322. Interlude - Saffron's Struggle Part Two

It was the day of the meeting. A gathering of all Four Greater Vampire Families. Their thralls and other lesser Vampire Families were present as well, but the focus was clearly on the Merrysters, the Crimsonfangs, the Norwoods, and the Veridians.

“Greetings, Lord Ulli Veridian and lady Anya Veridian. It has been a while since we last spoke. I am glad to see that you were able to come today.”

Saffron Merryster bowed at the couple as they strolled through the gilded hallway of Norwood Keep. Ulli Veridian was the brother of Obert Veridian, the current Patriarch of their family. He returned a smile, offering her pleasantries and nothing more.

“It is a pleasure, Lady Saffron.”

They ambled on. Saffron turned to face the small crowd streaming down the hallway. She was, of course, keeping up appearances. Once the meeting began, if there were any pushacks towards the collaboration of all the Greater Vampire Families against the Primeval Demon, she would drop her facade. Before that, she’d, of course, have to tell the rest of her family about her plan.

Mons and Feirdun were already aware. The former fully supported her, although the latter was apprehensive. Not that he could even intervene. He was still injured from the battle with the [Arachne] assassin. Now, all that was left for Saffron to do was to inform Father of her scheme. And if the Veridians were already here, that meant he should be arriving soon.

Sure enough, she spotted Crocus Merryster striding through the hallway followed by a retinue of men and women bearing the Merryster sigil.. He wore regal robes befitting the event. Neither Mother nor her other brothers were with him. He was surrounded only by servants and bodyguards.

“Father!”

Saffron exclaimed, running up to the man. His rough face softened as she reached him. A smile spread through his lips.

“My daughter. I am glad to see that you are still well.”

“Indeed, Father. Mons is entertaining the guests, but Feirdun is— unfortunately— still healing from his injuries.”

“The assassin, yes.”

Crocus’ eyes flickered. He shook his head, patting Saffron on her shoulder.

“Nevertheless, I am proud of you. The three of you. My own meetings with the Veridians didn’t prove productive. While Obert had been willing to talk, he didn’t intend to compromise his advantage over the Norwoods if there wasn’t going to be total cooperation.”

“That is about as expected.”

Saffron massaged her temples, walking alongside her father as they reached the garden.

“What about Brother? How is he?”

“I had asked Cinne to remain with Zahra and the other children. To protect them and keep them safe. While I don’t believe our family will be targeted now that the Breastplate of Alexander is no longer in our hands… that news of the assassin you had brought up to me… it is best to be on guard.”

Technically, Saffron was still a child in Crocus’ eyes. He had even forbidden her to follow Mons and Feirdun to the Norwood estates. But she wouldn’t listen, and he had no choice but to acquiesce.

She shook her head as she caught sight of Mons. The older Merryster sibling was seated next to Zin Norwood. They nodded at each other, and Saffron sighed.

“Well, let us hope for the best. But I must warn you, Father, this meeting may not go as smoothly as you think. Mardyth Norwood claims that the Crimsonfangs are scheming. They plan to make a move, and I believe it may lead to bloodshed and death.”

“Are you certain?”

Crocus furrowed his brows. His hands instinctively reached for the blade at his side. Saffron nodded.

“At least, from what I have been told, it is plausible. But I have also made my own schemes. The Crimsonfangs cannot act if all three other Greater Vampire Families are united against them.”

It was a speech. What could simple words do? Well, Saffron was going to find out.

“Father, I will be giving an ultimatum today.”

“An ultimatum?”

He paused. Saffron sighed, glancing around the gathering. A banquet table was being set up as servants hurried about to bring out the dishes. Alcohol was being served alongside an unlabeled red liquid. Blood— from animals, likely.

Those didn’t have the same effects as drinking Human blood. They offer anything for a Vampire’s [Bloodlust]. But they tasted sweet, and that was enough for them to be served today. No one was listening. Still, Saffron set up a quick silencing barrier around her and Crocus.

“We cannot waste any more time. If everyone’s going to squabble over their own personal interests, then I shall remove that obstacle.”

“You don’t mean—”

Father’s eyes grew wide. Saffron placed a hand on her lips. Even with a silencing spell, she was certain a few individuals could be eavesdropping. Especially if the Crimsonfangs overheard her.

Crocus crossed his arms.

“That is a risky game, Saffron. A bold course of action.”

“I know, but we have no other choice. You can’t stop me, Father. I’ll do what must be done.”

“Stop you?”

He chuckled, smiling at Saffron.

“You have my full support, my daughter. In fact, I am glad I brought him now that I’ve heard this.”

“Him?”

She blinked. And Crocus gestured for a man further back in his retinue. A familiar figure strolled forward, bowing his head towards Saffron.

“Matthew?”

“Indeed, Lady Saffron.”

It was her butler. Her personal caretaker. He was the one who’d been looking after Saffron since she was but a child.

“But why are you here? Father— Matthew isn’t a fighter. You shouldn’t have brought him along!”

Especially if Mardyth and Zin were right. But Crocus shook his head.

“I did not intend to bring him along. However…”

He gestured at the butler. Matthew lowered his head.

“I apologize, but I had insisted to your father that I be brought along with him on this trip. It has been far too long since I’ve checked up on you, and it is my duty to ensure your safety above all else.”

“But…”

The butler smiled, reassuring Saffron.

“Perhaps you may think of me simply as a butler, Lady Saffron. But I see myself as your protector. And while I may not be equal to a Platinum Ranked adventurer, the same could be said for you, could it not? I am sorry, but this is my own selfish request. To the Lady whom I’ve watched after since she was but a mere girl.”

The young noble flushed. She shuffled her feet slightly, lowering her gaze.

