The First Vampire

His head held low, his face dark and gloomy, as if struggling with a difficult decision.

“Saken!”

At the sound of his name, Saken Morrison stopped abruptly. When he lifted his head, he saw his wife, Nina, standing right in front of him, just a step away. Had she not spoken, he probably would have bumped into her.

“What’s on your mind?” Nina asked, her face filled with worry as she observed her distracted husband.

“Nina… I…” Looking into the gentle beauty of his wife’s face, Saken found himself at a loss for words.

Nina appeared unable to guess her husband’s thoughts. Assuming he was still brooding over his father Franco’s suicide, she tried to comfort him:

“Saken, dwelling on past sorrows is pointless: a true warrior should stand above such suffering, seeking out their self-worth amidst adversity.

Now more than ever, during these challenging times for the Morrison Family, shouldn’t you as the former Count Morrison, the direct heir of the family, take a stand and find a path towards renewal for our family?”

Saken gazed silently at his wife with a complicated look, after a long pause he replied:

“Nina, I’m no longer Count Morrison, the Morrison Family isn’t what it used to be…would you still choose to follow me?”

“Why would you ask such a thing?” Nina frowned, seeming to take offence at her husband’s question. “Have you forgotten the vows we swore before the Lord of Glory?

Be it poverty or wealth, sickness or health, success or failure, we pledged to face together until death do us part!”

Saken’s eyes prickled, his throat tightened, and his heart was deeply moved by a feeling he could not put into words.

Nina watched her husband’s emotional state, and offered him a comforting smile. “So, you don’t need to worry. No matter what choice you make, I’ll be by your side, enduring it with you.”

“Even if the path I choose…turns out to be a dead end?” Saken asked, barely daring to meet his wife’s eyes.

Even his newly assertive resolve seemed to wobble at his wife’s words.

“A dead end?” Nina’s complexion turned serious, “What are you planning?”

Realizing he misspoke, Saken felt panicked.

After hesitating a bit, he didn’t dare tell her about his and Cadina’s plan, so he lied:

“What I mean is, because of father’s death, I didn’t pledge my loyalty to Count Angler in time. Now, he must be wary of me, and even if I went to swear my loyalty now, I probably wouldn’t earn his trust.

I do understand that the Morrison Family has no choice but to follow him to the Westland, but… I fear that once I get there, he will use me as cannon fodder…”

“That won’t happen,” Nina quickly comforted, feeling relieved to see Saken showing signs of changing his mind. She was so elated that she didn’t notice her husband’s evasiveness. “Count Angler is not short-sighted. If he dare squander your life, the entire Morrison Family, and even his own reputation, would turn against him!”

“What if he really is that short-sighted?”

“Then I’ll die on the frontline with you!” Nina answered resolutely.

Saken stared into the eyes of his wife for a long time without saying a word.

Seeing his silence, Nina approached and clasped her husband’s arm as she softly spoke, “Don’t worry, such a situation will not happen. Even if you don’t believe in Count Angler’s character, you should believe in Lady Grace’s judgement.

If she chooses this path for the Morrison Family, she must be confident.

Do you think she would harm the Morrison Family?”

“No, of course not.” Saken collected himself, “I too, trust Grandmother.”

“See, everything’s fine!” Nina grabbed her husband’s arm and led him forward, laughing provocatively, “come, let’s go together and meet Count Angler — I believe he will welcome your pledge of loyalty enthusiastically!”

Saken forced a smile and followed his wife towards Colin’s quarters with a heavy heart.

After passing through the hallway and ascending the spiral staircase to the third floor of the castle, Saken and his wife were stopped in front of a wooden door by a guard.

Although the Phoenix Butterfly Fort no longer belonged to the Morrison family, the feeling of being restricted in the place he grew up was a pain to Saken.

Only after the guard announced their arrival were they allowed to enter.

Upon entering the room, Saken saw Count Angler busy going through loads of paperwork behind his desk.

“Both of you, take a seat while I finish this,” Colin waved them off nonchalantly.

Saken gently pulled Nina to have a seat on the couch, while they patiently waited.

Shortly after, Colin put down the scroll in his hand and smiled, “Knight Saken, Lady Nina, what brings you to me?”

He couldn’t deny the loss he felt upon being addressed as “Knight Saken” instead of “Count Morrison.” However, Saken took a deep breath, pushed aside his useless emotions, approached Colin and knelt down on one knee, and said:

“Respected Guardian of the North Territory, Count Angler, please forgive my previous offense.

If permitted, I, Saken Morrison, wish to pledge you an unparalleled loyalty today! Throughout my life, your will shall be my aim, and where your sword points is where I head!”

Colin gave Saken, the young knight who suddenly had a change of heart, a surprised look, but stepped away from his desk.

After all, Saken was the former Count Morrison, a legitimate heir to the family. His loyalty would greatly help Colin truly gain control over the Morrison Family.

Colin walked up to Saken, withdrew his sword, lightly touched his shoulder, and said:

“I accept your loyalty.”

Saken stood up, looked at Colin with mixed feelings, and said in a deep voice:

“Count, thank you for forgiving my previous offense!”

“It’s okay. After all, your father just passed away. I can understand your feelings. However, I hope you know who the real enemy of the Morrison family is.”

“I understand,” Saken nodded, then said, “Count, I suddenly recalled that the Morrison family records contain some secrets that might be related to Uncle Horus…”

“Oh?” Colin looked intrigued and eagerly asked, “What secret?”

“I stumbled upon it while checking the family’s archives a long time ago. Didn’t pay much attention at the time, and it has been so long that I barely remember it. Would you like to come with me and dig it out for a closer look?”

“Sure.”

Saken turned and started to walk away, but after two steps, he turned back to Nina, “Nina, I will take the Count to the library. Could you take care of father’s remains and arrange for the funeral? I’d like to bury him as soon as possible.”

Nina didn’t suspect anything and agreed, “Okay.”

Upon finishing, she left alone, while Colin and Saken ascended the spiral staircase to the top of the castle under Saken’s lead.

The Morrison family had a profound heritage, and their library occupied an entire floor.

Standing at the entrance of the staircase, Saken stopped, not moving further.

“What’s the matter?” asked Colin, puzzled.

Saken’s face showed a mix of emotions, as if he was facing a fierce internal struggle.

Colin took a deep look at him, smiled, and asked:

“Regretting?”