Duke, bringing new clothes for himself from South City Market, returned to his academy and went towards his room from Mirror Hall. At that time, the Falcon Family House was bustling with activity. Even outside his room, there was a crowd of people from other families. Duke pushed past them and started to go inside to see what had happened, when a faint yet powerful scent of blood reached him. For a moment, he was completely captivated. Then, pushing everyone aside, he went inside, where on the table in front of the sofa, there was a bottle of blood, purple in color, beautifully decorated, and all around the bottle people were staring at it in astonishment, as if they were about to pounce on it.He came inside, where in the middle of the sofas, someone was staring at that same bottle… When Duke called out, his attention broke.
Duke: Brother Blake, who brought this blood bottle… and that too purple blood…
Blake (looking at him in surprise): The Headmaster sent it, for you…
Duke: For me?… Oh no, this isn't for me, it's for someone else.
Jerry: Look, Duke, if you don't want to share it with us, then don't make excuses.
Duke: Hey, it's not an excuse, this bottle is a gift for someone, which I have to deliver… And do you think that old Headmaster would give me such an expensive gift?
Blake (agreeing with Duke): Then who is it for?
Duke: White Commander North Side… it's his birthday today.
Blake: Yeah, so why are you taking it? Someone else could take it too.
Duke: Well, the Headmaster has some urgent work, so he's sending me in his place.
Blake (in shock): What… are you serious?
Then Duke showed him the invitation letter, and after seeing it, Duke and all his family members began to somewhat believe that this blood really was for someone else. Then Duke picked up the bottle and placed it in his pocket along with the letter. The expressions on their faces as the bottle left were worth seeing. Then Duke made space on the sofa and sat down with Blake, telling him everything about how the Headmaster had requested him, which he couldn't refuse. Blake listened to everything, then left for the academy, and while leaving, he said to Duke—
Blake: Keep control over your mouth and behave yourself.
And he left the room. Along with him, all the boys who had classes also left.
Duke then went to his private room, where he placed the new clothes he had brought into the cupboard. He had time until evening, so he decided to rest for a while and fell asleep.
Around 6 in the evening, he woke up and went to freshen up. Then he put on his new clothes, fixed his hair, washed his face, and came out of his room… like a royal prince. On the way to Mirror Hall, everyone who met him kept looking at him. Duke was the most handsome in the Falcon Family, and today, well-groomed as he was, and with the reputation he had built in the academy over the past days, it was natural that everyone's eyes were on him.
Duke reached near Mirror Hall, then told the Gatekeeper the address. The Gatekeeper pointed towards a mirror, and Duke went through that mirror, coming out of another mirror outside the Palace Gate of North City. North City was shining brightly today… lights could be seen everywhere. Above the city, three kinds of dragons — made of fire, wind, and water — were circling, likely created by a 5th-level magician. They looked beautiful and magnificent, and from time to time, they collided with each other… producing faint flashes of lightning. Duke enjoyed watching all this. Then he turned towards the main gate, from where the path led into the Palace Hall, where there were two counters for guests to enter based on their invitation letters.
Duke had a royal invitation, which he presented at counter number 2, where, compared to the crowd at counter number 1, there was none. The checker there glanced at Duke and then allowed him to go inside. Duke went ahead and saw stairs leading up to the hall's balcony, meant for VIP guests. Those entering from counter number 1 came into the main hall. The balcony above was filled with powerful families from Sector A and Sector B of the North Side, consisting of gold or half-gold level vampires, while the families in the hall below were smaller ones.
Climbing up, Duke entered the gallery and saw many familiar faces — from Sector A, Anthony of the Smit Family; from Sector B, Falcon Family, Gry Family… and many other families from the other side as well. Some royal family representatives and North Side Hall representatives were also present. In the hall, waiters were serving gold wine, whose fragrance was in the air.
Duke scanned the entire gallery, then went to the liquor counter in a corner, took a glass of high-level liquor, and began drinking. Suddenly, a hand touched his back — it was Harry from the Smit Family, Veronica's father. He said to Duke—
Harry: Duke, how are you? How's the academy going?
Duke was surprised — until now, even if Duke stood next to him, he wouldn't bother to glance, but today, after seeing his power, he was speaking as if they had known each other for years… Looks like Veronica told him about me.
Duke: It's going fine, for now…
Harry (smiling): So you're an alpha… Falcon Family hides its secrets well…
And then he waved at someone to come over — "Over here, over here…"
The one Harry called over was none other than Luke… who came over, saw Duke there, and hugged him… as if he loved Duke dearly. Duke didn't like this and tried to push Luke away. Luke let go, then grabbed his ear and said—
Luke (happily): So our quiet one was hiding his power all this time… If you had told us earlier, what harm would it have done? We would have helped you instead. You just can't give up this habit of surprising people.
Duke (irritated): Uncle, leave my ear… Now you know, so let go…
Then the announcement of the commander's arrival was made… Everyone turned to look in the direction from where the commander was coming. The commander entered, and everyone went forward to greet him. Duke was left alone there, so he poured himself another glass of liquor and, sipping it, watched the commander's celebration. The commander greeted the people in both the upper balcony and the hall below, then cut the cake… then he and his family began meeting everyone. After that, the gift-giving ceremony began. The names of people with invitations were announced in order of their power…
The first five names were of royal family members and the families of commanders from the South and East Sides; their representatives or themselves went forward to give gifts. Then the seventh name announced was the Headmaster's. As soon as the Headmaster's name was called, Duke got up and went to give the gift. Seeing Duke present the gift in the Headmaster's name shocked all the families present. People began whispering that the Headmaster must be fully supporting the Falcon Family. The Gry Family was the most surprised — they still didn't know much about Duke. Luke was so happy that he had already downed two glasses of liquor in celebration.
Duke gave the gift, bowed slightly to show respect to the commander, and the White Commander looked at him. Then Duke returned to his seat. The Dark Hall's master's representative had also come — Oliver Gry in his place. He too presented his gift to the commander and left. Then names kept being announced one by one, and the ceremony went on like this.
While all this was happening, Duke was busy drinking his liquor… when a special guest was announced, and some royal family guards entered from the same direction as the commander earlier. Everyone turned to look that way. Duke, too, with his glass in hand, looked in that direction.
All the guards who entered were standing on both sides, and between them came a girl who looked no less than an angel. Her charm was such that anyone who looked at her couldn't take their eyes off. Duke, too, was lost in her charm for a second… She came inside and started walking towards the commander, and while walking, her eyes fell on Duke. She smiled slightly. Duke, too, smiled automatically at her and thought to himself — Who is she? And why did she smile at me?
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