Vampire Queen : Fated Love

☞ : A Mid-Morning in the Old Mansion

The clock struck 11 a.m., and the mansion buzzed with activity. Sunlight filtered through the tall, broken windows of the centuries-old estate, creating patterns of light and shadow across the worn wooden floors. The day was beginning to take shape, and everyone was settling into their plans.

---

☞ : Eithan's Perspective 

Eithan sat in the library with an old map spread out before him, fully immersed in his task. His breakfast had been hearty enough to fuel his work, and now he was ready to explore the mansion's mysteries. The peeling wallpaper and creaky shelves seemed to whisper secrets, but Eithan, as always, appeared unbothered.

"Don't disturb me," he had told everyone earlier, his tone both commanding and weary.

"I need to focus."

He knew that if he let himself get distracted by the others, he'd waste the entire day.

---

☞ : Ruhr, Albert, and Adi

Ruhr, meanwhile, was watching her brother Albert run in circles around her. His energy was boundless, and he seemed intent on dragging her outside for a walk.

"Fine, fine," Ruhr finally relented, picking up her jacket.

"But if you don't behave, we're coming straight back."

Albert clapped his hands and laughed, already dashing toward the door.

Adi, standing nearby, hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"I'll come too. This place always gives me the creeps."

"Good idea," Ruhr replied, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Let's stick together."

As they prepared to leave, Ruhr glanced at Eithan, who didn't even look up from his map. She sighed.

"Don't overwork yourself, okay?"

Eithan waved her off. "Just keep Albert from getting lost."

---

☞ : Leo's Short quick Trip

Leo, ever the dutiful figure in the group, grabbed his coat and prepared to head out. Alia had provided him with enough money for meals, and he planned to use it wisely.

"I'll pick up lunch while I'm out," he said to no one in particular.

"Shouldn't take too long."

He paused for a moment, glancing at Eithan.

"Anything you need?"

"Nope. Just peace and quiet," Eithan replied without looking up.

Leo chuckled and stepped out, letting the heavy door creak shut behind him.

---

☞Josh and Sarah

Meanwhile, in the front yard, Josh had been glued to Sarah's side since breakfast. His persistent attempts at flirting had been met with Sarah's usual mix of amusement and mild annoyance.

"Come on, let's go for a walk,"

Josh suggested, grinning as he gestured toward the surrounding woods.

Sarah arched an eyebrow.

"You've been following me around all morning, and now you want me to go on a walk with you?"

Josh clasped his hands dramatically.

"I'm just trying to make memories, you know? Besides, it's better than sitting around like Eithan, pretending to be busy."

From inside, Eithan's voice rang out sharply.

"I heard that, Josh!"

Josh laughed, leaning toward Sarah.

"See? He's just mad because I'm spending my time with you."

Sarah shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Fine. But if you annoy me too much, I'll leave you behind."

Josh placed a hand on his chest, mock-offended. "Annoy you? Never!"

---

As the groups set out in different directions, the mansion grew quieter.

Eithan finally found the solitude he craved, immersing himself in his work. Leo strolled toward the nearby market, humming softly as he planned the lunch menu.

Ruhr, Albert, and Adi walked together along the mansion's overgrown paths, with Albert skipping ahead and Adi keeping a cautious eye on their surroundings.

Josh, as expected, continued his antics, much to Sarah's chagrin. But despite her protests, she didn't seem entirely unhappy about the company.

---

Eithan leaned back in his chair, staring at the dusty map spread before him. The early morning determination had worn off, replaced by a growing frustration.

"Why does Dad always dump everything on me?"

he muttered, flipping his pen between his fingers.

"Analyze this, report that. He's living the high life, and I'm stuck here babysitting and playing detective."

He jotted down a few notes on a weathered notepad, then paused. A sly smirk spread across his face.

"You know what?" he said to himself, leaning back with a stretch.

"I deserve a break. The work isn't going anywhere."

" Well I always take break !! Ha ha ha .."

He casually slid onto the old, worn-out sofa that had somehow survived the mansion's years of neglect. Pulling his laptop out of his bag, he placed it on the coffee table and powered it on.

