Seren P.O.V.

The nellore factory is about an hour drive out of the city, although I do not know how far we went. These cars drive much faster. The capital can't be seen in the distance by the time we reach the factory. With technology from Vexsis, this looks less like a mining operation and more like a mechanical manufacturing facility. I follow Lore around like a lost puppy, befuddled by the world around me. We spend the day there conducting interviews--well, Lore interviews and I sipped on some tea and ate cookies--before heading back to the capital around dusk.

"How long do you suppose it will take to discover who has been robbing you?" I ask on the car ride back. I'm not sure if Lore will answer with our guards listening in.

"I'm hoping for no more than a week," he replies. "But we'll see."

The remainder of the ride is silent, although the harsh glares from the vampires certainly say more than they let on. I'm relieved to reach Lore's residence in an upscale neighborhood of townhouses. Two guards already wait past the front gates, but outside the doors, when we arrive. The ones we met back at the station. I imagine they'll be switched out in the evenings. They sneer at me when I walk by, and I might shut the door harder behind me because of that. Lore offers a grin over his shoulder.

"Your Grace," Draven calls, having already appeared at the top of the stairs. Does he have a freaky sixth sense to tell when Lore arrives? Maybe he was listening for footsteps all this time or he has a terrible trait that makes footsteps very loud, although I doubt it considering his orange eyes.

"Draven, I trust that you and Cyan got here without incident," Lore says, searching the stairs for Cyan, who appears a few moments later on our right. White powder circles his mouth. He takes another bite of the doughnut in his grasp.

"The guards were annoying, but not any trouble," Cyan explains, making sure to keep himself slightly hidden from Draven.

I bite back a smirk. Doesn't want his crush to see him messily eating? That's a little cute.

"Was there any trouble here?" Lore asks.

Draven descends the stairs while speaking of the wiretaps and where they were discovered. I heard Morren Valyork was paranoid, but to wiretap the home of an aristocrat from earth who would certainly discover it, that's entirely unexpected. Lore doesn't appear to mind and assures me that this won't be a problem. It's better than last time, which apparently was full blown cameras.

"Remove them, Draven. If Valyork wishes to start something, he'll find a way to do so by whatever means necessary. At least this way we have some privacy." Lore leans towards me to whisper, "Which means you may join me in my room without worry whenever you wish."

"And this is my cue to leave," I say, shoving my palm against Lore's chin to push him back. His childish chuckle fades as I explore the estate. Lore shouts something about dinner soon, but I'm not that hungry. In fact, my stomach is a tad upset. Another problem Lore said might arise in Vexsis.

The townhouse pales compared to Seymour estate, although that doesn't mean it isn't as high class as high class can be. The bottom floor consists of group areas such as the kitchen, dining room, office, and lounge; each one as glorious as the last. I was thinking maybe there'd be more here about Lore, particularly the Seymour family, but that's a silly thought. I don't even think the Seymour's ever came to Vexsis.

Our rooms are upstairs, along with another lounge. I try not to think of the wiretap when I step into my room. Draven will remove it later. The room's smaller than the one at the Seymour estate, but equally as charming. Lore's room is next door. I peek inside, wondering again if there's something to tell me more about him. His room isn't much different than my own, clearly a place he merely rests in then leaves. I pretend not to be disappointed when shutting the door.

I return downstairs to inspect the library. A set of glass doors lead to a lush backyard overwhelmed by blooming wildflowers and vines that circle up a marbled fountain statue. Books line the shelves. Has he really read all of these or are they only for show?

Pulling out a few, I flush when I open one of the books to immediately land on a rather steamy romance scene. Yeah, Lore probably has read this one. I quickly put the book back and hope he can't somehow sense that I grabbed it. Or know that it immediately made me think of us, how I want to do more.

Swallowing hard, I step away from the books to admire a staircase leading to a second floor. Stained glass windows decorate the spiral staircase. I follow the iron railing up the tower to a small sitting area in a tower that overlooks the quiet neighborhood. It's beautiful, albeit strange to see sparkling streets and a clear sky. The world is quiet, devoid of clanking gears and sparking lamp posts struggling to stay lit in the evening. In Vexsis, everything works smoothly, better than any machine ever could.

