Vampire Queen : Fated Love

After finishing lunch, the lively group dispersed for a while to let their food settle. But as the afternoon rolled in, Eithan decided to take charge.

He approached Ruhr and Albert, phone in hand, and announced,

"Alright, let's go for a quick walk. I need to inspect the mansion and take some pictures for Dad. You two are coming with me."

Ruhr raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why us? Can't you do this alone?"

Eithan smirked lazily. "Because if I go alone, I'll probably get distracted and end up doing nothing. You're my backup."

Albert, already bouncing with excitement, chimed in, "Let's go! Let's go! This place is like a giant treasure chest! Maybe we'll find something cool!"

Ruhr sighed but smiled faintly. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

The three of them set out, Eithan leading the way with his phone poised to snap pictures of every significant detail. The mansion was sprawling and ancient, with hallways that seemed to stretch endlessly.

Albert darted ahead, peeking into rooms and exclaiming at every little discovery.

"Eithan! Look at this old vase! Do you think it's worth a fortune?"

Eithan glanced at it and shrugged.

"Take a picture and let Dad decide."

Ruhr followed closely behind, her gaze scanning the intricate architecture and antique decor.

"You know, this mansion is more impressive than I thought. If someone restored it properly, it could be a real gem."

Eithan nodded, snapping a picture of a grand staircase.

"Exactly what I'm thinking. Restoration equals big money. Dad will love the idea."

As they moved through the mansion, Albert's enthusiasm was infectious.

He found an old, creaky door and pushed it open, revealing a hidden room filled with dusty furniture and a grand piano.

"Whoa! A secret room!" Albert exclaimed, running inside.

Ruhr rolled her eyes but couldn't help stepping in to explore.

"It's not a secret room, Albert. It's just a storage area."

"Still cool!" Albert argued, sitting on the piano bench and pretending to play, though the keys were out of tune.

Eithan chuckled, taking a picture of the room.

"Keep it up, Albert. Dad will think we're having the time of our lives here."

After spending an hour touring the mansion and documenting everything, Eithan was satisfied with the results.

"Alright, that's enough for today. I'll send these pictures to Dad and let him know this place isn't as rundown as it seems."

Albert cheered, "Mission accomplished! Can we explore more tomorrow?"

Eithan smirked. "We'll see. Don't wear yourself out too early, Albert."

Ruhr shook her head with a small laugh.

"At least one of us is enjoying this."

The three of them returned to the main living area, where the rest of the group was lounging.

Their little exploration had brought a sense of adventure to the otherwise quiet afternoon, leaving them all with a newfound appreciation for the mysterious mansion they temporarily called home.

---

As they were walking back toward the mansion's grand hall, Albert, with his usual childlike curiosity, suddenly asked,

"Hey, why does Josh stick with girls so much? Like before, with that one girl... What was her name? Sana?"

Ruhr rolled her eyes and corrected him, "Oh no, it's Sarah. Honestly, how can you forget her name when she's right here with us?"

Albert scratched his head and laughed. "Oh yeah, Sarah... That's the one! He's always glued to her side now."

Eithan, without missing a beat and in his usual carefree tone, replied, "Because Josh has a one-track mind. Girls are like his hobby. He probably thinks if he flirts enough, he'll become a professional."

Ruhr smirked. "More like a professional idiot."

Albert laughed loudly, amused by Eithan's bluntness. "So, it's like a skill he's trying to master?"

Eithan nodded, pretending to be serious. "Exactly. Except his 'mastery' will probably get him slapped one day if he's not careful."

Ruhr sighed. "Honestly, Sarah has more patience than I would."

Albert grinned mischievously. "Maybe I should ask Josh for tips!"

Eithan gave him a playful shove. "Stick to watching cartoons, Albert. You're not ready for that level of stupidity."

The three of them laughed as they entered the hall, their lighthearted banter echoing through the mansion.

Despite the eerie quiet of the old place, moments like these made it feel a little more alive.

---

Ruhr, visibly irritated, glared at Albert.

"Seriously, Albert? You want tips from Josh? Of all people?"

Albert shrugged, looking innocent but clearly enjoying the teasing.

"Why not? He seems to know what he's doing!"

Ruhr crossed her arms, her voice sharp.

"What he's doing is embarrassing himself. You're better than that, Albert. Stick to being the sweet kid you are, not... whatever Josh is."

Albert pouted but didn't argue further, sensing his sister's genuine annoyance.

---

Meanwhile, in another corner of the mansion, Josh stood by a large, dusty window, gazing out at the overgrown garden. The light filtered through the broken glass, creating a surreal atmosphere.

Lost in thought, Josh's mind wandered into poetic musings.

"Since my first breath, I've admired so many girls,"

he thought to himself, the words forming like a poem in his mind.

"But you... you're different, Sarah. Your black hair flows like the night sky, your blue eyes are as deep as the stormy ocean. Your pale skin glows like the moonlight."

He let out a soft sigh, continuing his metaphorical thoughts.

"You're autumn's gentle breeze and spring's vibrant bloom. You're the warmth of the sun and the mystery of the moon. Every tree, every flower, every star... all pale in comparison to you."

Josh smiled to himself, his romantic musings making him feel like a lover.

However, his dreamy state was broken by a faint noise from the hall, where Albert's loud voice echoed, followed by Ruhr scolding him again. 

Josh shook his head and chuckled softly.

"Well, at least they keep this place lively," he muttered to himself. Then, turning back to the window, he whispered under his breath,

"But Sarah... you're the one who makes it beautiful."

He lingered there for a moment longer, the poetic thoughts still swirling in his mind, before deciding it was time to rejoin the others.

---

As Josh stood by the window, lost in his poetic reverie about Sarah, a sudden knock startled him.

Knock, knock, knock!

Turning abruptly, Josh's dreamy expression was replaced by annoyance.

He opened the door to find Adi standing there, looking pale and trembling.

"Adi? What do you want?" Josh asked, his tone sharp.

Adi stammered, clutching his arms nervously.

"I-I was scared. Nobody was around, and this mansion... it's so creepy."

Josh's irritation flared like a raging fire.

"You knocked just because you were scared? Can't you see I'm busy?!" he snapped, his voice rising.

Adi stepped back, startled by Josh's anger.

"I... I'm sorry, I just thought—"

"You thought what?" Josh interrupted, pointing toward the hallway.

"Go find someone else to bother! I'm not your babysitter!"

Adi's eyes watered, but he tried to hold back tears.

"I didn't mean to disturb you..."

Josh sighed, running a hand through his hair. His anger began to simmer down as he realized he might have overreacted.

Adi was clearly just a frightened kid looking for comfort.

"Fine," Josh muttered, softening his tone slightly.

"If you're scared, just stay in the hall where it's brighter. Don't sneak up on me again."

Adi nodded quickly, retreating a few steps but lingering near the doorway. He still seemed hesitant to leave entirely.

Josh rubbed his temples in frustration, muttering under his breath,

"First Sarah, now this kid. What's next? A ghost?"

Deciding he needed to cool off, Josh stepped past Adi and into the hallway.

"Come on," he said begrudgingly, motioning for Adi to follow.

"Let's find Ruhr or Eithan. Maybe they will deal with your drama."

Adi followed quietly, grateful for Josh's reluctant companionship, even if it came with a side of scolding.