In a room beside where Matthias slept,  Henry and June kept awake, never needing sleep, no matter how much they yearned for it.  

Henry looked at the window behind his throne—the streets were empty and the streetlights flickered now and then. His eyes scanned the area, noticing a few souls wandering around with no purpose – a ghost, seeking revenge or perhaps, its meal for the night. 

June remained stoic and silent. His eyes closed while he stood tall and proud at the corner of the room. He looked like a statue—gorgeous, yet untouchable. Carved with precision and damnation. He looked like he was asleep; his breathing was stable.

But do not be deceived: for his kind, sleep was a luxury; a forbidden elixir that once he had a taste, he would cease to exist. Especially with the madman staring at him with a bored expression—and an appetite for ruin.

Both men heard the silent sobs and wails of the younger man in the other room, and they could not help but feel pity—

And jealousy. 

Creatures of the night like them never had that opportunity. Emotions were seen as unnecessary.

And thus, extracted roughly. 

What remained was the need, desperation, and hunger for destruction – the crucial thing that kept their kind going. 

Soon, it stopped. The master and the butler both heard the firm footsteps of the young man showing his resolve, despite it still being night. 

Then three knocks followed, echoing in the room—a mockery of the holy trinity. Despite being the existence who went against the holy, Henry’s skin still burned and tingled with suspense and interest. His bored eyes glinted with mischief as he gestured to his butler. 

“Open the door,” he whispered as he leaned on his golden table. He placed both of his elbows on it and placed his chin atop his hands.

“...Henry, are you there?” A soft voice emerged from the door. It was Matthias. 

Matthias stood outside the door. The dimly lit hallway, decorated with gold and antiques that cost more than his daily wage, caused his sickness called greed to act up. ‘If I sneak one in my pocket, he won't notice it—right?’ 

“Henry? Hello? Are you here? I just heard you and June earlier, so –”

“Oh yes, of course. Sorry. I almost fell asleep for a moment after hearing your voice. Open the door, Matthias. You're always welcome in my arms.” 

The younger man frowned, his stomach churning as he held the knob, but he did not turn it fully. His hair on his arms stood, the way the other man sounded felt unnatural – unnerving, almost.

‘Is that how people normally talk to each other?’ He questioned himself, but he ignored what his mind told him. He opened the door and stepped inside, and the door automatically closed behind him with a thud.

The young man’s eyes glowed with delight once he saw the shameless display of extravagance that Henry did. The Young Lord’s office room was decorated with gold, pure gold – the table, everything was squeaky clean and shiny. He could feel his cheeks almost flushing with excitement. 

Upon noticing this,  the older man laughed.

“Do you like what you see, Matthias? If you want, I can bring you down to the treasury  and you can grab some items—I have a lot and I really don’t know what to do with it.” Henry offered with a smile so kind and sweet. 

“No, I.. I appreciate the offer. But I’m here for something else –” he murmured. He almost felt like he had forgotten his purpose, but how could he? It could be the answer as to why he was stuck here. Why was he transported here, in this era?

“...It’s too late, surely it could wait until later in the morning–”

“No, Henry. I need to go now – I know it’s unsafe, but I want to go to church.”

“The church?” Henry's voice hitched. ‘Why is he going to that damn church at this time? Why do you always try to escape my grasp, Matthias?’ 

The young man sat on the couch with a solemn nod, his golden eyes staring at Henry. “Yeah, the church. I have to go there and talk to someone.”

“Didn't I tell you to never–”

“Never trust anyone, because this is Archeko?” replied the young man. 

“I understand. But Henry, if I'm gonna keep doing what I'm being told, then I'm letting your words control my actions. Your own prejudice will be carried by me, and honestly, I appreciate you looking out for me – but it's time for me to stand up on my two feet.” Matthias’ voice was stern and cold. 

The blond man frowned. The air in the room turned cold. 

Henry didn't say anything, just staring at the younger man intently. 

Silence permeated the room, and the only sound that could be heard was the wind whistling against the windows, as if begging to be let in, and the cawing of the crows, as if mocking him.

Matthias could feel goosebumps forming on his arms – spreading like a wildfire. He gulped; his proud demeanor now felt small, causing him to look at the floor. 

“I- I–” 

“I understand, Matthias.” Henry's voice wasn't warm; it was freezing—his eyes glistened with a hint of anger mixed with disappointment. 

And perhaps, sadness. 

“R-really?” The younger man sighed with relief, a smile forming on his lips—brighter than the moon could ever be. 

Henry's heart skipped for a moment. Despite being the being he was, he couldn't help but be enthralled once again, yet the other man hadn't realised it. 

‘I will recognise that smile, no matter what, because you were the first one to smile at me like that. You're still the same old Matthias,’ Henry's face softened as he leaned on his chair and put his left hand up. 

“June,” he murmured. 

“Yes, Master?” June, who seemed to have blended in perfectly at the corner, made Matthias gasp in shock. Horrified, his cheeks flushed. 

‘He probably heard everything I've said! Fuck! I forgot that June is always beside Henry. Fuck!’ Matthias kept his smile, but internally, he was eaten by embarrassment, cursing himself in his head repeatedly.

June, as if noticing it, decided to tease the young boy further. “Don't worry. We all went through a phase like that.” 

“No, it isn't a phase–”

“June, prepare a carriage and don't tease the poor young man. He already had a hard time articulating what he wanted to say, and you're making fun of him,” lightly chastised by  Henry with a teasing smirk. 

“Can't help it, young master. He looked like he was about to burst like a tomato–”

“You two, this is why I hate hanging out with you's!” Matthias, his cheeks and ears were both red.

Their voices echoed within the room. The night felt friendlier than it could ever be; however, the horrors remained the same.

And it will intensify even further.