The Revival of the Vampire Empress!-Chapter 46: Purple & Blue

"Teach you... magic... are you being serious?"

Fang stared at me with an expression of absolute bewilderment. Calling him a deer in headlights would've been an understatement. His level of daze couldn't even be expressed in words.

On the side, Charlotte had a far cooler expression on her face, though to me it did seem a bit different than usual. Of course, I'm no master at reading people, but given what I'd just said, Fang's reaction was definitely the more normal of the two.

Fang put his face in his palm and began going through his usual brooding.

"An idiot... Calm down... He's just an idiot..."

He muttered short phrases to himself in an irritated tone.

'It's like his own personal ritual to calm himself down... Being so annoyed all the time can't be good for his blood pressure...'

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Fang always tried to look composed—upright posture, squared shoulders, eyes distant but focused. It was like he was starring in his own moody drama. His hair, a soft azure blue, fell just above his eyes, catching the morning light as if absorbing it. The shade matched his uniform's blue-collared shirt and dark pants perfectly, like he'd been painted to fit the part. Around his neck hung a golden necklace with a Chinese character etched into the surface—Huang, the name of a family he never talked about.

Not wishing to interrupt Fang's ritual, I turned my attention toward Charlotte.

With her vibrant purple hair cascading down her back and that tiny star-shaped ornament tucked neatly in her bangs, she looked like a heroine from a fantasy novel. Her dark brown eyes were sharp and probing, the kind of gaze that could pierce through someone's soul and then scold it for not studying hard enough. She wore the school uniform too—a white shirt under a black sweater, a white skirt trimmed with black accents, and sleek black tights that completed the ensemble. Even standing still, she gave off this natural, commanding presence... though today, there was something gentler under the surface.

Considering everything that happened between the two of us recently, I wasn't sure if our relationship would remain completely unaltered. At the time, everything seemed just fine, but given a few days of letting things sit, there was a seed of worry growing in my mind.

Just like Fang, Charlotte's frame was clad in her school uniform.

Given that it was still early morning, both of them had probably been on their way to school just a short while ago. At some point, they opted to make their way here instead. That meant they must've turned around, and given the time, literally at the school gates, to come here.

Why would they do something so drastic? If a member of staff saw them turning around at the gate, they'd no doubt get into some hot water. I mean it's not like I'm in critical condition or anything. Me being a little banged up is only natural; the Dark King never takes on easy missions.

Still, I'm not gonna complain too much. At the end of the day, no matter the reason, having a beautiful princess show up on your doorstep, all worried about you, is a classic for a protagonist.

"Veri, you're already a weirdo with only a handful of redeeming qualities," Charlotte said flatly. "If you keep staring at people while having weird thoughts, you'll cross into creep territory."

Charlotte reflexively leaned back. Her sharp eyes narrowed, and a grim expression graced her face. It's like she could read my thoughts. Having known that I thought something dumb, she instinctively had a physical reaction.

"As if a valiant king could ever be a creep!"

I raised my arms in a dramatic pose, but neither of them seemed amused. Still, it earned a small huff from Fang. That was the only win I needed.

Then the silence returned, long enough for it to get awkward.

So, I cut to the chase.

"...So, uh, why'd you two actually come here? I understand that seeing my handsome face is the highlight of your days and that you couldn't wait to be able to bow down to me once more, but uh.... Like, really?"

There was genuine concern and questioning in my voice. I really didn't understand why it was that they were going so far out of their way just to check up on me, of all people.

No matter what happens, the Dark King always comes out fine. Even if that wasn't the case, if I were the only person in trouble and everyone else was doing fine, that's an acceptable outcome too.

Charlotte's eyes flinched just barely, and Fang froze mid-sigh like someone hit the pause button on his ritual. Both of them avoided looking at me.

That alone was enough to send alarm bells ringing in my head.

It was like I was missing a piece in the puzzle; I didn't understand the scene unfolding before my eyes.

Did they need something or...

Charlotte folded her arms and looked off to the side, feigning disinterest.

Fang was the one who eventually spoke.

"Don't get the wrong idea. It's not like we planned to come here beforehand... Things kind of just fell into place, and we both ended up at your doorstep."

Charlotte suddenly chimed in, "Like he said, it wasn't planned. We were on our way to school, yeah, but... when I saw you weren't there this morning, I kind of... suggested we check in."

I tilted my head. "You did?"

"I already knew that you weren't doing so good and had visited before. It has just been a long time, so I guess I wanted to swing by one more time."

I gave her a small nod before remembering the assortment of get-well gifts that had appeared on my bedside when I had woken up.

I gave Fang a short glance, even though he hadn't said it directly, I was sure that he'd stopped by as well.

Still, there was a question left lingering in my mind.

"So... why'd you guys even show up in the first place? How'd you find out I was sick?"

Charlotte's entire body twitched violently. Her eyes wandered, and it was clear the gears in her head were turning.

Fang, on the other hand, didn't seem very put off. He replied to the question coolly. "You just hadn't shown up to class, and I got curious."

"Really? Cacophony didn't tell you?"

"Nope. She looked to be a total mess, though. She was running all over the place and made me look after you whenever she'd step out."

"So, did you tell everyone else?"

"Hmm? Oh, you must've known from all those gifts. Yeah, I told Tiana and Kana about your condition, and they visited once."

Just like before, I gave a short nod.

