Blood Oath

CHAPTER 1

HENRI'S P.O.V

Queen Ophelia is quite the calm one but such can't be said when she is to face a caller. I dread how much Argo wants a king beside the queen when all they need is a powerful ruler. From the day the queen came of age, each day has been restless with weak men. I loathe the whole act. Even her siblings have picked suitors. Disgusting, filthy humans. The vampire would've had their way from the beginning; we enjoy the little merits we get from Queen Ophelia even though she has no clue how graceful she has been.

"Your majesty." I greet the queen who strode to and fro around her massive bedroom.

"Henri! Yes! Thank goodness you've come." Queen Ophelia was quite the anxious type when the matter of 'suitor' was at hand.

"Are you in trouble?"

"No. Well, yes!"

"Then I shall send for help."

"Henri, I'm not ready." It was not the first time she said this.

"My apologies, your majesty. But, the Prince of Grand Hills is waiting for you in the halls."

"I'm not ready. Go tell him to come back next month." She said.

"He spent a month traveling. You're fine, your majesty. He is a fine young man." No. I detest the young man.

"I've seen more."

I always regret convincing her majesty to partake in this...redundant act. She is more than enough to rule. However, my selfishness dies with me. Argo has no heirs. It needs an heir.

"Perhaps I...should have Prince Theophilus come talk to you." Prince Theophilus was one person the queen never opposed out of respect as he was the first-born son of King Brutus and her older brother. However, it always seemed like her majesty, the queen of Argo had no power over Prince Theophilus and Princess Emilia. Disrespectful.

"No. I'd hate for him to hear that I left one of them waiting. Tell the Prince of Grand Hills I'll be with him shortly."

"Yes, your majesty," I said as I bowed my head. "One more thing." It pains me to remind her of this. "His name is Richard."

It irks me to stay and watch...Richard while we wait. Prince Theophilus approved of him? Princess Emilia, too?

As I walked into the hall, Richard examined me as if he was looking at something uncommon–he was.

"The queen will join you shortly." I hate the way he studied me. I'm always tempted to glare at him in the most sinister fashion. Pathetic.

"Good." He said.

It was awfully quiet. Has her majesty perhaps jumped out of her window, putting herself out of this dread? I can perceive her perfume. She is coming.

"Prince..." She paused on her way to Richard. It was without a doubt that she could not remember his name. "Prince of Grand Hills." She continued her march to Richard.

"Queen Ophelia of Argo. The incomparable jewel. My queen." Richard knelt in reverence.

"Oh, stop. You flatter me. Please, rise." Queen Ophelia chuckled as Richard stood to his feet.

"I came with many gifts. All of it in a carriage for you."

"Pfff..." I almost let out a laugh. Queen Ophelia and Richard turned to look at me. "Forgive me."

I observe as Richard leaves Queen Ophelia and comes for me. He stood mere feet away from me. It took too much for me to stop myself from an outburst.

"Was there something I have said that amuses you?" Richard begged for eye contact but for his good, I refrain. "Answer my question."

"Let him be. I am certain he remembered something funny." Queen Ophelia said.

"No, my love. I want him to speak." What a persistent human.

"It is just as her majesty says, I only remembered something." What an annoyance.

"What did you remember?" Richard pestered on.

"Come now, Prince of Grand Hills. Let us carry on with the reason you came all the way." Queen Ophelia called for his attention but he dared to ignore her.

"Answer me." Richard grasped my hand. It forced me to give in to his staring contest. He let go of my hand and took steps back. His eyes were locked with mine. Such countenance--very weak and disgusting to look at; quivering like a guinea pig surrounded by predators.

"I only remembered something, your royal highness."

"Get out. I want you out of this court." Richard commanded. Audacious.

"Forgive me if I may sound rude but it is only her majesty that can dismiss me." I maintained eye contact with Richard.

"Prince of Grand Hill..."

"Ophelia..." Richard called. "Let me handle this peasant."

Queen Ophelia's head was tilted at Richard. Richard is truly an annoyance.

"You will refer to me as queen. You will not call me by my name." Ophelia cautioned Richard.

"My apologies, my queen." Richard bowed his head. It was reliving that I no longer had to look at his sad eyes. Any further into the staring contest, he would have lost his mind. "I wish to have this one removed from the palace at once. He will only hinder our bond and make life uncomfortable for our children."

"Prince of Grand Hill, there will be no removal neither will there be any children...not yours, at least." Queen Ophelia asserted.

"There will be no children?" Richard was lost "Are you incapable?"

"There will be no marriage." Her Majesty had to be blunt. "I will not marry you."

Richard's expressions had too many questions to ask. He still couldn't understand. Daft creature.

"You will not marry me? Because of this...filth?"

"Do not dare." Her Majesty seemed...vexed. "Do not dare call my companion filth."

"Then why?"

"I do not like you or envision a future with you." I always enjoy watching her majesty at times like this. It drew me to her. It was enchanting. If only she could be like this to everyone that comes to her.

Richard had no words to say. His lips fluttered and his eyes were teary. He stormed out of the hall in what I could recall being...a broken heart.

"Your majesty."

"Henri, you have rescued me once again. Whatever can I do without you?" Her Majesty felt at ease as Richard will be forgotten but she may be a little too at ease.

"OPHELIA!"

Here he comes. The man her majesty respects more than herself stomped his way toward us.

"OPHELIA!" Prince Theophilus yelled.

"Oh, no." Queen Ophelia cried under her breath.