The Queen's Order

While Queen Sofie is busy attending the charity event her mother organized for her, some auspicious presence starts lingering inside the orphanage, the orphanage that was supported by the late Queens up to the present. Somehow, she can sense something is off in the area. It can't be vampires, because she exactly knows their auras. The presence keeps becoming more obvious, yet she can't determine where it's coming from.

As she interacts with the children, a priest approaches her, whispering something that catches her attention. She excuses herself, asking permission from her mother, which permits her to follow the priest. Her mother takes over the greetings and the turnover of new furniture, as well as the funds for the renovation of the whole orphanage.

As she follows the priest, they enter a hidden chamber from the garden. It seems that as they go deeper and deeper, the hallway gets smaller and smaller. She wants to utter some words, but it feels like the place won't let her make any noise. A few moments later, they reach a very open room, pretty empty, and at the far end stands the priest who slowly faces her. Chills begin to run down her spine as the priest looks very scary. His eyes glare at her, and any moment he's going to attack.

She still remains composed and clears her throat before starting a conversation.

"Father Jules, now that we're here, you told me that a certain someone would be here to talk. May I know where he is now?"

The priest says nothing but points at her. She hears breathing from behind her. She didn't notice any movement, so how can this person be standing right behind her? The breathing is too close for her not to hear it. She slowly turns to see the person face to face, but when she turns around, there's no one there.

She's about to ask the priest when, at the moment she faces him, a dark shadow stands in front of her, gripping her shoulder and forcefully stopping her from moving. She tries her best to struggle, but even her vampire form is no match for the shadow's strength. The priest walks toward her with a terrifying grin on his face.

"Queen Sofie, it seems your authority over the legendary Black Knights is far from the true power of the Queen's order. Do you really think you're rightful for the throne?"

Instead of getting terrified, Queen Sofie smirks and shakes her head in disagreement.

"Is that truly your concern, Father Jules? Have you forgotten you're talking to the only daughter of King Harold and Queen Margot? You can't shake me. I am the new Queen whether you like it or not. The ring of seal is what I'm wearing, the coronation has been done. I deeply know the title and the ring won't matter to the legendary Black Knights. It's the bearer's desire and acceptance that is the true key to unlocking my authority."

"You knew about that, but why can't you take over them now?"

"Father Jules, I'm not the type who's going to force someone's loyalty to me. I don't know if the Black Knights are human or not, but the fact that they have a mind of their own is enough for me to let them choose whoever they want to pledge their loyalty to."

"They're bound to obey the Queen. They have no say about it."

"I am the Queen, and it's my duty and responsibility to protect everyone around me. I'm in the middle of a difficult situation."

"Then having the Black Knights by your side as your aides will help you a lot."

"Father Jules, the only thing I want is to be able to fight alongside the people I love. They trust me and I trust them back. With or without the Black Knights, we're going to fight back the evil."

She shrugs off the hands of the shadow so easily that it amazes the priest. With conviction and great desire to help her friends, the ring starts glowing, but she doesn't even notice it. The shadow steps back, as does the priest.

"You can't win a battle that easily."

"Love, trust, and loyalty, we all hold those inside our hearts. But to whom we share those differs for each one of us. As Sofie, I already pledge my loyalty to Slacovich and the others. That's all that matters to me. I'm not after your knights. I'm here to make it clear that I am the new Queen! And I am as well as the plain Sofie."

She turns around and walks straight away, but the shadow stops her from leaving.

"Queen Sofie, just like what the old Queen Celestine told us, one of these days, someone from her line will look at the legendary Black Knights with importance and not just as mere tools."

"Queen Celestine, my great-grandmother. Her teachings to the past queens have been passed down. I'm not an exception to that. The only difference now is that----"

She changes into her vampire form, proudly showing off her bat wings.

"I am no longer qualified to be the Queen you seek. I am a pureblooded vampire. Will you still obey someone who feeds on blood?"

Her red eyes stare directly into the shadow.

"Vampire or human, what matters is the heart."

The priest suddenly changes into a man wearing heavy armor.

"You've never been Father Jules right from the start, correct?"

"That's right, Queen Sofie. I am General Richard of the Black Knights Society."

He bows down to show his respect, as does the shadow beside him.

"Black Knights Society?"

"As time passes by, the society has been passed down generation by generation. The legendary Black Knights are well known for their combat skills and loyalty. We value loyalty the most. As for the new Queen, we sincerely accept you. The title and the ring are no mere tools for recognition, but evidence of your existence."

"I'm really confused about what you all are."

"We're occupying human bodies. But our minds and memories are still intact. We've been reincarnated till the day we can serve a new rightful Queen. The day we've been waiting for is finally here. The long wait is over, and in this new age, the Black Knights Society has full access to modern technology and information. All of us have different occupations and are only recognized by the Black Knights' emblem. Only a few know about the emblem, so our very existence remains hidden from the public eye. We've lived normally to coexist with ordinary people, but now that we're under your guidance, we'll go wherever you want us to be."

"At ease, General Richard. There's no need to regard me the old-fashioned way. Like you said, the modern age is quite different from the monarchy you've been to. Just call me Sofie from now on."

"Addressing you casually is quite disrespectful. Please allow us to address you as our Queen."

"You're really into your oaths. Okay, I won't argue with that but on one condition."

"Whatever it is, my Queen."

"Regard me as your friend and ally, but not as someone with higher authority than you."

"But that's----"

"The Queen's orders are absolute."

"Is it an order, my Queen?"

"That's an order."

"In that case, I won't defy your order."

Sofie helps General Richard stand up, giving him a gentle pat on his shoulder. The shadow stands up as well, and Sofie can't help but wonder what it really is.

"Ahmm, Richard, I don't want to sound rude, but is it really just a black smoke-like shadow or something?"

"My Queen, sorry for not giving you details about the shadow guards. They are former soldiers of the late Queens who chose to stay in their soul form rather than being reincarnated. They're quite reliable in gathering information and going into dangerous places to spy on the enemies."

"Will they get hurt?"

"You truly care for our well-being, Queen Sofie. We are truly moved by your gesture of care and kindness. The fact of the matter is, they can't be directly hurt, but their lifespan depends on you. You're the only one who can dismiss them and let them rest for eternity."

"Sounds like a punishment to me. Why did they choose to be shadow guards instead?"

The shadow goes closer to her and gently touches her forehead. The shadow can't talk verbally but uses telepathy to communicate. Only the Queen and the Black Knights can hear them telepathically.

"I am the former captain of the late Queen Alice's hidden infantry. It's of my own will to be a shadow guard rather than being reincarnated. I failed to protect the late Queen and saw her dying at the hands of an assassin."

"You chose to be a restless soul to punish yourself."

"It may seem that way, Your Highness, but this time I won't let a single fly slip away from my sight."

"Thanks a lot. After this certain battle, I'll make sure to send you all off in victory. You can be assured of that. For now, let's help each other."

Sofie and Richard go out of the chamber while the shadow guard disappears. They go back to the event where Sofie's mother is currently at. Having a new ally by her side makes her confident that they can stop Volton's evil doings.