Erandel, 1783.
The roar of the steam engine drowned out everything inside that first-class carriage. Behind the walls of polished oak and brass, there was only a heavy silence. A person who looked like a woman of twenty-eight sat sideways, staring out the window as the mountain landscape began to be replaced by the silhouettes of red brick buildings and chimneys, spreading out and leaving trails across the reddening evening sky.
She was like a portrait from an era long buried. Her shimmering silver hair was styled with the elegance of an aristocrat; two thick strands from her temples were neatly twisted toward the back of her head, forming a twisted crown locked by a silver clip that matched her hair color. However, the style did not hide the full length of her hair; some was left to fall freely past her shoulders to her back, appearing like a softly shimmering silver curtain. This half-up style blended perfectly with the white lace blouse and layered black skirt she wore.
A gold necklace with a pale blue locket hung around her neck, glowing dimly outside her blouse collar. Meanwhile, a wide cream-colored fedora lay casually beside her long seat. Her blood-red eyes did not blink, catching the lingering twilight light from behind the window.
Opposite her, a twenty-one-year-old young man seemed restless. He wore a crisp white linen shirt that contrasted with the black cloak draped over his shoulders. His black trousers fell in a neat, slim cut, encircled by a brown leather belt that hung strong at his waist. His back was straight against the seat, but his long legs kept tapping the carriage floor to the rhythm of the steam engine. Both his hands were gripped tightly in his lap. Occasionally, he straightened his wavy black hair, which was parted in the middle, while the rest of his hair was left to hang freely until it touched his collar.
"Stop doing that, Kein. You should be more calm," the woman in front of him said without looking. Her voice was steady, as if possessing an authority capable of making Kein fall silent instantly.
Kein snorted, trying to smile even though the corners of his lips felt stiff. "This is Erandel, Diane. A busy little city. I am worried they do not have any interesting places to throw away this boredom".
"We are here to seek peace, at least until night falls," Diane replied. She finally turned, staring at Kein with a gaze that seemed able to read every inch of chaos in the young man's head. "Not to look for new trouble".
The train began to slow. The ear-piercing hiss of steam signaled that they had arrived at Erandel Station—Gate District. When the doors opened, the scents of coal, machine oil, and the heavy aroma of humans greeted them. They stepped down onto the crowded platform. Among the other departing passengers, Diane walked with the grace of a goddess. Her skin was pure white and looked fresh—indicating that her nutrition had been fulfilled before this journey. Beside her, Kein, who was slightly taller, acted as a shield watching the gazes of pedestrians toward Diane.
The reddish sunlight occasionally dazzled their vision.
"This light makes my energy slowly drain," Kein grumbled. He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head.
"At least it does not burn you. Night will be here soon. Be patient, Kein," Diane replied without looking. Her red eyes were fixed on a clock tower with towering metal rising grandly from the Center District—The Golden Spire. The building stood like a golden pillar cleaving the twilight sky of Erandel.
"Let's go there, Kein. The restaurant in that building seems to have a good viewpoint to enjoy this city," Diane pointed toward a three-story red brick building whose roof had been converted into an open-air dining area.
***
Upper District – "Twilight Sky" Restaurant.
Moonlight slowly replaced the red of twilight. One by one, the lamps along the streets began to come alive as the sunlight vanished. Diane sat gracefully at one of the best tables on the balcony's edge, letting the night wind sweep freely through her silver hair. From this rooftop, Erandel looked like a breathtaking expanse of fireflies. Inside each glass lantern box, a spark of magical blue fire burned quietly, emitting a calm and constant glow to illuminate the night's darkness.
On the polished wooden table sat a three-layered pancake with butter that was starting to melt. Diane poured honey from a small porcelain cup, her movements calm while below them, the market district still pulsed with the noise of humans. She cut the pancake slowly, occasionally glancing at The Golden Spire shimmering in the distance, then put the first bite into her mouth with the grace of a noble who was relaxing.
"Not bad. It tastes sweet and soft on my tongue, even though there is no nutrition in it," Diane praised while wiping the remaining honey from her lips with a tissue. "Try it, Kein".
Diane turned to Kein, who had been staring at her all this time. In front of the young man, a plate of similar pancakes and a glass of wine remained untouched. "Have you lost your appetite for the human food you used to eat, Kein?".
"It is not that—. I was watching you eat. You look like a typical noblewoman, Diane," the young man said with a teasing smile. Then he took a sip of the red wine on the table, without looking away from the woman in front of him.
Not long after, his right hand reached behind his waist, opening a small leather pouch hidden behind his belt, and took out a black box.
"Diane. Will you marry me and live with me forever?" Kein said in a tone that sounded natural. A silver ring adorned with a small shimmering red gemstone emerged from the box. His eyes did not waver as he stared at Diane's charming features and blood-red eyes. Hearing Kein's proposal—which was too sudden—the atmosphere became silent for a moment. Diane took a white porcelain cup with gold engravings, sipping it calmly while leaning upright in her chair.
