The Perfect Time Rippens the Fruit
[‼️]: Moments from Reborn, my fan comic dedicated to René Lettou, is used as the premise and contextual background for the story. There might be spoiler ahead, so please read with cautious.
[📚]: This section is one of the side stories that the author cannot fit into the finalized script, but still carries the same essence as it. Title is separate from each chapter/memoire in the finalized script. Changes might happen in the future.

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Little fowl
Little fowl
Once you grew your feathers, you'll fly to the sky
Once your feather withers, you'll fall like one

Little liberi
Little liberi
Will we be the same if I had just met you a little earlier?
Our time has been short, will you fulfill this wish of mine?

🪶

The sound of water trickling on the sink with the clatter sound of a razor echoing. A cut was made on my chin as I tried to cut my beard. Ah—! I can feel the stinging pain. It was just a little cut, but it's so close to the edge of my face. The protruding part of the skull stretched it lightly.

"It's no good..."

I continue to cut the rest of my beard until it's clean. I was just trimming it until I accidentally cut most of it. Perhaps, it's because yesterday's work. Lately, I've been not getting any proper sleep. Only sleeping one to two hours for most of the time. Slowly, I cut my beard clean and the falling hair fell into the sink, along with the clumps of feathers in it. Some feathers have grown out of shape, some of it has been cut deliberately into two, some isn't even recognizable.

...

He washed his face, and his palms rest on his face, water trickling down from his feathers, to the gaps of his fingers, then to his face. He took a deep breath, over and over and over, until it turns into a panting. Between the gaps of his fingers, his eyes are shaking and shrinking, like a madman that had been cursed into a life of despair. He can't even look at the mirror in front of him, but his distorted reflection on the sink and water droplets is enough to recognize that he is a—

"Coward"

🪶

Of course anyone will talk about my "beardless" face now. I've never bothered to change my appearance at any point in the Defence Forces. It's pointless. My old appearance served its purpose, but now this new one is attracting too much attention for my liking. My only interest is to finish my work for today and find somewhere to be alone. Though, the latter is questionable because of His Highness. His Highness...I almost forgot! I suspect I will be burdened with questions that I can not avoid. I have to hope that this reasoning is enough to satisfy his curiosity. As I lost in my own thought, a familiar voice snapped me back.

"Sassan, it's you."

"Of course! Who else I might be? Anyway, your 'new look' is very refreshing. If I have to be honest, you look way less depressing. It's as if we're back when you got your first big promotion! It was a clear day and the birds are chirping alongside the fowlbeast release! I remember it clearly."

"Really? I hardly remember how I looked."

"You should look into the mirror more often! You might want to change your look, like now. Though, it's odd. Are you seeing someone?"

Huh—?! That kind of question will make my heart stop! I'm not seeing someone. To be precise I'm too busy and who will want to date a traitor, like me?

"No, I'm not. Back to your station soldier."

"Yes, sir!"

Sassan saluted and I, as his 𝖿̶𝗋̶𝗂̶𝖾̶𝗇̶𝖽̶ commander, salute back. His expression is exactly the same back when we were young. The only difference is his gaze and beard. Sigh, Sassan always try to lighten the mood, ever since we were children. Although, his serious expression sometimes disturb me. I hope that this moment of respite can last longer. I don't...I don't want to think much of it. My hands grip its own palms. I looked up to the sky, hoping a ray of sunlight pierced through the cloud, but once again, a thick cloud covers Londinium. Like a calm before the storm.

I remember the sky when I were younger. It was much brighter in his memories. Not because it was the summer, nor it's the same as the beaches in Siesta. It's because when I look my front, anywhere beside the sky, it was cloudy, with mist, suffering of the Gaulish people. Yes, looking up, at the winged beasts flapping its wings, was a short moment I needed to breathe. Now, there are no beats flying, only silence, and the smoke of the factories mass producing the weapons for the Sarkaz. Not that I care, and I only handle the official administration of the handover. Victorian has an odd habit of asking the weather as a "hello". If someone were to ask me, hah, I'd say, it's a somber morning.

🪶

"Your Highness..."

As always, I greet His Highness, bowing down, never looking at him directly, but his gaze has always been fixated on me, like a predator looking at its prey. I raise my head, now our eyes met. Vampire's beauty are not to be underestimated, even I'm hopeless in resisting it, but what shocked me isn't that. No, it's his expression. He usually has that an expression of a prideful tyrant saving his pitiful people from disaster, like a god with a human skin. What I met with is that of an expression those dirty nobles would give to him, 𝑨𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. Now, that kind of emotions has been directed to me, it feels like a lacerating wound. I can feel my heart jumps unusually. Everything became clear. I need to get out of here as soon as I can.

