Vamp Guards ✔️

E P I L O G U E

After winning the battle of getting permission, Arlo allowed Iris and Kai to set out to fulfill Iris's taste of freedom and Kai's promise, but not after the certain condition he mentioned was completed; which was the celebration of Iris's 19th birthday.

There were more participants than there were during his last birthday celebrations. An overwhelming amount. Gifts flooded the dining rooms, and the ballrooms were crowded with swishing, sparkling dresses, black and gold suits, expensive perfume, laughter, chatting, and so many smiles. But those were especially appreciated. It was good to see even a small upright twitch of a lip since the attack.

The celebration lasted a strong week, the excitement hardly tiring come the weekend. The reason for such grand commotion was not particularly just for Iris, but to toast over the victory. A few important faces from the neighboring kingdoms came by and mingled, and expressed their gratitude. There were even several festivals held.

Along with the honoring of Iris's birthday and the victory, there was a farewell element tied within it all.

Greatly surprising Arlo, Iris wished to make a speech at the end of the week before everyone went home, before the buzz quieted, and before he chickened out, of course.

Arlo was clueless as to what his son wanted to say, but he couldn't seem to sit still as he watched him stand before the crowd before him–and it wasn't a few hundred stuffed inside a heated ballroom–no, Iris stood on a platform with well over a thousand eyes staring up at him, the afternoon heat beating down on his already sweaty form. His shoulders were slightly stiff but his back was professionally rigid and his stance was determined.

Arlo never felt so proud as he watched Iris take a deep breath and raise his chin.

"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone here for celebrating my birthday," he spoke loud enough to reach the back of the crowd while balancing his tone with his emotions. "Never did I like these kinds of greetings, I simply see my age as a number and not something worth celebrating. Despite that, my...displeasure never outdid my gratitude. I'm thankful for the kind wishes and the support, especially when it comes from my people. So, thank you."

He paused as the massive crowd in front of him cheered. He held up a hand, dying it down immediately.

"Thank you. Now, I'm not the best at keeping a conversation, so the last thing I want is to lose my audience, thus I will not sugarcoat my words. As the Prince of Vridora, I am leagues bellow my father in regards to power, position, and gaining trust. Nevertheless, I wish for every ear listening to my voice to consider my words. I will be crowned king next year, and I plan on making some changes. Changes, well they're.....hesitant to make, this is self-evident, but nothing will spark that hope if no one stands up. Things have to change.

"My changes will affect Vridora, but hopefully it will impact other kingdoms. One can only hope their influence spreads, especially if it is a positive influence. I grew up with odd expectations of vampires but never did I think less of them, and I never will. Perfect harmony between the two, humans and vampires, is very farfetched, but not impossible. I want the two to intertwine peacefully. I want mutual respect between the two, and that will happen here in Vridora. No, not immediately–"

Iris had to be quick with his words because outbursts were quicker.

"–but eventually. I want this kingdom to be a safe place for vampires, a place where they are not treated like monsters but as a living being, who has rights just like every other citizen. Those who survived the attack, you saw what our guards can do, how they protected this place with their lives, how they protected you with their lives. Not all vampires are bad, and I will not allow Vridora to believe they are. This leads to another change–a new one. The Vamps.