Page 76 of House of Ydril

“Well,” I rush to type, “I answered your question, didn’t I?”

“Are you being serious?”

“Yes, I’m being serious.”

“Look, I have a busy day ahead and I really don’t have time for your shit.”

“My shit? Wow.”

“Yes, your shit. You know, being a privileged asshole, ignoring the fact that what you do affects others... Stuff like that.”

“You think you know me so well, do you?”

“If your actions speak anything of your character, yes, I know you plenty.”

This makes me grit my teeth, but I keep typing like crazy. “I’m a prince in a world you still know nothing about and you have the audacity to say something like that?”

“Yes. And if I weren’t onto something there, oh prince, my opinion wouldn’t be making you this worked up.”

“That’s not what’s happening here. What’s happening here is you having zero manners.”

She doesn’t reply. For a long time, I just stare at the screen, before I throw the goddamn phone at the wall, smashing it to bits.

This makes Max walk in. “Everything alright?”

I don’t say anything, I just nod. “Get me a new phone,” I squeeze out as I turn to walk to my bedroom.

Still fuming, I get dressed and go into the drawing room to find my uncle and the Archduke already waiting for me.

We do the usual formal greetings and take our seats at the table. The Archduke wastes no time. He goes straight to talking about the Obstructor, the Scions planning on eradicating us and the need to put out foot down by inserting ourselves into their governments.

But I’m so distracted, I can barely hear what they’re saying. The prince, I’m the fucking prince here. And I’m the strongest vampire and I have the highest grades and I have so many women throwing themselves at my feet, and she’s treating me like I’m scum.

“Andreas?” my uncle’s voice snaps me out of it. It’s only when I look at him that I realize that I’ve balled my hands into fists. “Care to chip in?” he asks.

“Would you excuse me, gentlemen,” I say as I get up, making them follow suit. “I understand that this is a matter of utmost importance and I’m currently not feeling well, so I think it best to reschedule our meeting.”

The Archduke just looks at me for a moment, then gets up, bows and leaves the room. My uncle’s not lettingmeleave though.

“You know, nephew,” he starts as he appears before me, “you can reschedule all you want, but he’ll just keep coming back.”

I let out a sigh. “What do you think about it, uncle? They all seem to be bent on making it happen. Should I just give in to the pressure?”

He draws in a breath, thinking for a moment. “Itwouldbe a precedent, that much is sure. Then again, the situation is far from peaceful and you’re not like others, either by birth or ability. If anyone would be justified in doing it, it would be you.”

“However?”

“However,” uncle echoes me, “I don’t think you should bother with it. There will be better opportunities for you to assert your power and introduce positive changes.”

“Thank you, uncle,” I reply, “I’ll think about it.”

But even after he’s gone, my mind is still on one of the first things he said.You’re not like others, either by birth or ability.

Maybe I was being too big of an asshole. I make a snap decision. If she won’t talk to me over the phone, I may as well pay her a visit.

I go to her room first, but she’s not there.

I sniff the air. To my relief, it wasn’t that long ago that she was in. I follow her scent and find her and Nuala sitting by the fountain in one of the inner courtyards.

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