CHAPTER 20: Red Room

**AKIHIRO**

“How did it happen?” Hades couldn’t believe it, either, as we watched Ross from afar. “He’s walking like he wasn’t bitten at all.”

“Are you sure you erase his memories and he isn’t just pretending?” I told Hades. We cannot be sure of everything now knowing he has the blood of Alicia…which means there is a tendency that he cannot be compelled, too.

“Yes, we did.” He replied. “He responded to it.”

I sighed. “Keep an eye on Ross, and don’t let him knew about us. Alicia is already enough for the trouble. My grandfather will surely not sit tight if another human knew about us.”

“Ross isn’t just another human.” Hades clarified to me. “I heard from the Mirage clan that during the operation against the vampire hunters, the half-blood leader had bitten a man. He thought that it died, but seeing Ross, then it could be him.”

I raised my brow. “Are you sure it was him? What if he is just a bystander? He cannot possibly be a vampire hunter.” I said, although I wasn’t sure of it.

“You are not sure of it, Akihiro. Vampire hunters wear mask during their operations, but they cannot hide their wounds nor bite. The clan told me that the man was even using an ancient dagger that only those came from old vampire hunter clan can possessed.” He explained to me.

“If that is, then it’s another reason for us to keep an eye on him…and not only him but almost all the people in this town. We haven’t found those vampire hunters yet they are slowly finding us!” I closed my fist. “We cannot let what happened years ago to happen again. If we need to end the vampire hunters bloodline again, we will need to do it!”

Hades bowed his head. “I will tell the members to take a look. Your grandfather is also taking an action from what I heard. However, Akihiro, you need to be wary…he is watching Alicia and her family.”

“What about their family? Did you find anything unusual?” I wrinkled my nose. “I have been following them for years, but they’re normal families. Are you telling me they might be vampire hunters, but there were no trace of it?”

“They might be, Akihiro. We don’t really know their existence as they arrived here after the incident eight years ago. Alicia’s blood is special and she cannot be compelled.” Hades seriously explained it to me. “I know you like here, but you cannot be blinded by the fact that they might come from family of hunters. Didn’t vampires started to die when their family came into town?”

“They weren’t the only family that came in here…” I said, still not accepting it. “There are still some, so I want you to gather every family that came after the incident eight years ago and look into what they are doing in town now.” I ordered him.

“Yes.” He nodded. “What about Alicia? What are you going to do with her? Are you really going to keep her on your side?”

From the rooftop, I looked down to check Alicia and Ross who’s sitting on the bench outside the university clinic. Alicia is still wearing the hospital gown while she was putting bandaid on Ross’ hand. He didn’t turn into a vampire even after seeing blood. He’s completely normal as of the moment.

But, it’s not what I actually am thinking. I snapped my fingers and the branch on the tree on their side fell. I smirked when Alicia dropped Ross’ hand because of shock. They’re too close and I don’t want that.

“You are being obvious, Young Master.” Hades told me in a serious manner, using those name pertains that he is advicing me as the right man of the next king of the pureblood vampire.

I am aware of it…but I’d rather lose that title than completely lose Alicia in my side.

“Akihiro, I am warning you to stop it right now.” Hades pleaded me. “Sooner, your grandfather will interfere. You kept postponing your wedding with Leah. She’ll betray you soon….”

“Oh, about that…thank you for reminding me.” I smirked, still looking at Alicia. She’s now walking back to the clinic. “I forgot to tell father that I am not going to continue the wedding.”

“What?” Hades widened his eyes. “Are you choosing that girl over your family?”

“Perhaps, I am. And, no one can tell me otherwise. I am going to make that girl mine…and marry her.”

“She’s human!” Hades protested. “You can never marry a human! You are a pureblood vampire.”

I smirked. Indeed, I am. A pureblood vampire that can turn human into a vampire.

However, it seems that I have a long way to go before I achieve that.

“Akihiro…” My grandfather crossed his fingers and placed his chin on it while carefully looking at me. I am inside his red room or what he called the interrogation room. I know that this will happen and I am prepared for this.

“Are you disobeying my orders?”

“I am not, grandfather.” I firmly said.

“Then, how come you aren’t discussing the wedding with Leah. It’s been a decade, why are you not—”

“I don’t love her.” I honestly replied. “I gave myself a decade to see if I can love her…yet I failed.”

“And, do you really think vampires are capable of falling in love?”

I smiled. “Of course. We might not have a beating heart, but I believe you would agree that vampires can find love and be happy.”

“You are a pureblood vampire living in this world for more than a decade, Akihiro. I, on the other hand, have been living for a thousand years, you do not lecture me on what love and if vampires can feel it.” He seriously looked at me.

“I am sorry, grandfather, but I don’t want to marry her. I want someone else to marry if you will allow me.”

He smirked. He knew. Of course. How foolish I am not to realize that he’s just waiting for this day?

“Alicia Reed. What a nice name for a human who just saved her friend using her blood. Oh, and very well information for us because we can use her blood. Is that what you are thinking, that is why you want to marry her?”

“I love her.” It sounded so cliche, yet that’s what I know. “I want to be with her.”

“What beautiful words to hear from you.” He smiled at me. He stood up and turned to the window. “Unfortunately, you might not be able to do that. As we speak, I’ve seen men kill her.”