Chapter 66: The Convoluted Triangle
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"Min Libitino, look! I caught this wild hare for you!'
" Thank you."
A few minutes later.
"Prince Leron, eat this roasted hare."
"Ah, do you want to eat some, Vladstin? You can have the hare's blood."
"No, thank you! I'm satisfied with starving by Min Libitino's side."
Later at night.
"Min Libitino, I prepared this bed for you and set up the tent!"
"Thank you. Prince Leron, go sleep here."
"What about you, Vladstin? We can share this spot, and Sangfroid has his own tent. You're the one who built it, after all, so you should be able to use it."
"No, thank you! I'm satisfied with losing sleep by watching guard of Min Libitino's tent."
That had been their pattern for the last few days. It was driving the two not-insane-yet Leron and Sangfroid insane. Meanwhile, the mad and delusional Vladstin is the only one who seems to keep a peace of mind from this change of lifestyle.
Leron is going insane because he could not get over the fact that Vladstin is completely smitten with Sangfroid now. And he is also aware of Sangfroid's feelings for him, so the guilt and regret are stronger than ever. Knowing that you have brought this misfortune upon yourself and can do nothing about it brings the most pain than being unaware of it.
Sangfroid is completely unaware of Vladstin's infatuation for him.
But he is still going insane each time Leron would offer Vladstin once again the things that he had given to him. All Prince Leron had talked about to him was Vladstin this, Vladstin that, and he keeps on trying to strike a conversation with Vladstin.
Sangfroid doesn't understand.
They had lost. The plan failed. Vladstin's demise is written on paper, he will be publicly executed. There's no hope for him.
But Prince Leron can still live a life after he had been cured by the Hermit of his vampirism.
Shouldn't he limit his interactions with Vladstin as much as possible and try to move on now? Come into terms of what fate has given them? Think of a way to convince the Ilvedians to take him back so they would both rule the new kingdom together and....
No. Sangfroid shook his head. That is a selfish thought. Not only is he selfishly hoping for Prince Leron's feelings to change for the sake of his own, but he is also hoping for the impossible from his people. The people could never forgive Leron to accept him as their prince.
The best he could do is to keep Leron at court, by his side, and away from harm from anyone who tries to hurt him. He would serve as the king, but deep in his heart, he would still serve under Prince Leron's feet if the prince asks him to.
He wanted so badly for Leron to take up the rulership from him. If he asks for the Amulet, he would give it to him. If he asks for him to clear his name for the people so they would accept him as their true ruler, he would do it for him without hesitation.
But the only person in Prince Leron's mind Vladstin, Vladstin, Vladstin.
He is always wearing a long face because of Vladstin, hurting because of Vladstin, giving a forced smile because of Vladstin. If not for Sangfroid's stubborn loyalty to him, he would become fed up too and go sing songs about wanting death to just take him.
Vladstin isn't singing songs anymore, but writing ballads instead with a large smile on his face.
He asked Sangfroid for anything to write on one day. He is tired of carving them on trees with his large claws, and he can't bring these tree barks with them once they moved and travel further.
His 'Libitino' begrudgingly let him have his diary. He has no use for it anymore.
"Are you sure, Min Libitino? I can have your possession?" Vladstin asked with sparkling gold eyes.
"Yes. Just do not bother Prince Leron." Sangfroid was sharpening his arrows that he uses to hunt for meat for him and Prince Leron.
"Thank you! Kill me!" Vladstin run up to hug Sangfroid and impale himself on the tip of the arrow, but Sangfroid had quickly pushed him away, his large hand covering Vladstin's face.
"Go write somewhere else and don't make much noise." Sangfroid said. "Prince Leron is sleeping and he deserves a rest for the whole day. You can come back at nighttime."
"Alright! I'll write an ode to you, Min Libitino!" Vladstin promised happily as he run.
Prince Leron stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Where is Vladstin?"
"Off to wander somewhere. He won't be far, and he moves faster than us so if we did lose him, he can still catch up." Sangfroid said. "What do you want for breakfast, Your Highness?"
"Don't call me Your Highness anymore, Your Majesty." Leron said weakly. "I think tea would do."
