Scarlet, Cassandra, Belatrix, and Daniela stood in front of Strax, arms crossed and expressions ranging from irritation to frustration. He, on the other hand, was sitting on an improvised chair, calmly eating a blood burger as if nothing was wrong.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WE WENT THROUGH LOOKING FOR YOU?!" Scarlet exploded, her voice carrying a genuine fury that made even so nearby vampires cautiously back away. "YOU WERE GONE FOR HOURS, STRAX! HOURS!"
"That's right!" Daniela chid in, pointing an accusing finger in his direction. "Do you know how humiliating it was for us to walk around the entire market asking people if they'd seen 'a strange vampire'?!"
"I'm not strange," Strax comnted nonchalantly, taking another bite of his burger. "And it's not like I had a choice. I was, shall we say, compelled."
"Are you seriously arguing about this right now?" Cassandra said incredulously. "The issue isn't whether you had a choice. It's the fact that you disappeared without saying a word and left—WITH HER!" Cassandra emphasized the last part, her hands gesturing for added effect.
"As if that wasn't enough, YOU vanished without any of us and went with Elizabeth Tepes! Do you know what that ans?!" Belatrix asked, her voice more composed but still dripping with disappointnt.
"Um… that I got a discount on the burger?" Strax suggested with an ironic smile, clearly trying to lighten the mood but failing miserably.
"He's mocking us! He's mocking us!" Scarlet exclaid, her eyes glowing a fiery red as her aura began to flare.
"Calm down, calm down," Strax raised a hand while finishing the last bite of his burger. "I'm not mocking you. I'm just saying it wasn't a big deal. She just wanted to talk, grab sothing to eat. That's all."
"She wanted to talk?" Scarlet snapped, her voice dripping with disbelief. "Elizabeth Tepes, a VAMPIRE PRINCESS, suddenly decides she wants to 'talk' with you—the man who, I might add, IS MY HUSBAND?!"
"And the worst part," Belatrix continued, now perfectly in sync with Scarlet, "is that you didn't even think to tell us. It's as if we don't matter!"
"I knew you were nearby. I didn't think it was a big deal," Strax replied with a candidness that only made their irritation grow.
"You didn't think it was a big deal?" Daniela huffed, crossing her arms. "Let break it down for you, dear. You went off with another woman, without warning, vanished for hours, and left us out of our minds with worry. HOW IS THAT NOT A BIG DEAL?"
"Exactly!" Scarlet agreed, her aura flaring even more intensely. "And you acted so nonchalantly! It's like we don't matter to you!"
Those words finally made Strax pause. He sighed, realizing the tone had shifted from pure anger to sothing more serious. He stood up, his previously carefree expression replaced with a more solemn one.
"Scarlet," he began, his voice firr. "You all matter to . More than anything in this world. If you didn't, I wouldn't be here now. I wouldn't be by your side."
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"Oh, really? Then why did you leave us behind today?" Scarlet asked, her voice heavy with emotion, though she tried to mask it. "If we an so much to you, why did you go with her?"
Strax ran a hand through his hair, trying to find the right words. "Because it was necessary. Elizabeth isn't just a Princess. She's one of the most powerful beings among vampires. She's not the kind of person you ignore without consequences. When she called for , I knew it was better to go. Not for myself, but to ensure nothing happened."
That explanation seed to calm the won slightly, though a hint of irritation still lingered in the air.
"And couldn't you at least have inford us?" Cassandra asked, her tone more controlled now, though still accusatory.
"I should have," Strax admitted, shrugging. "But I didn't think about it at the ti. That was my mistake."
"It was more than a mistake," Belatrix said. "It was irresponsible."
Strax took a deep breath. "You're right. It was irresponsible. I should have thought about you all first. But believe when I say nothing happened. Elizabeth was just curious about , she just wanted to understand why Scarlet chose . I didn't let anything cross the line."
"Should I believe that?" Scarlet asked, her tone calr, but still tinged with doubt.
"I've never lied to you, Scarlet," Strax replied, his eyes eting hers with determination. "And I'm not starting now."
Scarlet stared at him for a few seconds before sighing, the tension in her shoulders easing. "You're still an idiot," she said, her voice more tired than angry. "But at least you're an honest idiot."
"Is that a complint?" Strax asked, offering a slight smile.
"Not even close," she replied, but there was a small smile on her lips. "Next ti, let us know. Or I'll go after you and whoever it is, and I won't be as... polite as today."
"Understood," Strax said, raising his hands in surrender.
The other won exchanged glances, still a little unsatisfied, but seeming to accept Strax's words.
"Let's go," Scarlet finally said, turning around. "Before so other princess decides to show up."