A few clicks later, a streaming service logo lit up the screen. His smirk widened.

"Why stress over maps when I can watch some movies instead?" he said, settling in comfortably.

---

As the screen began playing an action-packed thriller, Eithan slouched deeper into the sofa, a carefree grin plastered on his face. Whatever responsibilities he had could wait—right now, he was on a mission of his own: pure laziness.

Outside, the mansion was alive with the bustle of everyone else diligently going about their day. Inside, Eithan was, without a doubt, embracing his title as the laziest, most carefree bastard in the group.

"Cheers, Dad," he said sarcastically, raising an imaginary glass to the ceiling.

"Keep piling it on me. I'll get to it... eventually."

And with that, Eithan hit "play next,"

Then he see a text message from His dad ,

Max : Give me some note about Mansion Front line .

Eithan : Yes dad. Just wait !.

"Ohh, Fuck my Work !! DAD GONNA KILL ME"

---

Sarah and Josh strolled through the overgrown gardens outside the old mansion. The morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting intricate patterns on the ground. Sarah's gaze wandered to a patch of vibrant flowers, her delicate fingers brushing against the petals.

"These flowers are beautiful, aren't they?"

Sarah said, her voice soft but teasing, as if testing how much Josh was paying attention.

Josh nodded quickly, trying to look composed.

"Yeah, yeah, totally. Flowers... very nice." He then cleared his throat and added,

"Not as beautiful as someone standing beside me, though."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Flattery won't get you far, Josh. Try harder."

Josh laughed nervously, looking around.

"Well, uh... how about that tree?" He pointed to a massive oak, its branches sprawling like a protective canopy.

Sarah turned her attention to the tree, her voice now laced with mock seriousness.

"Majestic, strong, unwavering... you know, qualities you lack."

"Hey!" Josh protested, holding his hand over his heart like he'd been wounded.

"I'm majestic in my own way."

Sarah chuckled, her laugh like a melody. She stepped closer to him, her tone shifting.

"But seriously, Josh. Have you noticed the air here? It's... different. Darker, heavier."

Josh blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in tone. He quickly recovered, though, leaning into his usual cheeky persona.

"Maybe it's because you're here, Sarah. You've got this... aura. Like a stormy ocean."

Sarah stopped, tilting her head.

"A stormy ocean?"

Josh swallowed hard, realizing he'd said it out loud.

"Y-yeah, your eyes... They're like the dark ocean at night. Deep, Blue, and impossible to escape."

Sarah's smirk deepened. "Wow, Josh. I didn't know you had it in you."

Josh rubbed the back of his neck, his face heating up.

"Well, I try..."

Then, as if sensing his vulnerability, Sarah leaned in just a little, her voice dropping to a near whisper.

"You know, Josh... You're not half as bad as I thought you were."

Josh blinked, feeling his heart skip.

"W-wait, does that mean I was terrible before?"

Sarah didn't answer, only turning her gaze to the horizon.

"Tell me, Josh. What do you think of vampires?"

Josh frowned, her question catching him off guard. Images flickered in his mind—Bird , Black wings, blood-red eyes, and the cold finality of his own actions. He clenched his fists but forced a casual laugh.

"Vampires? They're just myths, Sarah. Stories to scare us as kids. Nothing real about them."

Sarah studied his face, her expression unreadable.

"Hmm... Maybe. But myths often have a seed of truth, don't you think?"

Josh tried to laugh again, but it came out strained.

"Come on, Sarah. Let's not ruin a perfectly good walk with spooky talk. Next, you'll tell me ghosts are real too."

Sarah shrugged, her enigmatic smile returning.

"Who knows, Josh? Maybe you're the scary one here."

"Scary? Me?" He gave a mock gasp.

"Sarah, I'm a gentleman! The least scary guy you'll ever meet."

Sarah laughed lightly and began walking again, her footsteps quiet on the soft earth. Josh followed closely behind, still trying to figure out if her words carried a deeper meaning—or if he was just overthinking everything, as usual.