He is Better
864 Words
The air surrounding the palace was thick with power and tradition.
Malrik adjusted Kenneth's royal collar one final time before helping him into the new vehicle provided by the king himself. Sleek, black, and pulsing with arcane tech forged by the kingdom's artificers, it was a vehicle used only for the king's sons—not even high-ranking nobles were afforded this courtesy.
Kenneth marveled at the interior, his blue eyes dancing across the glowing runes etched into the velvet walls, the silver-dripped ceiling like a starlit night sky. "Whoa," he breathed.
Malrik leaned down through the open window before the vehicle took off. "Remember what I taught you. Keep your chin high. Shoulders back. Speak when spoken to. And never forget, you are Prince Kenneth Valdros."
Kenneth grinned. "Yes, sir!"
The vehicle pulled away from the Queen's Castle and sped through the heart of the capital—past looming obsidian towers, bloodstone bridges, and the floating citadels reserved for the High Elders. It wasn't long before it stopped before the grandest of all: the King’s castle. Tall as a mountain, shrouded in veils of enchanted mist, with banners bearing the sigil of House Valdros.
The chauffeur opened the door.
Kenneth stepped out just as another vehicle arrived—this one adorned with red-gold trim and bat-shaped crests. The firstborn.
Prince Aurelius Valdros.
Fourteen now, Aurelius looked every bit a king in waiting. Tall, statuesque, with silver-lined raven-black hair and crimson eyes that could pierce steel. He descended the steps of his vehicle with a quiet arrogance, his black cape trailing like a shadow.
Kenneth, all excitement and innocence, beamed. "Aurelius! Hi!"
Aurelius glanced at him, barely masking his disappointment. "So, you were summoned too," he said coolly.
Kenneth nodded, bouncing a little on his feet. "Yup! First time at the King’s dinner! Malrik taught me all the rules."
"Did he also teach you how to lie?" Aurelius asked, his voice dry.
Kenneth blinked, confused. "Huh?"
They began walking side by side up the marble steps of the castle. Their footsteps echoed beneath the spires.
"What happened at school today," Aurelius said calmly. "You beat up the noble boy—Veiran—and his little gang, didn’t you?"
Kenneth scratched his head, eyes darting. "N-No? I mean... not exactly."
Aurelius raised an eyebrow.
Kenneth sighed. "Okay... maybe a little. But I didn't hurt anyone badly! I just didn't want to fight. They wouldn't let me leave."
Aurelius gave a cold, tight-lipped smile. "You’re a terrible liar."
Kenneth pouted. "I try my best."
They reached the top of the steps. Two massive vampire sentries, adorned in the black-plated armor of the royal guard, stood on either side of the gold-veined doors. The guards bowed low.
"Welcome, First Prince Aurelius."
"Welcome, Sixth Prince Kenneth."
Aurelius barely acknowledged them with a nod and walked past, cape swirling behind him.
Kenneth, however, stopped with a bright smile. "Hey, Commander Althus! You cut your beard. Looks good! And Sir Fenric, you still owe me that juice box from last week!"
Both guards blinked. Then, slowly, they chuckled.
"Of course, young prince," Fenric said with a grin. "Soon."
"Have fun in there, Your Highness," Althus added.
Kenneth winked. "I will!"
Then he turned and walked in, head high, posture perfect.
Behind him, the guards straightened.
Althus leaned toward Fenric. "He knows our names."
"More than that," Fenric murmured. "He remembers our lives."
They were silent for a moment.
"Maybe him being different isn’t something to be feared," Althus said softly. "Maybe it’s what we need."
The grand doors closed behind the boy.
---
Inside the palace, the long hallway to the dining hall glowed with enchanted torches. Gold-and-blood red tapestries depicting ancient vampire conquests lined the walls. Kenneth followed Aurelius, who hadn’t spoken since the gates.
"So... what were you saying earlier? About stealing something?"
Aurelius didn’t stop walking, but his voice was clipped. "Don’t play dumb. I heard the elders that day you were born. I was there. I remember. The prophecy."
Kenneth tilted his head. "Prophecy?"
Aurelius stopped abruptly. "You really don’t know, do you?"
Kenneth shook his head slowly, eyes wide.
Aurelius stared into those ocean-blue eyes, ones that should not belong to any pureblood vampire.
He felt a strange twist in his chest. Pity? Confusion? Fear?
Was this the boy the Prophet spoke of? The one who could either redeem or ruin them all?
And yet, he looked so... harmless. So kind.
Aurelius turned away with a scowl. "You’re either a brilliant actor or a fool."
Kenneth furrowed his brows, puzzled.
Then, the doors to the dining hall opened.
The long obsidian table glittered beneath the chandelier of floating blood-gems. At its head sat the King himself, flanked by the other Princes, their mothers, and key court members. Queen Seraphina sat near the far end—her eyes immediately finding Kenneth.
Aurelius walked in like he owned the room.
Kenneth followed, heart pounding. But he walked with grace. He remembered what Malrik said. He was Prince Kenneth Valdros.
He took his seat.
And the royal guards outside stood tall, looking through the windows.
"He's not like the others," Althus said.
"No," Fenric agreed. "He might be better."
- Writer
