Corin of the Ashford clan
The library smelled of books, old and new. Giving this nostalgic feeling to anyone entering. It was faintly lit by the chandelier that hung above making the vibe classy.
Seated in the farthest corner of the room was Corin Ashford. Legs crossed with a book in his hands. His deep forest green eyes filled with a mix of focus and intrigue. His dark brown hair fell over his forehead , giving him an almost ethereal look. Even in the dimly lit room, his freckles were still very much visible.
He was so immersed in his book that he didn't notice when a pair of light footsteps approached him.
" Uncle Corin! Uncle Corin!!"
An excited voice called out. He raised his head up, his eyes landing on the little vampire not less that ten years old. His golden brown hair tousled from running, his cheeks flushed red and his smile wide enough to lighten up a place.
Elian Ashford. Nephew to Corin and his best friend in the castle.
He smiled softly noticing the boy was hiding something behind his back.
" Elian, how many times will I tell you that you should use your inside voice when in the library?" he asked.
Elian grinned unapologetically, his fangs showing slightly. His excitement was too much for him to remember the rules Corin had tried to instill in him.
" I'm sorry uncle. I was in a rush to give you something." Elian said
Corin raised an eyebrow. He closed the book, marking the page with a silk ribbon then he dropped it on the table nearby.
" Come here" he said, gesturing for Elian to sit on his laps.
Elian immediately rushed to his side, jumped on his laps but keeping the thing behind his back hidden from Corin's sight.
" So… what do you want to show me?" Corin asked, laughing softly at the little vampire's actions.
" Close your eyes" Elian said.
" Is it really necessary for me to do that, Elian?" Corin asked, chuckling.
Elian nodded fiercely. He frowned and looked Corin in the eye. He had the same green eyes like Corin, which made him feel a sense of attachment to him.
" If you don't close your eyes, it won't be a surprise and I will be upset with you" he said.
Corin laughed almost loudly this time.
" Okay, little one. I will close my eyes." he said, closing his eyes in anticipation.
Elian smiled. He leaned closer to Corin's face and Corin laughed.
" Why are you leaning so close?" he asked and Elian moved back a bit.
" How did you know? That means you weren't closing your eyes properly." he said frowning.
" I am, you silly boy. I could still feel your breath on my face." Corin answered.
" Oh! Okay then. Make sure they are closed." Elian said.
" They are closed."
Elian looked at Corin for a moment longer before pulling out the thing he was hiding behind his back. It was a wine bottle, with a golden thread attached to it's top. He placed it in front of Corin's face and Corin sniffed the air. A slight frown forming on his face.
" Open your eyes now!" Elian said.
When Corin did, he stared at the bottle. His soft eyes turning serious immediately and Elian noticed it. He pouted, eyes watering already.
" Do you… not like it?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
" Elian, where did you get this from?" Corin asked, his eyes not leaving the bottle.
The bottle shimmered in the dim light. It's content a deep crimson, almost too rich to be ordinary wine.
" Are you upset with me? Will you scold me?" Elian asked, a tear rolling down his chin.
Corin sighed, a smile forming on his lips. His face softening as he wiped Elian's face gently, then he leaned in and kissed his forehead.
" I'm not upset with you, my precious. I can never be" he assured.
" Then why don't you like the gift?" Elian asked.
Corin hesitated for a bit. His smile faltering.
" I do love it… but I need to know where you got this from?" he asked, concerned.
" I… got it from grand- uncle's bedchamber" Elian replied, feeling guilty.
Corin stiffened. He knew it was his father's but he still hoped it wouldn't be.
Elian looked at his face, assessing.
" Is something wrong, uncle Corin?" he asked.
" How did you sneak into his room?" Corin asked.
" While I was playing, I saw him go out and so I entered." Elian replied.
Corin sighed, hardly.
" Did you drink out of it?" he asked and Elian shook his head negatively.
