The Vampire's Hatred

CHAPTER 4

THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW

THE vampires were nearly colliding as they rushed about, driven by the wrath of Queen Valeria, her face distorted with anger as she approached the food storage area. She can't stand by hearing the unexpected happen inside na kingdom.

As she neared, she noticed the fallen guards strewn about and clenched her jaw in frustration.

“How did no one notice this?” she wondered. Given the extent of the destruction, it baffled her that it had gone undetected, and she blamed herself for not sensing the earlier use of power. The kingdom is already in the chaos.

“The black smoke is too silent, Your Majesty,” said a surviving servant, supported by others. “With the darkness enveloping the kingdom, he can easily blend in with it. We also didn't expect that attack.” This thought only heightened the Queen's annoyance. She never realize the betrayal in the same day as they talk with her brother.

Her mind was consumed by thoughts of Vadenote, who had previously left in a cloud of smoke that mingled with the kingdom's shadows—no wonder no one had noticed his abilities. It's too silent and can manipulate the darkness inside the Kingdom.

“Gather the injured and bring them here,” she commanded. Scanning her surroundings, she asked, “Where is Primo?”

“Isn’t he responsible for this?” one questioned, prompting the Queen to glare at him.

“Primo couldn't have done this without a significant reason. Though he may not be fond of you, he’s not as malicious as Vadenote. Primo can serve and kill his people, and he did that to protect kingdom,” she retorted, making the servant bow in submission.

“My apologies, Your Majesty.”

Upon reaching the food storage, the Queen gasped at the sight before her. Food and blood containers lay empty and scattered, as if a storm had swept through, and the guards who had been there were gravely injured. “H-How.” She didn't expect that the room almost collapse, yet no one notice.

“The ones sent to retrieve supplies from outside have yet to return, Your Majesty. We still have something to stock,” a servant informed her. “I dispatched for backup before I went to the Throne.” Queen Valeria's fury only intensified.

“This is all we have left. We must find Vadenote. He cannot be allowed to escape the kingdom, stealing everything like this. How ungrateful brat.” The root shadow who had just arrived nodded in agreement.

“Beloved Queen, with the full moon approaching, what shall we offer to Lord Primo?” The Queen suddenly recalled that every full moon required an offering of honor for Primo.

To control his power, he needed blood, else the resulting chaos in the kingdom could escalate. The loss of vampire lives was a dread that everyone shared concerning Primo. They didn't made it for several years of full moon because they have enough supply of food and blood. But right now, they don't know where to get.

With a heavy sigh, the Queen concluded, “We will have to offer something alive.” It seemed she had no other option. A hush fell over the kingdom as the grim situation unfolded.

Shortly after, the nearly lifeless and gravely injured vampires were assembled. Queen Valeria was left speechless as she surveyed the scene, realizing that more than thirty had been lost, they barely breathing. Although the number seems small, each vampire held significant importance in the kingdom, making their loss a profound sorrow for the Queen.

“It appears they fell victim to forbidden sources of power, my queen. Even your abilities can't revive them,” remarked an elf known as the other kingdom’s healer.

Before long, the elders arrived, their expressions reflecting the devastation as they took in the scene. The other seems disappointed.

“What will happen if other kingdoms know about this? They will surely come to conquer us. Our Queen, because of your kindness this thing happen.” Because of exhausted and overwhelmed, Queen Valeria glared at one elder, who seemed oblivious to her ire.

“And when did you gain the audacity to lecture me?” she shouted while glaring.

“When did my mother become at fault for something she didn’t do?” A sudden heavy tension filled the air, and one elder sank to his knees under the intensity of Primo's power. Trying not to make Primo calm down and he didn't mean to say such thing.

Known for his ruthlessness, Primo had a reputation for being unyielding, striking without warning against those who displeased him, yet he was gradually learning to rein himself in.

Queen Valeria placed a hand on Primo's arm, urging him to calm down. He closed his eyes and gave a slight nod as if he can do anything.

