Vampire Nightlife

Chapter 23 A Small Gift Of Worry And Concern

?Yesterday ended with Lukas taking his leave–with much regret. He wished that he had a chance to redeem himself and improve Serena's perception of him, but Lukas turned her down.

But it was Chaerin he was more worried about. When Lukas tried to visit her in her apartment, she didn't even make a budge or sound. She wasn't even willing to talk with him.

? "Lukas, I need a little of your help here." Lily asked. "We're in a bit of a rush."

He blinked and looked at Lily standing up in a chair, she was holding some flower garlands in her hands. Beautiful pure white lilies, almost like herself, were gently held as she awaited his help.

"Right, sorry." Lukas quickly ventured over and helped maintain the balance of the chair.

"Thank you." Lily smiled as she started to hang the flower garlands. However, she couldn't help but cast a furtive glance down Lukas' way.

Not once was the man distracted by her, but it almost seemed like he was bothered by something else.

The normal Lukas would have been flirting it up or teasing Lily–maybe mention that her skirt could start flying due to the wind and hit him in the face, but today, he didn't quite seem like himself.

"Um, are you alright?" Lily asked once she was done. She turned slightly to look over at Lukas who blinked then smiled at her.

"Perfectly alright. Here, let me help you down." Absent-mindedly, Lukas took her by the waist and then placed her down back on the floor. "Great job on the design."

A blush scorched Lily's face as she folded her hands together. If it were any other man, she might have attempted to punch them in the face–but somehow, she liked that Lukas did it.

Even if Lukas was lost in his thoughts, his actions seemed to speak for himself.

"So do you know what occasion we have today?" Lily asked, making light conversation. She fiddled her hands together as the two of them entered back the hallway where a lot of other Vampires were also busy with preparations.

"Is it some kind of welcoming? A gathering or ceremony?"

"Ah, you're right." Lily was surprised, but went for a somber smile. "Today is the day we honor the lives we have lost because of the last war and also of the Hunters who served our city."

Lukas nearly stopped in his tracks. "What?"

"Ah, was it that surprising?" Lily blinked. "It's not commonly announced to allow the relatives of the deceased family member to be able to visit without the disturbance from others in the city."

"I see…" Lukas nodded slowly.

He couldn't help but wonder if Chaerin and even her sister Chelsea would be coming today. If they did, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd be able to talk with Chaerin and make sure if she was feeling better.

Lukas didn't know what she might be feeling–he never actually met his own parents so he didn't get a chance to miss them. But he was positive that it probably hurt to be reminded so much of people that you've lost.

"Do you know anyone who might be attending this ceremony? Friends? Acquaintances?" Lily asked.

"Ah, actually yeah–I think I know someone who might come today." Lukas said. If he was only lucky, that was.

—

Lukas didn't think that he'd be able to witness the event live before his very eyes, but Lily and him were assigned to welcome the guests by the door.

It was with a solemn and respectful gaze that Lily greeted each Vampire who came around, even holding their hands.

Lily had such a touch that affected those around her, as even some Vampires who looked close to tears smiled waterily at Lily and thanked her. Again. It seemed like they truly remembered her.

Lukas on the other hand tried his best to emulate what Lily was doing, but it was with mixed results. It was a little awkward and it wasn't something that he was used to–and truth be told, he had been looking over people's shoulders and trying to find Chaerin.

Unfortunately for him, a pink-haired Vampire suddenly stood in front of him and gave him the smallest hint of a glare–Chelsea Atticus, Chaerin's sister kept a dignified appearance as she shook Lukas hand, squeezing it hard before she entered the main hall.

It didn't even give Lukas a chance to ask about Chaerin at all.

Luckily, his hand didn't even hurt–but then he was forced to resume greeting people, albeit distractedly. Once Lukas and Lily were done though, the two were allowed to enter the main hall and assist people by standing at the sides, ready for any questions.

Albeit Lily and Lukas stood on opposite ends of the hall.

For a moment, Lukas suddenly noticed Lily waving at him, and when she did–Lukas couldn't help but smile. Was she really being extra sweet to him today? It was almost enough to soothe his own worries.

"Ahem."

Unfortunately, Lukas seemed to be mistaken. A tall scary-looking Vampire dressed in formal wear passed by him and gave him a narrowed stare. The scar across his face only added to the fearsome appearance of the man.

Lawrence Tenebris didn't quite miss the assumptive look of the young Vampire that he presumed Lily was working with. However, he didn't have much of a time to interrogate the lad as he walked past him and headed for the stage.

"Back in the days when Helios scorched and burned us to ashes, our kind has done our best to survive the cruel world that seems to only wish to inflict harm and death… and it is with the hard work of our ancestors that the city of Lux and others were built to shelter us."

"And yet even that was not enough." Lawrence's face hardened. "Our greatest enemies, humans, continue to afflict and hunt us down–bearing their misshapen pride of purging our kind."

Lukas blinked over those words, keeping his expression blank. Weren't they the hunters? Why were they making it seem like Vampires were the victims? Of course, it was a commemorative event, but the choice of words almost seemed like a way to incite and spur emotions.

When Lukas looked over the crowd, there didn't seem to be any resistance. Except for one–Chelsea looked particularly as upset as she was earlier, perhaps even more so.

As for the reason though, Lukas didn't understand.

"That is why we are humbly here today, in remembrance and honor of those who served and gave great glory to our kind and as the city would like to give back to those who have lost their loved ones–our small offering on this day."