Chapter 50

Chapter 50

"What's a coronation?" Luo Ci blinked his pink eyes as Felatumo carried him back to the main building. "Is it a holiday with desserts?"

"Of course there will be desserts, and many of your prince uncles and aunts will bring all kinds of sweets for you," Felatumo coaxed him.

"Many of your prince relatives are in their own territories, and they’ll bring all sorts of local delicacies for your coronation," Felatumo smacked his lips and murmured, "Come to think of it, it’s been nearly a century since I last traveled."

Luo Ci looked puzzled. "Why don’t you go out and travel, Uncle?"

Felatumo shrugged lightly. "I lost a card game to that bastard Violet, and he made me oversee the affairs of Haisen Fortress for two hundred years."

"Hmm..." Luo Ci swayed his little head and thought for a moment. "Then why not leave a puppet to handle things? That way, Uncle could be free!"

Felatumo chuckled and pinched his cheek. "Haha, our little one is such a clever little thing."

When they returned to the bedroom, Luo Ci reached into his pocket and remembered the treasure he had obtained from the magic herb garden—the seed of a mutant magical plant.

The seed looked like a radish, and upon closer inspection, it even had a ghoulish face on it. As he held the seed to examine it, a hoarse, aged voice suddenly spoke in his ear: "I’ve tried activating it, but there’s no response. This seed must be dormant."

"Exi?" Luo Ci tilted his head, suddenly realizing he had forgotten to return Exi to his little treasure chest.

Due to the contract, Exi couldn’t stray more than half a meter from Luo Ci unless he was inside the treasure chest, so he usually resided in Luo Ci’s pocket.

When he touched the seed, he sensed a dangerous energy and had wanted to teach the little one a lesson.

He tried casting a spell to awaken the seed, but unfortunately, it didn’t work.

Exi could only console himself—there would be other opportunities.

"I forgot to put you back in the treasure chest."

"No, no, don’t put me back," the little old man pleaded fearfully, waving his hands. He had finally gotten a chance to breathe fresh air and didn’t want to return to the chest. Besides, how could he find a way to escape if he was locked inside? He played the emotional card pathetically: "...I want to stay outside. It’s too lonely in the chest with just me, a lonely specter."

Tears welled up in the old man’s eyes as he begged, and Luo Ci softened. "Alright, but you have to behave."

Exi nodded fervently.

Luo Ci’s attention returned to the mutated seed. He turned to the blood servant waiting nearby and said, "Fetch me a pot. I want to plant it."

"Squeak!" The blood servant immediately transformed into a small bat and flew out the window.

Soon, the bat returned through the window, carrying a hand-sized flowerpot in its mouth. Luo Ci buried the mutated seed inside, carefully patting the soil over it with his little hands before placing the pot on the windowsill... He couldn’t wait for it to sprout.

***

Luo Ci inspected the flowerpot every day, but before it showed any sprouts, his coronation arrived.

The castle hummed with activity. Even as the sun still hung high outside, blood servants moved silently through the corridors, working diligently.

Luo Ci, dragging his oversized pajamas and barefoot, pitter-pattered down the stairs to the dining hall. After breakfast, he sleepily returned to his room and fell back asleep—until Aunt Tilise pulled him from bed.

Tilise had brought over a dozen newly tailored ceremonial robes. A blood servant knelt on the floor, holding a plush silk cushion in their palms to support the little one’s feet as they carefully fastened shirt garters around his thighs, securing the shirt with clips.

After trying on seven or eight outfits, each requiring the same tiresome ritual, Luo Ci was nearly asleep again.

"Our little one looks dashing in anything," Tilise murmured, resting her chin on her slender fingers and nodding admiringly.

"Aunt Tilise, how long will the coronation last?" Luo Ci rubbed his eyes, already feeling exhausted.

"The ceremony itself isn’t long, but the celebration party might go on for half a month. All the princes will attend your coronation—it’s even grander than the century celebrations of our kind," Tilise waved the blood servant away. "Alright, this one will do."

Vampires were a race indulgent in revelry and pleasure. Even without reason, they would find excuses to throw parties—let alone for an occasion as monumental as the coronation of a Pureblood youngling. It had to be opulent, legendary, and known to all.

"But won’t the sunlight burn us?" Luo Ci asked.

"There are alchemy potions to protect the skin, and if that fails, your Aunt Neyabenepti can control the weather—she’ll conjure clouds to block the sun," Tilise adjusted his clothes for the final touches.

