Morning crept into the clearing with gentle rays of light. Dew clung to the petals and leaves Fel had so diligently tended. Birds chirped far off in the distance, and magical pollen drifted lazily in the air like sleepy fireflies that hadn't realized the night was over.
Lyrelle stirred from her borrowed hammock, blinking against the light. Fel was already awake, humming softly as she brewed something floral in a tiny teapot over warm embers. Meanwhile, Valen sat on a moss-covered boulder, staring into the trees like he could psychically summon a boar.
"Good morning," Lyrelle greeted as she rubbed her eyes.
"Morning," Fel replied cheerfully. "Sleep well, iron-foot?"
"I took off the armor, didn't I?" Lyrelle gave her a tired smile. She coughed. "So… about yesterday. I'm sorry. Again."
Valen gave a half-hearted wave without looking. "You already said that."
"I know," she said, her voice sincere. "I just wanted to say it again.... properly."
He sighed dramatically. "If I accepted every apology thrown at me, I'd be drowning in them. But… fine."
Fel sipped her tea and smiled. "A little growth goes a long way."
Lyrelle chuckled awkwardly, then tilted her head. "You know, we never really introduced ourselves properly."
"I never gave it," Valen smirked, still not facing her. "But it's Valen."
"Valen… no house or title?"
"Nope. Just Valen."
Fel chuckled from the side, but said nothing.
Lyrelle narrowed her eyes at him, suspicious. "That's vague."
"I like being vague," Valen replied. "Vague people live longer."
She then stood up and offered a polite bow. "Then I'm Lyrelle Virellia. Heir of House Virellia, the clan of the Verdant Roots. Our bloodline is known for its powerful connection to nature magic, but my affinity for wind is far greater than anything else."
"An elf, huh?" Valen muttered, only half-interested. "Figures. You're all leaf-eaters."
"I heard that," she said, shooting him a glare.
Fel giggled.
Lyrelle ignored him and sat down again. "We're currently in the middle of a succession contest. All my siblings are trying to prove themselves, and I'm no exception. I came here to find rare herbs and spiritual grounds to strengthen my nature bond. The Aeltheris Bloom."
"Then You're in for a disappointment," Valen said. "That herb isn't exactly common."
"But it helped," Lyrelle said, glancing at Fel. "Is there any more?"
Fel nodded. "There is, but… I'd say don't rely too much on the bloom too much. Wind is already your ally. Strengthen that bond it's more personal. More yours."
Lyrelle nodded thoughtfully.
Valen leaned back with a smirk. "so... You're chasing power, huh?"
Lyrelle raised a brow. "Isn't everyone?"
Valen leaned back lazily. "There are faster ways, you know."
"Oh?" she raised a brow.
He tapped his chest with a clawed nail. "Vampire blood. One drop could amplify your magic tenfold. Permanent?, sure. Dangerous? Absolutely. Effectiveness? Guaranteed."
Lyrelle gave a sharp laugh. "Right. Drink your blood when you are hardly stronger then me."
Fel quietly sipped her tea again, looking innocent.
Valen said nothing. He just smiled.
Lyrelle laughed. "You're joking."
Fel looked at her, then slowly shook her head. "He's not. And he's not just a vampire."
Lyrelle's smile faded a little.
Fel added, "I'm not saying anything" she glanced at Valen "but he's the real deal. Way stronger than you think."
Valen didn't react. He just stared off into the forest, clearly tuning them out again.
Lyrelle sat back, frowning. "He's that strong? Doesn't seem like it."
Fel chuckled. "That's exactly the point."
Lyrelle turned to her, eyes curious. "Alright, then. Your turn. Who are you?"
Fel set her teacup down and raised one elegant brow. "Me? Oh, I'm Fel. Former princess of the Moonlight Court of the Fae Realm."
Lyrelle blinked. "You're a.... wait, princess?"
Fel nodded. "I had the dresses, the flowers in my hair, the suitors lined up like garden gnomes. Every week there were balls, politics, tea parties with people who only spoke in veiled threats or compliments."
She shivered dramatically. "It was exhausting. So, naturally... I ran."
Lyrelle blinked. "You ran away?"
"Of course!" Fel said brightly. "What's the point of being royalty if you can't escape all the boring parts?"
Valen actually laughed.
Fel leaned back with a proud smile. "So now I live here, where I can grow herbs, drink tea, and avoid responsibilities."
Lyrelle blinked again, unsure if she was impressed or horrified. "Wow. Okay. You win for most dramatic introduction."
Fel winked. "Thank you."
Later, while the two girls tended to Fel's vast plant garden which, contrary to Lyrelle's assumption, was made up of dozens of unique herbs, flowers, and sprouting magical greenery, Valen wandered off.
His stomach roared like a beast.
He scowled and kicked a root. "Nothing. Still nothing."
He had searched his side of the forest daily, yet found not a single living creature worth biting. No rabbits, no deer, not even a plump squirrel. His nose twitched with frustration.
"I'm dying out here…"
But then... something.
A scent. Faint but unmistakable. Meat.
Valen crept forward, slipping through the trees until he reached the border of Fel's territory. What he saw made his fangs extend instinctively.
A lush sanctuary of magical creatures spread before him... unicorns, dryads, salamanders, crystal back tortoise, mana foxes, moon-deer curled near a glimmering pond. Birds with crystalline feathers perched on high branches, and even small spirit beasts frolicked among flowers.
His eye twitched.
"All this time… THIS is where they were hiding?!"
He stepped forward, hunger clouding his thoughts.
"Just one... just a little taste!"
He crouched, muscles coiling.
But just as he leapt-
Flash!
A bright light enveloped him.
The next moment, he was slammed face-first into a wooden table.
"AGH!"
He sat up, dazed, finding himself back at the table.
Fel sipped calmly from her cup. "Don't eat the guests."
"You!.. How... dare you." Valen growled, hair messy and eyes wild.
"You were about to pounce on a unicorn," Fel said smoothly.
"You didn't say you were harboring a buffet!"
"I didn't say you could trespass, either," she replied with a calm smile.
Valen slumped onto the table. "So there is meat in this cursed forest after all. I knew it…"
"They're only staying because they feel safe," Fel explained. "The moment you entered the forest, they all ran to my side and refused to leave."
"That's not fair. That's cruel."
"No, that's natural selection," Fel said.
Lyrelle returned just then, blinking at the scene. "Uh… something happen?"
"Nothing," Valen grunted. "Absolutely nothing."
Lunch resumed quietly. Fel and Lyrelle chatted while nibbling on greens and fruits. Valen sulked with a dark aura, stabbing a melon like it had killed his parents.
The magical creatures continued frolicking just out of reach, taunting him with their chubby, delicious innocence.
And so, the great vampire prince suffered on.