Chapter 4. The Empire of Nightfall

Ten Years Later -

Lord Nicholas lived in the Capital City of Nichola, which was a bubbling city of the Nightfall Empire.

Needless to mention, the capital city was named after him.Nicholas had taken great pains in developing it and he had made sure that his beautiful palace stood in the heart of the city.

Lord Nicholas was taking a stroll in the corridors.His blonde hair were now short, spiked and he had a piercing in his right ear which he adorned with a stud.

He took big, confident strides and was being followed by two of his men who were walking at a distance behind him.

Lord Nicholas had a broad smile on his face when his pet tiger, Ferocio jumped on his master, welcoming him after he was back from the tour of the city.

Lord Nicholas had made it a custom to visit his city once every month.He loved meeting his people and he kept himself apprise of the day to day activities of the city.

Both humans and vampires were living largely a peaceful co existence in the empire.It was all due to Lord Nicholas' strict policies and intolerance towards lawlessness.

People called the city of Nichola as the "Heart of the Empire."

Lord Nicholas gently petted the head of his pet tiger.The tiger closed its eyes, enjoying his master's gentle touch.

"My Lord!" Rosalinda gave a bow to Nicholas. "Lady Lorene has requested an audience with you."

Nicholas looked up at Rosalinda. "Tell her I'll be there in a moment."

Rosalinda bowed and left.

Nicholas played with Ferocio for a while and then asked his guards to take care of his pet.He set out to meet Lady Lorene in her room.

The room was huge and looked elegant in every respect.A lady was busy applying kohl into her eyes.She was sitting in front of a huge mirror and a beautiful, angel like face stared back at her.Her long black hair were open.She was carefully outlining her eyes with the black kohl.

The kohl brought out her brown eyes more effectively.She suddenly saw Lord Nicholas' reflection in the mirror.

Lord Nicholas bowed, "Aunt Lorene, I heard from Rosalinda that you had sent for me."

She turned around to face him and she gave a broad smile.

"Nicholas!" She got up and kissed Nicholas' head.

"I just wanted to see you.I don't remember when I had the opportunity of spending some quality time with you."

Nicholas chuckled, "It is not easy to be a lord, Aunt.If I start spending time with you, which I undoubtedly enjoy, I will lose control over the Empire."

"Oh the Empire! You can always ask Aiden to help you with that." Lorene advised.

"Aiden is working under Rosalinda's guidance.You know that.I can't burden him with too much work.Besides, he was already the incharge when I was in Blackmist." Nicholas replied.

"He is a fine young man.I am glad you found him." Lorene spoke with a smile.

"I have trained him to be like me Aunt.He won't disappoint us." Nicholas replied with pride that he didn't try to hide.

Aiden was a child of thirteen years when Nicholas had first found him.He was a vampire child whose parents had both died and so, Nicholas had taken the young boy under his wings.

He had raised him like his own son and now, Aiden was a fine young man of eighteen and had stopped ageing.Vampires stopped ageing once they attained eighteen years of age.

So now, both Nicholas and Aiden looked like brothers but their relationship was more of a father - son like.

Aiden was talking to Rosalinda as she gave him instructions.

"The rogues are your responsibility Aiden.I hope you are trying your level best to protect the Empire from them." Rosalinda held a sword in her hand as she looked at Aiden.

"You can be assured my lady, the rogues are almost non existent in the city and their numbers in the Empire are dwindling by each passing day." Aiden replied with confidence dripping from his voice.

Rosalinda gave a slight smile and nodded.

Nicholas had made Rosalinda the incharge of the young Aiden.Since thirteen, Aiden had been training under Rosalinda with Nicholas keeping a close watch.

Both Nicholas and Rosalinda were proud of Aiden and his achievements that he had accomplished in a short span of time.

Nicholas had asked him to take charge of the Empire when he had decided to pay a visit to his brother in the Empire of Blackmist.

He was mightily impressed with the way Aiden had handled everything in his absence.

He had made him his advisor upon returning from Blackmist.He still had a lot to learn from Rosalinda who had been the Advisor since centuries.

The two of them started sword fighting.Rosalinda was an expert when it came to any form of fighting.

Aiden had grown an expert himself under her able guidance.

It was a sight to behold.Watching two accomplished warriors practising sword fighting!

Rosalinda attacked skilfully which Aiden blocked in a swift movement.

As their fight was in progress, Ferocio entered and leapt on Aiden in joy.

Ferocio was equally fond of Aiden as he had been playing with him since he was a boy.

Ferocio licked Aiden's face and he laughed heartily.

"Good Boy Ferocio!Now go and play with your trainers." Aiden spoke to the tiger.

Ferocio roared in response.It was a friendly roar, refusing Aiden's offer.

Rosalinda stood at a distance, smiling.

"It's ok.You can play with him.Today's practice session is almost over.I have to meet the lord for some work." She put the sword inside its cover and handed it over to one of the attendants.

Lord Nicholas was seated in his study and Rosalinda was standing near him, reading out the details from a file.

"There has been no news of any human killing by a vampire this month." Rosalinda read out from the file.

"It's very gratifying to see Aiden do his job with utmost care and precision." Nicholas gave a sideways smile as his fingers were busy playing with a quill.

"The required permission has been given for a local bar. Mr Howard was very happy at the prospect." Rosalinda looked up with a sly smile on her face.

"Ah! Howard!" Nicholas chuckled, "He had been very pushy with the deal.He had personally made it a point to meet me in all the parties and get togethers.Fine champagne is what he wishes to offer all the high class humans."

Rosalinda twitched with a smile, "His wish has been fulfilled by the lord."

Just then an attendant entered.

"My Lord! We have received a new slave establishment by Mr Howard."

Nicholas looked at Rosalinda and ordered the attendant, "You may go."

The attendant bowed and left.

"So the lord made a deal with Howard in return for his permission for the local bar." Rosalinda asked.

"Not exactly..." Lord Nicholas answered.

The very next moment a loud cry was heard.

"LORD NICHOLAS! YOU PROMISED ME THE LAND FOR THE BAR.I HANDED OVER MY SLAVE ESTABLISHMENT AND NOW YOUR VAMPIRE MEN ARE NOT ALLOWING ME TO GO NEAR THE LAND MEANT FOR MY BAR." It was Howard.He was in a fit of rage.

Lord Nicholas and Rosalinda came out of the study.

Nicholas was smiling brightly, clearly enjoying Mr Howard's annoyance.

"You should be careful with the way you talk Howard." Rosalinda's fangs elongated.

"It's ok Rosa.Let me talk to him." Nicholas spoke in a calm voice.

He took slow steps towards Howard and when he was very near, he whispered, "I am the Lord of Nightfall and you are a mere businessman in my Empire.I don't work for you.You are meant to fulfill my command.Now if you value your life you will do as I say."

Beads of sweat formed on the businessman's forehead and he hurriedly took out a hankerchief to wipe them off.

With one last scared look at the lord, he went away.

"I have one more news to give my lord.Alice has completed her education in Scotch school." Rosalinda looked at the lord.

The lord looked at her, his face turned serious.