Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 265: Hemocardiatis

Chapter 265: Hemocardiatis

Back in the piano room, Duncan was engrossed in the melody that came from the piano which he meticulously played. The haunting notes of a melancholic melody filled the air, his long, slender fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys. His facial features bore an air of elegance, yet there was an undeniable sadness in his crimson eyes that matched the deep hue of his flowing dark hair.

Apparently, being here, where he could play till his fingers hurt, was his only escape place, the only remedy to the servitude he was vigorously placed in, regardless of his status as King, although he never saw himself as one since he is never allowed to do anything.

His title is merely a scam, whereas he remains isolated in his own home.

When he hit a sad note at the reminder of his life, a familiar, feminine voice that belonged to his Mother began resurfacing in his mind.

’You are ill Duncan! Don’t act like everything is fine with you! You are NOT fine!’

’I am your Mother, you will listen to me!’

’The people do not need a weak King to stand up for them, you simply cannot rule a Kingdom unless you’re healed!’

’I am your Mother, I want what is best for you’

As the somber tone resonated with the words of his Mother, his thoughts drifted to the relentless affliction that had plagued him for decades.

The Hemocardiatis.

It was an unprecedented ailment that had cursed his existence, causing his once-powerful heart to weaken and struggle to pump blood. It was an illness that had stolen much from him over the years- the ability to enjoy a sunrise, the taste of fine wine, and the freedom to roam in the daylight. He wasn’t always like this, but now he hardly remembered what it once felt like to be free.

His taste for blood had increased exponentially, and that was the reason he had to stay isolated. He didn’t want to hurt anyone, but his Mother– rather than telling the truth to his people and coming up with a solution, his Mother had lied that his illness was contagious, and that anyone who gets close would be contacted. He could never understand her reason for blowing false news, and she would never tell him.

When he queried her on the matter, she always used the same ridiculous excuse, claiming it was merely for his own good. When he tried to push the matter, she would use the Mother trick card on him. He never argued with her, he respected her despite her actions, but she basically controlled his life– his kingdom, and sadly enough, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

He had searched wide and hard for a remedy, but nothing had proven effective. The herbs he took were merely pain relief, because without them, he’d be a vampire in agony. However, one of the old priests in Caledonia had informed him about a legend that spoke of a cure, a rare elixir that could only be derived from the blood of a girl who possessed a unique and pure essence.

Unfortunately, the one with such essence had been castrated from the kingdom by her family, concerning a scandalous matter she had been rumored to be a part of. As he could not leave his kingdom at that time of his immense weakness, he assigned the task to his loyal companion, Atticus, his guard. He had scoured the annals of history and traveled the world in his pursuit to find that girl, but he has yet to find the girl he sought.

His urge for blood that would ease his pain had left him vulnerable, but the herbs he took daily had somehow helped in regulating his abnormal thirst for blood. He yearned not for the blood of countless victims, but for a chance at a life unburdened by his Hemocardiatis.

In the shadows of the piano chamber, his red eyes glistened as he continued to cling on to the hope that one day he would find the remedy that could release him from the chains of his ailment, including the chains his Mother had firmly tied around his neck, making him a subject to her orders and command. If he can escape this, he would take back what was rightfully his and boost the level of his powers, cause he was this close to ascending to a Lord.

"When?" He sighed out, hitting a harsh tone that loudly conveyed his inner turmoil.

A sudden knock on the door had stopped him from playing any necessary tune, his blood pressure nearly shooting up at the thought that someone might have heard his tune. Knowing he had used a barrier to block out any form of sound from being heard, his heart subconsciously eased, and his expression switched before he gave the orders.

"Come in."

When the door opened, Atticus stepped in and lowered his head in a polite bow. "Your Majesty, the King’s personal guard is here to see you. Shall I grant him entrance?" Asked Atticus.

"You mean Herbert?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Let him in." He quickly said, already expecting the human’s presence. With another bow, Atticus turned to leave, and Herbert stepped in next.

He walked up to Duncan and respectfully lowered his head, "Your Majesty."

"What do you have for me?" Asked Duncan who had turned in his seat to look at Herbert, arms folded, whilst his index finger tapped gently on his forearm.

Herbert couldn’t say he was stunned concerning Duncan’s straight-to-the-point manner of speaking. This would be their first interaction, and he had to admit that what people normally said about his no nonsense aura was indeed true.

"I have information about the one you currently seek but..." Herbert’s eyes hesitated as he kept his gaze on the floor, but Duncan simply sipped from his bitter, herbal tea, his expression indifferent.

"But what? Herbert?" He inquired, "did you find her, or did you not? A yes or no will work fine. If you are concerned about my disappointment at the end of it, then you are correct, I will be hundred percent disappointed, but I am not one to hold a grudge. Speak up."

"The name of the girl is Lucienne Devoir," he began, "I did a thorough scout on GreenHollow and there is only one bearing such a name, and... she’s a servant here."

"A servant?" Duncan’s eyes flashed with a look of suspicion, his eyebrows slightly raising at the news, and then they pulled together.

"I want to see this servant. Bring her to me."