Luo Ci’s mouth formed a little "oh." "Aunt Neyabenepti is amazing..."

In his memories, Aunt Neyabenepti always sat beneath the moonlight with a melancholic expression, quieter even than Ya Pan. She preferred solitude, like the still glow of the moon. It was said her first-childe had fallen into eternal slumber, leaving her unable to move past the grief.

But Aunt Neyabenepti adored younglings. She simply disliked raucous festivities. She often played the piano for Luo Ci and made his favorite fruit drops—so he adored her in return.

Tilise shook her head. "But such magic is pointless for Purebloods. We don’t fear sunlight."

Luo Ci blinked in confusion. Then why did Uncle Violet forbid lamps in his room and insist he maintain a nocturnal schedule?

Tilise lifted the little one, booping his nose with her slender finger. "You’re still a youngling, so you’re affected. It’s better to be cautious. But as you grow, sunlight won’t harm you."

Purebloods aren’t afraid of sunlight...

So the reversed day-night routine in Haisen Fortress had been for his sake—so he wouldn’t wake up alone. Luo Ci understood instantly and hugged Aunt Tilise tightly around the neck.

A blood servant cautiously approached, noting the time. Tilise carried the little one downstairs. "It’s getting late. They’re probably ready by now. Let’s head to the venue."

A carriage awaited them at the entrance. The bone-steed, spotting Luo Ci, nuzzled him fondly. Luo Ci patted its skull.

Inside the carriage, Violet was already waiting. Tilise flicked her hair. "You didn’t have to have the bone-steed wait here. I have my own mount—my dear Aphrodite would’ve loved to greet the little one too."

Violet frowned. "Your Aphrodite? I doubt the little one would appreciate it."

Luo Ci swung his short legs curiously. "What’s Aphrodite?"

"Your Aunt Tilise’s mount—a 70-foot Hydra Bay nine-headed serpent. She calls it Aphrodite. Appalling taste," Violet said with a scowl.

Tilise tsked, as if lamenting Violet’s lack of aesthetic sense.

Luo Ci giggled at their expressions.

The bone-steed raced swiftly, and soon, a towering Gothic edifice came into view. Funereal chimes echoed as a flock of black crows soared past the clocktower, vanishing into the nearby dark forest.

This was Haisen Fortress’s annex—a site reserved for major vampire gatherings and ceremonies. The little one’s coronation would be held here.

Outside the annex stretched a hundred-acre grounds, now meticulously decorated for the open-air celebration.

At the entrance, Luo Ci spotted many bizarre mounts parked nearby. Carried into the hall, he immediately recognized several elder uncles and aunts and waddled over on stubby legs, calling out sweetly how much he missed them—making their hearts melt like honey.

"Our little one’s words drip sweeter than honey. Did you miss Uncle Felatumo after just one night apart?"

"Of course!" Luo Ci turned his head, noticing many unfamiliar faces in the hall—all dressed luxuriously. Unlike the curious youngling openly staring around, the princes dared not gaze at him too boldly, no matter how intrigued.

Even as a youngling, he was still Pureblood. Though all present were princes, there was a hierarchy. When Luo Ci’s gaze swept over them, they bowed their heads humbly.

"Come," Felatumo signaled, and a crimson-eyed, pointed-eared young man in a tailored waistcoat and formal attire approached with a goblet. "This is Hobbs, Lord of the Gordon territories—my descendant. If you ever travel and need assistance, feel free to command him."

"I live to serve, Young Prince," Hobbs said respectfully, bowing his head. He retrieved a long-guarded gift from his coat. "This is my meager offering for the Young Prince."

"Thank you!" Luo Ci accepted it with a beatific smile.

Prince Hobbs instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Purebloods were inherently haughty and distant, difficult to approach. Yet, the newly born Young Prince was unexpectedly adorable, beautiful, and so sweet-natured that even he couldn't resist the urge to touch that snow-white little head.

"Well! Damn you, Felatumo! You actually got ahead and introduced your descendant to the little one first," Tilise reacted immediately, striding over. "Where's Newman? I want to introduce my descendant to the little one too!"

As Tilise and Felatumo seemed about to start another argument, Luo Ci ran to Violet's side, tugging at his sleeve. "Uncle Violet, I have something to ask you."

"What is it?" Violet subtly gestured, and the Princes who had been trying to approach immediately stepped back.

