Then suddenly, a gentle knock came at the door.
Dariush Farzad's heart beat faster, and he thought to himself: Calm down, it's just the first person I am going to see in this world.
Then he said aloud: "Who is it?"
A woman's voice came, gently yet elegantly: "It's me, Eira, your wife."
Dariush thought: My wife!?.... Calm down, Dariush.. Calm down... (He took several deep breaths.)
Dariush: "Come in."— at the same time, he thought: I don't know if I can call her something like 'dear' or not. But after all, I need to be careful.
Eira came into the office. Her hair was red and long. Her pupils were black. Her body was curvy and elegant. Her attire was black and fitted her body. Her chest and hips were big, but not too much—a mix of elegance and seduction.
Eira softly said: "Dariush... Are you okay? Because you haven't drunk blood for almost six months. I am very worried about your health, especially now when everyone wants you.... Dead."—Concern and worry were evident on her face.
Dariush said with honesty: "I am not okay, but I haven't lost hope yet. I just need time to think and act, at least one second. So for now, don't worry, my bloody sunshine." (He said it instinctively, and even he himself was stunned for a moment before regaining his composure.)
Eira's expression softened slightly, and she said: "I know, but... I can't stop worrying."
Dariush said: "I did a lot of things, and now I am seeing the consequences. But don't worry, my dear. I will try my best to change myself and everything, both for myself and you." (His expression softened.)
Eira stepped closer to the desk and said: "Promise?"— she said with determination and hope in her eyes.
Dariush nodded and said with a smile on his lips: "I promise. Just don't leave me alone, because I don't have anyone in this world but you, my dear."
Eira stepped closer and stood beside Dariush, then bent down for a moment to kiss his cheek affectionately: "I promise too. I will never leave you alone." (She blushed slightly and smiled shyly.)
Dariush thought for a moment: I need to know her intention, but for now, I will act like a good husband. And fortunately, I can remember some of this body's memories with her.
Dariush, with a tired smile on his lips, said: "Thank you, my dear."
But just a second later, another knock came at the door, and the butler's voice came from outside: "Milord, you have some guests. They came from the kingdom of Emara."
Eira straightened her posture and stood beside Dariush elegantly.
Dariush thought: Emara kingdom? I can remember something... They are a human kingdom. And I am a vampire lord with a lot of political and army strength and power, but for now, I am weak in these areas too. (He sighed deeply.) I think... They want something that I won't like. Especially now that I am so weak.
Dariush said aloud: "Then come in."
Five men came into the office. All of them were middle-aged with normal looks and luxurious attire.
All five men bowed at the same time and greeted Dariush with "Greetings, Lord Dariush."
The man in front of all of them had something hidden in his eyes, and Dariush noticed it immediately.
Dariush thought for a moment: They don't look promising. I could be friendly, but I don't want to. Then I will be indifferent with them.
Dariush leaned forward, elbows on the desk, and said: "Welcome to my mansion. Now, get to the point. I don't like wasting time."
Another man with a cocky smirk said: "Oh please, we just want something small. We want to give you... a lot of gold and as many servants as you want."
Dariush narrowed his eyes and said: "And what do you want in return?"
Another man, with a dark gaze fixed on Eira, said: "Your wife. She is beautiful, and our king wants her for the prince."
Eira flinched. Dariush didn't. He said: "I refuse."
The same man in front said: "And we didn't ask for permission."— he pulled out a revolver and shot Dariush in the stomach.
Dariush's eyes widened as he looked at his stomach.
Dariush collapsed back into his chair, clenching his stomach and groaning loudly. Eira panicked and rushed to him: "Dariush! Noooo!"
The other four men grabbed Eira by force and yanked her away from Dariush. Dariush could only say: "Eira..." But he just choked out blood.
Eira resisted strongly, but one of those men used a magical grimoire that just summoned in his hand, chaining her with a magical energy and shouting at the same time: "Grimoire: Nexus!"
Dariush tried to get up, but that man shot him again, this time in the shoulder. Dariush groaned loudly.
His last thought was: I can't.... I don't want to die here like this, and.... I will never accept death.
He saw her pleading and crying while his vision blurred slowly, and he stretched out his hand, but then…. He died with his eyes open and his outstretched hand on the desk.
This happened because Dariush was in his weakest state, both politically and physically.
.
.
.
But then he heard a loud gunshot and opened his eyes in panic, breathing fast, clenching his jaw and chest.
Eira was at his side and rushed to him, placing a hand on his shoulder: "Dariush!? What happened?! Breathe, my dear."
Dariush took several deep breaths and thought: What happened? Did I just... Return by death? In time? How is that possible? I thought this was just for fantasy novels. But…. this doesn't matter for now. More importantly, I need to think fast and survive every day of my life. ——His survival instinct was very strong and kicked in at the right time and place. At the same time, he surveyed the room and saw no one except Eira at his side.
Dariush said aloud to Eira: "Sorry, dear. I just saw an illusion for a moment. Don't worry too much, dear."
Eira sighed in relief, but worry was still in her eyes: "Okay, but you need blood. You lack it too much."
Dariush nodded, and before he could say anything, a knock came at the door. A butler's voice came from outside: "Milord, you have some guests. They came from the kingdom of Emara."
Dariush's eyes darkened, and he thought: This time... I will kill them. I know what they want to do. I will show no mercy, even if it's going to change me and my morality; I will survive, no matter what.
Dariush said coldly, like frostbite, already cutting through the atmosphere: "Come in...."