I don't know when I fall back onto the loveseat in the tower, but I'm admiring the view when Lore appears. He wears his famous impish grin.

"Dinner is almost ready," he declares, ascending the final step. "Will you dine with us or are you having too much fun snooping around my home for the Holy Church?"

"I wasn't snooping. Not for the church," I admit too swiftly.

"Oh?" Lore falls onto the loveseat beside me. I stiffen when he maneuvers to sit with his back against the arm rest. His long legs stretch to rest over my thighs. I should push him away, but I don't.

"So you were snooping for something other than the church?" he adds.

My hand rests on his thigh. I don't know why. Because he's close. Because he's warm. Because I crave this attention. Being like this, together on a loveseat alone in a beautiful room, this feels right. Okay. Great, actually.

"I guess I..." My breath hitches, having been caught in the storm of Lore's brilliant blue eyes. "I was looking for more about you."

"If you're truly so interested, you should try asking me."

"I've tried that."

"When you were snooping for the church, but if you--" He leans forward to press his hand against my chest. It makes me think of before, our time on the airship; Lore's heavy breaths, the scent of his sweat, his flushed cheeks, lustful eyes, and the touch of his skin. "If you wish to know about me, all you need to do is ask."

Lore retreats, a welcome reprieve for my sanity. He holds up his hands as he shrugs, "Although I cannot guarantee I will always be truthful. Having a bit of mystery is sexy."

"If you say so," I laugh, aware that my hand continues to rest on Lore's thigh that's as relaxed as I am. I gaze out the window, staring at the clouds that have a fascinating purple-ish tint. "I didn't think I'd find Vexsis to be so breathtaking."

Lore hums. "I don't think anyone from earth ever does. You've always been told of the horrors and expect the planet to mirror as such."

"It's beautiful. Haven't you ever considered living here?"

Lore presses an offended hand over his chest. "Oh, are you now wishing for me to be gone? So far that I'm on another planet?"

"Don't tease. You know that isn't what I meant."

He chuckles, then sighs. "I never considered relocating. I wouldn't be treated any better here. If anything, the treatment may be worse as my Lordship wouldn't be as respected as it is on earth."

Translation: no one would give a shit, compared to earth where they kind of have to give a shit. Not much, but a little.

"How respected is it on earth?" I ask. "I always heard nobility liked to throw extravagant parties for no reason other than they were bored and everyone who was anyone was invited."

"I'm always at least invited," he replies, rolling his eyes dramatically. "But that is purely for show. No one wishes for me to attend so I only go if I must. Those parties are drab anyway, although--" He leans forward again. I'm taken aback by his close proximity, how I feel the warmth radiating off his skin. "If you wish to attend one alongside me, I would go."

"And why would I want to go, especially with you?" I don't know if I sound teasing when I'm so breathless and my eyes refuse to stray from Lore's lips.

"Because I'm not a bore, and as much as you want to play the stubborn paladin who can do no wrong, I know there's a little daredevil in you who wants to have a freakishly good time."

With you, I think I really do.

That thought, along with everything happening between us, drives me to kiss him again. As exhilarating as the first. The touch of his lips sends scorching wildfire through my veins. Something within me has been empty for so long that I never noticed the vacancy until now--until I've slowly started to rip the church from my veins. Now that they're leaving, I'm realizing what I really want. No, I'm admitting to what I really want.

Lore, he consumes my thoughts. I don't want to just kiss him. I don't want to just hold him. I want to know him. I want to know Lore Seymour and all of his secrets and everything he has ever wanted and I want to give him everything he has ever wanted. He's truly driving me wild. But I know if I ask, this moment will be ruined. Lore's secrets are secrets for a reason. If I were to ask about his past, specifically about the Seymour family and how they treated him, I seriously doubt he'd want to answer. And I don't want to pry, but I want to know.

When we break apart, Lore has somehow moved into my lap. His feet now touch the floor, body in my arms as he shifts towards me. His lips descend to my neck. I shiver as his lips press against my pulse. His hair's soft. He really does smell sweet. He tastes sweet too. Kissing me again as I hold him tightly. Then he rests his forehead against mine. We breathe heavily, eyes half mast.

"You look like you have more questions," he says, grinning seductively. "Although, I think I will start charging you for answers."