"Tea?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment that we are in the woods." Leron apologized. "I wanted tea because my mind is feeling hazy from how convoluted things with Vladstin have become."
"What kind of tea would you like, Your High— Leron?" Sangfroid corrected himself.
Leron gave an awkward smile and shook his head. "No, ignore it. I was not thinking clearly."
"Prince Leron, I can get the tea for you." Sangfroid dangled the Amulet in front of him. "Just say what kind."
"Oh." Leron's eyes widened. "Right. Then.... Um.... Is it possible to give me jasmine tea?"
Sangfroid merely wished the Amulet for jasmines and green tea leaves to grow, and they did.
He went over to the corpses just standing about. "Excuse me. Where are the cup and saucers?"
"Grugrrr." Sasha's corpse brought it before him.
"Thank you."
Sangfroid then lit a fire with a quick scratch of flintstone together with a pile of dry wood and used it to boil water that he got from a river that grew beside their camping spot and extends every time they travel.
But when they need furs or deerskins for clothes and other materials, they need to hunt for them.
This is the extent of the Amulet's power.
Wildlife that only exists in forests cannot be produced by it, but necessities that can be found inside civilizations and kingdoms could come to life. Man-made materials also don't magically appear on their own, only resources for it. So Sangfroid is quite careful with the glass saucers and cups since those are the only ones they have and cannot be replaced by magic when broken.
"Here you go, Your High—Leron." Sangfroid said. He is still not used to calling Leron by his name, but now that he is able to.... It had given him a small tinge of happiness.
He wants nothing more from him if Leron only sees their relationship as a superior and a subordinate, but being just a little more beyond that to be able to call each other on first-name basis is enough for his ears to go red and his heart to flutter.
He blew on the cup. "Be careful, it is very hot."
"Thank you, Sangfroid." Leron said with a smile.
The moment between them is as lovely as butterflies and bees in a cloudless sky, until they heard a voice from the distance.
"Hey! Min Libitino!" Vladstin waved both hands as he run with lightning speed towards them. "I forgot to ask for a plume! Silly me, how else can I write?"
"Vladstin!" Leron immediately set down his cup, his blue eyes affixed to the white-haired vampire every time he sees him. "W-Would you like some tea? Oh, wait. You only drink blood. Well.... Uh.... Would you like some of my blood for breakfast?"
Sangfroid stomped on the newly grown jasmines, the redness in his ears now gone and replaced by redness in his whole face instead.
"No. If you lose more blood, Your Highness, your turning would come sooner!" He protested. "If Vladstin needs blood, I'll give some to him."
"Oh, no, no! Use Min Libitino's blood for sustenance! That's not good at all, I only want
Min Libitino to kill me!" Vladstin smiled. "Well, should I use my own blood for ink? If I could borrow one of your arrows or your dagger, I'll go find some feather and use my blood to write my ballad then!"
Vladstin moved quickly and got the arrow from Sangfroid, and was about to stab his own palm right in front of them.
"No!" Both humans were against the idea, for slightly different reasons.
One cared for him and doesn't like seeing him hurt, and the other cares for the one that cares for him, and doesn't want his beloved to be even more traumatized.
In the end, Sangfroid asked the Amulet for a bird and a squid.
Plucking one of the bird's feathers and collecting the black sap from the squid then saving the meat for lunch, the two royal blooded princes watched as the new Ilvedian King made a plume and an ink case for the vampire lord who have aspirations of becoming a poet.
"You really are amazing, Min Libitino! You make life and also take life! I can't wait for when you take mine!" Vladstin laughed merrily as he ran to look for scenic places to gain inspiration for his 'Ballad of Min Libitino'.
The triangle had gotten confusing indeed. It was no longer a story of Vladstin who loved Leron and was betrayed by this person, seeking revenge, while Sangfroid fights Vladstin to keep Leron safe.
It is now the story of Vladstin being a crazy immortal in love with death and the idea of Sangfroid being his death, Sangfroid still pining for Leron, while Leron is now pining for Vladstin.
