From the moment Ivan and Nikolai learned of this unique and dangerous ability, which even the current head, Viktor, didn’t know about.
Because of this, they started to increase their research and studied the many clashes that happened in the past. All to find out what the Nosferatu got involved with.
The days started to pass, with Nikolai training in the mornings, fighting against his father, Alexei, and sometimes even Viktor would join. A sense of urgency grew each day. The upcoming gala became more dangerous the longer the trio researched past events.
After two weeks, Nikolai’s progress in training, entering the tower and spending time with his lovers became a normal routine. Sometimes, he would return to the mansion at midnight, then be training once again at four in the morning.
However, he never neglected his lovers.
The only issue was Selene becoming a little strange.
"We have seven days until the event." Ivan’s chest heaved as he looked back at Nikolai, a bruise on the older male’s cheek while Nikolai panted, his lips curved into a vicious smirk.
"You have progressed faster than I imagined, but the grand elders will still be dangerous in your normal state." Ivan didn’t like to lie or sugarcoat his words.
He never said things to make Nikolai feel better. The stern gaze of a tough father, yet his pupils shone with pride each time Nikolai stood up and faced him once again.
Today was the first time Nikolai scored more blows in their training session. His father’s words were completely true—he was progressing quickly. It felt like his body was remembering how to fight, rather than learning from scratch.
But sometimes he couldn’t focus, which led to Ivan getting the upper hand.
"Dad, why are we training less in the last seven days? Shouldn’t I be training more right now?!"
Nikolai’s breathless question echoed in the dark basement room with only the pair inside. Alexei was helping train the other troops, and today Viktor needed to meet with some vassals and members of the alliance.
"Son, right now is the most important time... you need to wind down and calm your mind. The past two weeks you’ve been firing on all cylinders and more. The tower, training, duelling, researching, and even spending time with your fiancée’s."
Ivan stepped closer and extended his hand, ruffling Nikolai’s hair with a wide grin.
"My foolish boy, use these seven days and enjoy some time with your loved ones. If the event becomes something dangerous, what are you going to do when mentally exhausted, or worse, injured?" Ivan’s words made sense, but Nikolai still wanted to keep training.
"But—"
"No buts," Ivan interrupted. "Now go back to the mansion and rest. Is it not enough you managed to almost break your old man’s nose?" He chuckled before turning away. "I’ll see you later tonight."
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Nikolai watched his father leave the room with slumped shoulders, and a slight limp. ’Did I really hit him that hard?’ Nikolai thought as he looked at his knuckles, which were bruised, swollen and cut.
The door clicked shut, leaving Nikolai alone in the darkness.
[You did well, Nikolai! You were so cool. Mom is proud!]
’Cooler than dad?’
[Ack... well, you’re both cool!]
He didn’t mind her honest answer; she always remained the same. Her devotion to his father made Nikolai more envious of their relationship in the past. But now, since he started communicating and listening to his lovers more, Nikolai understood how to attain that kind of relationship.
"Seven days of rest..."
Nikolai clenched his fists into balls and examined his muscles. He nodded with a confident smile at his bulging biceps and tough, forged triceps. They were not too big that they became unsightly, but a delicate balance between muscle and flexibility.
’I know that Selene and Kumiko like muscles...’
He grinned as he thought about showing off his new body to his fiancées.
After taking a quick shower in the basement, Nikolai left the underground bunker and walked through the streets connecting the fortress mansion and various other abodes where the other members of their moonlight alliance lived.
The sun hung over the horizon as night beckoned for its turn. It was late afternoon, and Nikolai felt refreshed after such an intense workout.
His footsteps echoed across the concrete path, and his ears picked up the sound of children playing in the distance.
’Children...’
Since the moment Nikolai learned, he would become a father, he has been thinking about it. He wonders what his children will look like, whether they will be girls or boys, and whether they will model themselves after their mothers.
Nikolai’s heart pounded against his chest, and he could feel his blood pumping. It wasn’t like bloodlust or his desire for their mothers, instead a primal excitement to see them born.
