The First Vampire

Several flawless white candles burned quietly, emitting a delicate fragrance from the melting amber placed on the purple-gold dishes above the dancing flames.

Within the hall, a circle of sofas upholstered in lizard skin was arranged. A young and an old man were seated on the sofas, chatting casually.

The older man looked to be in his sixties or seventies, white-haired but still full of vitality, wearing a luxurious noble’s ceremonial dress, but there was a subtle sadness hidden in his brows.

The other man looked to be in his early twenties, trying to hide his childishness with a deliberately grown beard.

It seemed to be his first time visiting the Phoenix Palace, as he sat rigidly, his wandering gaze betraying his inner nervousness.

“Sir Emoson, will Her Royal Highness the Queen support me?”

“She will.”

“But…” The young man still seemed to harbour some doubts, “but Her Royal Highness the Queen is from the St. Hilde family, shouldn’t she support Eckert, the student of Count Angler, the Guardian of the North Territory?”

Emoson slightly lifted his eyelids, shooting a glance at the young man before him, then spoke lightly.

“Camilla, you’re still too young. You must understand that the key to politics is balance, and right now, the dominant North Territory poses a risk of destabilising the Empire’s political situation.

Even if Her Royal Highness the Queen is from the St. Hilde family, she would never allow anyone to control both the Eastern and Northern Territories.

Moreover, Count Angler only married Duke St. Hilde, he does not share the name St. Hilde.”

Camilla, the knight, nodded, seemingly understanding, but still cautiously questioned:

“Sir Emoson, why don’t we go to see Emperor Reinhardt?”

Emoson’s gaze suddenly becomes somewhat strange. He glanced at the empty entrance of the hall before lowering his voice to reply:

“His Majesty is busy preparing for an important task of resisting the Orc invasion. How could he spare any time to see you?”

“Oh.” Camilla, the knight, seeing Emoson reluctant to say more, closed his mouth. His gaze hovered on the mural hanging on the wall, but his eyes lost focus, as if lost in thought.

Before long, there were soft footsteps outside the hall.

Emoson immediately stood up.

Camilla, the knight, was suddenly startled. As he rose, the enchanting Queen Midela walked in.

“Your Royal Highness the Queen!”

“You both need not be so formal, please sit.”

Queen Midela laughed softly and gestured with her hand. She walked to the sofa and sat down gracefully, crossing her legs, revealing a hint of the scenery under her skirt.

“Governor Emoson, this beside you should be Knight Camilla, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The young knight quickly cast down his eyes, daring not to look too much at the stunning queen. He performed a knightly salute with an uneasy expression and loudly said:

“Knight Camilla pays his respects to Her Royal Highness the Queen. May your beauty be everlasting!”

Queen Midela, with a smiling face, watched the young knight and said, “Lift up your head.”

Knight Camilla paused slightly but still followed the Queen’s command and lifted his head.

However, as soon as he met Queen Midela’s radiant purple eyes and her breathtakingly beautiful smile, the young knight felt slightly dizzy, and a blush quickly appeared on his face.

Looking at Camilla’s gaffe, Queen Midela’s smile became even brighter.

Seeing this, Emoson hurriedly stepped in to divert the topic:

“Your Highness, this young Knight Camilla is already a fourth-level strongman at such a young age, and he has also spent many years in the Pegasus Army. During the recent unrest in the East, he made a significant contribution to stabilizing the situation in White Dew City.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Seeing Queen Midela’s gaze shift to Emoson, Camilla quietly breathed a sigh of relief, but immediately after, he felt a sense of inexplicable loss.

Therefore, Knight Camilla immediately exclaimed, “Your Highness the Queen, my past deeds are not worth mentioning before you. Now I only hope that you can give me a chance, and under your watchful eyes, I will attain even more glorious achievements!”

Queen Midela turned her gaze back to Knight Camilla and laughed:

“Knight Camilla, I like ambitious young men like you. The East Territory need leaders like you to sweep away the chaos and decadence.”

Knight Camilla’s face flushed even more, even his youthful acne on the tip of his nose glowed red due to the rush of blood.

The praise from Queen Midela made the young Knight of the East Territory feel like he had found the value and purpose of life. At this moment, Knight Camilla secretly swore that he would dedicate his life to protect this noble and beautiful queen before him!

A smile broke across Emoson’s old face as he chimed in.

“Your Highness, you are absolutely right! I also believe that the East Territory needs a leader like Knight Camilla, rather than some child who has not completely grown up, or an ambitious person with a dubious reputation!”

Queen Midela nodded, but then her look became thoughtful and she said,

“However, Knight Camilla is not the first successor to the Duke of the East Territory, so achieving respect from others might be difficult.”

Emoson immediately stepped in, “Your Highness, initially, Vera St. Hilde was not the first successor of the North Territory either. I have always believed that the selection of a Duke should, of course, consider the order of succession, but it also needs to consider their character and abilities. Don’t you agree?”

“Definitely. However, Knight Camilla, you need to prove your abilities to His Majesty and the Nobles of the East Territory.”

Bang!

Knight Camilla smashed his chest with pride, confidently saying, “Your Highness, rest assured, I will do my utmost to prove myself to everyone!”

Queen Midela nodded in satisfaction and said,

“Very well. The invasion of the Orc Empire is imminent, which is an excellent opportunity for you. I hope you don’t disappoint me.

If you distinguish yourself in this war, I will formally propose to His Majesty that you succeed to the title of Duke of the East Territory.”

“I will follow your will, Your Highness!”

Queen Midela slowly rose and approached Knight Camilla, extending her left hand.

Seeing this jade-like, delicate and white hand, Knight Camilla trembled with excitement. However, he soon came to his senses, and quickly held the Queen’s jade hand with both his hands, his forehead deeply touching it as a sign of respect.

At this moment, the pious glow on Knight Camilla’s face was as intense as the most devout believer.

Queen Midela faintly smiled, withdrew her hand, and then asked,

“Knight Camilla, have you met Miss Grace Brugen?”

“You mean, Miss Grace of Huorong City?”

“Yes.”

“I have met her.”

“What do you think of her?”

Camilla Knight was somewhat unclear, but still respectfully answered, “Dignified and quiet, exquisitely beautiful.”

“That’s good.” After saying these words, Queen Midela left the main hall without further explanation.

Camilla Knight watched as the queen’s swaying figure disappeared from the hall and then asked, puzzled,

“Sir Emoson, what did Her Highness mean just now?”

“Miss Grace is probably the wife chosen by Her Highness for you.”

Camilla Knight blinked, hesitantly saying, “Sir, does the Brugen family still have a lot of leveraging value after losing the Huorong Army?”

Emoson’s eyes shifted, and he said,

“Her Highness has her considerations. Besides, this is not for you to worry about. Your task now is just one: To achieve enough fame and glory in the war against the Orcs.”

“Yes!”