Chapter 244 Sanguinis Clan Conflict 04
Vlad and Maria were led into the Third Elder's guest house, an opulent sanctuary reserved for the clan's most esteemed visitors. The interior exuded an air of timeless grandeur, seamlessly blending classic elegance with modern comfort. Deep burgundy carpets cushioned every step, while elaborately carved wooden paneling adorned the walls.
The lighting, carefully chosen to set the mood, was a soft, warm glow that cast a gentle radiance throughout the room. Plush armchairs and couches were strategically placed to encourage relaxation and conversation, their upholstery a rich maroon that harmonized with the rest of the decor. Precious antique artworks hung on the walls, sharing the space with more modern pieces, creating a visually captivating contrast.
A team of impeccable servants, their attire as polished as their manners, attended to Vlad and Maria's needs. Each member of the staff bore the mark of professionalism and the ability to cater to the most distinguished of guests. Their qualifications extended to a level that would allow them to serve even in the British royal palace.
A butler, impeccably dressed in a traditional black suit, approached Vlad and Maria with a courteous bow. "Welcome to the Third Elder's guest house. It is an honor to have you as our esteemed guests," he said in a dignified tone.
Vlad and Maria were then seated at a lavishly adorned table, the centerpiece of the room. A teapot, adorned with intricate floral patterns and glistening with fine porcelain, sat in the center, emitting the delicate aroma of freshly brewed tea. A selection of premium teas from around the world awaited their choice.
The butler, with graceful precision, poured the tea into ornate cups, ensuring the steeping process was executed to perfection. He presented the tea to Vlad and Maria, who could sense the expertise in the service they were receiving. Alongside the tea, a variety of delectable sweets and pastries were served, inviting their guests to savor every moment of their visit.
As they sipped the exquisite tea and indulged in the sumptuous treats, Vlad and Maria couldn't help but appreciate the impeccable service and the elegant surroundings, which further emphasized the distinction of the Sanguinis Clan's hospitality. It was a place where even the most distinguished guests could feel truly at home.
"I never thought that the Sanguinis Clan would welcome us like this. It's almost too good, as if we're the honored guests. Now, I have a bad feeling that things will go downhill from here," Vlad said, his jest tinged with a hint of instinct. Despite his disinterest in politics, the memories and instincts of his rule over Wallachia remained fresh in his mind.
"Please, don't jinx it, Dad. I hate complications," Maria retorted.
"Ohhh, but I like it, especially the type of complication that leads to violence," Vlad replied, clearly amused by his daughter's unease.
"Ugh," Maria groaned at her father's amusement and his anticipation of violence.
She wasn't afraid that her father would initiate a disturbance, but rather, she feared that the other party might instigate it, leading to her father's brutal retaliation and escalating the conflict from a mere dispute to a bloodbath.
As the chief of the intelligence division for Daniel, Maria despised this particular brand of complication, knowing that it would only make her job more challenging and complicated.
"Welcome to my lord's humble abode, honored guests from the Umbra Clan," a deep voice belonging to a young man echoed as he entered the guest house. He was dressed in an elegant light blue suit.
The man stopped in front of Vlad and Maria, then gracefully bowed to them. "My name is Friedrich Weber, the Steward under the leadership of the Third Elder, Lord Lysander Sanguinis. At your service," Friedrich introduced himself and extended his hand toward Maria, although Vlad paid him no attention.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Weber. I'm Maria, and this is my foster father, Vlad," Maria said as she stood up and shook Friedrich's hand. "But you've misunderstood. We're not from the Umbra Clan."
"Okay, honored guests, you're not from the Umbra Clan. We understand," Friedrich accepted the explanation, although he seemed skeptical.
Friedrich released her hand and then turned his attention to Vlad, examining a coin with a peculiar symbol resembling a black demon's head. The symbol glowed, and he nodded in satisfaction.
"The checking procedure is complete. Please wait here for a moment. I'll go call Lord Lysander to discuss matters with you, honored guests," Friedrich said with a smile before leaving through the same door he had entered.
With Friedrich gone, Vlad and Maria were left alone, and Maria began to speak with her father.
"It seems he misunderstood and didn't believe that we didn't come from the Umbra Clan," Maria remarked.
