Damien pov

The stress and confusion of the evening would be one-time, a mistake that could be forgotten, I had thought. Still, as I moved around the hallways, I could sense the tension and anxiety the attack had left behind. The castle seemed to be holding its breath for some reason, poised for the next storm. I had hardly slept, and Damien too. All night we both worried about what might follow the event. The messenger arrived with a pallid face and wide-open terror in his eyes.

We had just finished a hurried lunch. "There's someone at the gates demanding to be seen," he muttered, "Freda, Damien." Damien crumpled his face.

"Who?" The messenger was not sure. "A little vampire." He claims to be the Vahlis family line heir. The name was like a frigid wave. Among the most influential and ancient vampire families were the Vahlis ones. They were renowned for being quite devoted to their own bloodline and for adhering to rigorous policies. It cou ld only be negative if someone from that queue showed up now and made such a bold assertion.


"Let him in," Damien urged. Though his voice was low, I heard something I wasn't sure what it was—worry, fury, maybe? Usually utilised for large events and gatherings, Raphael and I convened in the great hall.

He seemed far older than he was, most likely not much older than I was. For his age, nevertheless, he was quite robust. He stood tall and certain of himself, with keen dark eyes. Raphael said, "Damien." His speech was clear and persuasive. "And Freda."Meeting you at last is fantastic.

His slight head cocked could have been a gesture of respect or authority. Damien locked hard, icy gaze on her. "Raphaul, why are you here?" In a chilly voice, Damien asked. Raphael maintained his smile on. "Damien, I'm here to ask about your policy."
Our family tree is a strong one and dates hundreds of years. For hundreds of years, our people have built their basis from our blood. Having a human queen among us runs against to what our forebears stood for.



My spine shivered with cold. Raphael's comments were picked with great care to incite wrath. Still, there was another hidden scheme under play. Where was it, I wondered? "Are you nuts to challenge me?" Damien said in a terrified, frail voice. "It's not a challenge for me," Raphael remarked coolly. "This relates to the future of our kingdom."
Vahlis lineage is power and purity. People have to decide whether to stick to the traditional paths or down what looks to be a novel and dangerous one. The groupings in the hall were clearly visible to me as individuals moved uneasily.

While some appeared terrified, others seemed interested. With his captivating speech, which attracted supporters, Raphael was already creating headlines. "What drives your great curiosity about Freda?" I moved forward and enquired.

"What has she got to do with your struggle?" I felt like I was being chopped up when Raphael stared at me for a protracted period.

"Oh, Freda". the queen of people. The thing that makes Damien weak as well as strong is Once I can convince you to see sense, I might not have to challenge him after all.

Just exactly what do you mean? I exclaimed, a harsh voice. "Only that you're in a unique position," Raphael answered, grinning.

"If you agreed with me, you could help me to strike a balance between the past and the future." a middle ground bringing the nation together under more honest, stronger leadership. Though he said nothing, Damien clenched his teeth.


He simply attentively listened to the discourse. Raphael's comments clearly were hazardous; his concept was really a deception aimed to keep us apart. "Your words won't change my mind," I informed her. "I'm here for Damien, and I think we can move forward." Raphael kept smiling even if his eyes narrowed. "I love how devoted you are." You can, however, test someone's dedication. "I'm here to give you a choice," I say, not here threatening you. "Choose?" When Damien spoke once again, his voice was harsh. "What sort of choice is that?" Raphael seemed to be approaching seriousness. "A fight," says An formal inquiry regarding your rule. Should you win, the Vahlis family will support you totally. Should you lose, though, you have to resign as king.


Raphael's daring lingered thick in the hall, so hushed there was. A duel was a very significant public display of power and strength capable of either bolstering or undermining a master's claim of authority. "Do you truly think this will address the issue?" Damien spoke coldly. "A duel will only make things worst and kill more people." Raphael only shook his head. Sometimes blood has to be shed to demonstrate who is really worthy. Damien, I have a way you may demonstrate your strength.


Should you truly believe in your guideline, you should not hesitate when pushed. The sight in Damien's eyes as he stared at me suggested his anger. Though he understood that giving up would make his situation even more precarious, he truly wanted to keep me safe from this new menace. "What would you say?" Speaking softly, Damien asked me. Looking at Raphael now, he was observing me with a mix of interest and challenge. Being around him was frightening; it was obvious what he was up to.



We had to exercise caution since the game he was engaged in might have split the realm. Calm in voice, I said, "I think he's dangerous." "I think he wants to reach his own objectives using us." But I also think that declining his assignment will only help him to grow stronger. Damien nodded; his face appeared dejected.


All right. That's fine with me, Raphael. We will struggle. Raphael's grin grew more pronounced, and I briefly caught something in his eyes. It could have been something darker or bliss.Excellent. Regarding that, I'm thrilled. As Raphael turned to leave, I had a horrible feeling. His test wasn't just a power test; it was a danger to everything we had battled for. And I was sure that whatever occurred next would impact our lives and the country for good. But just as Raphael was leaving the hall, there was a strange commotion coming from the darkness.



I couldn’t see fully but a tall black figure with a robe and hood stepped out and moved with a disconcerting grace. The person came up to Raphael, their steps perfect and well-thought-out. It was impossible for me to see their face, but I could feel a peculiar, almost physical worry in the air. Raphael took a step back as his eyes got a little larger.





"You..." "Why are you around here?" The person in the coat didn't say anything, but simply being there sent a chill down the hall.





They put out a gloved hand to Raphael and held up a little, expensive package. Raphael's face went from disbelief to suspicion. "What is this?" When the guy did speak, it was in a low, frigid voice.



a present for the heir. Raphael grabbed the box, and the man turned around to vanish into the shadows. Once more, the hall was still and the tension felt thick and weighty. "What was that??" I asked, and my voice was somewhat trembling. From his face, Damien seemed afraid. "I doubt." It can't have been good whatever it was. Raphael gazed at the box with a perplexed yet fascinated expression. With a ghostly voice, he added, "I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."