Chapter 37: The Rescue Plan (Part 1)
Crimson Heir and the Caged Boy
The atmosphere inside the Velcane Estate Library was heavy with scent—aged parchment, polished mahogany, and faint floral enchantments that wafted from delicate vases tucked into corner alcoves.
Crystal chandeliers hung high above, their soft glow refracting across stained-glass windows that filtered the dying afternoon sun into swathes of rose and gold.
Volundr Agares stood silently at the edge of a marble balcony overlooking the ground floor, one hand resting on the banister. He wore a tailored indigo coat embroidered with silver threads, the insignia of House Agares barely visible against his shoulder.
His gaze was fixed on a figure entering through the gilded double doors below—Rias Gremory, youngest child of the Gremory clan, her crimson hair catching the light like fire in motion.
She ascended the staircase with measured steps, escorted by a single maidservant who peeled away after a respectful bow.
Rias, dressed in a refined black and red gown that accentuated her noble bearing, approached with a calm expression and a glimmer of curiosity in her blue eyes.
"Lord Volundr Agares," she greeted softly, offering a small tilt of her head. "This is… an unexpected invitation."
Volundr returned the gesture, his tone equally measured.
"Lady Rias Gremory. Thank you for agreeing to speak with me on such short notice. I hope the estate suits your comfort?"
Rias offered a faint smile. "It's quite charming. Old, but well-preserved. Much like your House's reputation."
He chuckled under his breath. "Timeless things tend to carry weight, for better or worse."
They sat opposite each other at a circular reading table near the fireplace, a gentle magical flame flickering in violet and gold.
Around them, ancient tomes floated between shelves, managed by silent, spell-bound servitors.
Volundr leaned forward, interlacing his fingers.
"I asked for this meeting because of a name I've encountered several times in whispers lately. Gasper Vladi. A Dhampir. Young. In isolation."
Rias's expression didn't falter, but a flicker passed through her eyes.
"Dangerous rumors," she said, her voice cool but not unkind.
"You must know, most noble families wouldn't waste time on a half-blood."
"But you're not most noble families," Volundr replied, voice low and steady. "And neither am I."
A moment of silence passed. Then Rias set her hands gently in her lap.
"My brother Sirzechs is already working on a guardianship arrangement. Gasper is… unstable. But not evil. My father and I agreed that he shouldn't be abandoned. He's suffering."
Volundr nodded slowly.
"That's why I'm here. I've seen suffering, Lady Rias. I know what it does to the young. To the broken. Gasper might never be a soldier. But I don't want him to die in a room without windows."
"You're not planning to take him into your peerage?" she asked, voice probing.
"No," Volundr said firmly.
"Not unless it's his choice. My interest isn't about ownership. It's about mercy. And potential."
Rias studied him carefully now. "You speak like someone who's seen too many plans fall apart."
"I've lived long enough to see what happens when power is wasted. Or left to rot in a dungeon."
His eyes locked with hers. "I won't stand by again."
A few more seconds of quiet followed before Rias's posture relaxed slightly. She reached into a pouch and drew a folded parchment, sliding it across the table.
"A map of current vampire patrol movements along the northern border. Old routes. The Tepes don't share much, but I have sources."
Volundr raised a brow. "A gift?"
"A trade," she said, her tone warm but edged. "Call it… an act of trust. One day, I may ask you to share something in return."
He accepted the parchment, folding it without looking at it. "Fair. We're not rivals, Rias. Not yet. Maybe not ever."
"That depends on the game we're both playing," she replied with a faint smirk. "And how many pieces we each gather."
Volundr rose first, extending a hand. "Then let's call this the first move of a shared board."
She took his hand with surprising strength. "Just don't forget—some pawns become queens."
"I never do," he said, and let her hand fall.
As Rias departed with her maid trailing silently behind, Volundr stood alone in the library once more. But his mind was no longer still.
The name Gasper Vladi lingered like a whisper behind his thoughts. But so did another.
Valerie Tepes.
He didn't say it aloud. Not yet. But the gears had begun turning.
And he wasn't planning to stop.