The First Vampire

Her golden hair flowed casually over her shoulders like the noonday sun, and her slender, shining white legs gently swaying beneath the hem of her red dress, presenting a lazy and charming sight.

Unfortunately, Colin was not in the mood to appreciate the beauty before his eyes at this time.

Even more so, a strong sense of dissatisfaction surged in his heart–

Emperor Reinhardt was the one who caused all this trouble, yet he was the one constantly rushing around, trying to win the support of various leaders. Meanwhile, the royal couple one pretended to be ill, while the other carelessly flirted…

“Aunt, were you waiting for us?”

“Yes.” Queen Midela sat upright and smiled, “From your appearances, it seems you have heard the news of Governor Lattom’s death?”

Vera glanced at Colin, saw his gloomy expression, and nodded, “Yes, we were just dining at Governor Crete’s house when we heard the news. Aunt, you don’t seem worried at all?”

“What’s there to worry about?” Queen Midela giggled, “You, on the other hand, are making a fuss over this matter. Didn’t I tell you from the start? Just wait here in Phoenix Palace and when the time comes, Vera will naturally inherit the position of the Northern Duke.”

“Aunt, Prince Lexie is about to launch a war against Yevir, how can I sit around waiting?”

“So you’ve been hustling around for a few days, did you get any desirable outcomes?”

Faced with Queen Midela’s counter-question, Vera was somewhat disheartened and hung her head, remaining silent.

At this moment, Colin stepped in, asking hesitantly: “Your Majesty the Queen, did you already have a plan?”

Queen Midela flashed a bewitching smile but didn’t answer Colin’s question. Instead, she said:

“Governor Lattom died in an unclear manner, and the timing is both critical and sensitive. The Senate will not let it go easily. Some people must pay the price for this!”

Watching Queen Midela’s confident face, Colin blurted out, “Are you so sure that the Senate can find the real culprit?”

“Of course!” Queen Midela replied without hesitation.

Colin furrowed his brows. He wanted to retort that with Prince Lexie’s strength, could he really leave traces when killing an old governor?

But then he realized, this was all a setup!

Queen Midela was so confident, there was only one possibility—framing somebody!

Colin realized that he had been misled all along. The death of Governor Lattom did benefit Prince Lexie the most, so he naturally assumed that Prince Lexie was the killer.

Moreover, Prince Lexie indeed had the power to silently kill a governor.

However, Queen Midela’s attitude made Colin realize that Governor Lattom may not have been killed by Prince Lexie at all!

It could also be the Queen, no, it should be a trap set up by Emperor Reinhardt and his group for Prince Lexie.

Colin didn’t know what they had done to Governor Lattom’s corpse, to make it impossible for Prince Lexie to acquit himself of murder.

But judging from Queen Midela’s expression, they must have enough confidence to put Prince Lexie in a hopeless situation.

As long as Prince Lexie carried the crime of murdering a governor, he would become the public enemy of the nobles.

Even if no one dared to execute a Holy Knight with such a charge, Prince Lexie would become isolated and lose his influence, probably becoming a wandering knight afterward.

In this way, the declaration of war against the mages would naturally end in failure.

What’s more, the Emperor used this incident to get rid of the biggest obstacle to his control of the Empire’s power. From then on, Dragon City would truly be under the absolute control of Emperor Reinhardt.

Looking at Colin whose expression kept changing, it seemed Queen Midela could see through his thoughts.

She quietly stood up, walked towards Colin, and lightly said, “Now you should understand why I reminded you not to make unnecessary efforts at the welcome banquet, right?”

At this moment, Queen Midela’s charming smile had disappeared from her face. Instead, it was replaced by dignified sternness, demonstrating the authority rightfully fitting of an Empress of the Empire.

Colin, of course, understood.

The war declaration proposal was a ruse from beginning to end, designed solely to fabricate a motive for murder against Prince Lexie!

Queen Midela was never really concerned about whether the proposal would be approved from the very start.

It’s ridiculous that Colin and Vera were kept in the dark, running around thinking they were outsmarting everyone.

What was even more ridiculous was that Colin was close to success. He had the support of the Westland Elders, and with Governor Lattom buying time, Vera could pressurize the Nobles from the North Territory through Marquis Garcia to vote against the proposal, despite Governor Sebat’s demands.

Who would have thought that it was his own ally who would stifle their elaborate schemes at the final moment?

No, not an ally.

Colin thought he and the Emperor and Queen were allies, but he never realized that they never really saw him as one.

“Just sit quietly” and “don’t meddle in things you shouldn’t”.

All of Colin and Vera’s efforts were seen as a joke. They were close to their goal, but their goal was not the goals of the Emperor and Queen, and also their efforts could easily be dismissed by the Emperor and Queen.

Queen Midela looked at Colin expressionlessly and stated coldly, “Perhaps we have had some misunderstandings in Silver Moon City, hence you lack the necessary trust in me.

I do not wish for such a thing to happen again, otherwise…”

Queen Midela didn’t continue, but her sharp gaze conveyed her message very clearly.

Upon seeing this, Vera hastily stepped forward to mediate: “Aunt, we just wanted to help. It’s not that we didn’t trust you.”

Colin suppressed his anger, bowed his head respectfully, and said, “Your Majesty, I realize I was reckless this time and nearly destroyed your plans. I sincerely apologize to you.

The misunderstanding you mention in Silver Moon City, I assure you, never happened!

I have nothing but utmost respect and trust in you!”

“That’s good to hear.” A smile finally appeared on Queen Midela’s face. “Colin, you are a clever and capable man. We’re relieved to have you assist Vera in ruling the North Territory.

So, stop doing foolish things. Otherwise, Vera is not the only option for ruling the North Territory!”

These words weigh heavily.

Colin and Vera could only hang their heads and endure quietly.

The authority of the Empire’s Queen, at this moment, was in full display.

“Alright, get some rest now. There is a good show to watch tomorrow.”

After finishing her sentence, Queen Midela elegantly walked out.

Vera suddenly called out from behind: “Aunt, while returning, we met with the Mage Council’s Chairman, Sir Ernest. He said he wanted to meet His Majesty!”

However, Queen Midela didn’t even look back, frostily casting off, “Ha, a fool who has lost his mind from arcane research and now desires to meet His Majesty…”

Before her words even faded, her graceful figure disappeared into the night.

“Colin, it seems my aunt is really angry.” Vera said apprehensively, taking Colin’s hand with a soft voice.

“Don’t worry, we haven’t done anything serious. Your aunt was merely reprimanding us.” Colin smiled and consoled her.

Vera nodded, “So from now on, let’s first seek my aunt’s opinion before we do anything, and not question her decisions anymore.”

“All right,” Colin cheerfully agreed, secretly hiding the dangerous glint in his eyes.

How could he possibly bear Queen Midela’s belittlement?

Especially when she stated, “Vera is not the only option for ruling the North Territory.” Colin realized what Queen Midela wanted was merely a submissive North Territory. As to who would rule it, she probably didn’t care.

Vera could do the job, and Joyce most certainly could as well.

This gave Colin a deep sense of danger.