"What will that charge be?" I ask, hoping for that good time Lore promised.

"Everytime I answer you have to take a piece of your clothes off."

Fuck, I should take this chance to ask dumb questions that won't ruin the mood. Lore's even running his hand down my chest, growing closer to closer to a part of me that already knows his touch and therefore yearns for it even more. His eyes say what they want; me. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't want him too.

"Uh, the, um, the questions I have aren't exactly, uh--" how the fuck am I meant to think when Lore's kissing my neck? "Appropriate for this situation?"

"Is that so?" He hums, sounding disappointed. That's fine. I'm disappointed too. Kind of wish my head would listen to the head between my legs in this instance. Lore leans away, making me almost shout some dumb questions just to get his hand in my pants, but then he speaks, "Fine, I will answer your not appropriate for this situation questions, however, after these you will be expected to remove your clothes if I answer any personal related questions."

"What if I ask these personal questions in public? Do I have to undress in front of everyone?"

"No, this is for my private viewing."

"And if you ask me personal questions, will you also follow these rules?"

Dare I say it, Lore looks impressed that I had the guts to ask. I'm somewhat impressed too. It's not like I can't make my desires known, it's just that... with Lore, the situation has always been complicated. Day by day though, it feels less complicated.

"Okay," he says, eagerly smiling. "These same rules apply to me as well, so what do you want to know?"

I want to know a few things and each one makes me hesitate. With Lore so relaxed in my arms, I don't want to change that. I wait a moment, watching him eventually tilt his head in silent questioning.

"About the Seymour family--" his expression hardens instantly. "How did they treat you?"

"How do you think?" He's using an unsettling tone, one that shows he wants to distance himself from me. I grip him a little tighter as if to say I won't let him, at least not physically.

"I'm not asking to tell the church. I promise I won't tell them. I just... I have read the files," I explain, searching Lore's gaze for a sign of irritation or anger. He shows neither. He doesn't show much of anything. "To me, their deaths sounded like unfortunate, albeit strange, accidents, but there's never a mention of what your life was like with them. Nothing to say if you were well taken care of or not."

I'm not surprised that Lore stands up. My arms fall to my side, feeling cold. He faces the window, his back to me.

"You don't have to tell me," I add. "It's a very personal question."

"You've shared very personal information with me," he replies, now leaning against the window. His knuckles grasp the ledge until they're white as bone. I don't know how much time passes before he speaks, "I was ten when Monroe Seymour came to the orphanage searching for a charity case. Who better to adopt than a loathed dhampir born of rape at that? Dhampir make for excellent workers. In exchange, we're given room and board and an education. I will admit that I had more than most; clothes that fit, a roof over my head, food in my belly, and the best education money could buy, but they were vile, all of them. I was an educated slave, nothing more, and they made sure I never forgot that."

Lore faces me. The dim blue light of the sun illuminates his towering silhouette, darkening his expression so that his vibrant blue eyes shimmer like deep ocean waves. "I despised them. They taught me everything I should never have had to know. And yes, I am glad that they all got exactly what they deserved."

There's a twist to Lore's lips, almost menacing, almost frightening, almost terrifying.

"Your Grace?" Draven calls from the bottom of the stairs.

The frightening expression dissipates, replaced with a cordial smile. "Yes, Draven?"

"Dinner is prepared. I'm searching for Seren--"

"He is up here with me. We're coming down now." Lore looks at me, wearing that same smile. "Do you have more questions?"

"No," I reply, half lying. I feel like I have more questions now. Something about the way Lore looked, how he said it, makes me wonder again; did he have something to do with the deaths of the Seymour family?

But as Lore walks away, as I watch his stiff shoulders disappear down the stairs, I also ask myself; even if he did, what if they did deserve it?

- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -

Hello, hello friends! If you are unaware, season two of my story The Matchmaker Prince available on tapas has started this week. There's 82 episodes to binge of an adorable romantic comedy about an author desperate for a boyfriend, who accidentally brings the prince he created to life and, well, one thing leads to another ;)

These two can't keep their hands off each other anymore lol But Seren has managed to ask some personal questions. We now know that the Seymour family did not treat Lore well. He hates them. Does this point to him having something to do with their deaths? If Seren learns that it's true, will he remain on Lore's side?