"Isn't this interesting? I sense that it might lead to an intriguing development. You mentioned that the Umbra Clan specializes in assassination, right? If my guess is right, there might be something very entertaining for me to do," Vlad said, amused by his own speculation.
"Don't jinx it, Dad, seriously..." Maria retorted, letting out a sigh.
The two of them waited for about 15 minutes, enjoying tea and desserts in the guest house, when a man dressed in a regal robe and noble attire entered from outside. He had long blonde hair and blue eyes, similar to the steward. He walked over to Maria, took her hand, and kissed the back of it in a noble gesture, much to Vlad's irritation as he sat on a nearby couch.
"Greetings, Ms. Maria. You are truly beautiful," he said, then turned to Vlad. "And Lord Vlad, your name reminds me of a powerful vampire who was a progenitor of us all. I'm sure you have the confidence in your strength and power to uphold that name. I am Lysander Sanguinis, the Third Elder." At the end of his speech, he pulled out a coin from his pocket with the same design as the steward's, though this one was larger.
lightsΝοvεl ?οm The coin briefly glowed a deep blood red, and Lysander's expression shifted from stunned to gleeful, as if he had discovered an unexpected pleasant surprise. He nodded in satisfaction and quickly stashed the coin in his inner pocket.
"Absolutely worth every penny. I never expected the Umbra Clan would send Lord Vlad, whose power equals that of the peak of the Elder Blood, to us. Your approach, using that pawn to come to us disguised as a human and supported by various documents, was brilliant. No one in this clan would have imagined that Lord Vlad would come so openly like this, especially with that artifact that can mask the vampire scent. We have a real opportunity for cooperation," Lysander said, clearly excited about the prospects of their collaboration.
"I am very satisfied with this arrangement from your clan, Lord Vlad," Lysander added before turning to one of his servants. "Bring the item here!" he commanded with a happy tone.
Vlad and Maria exchanged glances, realizing that the misunderstanding about their origins ran deeper than they had thought. While Maria wanted to clear up this misconception, her foster father Vlad appeared intrigued by the item that Elder Lysander had mentioned.
After a few minutes, the servants returned with a uniquely designed metal suitcase that appeared to blend magic and technology, indicating its importance.
Lysander took the suitcase from his servant and opened it for Vlad and Maria to see. As the suitcase opened, a rush of cold air enveloped them, creating a white, cold mist. Once the mist dissipated, two transparent capsules the size of a thumb were revealed, each containing blood-red liquid.
Vlad's eyes gleamed with hunger and excitement. This was the blood of a saint, and for vampires, saint blood was akin to a miracle tonic and a powerful elixir capable of enhancing their strength. Vlad knew the value of such blood, having become the first vampire from a normal human by drinking the blood of Jesus preserved within the holy cross in a Wallachian church during the 14th century.
"As per our agreement, these two capsules contain the blood of Saint Joan of Arc, the holy maiden who could communicate with God during the Hundred Years' War. One capsule should have the power to elevate a Noble Blood to the status of Elder Blood," Lysander explained, outlining the capsules' effects before closing the suitcase and handing it to Vlad.
"This is half of it before the job begins. The other half will be given to you after the job is done," he added.
"Thank you very much," Vlad said with a smile, smoothly concealing the suitcase in his shadow realm. His daughter, Maria, cast a critical gaze at her father, clearly disapproving of his exploitation of Lysander's misunderstanding.
At that moment, Friedrich, the steward of the third Elder, rushed into the guest house, appearing alarmed. Quickly, he led his master, the third elder, into a corner, using a soundproof barrier to whisper something into his ear.
Upon hearing the message, Lysander's expression changed to one of suspicion as he looked at Vlad once more.
"Lord Vlad, between Earl Grey and Darjeeling, which tea do you prefer?" Lysander posed the question as if to gauge something.
Maria recognized this as a secret code meant to verify the authenticity of the other party. She discreetly prepared the dagger hidden in her sleeves in case the situation took a turn for the worse.
"Heh... a stupid question. Earl Grey is the best," Vlad replied indifferently, showing no concern for the hidden meaning behind the question.
"So... you're an imposter after all. What a shame. I was starting to like your daughter," Lysander said, his voice filled with a touch of pity and regret.
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