"Ah, Lettou. It's very unexpected of you. I thought I'd see something interesting today and yet, it display itself right in front of me."

"Your Highness must be referring to my beard. Yes, I have cut it just yesterday."

Duq'arael chuckles, he smiles, playing with his scarf pin. His eyes reverting back to a narrow shape that only a small gap that you can see his eyes. His eyes might be hard to read, but his hands are always true, a habit of his. He seems to savor this interaction. I hide my gaze between my feathers in anticipation.

"Lettou, no need to come to work for now. You can stay here and read all the books you want. Isn't that one of your...ah...your kind calls 'hobbies'. A boring task, I must admit, but...I'm curious."

...

I try to not make a disappointing look. I do not reject his idea of observing his "pet", but the fact that I have a lot of backlog work because of his sudden demands is truly...troubling. Though, I'll use this time to catch up the books I have not read in weeks. I brought some of them to my office, but I never had the time ever since I made the "deal" with the sarkaz. Nothing but administrative works from damages, repairement, petty demands, that if these are from Victorian soldiers, I might have thrown it away.

However, let's entertain His Highness' curiosity.

"As you wish, Your Highness. If I may, what topic does interest you? Surely, in your long life span, everything has already been 'discovered'."

It took awhile for His Highness to answer, so I walk to my bookshelves, thinking what to read or perhaps one that might be his interest. His Highness had always been quick to answer, rightfully so with his flowery and condescending words. I personally don't mind it. It is not that different of those Victorian officers above me. Although, his silence means different from them, it's usually:

"You are free to choose. Right now, I can't think of anything since that mixed-blood Regent ordered me to attend more banquets! He said it's because I lack the Sarkaz's terrifying demeanor at glance! The sight of every feline drowned in their own blood seem to be clearer. Ah, Lettou...at least you won't flaunt meaningless titles and wealth, like them."

"I dare not, Your Highness."

Hmmm...the books I found are mostly Victorian and Gaulish history books. Sigh...I don't think it matters to him. A book for a long-lived species should have a novelty, but I rarely...read those. One could say, I' am a boring person. As I checked every title, one title stood out, something that I have forgotten. Hello old friend. I pulled out the book from its shelf and wiped the cover from dust. My mouth slightly curved up, making a faint smile, but it is a relief, like meeting an old friend.

"You're smiling..."

"Ah, Your Highness. Apologize for the wait. This book might interest you. Although, it's rather antique."

Annoyance from my tardiness? Did I searched the book for far too long. His face seems to be...discontent. No creations of his have appeared, so it must have been minor...I hope.

"Hmph, the only thing interesting here is you, but let's see what book did you chose. If it's about yesteryears stories then I'm not interested. They have written the worst recollection of time I've ever read with pompous praise to their own side."

"No, Your Highness. It's an old children story adapted for mature readers. It's quite interesting per say. I heard the writer had written many books just to live day by day. Only when the writer died and his descendants published it did it got its deserving fame."

"You meant— just like the Victorian treats Gaulish collections? Despised, destroyed, rewritten when it's still alive then cherished like a treasure when it's dead. Alas, a predator playing with its prey. Worst, that if it can't fight back, debilitated that they chopped their wings. I don't treat you like that, no?"

...

"No, you don't. I' am forever indebted to you."

"Now, take a seat! You will read it to me. You should use your talent to someone deserving of it."

...

Take a deep breathe, close your eyes for a moment, then walk calmly to the sofa, opposite to His Highness. For a moment, I try to look at him, at least to read his expression, but my gaze never fall upon his face, as my heart starts to race. I have no need for a terrified heart. Luckily, he's very expressive in his hand gestures. My guess would be that he moved his hand pointing to the sofa I'm now sitting and now his fingers intertwine, observing me. I opened the first page of the book. The opening is still the same the one I read when I was a child.

"One day, the knight dreamt a home."

Of course, this book is a legacy of my mother and Golding's grandfather, William Golding. Originally, a children book, now it's made for man's fairytale called dreams and ambitions. As I read the book aloud, not a single word came out from him. I had anticipated him to complain, but I' am met only with silence. I can feel our heartbeats thumping, filling in the silence, as my voice became only noise. Occasional clothes draping and rubbing each other is heard. Suddenly, sweats starting to fall. My instinct, that like of a prey as of now, tells me to run, yet I kept on reading. If they say curiosity killed the feline, then this situation would be instict killed the wingbeast.

I take a brief moment to look at His Highness. I try to look at his eyes, but I can only see his mouth curling up, his fangs showing. I immediately look down at the book. His gaze now has pierced my soul. Is it the moment he wanted me to be here? No, since I entered the room. The book his reading is me and he is reading "it" carefully. I gather my courage to look him eyes to eyes, but he's not in front me! I frantically look around the room. The moment I blinked, I see fangs in pitch black pupils, moving, waiting to bite its prey. Our gaze met, but it is as if staring at death itself. I almost dropped the book I hold, but I swallowed my own and hold it firmly. His hands has already cupping my cheeks, like a tender mother looking at her pitiful child. These hands...are cold as ice.

