BLOOD AND Lightening

Chapter 43

...

" several years before the great war, Lady Aphrodite the most beautiful warrior in Alfredo on her several adventures came across a young silver-haired boy, according to the story, this boy was roaming about half naked, although he looked malnutrition he killed any being that appeared as a threat to him, he didn't speak a word to people, but Aphrodite managed to make him speak, she was kind to him, taking him into her troupe as she brought him back to Alfredo alongside her, the people grasped upon seeing him, a hair like his has never been seen only heard in stories, the original and first settlement of Vampires processed his kind of hair, but none has ever set eye on an original, they very much exist but they are where no one can see them no matter how powerful you were, so this boy was deemed an original and feared and also secluded with the only person close to him, Aphrodite, she eventually fell in love with Erebos and together they got married, apparently this boy knows nothing of his identity, like a memory wipe he had no idea who he was nor how he came about, so Aphrodite name him HALDIR which means Hidden Hero, just like his name he was a Hero leading the people to fight and victory alongside Aphrodite"

Star paused as she took notice of the mark on Nimai’s neck,

"So he isn't her biological son" Nimia nodded at the realization that his family felt odd

"because of his enormous strength, he brought so many victories, Erebos and Aphrodite thinking they won't ever bare a child adopted Him, making him HALDIR NEPHUS"

"why will they think that?" Nimai asked

"Cause procreation has always been a problem in Alfredo, especially from the full-blooded vampires, those who come from a long line of vampires purely vampires procreation is almost impossible" STAR explained "But as you might have guessed Aphrodite got pregnant right after they adopted Haldir, there is a rumor that was the beginning of Erebos's hatred for Haldir, he no longer cared about him and wanted him out from the family, but even with his hatred he dared not go against his wife Aphrodite, even though no one can tell the age of Haldir, Aphrodite took him as a son, she was so fond of him that she would fight her husband for him to remain in the family, soon Aphrodite gave birth to not one but two, twins, Paxton and Elena," Star emphasized

"they are two?" Nimai asked confused,

"Yes, Paxton the troublesome son, and Elena the replica of her mother, a warrior, and adventurer she was trained personally by Haldir, although she has been long away from Alfredo since Haldir was on slumber rumors are she will return soon, in fact, some claim she is back" Star lowered her voice "I heard she was once betrothed to Lord Eros" STAR added causing Nimai to spine around

"How do you know all this?" Nimai asked, this whole thing happened centuries ago, while Star is Indeed a mystical creature she had mentioned being very young compared to the immortals.

"The story of Master is a very popular one, although they are different versions of it, this one was told by an insider, they are the elite so they are bound to be the gossip discussion of the people, it is said that the previous duke wanted Paxton to succeed his throne but it was passed to Haldir who is his adopted son which tripled the hatred, but even if Haldir wasn't made duke I doubt Paxton would have become the duke, I know Elena would have being a better option," Star said as she clipped in the last hairpin

"you look beautiful milady," Star said with a smile as Nimai slowly rose from her chair and she took a final look at how tight the corset has snatched her waist making it almost non-existent "This is beautiful but at the same time torture," she said balancing her breath as they both began going to the throne room.

Star helped her open the throne room and as she made her way in, she felt every eye fall on her, they were like insects crawling on her skin, slowly she looked in the direction of Haldir as he smiled at her beckoning on her to approach, slowly she found herself sitting beside him.

"I knew I had good eyes for clothes" Haldir commented as she stares at him in disbelief

"You know a little compliment would have been better your grace," she said as she made eye contact with CARA, who didn't hide her rage as she almost shoot daggers to her with her eyes, Nimai suddenly felt proud that she was the one sitting by his side although CARA clearly arrived first, her heart beamed before her eyes met Haldir's mother who had an unexplainable expression, 'Aphrodite' Nimai said in her thoughts, she was beautiful, with only her dull-eyes to tell that truly she is an elder, almost everybody is young making it difficult to point out who is an elder, you have to put your eyes down and search their eyes and mannerism or even how they are addressed to be able to know an elder, the throne room was used as a welcome room, right Before Nimai entered, Aphrodite had explained that Erebos finally allowed her to visit and stay as long as she wanted, to Haldir he was torn between two emotions, she finally visited him but he knows the only reason Erebos will send his wife to his home was to get information from him, a bittersweet taste in his mouth as he looked at her, just like the first time they met she still had a dotting stare and a cheerful smile, she still called him son and asked about how he was feeling always asking if he was happy but she still want him to marry CARA, and the obvious look of uncertainty she gives Nimai.

"you are my son's wife therefore the duchess of Alfredo," Aphrodite said looking at Nimai as she only stared back, Nimai had already figured that the rest aren't really elders but the escort to Haldir's mother, they remained quiet not adding anything to the conversation just observing closely.

"Where are you from?" Aphrodite continued

"She is from the east" Haldir answered "The only surviving family of a noble clan" he added looking at Nimai who concealed her initial shock as she immediately put on her acting face

"I am Nimai daughter of Duras" Nimai confidently lied looking Aphrodite in the eyes, Aphrodite nodded as if calculating her words

"Why did you accept to wed in secret without meeting the family of your beloved," She asked

"Because I am marrying my beloved not his family, and we were going to let others know when the time is due" Nimai answered cursing herself within, as she looked at Haldir for help but he smiled and nodded at her, now she needs his help but he seemed to be enjoying the moment

"Do your people go around marrying people who are already betrothed to another" CARA asked in the most annoying voice she could utter to ignite anger but Nimai wasn't about to lose her cool not in front of Aphrodite.

"To my people, there is no such thing as Betrothal, when two people are in love, they get married when they are ready, our elders do not tie two people together and force them into marriage, such marriage is bound to end before it begins" Nimai answered with smiles not exactly looking at anyone.

"The elders do not impose or force marriage, they only seek out the betterment of their young ones, before they are joined they verified from them before going ahead," Aphrodite said sipping from the cup in front of her, listening to her Nimai didn't know what to say anymore as she looked over at Haldir only to catch him staring at her with a smile, he immediately avoided her gaze and cleared his throat.

"my wife has no say in the betrothal rather I should be the one answering, I am the person who did not tell her I was betrothed to another and married her without her knowing I was the duke, all she wanted was for us to be together and build a family without having many eyes on us but all I have done is bring exactly what she hates, attention and drama, she is a lovely and delicate woman raised with love, she despises a lot of exposure," Haldir said smiling at Nimai as she watched him, speechless she was, if only it was possible, everything he said, the both of them alone in a small cabin away from people, maybe in the woods where they live like normal people out of the prying eyes of danger and possible death but that's impossible, he was a ruler and she a witch who must stay undercover otherwise she will be killed.

"Son I need to rest, I stayed up all night with excitement that I will be spending a while with you, and now I have seen you I finally will be able to rest," Aphrodite said all smiles as she rose from her seat so did Haldir did as he approached her while beckoning on Nimai to tag along, Nimai, on the other hand, stayed back, she could feel the tension between them, it was clear Aphrodite wants CARA as a daughter in law although not verbally saying no to Nimai, the uncertainty in her eyes weren't left unnoticed.