Episode 21. Red Juice
Hudson Balonak, the Valoneck sub-duke, had a wife and one child each: a son and a daughter. His wife was a princess from the Letarold Kingdom on the eastern continent, brought over as a bride through an inter-nation friendship and exchange agreement.
The princess, frail from the start of her marriage, bore even frailer children. The pale-faced infants grew increasingly sickly, often suffering seizures or carrying infectious diseases.
Of course, this fact was thoroughly concealed within the Valoneck ducal family. The health issues of heirs were closely tied to the family's prestige.
The children were raised solely within the vast central castle of the territory. The sub-duke and his wife also spent most days tending to the children in the territory.
The sub-duke had no desire to live in the capital and flaunt prestige rivaling the royal family. However, the unique treatments for the children required his direct oversight.
Fortunately, from some point on, their son Scati's condition began to improve. Afterward, the sub-duke periodically stayed in the capital with his son.
For Scati's proper noble education, the duke had him reside fully at Somi Palace. Meanwhile, the sub-duke continued shuttling between the territory and capital for his worsening daughter.
Thus, the one who ended up residing fully at Somi Palace in place of sub-duke Hudson was Knox.
Knox was a friend who had grown up with Scati in the Valoneck territory. He often came and stayed whenever Scati was in the capital.
Eventually, at Scati's earnest request, Knox was adopted into the Gregory Count family—close allies of the Valonecks—and began proper capital life alongside Scati.
This marked Knox Gregory's first step toward growing into a quite influential noble in the capital.
That was the publicly known story. Publicly...
"Scati."
In the height of summer heat, Knox called out to Scati while gazing down at the lush greenery of Somi Palace's garden from the window.
Scati, tilting a wine glass on the massive bed to sip its contents, startled and paused.
"Yes, Knox?"
Licking the red liquid from his pallid lips, Scati awaited Knox's words. Knox drew the curtain, blocking the view he'd just been admiring, and turned.
Sunlight was bad for Scati. Ironically, the only one allowed to draw curtains and let in sunlight in Scati's room was his savior, Knox.
Knox slowly scanned Scati's room.
A large, ornate space thick with a dark, repulsive gloom.
At least to Knox. Beneath the fragrant perfume lingered the oppressive stench of chronic illness.
Every time he visited, Knox thought the same: beneath these floorboards lay buried sordid greeds, creeping out through tiny cracks with every step.
His gaze lingered long on the smoothly waxed wooden floor before rising. Seeing the room's master awaiting his words with a dazed expression on the bed, Knox smiled.
"Tastes good?"
With that, he brought his own wine glass to his lips. Scati hesitated awkwardly.
"Uh? Well, uh... yeah."
The corners of Knox's mouth, stained with the red liquid, curved into a longer arc.
"Today's grape juice mix is truly precious. Fresh from the Hyans region, where we established ties last year—just arrived yesterday. I specially asked Prince Harold for it. They say it purifies the blood."
"Thank you, Knox."
"No need. You know I'd procure anything if it could heal you."
Gratitude welled in Scati's clouded blue eyes from prolonged illness. Smiling softly at the sight, Knox leisurely waited until Scati finished his share. However, he stopped sipping his own juice. His appetite had vanished.
It was only natural. Watching a monster guzzle his own freshly drawn blood right before his eyes to prolong his life—what could taste good, be it Hyans grape juice or holy water?
Scati meticulously drained every last drop of the liquid mixed with Knox's blood and Hyans grape juice. He then carefully set the large empty glass on the nightstand.
Knox, by contrast, casually placed his own glass—containing only grape juice—on the table.
"The spots have spread to your calves, haven't they? Will that be enough? Want another glass?"
"N-No. Let me rest first..."
Struggling to suppress nausea, Scati popped a pre-prepared candy into his mouth. Knox, who had subtly frowned alongside him, soon relaxed with a faint smile.
Knox approached the bed and lightly perched near Scati's legs. Scati gazed at him with even more moved eyes.
"Thank you, Knox."
"No need between friends."
Those aware of Scati's illness avoided him for fear of contagion. Yet only Knox approached without hesitation. Scati was always grateful for that. Of course, sharing pure blood was the greatest gratitude.
"Scati."
Knox examined Scati's complexion with a worried look.
"I heard from LeRoy. Catherine's been wandering between life and death since her recent seizure. I'm really worried."
Scati had also heard of his sister's crisis and darkened at once.
"Yeah. She's been groaning in pain. I know that agony all too well. It breaks my heart. Seems this latest child's blood doesn't suit Catherine either."
"Don't worry, Scati. The sub-duke is searching far and wide again. Catherine will soon find a good match."
"I hope so... Why don't we have siblings like you two?"
At those innocent words, Knox's hidden fist under the covers clenched tight. Unaware, Scati continued his lament.
"The only match for Catherine was your pretty little sister. What happened to her? You're so healthy, yet... If she'd been a bit healthier and lived, Catherine might not suffer like this..."
Knox wanted to smash his fist into that monster's face. To crumple the innocently beaming visage that eased its pain on innocent orphans' flesh without a shred of guilt.
But as always, he couldn't act. He had to endure. Lest he end up a corpse like Autumn or the others by tomorrow.
