authority.

It was none other than Magnus Lukeson, the feared Vampire Prince.

Unbeknownst to Griffin, his trembling hand reached out, clutching the vampire’s leg in a desperate plea for help. "Please... save me. I want to kill them. I b-beg you," Griffin’s voice was barely audible, growing fainter with each word.

Magnus regarded the young man with mild amusement. "A human asking for help from a vampire," he mused, a smirk playing on his lips. Kneeling down, he looked into Griffin’s eyes. "You’re in luck, boy. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll grant your wish." With that, Magnus bit into his own hand, allowing his crimson blood to flow from the wound. He held it over Griffin’s mouth, letting the blood drip onto his lips.

Griffin, weak and desperate, drank the blood, feeling a strange warmth spreading through his body. "You are going to die," Magnus said in a low voice. "Be ready to embrace your new form. I hope you find the strength to kill those who wronged you." His crimson eyes bore into Griffin’s as he spoke.

As the last remnants of life slipped away, Griffin exhaled a final, shuddering breath. Magnus watched dispassionately, licking the blood from his hand. "Poor boy," he murmured softly, before rising to his feet and disappearing into the night, leaving Griffin to begin his journey into the darkness, towards a new, bloodthirsty existence.

With a sharp gasp, Griffin jolted awake, his body surging with energy he had never felt before. The sky above was tinged with the soft light of early morning, the first rays of dawn creeping over the horizon. He blinked, trying to make sense of what had happened. Everything around him seemed unnervingly vivid—his vision had sharpened to the point where he could see every leaf, every blade of grass in startling detail.

"Am I alive... or am I in the other world?" Griffin mumbled, his voice trembling as he slowly sat up. He remembered the sword that had been plunged into his abdomen, the agonizing pain, and the darkness that followed. But now, there was no pain, only an unsettling sense of power coursing through his veins.

Hesitantly, he lifted his blood-stained shirt, expecting to see the fatal wound. Instead, he found his skin smooth and unmarked, the gaping injury completely healed.

Griffin’s heart pounded in his chest as he ran his fingers over the spot where the sword had pierced him. There was no wound as if he never got hurt.

As Griffin stood there, a strange thirst began to consume him—not for water, but for blood. His throat burned with a dry, aching hunger, and his eyes darted around as his pupils dilated.

The memory of the man who had told him he was a vampire flashed through his mind, but it felt like a distant dream. Why would a vampire save him, a mere human, when they were known for killing?

"Ugh... My head... I need blood," Griffin muttered, clutching his head as the hunger intensified. Instinctively, he took a step forward, intending to run, and was shocked by the extraordinary speed with which he moved. It was as if the world around him slowed down, yet he moved faster than he ever thought possible.

His thoughts quickly shifted to his family, the memory of their bloodied bodies haunting him. But as he began to run towards his home, something else caught his attention—the scent of fresh human blood. It was intoxicating, irresistible, and his thirst overpowered every other thought.

He didn’t care who the blood belonged to; all that mattered was quenching the relentless hunger gnawing at him.

In a blur of movement, Griffin found himself before a lone figure, his instincts taking over. Without thinking, he pushed the person against a wall, sinking his fangs into their neck.

The warm, rich blood filled his mouth, and as he drank deeply, a powerful energy surged through him, revitalizing his entire being. The hunger that had tormented him moments before began to fade, replaced by a sense of euphoria.

Once his thirst was satisfied, Griffin released the person, who slumped to the ground, dazed but alive. Wiping the blood from his lips, he stared at his fingers, now stained with the crimson evidence of what he had become.

"I’m a vampire," he whispered, the words a revelation and a curse. A slow, wicked smirk spread across his face as the realization fully sank in.

The power he felt was unlike anything he had ever known, and with it came a burning desire for revenge. "Now, I’ll kill them all and avenge for my family," Griffin vowed, his voice filled with newfound resolve. The same men who had destroyed his family would soon know the wrath of him they could never hope to escape.

Chapter 392: Griffin’s Past 3

Griffin buried his mother and both the siblings in the ground. He was unable to shed the tears. Was it because of his vampire’s nature now? He had heard that the vampires were not prone to emotions like humans were.

