The four of them made their way out of the armory, Julian carried the two katanas in hands, both of them now in their scabbards.
Isadora held a long staff that had a black surface. At the top of the staff was a red orb that was humming with power.
She held to staff close to her, as if afraid to let it go.
"What's next?" Julian asked, he had a feeling that their parents still had more in store for them.
"Presents." Carmilla said.
Isadora's eyes immediately widened when she heard that.
"More presents?!" She asked, with a beaming smile.
"Yes, more presents, babycheeks." Carmilla confirmed, giving in to the temptation of pinching Isadora's cheeks.
They walked along the hallways until they stopped at the same door from earlier, the one with family sigil on.
Magnus lightly pushed the door open, and the throne room was revealed.
Their steps echoed over the smooth marble floor. High columns reached the ceiling on each side of the walk way.
On both sides of the walls were paintings of the previous emperors, all of them men, and each of them impressive in their own right.
Julian could almost swear that he felt them staring at him, but the feeling vanished when he tried to focus on it.
Of course, everything was red and black in color.
Ahead was the throne, and it's grandeur left Julian speechless.
Made from some obsidian stone, with engravings of past battles on it. The seat and high back was made from soft but firm red cushions.
A true testament of strength and comfort.
"Why is there only male emperors?" Julian asked.
"That's because females can't become empress." Magnus said.
"Why not?" Isadora asked.
"Because they can't bear children." Magnus said, again.
"Why not?" This time it was Julian, but his voice carried shock. The fact that the female members of the Dracul family can't bear children is huge news.
"That's because Dracula didn't want to same thing that happened with Tempra's daughters, to happen to his own.
So he cursed his own daughters.
The cursed prevented them from having children, and having any affection towards men. In fact, they will feel disgusted by the thought of a man touching them.
And even if, by some impossible way, the man comes close to having intercourse with the female, the female will explode upon contact with the man's privates."
Julian looked over at Isadora with pity. He couldn't imagine how it must feel not being able to love, or have your own family.
Isadora seemed unbothered by this, probably not understanding the severity of it.
"Is there a way to break the curse?" He asked Magnus.
"No," Magnus said, "and even if there was, I would never break the curse. Just the thought of my daughter having sexual relations with a male is sickening."
Magnus clenched his fist and bit down hard on his teeth at the unpleasant thoughts.
Julian looked at his mother for help, but she just shook her head. It seems she, too, couldn't do anything about it.
"Where's the presents?" Isadora asked, seemingly oblivious to the tension.
"Oh, right." Carmilla remembered their purpose here and waved her hand in the air.
A blinding light appeared in front of her, more theatrics than anything, which caused to the children to shield their eyes.
When Julian opened his eyes, he was met with something beyond anything he had ever seen.
And from them were two small horses, just old enough to not need feeding from their mother.
One of them was snow white in color, it was the purest white that Julian has ever laid his eyes on.
The other had pitch black mane, and it looked at the four of them with defiance in its gaze.
But these were not ordinary horses, because folded on their backs were two pairs of stunning wings.
Yes, that's right.
They were Pegasi.
"Horsies!" Isadora screamed out, released her staff and bolted to the white Pegasus, giving it a fierce hug.
"Guess she made her choice than." Carmilla giggled at her daughter.
Julian put the to katanas down, and slowly, but carefully made his way towards the other Pegasus.
Magnus silently slipped to Carmilla's side and whispered in her ear with concern in his voice.
"Milla, are you sure?"
"You have nothing to worry about, my love," she took his hand and gently squeezed it, "I have everything sorted out."
Magnus just nodded, trusting her, because he knew that she will never do anything that will put their kids in danger.
None the wiser of his parents exchange, Julian made his way to the Pegasus with steady and slow steps.
The creature snorted it's nose in defiance, and looked at Julian with doubt in his eyes, slowly stepping back.
"Don't worry," Julian said, "everything is okay."
He tried to put on the most non-threatening posture and most caring expression on, and it appeared to be working, as the Pegasus no longer stepped back.
Julian slowly reached out with his hand to the creature, trying to stroke it and to show that he meant it no harm.
The creature recoiled slightly at his outstretched hand.
"Alright," Julian said, noticing its agitation, "I won't move from here, I promise. Why don't you come to me?"
Julian still kept his hand stretched towards the Pegasus, but this time he made no effort to move nearer to the horse, instead inviting it to come to him.
The creature took hesitant steps towards him, but its eyes were still doubtful.
Isadora and her Pegasus watch their display with keen eyes, the both of them already becoming best friends in the short time they knew each other.
The Pegasus's head were just a few inches from Julian's hand now, then it chose to make the last step, nudging its head closer.
The moment it made impact, all the doubt in the Pegasus's eyes cleared. The comforting touch from Julian was enough to change its heart.
Julian stroked its nose, feeling overjoyed that his new companion accepted him.
"You're a difficult one, aren't you?" He laughed, hugging the neck of the Pegasus.
"Good job, you two," Carmilla said, "now I know they might not be much right now, but the true magic happens once you awaken your mana.
Then you'll be able to bond with them, and you'll share some of your power with one another."
"This is the best gift ever mama!" Isadora hugged Carmilla in genuine gratitude.
"Yeah." Followed by Julian. "Thanks."
Carmilla dropped to her knees and embraced her children, tears forming in her eyes.
"That's good, because I was hoping you'd forgive me for keeping you isolated for so long."
"We forgive you, mama." Isadora said without hesitation.
"Not only that," Carmilla's voice was starting to get shakey, "but... for what I'm about to do next."
Julian broke free from Carmilla's hold, feeling the weight and sorrow in her voice. He felt a pit forming in his stomach.
"What do you mean?" He asked, searching her face for clarity.
Tears were flowing freely from her eyes, the pain of what she is about to do next becoming unbearable.
"Mama is going to have to leave." She said, her voice heavy.
"Leave? Leave where? Why?" Julian spewed question after question, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Don't leave, mommy!" Isa said with tears in her eyes.
"Is this..." Julian was also starting to cry now, "is this because we said we didn't want to stay in the room anymore? If that's so, then–"
"No, no, no. This is not because of you guys, none of this is your fault, do understand that?" She took the two of them by the shoulder, and looked into their eyes in turn.
"You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, nothing comes close to what a blessing the two of you have been.
I need you guys to look me in the eyes, and promise me that you will never blame yourself for this."
"Isa," she shook Isadora slightly by her shoulder, "promise me."
"I-I promise." Isadora said, trying the wipe the unending stream of tears with her forearm.
"Julian, your turn." Carmilla turned her attention to her son. "Promise me."
"I-I..." Julian clenched his fist at his sides. "I promise you."
"Good, I love you guys." Carmilla's sorrow was lifted slight by this, as the last thing she wanted was for her children to feel guilty about choices she made.
"Magnus." Carmilla turned to her husband, who was looking off in the distance, unable to stand the sight of his family breaking apart in front of his eyes, and not being able to do nothing about it.
"Magnus," she repeated, "look at me."
Magnus looked her in the eyes, his own were shining with unshed tears.
"I need you to protect them, I need you to keep them save, until I come back. Can you do that for me?"
"Y-yeah." Magnus nodded. "Yes, I can. I promise."
"I love you, alright." Carmilla said.
"I love you too."
Carmilla levitate in the air for a moment, "This is goodbye, not farewell." Then, a blinding light illuminated the surroundings and she was gone.
Leaving behind a weeping family.