Luo Ci leaned in and whispered in his ear, "What's a descendant?"

Violet patted his little head. "Vampires can share their blood with other races, turning them into vampires. The transformed vampires will then pledge eternal loyalty to their creator—that's how descendants are made."

"Why do we need descendants?" Luo Ci asked, puzzled.

"For example, after your coronation, you'll be granted a large territory. You wouldn't want to spend all your time dealing with mundane affairs, would you? That's where your descendants come in—they can handle things for you," Violet explained. "Of course, conflicts often arise between descendants loyal to different Princes. But as long as it doesn't escalate into factional strife, we usually don't intervene."

"See, just like how Tilise and Felatumo often argue, it doesn't mean they have a bad relationship. Born from the same Blood Pool, the ties of blood are unbreakable. The bonds between Purebloods are uniquely strong and intricate."

"Thus, Purebloods never let conflicts between their descendants escalate into personal hostility."

Outsiders' rumors ran wild, many about divisions among vampire factions. Many believed Purebloods were riddled with estrangement and discord, but Purebloods themselves knew this was impossible.

Even if their descendants fought tooth and nail, it wouldn't affect the bonds between Purebloods.

Yet, no one bothered to clarify. This was part of the cunning nature of Purebloods—perhaps letting outsiders believe they could be divided would create a useful illusion and lull them into complacency.

Luo Ci nodded, only partly grasping it.

"By introducing their descendants to you, your uncles and aunties are showing they trust them deeply. The more you get to know them, the more people you'll have at your disposal," Violet said with a smile.

Just then, Luo Ci was dragged away by Tilise to meet her descendants. The whirlwind introductions lasted nearly two hours, leaving the little one dizzy.

Nearly three hundred vampire Princes were qualified to attend the ceremony in the annex, all within two generations. Vampires were notoriously vain and valued appearances highly. Luo Ci couldn't help but wonder if his uncles and aunties chose their descendants based on looks—everyone had sharp red eyes and pointed ears, dressed in elegant, extravagant attire, more dazzling than a thousand-acre rose garden.

Thus, Luo Ci was forced to meet a circle of handsome Princes. At first, they hesitated, awed by his Pureblood status. But once they realized how soft and sweet this little one was, many couldn't resist kissing and hugging him, even planting kisses on his tiny feet.

Luo Ci whined as he was passed around, eventually hiding behind Violet. Fortunately, the coronation ceremony soon began.

Among vampires, only Princes were entitled to territories, which were allocated based on bloodline and abilities. Many speculated the newly born Young Prince would receive a vast domain.

After all, his snow-white hair and pink eyes were proof of his pure bloodline, and his tail had emerged earlier than most. Even though his abilities were still unknown, they were bound to be formidable.

Familiars played solemn, melodious organ music as a long red carpet unfurled beneath Luo Ci's feet, leading to the stage. The carpet was embroidered with intricate spells—a form of blessing Dark Magic.

Luo Ci tapped the carpet with his little feet, sensing the magic of his elder uncles and aunties woven into it.

The carpet was crafted by the greatest alchemist of the Middle Continent, while the blessing spells were jointly woven by the Elders. A vampire blessed by this magic would receive the favor of powerful Dark Magic, and the resonance could awaken the innate magical talents within the young one.

The Elders stood on the stage, and Violet beckoned warmly, "Come, little one, join us."

The other Elders looked at him encouragingly.

Luo Ci glanced at the soft carpet, then toddled over on his short legs. As he ran, the blessing Dark Magic floated up from the carpet, swirling around him like playful little notes.

"Hmm..." He reached out a chubby hand to catch one, but the note quickly dissipated.

Violet lifted the child, then extended his other hand. Neyabenepti walked over slowly and placed a scroll of parchment in his palm.

Unfurling it, the scroll was so long it draped down to the second-to-last step. Violet began announcing the territories granted to Luo Ci.

The Princes placed their hands over their hearts, bowing respectfully as Violet spoke. The list of territories took nearly an hour to read, encompassing vast lands and even several prosperous Human Kingdoms. The division had been decided by the Elders, demonstrating their fondness for the little one.

As Violet read, Familiars transformed into bats and flew out the windows, tasked with delivering the announcements to the subordinate regions.

By dawn, the entire Middle Continent would know the beloved Young Prince, born into adoration, had officially been crowned. Though young, his status now far surpassed that of any Prince.

Finally, the reading concluded. Luo Ci rubbed the tips of his ears—they ached from all the listening.

