Chapter 32. Varlets 

**32. Varlets **
***Astrid's POV:***
I gasped as his eyes caught my attention. They turned pitch black momentarily before shifting to crimson and returning to normal.
"What happened? What did I do?" Rafael asked, shaking his head, to exit the zone he had just entered.
Scanning the room, I found everyone seemingly unfazed. Perhaps this is usual for vampires, just as it is natural for us to transform into wolves and grow fur on our bodies. I'm not sure why it happened; as I previously stated, I'm not familiar with vampires, and I had no idea that a mate's blood could be used to kill even a royal.
It disturbs me that they have my blood. What if something bad happens to him due to my actions and I wind up losing him? I can't let that happen.
Rafael snapped his fingers in front of me. "Astrid."
"Huh?" I frowned. I think I had zoned out.
"Nothing," I corrected myself as I looked around. Perhaps this happened to him because he was angry, which is why everyone was silent.
One thing I've seen, even though he tries hard to hide it, is that he has mood swings and goes nuts for no reason. Is this what everyone meant when they said he was dangerous? Though I was initially scared of him, I trust that he won't harm me.
"What do we do now, Your Highness?" one lady asked.
Everything looked out of place to me. They call him prince, majesty, and sir, and they address me as queen, despite the fact that I grew up with werewolves, Everyone refers to Alpha Brad as 'Alpha' and Lizzy as 'Luna.' Still, all of these titles elevate me to the level of royalty, which I am today."As I previously said, Astrid here is my mate, and if anyone wants to ask for proof, know that you are all here in this room only because you trust me. I trust you, and I expect the same even this time. As for the marking, we want to take it slowly and present ourselves as a mated couple in front of everyone when the situation is in our favor." He explained and knew exactly what he was saying, and anyone could sense how valid his words were.
When he discussed the mating process, I blushed but admired how he handled the matter. Amidst the ensuing silence, I sensed there was something happening that I wasn't fully grasping. I'm confused as to why they all started nodding at the same time.
"Our highness, we trust you. Whatever you do, we will be with you," they echoed in unison.
"Then we'll all meet at the castle in an hour, and I'll put my terms in front of that old hag," Rafael remarked, and they all began walking away, leaving me, Bryan, and Rafael in the room.
When I sighed, Rafael turned his attention towards me. "Astrid, are you okay?" he asked.
"I am," I said.
"I know something is bothering you; please tell me," he said as he took my hands in his.
Considering the worst that could happen, I asked the first thing that came to mind. "Is it normal for vampires to change their eye color depending on their mood?"
"Yes, we all have that depending on our moods, and each hue has its own meaning," he stated.
I heaved a sigh of relief because I had assumed it was something horrifying. "Oh, I see. What those colors mean?" I inquired. No, I should stop here because it's getting a little too much for him.
"Hmm... Well, our eyes turn green when we are very pleased, grey when we are sad, hazel with a hint of black surrounding it when we are angry, violet when we are astonished, and..." he hesitated briefly before continuing. "Crimson coupled with electrifying blue when lust overtakes, you can say when we are in a mood, that's pretty much it," he added in one breath.
Upon realizing why he hesitated, my cheeks heated up. I had noticed that lust in his eyes earlier this morning, but I brushed it off, thinking I saw things, but now it was apparent. Even now, my doubts weren't answered; perhaps I might question him later why his eyes had turned completely black, and within a few seconds, they appeared to turn blood red but settled.
"But, sir, what does it mean if they turn black?" Bryan asked as if reading what was on my mind.
"Huh, what?" Rafael said, puzzled.
It seemed like none of them had discussed it, although they had noticed it countless times and thought that it was common.
"Yes, sir, they became black; is this some "royal" thing?" he asked.
"Perhaps, but I'm not sure. Why have none of you mentioned it before?" He asked Bryan while massaging his temples.
"Nothing, sir, even though we've seen it countless times; we didn't ask since we assumed you knew," Bryan answered.
