Act 9: The Oathbreaker (15)

fifteen

“Since the Feast of Ascension, Diophantus has not mentioned his sister again,” Yubi sighed. “May that girl find someone she loves.”

“With a mother and brothers like that, it's hard to say,” Schumacher shook his head. “From now on, hide those books well, and don't let outsiders see them again…”

"Why do you think so too?" Yubi's neck and ears turned bright red. "Yakov, he won't listen to my explanation!"

Yakov was checking his belongings. He was dressed in a very simple white wool robe with a red cross painted on his chest. "It's not without its advantages, it saves you from having any more marriage proposals," he said with a smile, but soon his expression turned serious. "...But you have to be careful of that notary."

"I'm tired of hearing you say that," Yubi sighed, handing him the ruby-encrusted longsword. "I know..."

Suddenly, a flock of seagulls flew by the dock, their flapping wings drowning out his voice.

Just as Yakov was about to board the ship, a burly man in chainmail ran up from afar. He burst into tears, embraced Yakov, and forcefully kissed his bearded cheeks. "God, you've taken away every one of my brothers..." Sancho cried, tears streaming down his face, "You must cherish your life, Yakov, don't lose it in the East..."

“Who are you trying to impress with this act?” Yakov pulled him away and lowered his voice, “I’m smuggling spices, you know that.”

"But we have to keep up appearances!" Sancho instantly wiped the gloom from his face. "If I don't cry, people will become suspicious of you!"

After saying this, the Spanish knight put on a heartbroken expression and hugged his comrade with all his might.

After everyone finished saying their goodbyes, Yubi finally watched Yakov board the ship. As they parted, the Blood Slave whispered in his ear the same thing he'd said a thousand times before: "Your ring," he said, "is your most precious possession. Don't lose it."

“I know,” Yubi nodded. “Don’t worry.”

The weather was scorching hot; the sun made the stone bricks on the ground scorching, and the sea breeze from Golden Horn Bay stung Yubi's eyes. But he refused to hide. In the blazing sun, he gazed at Yakov in the distance, while Yakov watched him from his deck on the dock. Yakov's tall figure appeared so small against the backdrop of the massive sailboat, like a grain of millet—Yubi thought that he must also appear just as small in Yakov's eyes, easily lost in a crowd—yet he also thought that such a profound and enduring connection bound them together, ensuring they would not be lost or bewildered.

The enormous sailing ship eventually became as small as a grain of millet at the horizon where the sea met the sky. "Let's go," Schumeer called softly, "He will come back."

Yubi led the blind man back to the villa. Passersby were discussing the Venetian fleet—it was said that the vengeful forces had set sail from the Adriatic Sea.

He lingered on the balcony of the reception room for a long time. The wisteria blossoms on the trellis had long since fallen, and two peacocks strolled in the garden, pecking at the fruit—only then did Yubi notice that bean pods had formed on the vines. He moved a chair over and sat down, watching this scene.

He sat from dawn until dusk, until the sun set and night fell. A day is so short, it passes in the blink of an eye if you squander it, Yubi thought. He suddenly felt that his spirit had aged considerably due to the separation, as if he had lived for countless years and was weary.

The sight of Seilman's carriage outside brought him back to his senses: the blood slaves were here again. "I've been wearing my ring all day; I don't need them," Yubi said, not bothering to turn around. "Naya is enough on her own."

“Alright, but I have something else to attend to,” Seymour said with a smile. “I’ll let you know when you’ve finished eating.”

The Greek slave girl stretched out her neck, and Yubi gently brushed aside her hair, opened her mouth, and bit down.

He found himself craving the taste of Yakov's blood—Naya's blood, too, once held fear and resistance, just like Yakov's. Yubi searched carefully for that trace in her blood, but lately the flavor had faded, making Naya's blood taste sweeter. "Your blood tastes different," Yubi mumbled between sips.

“…Aren’t you satisfied?” Naya asked in alarm.

“No, it’s just changed.” Yubi relented, looking up. “You don’t hate it anymore?”

“Master, I just don’t think it’s that terrible…” Naya said, bowing her head. “I think this way I can get closer to you, as if I can share your secrets and connect with your soul… as if you are my god, controlling me.”

Upon hearing her words, Yubi suddenly felt both noble and lowly, kind and evil at the same time. It was as if someone was begging him, extending a begging bowl. The vampire thought, "Poor thing, I can understand her suffering and see her vulnerability. Her life is in my hands, so I will grant her permission, save her, and forgive her."

He filled the bowl.

Suddenly, the female slave in front of him clutched her chest in pain and collapsed to the ground, groaning.

Yubi was startled and rushed off the couch to support her. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Does it hurt somewhere?"

Naya's hand was curled up and pressed tightly against her left chest.

A terrible thought flashed into Yubi's mind. He stood up tremblingly, at a loss, both ecstatic and terrified. He was stunned for a long time before he bent down again and hugged Naya in his arms, parting the layers of her clothes at her chest.

A bloody, fresh, and swollen scar was vividly imprinted on the spot where her heart was, peeking out from beneath the pristine white linen.

The scars formed a peculiar pattern, like a smiling, evil mouth with two sharp teeth protruding from beneath them, dripping blood.

Tbc.