Chapter 36: The Answer (Part I)

Under the moonlight, the man with silver hair and white clothes carried the little girl in his arms, their figures gradually receding into the distance.

Aurora and Albus—a strange pair—yet with just a subtle movement or an ordinary word, they could make one see the weight of a thousand years.

My eyes felt dry and stinging; suddenly, I began to feel a hint of jealousy.

Before their thousand-year companionship, my own feelings seemed so insignificant. Excluding the part that belonged to Aurora the Queen, within the memory of Aurora the human alone, I had possessed five years and ten days of happiness. It was an accidental joy, a happiness so profound it made me willing to die for it. Recalling the day I reunited with Gareth on the street, I was so overjoyed; perhaps back then I believed that once we reunited, we could spend the rest of our lives that way.

But as it turns out... was I the only one who believed in staying together forever, never to part?

That day, even though he stood right in front of me, I felt as if we were separated by thousands of mountains and rivers. He is the High Priest of the Inquisition, and I am the so-called Queen of the Demon Realm. Is this the definition of "being worlds apart while standing face to face"? Clearly right before my eyes, yet unreachable, impossible to hold.

Thus, even when near, he remains far away.

"Do you want to change back to your original self?" Alastor’s voice suddenly rang out softly.

"Hmm?" I looked at Alastor in slight surprise. When I asked him this at the bar, didn't he dodge the question and refuse to give a straight answer?

"Do you want to change back to your original self?" Those deep blue eyes were more serious than ever before.

"Didn't you say that without me, your heart... would break?" Slowly raising my hand, I pressed it lightly against his chest, using his own words against him.

The deep blue eyes stared at me without blinking.

Suddenly feeling flustered, I laughed somewhat awkwardly. Just as I was about to withdraw my hand, Alastor suddenly made a gesture of clutching his heart, holding my hand against his chest and looking at me with an expression of profound affection. "If you feel happy, then it doesn't matter even if my heart breaks into pieces."

I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Alastor gave me a resentful look. "Heartless woman."

Overjoyed, I patted him on the head. Because I had been unable to move earlier, I was currently being carried in his arms, which made it easy to pat his head. Given his height, I usually have to tilt my head back just to look at him.

"Oh? You can move now?" Alastor glared at me, making a move as if to drop me.

I let out a yell and clung to his neck like a koala. "I’m an injured person..."

"Weren't you already healed by Albus?" Alastor raised an eyebrow.

"My feet hurt."

"Get down."

"Alastor!" I suddenly shouted.

"Present," Alastor replied reflexively.

"Carry me on your back."

"Yes!"

That day, he said: By the oath of blood, from this day forward, I am loyal only to you.

That day, he said: By the oath of blood, I shall accompany you forever, so that you shall never be lonely.

That day, he told me: I am right by your side. Call my name when you need me, and I will appear.

Regardless of his purpose for approaching me, his kindness toward me was beyond doubt.

Perched triumphantly on his back, watching Alastor’s dejected appearance, I shook my head and grinned happily.

"Sigh... I am an Archon of the Camarilla after all, how did I end up concluding a blood contract with a woman like you?" Alastor looked like he regretted everything.

"Too late, too late. There’s no medicine for regret in this world." I tilted my head, looking like a total brat who had gotten her way.

Leaning against his broad back, I didn't see the trace of a smile in the eyes of the "annoyed" Alastor.

It wasn't his usual smile that floated on his lips, but a smile etched deep within his eyes.

"You’re really heavy." Alastor complained, intentionally walking with a wobble.

I giggled.

The moonlight was like water. Alastor carried me as he walked slowly; there was no teleporting, just a slow walk, like a human.

"Alastor."

"Yeah?"

"Can I really change back to my original self?"

"Yes."

"Didn't you say it was very difficult?"

"Difficult means it's possible, dummy." Alastor laughed.

"But I don't even know who bit me." I instinctively looked at my right index finger. A silver ring had been there, but the Queen had taken it off. I had to remember to ask her for it back; that was my only clue.

"Don't worry, I will find him."

"Is there anyone among the vampires named 'W'? Or whose name contains that letter?" I thought for a moment and asked.

Alastor’s body seemed to stiffen slightly. "Why do you ask?"

"Do you remember that I had a silver ring on my hand? That letter was engraved on the ring."

"Are you... sure?"

"Yes."

I suddenly remembered when Sol asked me to help him find Malachi, I had asked him this question. At the time, he sneered and said: Isn't the first letter of the Queen's loyal hound, Albus, a 'W'? Back then, I thought it was an absurd impossibility, but seeing Alastor’s reaction now, I suddenly didn't feel so certain.

The long silver hair that had flashed in my memory gradually merged with Albus’s appearance. Could it be that the one who bit me that night... really was Albus?

If I find the person who gave me the First Embrace, will I be able to change back to the way I was?

The simple, ordinary human Aurora?

A small ripple of happiness began to rise in my heart.

Feeling at ease, drowsiness swept over me. I tilted my head, leaning comfortably against Alastor’s back and falling into a deep, sweet sleep.

This was the most peaceful sleep I had ever had since being transformed into a vampire.

I had a dream.

In the dream, Gareth smiled at me, as gentle as he had always been.

Curling my lips slightly, I smiled back.