As Lysandra gracefully stepped out of the grand Nocturne estate, her eyes caught a glimpse of the majestic carriages awaiting her—the carriages that would not only carry her family but also the representatives of all six bloodlines, converging for this momentous visit to the royal family's clan. The carriages stood as a symbol of unity, its intricate details reflecting the harmonious alliance among the diverse bloodlines of Saxonov.
"Wow, look at you. Looks like someone is wanting to impress the royal family, stupid 3rd bloodline," mocked the three siblings of the first bloodline, including Elric, Ealdred, and the youngest cousin, Lilith.
Lysandra felt a pang of disheartenment after the comments from the three. However, just as the weight of their words settled in, Athena, a girl a year older than Lysandra, ran up and stepped in front of the trio with a warm smile. "Hi, Lysandra! How are you? Oh, and happy birthday. It sucks not being allowed to join in on the 10th birthday," she said, breaking the tension with her friendly presence.
"Hi, Athena," Lysandra said, her eyes lighting up with joy at the change of company. Despite her efforts to mask it, a hint of disheartenment lingered from the earlier comments. She managed a gentle smile but couldn't shake the shame, lowering her head momentarily. As her grandparents walked past, she avoided making eye contact, a gesture not lost on Lord Valentine, who felt a pang of hurt. Nevertheless, he carried on toward the carriage, the weight of unspoken emotions lingering in the air.
Just as a shout erupted from the head of the second bloodline, commanding, "Everyone on their respective carriages!" The second line, comprising the family's knights, swiftly organised themselves for the journey.
During the journey in the third line's carriage, Elara took the opportunity to impart valuable lessons to Lysandra. The subject of their discussion revolved around the intricacies of royal court and etiquette. Elara shared insights on when and to whom one should curtsy, along with the nuances of executing the perfect curtsy. These lessons aimed to prepare Lysandra for the formalities and expectations she might encounter in the presence of the royal family.
"You need to curtsy to the king first, then the queen, and the royal child, one after the other," Elara stated with firm instruction. "Do not raise your head or speak unless spoken to. Do you understand?" Lysandra nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the information. Meanwhile, her father delved into documents detailing the politics within the royal family, explaining alliances and intricate dynamics, adding another layer to the complexity swirling in Lysandra's head.
"Whatever you do, do not interact with the Downfall Lurkers clan unless you want the family's vision of you lowered," Alaric stated, injecting a note of caution. Lysandra felt a sense of panic and fluster, realising the delicate balance of appearances and reputations in the intricate web of vampire society.
The carriage stopped, allowing the horses to rest, and Lord Valentine decided it was an ideal spot to spend the night. As everyone set up tents and campfires around the carriages, an unexpected threat loomed in the shadows. A large pack of wolves descended upon the third's camp, unbeknownst to Lysandra and her family.
In the silent embrace of the night, while everyone lay in slumber, the wolves launched a sudden and ferocious attack. Lysandra's parents valiantly fought off the majority of the pack, creating a chaotic scene amidst the campfires.
Amidst the confusion and darkness, Lysandra found herself chased by two relentless wolves. The moon's pale glow filtered through the dense canopy overhead as she fled deeper into the woods, the forest floor beneath her feet damp with dew. The chilling howls of the wolves echoed, creating an eerie symphony in the midst of the struggle for survival.
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In the frantic chaos of the night, with the camp awakening to the desperate calls of Lysandra's parents, Lord Valentine and Lady Eleanor rushed to the third's site, their faces etched with concern. Alaric, Lysandra's father, explained the dire situation to the approaching leaders, conveying the sudden wolf attack.
As the details unfolded, a shiver of fear ran through the camp. Elara, Lysandra's mother, overwhelmed by the dread of her daughter's uncertain fate, collapsed in a mix of fear and hopelessness. The moon overhead cast an eerie glow on the unfolding drama, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Amidst the desperate flight from the wolves, Lysandra's mind raced, remembering the Legacy System bestowed upon her during her 10th birthday. In a moment of realization, she shouted, "Legacy!" while on the run, frantically searching through her skills for a solution. Despite her speed advantage, the wolves were closing in, and the strain on her young stamina became apparent.
Scouring the Legacy screen, Lysandra found a skill that could potentially aid her escape. With a decisive decision, she abruptly stopped in her tracks, preparing to unleash the skill just as the wolves closed the distance. The moonlit forest held its breath as a young vampire prepared to wield the power hidden within her Legacy.
Lysandra, confronted by the encroaching wolves, pondered a strategic solution. "This could work if I could tame them or even persuade them to leave me alone," she mused. As the wolves drew nearer, she muttered, "Telepathic Bond: (Develops the ability to establish telepathic connections with creatures of the night, fostering alliances and sharing information without words)."
In that moment, the wolves came to a sudden halt, their movements reflecting a pause as if contemplating the unspoken communication emanating from Lysandra's newfound telepathic skill. The air crackled with tension as the potential alliance hung in the balance.
Just then, an arrow flew towards the wolves, startling them into a swift retreat. A knight in gleaming armour, accompanied by others, approached Lysandra. "Are you okay, little lady?" the knight inquired with concern.
As Lysandra succumbed to exhaustion, she abruptly fainted. The knight adeptly intercepted her fall, ensuring she didn't hit the forest floor. The group of knights retraced their steps back to the camp, the knight carrying Lysandra.
"What did you discover out there?" inquired a lady adorned in a luxurious nightgown, accompanied by a retinue of maids and a child.
"Oh my, a little girl," exclaimed one of the maids as she hurried to assist the knight taking care of Lysandra. The young vampire girl bore cuts and bruises, evidence of her escape through the woods in her nightgown and bare feet.
In the third line's camp, a search party was assembled, but the three siblings from the first line couldn't resist making fun of the lost Lysandra.
"Good riddance, she was only an eyesore with her blue eyes," Elric sniggered.
"Hopefully, the wolves are full from her so there should be no worry for the rest of the trip," commented Ealdred.
Lilith, the youngest cousin, tried to maintain a nonchalant demeanour, saying, "Well, this will put me on a downer. Thanks for nothing stupid third." Despite her attempt to appear indifferent, concern crept onto Lilith's face, revealing a hidden emotion as she secretly felt sorry for her cousin.
“Lysandra!!” Elara shouted from the heart at the missing daughter. “Ok, everyone, let's split into two groups. Group one, search the woods; group two, search down the road. She might have run out of the woods after losing the wolves. Understood, men?” shouted the knight commander Cedric, who was Lysandra’s second uncle.
Lord Valentine and Lady Eleanor rushed to the third camp to comfort Lysandra’s parents, and Athena followed, looking worried and wanting to cry for her.