My eyes drifted toward Charlotte, who was still in a daze. I thought deeply for a moment. If Cacophony hadn't told her about my condition, then I'd assumed that Fang had told her, but that doesn't seem to be the case. If he had, he would've mentioned her name just now.

Based on her reaction...

Unable to bear my staring any longer, Charlotte let out a deep exhale and deflated.

"Same here. You didn't show up for two days in a row, and I got a bit worried... I'm glad to see you made a full recovery with minimal lasting damage. Really, any worse than you are now and I'd have to keep Jean away from you."

I paused, stared at her, and put the pieces together.

My jaw hung wide open.

"So then... the two of you... You both came here just because you were worried about me not coming to class... That's why you came?"

Charlotte crossed her arms and spoke in a huff. "What'd you expect? You have a way of finding yourself in trouble."

Fang scratched the back of his head. "Yeah? Well, I guess you put it that way."

I was dumbstruck. I didn't understand why everyone seemed to be going so far for me all of a sudden.

Was I really worth that kind of effort? Just... missing class, and they came all this way? My mind couldn't quite wrap itself around it. I mean, sure, I joke around and call myself a king, but even I know that's just noise. I'm not the kind of person people rearrange their lives for.

My lips pressed together tightly, and I began awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck. My gaze drifted downward toward the mat in front of my doorframe. All of a sudden, I'd become the person who couldn't maintain eye contact.

"Thanks, I guess... You guys even came together and everything..."

The smooth, effortless expressions marking both Fang and Charlotte seemed to melt a little at my words. It was both due to the heartfelt nature of what I'd said, along with something else...

The two seemed to have an odd reaction to my mentioning the word 'together'.

Fang shifted uncomfortably, his hand moving from his neck to his pocket. Charlotte's arms stayed folded, but she glanced toward the sky like she was looking for an escape route.

"Okay, what's going on?" I asked, a suspicion laced in my voice. I'd noticed it when they first arrived as well. They're both acting slightly out of character. In particular, Charlotte seems way off. "You're both acting like you just got caught sneaking out of a royal gala."

Fang let out a small breath. "It's not that dramatic..."

Charlotte didn't speak. Instead, she tensed.

It was kind of weird to see the two of them together... Wait, why would it be weird...

Ah.

I dropped any ounce of comedy in my demeanor and straightened myself out. Clearing my throat, I suddenly understood the weirdness in the air between the two.

"The two of you never did have a chance to make up after what happened."

Fang shook his head. "Is it that obvious?"

It makes sense. I'd forgotten that my getting over it so quickly was the outlier and not the norm. I can't blame them if there's some bad blood. A short time ago, the two of them were attempting to kill each other after all. And since then, they haven't spoken at all. That was, until I got sick and they found themselves in the same boat. Both of them were worried about me, and somehow, both of them found themselves coming here.

They might've come here together, but this pair could only truly be considered to be two people who happened to be on the same path with the same destination.

I'm sure being in front of my house side by side must be flooding them with bad memories. Yet, they're still here purely out of worry for my health and well-being.

Charlotte broke her silence and met Fang's eyes for the first time since they'd arrived at my doorstep. "Well, there's no point in drawing this out any longer. I had no justification for my actions at that time. Sure, you were my enemy at the time, but that doesn't mean I had the right to call for your death. It was stupid of me and I'm sorry... I really should've told you that sooner... Sorry for that, too."

I was left in awe of her honesty and bluntness.

Fang's body stiffened when he heard her words. Taking a step back, he took a deep breath and met her eyes with a fierce determination.

Fang tensed. Then, slowly, he faced her fully. "No. You shouldn't be apologizing to me in the first place. Everything that happened is solely my fault and no one else's. The fact that it took me this long to apologize to you is another problem.After making up with Veri, I was pushing this off to the side and attempting to forget about it. I wanted to pretend I was protecting my new life, but really... I was just scared."

Fang turned toward me as well, he wanted both of us to hear his words.

"I refuse to make any excuses for my actions at that time. I'm a fool who chose the worst path possible, with my only saving grace being that I couldn't steel myself to go through with it fully. From now on, as your friend, please allow me to make it up to you both."

Charlotte's mouth opened as if to argue, but she stopped herself. Her hands clenched tighter against her arms, her brows drawing in. There was something deeply stubborn in her face, a sense of pride wrestling with guilt.

"No," she said finally. "I'm the one who should be making it up to you. I shouldn't have been so aggressive."

Fang's eyes narrowed. "You were doing what made the most sense at the time. I'm the one who stepped out of line. Don't twist it."

"Don't twist yours!" Charlotte snapped, her voice rising. "You were desperate! It was obvious, and I should've been able to see that. And I still treated you like some monster instead of someone who needed help—"

"—I attacked you!"

"—And I should've tried to help you!"

Their voices clashed like swords, each trying to pin the blame on themselves, their guilt too large to keep buried. The tension in the air surged like the rising tide, swelling and crashing over the moment of peace that had existed just a second ago.

It almost would've been funny if it weren't so deeply awkward.

I guess that's what it was this whole time.

It's not like these two had any ulterior motives when coming here. These two were acting weirdly for a different reason.

"Both of you are hopelessly awkward people."

They both froze. Fang's hand hovered mid-gesture, and Charlotte had her mouth open mid-retort.

I sighed.

"How about you two just come inside?"