Joshua and Rowdy were still sitting by the tree, the orange hue of the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over the garden. They had been talking for a while, sharing stories, both casual and deep.
Rowdy leaned back, resting his arms behind his head. "By the way… those two witches, Merlin and Franciele, they act like you guys are family. What's going on there?"
Joshua sighed, brushing his fingers through the grass. "Yeah, I guess that's kinda weird, huh? Long story short… when I was a kid, my uncle killed my parents, took over the werewolf kingdom, and exiled me. I ran to the slums. Merlin and Grandma took me in, so… they're my real family now."
Rowdy's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "So that makes you a prince. That explains a lot. I know a thing or two about politics, your uncle probably didn't kill you outright because the werewolf clans would've rebelled. Exiling you was a safer move."
Joshua nodded. "You're right on the money."
Rowdy chuckled softly. "Heh. Family politics suck. My story's not much better. My uncle's trying to take over the vampire kingdom. Only problem? He doesn't have the military power or influence to do it yet. I'm next in line after my father, so I can't stick around here for long. I hold too much weight when it comes to the throne."
Joshua raised an eyebrow. "So you're a prince too, huh? That's… kinda cool."
The sun had sunk lower now, bathing the garden in gold.
Rowdy stretched his arms. "Anyway, I'm heading in. Kinda tired."
Joshua gave a casual salute. "Rest up."
Rowdy grinned and turned, disappearing back into the Noble House. Joshua yawned and stretched as well, then stood and dusted off his pants. As he began walking, his eyes caught the empty garden table where he and Blanchette used to sit together.
"Damn… I really miss you, Blanchette," he murmured, eyes watering. He quickly wiped his tears and continued walking into the Noble House.
As he wandered aimlessly, half exploring, half lost in thought, he discovered a hallway he'd never seen before.
"Huh? I've never been here. I thought I knew this place inside out…" he said, looking around. "Why's it so quiet?"
He strolled with his hands behind his head, the hallway eerily silent, until BOOM! A sudden explosion rocked one of the nearby rooms. The door blew apart, and a fully armored knight came flying out backward, butt-first.
Joshua barely had time to react before the knight's armored rear slammed straight into his face, knocking both of them to the floor.
"MY FAAAAACCCCEEEE!!!" Joshua screamed, rolling on the ground clutching his nose.
"MY ASSSSSSS!!!" the knight wailed, grabbing his rear and rolling in pain.
They both sat up groaning and locked eyes, silent for a moment.
"What the hell?! You almost killed me! Who are you and what psycho experiment are you running in there?!" Joshua snapped.
The knight grumbled, undoing a latch and yanking off his dented backplate. "What's your face made of?! You dented my ass plate!"
He set it down dramatically before adding, "I'm Eric. Scientist-slash-alchemist of the Noble House of Kaizer. I specialize in alchemy, chemical engineering, biology, and mechanical design. Pretty amazing, huh?"
Joshua blinked. "…You sound smart. I'm Joshua, by the way."
Eric gave him a flamboyant smile. "Pleasure~ But what are you doing down here? People usually stay far away from this place and me. You must be just as weird as I am. Wait, lemme take off this helmet. I can't see anything in this tin can."
As Eric pulled the helmet off, Joshua froze.
The man had long crimson hair, striking blue eyes, thick eyeliner, glossy lipstick, and black nail polish on manicured, unusually long fingers.
Joshua felt a shiver crawl up his spine.
Eric's eyes widened. Then, with zero hesitation, he leapt onto Joshua, pinning him to the ground.
"Ohhhh JOSHUA! OH YES~ You never told me you were a werewolf!" Eric cried, practically drooling. He gently caressed Joshua's fluffy ears.
"There's so much I want to do to you... I mean, experiment on you. I heard there was a werewolf dating my cousin, but I thought it was just gossip! And a mutated werewolf at that? Black fur? You're so rare… So… gorgeous!" He leaned in and began licking Joshua's face.
Joshua's eyes went wide with horror. "GET OFF ME!"
He shoved Eric hard, sending him flying. Eric hit the ground with a thud and sat up with a sad pout.
Joshua, panting, stood up quickly. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to push you that hard. Your… personality just caught me off guard."
Eric's pout turned to a bright smile. "Aww~ You're so sweet, my darling." (Blanchette, you lucky girl… he thought.)
He took Joshua's offered hand and stood up.
"My sweet, would you join me in my lab? I've got so much to show you," he said, already turning and walking back inside.
Joshua hesitated, then sighed. "I guess… (I don't think this is a good idea… but what the heck. It's not like I had anything better to do.)"
And so, with mild dread and growing curiosity, Joshua followed the Noble House's most chaotic scientist into the lab, unknowing of the madness that would await.