The Vampire King's Huntress

Tough Decisions

King Alesi's eyes ticked to each one of his advisors' guilt-stricken faces. Those who were smart chose not to make eye contact with him.

King Alesi threw his head back and heartily laughed while slapping the sturdy oak table with a hand. The advisors shared puzzled looks with one another while the tears fell from King Alesi's eyes.

"My word!" King Alesi exclaimed after finally composing himself. You are a hilarious bunch, indeed! While I appreciate our brief moment of madness to distract me from a very traumatic time in my life, we need to get down to business. Lord Gustafson, please state the purpose of this meeting."

Lord Gustafson slightly hesitated and wished it was someone else who had to deliver the news, but as King Alesi's highest-ranking and most trusted advisor, it was up to him to step up to the plate. Lord Gustafson prayed King Alesi wouldn't "shoot the messenger."

"As previously stated, you need an heir, and I wish there were another way, but you need to take a queen."

The room felt colder once the amused expression on King Alessi's face slackened. The advisors felt chills run the length of their spines. King Alesi was by no means a ruthless ruler; however, the look on his face was unnerving. A few of them contemplated taking their chances with the sun and considered flinging themselves out of the window.

"Is everyone in agreeance with Lord Gustafson's assessment?" King Alesi queried with his tone dripping in contempt. King Alesi's eyes narrowed at the men surrounding the table. At that moment, they were no longer his trusted confidants but instead...traitors. How dare they suggest that another woman could EVER replace his beloved? Not only replace her but bear the children they were unable to conceive? For centuries, King Alesi and Queen Anastasia tried to conceive. The royal couple consulted with every witch and doctor in the kingdom. No matter the potion, spell, prayer, or s*x position, the couple was met with the same fate. King Alesi would've even been satisfied if his wife miscarried because they would have hope at least that one day their dreams of having a family would come true.

Queen Anastasia was affected by her infertility the most. She was angry at the world, and most of all, frustrated with herself that she couldn't give her King a child. Her infertility made her feel less of a woman, and fear her husband might leave her for another sunk her into a deep depression. King Alessi made it his personal mission to remind his queen how loved she was. If it was just the two of them for the rest of eternity, then it was the universe's plan, and he would be satisfied.

"I'm still waiting for an answer," King Alesi growled.

Still, no one spoke.

"I will decapitate everyone in this room if I don't get a response to my question in two seconds."

Verbal acknowledgments of agreeance flooded the room.

"We all took a vote," Lord Gustafson interjected.

"And what were the results?"

"Unanimous. All in favor of you selecting another queen. We are not suggesting you find a queen for love. It can be a simple arrangement for the public," Lord Gustafson explained, causing King Alesi's stomach to churn.

How could they make such a mockery of such a blessed union? To think he would have to smile and wave at his constituents with some imposter queen beside him. It sickened him.

"Think about the kingdom, King Alesi. If you're no longer here, then the wolves will move in, and what will happen to our people? You know King Lykaon does not fret over vampire deaths and never will. Your death will also give rise to the vampire hunters. We all know this will not be an easy decision for you. In fact, we acknowledge it will be the hardest decision of your life, but failure to continue your bloodline will result in perhaps hundreds of thousands of vampire deaths. You do not need to make a decision right now. Take some time to think about it. I leave in three days for Moonshire. I expect your answer then. Does anyone else have anything else to add?"

A timid vampire cleared his throat before speaking. "May I have the floor?" Advisor Tomias inquired. King Alesi gave him a nonchalant wave of his hand. At this point, nothing could surprise King Alesi.

"Vampire-hunter-related deaths have risen to 5% since the last quarter."

King Alesi snapped his eyes shut and let out a violent hiss. "How?!" King Alesi demanded.

"We are not 100% certain yet."

"Why is this just now being brought to my attention?" King Alesi snarled.

"I-I-I check the numbers quarterly. Last quarter we were only at .98%, and now we're at 5%. The only explanation is that the hunters are mobilizing. If we don't act quickly, the deaths will easily double, if not triple."

"I want you to double security and offer a reward for any information on hunter camps or dwellings. We must lay the insurgents to rest before this gets out of hand," King Alesi ordered.

"I agree, King Alesi. We would not want this to get out of hand and worry the populace. However, a royal wedding would be a wonderful distraction," Lord Gustafson offered with a bright smile.

"I will not deceive my people," King Alesi scoffed.

"Have it your way. But be prepared for several of our people to request an audience with you, demanding answers. Does anyone else have anything to add before we dismiss? My journey was long, and I've grown weary."

No one spoke.

"Anything you wish to add, my king?"

"Get out."

King Alesi's fingers angrily strummed against the armrest of his chair. For once in his life, he didn't have the right answers. He felt like a failure of a king. He couldn't save his wife, and now he couldn't protect his people.

King Alesi rose from his grand chair and stormed towards the bar in the corner. He peered at the many bottles of wine and spirits before he settled on a bottle that damn near brought tears to his eyes. It was a wine comprised of the tempting grapes and berries from the precarious Black Forest of the east. It was Queen Anastasia's favorite. King Alesi didn't care whose life he had to risk obtaining these illustrious vine-hanging fruits. All that mattered was that his queen was satisfied.

King Alesi selected the bottle and didn't hesitate to uncork it. He wrinkled his nose after a whiff of the wine that had most likely soured. King Alesi took a healthy pull from the bottle and meandered to his chambers, where he would spend the rest of his day making tough decisions.