Chapter Eleven
THE PRINCE'S smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Guilty as charged," he said said with a low voice.
Lilyan's mind raced as she processed this revelation. She had heard stories of vampires, of course, but she never thought she'd meet one in person. And certainly not one as charming and handsome as Prince Edmund.
Were they really blood sucking creatures? He was not going to devour her until she was left dry and dead right? He can't be such a person right? He should be a good vampire.
Lilyan shifted uncomfortable under her seat, fear getting the better of her. Her heart was still soft and sensitive.
The prince's eyes bore into her soul, "Don't worry, I promise I won't bite... without your permission of course," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
He was so full of jokes.
Lilyan's eyes narrowed, her fear giving way to annoyance. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she said, her voice firm.
The prince's grin grew even wider. "Immensely."
"I thought vampires drank blood everywhere, I really thought they'd be blood all over in the vampire world." She was curious, that was very unexpected.
"Where are you from?" Prince Edmund asked.
"Far away, certainly not from this world." That was already established.
The crown prince nodded, "You don't know much about this world. You've came through a portal? Which means you're a human? Humans here knows about us and there's not more than five hundred of humans around."
"Yes, I am." As far as Lilyan knew, she was a human.
Prince Edmund chuckled, "You have a different scent on you, that's why others cannot catch that you're a human. However, they do not smell like you do. You don't smell of a their blood. Regardless, don't let anyone know that you're a human, or else you'll be in trouble."
"What do you mean?" Lilyan asked.
"The vampire realm and the other realms have lived peaceful for over hundred years now. There hasn't been any wars until recently."The prince continued, "My father has been the ruler since then, it's his hundred and fourteenth year of being a ruler."
"Such a long time!" Lilyan was indeed surprised.
"Yes, but I'm afraid that this peace is slowly coming to an end sooner than I thought. The other Kingdoms are already undergoing change so it's the matter of time before this one follow." His Highness looked at Lilyan.
"Ain't you afraid?" Lilyan asked.
"I'm afraid, I'm very afraid. What if I'm not as strong as my father? He's already on his deathbed, I don't wish to disappoint him." His fear was evident.
"You won't." Then it went silent.
The carriage continued on its journey. Lilyan's mind raced with questions, but she didn't dare ask any of them. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answers. She sat back down and listened to the wind outside, accompanied by the harsh sound of the carriage wheels.
It took a few minutes before the carriage stopped and the Prince got ready to get out.
"We're here." The prince announced.
Lilyan didn't say anything as she followed behind the crown prince. They were in a tall building, she didn't know where that was.
"Your Highness, Lord Kael is waiting for you." One of the maidservant said as she led the prince to the room Lord Kael was in.
Lord Kael stood up and bowed, "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Highness."
"Sit down Lord Kael." The crown prince said as soon as he said down. He looked at Lilyan who looked at him back. He pointed at the couch and Lilyan sat down.
The crown prince leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed intently on the Minister of Law. "Lord Kael, thank you for joining me. I'm sure you're aware of the delicate matter I wish to discuss."
Lord Kael shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting around the room. "Yes, Your Highness. I've heard rumors, but I assure you, they're baseless."
The prince's smile was icy. "I think we both know the truth, Lord Kael. You see, I've been made aware of certain transactions. Military strategies shared with our rivals, secret negotiations, and even blood slaves exchanged. Such treasonous acts."
Lord Kael's face turned a sickly shade of pale. "I-I was just trying to... facilitate diplomacy, Your Highness."
The prince's laughter was cold. "Diplomacy? You call betraying our kingdom's trust diplomacy? I think not, Lord Kael. You've been playing both sides, and I have the proof."
Lord Kael's eyes widened in desperation. "Please, Your Highness, have mercy..."
The prince's expression turned glacial. "Mercy? You showed none to our soldiers who died due to your treachery. But I'll give you a choice, confess and face justice, or deny and face... consequences. You'll have to point out your biggest allies."
"Your Highness!" Lord Kael pleaded for mercy.
"You think Lord Valois will let you be? He won't allow himself to go down so he'll shift the blame on you as the most suitable candidate. Do you still dare protect him Lord Kael?" The crown prince's voice held authority.
"I will do as it pleases Your Highness." Lord Kael was already on his knees, submitting to defeat.
Prince Edmund stood up, "Very well then, you know what to do at the royal council now right?"
"Yes I do, Your Highness." Lord Kael's head went lower.
"Good." Prince Edmund said, his eyes shifting towards Lilyan, "Let's go."
Lilyan, who watched the whole scene unfold followed behind the prince without saying a word.
So much for being a playboy! Where the hell did that authority come from?
"Are you hungry?"
Lilyan shook her head, "No."
"You didn't have breakfast, you're a human and you don't eat?" Prince Edmund chuckled, "Don't joke around."
"I usually eat twice a day, in the afternoon and in the evening." Lilyan tried to defend herself.
"Let's go the Shadowlands."
"The Shadowlands, I've never heard of such place." Lilyan huffed sitting back to carriage.
"You're not from this world but it's important to learn about the kingdom. You don't know many things about the place you're currently staying in, that's dangerous for a girl like you. Especially a human, you might encounter a bloodthirsty vampire one day and die in their hands." The prince shook his head in disappointment. Lilyan never thought of that, she never even thought there were vampires around her. She cannot be blamed.
"I—I was very busy so I didn't have time to study the kingdom, you can't possibly blame me." Lilyan huffed.
"You should be careful when we arrive at the Shadowlands, you can't touch anything even a single leaf or you might find yourself at the hands of a mysterious creature." Prince Edmund warned.
"If it's bad, why are we going?" Lilyan was confused. Wasn't it supposed to be some kind of a forbidden place where no one can enter? If it was so bad, why were they heading towards the lion's den?
"I have something to do there." He didn't say much like he normally did.
"Am I needed?" She asked.
"It's much better to go with me than being left behind here alone, you might vanish and land yourself in prison." He scoffed, "Those in prison of the Shadowlands are usually sold to the higher ranked creatures, dragons are usually situated in this forest. "
"There are dragons as well?" That caught her by surprise.