If there were any sins and failings that a Vampire had—or just something that existed within every one that lived or died, it was the fact that Pride, the belief that we were better than others that afflicted us so.

Perhaps this was something that affected other immortal races, our longevity and the fact that we could outlive all others gave us the reason to expect that the world was to be handed down to us on a golden platter.

And I felt that way.

When I looked at the two before me, I knew that in every conceivable way that I was superior... so it was difficult to understand why I was in such pain and why I had dreamed.

I knew for a fact what they were alluding to—afterlife.

Stories that people conjured in order to alleviate their fears of death... except there truly was an afterlife? Well, nobody knew how the minds of gods operated—so I was more bound to believe that there really wasn't an afterlife.

Or if there was an afterlife and another life... then it was simply because of the fact that faith had its power and these gods required subjects to draw strength upon.

And thus the reason why my kind were hated for we were not obliged to follow after a great god and serve him or her—we were already great.

There might have been a greater world than this, or a place beyond the stars—but in this plane, in this realm, I was one of the greatest.

So I didn't need anything more?

Such questions riddled my mind, but I knew for a fact that I was afflicted and had finally succumbed to asking a Seer, who might have been a tool of a god, for guidance.

"You wish to say that... whatever I have seen is similar to your visions?"

"Perhaps?" Eleanor said. "I... I haven't actually seen what you've seen, so I cannot tell. But perhaps it tells your story."

To hear it said so bluntly made me laugh—I let out a laugh, finding it ridiculous as I looked at the blank look of the Princess and the irked expression of Rose.

However, it was no joke and the princess was completely serious about it.

"So you mean to say..." I slowly said. "Is that I have not always been a... Well, I have not always been like this."

"Yes."

This time, there was no pain in my head... It was disturbing to consider, but now that I worded it out and phrased it as so—it seemed like reality had accepted it far more than me.

Really?

"Master?" Eleanor called out to me.

I narrowed my eyes on her and clicked my tongue. "Do not say it if you do not actually mean it, princess. You're tarnishing what is supposed to be an exalted relationship between a Master and their servant."

After another moment, Eleanor slowly nodded her head. "Lord Blackwell, what do you think then?"

"What do I think of your words and Rose's story about the wind?" I scoffed. "She sounds like someone who hasn't met or actually understands what the Sylphs are and it makes me have no interest in it."

"It means that you do not wish to consider it."

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. "Regardless of what I may have been before, it does not matter now since I am what I am today. The past—that past has no bearings with me... except for the painful and head-splitting headaches it is causing me."

"Perhaps it is because you cannot reconcile with it?" Eleanor said.

"Fine, fine if that will stop the headaches then let me admit that once upon a time... I was not as great as I am today," I slowly said. "Everyone has their own origins, but I can assure you that I have started from greater ones than yours."

"If that is what you wish for us to agree with, Lord Blackwell."

"Do not patronize me, princess." I eyed her with a frustrated grin. "I need not your words at all. What surprises me is the fact that you have stuck here until today—if you had left..."

"We weren't sure if you would kill us if we left," Rose said. "If it was true that we could leave without any problems, then we would have already."

"However, the two of us made a conclusion that it's far better to stay here than go anywhere else." Eleanor quickly added before Rose could say anything else.

It was clear that the princess called the shots—the two might have become my servants, maids... or I called them that way, but their relationship still remained to have a hierarchy between them. Not that it really mattered to me.

"Well then, now that we've talked about it... and I admit that perhaps there may be some merit to your words, the two of you are no longer needed here in my chambers," I said. "The two of you are free to retreat and do whatever."

"Thank you, my lord."

The lip service of the princess really brought no praise or joy to me, it only mildly caused me to be in disbelief of the audacity of this girl... which made me remember how her actions had caused her to injure herself around my presence.

I may have chosen to take them in, and the conversation helped fill in the dreadful silence, but it was far better to distance myself away from them.

"No need to thank me for the lack of work, it is only because there is not much to do here except maintain the surroundings," I said. "If anything, it is by having humans that makes it more necessary to clean. Your presence adds more filth—but as long as you clean up, then I have no complaints. It is similar to how I do not care for the vermin that lives in the forest. I cannot be asked to pay attention to either of you as long as you do not disturb me from my own agendas."

"...if you want to be our Master though, shouldn't you take care of your servants?" Rose suddenly said.

Both Princess Eleanor and I paused at those words. I wanted to have them outside of my chambers, but then she said such a thing?

How ridiculous.

"It's the other way around," I said. "You seem to be mistaken."