Fury simmered beneath his calm exterior as he made his way to the debt collectors’ hideout. The wooden door splintered with a single kick, his powerful strength effortlessly reducing it to shards.

The men inside scrambled to their feet, fear evident in their eyes as they took in the sight of the intruder.

Griffin’s gaze swept over the room, taking in the scene of debauchery—half-eaten plates of meat, bottles of alcohol, and a heap of money in the middle of the table.

The leader of the group, trying to mask his fear with bravado, stepped forward with a frown. "You!" he spat out.

The leader’s growl of disbelief echoed in the room. "How the fuck is this bastard alive?" he spat, his anger masking the fear creeping into his heart. "Be ready to pay for the broken door," he added.

One of the men, driven by blind loyalty or perhaps sheer stupidity, lunged at Griffin with a knife. But Griffin was faster, his reflexes honed to perfection by his vampiric nature.

He caught the man’s wrist with a tight grip, the bones cracking under the pressure before he slammed the man into the wall with inhuman force. Without a moment’s hesitation, Griffin sank his fangs into the man’s neck, the rush of blood quenching the primal thirst that now defined him.

The other men froze, their eyes widening in horror as they watched their comrade fall lifeless to the floor. The leader took a step back, finally realizing Griffin had turned into something horrific.

"Kill him!" he barked, trying to cling to his authority.

Griffin moved with deadly efficiency, the rage over his family’s loss fueling every brutal strike. One by one, the men fell, their lives extinguished with little effort. Each death seemed to fan the flames of his anger, the memories of his mother and siblings lifeless bodies tormenting him, pushing him further into the abyss of bloodlust.

The leader, realizing his fate, made a desperate dash for the second door. Griffin let him run, a twisted satisfaction brewing in him as he imagined the fear gripping the man’s heart.

The leader barely made it outside, his cries for help echoing through the night. But as he looked back, relief briefly washing over him, he found himself staring into the cold, unforgiving eyes of Griffin.

Griffin’s hand shot out, gripping the leader’s neck with terrifying strength. He yanked him close, his fangs extending, glistening with the promise of death. "You shouldn’t have touched them," Griffin hissed, his voice low and menacing. "I told you I would haunt you until your death."

The leader’s bravado crumbled, his hands coming together in a pleading gesture. "Ta-take all the money. But pl-please leave me," he begged, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face. But Griffin was beyond mercy. The thirst for blood and the pain of his loss overpowered any remnants of humanity he might have clung to.

With a vicious snarl, Griffin sank his fangs deep into the leader’s neck, draining him of life in a matter of moments. The leader’s pleas turned to gurgles as his blood fueled Griffin’s rage. When he had taken his fill, Griffin snapped the man’s neck with a sickening crack, his anger momentarily sated.

But the pain remained, a searing agony that tore through him. Griffin let out a scream, "Ahhhhhh!" the sound filled with the torment of a person that had lost everything. He wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his hand.

Griffin stumbled out of the house, his body still humming with the power of the fresh blood coursing through his veins. The evening air did nothing to cool the fire raging within him—the insatiable thirst for more.

But alongside, he didn’t want to harm the innocent. At the same time, the line between right and wrong blurred as the beast within took control.

His nostrils flared as the scent of another human’s blood hit him which was sharp and intoxicating. Without a second thought, he raced in the direction of the scent, his speed a blur in the darkness.

The man didn’t even have time to react before Griffin was upon him, sinking his fangs into flesh once more. The blood flowed freely, quenching his immediate thirst, but it also fueled a deeper, more dangerous hunger—a hunger that grew with every drop.

Griffin’s vision darkened, his humanity slipping further away with each passing second. The satisfaction of the kill, the thrill of the hunt, it was all-consuming.

A sinister smirk tugged at his lips as the last vestiges of restraint crumbled away. The thought of a village full of humans—an entire feast just waiting for him—was irresistible.

He headed in that direction, his mind now a single track, focused solely on the need for blood. Perhaps it was the only way to forget the faces of his mother and siblings.

