46. The First child
Victor Follows Sister Florence — Quietly, Carefully
The moment Sister Florence walked out with tears streaming, a heavy silence suffocated the mansion.
Marcelline stood frozen, staring at the door, her heart crushed.
Victor watched her.
Then without a word, he turned and walked out after Florence.
Not because he wasn't worried about Marcelline…
But because Florence's pain was a different kind of fatal to everyone in this house.
Even a vampire respected that.
---
Outside the Mansion — Florence Walking Alone
Florence walked slowly down the old stone path toward the small church building on the estate.
Her steps were fragile. Her fingers trembling. Her breath shaky with silent sobs.
Victor kept a respectful distance.
He didn't announce himself. Didn't speak.
Just followed quietly.
Florence finally stopped under the old willow tree near the chapel.
She pressed her hand to her chest, trying to breathe through her heartbreak.
Then—
Her voice crumbled.
"Why must she suffer again…?"
Victor froze behind the tree.
Again?
He stepped slightly closer but stayed hidden.
---
Florence's Confession — To the Air, To God, To Herself
Florence sank onto the stone step, her tears dripping onto her dress.
Her voice was soft, broken.
"She was just a baby when I found her… in that ruined temple… covered in dust and light…"
Victor stiffened.
This was new.
Florence clutched the silver rosary around her neck.
"I promised—
I swore—
I would keep her away from that fate."
Her breath hitched.
"I raised her as my own…
I thought—
if I gave her a peaceful, human life…
the ancient curse… the ancient war…
would never find her."
Victor's eyes widened.
Cursed? Marcelline?
Florence's voice cracked again.
"But now it's happening again.
The same signs…
The same darkness…
The same pull."
She sobbed harder.
"And she's walking straight into it…
just like she did…"
Victor's heart stopped.
She? Another woman? Someone else? Someone connected to Marcelline?
Florence whispered:
"Please… not my child…
Don't take her like you took the first one…"
Victor's breath caught.
First one?
First child?
Florence had raised someone before Marcelline?
And that girl—
died because of the ancient war?
His eyes darkened in horror.
---
Victor Steps Forward — Gently This Time
He couldn't stay hidden anymore.
Slowly, he approached.
"Sister Florence…"
She gasped softly, wiping tears quickly, trying to hide her trembling.
"Victor… forgive me. I didn't realize you—"
He shook his head gently.
"No… you needed to let that out."
Florence lowered her gaze, shame and heartbreak mixing in her eyes.
Victor spoke softly — not flirting, not teasing — but with genuine respect:
"I have never seen Elli frightened.
Never seen her hesitate.
Never seen her hurt."
He stepped closer.
"But tonight… I saw something worse."
Florence looked up.
Victor continued:
"I saw her break from the thought of hurting you."
Florence covered her mouth, tears returning.
Victor's voice softened further.
"She will face an entire country alone, just to protect you…
Amara… Mia… all of us."
Florence's hands clenched.
"That is what terrifies me…" she whispered.
Victor gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder — respectful, soft, almost brotherly.
"No matter what happens…
I swear on my throne…
I will not let anything harm Elli."
Florence's eyes softened for the first time.
She whispered:
"…Thank you, Victor."
Victor added quietly:
"And sister Florence…
whatever you meant by the 'first one'…
when you're ready…
tell her.
She deserves to know."
Florence looked away, conflicted, fearful.
But she nodded.
A single, broken nod.
---
Meanwhile, Inside the Mansion…
Marcelline felt a sudden sharp ache in her chest—
as if someone she loved
was crying her name.
She whispered:
"…Maa."
Her eyes lowered, full of guilt.
She didn't know
that the truth Florence hid
was even darker
than the power Marcelline was chasing.
---