Strax let out a quiet laugh as he followed the won, muttering to himself, "Powerful won are always complicated..."
They were beginning to relax after the long lecture, but he couldn't help but ask a question that had been nagging at him. "But... there's sothing I don't get..."
The four of them stopped walking and turned to him, curious and slightly irritated at his nonchalant tone. "What now?" Scarlet asked, crossing her arms.
"Why didn't you use your auras to find ?" Strax questioned, furrowing his brows as if it was obvious. "I an, you just spread your mana out and, boom, here I am. Isn't that how it works? Powerful vampires and all that?" He gestured with his hands, mimicking an explosion.
For a brief mont, an uncomfortable silence hung between them. Scarlet, Cassandra, Belatrix, and Daniela exchanged glances, as if trying to find a coherent answer.
Daniela was the first to break the silence, scratching her head with an awkward smile. "I think... we forgot."
Scarlet imdiately spun on her heels, pointing an accusing finger at Strax, her eyes glowing with irritation. "IT'S YOUR FAULT!"
"Mine?" Strax blinked, surprised, pointing at himself.
"Yes! YOURS!" Scarlet practically roared, the tip of her finger nearly touching his chest. "YOU SRIZE US SO MUCH THAT WE CAN'T EVEN THINK STRAIGHT!"
Cassandra sighed, rubbing her temples as if trying to stave off a headache. "Unfortunately, I have to agree. It's like your presence scrambles our thoughts. You have this annoying effect, Strax."
Belatrix shook her head with a theatrical sigh. "It's true. You're like... a walking chaos. When you disappeared, we were so worried and irritated that we didn't even think of the obvious solutions."
"I don't do it on purpose, you know," Strax said with a slightly embarrassed smile, raising his hands in surrender.
"You don't?" Scarlet narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced.
"No, really," he replied, with a smile that only made her more irritated.
"Well, do us all a favor," Daniela intervened, her voice heavy with exasperation but tinged with humor. "Next ti you want to disappear, at least leave a clue. Or give us a heads-up. Because if this happens again..."
Scarlet finished the sentence, her voice low and threatening: "We'll co after you with all our might. And believe , darling, you'll wish it was Elizabeth Tepes confronting you again."
Strax swallowed but kept the smile on his face. "Understood. I'll behave next ti." He made a zipping motion across his mouth.
Scarlet rolled her eyes and began walking again, leading the group. "Let's go. This day has already been long enough, and I need sothing to clear my head."
Cassandra murmured in agreent, while Belatrix and Daniela shot him looks that were a mix of irritation and relief.
Strax followed them, smiling to himself. "Walking chaos, huh? I think that title suits ."
...
When they finally arrived at Scarlet's mansion in the capital, Strax couldn't help but admire the grandeur of the building. It was an imposing architectural masterpiece, made of polished black stone and adorned with scarlet details, perfectly reflecting its owner's style. Large windows with stained-glass depicting scenes from historical vampire battles glowed under the moonlight, while dark gargoyles guarded the surroundings. The atmosphere was both luxurious and intimidating, a true reflection of Scarlet's personality.
"We've arrived, humble mansion of the capital," Scarlet said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she opened the double doors with a fluid motion.
Strax whistled softly. "Humble, huh? I didn't know 'humble' included crystal chandeliers and golden sculptures."
"It's a matter of perspective, darling," Scarlet retorted, walking in with the confidence of a queen returning to her throne.
As they passed through the entrance, they were greeted by a vast hall, with black marble columns supporting a vaulted ceiling decorated with intricate paintings. A colossal chandelier, adorned with red crystals that glowed like rubies, illuminated the space with a soft and elegant light. Silent servants appeared almost imdiately, ready to attend to any needs of the group.
"I really missed this place," Cassandra said, glancing around with a slight nostalgic smile.
"It's good to be ho," Daniela comnted, stretching her arms as the servants approached to take their coats and weapons.
"Scarlet's house, but ho," Belatrix added with a playful tone, provoking a deadly look from Scarlet herself.
Strax, on the other hand, was more interested in the details. He could feel the strength of the magic that perated the surroundings. The walls, the furniture, even the floor – everything seed alive with ancient power. "The entire mansion is a magical artifact, isn't it?" he asked, addressing Scarlet.
"Perceptive as always," she replied, crossing her arms. "Yes, this mansion was built centuries ago by my family. It's protected by spells that make it impenetrable to intruders. Even if soone were foolish enough to try and break in, they wouldn't get past the entrance."
"Sounds useful," Strax comnted, observing the paintings on the walls, which depicted mbers of Scarlet's lineage, all of them with expressions as imposing as hers.
"It's more than useful, it's essential," Scarlet said, drawing everyone's attention.
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