When he spotted playing kids in the village, he saw his siblings in them. He held his head, feeling the intense pain. But the scent of the blood was turning him mad. He clenched his fists hard, not wanting to harm those children.

But his vampire form didn’t allow him for doing so. With deliberately slow steps, Griffin walked closer to the kids, their fresh blood was making him hungrier with each passing moment.

Griffin stopped in front of those happy kids. His insides asking him to start drinking from them. As he reached out his hand to grab one of them, a hand stopped him.

"Enough, newbie!" A masculine voice reached his ears and the next second he inhaled something which made him faint.

The kids stopped playing as they looked at those tall men in fear.

Griffin was dragged away to a place, where he would learn to control his blood thirst

Chapter 393: Griffin’s Past 4

Days turned into months, and as the year passed, Griffin transformed from a bloodthirsty fledgling into a disciplined vampire, mastering control over his impulses.

Yet, despite his newfound strength and self-restraint, the pain of his family’s loss still lingered, a constant ache that no amount of training could dull. The haunting images of his young siblings tormented him, their innocent faces appearing in his mind when he least expected it.

Griffin had encountered many vampires during his time at the academy, some powerful, others wise, but none could break through the wall of grief and solitude he had built around himself.

Friendship seemed impossible; his heart was too weighed down by loss to allow for such connections.

Yet, amidst the darkness, one purpose remained clear in his mind: he needed to find Magnus, the prince who had granted his wish for revenge that fateful night.

Magnus’s words had been seared into his memory: "Take your revenge," the prince had commanded, and Griffin had done just that. Now, he owed Magnus his loyalty, his life.

During his time at the academy, Griffin had heard countless stories about the princes, especially Magnus. These tales only strengthened his resolve to serve the prince with unwavering devotion.

But to do that, he needed to gain entry into the council—a formidable task for someone like him, who was not of noble blood. The council was known for its strict hierarchy, a place where only the elite held power, and Griffin, a common-born vampire, seemed destined to remain an outsider.

Still, the drive to prove himself—to make his mother and siblings proud in whatever afterlife they might reside in—pushed him forward.

Standing outside the towering gates of the council, Griffin stared up at its imposing structure, feeling both the weight of his ambition and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles before him.

Just as doubt began to creep into his mind, Griffin overheard a conversation about the recruitment of cleaners for the council.

It wasn’t a prestigious position by any means, but it was a foot in the door, a chance to be close to the place where Magnus used to come. And from there, who knew what opportunities might arise? It was a golden chance, one that Griffin couldn’t afford to ignore.

