The Vampire's Love: You Are My Destiny

Graven was talking to Terros outside the bamboo hut, sipping their coffee while resting under the shade of the mahogany tree.

Terros can't believe it at first when Graven suggested - to seek peace negotiation with the enemy.

"Are you really serious with your intention, seeking peace with your enemy?" Terros asked in disbelief.

"Yeah," Graven said gloomily. It's not his first choice, of course, revenge is always been his top priority after he escaped the clutches of death. But everything changed when the women urged him not to seek revenge.

"You said that Rebecca is willing to die along with her husband?"

"Right?"

"When she said that - it made you change your mind right away?"

"Not only that... Menedelia and my wife also pleaded on Rebecca's behalf urging me not to pursue revenge, but deep inside I was torn between taking vengeance, wiping the enemies from the face of the earth once and for all so that my wife and her family can finally live in peace without worrying about the vampire couple who is in hot pursuit after Laura. Am I wrong wanting to kill my enemies, Grandpa?" Graven asked.

"You're not wrong, son. The women are also not wrong when they begged you not to pursue your desire of revenge. Just that the enemy has to pay what they had done to us since they started it, we can only retaliate. Based on your narration, Rebecca's husband is very good to her, saved her and protected her a lot of times, if that is the case then we don't have to kill him. However if you want, we can kill the other members of his family, especially the vampire couple, the one who started it all," Terros suggested.

Graven stared at Terros. "What do you mean, Grandpa?"

"We can send one of your men to do the dirty deed. For example, kill the couple while they're on an errand outside, attack them and make it look like an accident," Terros suggested.

"That's a good idea, Grandpa!" Graven said. "But you mean to say that we no longer have to establish a peace negotiation with them? Is that what you mean?" he asked for a clarification.

"Let's try the negotiation process first, if they're still trying to find ways to bring harm to your family, then that will be the time to assassinate the vampire couple and make it like an accident, we will do it that way to make sure that Rebecca's husband can't put the blame on us. Based on my understanding, Rebecca love her husband but hated the vampire couple who threw her into the furnace. It will be both a win win for all parties. But to make sure the ladies won't discover our plan, let's continue the peace negotiation process if they're willing and progress from there," Terros suggested.

Graven nodded his head. "Your suggestion is good, Grandpa. I'm willing to try it," he said.

"Good. I'll let you know if I can think of another way to end your dilemma, but for now let's settle for the two ideas we have already discussed because they're easier to implement and they're most effective," Terros concluded.

"Thanks, Grandpa! I'm glad that I came here to listen to your opinion, it cleared the confusion in my mind significantly," Graven said.

"Don't mention it, son. I'm glad you come here to share your burden so that I can have someone to talk to," Terros smiled.

Graven stood up. "Can you please check what's lacking in your pantry? I will instruct one of my men to buy your food ration in the market," he said.

Terros shook his head. "No need, son. I still have enough food supply that will last for two weeks. I haven't consumed the previous supply yet because we're under captivity by our enemies and I have free food there courtesy of the vampire couple, a special thanks to their son Nathan aka Luke who always instructed the servant to bring me delicious meals each time."

"Okay, Graven said. "By the way, what if the other party will agree to the peace negotiation process? Shall we abort our plan to assassinate the vampire couple?" he asked.

"Well, who doesn't want peace? This world is a beautiful place to live as long there's peace among us and everyone understand each other. So, why not? But then - we can't always lower our guard down. What if they will change their mind suddenly and resumed kidnapping Laura again?" Terros said.

"That's what I'm also thinking in my mind right now..." Graven stated.

The men were enveloped with silence.

A few minutes later.

"Grandpa, why don't you come with me?" Graven said. "Let's have dinner in my manor. I will instruct the cook to prepare your favorite dishes," he offered.

Terros smiled brightly. "Sure! I won't say no to a good food as long it's free!" he said enthusiastically.

"Great!" Graven said.

Terros stood up and said, "I'm going to get drinking water from the stream first before we leave."

"Sure! I'll accompany you to the stream," Graven offered.

They climbed the stairs and deposited their empty mug on the kitchen sink and took the jars.

The men exited the house and walked on the path leading to the stream.

While walking...

Graven looked at Terros. "Grandpa, why don't you stay with us in the manor? That place is big enough for all of us. There are plenty of people that you can talk all day long in my place. There' Father Simon and Mother Rosa and the servants. Unlike here, you're always alone and lonely. Maybe a change of place will do you better," he suggested.

