The manor of the 1st Duke was bustling as always as each person went about their task as efficiently as possible.
There were a few eye-catching pieces of technology visible in the house, starting from the inbuilt heating system that utilized steam to several other pieces that were both intriguing and quite innovative.
In any case, Claudia, already being used to these sights, spared them a mere glance as she moved down the stairs.
A few greetings could be heard but Claudia actively ignored them as she quickly reached the bottom floor just in time to watch as the door was pushed open and a man in an elegant attire with a stoic expression entered, accompanied by a familiar face.
At the door, two maids were already waiting to help the man with his clothes but before they had a chance to do so...
"Father!" Claudia called out as she rushed toward her father.
The man in the elegant attire glanced at her and upon noting her presence, a faint smile appeared at the corners of his lips.
He stepped forward and opened his arms to embrace the young Vampire.
Once she wrapped her arms around him, Claudia muttered. "I missed you."
"You missed me yet you spent quite some time at Arwen’s place." The man teased with a smile.
Claudia looked up to meet his gaze and after noting the knowing expression on her face, she pouted. "You were spying on me."
"Huhu." The man chuckled softly as he inquired. "Just to make sure your general whereabouts were safe."
"Hmph. I can take care of myself."
"I agree but you are still young and you have a lot to learn."
"Alright, alright. It’s fine."
In her father’s presence, Claudia had the privilege of acting like a spoiled brat though no one who knew her would call her that.
They could call her foolish for her idealistic dreams but that was it.
The man didn’t push the matter too much as he inquired. "I heard you went to the 11th Extension and you were attacked."
"That... it was an accident."
"Do you still believe humans and Vampires can live together in harmony?"
"Be more careful." The man remarked after a while as he planted a kiss on Claudia’s forehead before pulling himself from her embrace.
Then, scrutinizing her appearance, the man noticed something. "Did something happen?"
"Don’t hide anything from me, Claudia."
"..." Claudia pursed her lips, pondering what she could and couldn’t share.
However, it was difficult to hide anything from her father.
Letting out a sigh, she reached in and hugged the man again, her body trembling somewhat as she placed her head on his chest.
The man’s brows furrowed.
Reaching out, he placed his hand on Claudia’s head and smoothed her hair.
This silence lingered for a brief moment before Claudia spoke up.
"Arwen had a premonition."
The man replied. "Isn’t it normal?"
He already knew about Arwen’s condition, courtesy of Claudia sharing it with him.
Knowing fully well the capabilities of a Banshee, even if it had its bloodline sealed, it was within expectations.
"It’s not. What she said... It was scary."
"Hmm. What did she say?"
"...It’s the entire city, father."
"She said she saw the destruction of Krobridge."
The man visibly shook at the unexpected news, his eyes flashing with a strange emotion.
Instinctively, he grabbed Claudia and pulled her away to look into her eyes.
Claudia looked slightly frightened at the aggressive act, causing him to pause for a moment.
"..." Claudia turned silent as she slowly nodded her head, a solemn expression on her pale white face.
The man closed his eyes, contemplating for quite some time before finally opening them again.
"We may have to leave." The man remarked.
Claudia quickly spoke up. "No!"
"Arwen plans to fight back and I want to help her. She’s already enlisting the help of the Dark Lord." Claudia spoke without thinking, ultimately clamping her mouth shut after realizing what she had said.
However, it was already too late as everyone present heard her, and naturally, the expressions they wore were not simple.
Especially the one she saw on her father’s face.
"You said Arwen is enlisting the help of the Dark Lord."
"Tell me the truth, Claudia."
Claudia bit down on her lower lip, unable to reply immediately.
"Yes, father. The Dark Lord... No, I don’t know if I can call him that anymore but Arwen is trying to get him to help."
The man blinked a few times, seemingly to ensure he heard her right before glancing back at the subordinate who accompanied him.
The latter merely revealed a look of anticipation causing him to look back at Claudia.
"...At Arwen’s house."
"Good." The man said as he released Claudia from his grip.
Taking the time to straighten his suit, he remarked. "Take me to him."
"From your inner shadows, I leer. A sudden flinch is my cheer. Over your shoulder, you will peer. Check if something stalks from the rear. My deafening silence you may hear. And all those that you hold dear, I will make you want to hold near." Lord Albion recited, his eyes glimmering with a certain excitement.
"Is that a riddle or a poem?" Alex couldn’t help but ask.
Lord Albion chuckled before shrugging nonchalantly. "It could be both, it could be neither. Whichever floats your boat."
"Hmm." Alex pursed his lips, already pondering the answer to the riddle.
Unfortunately, Lord Albion gave him no time to think as he started the second riddle.
"The beginning and the end, everywhere and nowhere, eternal and everlasting, with no equal within the mortal plain and beyond human intellect."
"..." Alex had a vague impression of what the answer to the second riddle was.
"Why make the first one so difficult and the second so straightforward?"
"Because the key lies there." Lord Albion replied, a complicated expression on his visage.
Alex furrowed his brows. "Then..."
"I believe it’s time you take your leave, Mr. Regulus. I had a wonderful time."
"I hope you can save him and if you do, tell him... I’ll be waiting."
With those words, Lord Albion said no more and instead glanced out the window.
Alex didn’t know why but he felt that this wasn’t supposed to be a part of the memory.
As he began to consider the possibility, he suddenly grew dizzy and the next moment, he blanked out.