"This is my way in," he murmured to himself.

~~~~

Griffin felt a sense of satisfaction when he secured the job as a cleaner in the council. Every day, he performed his duties with quiet diligence, his eyes constantly on the lookout for Magnus.

He would catch glimpses of the prince, a fleeting shadow in the grand halls, but Magnus always seemed distant, surrounded by his entourage, and far from approachable. Still, just being in the same vicinity as the prince filled Griffin with a sense of fulfillment and hope.

During his time cleaning the council chambers, Griffin befriended a fellow worker of the lowest rank—a man who spent his days buried in piles of files and documents.

This friend, though humble, was dedicated and tireless, often working late into the night to complete his tasks.

Griffin, having learned to read and write during his year at the vampire academy, began assisting him after finishing his own work.

Griffin’s persistence and willingness to help didn’t go unnoticed. One day, a senior member of the council happened to observe Griffin assisting his friend with the records.

Impressed by his work ethic and attention to detail, the senior official offered Griffin a position as the lowest-ranked official in the council, responsible for checking and organizing the records daily.

It was a small promotion, but for Griffin, it was a significant step forward—a move closer to his ultimate goal of serving Magnus directly.

However, the elevation in rank did little to change the way the noble vampires treated him. In the council, status was everything, and those of noble blood looked down upon the lower ranks with disdain.

Griffin often found himself the target of cruel remarks and belittling comments. Yet, he had endured far worse during his time as a human, where he had faced hardships that had toughened his spirit.

The nobles’ insults, while harsh, barely scratched the surface of his resolve. If anything, they only strengthened his determination to rise above his current station.

Griffin had learned long ago to let go of pride in the face of survival. The taunts of the noble vampires were nothing compared to the pain of losing his family.

He focused on his work, ignoring the whispers and sneers, driven by the singular purpose that had guided him since that fateful night—serving Magnus.

No amount of ridicule could deter him from his path. He knew that if he continued to prove his worth, eventually, he would earn his place by the prince’s side. And when that day came, the nobles’ scorn would no longer matter.

"Griffin, I thought you would leave working here. Seems like you want to live as a dog between us," said the Elder Council member’s younger son, Nikitin.

"Sir, it’s not wrong to be a dog for a man like me. Moreover, dogs are always faithful toward their master," Griffin said.

"You are right," Nikitin replied and looked around the large table, where many of the elite vampires be seated some with their slaves on their laps.

"Then, why don’t you lick my shoe like a dog?" Nikitin offered with an evil grin. "You have been working here as a lowly official for more than ten years. I think, I, your master, can help you in promotion then. Because you have no chance to grow up here even if you readily do everyone’s work," Nikitin clarified to him with a grin.

Griffin had never felt that humiliated in such a long time. He could see all of their gazes in mockery at him.

"Why? What happened? I thought a dog listened to all his commands of his master," Nikitin remarked sinisterly.

"Seems like you are enjoying a lot these days," a voice reverberated in the hall.

And he was none other than Magnus Lukeson.

Chapter 394: Griffin’s Past 5

Nikitin rose from his seat, followed by the others, as Prince Magnus’s voice resonated through the hall. Griffin also turned to face the prince, his head bowed in respect. The heavy thud of Magnus’s boots echoed in the suddenly silent room, the previous chatter dying instantly at his presence.

"I didn’t expect His Highness to grace us with his presence," Nikitin ventured cautiously.

"Nor did I," Magnus replied, his tone cold. "It seems you elites have plenty of time on your hands, enough to gather here and amuse yourselves by humiliating those of lower rank." His eyes flicked disdainfully toward three vampires, each standing beside a bowed slave. "And who gave permission for slaves to enter this hall?" Magnus demanded, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"Forgive us, Your Highness," the three vampires stammered in unison, lowering their heads further in shame.

Magnus turned slightly, addressing the man standing just behind him. "How long have I been away from Velaris, Tobias?"

"Almost six months, Your Highness," Tobias responded promptly, his voice steady.

"Six months," Magnus repeated thoughtfully, before his gaze returned to Nikitin. "And what do I find upon my return? A gathering of nobility with too much free time. You dismiss your behavior as mere ’fun,’ but your idea of entertainment is pathetic."

Magnus moved toward the seat Nikitin had vacated. Nikitin stepped aside, and the prince seated himself, exuding an air of casual dominance. "Royalty is above nobility," Magnus began, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Perhaps I should refer to you all as ’dogs.’ What do you think of that title, Nikitin?" His voice was deceptively light, but the threat was unmistakable to ignore.

Nikitin’s face tightened, his lips pressed together in silent anger.

Magnus leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the room. "Shall we put that title to the test?" he mused. "Before I leave, I think it’s only fair to see how loyal these ’dogs’ truly are. Let’s find out who among you is worth keeping and who is... expendable." He rested his elbow on the armrest, watching the assembled vampires with a calculating gaze.

"Nikitin," Magnus called, his tone suddenly sharp. "You’ve grown awfully quiet. That’s not like you. Where’s the fun in that?"

"Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn’t mean to—"

Nikitin’s apology was abruptly cut off as Magnus’s hand shot out, slamming his face into the table with a force that reverberated through the room. The unexpected gesture sent a shiver of fear through the gathered vampires. Griffin’s eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend the sudden brutality.

