Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Chapter 70

The lady led the way into the manor, the interior more lavish than what could be seen from outside. There were fountains carved from solid gold visible from the pathway that led from the gates to the front steps of the manor. The hedges were well kept, flowers blooming as it was the height of spring.

It was rather difficult to conflate this extravagant sight with a Vampire so impoverished like Dulce, to think this was termed an old house.

The lady led them to a tea room, which was done in silver and gentle blue. It had lattice doors overlooking a garden where red roses vibrantly bloomed, the delicate floral scent filled the room, wafted in by gusts of cool spring breezes.

"Please wait a moment," The lady said to them after guiding them to the room, hurrying off.

Dulce looked around the room, instinctively drifting to the fireplace although the hearth was cold, the fire put out. "I wonder if I am still remembered," He worried quietly, "I can’t remember when I lived here but it must have been very long ago."

Ruoxi stared at the garden of roses with a distant look in his eyes. "I wonder what you used to be like. I didn’t expect your tastes to be so extravagant."

"Perhaps we have the wrong house after all." Dulce shot to his feet, looking like he wanted to go searching for their host to admit his wrong.

"Sit down," Kath’tan scowled, even he had noticed that the human woman who had invited them in had recognized the Vampire’s name. If she thought they were charlatans then she wouldn’t have brought them to what looked to once be her master’s favorite room.

The silver and blue were reminiscent of the Vampire, the splash of color from the garden surprising.

The lady returned in a short while with a tray of tea and pastries, her demeanor changed. She was no longer cautious and was practically vibrating with excitement.

"I apologize for the wait, sirs." She said politely, serving up tea. She offered a teacup to Dulce first, her hands trembling as she handed him the drink.

Dulce took the floral tea gratefully, "When do I get answers?" He asked mildly after a sip.

"My grandfather will be here soon to attend to you." She replied, serving the rest of the guests cups of tea as well.

She dashed out again when she was done, returning for the third time accompanied by an older gentleman. She hid behind him, standing on her tiptoes to peer over his shoulders as she whispered to him.

"Well? Well?" She prodded impatiently, "Is it him? Is it the master, Grandpa?"

The older man ignored her with grace, dressed in the traditional livery of butlers. "Welcome to the Montesserat Manor, good sirs." He bowed to them from the doorway, "I’m Rowland Bodwyn, butler and housekeep of this homestead."

Dulce nearly dropped his teacup in surprise, "It is?"

"Indeed, my Lord." He said reverently, stepping into the room. "If I could trouble you to observe this painting." He said, gesturing to the door.

The lady who had been attending to them previously, stood in a corner, her wide, dark eyes taking everything in with trepidation.

Two men walked in carrying a covered painting with care, it caught and held the attention of everyone in the room. A third person followed with a stand for the painting to be placed on, such elaborate preparations made for a simple painting.

When the painting was propped up, the men left, leaving Rowland and his granddaughter in the tea room with their special guests.

Rowland stepped forward to pull off the sheet covering the painting. The white sheet fell away delicately, catching a gust of spring breeze as it came away.

The painting hidden beneath was completely unexpected, it was aged and almost completely devoid of color, the original colors of the painting long lost to time.

"I apologize for the ruined state of the painting." Rowland spoke into the silence that fell as the guests studied the artifact. "The appearance of the master was previously passed down by word of mouth in the anticipation of his return. A few centuries had gone by before this painting was unearthed. We were pleased to be able to restore and maintain it thus."

While the old butter rambled, four pairs of eyes were fixed on a painting that was unmistakably Dulce. It looked like it had been painted only a few years prior, it certainly didn’t look to be several centuries old as the butter claimed.

Perhaps it was because Dulce looked unchanged, his voluminous hair was let down around his indifferent face, and despite the painting being completely devoid of color, it was easy to see his pale hair and silver blue eyes.

"How long has it been since your master left?" Asael asked quietly, wearing a strange expression as he stared at this version of Dulce he didn’t know.

"Come fall, it will be exactly one thousand, six hundred and twenty years." He revealed easily, treating the master’s companions as well as he treated the returned lord of the estate.

"I’m impressed your bloodline didn’t die out," Ruoxi complimented. Even Demon bloodlines would struggle to persist after such a long stretch of time.

"It is all due to the master’s generosity." Rowland bowed deeply. "Even during periods of great famine, the Bodwyns survived with ease due to the surplus left behind by the master, Lord Montesserat."

Kath’tan found something curious. "And did you truly believe he would return after so many years?"

"Indeed. The knowledge that the master was a Vampire was one well known. In the notes passed down, his return was phrased as inevitable, unless of course, he did not care to return."

Dulce’s eyes widened, he did not expect the line of butlers to be privy to this knowledge. Yet not only were they aware but they also thought nothing of it, despite being in a country lauded for their heroic deeds in executing Vampires.

"I wouldn’t exactly term this a return," He said sheepishly, "I’m merely passing through Marlen on a journey."