Diane placed her porcelain cup back on the table with a soft clink that broke the silence. She leaned back, staring at Kein with a look that was hard to interpret.
"Kein, you are a brave man. Your heart is pure," Diane said. Her voice flowed calmly. She paused for a moment, as if weighing her words. "You have decisiveness and a strong human side. However...".
Diane tilted her head slightly, staring deeper at Kein. "You are still too reckless. Too impulsive and filled with a thirst for recognition".
She wore a thin smile—a smile that felt both cold and melancholy. "I appreciate your proposal. But Kein... you are too good for a woman who has become part of a rotting era like myself".
Kein was stunned for a moment, frowning while placing the closed box on the dining table. He then stood from his chair, his face full of anger. He took another object from the right side of his belt. A flintlock made entirely of black metal—from frame to grip—merged into one. Only its barrel could be bent to load a bullet. The jet-black weapon was decorated with white rose engravings creeping from end to end.
Kein pointed the muzzle of the single-barreled pistol at the man sitting at the next table. His thumb moved to flick the hammer at the back; a sharp click was heard. Then, without hesitation, he pulled the trigger.
BANG!
A projectile sped from the flintlock, hitting the target's head until he slumped down, covered in blood. The guests screamed and ran in terror at the sight. Kein's serious gaze was directed at Diane, who didn't flinch at all seeing what had just happened.
"Diane—! Am I still too good for you now?!" Kein shouted in an annoyed tone. His breathing was erratic; he immediately put his weapon back into the holster at his waist.
Would Diane change her mind?.
The woman in front of him took a sip of her coffee, which had started to grow cold. "Kein," she said, slowly drawing a breath that mixed with the scent of gunpowder from Kein's weapon. "I already told you not to make a mess here while we are seeking peace in Erandel. Now you have only made clear the impulsiveness I just mentioned".
Diane stood from her chair, reaching into the folds of her skirt and taking out a small round black velvet coin purse. With graceful movements of her fingers, she slid the metal lock on the purse frame until a soft click was heard. From within, she pinched a pure gold coin with her fingernails and placed it on the table.
"Let me clean up the stupid mess you just made first".
Without the need for ridiculous movements, Diane acted and released one of her natural abilities—Fog of Amnesia.
A thick mystical fog enveloped the building, slowly creeping and erasing the memories of the people around them regarding Diane and Kein in that incident. She approached the brooding Kein while holding out her hand. "Kein, I'm sorry for being too hard on you. For now, let's leave this place first".
Kein had no other choice; with a sad expression, he grasped Diane's right hand. A moment later, their bodies turned into a swarm of bats that flew away quickly from the Upper District, followed by the fog that slowly dissipated.
They moved to a small alley squeezed between two red brick buildings. The swarm of bats transformed back into Diane and Kein; the minimal lighting made their transition not too noticeable.
"I am sorry for being reckless and disappointing you, Diane".
Diane looked up, staring closely into Kein's eyes, which were filled with regret, with a sharp yet warm gaze. She slowly released Kein's strong and slightly rough grip without looking away for a moment from the brown eyes that occasionally reflected her charming features.
"Kein, give me the box you offered earlier. Let me keep it for you," Diane said softly. Kein gave what was requested without taking his eyes off Diane, who was slightly shorter than him. "Good, now let's find a comfortable inn to rest for a while".
Diane looked away from Kein's face and walked gracefully out of the alley, followed by Kein behind her. They walked through the stone paths of the Lower District, filled with pedestrians in various styles of clothing, and occasionally saw wooden wagons pulled by horses. Diane stopped in front of a building made of wood and stone with three floors; a wooden plaque reading—Ravenhold—was attached to the building.
"This place seems suitable for rest. What do you think, Kein?" Diane asked while looking at Kein, who loomed on her left.
Kein did not answer immediately; a moment later, he smiled stiffly. "If Lady Diane does not mind sharing the same room with me, then I agree," his smile turned into a sly tease.
"—that is a cheap flirtation that has grown obsolete in this era, Kein. For tonight, I will play along with your foolish game," Diane replied, still looking at Kein while smiling coldly.
Diane pushed the heavy wooden door of Ravenhold Inn; a small bell above the door chimed, welcoming them, followed by the aroma of old burning wood from the fireplace. Oil candles in the corners of the room lit the interior with a dim light.
An old man with a mustache and thick glasses stood to welcome them from the end of the reception desk. "Welcome to Ravenhold, Milady," the old man greeted, slightly bowing his head as Diane approached him with Kein beside her.
"This place looks vintage, and feels eerie," Kein blurted out while looking around. His eyes scanned the antiques around the lobby—from a large raven statue that seemed to be watching, to an oak grandfather clock that ticked heavily and chimed hoarsely in the corner.
"I want one large comfortable room with two beds for two days," Diane said while placing a gold coin on the old wooden table. Her right fingers, covered in white gloves, tapped gracefully as Diane observed the faded oil painting of an old castle on the wall.
