Chapter 290: It was now time to explore a Vampire Estate.

"First Steward of House Arcelis."

The Vampire introduced himself, Lucian nodded. He also did not fail to notice that the Arcelis Head had essentially sent a servant to greet them, the House Head did not come on his own. He glanced at Garrick, he didn’t seem very bothered by it, so he shrugged.

Hadrian then extended his hand for a handshake, Lucian took it.

It was cold.

"You have caused quite a stir recently."

Hadrian commented with a soft chuckle.

"I was told the more stir you cause, the more people love you."

Lucian smiled.

Hadrian stared at the man for a good while, not knowing how he was supposed to reply to that. So he completely ignored those words and said what he wanted to say anyway.

"House Arcelis owes you its appreciation."

"For Varek?"

Lucian tilted his head.

"Yes."

Hadrian nodded.

"For facilitating his return."

"I mostly facilitated the part where he stopped running."

Lucian grinned and for the smallest moment, he noticed one of the younger Vampires standing behind Hadrian showing slight anger towards him, but before he could say anything or do something foolish—

"So I heard."

Hadrian smiled, taking control.

"I also heard you were quite thorough."

That made Lucian’s smile widen.

"He was stubborn."

"That he was."

Hadrian nodded. As the First Steward of the House, he obviously knew Varek and his... tendencies.

That one was definitely very stubborn.

Lucian continued staring at the First Steward, the Steward, however, turned towards Garrick instead.

"The transfer documents have been received. Our people have confirmed his identity and condition. There are no discrepancies."

"Good."

Garrick nodded.

"The Enclave’s responsibility ends with the transfer."

"Of course."

Hadrian nodded back.

"House Arcelis accepts full custody and all associated obligations."

Lucian kept staring at the two, noticing how painfully formal and clean the conversation was. Something about it all still bothered him and—

It seemed like Hadrian noticed it.

"Something on your mind, Mr. Cross?"

He asked with a curious look on his face.

"Several things."

Lucian did not lie.

"But nothing important enough to ruin the welcome."

"You are more restrained than the reports suggested."

Hadrian chuckled softly.

"It takes me time to open up. I am an introvert."

That made Garrick and everyone else stare at this man for a good few seconds, then—

"Right."

Hadrian nodded.

Then he gestured towards the enormous entrance behind him and—

"It’s my first time here."

"Please."

The group followed, the first thing Lucian noticed upon entering was how silent it all was. Sure, there were footsteps, quiet conversations he could hear and occasional busy sounds, but compared to the sheer size of the place he was in, all of it felt very... controlled.

Lucian continued looking around, the entrance hall was enormous, the floor was covered with dark polished stone, there were many old paintings lined along the walls, some of them were portraits, others showed landscapes, battles, or cities Lucian did not recognise.

One painting showed a much smaller version of the estate surrounded by nothing but forest, it made Lucian curious, so he stared at it for a good while.

Hadrian noticed that.

"Six hundred and twelve years ago."

"The painting?"

Lucian looked at him.

"The view."

Hadrian replied.

"The original structure is considerably older."

Lucian looked back at it.

There were barely any buildings other than the estate itself, now it was like a whole new city had been built around it.

"That’s actually impressive."

"We have had time."

Hadrian smiled lightly.

Lucian chuckled.

The group moved through the corridors, most beings inside bowed slightly when Hadrian passed, some did the same for Garrick. As for Lucian—

He received looks, a lot of looks.

And with looks came whispers, something that Lucian eavesdropped on very curiously.

"...is that him?"

"...yes, from the Trial..."

"...they call him Blood-Altered? Have they not sensed the density of his blood?"

"They are humans, what did you expect?"

"...is he... a demon?"

That question raised quite a bit of concern. Even the Vampires did not seem to like demons very much.

Of course, Lucian only waved at the Vampires calling him a demon.

What else could he do to show them how pleasant and friendly he was?

The Vampires, for some reason he did not know, avoided his gaze afterwards.

’How rude.’

Lucian pouted.

Hadrian eventually led them into a large reception room, it was smaller than the entrance hall but considerably more comfortable.

In there, a Human attendant approached immediately.

"Refreshments?"

Garrick declined.

Lucian looked at the tray with an interested look on his face.

Wine.

Water.

Something golden.

And...

One glass containing something dark red.

Lucian stared at it, the Human attendant noticed his gaze.

"That one would not be suitable for you, sir."

