"Grandma, I really have important matters to attend to back in my kingdom. Why was I summoned here?" Damien asked, his voice steady.
"Take your time, Damien. You'll find out soon enough," Glinda replied calmly. "Also, I hope your anger has cooled, because we're going to meet your father right this minute."
"Yes, Grandma. I'm fine. Besides, I'm good at controlling myself."
"That's not what I witnessed a while ago," she teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry about that. I got carried away. I promise to stay calm this time."
"Good boy." Glinda smiled at him fondly.
The two chatted as they strolled through the castle halls. Suddenly, someone bumped into Damien.
"I'm so sorry!" the girl apologized quickly.
Damien blinked. She was… beautiful. There was something striking about her presence that caught him off guard.
"Oh, here we go again. Another trouble," Glinda muttered under her breath. "You should really sit in one place, you know. Always roaming around with your handmaids—it's incredibly annoying."
"Oh please, Glinda! It's obvious you've never liked me. Do I really need your permission to walk around my own father's palace?" she snapped.
Damien stared at the girl, stunned. "Excuse me… your what?" he asked slowly, turning to Glinda, who suddenly seemed very interested in the ceiling. She avoided his gaze.
"You, this girl… you'll surely be your father's downfall," Glinda sneered.
"Grandma…" Damien's voice was tense.
Glinda sighed. "I'm sorry, Damien. I'm not in a position to tell you the whole truth. I always wondered why Dracula kept this from you, but it seems the secret can't stay buried any longer." She turned to the girl. "Isabel, follow us to Dracula's quarters."
"You know he hates when I go there unannounced," Isabel replied hesitantly.
"Don't worry. He won't be angry," Glinda assured her.
Moments later, Dracula looked up and scoffed. "So, I see Isabel finally decided to show herself in front of Damien." He turned to his son. "Damien, she's your stepsister."
"What?!" Damien reeled. "I'm confused. How am I just now finding out about this? Why did you hide this from me?" He turned to Isabel. "Did you know I was your brother?"
"Yes… I did," she answered quietly.
"You did? Then why didn't you ever come to me? Why am I meeting you now? What is going on?"
"Dad used to lock me up whenever you visited," Isabel admitted. "I never understood why. I guess he forgot to lock me up today. I've always wanted to meet you, but I only ever saw you from afar. This is the first time you're seeing me… but I've seen you so many times."
Dracula's expression turned cold. "Isabel's mother destroyed the antidote that could've cured your mother. I kept you two apart because I was sure you'd hate her for what her mother did. I did it to protect both of you. Isabel knows what her mother did, but never understood why I locked her away from you."
"So why free her now?" Damien asked.
"Because of what you said earlier," Dracula admitted. "I know you have a kind heart. You wouldn't punish her for her mother's actions. That's why I let her go today. And, as cunning as she is, she chose today to reveal herself."
"Of course I did," Isabel said boldly. "Heaven knows how long I've waited for this day."
"Really?" Damien was surprised.
"Yes, brother. I've always wanted to be with you. I wanted you to protect me, carry me, play with me. I envied Nessa so much when we were kids. I saw how you loved her and pampered her, and I used to wonder—if you knew I existed, would you love me too?"
Damien smiled gently. "Of course I would've. And who said it's too late? I promise to protect you now, Isabel."
A tear slipped down Isabel's cheek. Damien quickly wiped it.
"Hey. No sister of mine cries in my presence," he said softly, pulling her into an embrace.
Then he turned to Dracula, his voice sharper. "You should really stop deciding things for others."
Dracula sighed. "Isabel, give us a moment."
"Of course, Dad."
After she left, Dracula's tone shifted. "I didn't summon you here for some pathetic reunion. You're going to lead the vampires soon. It's time for you to take your place."
Damien raised an eyebrow. "Thank you for this… but I don't think I'm ready yet."
"And may I know your reason?" Dracula asked icily.
Glinda stepped in. "Dracula, I think Damien's right. He needs time."
"What is wrong with you, Glinda?" Dracula snapped. "You're always against me. Sometimes I feel like you're the enemy."
"Oh give me a break," she rolled her eyes.
Dracula's patience snapped. "Fine. Do what you want. But let it be clear—Damien will be crowned King of the Vampires three days after his wedding."
Damien straightened, his expression unreadable. "Then I guess I'll never marry."
He gave a slight bow, turned, and walked out of the room.
Dracula groaned. "Glinda, did you hear that? You've spoiled that boy. I can't believe this nightmare."
"Oh, spare me the nonsense," Glinda muttered, then vanished into thin air.