The old man took the gold coin and exchanged it for a gold metal key attached to a small piece of wood carved with the number nineteen. "This is your room key, Milady. Number nineteen, located on the third floor".
"Thank you, old man," Diane said as her fingers took the key, then handed it to Kein beside her. "Kein," Diane said again. "Show me the way".
Kein nodded and took the key, leading the way with Diane behind him.
"Have a good rest, Milady. We allow you to enter," the old man said with a respectful bow. For a moment, Diane stopped walking, looked slightly to the side, smiled thinly, and then continued.
Kein's leather shoes occasionally creaked on the wooden floor as he led them to stop in front of a solid teak door. Above it was a gold-engraved iron plate with the number nineteen. Kein inserted the key into the lock, turning the mechanism until a heavy 'clack' was heard. With his bare palm, he turned the cold iron handle and pushed the thick door open.
As the door opened, the cold air trapped inside the room greeted them. Kein held the door with his shoulder, letting Diane step into the dim room lit only by moonlight from the wooden window. Diane pushed the window glass slowly; the night wind rushed into the room, blowing off the fedora on her head as her hair swayed gracefully. "Ah, my beautiful hat. Kein," Diane said softly while turning back, tucking her hair behind her right ear.
Kein quickly caught the flying hat, holding it to his chest while pushing the door closed. He immediately approached Diane and gave her her favorite fedora.
"You should be more careful Diane, you've already fascinated me after rejecting me. Are you intentionally alluring me?" Kein said, followed by Diane taking back her fedora.
"Oh, really?" Diane replied with a cynical smile while putting on her favorite fedora. "You are the one who should be more careful; the key is still in the door, Kein".
Kein looked back, then looked at Diane again with a forced smile while scratching the back of his neck. He walked back to retrieve the forgotten key, while Diane straightened her skirt and sat on the soft wooden bed. Not long after, Kein sat beside Diane. "Now what shall we do, Diane?".
"Rest, Kein. Calm your emotions which have been largely wasted today," Diane said while looking into Kein's eyes.
"I am not sleepy, Diane," Kein said while holding his forehead and furrowing his brows. The young man's face and lips looked pale.
"You look dizzy, Kein. Are you lacking nutrition?" Diane said softly, her hand reaching up to hold Kein's hand which was still on his forehead.
"Ahh. It seems I pushed myself too hard, Diane," Kein groaned.
"Being a spawn means you still have many physical and energy limitations," Diane said softly, slowly guiding Kein's hand to rest on the bed.
The woman removed her white gloves, then offered her wrist which looked white and fresh to the young man's lips. Under the thin moonlight, Diane's veins were faintly visible in blue, beside an old bite mark that had not fully faded.
"Drink. We did not bring supplies here," Diane said in a low voice, almost a whisper. "You must maintain your energy so you can use my Legacy—A unique concept of power; possessed by every True Vampire individual—of mine".
Kein opened his mouth, letting his fangs lengthen and shimmer sharply. He sank those fangs into Diane's slender wrist. Warm blood began to seep out, but Kein quickly sucked it, ensuring not a single drop of that red liquid fell to stain the bedsheets.
The moment passed in silence for a few minutes, before Kein finally released his fangs from Diane's arm while letting out a heavy breath.
Diane reached for Kein's head with her arm, stroking his long wavy hair slowly and gently, then laid him down on the soft bed.
"Sleep," Diane said in a low voice. Her index finger touched Kein's cheek, playing with it in a smooth circular motion. "Tomorrow we must move; make sure you are in prime condition".
With sparkling eyes, Kein looked up at Diane, who leaned over him and looked like a goddess with blood-red eyes. "But I cannot sleep, Diane," Kein said softly.
Diane smiled thinly at Kein. She removed her finger from Kein's cheek and pointed it at his forehead before her action was interrupted by Kein's words.
"I do not want to sleep with your Sleep, Diane".
Diane flicked her finger lightly on Kein's forehead. "I should have let you be dizzy until you fell asleep on your own," Diane said with a wicked smile.
"Ha-ha-ha," Kein laughed flatly followed by fear and looked away for a moment.
"Just kidding. I am not that mean, Kein," Diane said with a thin, sincere smile.
She stroked Kein's forehead up to his crown repeatedly while singing a melodious and foreign song to someone of Kein's age; a lullaby. The wind brushed the silent night, following the rhythm of the song Diane played.
She looked at the moon through the window which appeared small, while stroking Kein and continuing to sing. When the song she played ended, Diane looked at Kein who had fallen asleep under the touch of her palm.
With very careful movements so as not to wake him, Diane moved the young man's head onto the soft pillow. She pulled the thick blanket up to his chest, ensuring the cold of Ravenhold did not disturb the sleep of her protector.
Kein slept with red lips that seemed to smile with satisfaction, his handsome face bathed in the remaining moonlight of the night. Diane smiled while saying, "Goodnight, Kein".