"Look here, little one," Violet channeled his magic. A giant skeleton standing silently behind him slowly drew a black enchanted sword from its ribs.

This sword, forged in ancient times from the Blood Pool, was inscribed with blood magic runes—a sacred artifact passed down among vampires, entrusted only to the Elders.

Violet pointed the sword gently, and flowing blood magic gathered like falling pink rose petals, forming a vivid pink rose crown above the child's head.

The little crown matched his eye color perfectly. Luo Ci instantly loved it, itching to touch it, but he restrained himself, remembering the solemnity of the ceremony.

"Good, good! Finally, my favorite part," Tilise clapped, signaling the blood servants to bring forth a prepared tray.

Luo Ci blinked his round eyes in confusion. "What's this?"

The red cloth was lifted, revealing an array of magical artifacts: a Dark Mage's hat, a hunter's dark bow, a potion master's satchel, a curse master's forbidden talisman, a necromancer's skull, a lich's crystal ball—treasures representing nearly every magical discipline.

Felatumo coaxed, "Pick one, little one."

Purebloods possessed varied magical talents, often showing fixed preferences in childhood. Thus, this "testing" ritual could reveal the child's innate gifts.

Luo Ci fiddled with the items, squeezing the pouch. Ya Pan twitched slightly. The little hands then picked up a mirror, making Tilise's eyes gleam—but the mirror was soon set aside. Next, he grabbed puppet strings, bringing a smile to Felatumo's face.

His picking and placing kept the Elders on edge.

Suddenly, a rose-shaped staff leaped into the child's arms. Luo Ci clenched his little fists around it.

Ya Pan frowned. "What staff is this?"

"Even I haven't seen it before," admitted Violet, who was well-read. "Perhaps I need to research this."

"..." Tilise massaged her temples. This clearly wasn't a known talent. Would they really have to send the little one to the academy?

With this, the coronation concluded, making way for celebration. A bright blood moon cast its glow through the stained-glass windows as the annex descended into a frenzied blood feast.

Inside, it was relatively calm, with Princes exchanging news and resources.

Tilise, sipping wine while conversing with a Prince, felt a tug on her sleeve. Luo Ci looked up eagerly. "Auntie Tilise, can I go explore?"

She booped his nose. "Little rascal. Why not ask Violet? Is it because he's strict and I'm easygoing?"

Luo Ci puffed his cheeks, offering a sweet smile.

Having been a curious and adventurous child herself, Tilise understood. Besides, what danger could there be here? No vampire would dare harm the Young Prince. She pinched his soft, squishy cheek. "Go on, then."

With a cheer, Luo Ci scampered out of the annex.

The garden was a world apart—a bacchanal in full swing. In a shadowed corner, a vampire bared his fangs at a siren's neck, the latter sighing in pleasure. Noticing Luo Ci's curious gaze, the vampire paused, licking his lips. "Would you care to join me, my Prince?"

Luo Ci's ears practically stood on end.

He shook his head, unsure how the misunderstanding had arisen, but quickly left the scene.

In truth, exchanging blood thralls was quite common among vampires—though not something done casually. Only close companions would share such an act, and to partake in feeding alongside the Young Prince was considered a great honor.

As he wandered through the garden, such scenes played out everywhere he looked. Luo Ci wrinkled his nose slightly, catching the faint but sweet scent of blood mingling with the fragrance of roses. It was the first time he had encountered so many different blood aromas at once, blending together like an array of tantalizing delicacies, each more enticing than the last.

Unconsciously, Luo Ci found himself drifting toward less crowded areas.

He touched his lips, brushing his still-developing fangs, and tilted his head in thought. The vampires he had seen seemed completely enraptured while feeding, as if immersed in some irresistible flavor. It made him wonder—was drinking blood truly that pleasurable? And that scent…

His rosy tongue couldn’t help but flick against his snow-white teeth.

By the time he snapped out of his thoughts, he realized he had wandered quite far.

"Left or right?" Luo Ci pursed his lips, hesitating for a moment. He had been too absorbed in his musings and couldn’t recall the correct path anymore.

Just as he was about to summon Little Coal Ball to guide him back, a gravelly yet kind voice emerged from his pocket: "Our poor Young Prince, have you forgotten the way home?"

"You remember?" Luo Ci asked uncertainly.

"Of course," Exi rasped, his voice eerie. "Just head for the clock tower."