“Very well, Matthew. I suppose your help could be used. However, I ask that you keep an eye out, more than anything, for any suspicious activities. We do not want an incident to occur today.”

“Yes, Lady Saffron.”

Her butler bowed. She ushered Father, Matthew, and their retinue towards the table where Zin and Mons were seated. She was about to join in on the chatter when a figure caught her eye. A susurration washed over the gathering.

A familiar man. A man who she’d been engaged with in the past. Gannon Norwood. The unwilling Patriarch of the Norwood Family. One of the top senators of Shedos. He walked alongside Roman Crimsonfang, placating the boy. Probably in regards to the assassination attempt the other day.

Saffron drew to her feet. This was the first time she’d seen Gannon since the auction in Mavos Academy with Salvos— where an Elf attack had nearly taken Ivonne Vigil’s life. The young noble made her way towards him to greet him. He likely just arrived from the Capital of Shedos. She, of course, would like to have a word with him before the gathering officially began.

But as Saffron edged her way there through the crowd, she bumped into one of the servants. A woman carrying a tray of cake and other sweet treats. Saffron must not have been paying attention because she barely noticed her.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!”

The servant exclaimed. Saffron stumbled back as the woman spun around to face her.

“What are you doing, Fictus? Stop being an idiot!”

A manservant who’d been accompanying the woman snapped.

“I didn’t mean to mess up!”

Saffron dusted herself off.

“I am fine. Do not worry.”

She glanced up at the two servants. They were identical to each other. Twins? Although, the man had red hair, and the woman had blue hair.

“I must apologize, but I am in a rush. Please do not blame yourself for this. It was as much my fault as it is yours.”

The woman smiled.

“Aw, thank you so much. See? There wasn’t a problem, Mentior—”

Saffron just started past them, not thinking twice about the interaction. Not until she reached Gannon. She blinked. Wait—

“Ah, it is good to see you’re well, Lady Saffron.”

Gannon smiled at her. Roman wasn’t with him any longer— the boy had found a seat all by himself. Saffron narrowed her eyes before turning back to the senator.

“Lord Gannon Norwood. It has been a few months since we last spoke.”

“Please, I keep telling you to just call me Gannon. Or senator Gannon.”

“I’d rather not be reprimanded for impropriety. Not today, when you are meant to be representing your family during this meeting.”

“You’re always so uptight, aren’t you?”

He chuckled. She smiled as well. They’d known each other for quite a while. And even if their arranged marriage had been called off— because of Saffron— he didn’t bear her any ill will. Instead, he cast his gaze around the busy garden.

“Where’s your friend?”

“My friend?”

“You know who I’m talking about. That adventurer who you were quite fond of.”

His lips curled up, teasing. Saffron blinked.

“Salvos?”

“Yes, her. Or have the both of you gone beyond mere friends now?”

“We are just friends. That’s it. Please do not spread rumors about my relationship with Salvos.”

The young noble scowled. Gannon drew back, placing a hand on his chin.

“I’d have thought she was your type. A fine young lady like here sure piques your interest. And do not worry about me. You should be more afraid of my mother and her gossip.”

“I’ll ask you not to disrespect lady Zin, please. Your mother is a wonderful woman. And no— please stop casting weird aspersions on my friendship with Salvos. It makes me uncomfortable.”

“I assume, then, you wouldn’t mind me trying to court your friend?”

“Good luck. You may as well try courting a rock.”

Saffron snorted. Gannon laughed at that. The pair strode towards the main table that had been set up, only pausing to speak with the various people of import who went to greet the Patriarch of the Norwood Family.

“Hello aunt Sabine. Yes, I am still a senator. No, Saffron and I haven’t been engaged in quite a while. Lord Bast, I am glad to see your family is doing well. And, ah, uncle Mardyth.”

The elderly man glanced up as Gannon called out to him.

“Hm?”

“It is good to see you’re still in good health. I see you’re here on your own today. Is aunt Emeline not attending? She’s usually inseparable from you.”

“My wife has other, more important matters to attend to.”

Mardyth grunted, hobbling past Gannon. Saffron raised a brow. Emeline had been one of Saffron’s distant cousins who’d married into the Norwood Family. Saffron didn’t realize it, but she hadn’t seen Emeline once since arriving at Norwood Keep.

That’s odd… Saffron glanced back at Mardyth as he headed away from the garden. A pair of figures marched their way past him along with a large retinue of bodyguards. She recognized them immediately. They were Roman’s parents.

“They’re actually here. That’s Garlen and Bonny Crimsonfang. They really came all the way over here from the Eastern Kingdoms, huh?”

They were both around Level 100 each. Not as high-leveled as Crocus, of course. But strong enough to fend for themselves.

“Where is our son?”

They reached Gannon and made the demand immediately. Saffron pursed her lips, but Gannon just gave them a calm smile.

“Greetings, Lord Garlen and Lady Bonny. I can assure you, my mother has taken great care of your son during his stay at Norwood Keep. He has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, but he is just fine.”

Gannon took a step to the side, gesturing at Roman who was seated by his lonesome. The boy had been digging into a slice of cake before pausing. Gannon called out.

“Roman, your parents are here—”

“Roman!”

Bonny shoved past Gannon, running up to the boy. She helped him to his feet and dragged him away from the table.

“We were so worried about you. Are you alright? Are you— Roman?”

The boy wasn’t responsive. Saffron looked at the glazed look in his eyes. She glanced back, remembering the strange servants. The duo who’d been bringing with them an array of treats to the table. She understood what happened immediately, even if it took Roman’s parents a moment to register it.

“Roman?”

Garlen ran up to him. The boy swayed back and forth before dropping to the ground.

“Roman!”

They exclaimed. Gannon’s eyes grew wide. Saffron clenched a fist and shouted for everyone to hear.

“The cakes are poisoned!”