Everyone loves, but is unloved by their beloved.. The cat chases the mouse, the dog chases the cat, and in an unexpected twist, the mouse also chases the dog. Who will be together and live happily in the end?
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"Min Libitino, look! I caught this wild hare for you!'
" Thank you."
A few minutes later.
"Prince Leron, eat this roasted hare."
"Ah, do you want to eat some, Vladstin? You can have the hare's blood."
"No, thank you! I'm satisfied with starving by Min Libitino's side."
Later at night.
"Min Libitino, I prepared this bed for you and set up the tent!"
"Thank you. Prince Leron, go sleep here."
"What about you, Vladstin? We can share this spot, and Sangfroid has his own tent. You're the one who built it, after all, so you should be able to use it."
"No, thank you! I'm satisfied with losing sleep by watching guard of Min Libitino's tent."
That had been their pattern for the last few days. It was driving the two not-insane-yet Leron and Sangfroid insane. Meanwhile, the mad and delusional Vladstin is the only one who seems to keep a peace of mind from this change of lifestyle.
Leron is going insane because he could not get over the fact that Vladstin is completely smitten with Sangfroid now. And he is also aware of Sangfroid's feelings for him, so the guilt and regret are stronger than ever. Knowing that you have brought this misfortune upon yourself and can do nothing about it brings the most pain than being unaware of it.
Sangfroid is completely unaware of Vladstin's infatuation for him.
But he is still going insane each time Leron would offer Vladstin once again the things that he had given to him. All Prince Leron had talked about to him was Vladstin this, Vladstin that, and he keeps on trying to strike a conversation with Vladstin.
Sangfroid doesn't understand.
They had lost. The plan failed. Vladstin's demise is written on paper, he will be publicly executed. There's no hope for him.
But Prince Leron can still live a life after he had been cured by the Hermit of his vampirism.
Shouldn't he limit his interactions with Vladstin as much as possible and try to move on now? Come into terms of what fate has given them? Think of a way to convince the Ilvedians to take him back so they would both rule the new kingdom together and....
No. Sangfroid shook his head. That is a selfish thought. Not only is he selfishly hoping for Prince Leron's feelings to change for the sake of his own, but he is also hoping for the impossible from his people. The people could never forgive Leron to accept him as their prince.
The best he could do is to keep Leron at court, by his side, and away from harm from anyone who tries to hurt him. He would serve as the king, but deep in his heart, he would still serve under Prince Leron's feet if the prince asks him to.
He wanted so badly for Leron to take up the rulership from him. If he asks for the Amulet, he would give it to him. If he asks for him to clear his name for the people so they would accept him as their true ruler, he would do it for him without hesitation.
But the only person in Prince Leron's mind Vladstin, Vladstin, Vladstin.
He is always wearing a long face because of Vladstin, hurting because of Vladstin, giving a forced smile because of Vladstin. If not for Sangfroid's stubborn loyalty to him, he would become fed up too and go sing songs about wanting death to just take him.
Vladstin isn't singing songs anymore, but writing ballads instead with a large smile on his face.
He asked Sangfroid for anything to write on one day. He is tired of carving them on trees with his large claws, and he can't bring these tree barks with them once they moved and travel further.
His 'Libitino' begrudgingly let him have his diary. He has no use for it anymore.
"Are you sure, Min Libitino? I can have your possession?" Vladstin asked with sparkling gold eyes.
"Yes. Just do not bother Prince Leron." Sangfroid was sharpening his arrows that he uses to hunt for meat for him and Prince Leron.
"Thank you! Kill me!" Vladstin run up to hug Sangfroid and impale himself on the tip of the arrow, but Sangfroid had quickly pushed him away, his large hand covering Vladstin's face.
"Go write somewhere else and don't make much noise." Sangfroid said. "Prince Leron is sleeping and he deserves a rest for the whole day. You can come back at nighttime."
"Alright! I'll write an ode to you, Min Libitino!" Vladstin promised happily as he run.
Prince Leron stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Where is Vladstin?"
"Off to wander somewhere. He won't be far, and he moves faster than us so if we did lose him, he can still catch up." Sangfroid said. "What do you want for breakfast, Your Highness?"
