The castle garden was bathed in soft light.
The lanterns hanging from the trees cast a golden light, while the night flowers exuded a captivating fragrance. The music from the great hall reached here, muffled, distant.
Miria walked slowly between the carefully trimmed hedges.
His mind was still restless.
She needed air.
Then…
She stopped abruptly.
Near the marble fountain, a young woman stood motionless, watching the sparkling water.
A face.
Familiar.
—…Isolde?
The young woman turned around, stunned.
—Miria?!
Their eyes met, incredulous.
"Is it… really you?" Miria whispered.
— Miria… I don't believe it…
Miria looked at it carefully.
Isolde wore a long ivory-colored dress, simple but of rare elegance. The light fabric hugged her delicate figure, and a thin silver belt highlighted her waist. Her blonde hair was partially up, letting silky strands fall around her pale face. His blue-gray eyes shone softly in the light of the lanterns.
— Wow... said Miria with an admiring smile.
—You look beautiful tonight.
Isolde blushed slightly.
— Thank you… you too, you look splendid.
Miria hesitated for a moment.
— Um… without wanting to be rude…
—What are you doing here?
Isolde let out a small laugh.
—It's… a very long story.
—Are you kidding?
— Mine too.
They exchanged a knowing look.
"The ceremony hasn't started yet," Isolde suggested.
— We could sit down... and tell our long stories.
Miria hesitated, then smiled.
- All right.
They sat down on a stone bench, out of sight, while the night seemed to hold its breath.
---
In the big room
The music rose gently.
Ikan and Alixia were chatting quietly near a column when…
— Oh but look who there…
— Little vampire Alixia and her… little pet vampire.
Alixia stiffened.
Ikan turned slowly.
Facing them stood Lior, carefully styled hair, arrogant eyes... accompanied by Naëlle, her gaze full of contempt.
Ikan smiled dangerously.
— My name is Ikan.
"And if I were as weak as you say... your cheek wouldn't still be swollen.
Lior grimaced.
– What's your name again…? Ikan continued, rubbing his chin.
— Oh no… sorry…
"You're so useless that even your name isn't worth remembering.
— His name is Lior! a female voice intervened.
— L-I-O-R…Lior.
Ikan tilted his head.
— Interesting…
— It looks like a robot that glitches and spells each letter so as not to forget.
Lior turned livid.
— YOU…
— Lior, advised Alixia with a dangerous smile,
— keep your dear dog Naëlle on a leash.
— Next time, I'm not sure you'll get through it.
— WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! Naëlle shouted.
Ikan crossed his arms.
— The real question is rather…
— who do you think you are?
Lior stepped forward, arrogant.
— My father is the vampire king's closest advisor.
— If I tell him about you... you will very quickly regret your insolence.
Alixia gave an amused smile.
- Really ?
—I can't wait to see that.
At this moment...
An elderly man approached.
Tall, straight, with neatly combed back silver-gray hair, piercing dark red eyes, and a commanding aura.
- Dad ! exclaimed Lior.
The man narrowed his eyes.
—What's going on here?
— Do you remember when Naëlle and I were attacked?
— It's THEM.
He pointed at Ikan and Alixia.
"So it's you…" the man said coldly.
— I am Lord Severian, advisor to the vampire kingdom.
—And you dared to raise your hand on my son?
Ikan ran a hand over his face, tiredly.
— I don't even know how to describe this situation anymore...
Then he stared at Lior.
— Tell me...
—Are you such a coward that you need your father to defend you?
Alixia added calmly:
— I remind you too, Lior…
— that you were surrounded by your friends and your guards.
—And we were alone.
She smiles.
— Look at our ages...
— and explain to me how we were able to knock out all these little people.
Naëlle growled:
— They must be intruders!
—Or Fishlegs' acolytes!
- Yes ! adds Lior.
—How can children be so powerful?
Severian clenched his fists.
—Listen to me carefully...
— you will not get out of here without consequences.
Ikan and Alixia exchanged a look.
Then, perfectly synchronized:
—That's exactly what we'll see.
They turned on their heels and walked away, leaving behind three vampires seething with rage...
…and a tension ready to explode.