Magnus leaned in close to the helpless Nikitin with his low and menacing voice. "I will not tolerate unrest in my kingdom, least of all from vampires like you." Nikitin, powerless against the prince’s strength, could only plead for mercy.

But the glint in Magnus’s eyes suggested he was not yet finished.

Nikitin found himself got on his knees, right in front of Griffin.

"If Father finds out, then it won’t be good, Your Highness," Nikitin threatened Magnus with his father’s name.

"As if I fear William. Apologize to him, if not, lick my shoes," Magnus commanded.

Nikitin fisted his palms when Magnus pressed his shoe on one of his fists, crushing it, causing him to cry in pain.

"Your Highness! Please let me go!" Nikitin begged this time.

"I’ve given you two choices. Choose one and I’ll let you go," Magnus said, applying more pressure on his hand.

Nikitin had never been treated like this before. But then, he was in front of Magnus, who wasn’t easy to please.

"For-forgive me, Griffin," Nikitin apologized.

"Do it sincerely," Magnus said.

"Ahh!" Nikitin yelped again. The expressions on his face hardened. "I sincerely apologize and will never do such a thing," he asserted.

"Do you forgive him, Griffin?" Magnus asked, finally meeting his gaze.

"Ah. Yes, I do," Griffin replied.

Magnus pulled away his shoe from Niktin’s hand, who quickly pulled it up and saw how red it was. His eyes shot at Magnus as he moved away from him. "I will tell my Father. Prince Magnus can’t do this with me," Nikitin said.

"Don’t make me take your heart off your chest," Magnus’s jaw tightened. "Threatening me won’t be of any use. You know this well. If not, feed this in mind. Work in a right way if you don’t want to get on my bad side," he said with a stern tone.

The other vampires were scared to witness all this. He gave them one final glance before heading out.

Griffin didn’t wish to lose this chance and ran after Magnus. He finally caught him, blocked his path and got on his right before him. "I always wanted to thank His Highness. Please take me in your service. I will always be a loyal servant to you," Griffin said while lowering his eyes.

Tobias thought to tell Griffin to move away. "Please don’t block His Highness’s path. He needs to leave urgently," he said.

Griffin lifted his head to look into Magnus’s eyes this time. "Then, please take me with you. I want to work for His Highness. I always will. I-I waited for this for a long time," he requested.

Magnus ended up chuckling, confusing Griffin.

"You still beg, don’t you?" Magnus asked.

Griffin couldn’t blink for a few moments. "I don’t like those who beg. If you want to work for me, then you need to change yourself. You should be able to terrify the people. Can you do that? I don’t want me to rescue you," he affirmed.

"I-I understand, Your Highness," Griffin stuttered.

"How was the revenge?" Magnus questioned him. "I suppose you killed all of them, especially that pot belly," he muttered.

Griffin looked at him in astonishment. "Yes, I did. I’m forever grateful to His Highness for letting me live," he said with a tone of gratitude.

Magnus walked past Griffin and said, "Follow me. We are leaving for Elmswood," before walking away.

Griffin couldn’t believe his ears and he quickly stood up. Tobias gave him a shoulder pat and welcomed him.

His dream to be by Prince Magnus’s side had come true. He was in an immense pleasure after a long time.

Chapter 395: Falling in love

"Sigh... Griffin has had such a sad life," Alora said softly, her expression dimming as the weight of his story settled on her. Griffin had endured so many hardships to reach where he was today. She wondered if that was why their connection felt so natural from the very beginning. Both of them had weathered painful childhoods and tumultuous teenage years, followed by difficult early adulthood.

"Behind that smile hides a very broken man, Your Highness," Selvina added, her voice carrying a note of sadness. "It must have been incredibly hard for him all this time."

Alora nodded. "You’re right. He’s been through so much. But now, have you made your decision? Griffin shared his life with you because he trusts you. And as you’ve come to see, he’s not the kind of elite you once thought. He’s always been a good man, better than most. I told you, didn’t I?"

Selvina lowered her eyes, contemplating Alora’s words. "I was so wrong about Lord Griffin. I misjudged him. I’ll give him an answer soon." There was a softness in her voice, as if she were still trying to process the deep respect she now felt for him.

"You should," Alora said, patting the back of Selvina’s hand gently. "But for now, you need to rest. You’ve had a long day."

Selvina shook her head lightly. "I will after I set the dinner table for Your Highness and His Highness," she said, though her exhaustion was evident.

"Let the other servants handle that tonight," Alora insisted with a warm smile. "It must have been a tiring day for you. Besides, you’ll soon be leaving. Griffin will take you to his home, and then you two will get married." There was a gleam of excitement in her eyes, a joy that matched the future she was envisioning for her friend.

Selvina couldn’t help but smile at the thought, as though the idea of marrying Griffin was a beautiful dream she had never dared to imagine. "I hope so, Your Highness. I still find it hard to believe that Lord Griffin, such a humble and kind man, sees me as someone who could become his wife."

Alora smiled, her eyes shining with affection. "You don’t need to thank me. I only want to see you happy."

A thought crossed Alora’s mind, and she decided to share the news she had been holding back. "By the way, my sister is getting married soon."

"What? When?" Selvina exclaimed, her surprise evident. "Sister Venus used to seem so withdrawn after everything she went through. I’m so happy she’s finally found love."

Alora’s smile widened. "It is such a relief. She deserves to be happy. And the man who won her heart... is Odin."

"Sir Odin?" Selvina’s eyes widened in shock. "That’s wonderful! Please, send my congratulations to Sister Venus. She’s endured so much, and I’m happy she’s found someone who can truly care for her."

"I will," Alora assured her, delighted by Selvina’s genuine joy.

