The Vampire Prince's Toxic Consort (BL)

Lucius was dreaming of a handsome, dark, devilish god with eight packs and black eyes feeding him the most exquisite wine he had ever tasted with those luscious lips when the butler, Mr.Carter’s stern voice dragged him out of paradise.

“Master Lucius, wake up.”

No matter how grown up Lucius was, Mr. Carter’s voice could always sober him up instantly. He propped his eyelids open, rubbed his face, and groaned from the onslaught of a hangover headache, “huh? What?”

“His lordship wants to see you.” Mr. Carter stood straight and tall next to his disheveled bed, unfazed by the chaotic image of several of his half-naked, passed-out frat friends and escorts scattering on the lounge bed, couch, and floor.

Lucius sat up groggily, blonde locks all tangled and messy, “what time is it?”

“It’s ten in the morning.”

“Geeze Carter, so early!”

“They are waiting for you.” Carter waved his hand, and a maid quickly entered with newly washed clothes in her arm.

Lucius dragged his heavy body out of the warmth of the comforter, managed to finish brushing his teeth, washed his face and brushed his shoulder-length hair into a presentable state in ten minutes, and put on the attire Carter had chosen for him. He looked much more like a demur college boy in the white shirt and muted green sweater, a look that his parents preferred.

Lucius looked into the mirror and rolled his eyes, “why do you dress me to look like my brother?”

Carter replied calmly, “you brother no longer wears secular clothing, master Lucius.”

“I meant like my brother before he became the High Priest,” Lucius sighed, “what’s going on? Why do you want me to please my parents? What did I do this time?”

“I’m afraid I’m not in the position to disclose.”

“Fine...I will find out soon anyway,” Lucius grunted as he left the room.

Lord Rosenfield was standing next to the window, a cigarette between his fingers, while Lady Rosenfield was sitting on the couch, looking tense. Lucius spotted some small cakes, cookies and tea on the table, fetched one scone with jam, took a generous bite to appease his empty stomach, and slumped into the nearest armchair.

“You want to see me?” Lucius asked with a mouthful of scone.

“You are getting married,” said Lord Rosenfield curtly.

Lucius blinked, “what?”

“You are of age, and it is an honorable arrangement,” said Lady Rosenfield softly, “it’s your chance to serve your king, your country, your people, and defend our belief.”

Lucius’s chewing paused in alarm, “what does my marriage have to do with serving the country?”

Lord Rosenfield turned around and strolled closer to his wife but kept his eyes locked on his son, “You are betrothed to Prince Dorian Ashdown of Eternia.”

Lucius choked on his scone and coughed for a few moments before blurting out, “are you fucking kidding me?!”

“I don’t care how you speak with your friends, but this is not how we talk in this house.” Lord Rosenfield berated.

Lucius couldn’t stay calm. He stood up abruptly and almost knocked over the teacup, “I can’t swear, and yet you can sell me to some abusive blood-thirst devil psychopath?! What kind of father are you? Do you really hate me this much?!”

“It’s in their premises of the peace treaty. Dorian Ashdown specifically said your name, and if I don’t agree to it, the war will never end! Do you want your people to suffer for another decade, or even worse, be enslaved by the vampires in five years?!”

“Why in seven heavens would that prince wants me as his consort?! I know vampires don’t give a shit about sexual orientation like our people unfortunately do but still, why me?! I haven’t even met him!”

Both of his parents fell into an eerily protracting silence. Lucius immediately sensed something was fishy, “what? What’s going on?”

Ere long, Lady Rosenfield finally answered, “in fact...they want Julian.”

“Margret!”

“He will know sooner or later!” Retorted the lady, “we have to tell him the truth. There is no other way!”

Lucius gaped at his parents. Their words reverberated in his head and whelmed all his organs in icy water.

It all made sense now.

Julian, his perfect twin brother. They had exactly the same look: strawberry blonde wavy hair, alabaster skin, almond-shaped hazel eyes, and lean frames. The only difference was that Lucius was slightly taller.

However, somehow, their personality diverged drastically during the process of growing up. Julian was exceptional in every aspect. Intelligent, responsible and had a kind heart of an angel. The dream son that even the king would hope to have. Meanwhile, Lucius grew to be a regular flippant and lazy posh scion, drinking and footled about with his friends and barely keeping out of the prying eyes of the reporters. Lord Rosenfield would thank God every day as long as Lucius didn’t become a scandal.

The difference became more prominent and substantial when Julian received “the calling”, and decided to become a priest when he was fifteen. And soon, he was known for having a divine gift of hearing God’s voice and performing miracles and was promoted to High Priest when he was only 23 years old, the youngest High Priest in history. Many people even believed that he was the messenger of God, a true angel incarnated.

In a country where eighty percent of people were believers, such a well-loved person would be seen as the hope against the looming darkness. A sign that God was standing with them against the devil’s advocates-vampires. In a sense, Julian was more important than the King.

Maybe that was why Dorian Ashdown made such an infuriating request. It’s a sacrilege and humiliation of their belief. If they choose not to accept, Eternia would have a perfect excuse to continue the war.

But accepting it would mean that their symbols of purity and hope fell into the inferno of obscenity and depravity, and it would surely damage people’s trust in their king and the government. Riot might ensue, and the war-decimated kingdom could not bear more turmoil.

“But he asked for Julian,” Lucius said in a hollowed voice, “if he finds out that I’m not, surely it would make him more furious.”

Lord Rosenfield pressed out the cigarette in the ashtray and said, “no. He will not. Because you are Julian.”

“I’m Lucius! Are you mad?”

“Not anymore.” Lord Rosenfield raised his eyes and regarded his son intensely, “not since yesterday. We have changed your name to Julian on all legal documents and your brother’s to Lucius. And today, our acceptance of the clauses has been sent to Eternia. We won’t break any clause by sending you.”

A loud humming filled Lucius’s head, and a terrible giddiness rushed toward him like a wild horse, knocking him to the seat. He couldn’t breathe.

“Dorian Ashdown will kill me.”

“No, he will not. Even vampires have laws, and murdering their consort will be punished severely. And he also promised not to force you to turn into one of them.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Lucius laughed anguishedly while trying his best to contain the excruciating hurt welling up in his eyes, “Julian agreed to this?”

“He did.”

“So it’s all settled. You finally find a chance to get rid of me and only keep the son you want.“Lucius sneered coldly, eyes red, “you don’t care what they would do to me.”

“Lucius...” His mother tried to say something, but he no longer wanted to hear another word. He stood up abruptly and stormed out of the room, knowing his faith was already settled.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

He shouldn’t be surprised. Of course they would choose the better son over the insignificant one. But it still hurt like hell.

And worst of all, his father didn’t even say “sorry” as he pushed his own flesh and blood toward the depth of the abyss.