Lucian looked at him.

"Blood?"

He asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Human?"

The attendant hesitated for a moment, then—

"Yes."

He eventually nodded.

"Good to know."

Lucian nodded as he took water.

Hadrian sat down, Garrick followed and with them, everyone else did the same. For the next several minutes, the conversation was... painfully normal.

They talked about travel, security, the Trial, the number of injured candidates, the diplomatic mess Varek had created by attacking heirs and younger members belonging to several supernatural factions.

Garrick mentioned how difficult it was to hand Varek over to Arcelis with so many forces approaching them, Hadrian listened to it all calmly. He obviously couldn’t say the Enclave handed Varek to them because they paid the most, he just expressed his regret, he also mentioned that House Arcelis would cooperate if testimony regarding Varek was required.

Then, as the conversation continued, Hadrian’s eyes moved towards Lucian—

"I must admit, when I first heard the report, I assumed some details had been exaggerated."

"Which ones?"

Lucian asked curiously.

"That Varek surrendered to someone who had entered supernatural society only months ago. My research told me that’s true."

"You looked me up."

Lucian smiled brightly.

Of course, he did not like it, Hadrian knew that, he just did not care.

"It is not just me, Mr. Cross.

Many have looked you up. That is what happens when you attract attention and you...

You have attracted quite a lot.

Why else do you think the Warden Seat brought you with him?"

Those words made Lucian look at Garrick, Garrick looked back at him and Lucian...

He remained silent.

He knew it was the truth.

Garrick had already warned him before.

Still...

Being popular felt... strange.

Hadrian then leaned back a little and—

"Varek was never among the greatest warriors House Arcelis produced."

He began.

"But he was talented. More importantly, he was difficult to kill."

"That he still is."

Lucian smiled.

"Indeed."

Hadrian nodded.

Lucian noted how there was absolutely no change in his expression.

"You have our gratitude regardless."

The Steward continued.

"Whatever Varek became after leaving us, his actions continued to reflect upon the Arcelis name."

Lucian nodded.

With that, Hadrian turned back towards Garrick and—

"The Patriarch will receive you personally before tonight’s gathering."

"I look forward to meeting him."

Garrick nodded.

Then, he looked into Hadrian’s eyes and—

"There are also several matters concerning the transfer that our Council wishes to discuss."

"Now?"

"If you do not mind."

Garrick looked towards Lucian.

Lucian understood what he wanted almost instantly.

"Mr. Cross is, of course, welcome to accompany us."

Hadrian spoke and before Lucian could answer—

"He’ll pass."

Garrick interrupted.

Lucian looked at him, Garrick looked back with a stern look on his face. Clearly, he did not want Lucian involved and he—

"Yes, I’d rather walk around. This is my first time inside a Vampire Estate, I want to see what the allure is all about."

"Of course."

Hadrian chuckled.

"The Gala will begin in two hours. You have until then to explore the public section of the estate."

Public section.

Lucian noticed how the Vampire stressed those words specifically.

"Yes, I won’t poke around, I promise."

Lucian smiled.

Hadrian smiled back as he then turned towards one of the Vampires near the door.

"Have someone guide Mr. Cross as he explores the estate."

"Yes, Lord Hadrian."

The Vampire nodded.

"And prepare a guest suite for Mr. Cross in case he wants to rest, also have someone available should he require anything else."

"That’s so generous."

Lucian chuckled.

"We Arcelis have a habit of treating our guests with the utmost respect and hospitality. We believe this is how one... makes friends.

And we would very much like to make a friend out of you, Mr. Cross."

Hadrian spoke with a smile, his crimson eyes shone meaningfully as he stared at Lucian.

Lucian stared at him for a moment, as if analysing what he had just said. Then he stood up and smiled.

"I like having many friends as well."

"I look forward to seeing you at the Gala, many do."

Hadrian stood up as well.

"Seems like popularity chases you to many places."

Lucian chuckled.

"Indeed, several of our guests are curious to see who defeated and finally caught the rogue Vampire."

"I’ll make sure to impress them."

Lucian smiled.

Hadrian laughed.

He then pointed at the Vampire he called before, the Vampire nodded and moved towards Lucian.

"Mr. Cross."

He gestured.

"Sure."

Lucian smiled before looking at Hadrian, then at Garrick one last time, before leaving the room so the two could talk all they wanted, while he...

Welp—

It was now time to explore a Vampire Estate.