– Thank you… I'm very pleased to hear that. – I'm suddenly a little embarrassed.

What? Maria Mroczek? Confused? I think the last time I felt that kind of embarrassment was in my twenties. But the Morgans' praise was something sublime: what an honour to hear them say it, old-fashioned vampires who still preferred castles to the more comfortable new modern villas!

– But still, please be careful: every year we find it more and more difficult to hide our existence, you know that. I'm afraid that world fame…" my father began in a concerned tone, but I interrupted him:

– I have everything under control, Dad, please don't worry. I know when to stop and go into the shadows.

– Yes. I don't doubt you, Maria. You are a wise woman, almost like your mother," her father replied with a smile.

– I prefer to think of myself as a girl, Papa! – I said with a laugh. – I am too young to be a "wise woman"!

Everyone laughed. Except Fredrik, of course," he smiled, as if to confirm my words. He knows me. Maybe even better than I know myself.

– Hello, brother-in-law," I threw to him, for some reason not wanting to communicate with him at the moment.

Fredrik seemed to feel the same way, for he didn't even give me a hand.

– Hi, Maria," he said in an indifferent tone. – How are you?

– My life brings me nothing but joy," I replied ironically.

A lie. Disgusting. Black.

My life was beautiful. But it all fell apart in an instant. But no one must know about it. It's up to me to forget what torments me so much. How can I do that?

– I'm glad," Fredrik replied briefly.

He is lying too. After all, he doesn't care, not at all.

– But where is Cedric? I want to say a word of greeting to him," I said hastily.

– He's in his room. He said he was tired of the crowd and needed a breath of solitude," Mrs. Morgan answered me. Her eyes flashed strangely, and a bitter smile flickered across her lips for a moment.

– I hope he doesn't mind my disturbing him," I said quietly, thinking that Mrs. Morgan's sudden transformation was due to the very disagreement that had forced Cedric to leave the castle. But that's their family and their problem.

– I don't think he minds… Cedric has been sitting there for three hours. Tell him we're waiting for him," Mr. Morgan said suddenly. His eyebrows furrowed slightly.

– Gregory…," his wife said quietly.

– It's all right. Don't take it personally: he never liked to be among the guests," Mr. Morgan said quietly.

– I'll get him. I'll see you later! – I said cheerfully and headed to the other end of the castle, where Cedric's room was.

The sound of my heels echoed off the high stone ceilings, making it even louder and more intense. Every step I took was another second-a second of my lost life. But the Morgans' behaviour made me wonder: what had driven Cedric so far away from his parents? They had always been a very close-knit family… So strange. It's useless to ask Mariszka – that prude is always as silent as a fish. But I'm sure she knows. Maybe she'll tell Misha and she'll tell me. Although, it's been eight years, but this mystery has remained a mystery.

I walked to the solid wooden door leading to Cedric's room and opened it without knocking.

– You never knock on other people's doors," I heard Cedric's handsome voice. He was standing at the window, his back to me. He was probably thinking about something, and my visit had disturbed his loneliness. The loneliness he loves so much. Strange Cedric.

– We're related, which means we don't have to observe these ceremonies! – I said cheerfully and glanced round his room.

It was huge. Dark. Sullen. How fitting for this hermit. Books, a fireplace, an ascetic atmosphere, and minimal furniture. Heavy black curtains on the windows, this time opened wide. The dim light of the gloomy Prague day seemed to embrace Cedric's tall, handsome figure. Black shoes, black jeans. Black jacket. I'm sure: black shirt and black tie.

– Are you in mourning? – I joked, walking slowly toward Cedric.

– You're so clever," he said without turning round.

I didn't think his joke was funny at all, but I decided to keep playing the game.

– Who?

He didn't say anything.

I walked over to him and looked at his face with a grin.

Cedric didn't seem to notice me; he remained silent, staring out the window.

– Your mother is very upset about your absence," I said, not uncomfortable with his coldness toward me.

He said nothing.

– Cedric, this is getting annoying! – I said in an annoyed tone and slapped him lightly on the shoulder.

I think my gesture made him a little angry, because his eyes on me were angry. Frowning eyebrows, stern face, scowl. He's so handsome, this vampire, this hermit. And he's still alone. He's not in love with anyone. He's free. But at the same time, it's like he's disconnected from everything that has to do with feelings. Just coldness.

– I didn't call you, Maria, and I don't intend to entertain you," Cedric said in a quiet but simply icy tone.