"Perhaps that's another of my gifts; I'll look into it later," he said. "Wait for us outside. We'll be there in a minute," he told Bryan before leaving us alone.
"Did I scare you with everything? I am sorry I didn't see any of those things, and..." he started apologizing.
"No, you have nothing to apologize for, and I was only surprised but not scared," I told him, "but it was new for me. I wasn't scared." I don't know why I feel secure with him, no matter how I see him.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his gaze fixed on mine.
"To be honest, I feel safe with you," I admitted.
His eyes expanded, and a smile came across his lips. He opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it.
I know it's difficult for me to say, but it's the truth. I'm not sure how I feel secure with him this soon. Yes, I was terrified at first because of all the horrors I had heard about him, but he proved them all wrong. I'm not sure what will happen in the future, but I can trust him blindly right now. even if he shows me his darkest side, I don't think I'd hate him for that, especially after what he did for me last night, I know he's holding himself back for many things, and while I want to tell him to break his restraints when he's with me, I can't tell him this soon, especially with the chaos we're in. I think we can talk about it once we're out of this.
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around me and murmured. "Thank you. I guess I needed to hear that for what I'm about to do," he said as he patted my back.
I also did not push him away. Instead, I returned his hug.
"I've been meaning to tell you this since yesterday," I murmured as he drew away from me.
"Thank you," he repeated again, and my cheeks flushed.
I couldn't believe I told him what was on my mind while I was becoming acquainted with him.
"Let's go now," he said, taking my hand in his and going out.
We were soon on our way back to the castle.
"Stay close to me and don't allow anyone to come near, okay, and try fighting them if they do something," he said, his voice concerned and fearful.
I agreed by nodding. "But I don't know how to fight; I think I need to learn some techniques if I'm going to battle these vampires," I said nervously.
"Hmm, we can work on that; I can teach you how to fight so you can protect yourself, and I want you to feel secure and not afraid of anyone," he said
Nobody ever thought of teaching me anything, not my brothers or my father, who were always preoccupied with their own lives. When I thought about them, a knot rose in my stomach. Were they okay? Were they happy? My heart constricted when I realized they had never come to ask about me.
"Astrid, are you all right?"
His voice jolted me out of my reverie. I didn't realize we were already there, and he was waiting for me outside. As soon as I opened the door, he rushed over to my side.
"Umm, okay, let's go." I didn't want to waste any of his time; he had told everyone that we would be there in an hour, but it had been much longer.
We proceeded through several corridors and what appeared to be dungeons until we arrived at a massive door where everyone was waiting for us outside.
Bryan and Erin gave us friendly smiles. "Let's do this," he said to everyone.
They all nodded in agreement.
He pushed the door open, and we began walking toward the front, where there was a man who appeared to be four to five years Rafael's senior, seated on a gigantic throne-like chair with another two chairs on his side. It has to be his father.
"Well... Well, to what do I owe the pleasure of meeting you all?" His father stood up and looked around the room.
A well-built man approached him and looked him in the eyes. "Mr. Delmar, we want you to restore this throne to our crowned prince. It belongs to him, and now he has also found his mate to rule by his side, so it's only fair if you return what belongs to him," he spoke clearly and loudly.
Anyone looking in would not think that all of this was arranged on the spur of the moment, as it appears that we have all practiced everything.
"Oh, you all come to support him? Are you so scared of me that you want to get rid of me this soon?" Mr. Delmar made a sad face. "Awww, I'm scared of everything. Please claim your throne, Rafael," he began laughing as he looked at Rafael. "Stupid people, you dared to oppose me; don't worry, I knew that was coming, which is why I prepared a little surprise for you," he said as he returned to his throne.
Everybody frowned, looking at him. "As of today, I declare everyone in this room who is with Rafael and everyone outside who is supporting him as Varlets." He announced, his voice booming in the hall.
Everyone gasped.
Varlets? What does that mean?
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