The Vampire's Runaway Bride

Chapter 5: After the Doubt

Leaning against the wall in the corridor, I was just watching the door from afar. Inside the door was Shamar, and I wanted to go in and see her, but the guard's vigilant eyes at the door told me that Lirad did not want me to see what was inside.

I casually gathered my shawl that was about to slip and smiled to myself before turning to leave.

Just as I turned around, I saw Lirad, his emerald green eyes filled with hurt, staring at me unblinkingly.

Lirad's gaze was cold, but not terrifying.

I slowly approached him, reached out to embrace his waist, and habitually buried my face in Lirad's chest, feeling his body tremble noticeably.

"Have you been standing here for a long time?" I wasn't sure if asking would get an answer, so I simply closed my eyes and enjoyed the unique scent on him.

Or perhaps, I never really expected him to answer.

"No..." Unexpectedly, he spoke, as if hesitating for a moment before struggling to utter a complete sentence, "I saw you come out and thought you might want to take a walk downstairs, so I wanted to come and accompany you..."

Was he afraid that I was not familiar with this place? So he put down his work and came down to accompany me first?

I have to say, the feeling of being valued is very comfortable, reassuring, and warm...

Technically, vampires do not need warmth, but why am I always so eager to... to want warmth from Lirad...

"Let's go out for a walk..." As if after a long struggle, Lirad raised his hand to embrace me, gently rubbed his chin on the top of my head, and his voice, cold yet hoarse, came from above, "It can be stuffy staying in the room all the time."

Indeed, I have been here for more than ten days and have never gone out.

I looked up at Lirad and smiled, nodding gently, "Okay."

The architectural style of the place where Lirad is currently living is completely different from the lonely castle on the mountaintop. The black roof and light gray walls unconsciously give a sense of oppression.

Perhaps, this is to declare the kingly aura of the house owner.

There are many flowers and plants in the courtyard, none of which are brightly colored.

Lirad led me by the hand to a small white shed in the courtyard to sit down, and the servants immediately brought tea and snacks.

Sitting under the large sunshade, I casually played with the porcelain cup in my hand.

This porcelain cup was very well made, and the patterns on it were flawlessly painted, much higher than the technology of the 17th century.

"Aren't you willing to talk to me?" Lirad sat not far from me, his cold voice carrying an undeniable aura, "Why are you always looking down..."

"I'm just curious about these little things." I looked up at Lirad, met his cold eyes, and my chest inexplicably tightened. I raised my hand to my chest, imperceptibly frowned, and quickly relaxed, "This set of cups is very beautiful, I like it..."

In fact, the cup itself is nothing special, but the large black rose on it is very attractive.

Lirad looked down at the cup in my hand, his light green eyes flickering with a hint of hesitation, his mouth twitched but he did not speak.

What can't he tell me? About the cup or about me?

I laughed at myself in my heart, and looked into the distance. A few semi-blooming black roses were scattered not far away, seemingly unattended, yet it was clear that they were meticulously cared for because they were all growing very well.

It was still early in the day when I was awakened by the noise outside my door. I pushed the door open, intending to go out, only to be stopped by a servant at the threshold.

"Your Majesty, please do not leave..."

The person before me, I had seen before, it was Danny, a guard by Lirad's side, who always followed Lirad and was responsible for his safety.

"What's going on?" I frowned at Danny, trying to read something from his face, but his expressionless face made it impossible for me to see through him.

If Lirad left Danny with me, it could only mean one thing: Lirad thought it was dangerous at the moment, so he let his most trusted subordinate come to protect me.

"Your Majesty, there is nothing going on." Danny bowed slightly, his voice devoid of any inflection, "The King has gone to a banquet and left me in charge of your safety."

"So why is it so noisy outside?" I was already starting to feel a bit impatient.

Rather than impatience, it was more like unease.

Without Lirad by my side, I felt very uneasy.

Danny kept his head down, pondered for a moment, then replied in a low voice, "It's Countess Shamar... feeding..."

Feeding?

I furrowed my brows, how could a feeding cause such a commotion...

I pushed past Danny and walked towards Shamar's room with a stern face. Danny kept urging me not to look, but there was a voice inside me telling me that I must go!

"Your Majesty!" Danny blocked the door, not allowing me to enter. I stared at him coldly, and Danny sighed, "Your Majesty, the King ordered that you can go in when you want, but definitely not at this time."

"I am also of the bloodline, I know that sometimes the feeding of our kind can be quite bloody..." The faint scent of blood was already wafting from the room, making me feel a bit nauseous, but I still wanted to go in and see, "Move aside! Or I will kill you!"

Danny and I stood at an impasse at the door for a while. I didn't know whether he was fearless or if his reverence and faith in Lirad had surpassed everything else, because even in the face of my threat, he did not yield.

The smell of blood wafting from the room was making me a bit dizzy. Holding my forehead, I could hardly stand firm, feeling the world spinning around me, and I swayed and fell backward...

A pair of stiff arms caught me before I hit the ground.

I could feel Danny's panic because his hands were shaking as he held me.

Danny carried me back to my room, ordering the servants to prepare fresh blood while sending other guards to fetch Lirad back.

I felt the changes in my body and was very panicked. Frowning and raising my head, I clenched my teeth tightly and waved Danny out.

The last bit of sanity told me that I must not make a fool of myself in front of others.

On the bed, my body ached as if it was being steamed, every inch of my skin craved fresh blood, my chest was stuffy, and my body was changing rapidly.

So hot...

Unconsciously raising my hand, all I wanted now was to tear off the layers of fabric that were wrapped around me!

"Rip..." With the exciting sound of tearing fabric, I fiercely threw away the scraps in my hand.

Finally! I felt a bit of coolness...

But... that coolness was only for the moment of tearing open the collar... The stuffy feeling continued...

I wanted more coolness, and the nameless fire within my body was also rushing around inside, eager to find an outlet...

I finally understood why Lirad did not allow me to see Shamar at this time.

The blood Shamar was feeding on must have contained a large dose of bloodthirsty grass.

-- Bloodthirsty grass is a special drug used for arousal...