The Imposing Prince and the Wary Daughter

Thump… thump… thump…

With slow, measured steps, Iqiyah’s father approached the grand entrance.

He was clad in a black military dress uniform. Epaulets adorned his shoulders, and a vibrant red sash draped across his chest. Several gleaming gold medals embellished the sash, lending him an air of solemn dignity.

Unlike the reception given to other vampire guests, Levian and the maids offered no effusive words of respect to this Prince of many identities. Instead, they simply bowed in perfect unison.

“Master.”

He offered no nod, no response. Iqiyah’s father maintained his unwavering pace, crossing the threshold directly to stand before Iqiyah. He looked down upon his own daughter, who seemed two or three sizes smaller than his imposing frame.

Only when he stood directly before them did Seraphina truly comprehend the Prince’s immense stature.

From her previous impressions and everyday observations, Seraphina knew most vampires were slender, with pale, luminous skin. They often stood tall and thin, like elegant lampposts.

Iqiyah’s father, however, was different. His body was exceptionally robust, overwhelmingly massive. Facing him felt like standing before a mountain; the words ‘slender’ or ‘svelte’ simply didn’t apply.

Within a distance where one could open their arms for an embrace, father and daughter stood face to face, gazing at each other with expressionless countenances.

“Iqiyah…” Iqiyah’s father was the first to break the silence. “It’s been a long time.”

His voice, much like his physique, was deep and steady—like a massive boulder, devoid of any discernible intonation.

“…It has,” Iqiyah replied, her voice laced with a wary undertone, as if addressing an adversary. “Father.”

“Hmm… your complexion looks well these past few centuries.”

“Oh, Prince Godia Scarlett, Your Majesty, you truly are a busy man with a short memory,” Iqiyah retorted, showing her father no deference, addressing him by name directly as she mocked him.

“Our last meeting was at the estate, wasn’t it? By my count… we certainly can’t measure that in centuries. It’s been at least a millennium, hasn’t it? Such a long time, tsk, tsk, tsk…”

“…”

Iqiyah’s words struck their mark. Her father, Godia, was rendered speechless by her sharp retort. Any normal person would have surely taken the hint and departed.

But Godia was not like others. He was not a normal person—at least, not in Iqiyah’s eyes.

“You… have taken a thrall?”

Perhaps to change the subject, Godia abruptly shifted his gaze to Seraphina, who stood observing nearby.

“It seems you’ve finally come to your senses, pursuing what ordinary vampires enjoy.”

Suddenly!

“Ah!?”

Godia seized Seraphina’s arm, yanking her forward.

“Hmm… not bad.”

Godia kneaded Seraphina’s arm. Beneath his colossal hands, her arm felt like a pair of wooden chopsticks, easily grasped and turned repeatedly. The rough handling caused Seraphina a series of sharp pains.

“At least her physical body is decent… You’ve found a rather good thrall, Iqiyah.”

‘Really good?’ Seraphina knew herself well. Physically, she was absolutely the lowest of the low—in terms of raw strength, of course.

“Let go.”

“Hm?”

Sensing an unusual pressure on his arm, Godia glanced sideways at his daughter.

Iqiyah’s eyes were wide with fury, her arm clamped tightly onto Godia’s. Veins bulged, her anger clearly visible.

“My daughter… what is the meaning of this?”

“It means nothing,” Iqiyah snarled. “You hurt Seraphina.”

“Hm? My daughter…” Hearing Iqiyah’s reply, Godia raised an eyebrow. “Could it be that you feel sympathy for this thrall?”

“Of course.”

A corner of Iqiyah’s mouth curled upwards.

“As a mistress, one should be responsible for their thrall. Naturally, one must cherish and protect them… Isn’t that the rule of our kind?”

“Rules… are they?”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Seraphina’s arm. Godia’s arm muscles visibly flexed, silently conveying his displeasure.

“If you truly cared for rules, then why—”

“If you do not wish to attend the Blood Feast, you may turn around and leave now,” Iqiyah interjected, cutting Godia off.

“However, if you intend to partake, please proceed inside. Thank you for your cooperation.”

“…”

Godia’s lips were pressed into a thin, hard line. From the sheer force he exerted, his arm began to tremble violently, causing Seraphina’s arm to go numb and nearly lose all sensation.

Despite his obvious displeasure, Godia merely tightened his grip, making no other move against Iqiyah or Seraphina.

“You are right. I am here for the Blood Feast.”

Finally, Godia released Seraphina’s hand.

“Levian, please escort me to the main hall.”

Adjusting his cuffs, Godia cast a sidelong glance at Iqiyah, whose face was etched with fury. Then, accompanied by Levian, he strode away with his head held high.

Iqiyah watched Godia’s retreating back intently. Only after confirming her father had left the corridor did she finally turn around.

“Phew, the old man is finally gone.”

She first let out a long breath, then immediately looked at Seraphina.

“Seraphina, are you alright?”

Gazing at the arm Godia had squeezed so tightly, Iqiyah raised her hand, yet hesitated to touch Seraphina’s arm directly, clearly afraid of hurting her again.

“I’m fine,” Seraphina offered a wry smile. “No wonder you’re so strong, though. You must take after your father~”

“Ugh… what a thing to say.” Iqiyah frowned slightly. “I wouldn’t want to inherit anything from him…”

“And Seraphina.”

“Hm?”

“You truly scared me just now.”

Iqiyah managed a difficult smile. “Please remember what I told you. Absolutely do not get involved with him… Never.”

‘Heh heh.’ Secretly clenching her still aching and numb arm, Seraphina broke into a cold sweat.

‘Don’t worry, Iqiyah. Even if you paid me, I wouldn’t want anything more to do with him.’

‘Still, for some reason, I have a premonition that I’ll have to face him head-on someday…’

‘I hope it’s false.’

“Alright, Seraphina.”

Taking Seraphina’s hand, Iqiyah forced a smile.

“The guests should all be here by now. Let’s head to the reception hall.”

“By the way, during the Blood Feast, make sure to stay close to me~ These people are all creatures of extreme whimsy. If one of them takes a liking to you… ah! They might just abduct you~”

“Heh heh heh… then you’ll have to get me back, won’t you?”

“Of course, Seraphina.”

For some inexplicable reason, Seraphina felt Iqiyah’s pupils subtly tremble.

“No matter what happens, I will always get you back.”

“Always…”

****

Meanwhile, at the other end of the corridor.

Through a small crack in the grand door, Godia narrowed his eyes, intently watching the activity in the corridor.

“Master.”

“Hmph!”

Startled by the voice behind him, Godia quickly turned around.

“Whew… it’s just you, Levian.”

“How is it that you’re deliberately trying to scare people now? I recall you not being the type to play tricks on others.”

“…You misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to trick you.”

Levian looked at her master, who had been thoroughly spooked by her, with a resigned expression.

“You are Lady Iqiyah’s father. If you wished, you could simply go to her and observe her openly. There is no need to hide here, secretly peeking like a mouse.”

“…Still as sharp-tongued as ever, Levian.”

Godia shrugged. “However… you are not a parent, after all. You wouldn’t understand the hardships of parenthood.”

“In front of me, she would never show her true self.”

“Then do you not consider improving your father-daughter relationship?”

“Father-daughter relationship?”

Godia’s face darkened.

“Absolutely not.”

“You know, Levian.”

“For Iqiyah’s safety… I must make her despise me.”

“I must… keep her away from me, her father.”