Without wasting any time and ignoring the stares of others, Elijah strode into the room.
Willy sat by the window, his head slightly raised, as if observing the twinkling stars in the night sky. His soft, light-colored hair curled slightly and swayed with his movements.
He turned his head and looked at Elijah, his voice soft.
"elder brother."
After reaching adulthood, vampires' appearance will not change much, but the depth of time can be seen in their eyes.
But Elijah felt that the clear, bright red in Vili's eyes was like an eternal pool, reflecting his own wretched and ugly self, which had never changed.
He was overwhelmed by such pure trust, his lofty pride vanished, his back seemed to be bent under the weight, and his steps involuntarily faltered.
Vili, oblivious to his unease, jumped off the chair, ran over, grabbed Elijah's hand, and pulled him to sit down beside her, his tone tinged with a slight complaint.
Why are you only getting back now?
"……Feel sorry."
Elijah reached out and touched the boy's fluffy hair, but only for a moment before withdrawing his hand, his gesture incredibly gentle.
If those vampires he had schemed against saw him in this state, they would surely think they had fallen into some absurd illusion.
In reality, Elijah Hughes did not have a very good reputation outside of his official duties.
The dual responsibilities of revenge and family revival weighed heavily on his shoulders, forcing him to become a greedy shark. Whenever he smelled an opportunity for bloodshed, he would bare his gleaming fangs and use others as stepping stones to trample underfoot.
He coldly and ruthlessly surveyed the chessboard of all living beings, even treating himself as a piece that could be discarded at any time.
But Willy is the only exception.
"I'm late."
His gaze swept over the thin stack of letters on the windowsill. The rose-seal, split in two, was a glaring red. His delicate, thin lips flattened, and a flash of coldness crossed his eyes.
He never imagined that... Zephyr Thun, the benefactor of the Hughes family, the esteemed Prince, would do such a thing.
Deville probably had some suspicions... but he just couldn't believe it.
Elijah lowered his sharp brows and suddenly pulled Vili into his arms. Vili did not struggle, his expression blank and bewildered, but he instinctively reached out and patted the man's broad shoulders and back.
This action soothed Elijah, and his barely perceptible trembling stopped. He buried his head in the boy's smooth, white neck, inhaling the familiar scent, as if drawing strength from it to continue forward.
It'll be soon, very soon.
Elijah closed her tired eyes.
He had found the culprit who had brought about the destruction of his family: the mastermind, the accomplice, the associates... It was a highly respected nobleman whom no one had ever imagined, who, together with the court, wove a great web of interests and conspiracies, gradually devouring the Hughes family.
They were already stuffed with food, their mouths greasy and bellies bulging, and they had even forgotten that there was a pair of eyes watching them from behind. And he was no longer the helpless boy he once was.
But...but...
Why did Zephyr wake up at this particular time?
With Elian's abilities, even without the prince's help, he could bring the Hughes family back to the pinnacle of the vampire clan and restore Vili's original surname.
Then he can proudly declare to everyone that this is his younger brother.
They are connected by blood; they will never be separated.
...Just give him a little more time.
For vampires, this cheapest thing seemed to have become a luxury at this moment.
Ellian had been holding him for a while, so Vili moved slightly and broke free from his embrace. He then pressed his index finger against Vili's furrowed brow, gently rubbing away the deep pain.
He looked up at the man in front of him, but what came to mind was the man's appearance when he was young.
Having shared meals and sleeping together for over a decade, he spent far more time with Elijah than with Deville and Dario.
He watched this boy grow into who he is today, so much so that every expression and movement is imprinted in his heart, ingrained in his very bones and blood, inseparable from him.
Vili couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
For a moment, he even forgot his own troubles and focused intently on Elijah.
"Brother, you've been flying around for too long."
"Is there... anything I can help with?"
Vili rarely spoke so frankly about her feelings. Her thick, long eyelashes trembled slightly, and the tips of her ears turned red with embarrassment, but she never looked away.
"..."
Elijah stared at him, momentarily stunned, as if his whole being had been squeezed into a ball, allowing the boy in front of him to knead and pull at him willingly.
Suppressing his rapid breathing, he clenched his palms, but only placed a light kiss on the boy's forehead, like a butterfly landing.
“Vili...I love you.”
His voice was low, yet extremely clear in the quiet room.
Vili tilted his head, then suddenly reached out and ruffled Elijah's neatly styled hair, making a mess of it, before laughing:
"Is my brother being affectionate?"
Okay... I love you too.
His tone was like coaxing a child, but in reality, there was no difference.
In Vili's heart, although he called him brother and relied on his care, he secretly regarded Elijah as a child he had watched grow up.
Elijah's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He lowered his eyes and grasped the mischievous slender wrist, gently encircling it in his palm.
...They are different.
He thought this in his heart, but his expression remained no different from usual.
“I am not so weak and useless as to be…” he said arrogantly. “Your greatest help to me is simply to protect yourself.”
As if realizing his harsh tone, he turned his head and kissed the back of Willy's hand with some annoyance.
"I mean... don't make me worry."
"Okay?"
For some reason, when he met his gaze, Willy felt a burning sensation from the dampness and subconsciously withdrew his hand, humming in response.
After talking for a long time, the night outside the window gradually turned white, the stars disappeared, and dawn was approaching.
Elijah stood up, drew the curtains, and then carried Vili to the bed in the guest room.
"You should rest."
His voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
“Don’t worry about those two…” Elijah narrowed his eyes, seemingly letting out a cold snort, “Your Highness.”
"I will go and have a good talk with them."
Vili nestled in the soft, warm blankets, her beautiful eyes blinking gently, showing no sign of sleepiness.
Would you like to hear a bedtime story?
He didn't speak, but Elijah already understood his meaning, and a slight smile appeared on his thin lips.
Vili shook his head.
"Tell me... what you've been busy with lately."
If nothing unexpected happens, Vili will leave this world after Si Yuan returns.
Although he will most likely return later... but looking at Elijah, he always thinks of the tragic plot of the original work and can't help but want to find out about the other party's progress in revenge.
He deserves... a happy ending.
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