"Don't call me Your Highness anymore, Your Majesty." Leron said weakly. "I think tea would do."
"Tea?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment that we are in the woods." Leron apologized. "I wanted tea because my mind is feeling hazy from how convoluted things with Vladstin have become."
"What kind of tea would you like, Your High— Leron?" Sangfroid corrected himself.
Leron gave an awkward smile and shook his head. "No, ignore it. I was not thinking clearly."
"Prince Leron, I can get the tea for you." Sangfroid dangled the Amulet in front of him. "Just say what kind."
"Oh." Leron's eyes widened. "Right. Then.... Um.... Is it possible to give me jasmine tea?"
Sangfroid merely wished the Amulet for jasmines and green tea leaves to grow, and they did.
He went over to the corpses just standing about. "Excuse me. Where are the cup and saucers?"
"Grugrrr." Sasha's corpse brought it before him.
"Thank you."
Sangfroid then lit a fire with a quick scratch of flintstone together with a pile of dry wood and used it to boil water that he got from a river that grew beside their camping spot and extends every time they travel.
But when they need furs or deerskins for clothes and other materials, they need to hunt for them.
This is the extent of the Amulet's power.
Wildlife that only exists in forests cannot be produced by it, but necessities that can be found inside civilizations and kingdoms could come to life. Man-made materials also don't magically appear on their own, only resources for it. So Sangfroid is quite careful with the glass saucers and cups since those are the only ones they have and cannot be replaced by magic when broken.
"Here you go, Your High—Leron." Sangfroid said. He is still not used to calling Leron by his name, but now that he is able to.... It had given him a small tinge of happiness.
He wants nothing more from him if Leron only sees their relationship as a superior and a subordinate, but being just a little more beyond that to be able to call each other on first-name basis is enough for his ears to go red and his heart to flutter.
He blew on the cup. "Be careful, it is very hot."
"Thank you, Sangfroid." Leron said with a smile.
The moment between them is as lovely as butterflies and bees in a cloudless sky, until they heard a voice from the distance.
"Hey! Min Libitino!" Vladstin waved both hands as he run with lightning speed towards them. "I forgot to ask for a plume! Silly me, how else can I write?"
"Vladstin!" Leron immediately set down his cup, his blue eyes affixed to the white-haired vampire every time he sees him. "W-Would you like some tea? Oh, wait. You only drink blood. Well.... Uh.... Would you like some of my blood for breakfast?"
Sangfroid stomped on the newly grown jasmines, the redness in his ears now gone and replaced by redness in his whole face instead.
"No. If you lose more blood, Your Highness, your turning would come sooner!" He protested. "If Vladstin needs blood, I'll give some to him."
"Oh, no, no! Use Min Libitino's blood for sustenance! That's not good at all, I only want
Min Libitino to kill me!" Vladstin smiled. "Well, should I use my own blood for ink? If I could borrow one of your arrows or your dagger, I'll go find some feather and use my blood to write my ballad then!"
Vladstin moved quickly and got the arrow from Sangfroid, and was about to stab his own palm right in front of them.
"No!" Both humans were against the idea, for slightly different reasons.
One cared for him and doesn't like seeing him hurt, and the other cares for the one that cares for him, and doesn't want his beloved to be even more traumatized.
In the end, Sangfroid asked the Amulet for a bird and a squid.
Plucking one of the bird's feathers and collecting the black sap from the squid then saving the meat for lunch, the two royal blooded princes watched as the new Ilvedian King made a plume and an ink case for the vampire lord who have aspirations of becoming a poet.
"You really are amazing, Min Libitino! You make life and also take life! I can't wait for when you take mine!" Vladstin laughed merrily as he ran to look for scenic places to gain inspiration for his 'Ballad of Min Libitino'.
The triangle had gotten confusing indeed. It was no longer a story of Vladstin who loved Leron and was betrayed by this person, seeking revenge, while Sangfroid fights Vladstin to keep Leron safe.
It is now the story of Vladstin being a crazy immortal in love with death and the idea of Sangfroid being his death, Sangfroid still pining for Leron, while Leron is now pining for Vladstin.
