The Rules of Blood-Volume Two ; Chapter 73 (289) - Sera, Now or Never
Where are you, my little brother? Have you forgotten about me?
Is this punishment for all that I have done?
I kept myself alive, hoping someone would come for me. That Blanc would come for me. But it has been months. He is not coming.
I should stop dreaming someone would come to save me.
It’s high time I try to save myself. Or die.
For weeks now, people had been coming and going from the mansion of Blood Seraph. From what Sera could tell, they were all rather important.
A convenience for her, since it meant they kept her confined to a small wing of the estate.
It had everything she might need, and best of all, no plates were being thrown at her by her fiancé, who was too busy preparing for something to spare any hatred her way.
At least in that wing, Sera had a friend.
“Ida,” she smiled as the young woman approached with a tray in hand.
“My Lady Sera,” the girl greeted.
Ida was seventeen, an orphan of war, brought here to serve and given the promise of a better life. She had been appointed as Sera’s maid after the confinement began.
At first, Sera hadn’t trusted her, but as the weeks passed, they came to know each other, and trust slowly followed.
“What brings you here?” Sera asked, curious.
“Tea, My Lady,” Ida smiled, placing the tray down before taking a seat opposite Sera, “Tea and gossip.”
“Now that does sound fun,” Sera giggled, a hand over her mouth, “Any progress on what we’ve talked about?”
“Yes,” Ida nodded, “Tonight might be the best time to do it. Lord Aidan is leaving with most of the army present here.”
“Do you know where he is going?” Sera wondered.
“No, My Lady, just like before, they keep their secrets close to their chests,” Ida replied, “But all I know is that part of the estate will not be guarded, giving us the opportunity to run away.”
Sera sighed, eyes back towards the view outside the window, “Either I escape, or die by my own hand. Either way, I will not be in this place for long.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. any sightings.
“Stop the nonsense, My Lady, you will not harm yourself,” Ida corrected, her voice serious despite the difference in status, “Your death will bring suffering to those who cherish you.”
Sera snickered, looking towards the top of the volcano nearby, “I wonder about that.”
Ida remained silent, her gaze following Sera’s.
One of the Four Dragon Manors loomed in the distance, just as a resident emerged from within.
A red-scaled dragon, small at this distance, rose into the sky, wings beating powerfully, before tucking them in and flipping midair.
In a direct freefall, it plunged back into the volcano’s depths, vanishing from sight. It was common to see the dragons, creatures of True Vita, do this. After all, Blood Seraph had an alliance with the four Manors and the dragons within.
And proof of that alliance was the horns both dragons and Blood Seraph shared on their head.
“So,” Sera muttered, turning her eyes away from the window, “You are coming with me then.”
“Indeed,” Ida nodded, “I wish to serve someone worth serving, and Blood Seraph… they are not the choice.”
“But they saved you, are you certain?” Sera asked, “You know there is no going back if you do this. If they catch us, they will kill you.”
“My point exactly,” Ida smiled sadly, “They took me in, yes, but now I have as much freedom as a dead man has. If I wish to leave, I should be able to leave of my own will, not fear punishment.”
Sera stood quiet, letting her words sink in.
But Ida continued, “They flaunt kindness and wear it as armor, but that’s not kindness; it’s pride. They took an orphan and made a slave. And I’m supposed to lick their feet in gratitude?”
“Very well,” Sera said with a small smile, placing her hand over Ida’s. “Come with me then. And if we survive, serve me, serve my Blood, and I promise you, friend, you will be treated as a human should.”
“Can you truly promise me that, My Lady?” Ida asked, her gaze steady and serious.
“Or... once we reach my Blood, I could make you my Capesso,” Sera replied. “You would be part of my Blood then, part of my family.”
Ida’s eyes widened in shock. “My Lady… I could never be part of your Blood.”
“If you wish it, we will receive you,” Sera said gently. “And if not, you would be free to refuse, and live your life as you see fit.”
Ida remained silent, looking at the woman in front of her. Black hair, beautiful to the eyes, and as cotton to the touch. Gray eyes that looked kind, yet hurt, as if having lost something in them. But they held a beauty that matched the moon hidden behind the smoke of the volcano.
Just as Sera was. Hidden. Suppressed.
But just as the moon moves the tides, even when it’s not visible. So did Sera move her now.
Once they finished the tea and finished setting up a basic plan, Ida left Sera to keep working as if nothing was happening while Sera prepared for the evening ahead.
Once night came, so did Ida return to Sera, who had prepared some basic necessities. Four filled waterskins, some fruits, two capes, and a change of clothes. No gold and no real food. Only what she had or what she could get her hands on without raising an eyebrow.
But she made sure to keep a knife hidden, even from Ida. A knife she planned to use if they were in danger.
Against enemies or… against herself.
“He is gone,” Ida said, coming into Sera’s room, “It is now or never, My Lady. Are you ready?”
Sera sighed. Months of being a hostage instead of being a fiancée. Months of hope that someone would come to take her back home. Months of ceramic plates thrown her way. Months of hatred, of tears, of regret, all leading to this singular moment.
“I am ready,” Sera said, turning to face Ida.
Volume Two ; Chapter 73 (289) - Sera, Now or Never
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