~~~~

Odin and Griffin sat in a quiet corner, their goblets filled with rich wine, the firelight casting a warm glow over them.

"You look quite happy today," Odin remarked, raising an eyebrow as he studied Griffin’s content expression.

Griffin, holding his goblet, swirled the dark liquid inside before bringing it to his lips. "Selvina came to see me," he replied with a small, satisfied smile. "It felt... good. No woman has ever spent that much time with me before."

"That’s wonderful to hear." Odin raised his goblet in a toast. "To your success," he said, before taking a slow sip. He glanced sideways at Griffin, a teasing glint in his eyes. "You’re quite fast in your approach."

"Fast, but with patience," Griffin corrected him, leaning back in his chair, feeling the warmth of the wine and the conversation. "And what about you? Last I heard, you had proposed to Venus." He smirked, knowing how uncharacteristic that move was for Odin.

"I did," Odin confirmed with a slight nod. "I’m getting married soon. I asked for Venus’s hand, and she accepted it." He took another sip of wine, his voice casual, but there was a hidden satisfaction behind his words.

Griffin’s eyes widened with genuine surprise. "What? That’s amazing news, man!" He leaned forward, clapping Odin on the shoulder. "You? A married man? Who would have thought? Hopefully, marriage will melt that cold demeanor of yours."

Odin chuckled, a rare sound from him. "I’ve already warmed up, I think. Falling in love does that to you." There was a smirk on his face, but his eyes reflected a deeper, quieter truth.

"Whoa! That statement came from *Lord* Odin!" Griffin burst into laughter, unable to contain his amusement. Once he managed to catch his breath, he added, "Doesn’t life seem good now? There was a time when I wondered if I’d ever be able to live like the others—without constantly looking over my shoulder or feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere."

Odin nodded, his eyes softening as he gazed into his goblet. "It does seem more beautiful now," he admitted. "Losing our families, the people we loved—it left us with deep wounds. Wounds that weren’t easy to heal. Their losses can’t be replaced, but I think... we can still learn to grow. We can build our own families, our own happiness. In time, maybe those wounds will fade."

"I agree," Griffin said, his voice quiet but resolute. They both understood the pain of carrying those scars, but there was something healing about sharing them with someone who knew exactly what it was like.

"But, Griffin," Odin continued, "you’ve lost more than I ever did. At least I had wealth to fall back on, but you... you worked your way up from nothing to get where you are today. That’s why, if there’s one person who earned my respect after turning into a vampire, it’s you. What you’ve achieved, most would’ve given up on. Be proud of yourself for that."

Griffin looked at Odin, humbled by the words. "Thank you," he said sincerely, feeling a sense of validation he hadn’t known he needed. "Prince Magnus gave me this life while you taught me a lot. I’m thankful to both of you."

The two friends shared a long look, then resumed their casual chatter, the wine flowing as they savored the moment of happiness.