CHAPTER 10

The next morning, Rosalba woke up early, although she didn't sleep much. The whole night she was reading the documents that Nicholas gave her.

Luzbel, the country of Concubine Margaret, was a small but rich country. The armed forces were stronger and there was an abundance of natural resources. Margaret Luzbel is the only princess of the kingdom. Arrogant and darling since her childhood. She always had anything she wanted. Even when she fell in love with my father. She obtained him. The Silas Kingdom is a big territory. But many of its territories had different seasons. It was difficult to cultivate. The arid lands in the east and the cold territory in the north were the worst. The emperor hadn't the talent to manage this. So he abandoned these places and he didn't pay attention to them. Of course, the people were resentful with the king. So when the werewolves invaded they made it for those places. They lived in a small arid country called Yves. Their population was decreasing. All the conditions were in their cons. But they obtain the loyalty of the people in the North and East of the Kingdom.

On the other hand, Luzbel was the country bordering the South of Silas. After the old Emperor accepted her as a Concubine. Both countries could be considered allies. Although they didn't expect that the Vampires would lose so fast. So they only could take out Concubine Margaret and Peter from the country. Since then Luzbel started to conquer the small countries side to it.

Their rapid expansion made Zoi and the Aurum Kingdom vigilant against him. Zoi was the human country where Rosalba had escaped. Recently the country had suffered sackings and kidnappings of an unknown group. Although there wasn't evidence. It is believed that Luzbel was guilty. The king of Zoi was very nervous about that situation but he knew that the only reason why Luzbel hadn't invaded Zoi was that Silas was protecting them.

Rosalba went out of her room and she went to Nicholas with that information in her head.

—Hello, Rosalba —Nicholas greeting Rosalba.

—Good morning, Your majesty —Rosalba followed the etiquette but Nicholas knitted his brows and said.

—Don't call me 'Majesty', please —Rosalba nodded and called him sir like before.

—Did you read the information? —Nicholas started to talk about serious business.

—Yes —Nicholas nodded with satisfaction.

—Well, I'm going to give you your first mission —Nicholas smiled a little and continued —You are going to be my personal guard too.

Rosalba looked confused and Nicholas said— I suspect that there are some traitors in the kingdom —Rosalba remembered the attack on the road of Iseut.

—I need time to investigate, so please, protect me, Rosalba —Rosalba clenched her fists and said.

—I will do as much as I can —Nicholas smiled and said.

—Well, I will be in your hands.

Rosalba started to follow Nicholas everywhere. Her job was more as an assistant than a maid. Nicholas asked for her opinion about many reports and she unconsciously started to say her real opinion in front of him. The people had made rumors about them but Rosalba and Nicholas didn't pay attention. They focused on the work and the time quickly arrived at the annual hunting.

The annual hunting was an event that was made since the reign of the Vampires. It started when the ancient Vampires hunted humans. It was in an era when Vampires were one of the most powerful races. It was a long time ago. But now this hunting is just an event to socialize. Of course, you could try to make acts that you normally wouldn't. As murdered someone.

Rosalba thought this while she finished tying the armor of Nicholas.

Another servant said outside the Emperor's tent —It is ready, your majesty —Nicholas didn't answer because he noticed the distraction of Rosalba.

He knew her more at this time and he could say that she was worried about him. After all, If Peter wanted to attack him, today is the best option.

—Are you worried? —Rosalba looked at him but she didn't answer.

Nicholas laughed and said—Don't worry. I'm strong —It is true, Rosalba knew. She saw Nicholas training a few times. He is strong. But Rosalba couldn't forget the strength of Peter either.

Nicholas patted the head of Rosalba and walked out of the tent. He rode his black horse and the trumpet that gave the beginning at the hunting finally sounded. Rosalba saw Nicholas get into the forest and she returned to the tent silently. She took off her maid's clothes and wore black clothes with a mask. She left the tent stealthily and followed Nicholas.

She couldn't be calm if she didn't do this. Nicholas couldn't die because he was the emperor and because Rosalba didn't want to see him die. Although Peter was his brother and a member of her race she knew that he wouldn't be a good emperor. Nicholas was clever, cruel, and a little tyrant. But he always tried to make the Empire of Silas prosper. It was the most important to Rosalba. Before she was forced by the situation to collaborate with him but now, she was doing this by her own choice. She chose to believe in him.

***

Rosalba found Nicholas quickly. He was another knight with him. She maintained her distance because Nicholas had senses sharp and would notice her. It seemed that there wasn't any danger. Nicholas and the knight had an easy way while they occasionally hunted. When they arrived in the middle of the forest without incidents. Rosalba thought that there would be no incidents.

At that moment Rosalba felt a chill in her back. Someone was aiming at her. An arrow was thrown in her direction. Rosalba dodged the arrow while she searches for the enemy.

One, two, three, four, five people were running towards her. And fifteen ran towards Nicholas.

F*ck. Rosalba swore while she fought.

—Your Majesty! Run! —Rosalba could hear the voice of the knight shouting to Nicholas.

Rosalba was with her back facing Nicholas but she didn't need to see to know that Nicholas hadn't escaped. Rosalba felt the trees trembling by the ground vibration. Nicholas had been transformed. The werewolf started to run in another direction trying to distract the enemies.

Rosalba finally finished with the last assassin and turned to follow Nicholas. They weren't so far away. Rosalba arrived at the moment an assassin stabbed the side of Nicholas's body. She didn't even think and threw against the assassins. She used a sword of wind to kill the person who stabbed Nicholas.

Nicholas took a look at Rosalba and continued fighting. Rosalba was focused on the enemies but she could feel his mood. He was very angry. Nicholas had help with Rosalba to his side but it wasn't enough. Rosalba and Nicholas started to lose. There were many enemies. They made both move back until a cliff.

'Huff, huff.' Rosalba breathed with difficulty. Her black clothes were covered in blood from her and from the enemies. The werewolf wasn't better. Rosalba knew they couldn't win.

Rosalba took a look at Nicholas. The werewolf was injured, very injured. More than her. Rosalba felt the edge of the cliff when the assassin stabbed her in the shoulder.

—Ugh! —Rosalba couldn't avoid the moaning of pain. She lost her balance and her body started to fall by the cliff. Rosalba saw the men who stabbed her ridicule her. And saw Nicholas run towards her.

She thought 'he wasn't so crazy to jump to the cliff by me, right?'. Anyway, she didn't fall alone. Rosalba grabbed the assassin with strength and threw him with her. She heard the desperate scream of the assassin when he couldn't release her. Rosalba relaxed and closed her eyes.

She wanted to use the magic of flight but she wasn't strong. She felt dizzy. It doesn't matter, thought Rosalba. The Vampire's body was resistant. I will probably survive. Also, it isn't the first time I fell off a cliff. Rosalba almost smiled with that idea when she felt that someone grabbed her arm. Rosalba opened her eyes startled. The werewolf of dark blue fur was in front of her. Rosalba felt astonished when he moved the assassin away from her. He hugged her and before she could react they crashed against the trees.