■ Meltreza of Woodstock’s POV
Even in my earliest memories, I always knew I was a monster.
My father was Nicholas of Woodstock, the future archduke, and my mother was Eltreza of Woodstock. I had no memories of either, however. By the time I was old enough to be aware of my surroundings, they had both disappeared, and my grandfather was raising me on his own.
The archduke, my grandfather, was a rough man. It couldn’t have been easy bringing me up as he did… He positively showered me with love and affection and raised me to be healthy and happy.
Little by little, my teeth grew longer than other people’s, until my canines were unmistakably fangs. As a child, I always had the vague feeling that there was something strange about my teeth when I looked in the mirror, but I didn’t learn the reason until I was ten years old.
It was my grandfather who told me the truth—that I was half-vampire, the child of a human father and a vampire mother.
At the same time, he handed me my mother’s old diary. According to my grandfather, my mother had entrusted it to him when she set off in search of my father, who had gone missing during an expedition into enemy territory within the Kingdom of Orléans. All of this had occurred shortly after my first birthday.
Skimming through the diary, I found it to be crammed full of information regarding vampires. In truth, it was hardly a diary at all. I read it from cover to cover, learning everything I could about my mother’s people.
It was then that I realized why even the briefest glimpse of blood was enough to make my throat throb—I, too, was a vampire. I craved blood.
I…was a monster, driven to feed on human blood.
Our servants, however, had all been with us since my mother’s time, so none of them looked at me strangely despite knowing the truth.
It wasn’t until I was twelve that I realized just how much of a monster I really was. I was at a meeting with the third son of a well-known count, a young man my grandfather was considering as a potential husband for me.
Feeling that I ought to share the truth of my identity with someone I may well marry, I told him that I was a mixed-blood vampire and bared my fangs for him to see. His reaction was swift.
“Eeep! Y-you fiend!”
He stared back at me in shock, retreated to the edge of the room, then spun around and darted out the door.
He was terrified. Of me. Because I was a monster.
After that, the third son of a viscount and the second son of a baron both fled my presence in much the same way, their faces twisted with fear.
Even those who came to me with evil designs and plots to use me to their benefit turned tail and ran once they discovered what I was.
My grandfather, not wanting my true identity to be widely known, pulled some strings, and none of those potential suitors were ever seen again within the empire.
But that only increased the unsavory rumors about me and House Woodstock. In the end, there wasn’t a single noble family left willing to consider marrying their son to me… And I told myself I was fine with that. That way, no one else would lie to me or come to me with evil intentions.
That way…no one else would hurt me.
Around a year after that first meeting with the count’s son, my grandfather, undeterred, once again brought up the topic of marriage. Even though the inevitable outcome should have been readily apparent.
This time, however, there was something different about his demeanor. According to him, this potential partner had already heard the rumors about me and sought my hand regardless. On top of that, my grandfather seemed to have taken a liking to the young man.
“Mel… This will be the last one, I promise,” he said gravely. “If it doesn’t work out this time, I won’t make you go through it all again…”
I understood that he was only thinking of my own well-being—that he wanted someone by my side to protect me when he was no longer around. For that reason, I was unable to refuse his request.
Then, one week later, a young gentleman appeared before me.
“…I’m Hugo Grenville, Marquis Grenville’s eldest son.”
And that was how I met Hugh, the love of my life.
“…Ho-ho.”
“…Melza? Is something the matter?”
I chuckled, reminiscing as I watched Hugh train with my grandfather. Now finished, he peered at me curiously.
What a lovely, lovely man.
There was a world of difference between him and Louis, that reprehensible brother of his. Hugh was so dashing, and…
“Do you know how happy I am, Hugh?”
“Surely not as happy as I am. You have no idea how much meeting you has meant to me. I’m beyond words.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m so desperately in love with you that even my thirst for revenge, seared into my heart, pales in your presence.”
“My, my…”
Knowing just how turbulent his life—or lives—had been, that meant a great deal indeed. To think I’ve come to mean that much to you, Hugh…!
“Wha—?!”
“Hugh… Hugh…!”
“Melza…”
Overwhelmed with emotion, I leaped toward him, holding him close as he caught me in his arms and stroked my hair.
Oh, Hugh… You’re like a beacon in the darkness, lighting my way. I thought I would spend my years in solitude, but you quenched my thirsty heart and gave me nourishment.
Hugh.
Thank you so much for finding me.