Terros smiled. "Thank you for your offer, son. I truly appreciated your generosity. But not right now, I'm still capable enough to take care of myself. I'm not exactly depress with my solitude. I'm not gonna say never to your generous offer because one day I might get bored with my situation here. Don't worry, when I'm ready to relocate to your big house, I won't hesitate to accept your offer," he said cheekily.

"Alrighty!" Graven said.

After they reached their destination, they quickly filled their jugs with drinking water because the sky started to darken, it looks like it's going to rain anytime soon. After their jug was filled, they teleport back to the house and proceed to Graven's manor.

....

~Corbin's Manor~

Rebecca was feeling restless in her bedroom. She needs to go back to Graven's manor, ASAP!

She left the bed and went downstairs to find Ebony. She found the woman helping the cook in preparing dishes for dinner in the kitchen.

Ebony looked at Rebecca.

Rebecca went to Ebony's side. "If my husband suddenly arrives and looking for me, please tell him that I'm going to Laura's place. I'll be back after a few minutes," she said.

Ebony was about to ask Rebecca why she has to go back there again when she had just come back from there a while ago, but before she can utter a word, Rebecca was already gone. She released a deep sigh. She noticed the stress on Rebecca's face. What could be the problem?

It seemed the lady is having a problem right now and a serious one.

Should she tell Lord Corbin about it? Or just stay away from the couple's problem?

Which is which?

She released a deep sigh and continue chopping the chicken meat on the wooden chopping board.

...

~Graven's Manor~

Graven and Terros were relaxing on the couch in the living room when Rebecca suddenly materialized in the middle of the room.

"Rebecca!" Graven said.

Rebecca went hastily to Graven's side. She has to tell him her plan quickly and go back to her house before her husband arrive home and finds her gone. "Graven, I'm here to tell you about my plan!" she said.

"What is it...?" Graven asked.

"I will volunteer to kill my father-in-law so that both parties can enjoy peace," Rebecca said.

Graven and Terros looked at each other in shock.

"So, you're also going to kill your mother-in-law?" Terros asked.

Rebecca shook her head. "No need, because my mother-in-law is already dead! She's inside the coffin now, housed in one of the rooms in the underground facility together with her dead son, Nathan," she explained.

The men brows knitted together in confusion.

"Who killed the vampire woman? How did she die?" Graven asked.

"Sylvia conducted the ritual that will send her soul to the netherworld, leaving her body behind. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to return until now. We presumed that something bad happened to her in the netherworld, therefore she can no longer returned to her body. In short, it's only my father-in-law and Corbin that is managing the whole property on day to day basis," Rebecca elaborated further.

Terros nodded his head. "Ah, I remember that event! So... Madam Sylvia hasn't return yet since she performed the ritual? That's good news! I'm 90% sure that she won't be able to return to the land of the living anymore," he said confidently.

Graven was silent for a moment. He also heard about the ritual and he had entirely forgotten the result of that ritual due to so many things that already transpired after they left the enemy's territory.

Rebecca looked at the men. "Guys, for the peace of everyone, I'm going to kill my father-in-law!" She repeated, just in case they didn't take her seriously. "I have only one request, please spare my husband! Please? He's so good to me! I can't let him die!" she begged, teary-eyed.

Graven sighed. "No need to beg about your husband's safety, rest assured that we won't touch him. Also, you don't have to murder your own father-in-law. I will appoint one of my men to do it. We will make it look like an accident, the murder must happen outside your husband's family home. So, starting from now, don't make any move in killing Zalvo, you will only put your life in greater danger. Do you understand me, Rebecca?"

Rebecca's face brightened up a ton. As if a heavy load has been lifted from her shoulder. "Great! So, I will leave the killing of my father-in-law in your men's hands?"

"That's right!" Graven replied.

"Thank you! I'm feeling better now that I don't have to do it anymore. I'm feeling a little bit guilty just thinking about it," Rebecca said. She stood up. "I'm not going to stay any longer. I have to go back to my house before my husband arrive. Bye, Graven... Grandpa!" she said cheerfully.

"Bye, child!" Terros replied.

"Bye, Rebecca!" Graven responded.

A few seconds later, Rebecca vanished from the room.

The men looked at each other.

"Rebecca just sealed our plan!" Graven beamed.

"Absolutely!" Terros replied.