’I wonder if they’ll have all my bloodlines?’
He couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought. Though he wanted a lovely daughter, Nikolai couldn’t accept the idea of her meeting a man one day. Somehow, he understood Dimitri and Vlad’s cranky reactions in the past.
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’Hmm... I haven’t seen either of them for quite some time, did something happen?’
Dimitri and Vlad vanished after he defeated Alistair Faust, but now he couldn’t remember seeing them, even at the meetings with the alliance Nagisa attended.
"I should ask dad next time, maybe Nikita and Selene miss their fathers."
Nikolai eventually found himself outside his mansion, a place he had used only to sleep and enjoy passionate nights with his lovers for the past two weeks. Now, he had come back here to rest, and it was a strange feeling.
[You’ve been working hard non-stop. Take some time to recover. Nikolai, you’re like a taught rope right now.]
’I cannot deny that...’
Since learning of the gala, he has trained and practised in all areas, including his bloodline arts and other abilities. His progress has been remarkable, but he also knows the dangers of pushing himself too far.
But he still wanted to do more.
He needed to be stronger.
He had to be stronger.
"Nikolai?"
A gentle, and warm tone sounded from behind, followed by a soft tapping of feet. The familiar voice caused Nikolai to smile before he turned around.
"Kumiko," he whispered with an inaudible sigh. She stood a step away, reaching out to hug him. In a simple white dress that hugged her curves tightly, her long blonde hair flowed down to her waist.
"You look so intense." Kumiko’s eyes curled into crescent moons while grasping his hips, her fingers pressing and exploring his muscular abdomen while her smile deepened. "And you’ve been working out so much."
Nikolai chuckled as he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Do you like it?" he asked with a playful smirk, which reddened her cheeks.
Her hand wrapped around his arm, causing her to suddenly gasp. "Oh my?" The surprise in her voice made him laugh.
"I’m glad you like it." He leaned down and kissed her on the lips, a soft peck that felt like a cooling tide washed over him. Kumiko’s arms then grabbed his back, pulling him close. Her mouth opened slightly, allowing her tongue to slip inside his mouth and part his lips.
"Mmm..."
A soft moan escaped her throat, and she pressed herself tighter against him. Nikolai’s hands slid down her back until they reached her rump, where he squeezed gently.
"Nnnph!"
Kumiko enjoyed the sensation of his firm hands grabbing her and lifting her off the ground.
The sudden act seemed to excite her as Kumiko continued to kiss him, moving her tongue with more passion, and her body squirmed against his chest.
"Kumiko, we are outside," Nikolai whispered as he broke their kiss. He didn’t put her down, but he carried her toward the door, opening it with one hand.
"It doesn’t matter—everyone knows we’re engaged." Kumiko’s breathless response caused him to raise an eyebrow, but he didn’t argue. The upward gaze peering at him from below destroyed all his defences.
"I’ll be taking a week of rest, so..."
"So we can spend more time together?" Kumiko finished his sentence with a bright smile, her eyes twinkling like stars. "I’m happy. You’ve been training so hard lately—the others will also be really excited."
Nikolai nodded with a smile.
"I know, but I want to spend a day with you, alone."
Kumiko’s cheeks flushed red once again, but she soon recovered, her fingers drawing on his chest as she nodded.
"I look forward to it."
The moment he entered the mansion, Nikolai experienced a sense of Déjà vu, a feeling that he had lost a long time ago but finally found once again.
He saw Selene, Nikita, and Risa waiting for him with the maids. Someone probably saw him walking around, and they all prepared for this. The moment their words echoed through the entrance, his heart fluttered in delight.
"Welcome Home, Young Master!"
"Welcome home, darling."
"Nikolai~ I missed you."
"Honey, welcome home."
All the women greeted him, their voices unique and distinct from the maids. His enhanced hearing picked each of their voices out and stored them on his mind and heart’s hard drive.
"I’m home!"
The sense of having a place to return.
’Finally, I have a home again.’
[He looks so happy and unsure how to react, so cute. You’ve built a family of your own.]