Everyone loves, but is unloved by their beloved.. The cat chases the mouse, the dog chases the cat, and in an unexpected twist, the mouse also chases the dog. Who will be together and live happily in the end?
"Min Libitino, look! I caught this wild hare for you!'" Thank you."A few minutes later."Prince Leron, eat this roasted hare.""Ah, do you want to eat some, Vladstin? You can have the hare's blood.""No, thank you! I'm satisfied with starving by Min Libitino's side."Later at night."Min Libitino, I prepared this bed for you and set up the tent!""Thank you. Prince Leron, go sleep here.""What about you, Vladstin? We can share this spot, and Sangfroid has his own tent. You're the one who built it, after all, so you should be able to use it.""No, thank you! I'm satisfied with losing sleep by watching guard of Min Libitino's tent."That had been their pattern for the last few days. It was driving the two not-insane-yet Leron and Sangfroid insane. Meanwhile, the mad and delusional Vladstin is the only one who seems to keep a peace of mind from this change of lifestyle.Leron is going insane because he could not get over the fact that Vladstin is completely smitten with Sangfroid now. And he is also aware of Sangfroid's feelings for him, so the guilt and regret are stronger than ever. Knowing that you have brought this misfortune upon yourself and can do nothing about it brings the most pain than being unaware of it.Sangfroid is completely unaware of Vladstin's infatuation for him.But he is still going insane each time Leron would offer Vladstin once again the things that he had given to him. All Prince Leron had talked about to him was Vladstin this, Vladstin that, and he keeps on trying to strike a conversation with Vladstin.Sangfroid doesn't understand.They had lost. The plan failed. Vladstin's demise is written on paper, he will be publicly executed. There's no hope for him.But Prince Leron can still live a life after he had been cured by the Hermit of his vampirism.Shouldn't he limit his interactions with Vladstin as much as possible and try to move on now? Come into terms of what fate has given them? Think of a way to convince the Ilvedians to take him back so they would both rule the new kingdom together and....No. Sangfroid shook his head. That is a selfish thought. Not only is he selfishly hoping for Prince Leron's feelings to change for the sake of his own, but he is also hoping for the impossible from his people. The people could never forgive Leron to accept him as their prince.The best he could do is to keep Leron at court, by his side, and away from harm from anyone who tries to hurt him. He would serve as the king, but deep in his heart, he would still serve under Prince Leron's feet if the prince asks him to.He wanted so badly for Leron to take up the rulership from him. If he asks for the Amulet, he would give it to him. If he asks for him to clear his name for the people so they would accept him as their true ruler, he would do it for him without hesitation.But the only person in Prince Leron's mind Vladstin, Vladstin, Vladstin.He is always wearing a long face because of Vladstin, hurting because of Vladstin, giving a forced smile because of Vladstin. If not for Sangfroid's stubborn loyalty to him, he would become fed up too and go sing songs about wanting death to just take him.Vladstin isn't singing songs anymore, but writing ballads instead with a large smile on his face.He asked Sangfroid for anything to write on one day. He is tired of carving them on trees with his large claws, and he can't bring these tree barks with them once they moved and travel further.His 'Libitino' begrudgingly let him have his diary. He has no use for it anymore."Are you sure, Min Libitino? I can have your possession?" Vladstin asked with sparkling gold eyes."Yes. Just do not bother Prince Leron." Sangfroid was sharpening his arrows that he uses to hunt for meat for him and Prince Leron."Thank you! Kill me!" Vladstin run up to hug Sangfroid and impale himself on the tip of the arrow, but Sangfroid had quickly pushed him away, his large hand covering Vladstin's face."Go write somewhere else and don't make much noise." Sangfroid said. "Prince Leron is sleeping and he deserves a rest for the whole day. You can come back at nighttime.""Alright! I'll write an ode to you, Min Libitino!" Vladstin promised happily as he run.Prince Leron stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Where is Vladstin?""Off to wander somewhere. He won't be far, and he moves faster than us so if we did lose him, he can still catch up." Sangfroid said. "What do you want for breakfast, Your Highness?""Don't call me Your Highness anymore, Your Majesty." Leron said weakly. "I think tea would do.""Tea?""Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot for a moment that we are in the woods." Leron apologized. "I wanted tea because my mind is feeling hazy from how convoluted things with Vladstin have become.""What kind of tea would you like, Your High Leron?" Sangfroid corrected himself.Leron gave an awkward smile and shook his head. "No, ignore it. I was not thinking clearly.""Prince Leron, I can get the tea for you." Sangfroid dangled the Amulet in front of him. "Just say what kind.""Oh." Leron's eyes widened. "Right. Then.... Um.... Is it possible to give me jasmine tea?"Sangfroid merely wished the Amulet for jasmines and green tea leaves to grow, and they did.He went over to the corpses just standing about. "Excuse me. Where are the cup and saucers?""Grugrrr." Sasha's corpse brought it before him."Thank you."Sangfroid then lit a fire with a quick scratch of flintstone together with a pile of dry wood and used it to boil water that he got from a river that grew beside their camping spot and extends every time they travel.But when they need furs or deerskins for clothes and other materials, they need to hunt for them.This is the extent of the Amulet's power.Wildlife that only exists in forests cannot be produced by it, but necessities that can be found inside civilizations and kingdoms could come to life. Man-made materials also don't magically appear on their own, only resources for it. So Sangfroid is quite careful with the glass saucers and cups since those are the only ones they have and cannot be replaced by magic when broken."Here you go, Your HighLeron." Sangfroid said. He is still not used to calling Leron by his name, but now that he is able to.... It had given him a small tinge of happiness.He wants nothing more from him if Leron only sees their relationship as a superior and a subordinate, but being just a little more beyond that to be able to call each other on first-name basis is enough for his ears to go red and his heart to flutter.He blew on the cup. "Be careful, it is very hot.""Thank you, Sangfroid." Leron said with a smile.The moment between them is as lovely as butterflies and bees in a cloudless sky, until they heard a voice from the distance."Hey! Min Libitino!" Vladstin waved both hands as he run with lightning speed towards them. "I forgot to ask for a plume! Silly me, how else can I write?""Vladstin!" Leron immediately set down his cup, his blue eyes affixed to the white-haired vampire every time he sees him. "W-Would you like some tea? Oh, wait. You only drink blood. Well.... Uh.... Would you like some of my blood for breakfast?"Sangfroid stomped on the newly grown jasmines, the redness in his ears now gone and replaced by redness in his whole face instead."No. If you lose more blood, Your Highness, your turning would come sooner!" He protested. "If Vladstin needs blood, I'll give some to him.""Oh, no, no! Use Min Libitino's blood for sustenance! That's not good at all, I only wantMin Libitino to kill me!" Vladstin smiled. "Well, should I use my own blood for ink? If I could borrow one of your arrows or your dagger, I'll go find some feather and use my blood to write my ballad then!"Vladstin moved quickly and got the arrow from Sangfroid, and was about to stab his own palm right in front of them."No!" Both humans were against the idea, for slightly different reasons.One cared for him and doesn't like seeing him hurt, and the other cares for the one that cares for him, and doesn't want his beloved to be even more traumatized.In the end, Sangfroid asked the Amulet for a bird and a squid.Plucking one of the bird's feathers and collecting the black sap from the squid then saving the meat for lunch, the two royal blooded princes watched as the new Ilvedian King made a plume and an ink case for the vampire lord who have aspirations of becoming a poet."You really are amazing, Min Libitino! You make life and also take life! I can't wait for when you take mine!" Vladstin laughed merrily as he ran to look for scenic places to gain inspiration for his 'Ballad of Min Libitino'.The triangle had gotten confusing indeed. It was no longer a story of Vladstin who loved Leron and was betrayed by this person, seeking revenge, while Sangfroid fights Vladstin to keep Leron safe.It is now the story of Vladstin being a crazy immortal in love with death and the idea of Sangfroid being his death, Sangfroid still pining for Leron, while Leron is now pining for Vladstin.Everyone loves, but is unloved by their beloved.. The cat chases the mouse, the dog chases the cat, and in an unexpected twist, the mouse also chases the dog. Who will be together and live happily in the end?