“May I speak with you, Mother?” Primo inquired.

Queen Valeria scanned the room. “Please provide a chest of gold to the esteemed elf who visited. I must leave now.” After issuing her command, she departed with Primo. She's still carrying a heavy heart thinking how would they solve this.

Once they reached the Throne, Primo wasted no time. “I encountered Uncle Vadenote earlier while hurrying here.” He looked through the large window.

“Where are you and why the urgency?” Queen Valeria asked.

“I sensed something amiss in the kingdom, an unusual dark smoke, it's unexplainable but my body feels it.” The Queen's gaze turned toward her son, recognizing that he was the only one to sense the disturbance.

“Continue.”

“Uncle Vadenote is heading east, if I’m not mistaken. He suggested I should explore the human realm.” In Primo's mind, his uncle is trying to manipulate him.

Queen Valeria's fist tightened. “I see what’s unfolding, I directly confronted those scavenging for resources.”

Despite her anger, she felt pride for her son. “I raised you well, son. Do you still insist you don’t wish to take the throne? Your concern for the kingdom is evident. Those who say you lack a heart are misguided. I really don't believe them.”

Primo smiled wryly. “I only acted because I grow weary of seeing you protect our people. Ang my power telling me to do it so.” The Queen chuckled and nodded, seemingly done with the argument.

Moments later, Queen Valeria slammed her hand against the table. “You said your uncle was heading east, correct?” she demanded.

“There's no guarantee, Mother.”

“That direction leads toward human world.” Queen Valeria quickly summoned a shadow root while remembering what they talk about earlier.

“Were you not tasked with locating Vadenote? What progress has been made?” she pressed.

“We have nearly searched the entire kingdom, my Queen, but we have yet to find him.”

The Queen nearly unleashed a formidable power in her intense rage. “Head to the eastern part of the kingdom,” she commanded. “If you can, sneak into the human realm and locate Vadenote. We should not let him do whatever he wants now.”

“But it's morning in the human world right now,” one replied. “We'll reach the passage entrance tomorrow, and it will definitely still be daytime when we arrive.” Queen Valeria nervously bit her finger, worrying that Vadenote might strike during daylight. She don't know but for sure she can't forgive her brother now.

“Just locate Vadenote and return immediately,” she instructed. “Don't make any hasty decisions. Inform me right away. If you can't find him during the day, you can venture out at night. But once you find him, come back here.” They all nodded and departed.

Queen Valeria rested her hands on the table, feeling the stress. “Your uncle is truly a headache, I don't know what to do anymore,” she lamented, while Primo sighed, observing his mother’s frustration.

“Tonight is the full moon,” she suddenly remembered. Primo slip his hands into his pockets as he prepared to leave.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I'm heading into the forest to the human world,” he answered, leaving her momentarily speechless.

“Be careful,” she cautioned with a smile, still grasping that her own child would adjust to the situation at hand. She didn't expect it either.

After several rotations of the world, the root shadows finally appeared. The kingdom was gradually recovering, and it seemed the forest animals were starting to return. Unexpectedly reviving, feels like something blocking there are slowly fading.

A meeting was convened in the kingdom. “In the western region, we've confirmed they've been collecting food and blood, but something is holding them back,” one information gatherer reported.

“This resembles the power that disrupted our food supply. Vadenote is definitely behind this,” Queen Valeria asserted, her fists clenched.

“If that's the case, he engineered this crisis to coerce me into using human blood as our source of power. What's up with that jerk.” Queen Valeria seems like couldn't take it anymore.

“Exactly, dear Queen.” He bowed after reporting.

Then the root shadow continued. “Currently, Vadenote is in the human world and...” They paused momentarily, thinking that it's a big impact to the Queen.

The Queen closed her eyes, bracing herself for the next revelation.

“People are being attacked, he must be feasting on human blood,” the report concluded, prompting Queen Valeria to clasp her hands tightly together as she shut her eyes.

An uneasy silence fell over the room. “What will you do now, Queen Valeria?”