Corin let out a relieved breath. Then he smiled again, ruffling Elian's hair and the little one giggled.
" Next time, don't sneak into others bedchambers. Okay?" Corin said.
" Yes, uncle Corin" Elian replied.
" But… I can sneak into your bedchamber, right?"
Corin laughed.
" Of course, my precious" he said.
He leaned in and kissed Elian's two cheeks, then he took the wine bottle from his hand.
" I'll go see my father now. Don't mess around, okay?" he said, setting Elian down from his laps.
" Okay uncle Corin" Elian said, nodding.
Corin gave one last smile at him before turning towards the door. His smile vanished replaced with a serious look. He looked down at the wine bottle in his hand.
" Father might not get mad if I don't tell him Elian snuck into his chamber." he thought.
He exhaled, his grip tightening on the bottle. He was heading towards the study. The only place he knew his father would be. He stopped in front of the giant two doors and sighed again.
He looked at their clan emblem. A silver moon cradling a black rose, entwined with vine thorns. He placed his hand on it, feeling the carving underneath his palm.
With a slight force, he pushed the door open and stepped into the study. It was just like the library and Corin's second favorite place in the castle because it had books and records regarding things of the past. His father had leaned back on his chair relaxed. His eyes closed and his long wavy brown hair were still neatly arranged.
Corin smiled stepping closer.
" Father, you should rest in your bedchamber if you are tired." he said, bowing slightly.
"Mmm… you still care about your old man?" his father asked and Corin chuckled.
" You don't look that old, father." he said.
Alaric Ashford, clan leader of the Ashford clan finally opened his eyes. A captivating pair of hazel. A smile slightly formed at the corners of his lips.
" Such a sweet talker, you are" he said.
His eyes shifted to the wine bottle in Corin's hands and Corin cleared his throat.
" Father, I happened to pass by your bedchamber to find you… I noticed it was not kept in it's place, so I brought it to you here." he lied through his teeth.
Alaric stared at him, he knew his son was lying to him and he didn't care as to why he was.
" Are you trying to cover up for someone again?" he asked.
Corin stayed silent, instead giving a broad smile.
" You know me well, father."
Alaric shook his head. Sitting upright, he gestured for Corin to place the bottle on the table.
" What are you working on?" Corin asked as he placed the wine on the table glancing briefly at the scrolls that were scattered across the table.
" I cannot disclose that to you yet, son." Alaric replied.
" But I do have one thing I need you to do for me."
Corin nodded, sitting in front of his father.
" What is it?"
" I supposed you must have heard of Valemorra Academy?" Alaric said and Corin smiled lightly.
" Do you want to send me there?" he asked.
" Mmm"
" Why?"
Alaric looked away from him and stared at the spread out scrolls before him. Corin leaned in, his eyebrows raised.
" Is it related to what you are working on?" he asked.
" Not exactly. I just feel that going there will do you more good than your self study in here." Alaric replied.
" But father, I am contented with staying here." Corin said.
" I am closer to everyone here."
" Being close to everyone is good. But, you have to broaden your knowledge. See the world outside the castle" Alaric pressed on.
Corin looked out of the window, considering what his father said. It was true that he rarely got out of the castle but it wasn't his fault. He had nowhere to go asides roam around the castle and it's surroundings.
It was tiring sometimes. But it had made him know the type of person he was, and he was satisfied with staying in his confined space. Away from the chaos.
" If that is what will please you… then I will do it " he said, looking back at his father. A gentle smile on his lips.
Alaric reciprocated the smile, placing a hand over Corin's.
" I know you would agree. You are more obedient than the rest." he said.
" I only want to please father and make him happy." Corin said
" You are doing just that." Alaric said.
" And while you're there, keep an eye on the other heirs. If they have ulterior motive…let me know."
Corin stood up, bowed slightly and turned away from his father.
" So this is a mission? What are the other clans up to this time?" he thought as he stepped out of the study.