Knox awkwardly tugged his lips into a smile to hide his jutting jaw. Scati truly pitied him.
"Thank you, Knox. Without you, I'd be like Catherine..."
Knox had accepted reality better than the other vanished children, surviving without outburst or hollow laughter even now. He even patted Scati's bony shoulder.
"No need between friends."
But he couldn't endure Scati leaning his face toward his shoulder and naturally rose.
"By the way, Scati."
Knox now intended to leave the room. So it was time to say what he'd come to say.
"Yeah?"
"I won't be able to draw blood next week."
Scati's eyes widened.
"Huh? Why?"
"Invited to the Chief Secretary's birthday banquet. Remember I mentioned he's a heavy drinker? Probably can't refuse the birthday toasts."
"How long then?"
"About a week?"
Alcohol-tainted blood was bad for Scati. Time was needed to fully purify it. Scati paled further.
"Do you... have to go?"
Knox shook his head sympathetically.
"You know how the Chief Secretary sees me as a thorn in his side. Recently overheard him telling Prince Harold he doesn't think much of me. They're praising another secretary lately too."
"Why? You're famous for your work. That's why you became a chief clerk so young."
Knox shrugged once.
"What can I do? I'm just a Gregory with no real backing here."
"What are you saying? You're Valoneck!"
"Right. And I'm always grateful. Of course, as your friend, I'm proud too. But... lately, it's been a bit."
"Tell me, Knox. What's going on? Who's slighting you? Who dares?!"
Knox rubbed his forehead awkwardly and whispered very softly into Scati's ear. There was purpose in letting the monster witness this gruesome scene up close. For instance, this.
"Recently, proposals came from the Rayan Count family. Before that, from Britton."
"Ah, I heard about that."
"That's why, I think."
"Why?"
"Well, Scati. A chief clerk with Rayan Count or Britton Marquis as in-laws... can't become Chief Secretary."
Scati finally let out a dumb "Ah... really?" Knox let out a weary chuckle.
"No past Chief Secretary lacked attendance rights to the central noble council. My father, Count Gregory, unfortunately dislikes capital politics and has no such rights. So I need in-laws with that authority, but given recent trends, it won't happen for me. Seems the Chief Secretary has shifted to sidelining me."
"But Knox, you have Prince Harold's favor. Even the Chief Secretary can't ignore you."
"But Scati, Prince Harold also rates Noel highly."
"Noel? Noel Bistain, the security department head? He hasn't even become a chief clerk yet."
"But the Donchard Count family just proposed to him."
"Don...chard? The border count?"
"Yes. So Noel will soon be a chief clerk. With full support from his father the Chief Secretary and his father-in-law the border count, succeeding him is just a matter of time. Meaning he no longer needs to accommodate my peculiar habits. Like abstaining from alcohol or fasting."
Ignorant of power games, Scati blinked in shock. Knox swallowed a bitter sneer at the dumb face.
"So I couldn't refuse the Chief Secretary's invitation this time. Things are unpredictable; I must be cautious. Can't afford to fall further out of his favor."
A firmer wedge. To solidify his visit's purpose.
"Of course, I won't drink much, Scati. After, I'll eat more veggies and seaweed, avoid fatty meats entirely. Promise. My blood will clear up fast for you. Understand?"
Scati fretted sympathetically.
"Knox, it's not that—I'm just upset you're in a tough spot lately..."
"Can't be helped."
Knox smiled as if resigned, satisfied with Scati's reaction.
While at it, he decided to prod deeper. He truly disliked the Valonecks' recent attitude toward him.
"Even the duke and sub-duke accept all my proposals, so maybe I've been overstepping my place."
"What are you saying, Knox? Father doesn't mean it— he's just worried your health might suffer from overwork. I always tell him to let you do what you love. You're my precious friend and benefactor. I always support you."
"Benefactor? Don't say that, Scati. Anyway, knowing you support me as my friend makes me happy. That's enough."
"No, Knox. Don't worry—just enjoy the banquet. And the proposals? I'll talk to Father."
"Scati, no need."
"No. I'll handle it. You do so much for me, so I must too. I'm always proud of you, recognized by all."
Knox finally showed his true, bitter smile since entering.
"Thanks, Scati. Then before the banquet, I'll draw one more time if possible."
"No, I'm more grateful."
Silence flowed briefly. Tasks done, Knox rose from the bed. He walked slowly toward the door.
Long-awaited exit, yet oddly bittersweet.
"Rest well."
"Yeah, don't you have to head back to the palace? Take care, Knox."
"You too, always."
"You're homebound—what?"
"Still."
Regaining composure, Knox left a kind farewell and closed the door. The smile slowly faded from his sharply angled manly face. A chill settled.
Knox bit the inside of his cheek.
Monsters.
He quickened his corridor steps, trampling and fleeing the greed's shadow pursuing him.
Disgusting. That's why he'd resolved to exploit them instead.
Just as they sucked his life force on their lives' surety, he'd drain their greed long ago decided. Using the friendship they cherished for their heir.
To protect himself.
I won't end like Autumn. I'll outlive you monsters. Even feast using you.
Watch. I won't die in vain.
Lifeless lips from excessive blood draws ground against ever-sturdy upper teeth.
