Duke Kent, seated to the right of King Vladimire, shook his head and covered his face with his palm. "You fools," he muttered, his voice a mixture of disappointment and frustration.
Nightshade's eyes still flashed with anger, while Valentin's expression remained amused.
surveying the room, my gaze lingering on each vampire as I sought to ease the tension. I cleared my throat awkwardly, the sound echoing through the silent chamber. "Enough," I said finally, my voice firm but measured.
I paused, my eyes scanning the room once more. "Is that all?" I asked, in a dismissive.
My subjects nodded, some looking relieved, others still simmering with tension. I straightened my back, my expression turning decisive. "Very well. Court dismissed," I declared, my voice echoing through the throne room.
With that, the meeting was ended, and my subjects rose from their seats, filing out of the room to attend to their assigned duties.
As I rose from my throne, the weight of the crown bore down on me like a physical force. The sweet voice of my beloved wife, gone for 900 years, echoed in my mind, a bittersweet reminder of what I had lost. "Sigh...I still can't shake the feeling of emptiness, the ache of her absence still lingered."
I stepped out of the throne room, my footsteps echoing through the vast hallway, a constant reminder of the isolation that came with my position. Only two of my Royal guards, who had been stationed in the throne room, followed me, keeping a respectful distance of five feet behind. Their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of loyalty and concern.
As I walked, my gaze fell upon the neat red carpet that stretched out before me, its intricate patterns and soft texture a testament to the opulence of my palace. "This palace, why does it have to be so large?" I sighed, feeling the weight of my responsibilities acutely. I continued on, my eyes drifting over the various paintings and artifacts that adorned the walls, each one a reminder of my long and tumultuous history. But my eyes kept drifting back to the one that mattered most - the portrait of my wife. I paused in front of it, my heart heavy with grief. "My no Name Darling," I whispered, the endearment a painful reminder of the memories I had tried to forget.
I called her "No Name Darling" because I had forgotten her name, or perhaps I had chosen to forget. The pain of her loss was so great that I couldn't bear to remember the details of our life together. Still I couldn't forget her entirely either. She was the love of my life, my partner in every sense of the word. And now, she was gone. Five thousand years had passed, yet the pain remains as fresh as the day she left. I felt like I was drowning in an ocean of loneliness, with no shore in sight. My guards exchanged a discreet glance, their faces etched with empathy and respect. They knew better than to intrude on my sorrow. I had to keep up an image, a strong and powerful king, but it was a heavy burden to bear, such a heavy burden "Sigh"...i continued walking, as i neared my chambers, the ordinary guard outside my door gave a 90 degree bow as I approached ,"why so low, your reverence is too much". I nodded in acknowledgement of his gesture of respect. As the door closed behind me, I felt a sense of relief wash over me, a brief respite from the burdens of kingship.
I walked to the majestic window of my chamber, gazing out at the breathtaking view of my kingdom. The three moons cast a dim, yet sufficient light over the landscape, illuminating the sprawling cityscape with a peaceful glow. The kingdom stretched out before me like a canvas of shimmering shadows, a testament to the technological advancements of my people.
From my vantage point, I could see the towering spires and grand architecture of the city, their outlines softly defined by the moonlight. The castle itself was a marvel, a skyscraper of stone and steel that seemed to blend seamlessly into the bright night sky. I felt a sense of pride and nostalgia wash over me as I gazed out at the kingdom I had built.
The moonlight cast a silver glow over the landscape, illuminating the bustling streets of the merchant district, the gleaming spires of the crystal district, and the imposing walls of the military district. Each district was a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of my people. The entire population of my kingdom ranging at about thighty million.
As I stood there, lost in thought, my eyes zoomed in on the bustling streets faraway below, my powerful vampire vision allowing me to see every detail with perfect clarity. I saw the merchants haggling over prices, the traders laughing and chatting, and the citizens going about their daily lives.
I eased my senses, allowing myself to hear the details of the discussions of the passersby. I heard the soft whispers of lovers, the boisterous laughter of friends, and the hushed tones of businessmen making deals. I heard the clanging of swords from the training grounds, the clang of hammers from the blacksmiths, and the soft strumming of lutes from the musicians.
My gaze shifted, my zoomed vision sweeping across the kingdom to the largest of the dukedoms, Duke Kent's domain. The dukedom was a sprawling metropolis, with towering spires and grand architecture that seemed to rival the castle itself. I could see the bustling streets, the merchants and traders going about their business, and the citizens living their lives under the watchful eye of the duke's guards.
I focused in on the duke's palace, a grand structure that seemed to shine like a beacon in the moonlight. I could see the duke himself standing on the balcony, looking out over his domain. I wondered what he was thinking, what schemes he was plotting, and what ambitions he held dear. As i could remember clearly "he seemed to be soo eager to have his men amongst those on earth" i thought outloud