"Isn't she wonderful?" Mo Li stood next to the King.
"I didn't know she had this side… this…"
"Oh…" she was always like that. She loved to play with people. Treat her well and she would take you to heaven. Treat her like crap and she would take you to hell. Like a proud husband, Mo Li beamed until the King spoke.
"Will you stop smiling like that?" The King frowned as goosebumps slithered all over his skin.
"Why?"
"It's … I am watching my daughter!"
"Oh… you are right." He chuckled and continued watching the Queen deal with Lucinia. Of course, the people inside the hall were unaware that someone was listening to their conversation. "The noble hunter was at it again." Mo Li suddenly said, his eyes were still focused on Lucinia.
"How many this time?"
"Two nobles, knights that were turned into vampires disappeared a few days ago. I was able to keep it quiet to avoid panic. But it won't last. The others will notice it soon."
The King's face turned serious. "Were you able to find any important details this time?"
"Negative." Mo Li uttered. "Whoever was hunting nobles was smart enough not to leave any evidence. My spies have said that witches have been seen entering from the East. I would visit the place soon."
"With Lucinia?"
"Of course… we are newlyweds."
The King snorted as he fought the urge to roll his eyes. "My daughter is a little stubborn. You should be patient."
"Since when do you care about Lucinia?" There wasn't any sarcasm in Mo Li's words? It was direct, hitting the King's actions in the past. "You abandoned her years ago."
"She was too powerful. I could have killed her. But I didn't because she has my blood." The King clenched his jaw.
"She is the monster that you created. You should just sit back and enjoy the show that she was about to bring to your table."
"I trust you." The king said as he pressed his lips into a thin line.
���I cannot control her." Mo Li shrugged.
"What do you mean?"
"If you are hoping that I would control her… then you are wrong."
"You— "
"Don't worry. I can assure you. She doesn't want your throne or any throne for that matter."
"Then… then what does she want?"
"Money."
"Pardon me?" the king frowned.
"She wanted money and gems. Sparkly and bright." He smiled. "Send it to my mansion."
The king stared at Mo Li, speechless. At first, he thought he was only joking. Perhaps Mo Li wanted to make him laugh. However, when he saw the seriousness in Mo Li's eyes, the King immediately realized that the man was telling the truth. "I didn't know she wanted— "
"Of course you don't." Mo Li shrugged. "When was the last time that you summoned her in this place? Was it tens of years ago? Before that… what have you done as her father? You let your minions bully her. Now… Now… don't look at me like that. I knew you did it to make her strong. Still, you shouldn't be surprised that she was too far away from you."
The King turned silent. The thing about vampires was the fact that all of them have the strength and speed that, in his eyes everyone was equal. Not one of his sons and daughters were more powerful than the other. That was, of course, with the exception of a few people who could use soul magic and could control other vampires with their special abilities.
To him, everyone was like a stone. All colorless until they show him their sparkle. It was always about the benefits that each stone could bring to him. However, Lucinia was different.
Unlike most vampires, she doesn't drink blood and her body was a little weak. He was even surprised to know that she had actually survived this long. The King originally thought that she would shine and breakthrough through that cocoon when she turned twenty-one. Just like most vampires, she was supposed to develop some sort of ability. Be it being able to read minds or having more strength than other nobles.
Well… Lucinia indeed developed something— Something unknown. And just like most people, the royal family and many people feared the unknown. The King didn't actually do anything harmful to Lucinia. However, he never stopped the Queen and other Royal members to bully her. He just stood there like a statue and watched everything transpire in front of him.
Of course, Lucinia was unaware of the King and Mo Li's conversation. She was currently beaming at the Queen, she didn't hide the ridicule in her eyes as she continued, "Your Majesty, I always know that you are gentle and kind. I hope you won't take any offense… I am just wondering if you would allow the Prince to marry his lover."
*BANG!"
The sound of the table coffee table breaking into two interrupted the conversation. Both the queen and the Lucinia immediately looked at the dark-faced Prince Kuzma.
"Did you just— " In a matter of seconds, the Prince was already standing in front of her. He held her arm and pulled her up. "Did you just made fun of me?" Eyes narrowed, the prince hissed.
"Kuzma!" Panic registered in the Queen's expression when she realized what was about to happen. She stood and approached the two. She then held Kuzma's arms, silently telling him to let go of Lucinia.
"I was asking about your marriage," Lucinia uttered as she met the Prince's eyes. "Did you think marriage is a laughing matter?" Innocence flashed in her eyes. "Now… Now… are you going to let my arms go or… would you like me to— " she didn't continue her words when the Prince finally let go of her arm.
"Servants!" the Queen immediately uttered. "Clean up the mess!" she gestured the Prince to take a sit as she smiled at Lucinia. "Thank you for… your understanding Lucinia."
In response, Lucinia only smiled at the Queen. "The Prince had tried to marry me off to someone. And now… he actually hurt me." She showed her now bruised arm that was slowly healing. "Though, I heal pretty fast, the trauma and fear that I had was just— "
"Then, what does the Princess want?" The Queen interrupted her. "As Prince Kuzma's mother, I would always take responsibility for his actions. I wasn't able to raise him well. All of his misconduct was because of my failure as a mother."
"Hmmm." Lucinia nodded. "That is right."
"…" On the outside, the Queen's expression was sincere and gentle. However, on the inside, she was fuming. No, she was not just fuming. She felt that she was about to burst from anger. Pure… anger.
Logic dictates that Lucinia would say something to comfort the Queen after saying such words! Why was she agreeing to the Queen's words instead?
"What are you talking about?" Prince Kuzma hissed. He sat next to his mother as he glared at Lucinia. "The Queen already apologized to you and you really dared to agree with her words?"
"Should I tell her she was wrong?" Lucinia fired back. "This Prince… is really…" she shook her head. "Since the Queen is really regretful about this matter then it is only right to compensate me for my trauma both in my physical body, emotional and psychological. After all, we all know that I am but a weak woman. I cannot run as fast as you or as strong as anyone else in this household. Aside from this, I also get easily sick and— "
"What do you want?" unable to stop herself, the Queen hissed before forcing a smile. "I mean… as the Prince's mother, it is only right that I compensate you for this… calamitous behavior that the Prince showed."
"Mother! This woman is— " Prince Kuzma wasn't able to finish his words when the Queen glared at him.
Seeing this, Lucinia nodded as a gentle smile slithered on her face. "Gold coins should be enough to fix my physical trauma. Pieces of jewelry… should be enough to heal my emotional trauma and gems might be able to help me psychologically."
The Queen and Prince Kuzma's eyes widened. "You— you wanted gold coins?"
Lucinia shamelessly nodded. "I also heard that the Kingdom have a small mansion near a dock? This was near the Duke's property? A property like this is suited for newlyweds, don't you think so, your highness?"
"Lucinia you are going overboard!" Prince Kuzma shouted. He stood and was able to approach Lucinia when the Queen, held his arm and forced him to sit back down.
"Your majesty… The Prince's voice is really loud. I believe my ears had now…" she dramatically held her ear. "Ah? My ears are bleeding?"
"…"
"I think, I may need another property near the Duke's property to fix my wound." Lucinia smiled as she held the teacup. Then she continued demanding the compensation that was suited for a traumatized, weak woman like her.
….
Will reupdate in a few minutes.
