CHAPTER 466: ONE MOON

The absence of the prince in the gathering room was a grace. Although the image of Irene’s features crossed his mind... What was a blessing to Silas may have been a nightmare for her. The poor thing, locked in a room alone with him.

Alas there was nothing in his power to change that.

At first sight, Lord Foy’s attention was completely hogged by Ada who smiled as she spoke of the many virtues specific plants offered both humanity and nightwalkers. It was quite funny to note the way her nervousness evaporated as soon as there was talk of herbology.

Abigail, as per her usual, beet red at the center of two vampiresses who seemed very interested in... How short she was?

His mother was busy taking part in a conversation of her own with none other than Anastasia and another Lord that Silas cared very little to remember the name of. Persephone was holding on well enough despite the little cracks that showed here and there, between her lines and smiles. In the hesitation that transpired throughout every motion...

Not to say that the absence of Katherine and her sisters was felt, but it was odd to look around the room during a gathering and not spot their warm smiles.

Everyone seemed to be doing their very best considering the circumstances.

Not many paid his entrance any mind which was yet another blessing to count. Most busy with an entertainer of their own by their side.

The one that seemed to not be having as much fun as his usual was Lord Dragomir. Exactly like Arabella had noticed, the man isolated himself out on one of the balconies, leaving even his most loyal servant behind, waiting for him.

Silas made his way towards the Lord. Not out of concern, but sheer curiosity which scratched at the heart of his bones.

On a vampire’s skin, fresh air was felt very little. Even the strongest of breezes barely moved them. Their bodies were meant to handle the most extreme of conditions after all. Had it not been for humans’ inability to cope with higher and lower temperatures, vampires would have spread across the globe by then. Their arrangement after the war was the best outcome between them at the time.

"Isn’t it an interesting moon tonight?" it was Lord Dragomir that cut the silence between them.

"Not particularly, no," said Silas.

"Well, then, I suppose it is me who has always felt some type of way about beholding the moon," Darrick still did not turn around at all.

"Why is that?"

A long sigh escaped the Lord, "Just the idea that two people could be looking at it, at the same time, but miles and miles away,"

That made sense, didn’t it? Silas cared very little for that.

"I apologize for intruding on your moment of... Peace," he looked around.

"Peace," Darrick repeated with a chuckle.

Nothing else came to mind after those words. The two of them really had nothing to talk about aside from Arabella, it seemed.

"Is fatherhood all that you hoped it would be?"

The oddest thing was, his reaction did not match Silas’ expectation at all.

His head snapped around so quickly and the glare on him did not help one bit. It was as though Silas had insulted him with that simple question.

After a moment of awkward silence, the Lord’s features mellowed.

"Yes, well, there are a few hitches here and there," he cleared his throat.

Like what? He had servants to tend to his infant at every hour. Not to mention Anastasia has never wished for anything but a family and wanted nothing to do with business outside of caring for her husband and future children.

What hitches could he possibly encounter?

"The hibernation cycle hasn’t settled yet so the baby needs to be cared for by humans during the day," he inhaled, "Every morning, I go to bed with the hopes of... Not waking up to a carnage,"

That was an information Silas had no need for. But at least it answered his question.

Dragomir certainly didn’t care for the life of his human servants as much as he feared the syndicate would descend upon him should anything of that sort arise.

"Pardon me, but I am not familiar with childcare. That fact had slipped my mind,"

It did.

"No worries," Darrick chuckled again, "Then again, in your condition you may never have to worry about that,"

Silas never looked at fathers with envy. Fatherhood seemed like something he truly never had to think about.

But with Arabella who surely wanted a child, it was hard to even assimilate.

"I wanted to thank you again for the help you’ve sent our way," that sounded like a good diversion in his mind, "No progress has been made but every hand counts, every bit of effort matters,"

"That is natural," Dragomir cleared his throat, "I’ve known your parents for centuries now. That and, my wife seems more attached to Persephone than her own parents,"

"She raised her," the words escaped Silas before he could stop them.

Sure, Arabella was a lot less than half his age but if he converted it to human years and development, he and his wife would have barely been five years apart.

Whereas for Dragomir, it was quite different. He was nearly around Persephone’s age, and on the other hand, Anastasia was as young as Silas. So, literally half her husband’s age.

It didn’t help that her attitude hadn’t evolved much since her earlier years. Anastasia remained as jovial and childish as she had been back then.

To even think of a relationship with a vampire half his age boggled Silas’ mind to no end.

"You will tell me if there is any progress, won’t you?"

That stopped his train of thoughts.

"You will be among the first people to learn should we find any clue,"

He wouldn’t, but Silas had to give him an answer that pleased him in the moment.

Dragomir turned around, excused himself then rejoined the gathering once more, leaving Silas out there under that same moon they beheld only minutes prior.