Chapter Two
Count Silco did not particularly enjoy seeing his ex-husband. However for the sake of his castle, sacrifices had to be made. Leaving a one hundred and fifty year old vampire child alone in a palace like that was out of the question for the count. His daughter has a small habit of getting too bored.
Hence why he was currently standing outside the Lane family house, his hand holding that of a particularly jittery Jinx who was muttering something or the other about Silco's 'betrayal'.
Viktor stands behind his father and sister, leaning against the carriage as the eldest vampire complains about the tardiness of the werewolf the trio was waiting on.
The large oak doors open, welcoming the sight of the strong, imposing figure of the werewolf Vander Lane. Despite his intimidating stature, the Hound of the underground is a fairly sweet man. He welcomes his daughter with a wide grin. "Jinx! Welcome home, princess." his large hands wrap around his daughter in a hug, one that she returns without hesitation.
Count Silco tuts at the display, pulling out his antique pocket watch and glaring at the time as he waits for the two figures to pull away. "Behave." he says to his daughter the second she's able to look at him again, and then without further delay he turns away and climbs into the carriage, not once sparing a glance towards his ex-husband.
Viktor sends a small wave towards Vander and Jinx, before following his father straight into the carriage. Not a second after he takes his seat, the carriage begins moving, startling the young vampire slightly. His small yelp of surprise does nothing to distract Count Silco from where he stared out the window, the older man seemed to be lost in his thoughts. And though he probably shouldn't have, Viktor takes this as an opportunity to speak. "It wouldn't kill you to.. y'know greet him." Viktor knew talking to his father about his relationship with his other father wasn't a very wise move, despite this he couldn't help himself.
How was it possible for someone to be like this with their soulmate? He didn't understand.
The withering glare that Count Silco sends his son's way isn't enough to dissuade the boy from pushing. "I mean, you didn't even look his way."
"That's enough Viktor." His words made no difference to his son.
"I mean honestly, isn't it a bit petty?"
"Viktor."
"Think of Jinx, this cannot be a good influence on-" The raised voice of the older vampire cuts off Viktor's rant "Enough, boy!” Said boy opens his mouth to speak once more, only to purse his lips and look away. "I apologise." He mutters under his breath.
Silco sighs. "I am not stopping you from talking to him, but I prefer my contact with your father to be limited." He reaches out and puts a hand on his son's knee.
The rest of the ride topside was silent, the rolling of the wheels and the chirping of the birds seemed to echo through the awkward atmosphere between father and son.
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Standing guard next to the Kiramman family turned out to be even more boring than Jayce had previously anticipated. He'd assumed at the very least, he'd be able to banter with Caitlyn, however Cassandra Kiramman had other plans. The, well meaning, but uptight, woman had wasted not a second before jumping into the socialization, and dragging Caitlyn into it alongside her.
He sighs for what feels like the hundredth time as another stuck up noble finishes their conversation with Tobias and Cassandra, and walks away. Surely it would be time for his break soon. Even though it had only been half an hour of festivities.
Just when the Talis boy fears he is about to fall asleep, a dark colored carriage appears at the entrance, about 10 feet from where the Kiramman family stood. The door to the gothic transportation opened, and a pale man dressed in a flattering black poet shirt and corset steps out.
Count Silco, ruler of Zaun.
Jayce wasn't aware that he was invited tonight, however the lack of surprise on Cassandra Kiramman's face meant that he probably was supposed to know. The tall werewolf straightens up, continuing to stand at his station as Cassandra walks down the stairs towards Silco. "Count Silco, we are so pleased you were able to join us tonight and oh- who is this?" Her words alert Jayce to the presence of another man stepping out of the vehicle, this one was just as, if not more pale than Silco, his hair was long, (for Piltover standards anyways) but well kept. His eyes were sunken, his cheekbones defined. "Queen Kiramman, meet my son Viktor." Silco holds out a hand for his son, to help him out of the carriage. "It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness." The other one speaks, bowing his head down slightly, his accent thick, similar to Russian.
Jayce is snapped out of his thoughts by a nudge from Caitlyn that causes him to look back over at where he stood next to Tobias and Caitlyn. "Runeterra to Jayce, hello? My father asked you a question." The blue haired girl speaks in slight irritation. "Oh. I apologise, what was it?" Tobias only shakes his head, the man was never one to get angry. "It is alright child, I was only wondering If you'd had something to eat." Just as Jayce is about to reply, the increasing voice of the queen can be heard once more which causes all three to turn and glance at the stairs that of which she was currently leading Count Silco and his son up from.
Talis frowns at the thought of this Viktor person having to walk up stairs with that cane, he didn't look too troubled though.
The large stairs leading up and towards the even larger banquet hall, were large and flat, both of which were unideal design choices, but who was he to criticize.
Finally once the trio arrives at the top of the steps, Viktor lifts his head, his dazzling eyes meeting those of Jayce's and oh.
Oh.
Jayce Talis had been told before what would happen when his eyes met those of his soulmates, his mother had described her and his fathers meeting well enough times for him to have memorised it.
However, he never quite realised how intensely his heart would start pounding, or how the breath from his lungs would get knocked out or even how scared he'd feel.