Aron rested his chin on his hand, his eyes fixed on Victoria as she ate breakfast with evident appetite.
"Why aren't you eating?" Victoria asked, still chewing.
"Watching you eat is enough to make me full," Aron replied with a smile.
Victoria pursed her lips. "Any cases today?"
Aron shook his head.
"So… what are we doing today?"
"Going to the office, waiting for calls. Maybe a client will ring."
"And if no one calls?"
"Then we leave early. Maybe we can go out for a walk," Aron said, his tone slightly more enthusiastic.
"That's what I want to hear. How about we watch a movie?" Victoria suggested.
"Hmm… I'm not sure if there's anything good playing."
"Did you ever go to the movies with your ex-fiancée?" Victoria asked.
"Often, back when we were still studying. But after I started working, it became rare because I was busy," Aron replied concisely.
"Take me instead," Victoria said, her voice softening with a hint of playfulness.
"Sure. I'll see if there's a good movie," Aron smiled, then his gaze turned serious. "How did you get injured last night?"
Victoria set down her spoon and fork. "I fought a Lycan. The injuries I got were during my battle with their leader."
Aron frowned. "If you were injured, that means the guy was really strong."
"I won't deny that. That beast was strong," Victoria said, her eyes sharp. "I've hated Lycans for as long as I can remember."
"Why?"
"Because they are traitors."
Aron's brow furrowed. "They betrayed you?"
Victoria shook her head. "They betrayed my King."
"When did that happen?"
"A long time ago, maybe the ninth century."
"Wow… that's ancient."
Victoria smiled faintly. "I'm over 2,000 years old."
"Oh my gosh… two thousand years?" Aron was dumbfounded.
Victoria nodded slowly. "Don't act surprised. You've seen movies about vampires, haven't you?"
"Yes… that's true, but I still didn't expect you to be two thousand years old," Aron said, frowning. "If I'm not mistaken, you've lived since the first century."
"That's right. I was once part of the Dacian people, before Rome conquered my land. I was captured by Roman soldiers as a teenager and became a slave for five years. Until King Dracula saved me."
"King Dracula existed back then?"
Victoria nodded. "He was already around before Rome even existed. And I was the first human he turned into a vampire. After that…" Victoria paused for a moment.
"What about the Werewolves?" Aron asked, eager to continue the story.
"Also created by King Dracula," Victoria answered simply.
"I don't understand."
"You know vampires can't live in daylight," Victoria said, staring at Aron.
Aron nodded.
"At that time, King Dracula felt threatened every time he had to sleep during the day. He worried that his enemies might find our coffins. He only used dogs and wolves as guards. But one day, one of the wolves under King Dracula's care bit him and ran away. Not long after, we received news of a human who could transform into a wolf. Then we were ordered to find that human."
"Did it happen in the same century?"
"No, by then King Dracula already had his own kingdom in Transylvania."
"Wait… I know that place. Romania?"
"Yes, that's right."
"So… Van Helsing existed then?"
Victoria nodded.
"I've always heard stories that he liked hunting vampires."
"Correct. That was his job."
"Did he ever fight King Dracula?"
"Never. But he did fight me."
"Fought you… who won?"
"If you can still see me today, that means I won," Victoria replied with a wry smile.
Aron chuckled softly. "Okay, back to the werewolf story. Why did you say they betrayed him?"
Victoria exhaled slowly, her face clouded with regret. "Actually, it took King Dracula's followers a long time to find that wolf-human—it took six years. By then, they had reproduced and formed their own village, living in groups under a single leader. But they were constantly hunted and killed. King Dracula saved them and brought them to live in his kingdom, on the condition that they swear to guard it during the day."
She paused, her eyes dim. "But when King Dracula was betrayed, I wasn't by his side. I had already become the Queen of Varna. By the time I arrived, King Dracula and his wife were already dead."
"You were a Queen?"
"I still am a Queen," she said.
"What! Seriously?"
"Yes… I'm not lying. You think I fought alone last night? I have many followers."
Aron froze. "Wait… so the woman in front of me… is a vampire Queen?"
"Yes. Absolutely," Victoria said, smiling widely as she crossed her arms.
"Now I want to know about you," Victoria said, her eyes full of curiosity.
"Why do you still want to know?" Aron asked calmly.
"Of course I want to know," Victoria replied firmly.
"Don't you read someone's memories by tasting their blood?" Aron tried to understand.
Victoria shook her head. "Your blood is different… it has no memories. It's like darkness. Empty."
Aron sighed deeply. "Victoria… can you be patient for now? I promise, one day I'll tell you everything."
Victoria let out a long sigh. "Why is it so hard for you to tell me now?"
"Please… just be patient," Aron said softly.
Victoria huffed but finally relented. "Fine… alright."
Aron smiled, satisfied, then glanced at his watch. "It's nine o'clock. Let's go now."
***
Epirus, Northwestern Greece
Amid the misty peaks of the Zagori mountains, a stone castle stood in all its grandeur, encircled by towering, ominous walls. From atop those battlements, a squad of armed soldiers patrolled every corner, their eyes sharp as hawks, ever watchful for prey.
Inside the castle, every window was draped with heavy curtains, reflecting the flickering candlelight that danced along narrow corridors, casting shadows that seemed to move of their own accord.
In a secluded chamber, a woman dressed in black knelt, her gaze fixed on Marius, who sat calmly before her. Silence hung thick, broken only by the faint, steady hiss of candle flames.
"I want you to go to Paris," Marius said, his voice calm but carrying undeniable authority.
"For what, Father?" the woman asked, her brow furrowing.
"To meet Professor Griffon."
Salena's frown deepened. "Isn't he the head of the Talamasca organization?"
"Correct, Salena," Marius replied, gesturing toward a golden satchel resting on the table. "I want you to meet him… and offer him the gold inside that bag."
Salena's eyes lingered on the satchel, a mix of hesitation and confusion in her gaze. "For what purpose?"
"Have them investigate Victoria," Marius explained, his tone grave.
Salena's eyes flickered with skepticism. "They won't dare, Father."
"They won't refuse if they know we pay in gold. That organization has always been obsessed with it," Marius said, offering a thin smile.
"Why are you investigating Victoria? If she finds out, we'll be in trouble too."
"Salena… Victoria can now walk in the daylight. If that is true, her blood is far too valuable to us," Marius emphasized, his voice heavy with a secret long kept.
"That's impossible," Salena murmured, bowing her head.
"I thought so too. That's why I want Talamasca to investigate—just to confirm whether it's true or not."
"But the risk is too great. Victoria is no ordinary vampire… she is a queen."
Marius nodded slowly. "I know. That is why I want you to go to New York. Keep track of Talamasca's movements. If they accept our offer, I fear they might deceive us."
Salena remained silent for a moment, absorbing Marius's instructions, weighing the steps she must take. Finally, she rose, lifting the satchel from the table.
"Very well. I will go to Paris."
Marius smiled, satisfied, but his eyes remained sharp. "But remember, Salena. I am sending you there not to provoke Victoria or her followers. If you are discovered… you must return immediately. Under no circumstances are you to engage her in combat."
"I understand," Salena said firmly. She drew a deep breath. "I will leave now," she added, before stepping toward the door, the golden satchel in her hand.
Marius nodded slowly, watching the shadow of the woman disappear down the dark corridor, his heart heavy yet filled with hope.