"Your...Highness...?"

My heart thumping and screaming to escape. I swallow my own words. That one moment, I want to feel fear, but that fear will fuel his immoral desire, to be toyed like his favorite doll. Thus, this opened eyes slowly descends into a cold yet sharp gaze. I will not give in to this vampire—!

"You're craving too much, Your Highness."

...

"Is this how you talk when you were younger? Arrogant as ever, but it's not a bad trait. In fact, I think that's why you've risen to your current self. You showed your intelligence and charisma to those you need to use. Yet, you still lack the cruelty of a sarkaz. Like a child learning their first step. Tell me, how much do you know me?"

...

I can feel his weight pushing me deeper. Ugh— it hurts, but I can't move. He made me, so that I can only answer his calls.

"You are The Blood Prince, leader of the Crimson Court. Many have admired your beauty, yet many still don't know the vices you have."

"That's right. It seems my pet have been learning well."

He carressed my cheeks with his thumbs, occasionally slipping it between my feathers. He sat himself on my thighs. As his weight crushes my legs slowly, I can only answer to him.

"Ack—!"

I instinctively held him with my hands. No, it's not out of concern for him, but as to let his weight crushes me no more. Don't misunderstood this.

"I have a name. A name that's not known. Only a few trusted people live to this day to remember it. The others, have been graced by my blessing. You should have known it already."

"Yes..."

He moves his right hands slowly, placing his hand onto my mouth. He gently pushes it onto my teeth. I...I have a feeling, but I can not say it. I move my gaze from his hand to him. Ah... With heavy heart and determined look, I bite his glove from his hand. He moves swiftly following my movement. His glove fell down and now there's no barrier between us. His left hand slowly moves down to my neck. I can feel my artery being pressed with his sharp nail, as if he's checking my pulse.

"I have never seen you this way. I will try to etch it onto my long never ending life. There's no honorable way to cherish something important to you this way like no other."

Ah...his fingers trickling around my jaw and mouth. Often, he will slide his fingers in to check my teeth and lips. Moving the tip of my lips into a smile, something I would not have shown honestly so easily. Perhaps, it's also hidden underneath my beard that he wants to cherish this moment. His fingers playing around with my artery is very uncomfortable that I sweat a lot and breathing becomes erratic. Hah...hah...but he seems do not mind it. In fact, he might find it endearing to see. Ah...hah...

His hand caressing my left cheek while his fingers playing with my ears. I lean into his hand, somehow, it's something that I should do. No, it's merely my instinct to survive, to entertain my master, so I won't be dispose off. As I drown in his embrace, I remind myself to not trust him. Don't trust him! Don't trust the vampire! Yes, as I drown in sweetness that my senses are dulled. Stop this...please...

Suddenly, he pulls me closer to him. Our eyes met with open arms as we gaze each other. No, this gaze of mine came from shock, but my mouth suddenly utter something I myself do not expect...

"Duq'arael..."

The world seem to fall into silent. I can see his smile curving up and then I cannot see it. I can feel his breath slipping between my erratic breathing. The air become warmer and somehow my heart beats faster. I can feel that something will happen... I take a deep breath...

...

...

...

That anticipation slowly turns cold as he slowly pulls away from my face and myself. My body feels relief from the released pressure, but somehow I feel a tang in my heart. Something that feels unfinished, waiting to be filled.

"Ah..."

"What is it, Lettou? Do you have something to say for me?"

"Nothing particularly interesting, Your Highness."

"Please, do tell. After all, you have meetings with your fellow soldiers. It'd be a shame if their little commander can't come to help them."

"N-no. I apologize for my impudence. It's a simple question. Do you think my current appearance need to be change?"

...

He walks a few steps away from me before looking back at me. From his perspective, the sunlight has brighten up the room, to see my face clearly, before he gives his answer.

"There's no need for you to change. You are fine as you are now. If you want to grow your scruffy beard again, be my guest."

I was expecting him to be more...opinionated, but this is the best answer I can hear for today.

"Oh, and I almost forget. Please meet me every evening after you have finish your work. We should spend more time to know more as a friend. Ah yes, what's that mixed-blood Regent said about banquets? Oh, to keep each close, right? I'm expecting you, my dear friend."

And the worst answer I have hear this day. I was pondering how I will answer that, but he is already gone. He knows that I will not refuse him, so I can only bite my own lips. Such fate has befallen on me, I can only cry reasons in my own heart. Is this a fate for the sinful act of betrayal?

"Donne-moi la force"