I Will Protect You

"Then what had he done?" I asked back, laughing. 

How could an old man believe that he knew my father more than me? What did he know? Did he have any idea that my knights had been scouting the information for months since the vampire had suddenly started to wage a war against us.

We have been preparing weapons but nothing seems to work. We have learnt from the wars the other kingdoms had waged and lost.

 "We are the fifth kingdom, he is coming. And I am sure that we are not the last." A lump formed on my throat as I felt pain for them. But I could not even show it. 

I did not want to look weak in front of them but set an example that we will still stand proud after the negotiation.

"The vampire kingdom had waged war against all the seven kingdoms. Four had lost already. Maybe we will survive by a few sacrifices. I know that you are afraid that you would be part of that sacrifice. But i assure you that it would never happen.'' They stared hard and I met their gaze without anything to fear.

"You are my people, I will protect you." I promised and their tightened shoulders finally slumped. 

They looked hurt, devastated but they did not blame me anymore.

"We will not keep anything in hiding. I have informed you about my decision to negotiate and in the morning, I will inform you about the sacrifices made, so we can mourn together. You are my family." That was the last line that touched their hearts.

They all knelt at once. Tears burned my eyes again but more than that, I felt pride. My father would have felt the same. 

My gaze shifted to find that old man who had challenged me but he was not there anymore. Must have ran away when he realized the tides were changing.

"Please rise! The yearly hunting competition is coming closer. We should prepare for it." 

They all started bowing and left, pleased that I still remember their needs.

With a confident smile this time, I tilted my head to see my mother but she looked furious.

"Mother," I whispered slowly, "they are my people. They will never hurt me." 

I assured her as I jumped from the dais earning a scowl from Agatha and walked toward my brother.

He came running and hugged me. His eyes gleaming with joy.

"Sister, you were so bold and confident. You handled them so well." I grinned while ruffling his hair and kissed his cheeks.

He is just ten, he is the last memoir of our father. His eyes matched our father so much that I could not help smiling when he praised me.

"Go in! Your tutor would be coming." Our mother commanded in a cold voice. He sighed but nodded with new determination. 

"Mother…"

"You should have been more careful," she spat with anger, "you are being more wilful these days. Is it because they started calling you, your majesty?" she hissed as she turned and left.

Her clicking heels told me she was more furious than I had thought.

I knew she was the emperor regent but I did not want to point her at the crowd when they were already agitated.

"Do not mind her. She is furious because you are using her powers to hurt yourself. No mother wants her daughter to meet a monster." I shook my head and sighed when Agatha consoled me with her hands on my shoulders.

She was everything I have left, I would do anything to save her.

"Shall we go and pray to Insaiyah? Maybe she will guide us." I cringed at the thought of bowing my head in front of a goddess who I did not know existed or not just to save my life.

"My fate would be in my hands, Agatha. I have things to prepare." She sighed as if she had already expected the answer, she nodded and left.

"I will still pray for you." her sweet voice lingered in the air and I chuckled.

 She always prayed for me knowing well that I did not believe in the invisible. My father used to pray but the war did not save him.

My eyes lingering at the empty path then. This path would be taken by the vampire king in a few hours.

A red carpet was placed from the entrance to the great hall where the enemy would meet us. Then the dining room was designed well.