"Hurry, find them! They can't have gone far! Earl Edward promised a hefty reward to the first one who captures the princess. We could be granted a viscount title and even land. When the time comes, we'll be well off, becoming the new star. Maybe even have a romantic relationship with Countess Victoria," Paul exclaimed as they hurried along.
"George, don't talk nonsense. No princess now. She's the daughter of the vampire traitor. And with Duke Henry becoming the King, Earl Edward is set to be elevated to a duke. Countess Victoria? You dare to dream. She'll be Victoria, the Duchess. How could she ever fancy you?" Paul retorted as they ran.
"Oh, Paul, you're right. Gavin, why have you stopped? Have you found traces of the traitor? Don't delay our important mission, you foolish boy," George said, noticing Gavin's motionlessness and halting as well. What they saw was a tall, young man holding a small axe, completely different from the typical vampire, more like a sturdy countryman. He was staring fixedly at the wall, unmoving.
"There's something wrong here, this wall is suspicious." spoke a hearty voice.
"Press these bricks, they're slightly different in color. I heard from the elders of our clan that there are secret passages in this castle's walls leading outside. The craftsmen who built this castle a long time ago left behind escape routes for the royal family in case of emergencies. Instead of chasing after traitors and risking our lives against those barons, why don't we try our luck here?"
"What nonsense are you spouting, kid? How could a nobody like you know about the secret passages built during the castle's construction? You're just trying to slack off. If you don't want to chase, I'll go instead. This area was assigned to us by higher-ups. If it weren't for you insisting on joining our team and there being no one else available, I wouldn't have you, you foolish guy," retorted Paul angrily. Then Paul pushed Gavin, and tried to continue forward
Gavin stumbled backward, seemingly accidentally touching a slightly grayish brick with his left and right hands respectively, while his head bumped into another brick above him.
"Rumble, rumble, rumble!" Suddenly, the wall began to shake, and bricks started falling off until a door suddenly appeared among the fallen bricks. The door slowly opened, revealing a deep staircase in front of the three of them.
"There really is a secret passage! You've got some luck, kid. Every Vampire has its day. When we make it out, I'll put in a good word for you with the earl. Maybe even make you a squad leader. But for now, you go ahead and scout the path," exclaimed George, though cautiously.
"Alright, thanks, Paul," replied Gavin gratefully as he lifted his axe and ventured into the darkness.
"What if the fool finds something first?" George asked nervously.
"We'll let him scout ahead. He's no match for us," Paul retorted with a smirk, making a dismissive gesture.
"I hear footsteps up ahead!" suddenly exclaimed Gavin from the tunnel.
"Let's move!" Paul quickly shouted to George.
Paul and George caught up and indeed hear footsteps, so they continued to run, soon overtaking Gavin, but they did not see the glint of determination in Gavin's eyes as they passed by.
Turning around two corners, Paul suddenly stopped, holding his crossbow pointed ahead. "I see you, Aurelia. Don't move," he warned. "Leaving a few wounds on you is not something King Henry would want to see."
Following the arrow of the crossbow, they saw a girl of about eighteen years old. She wore tattered clothes, with bruises visible on her body, and traces of smoke on her face. Yet, even in such a state, her beauty was undeniable. It was evident that she would grow up to be a rare beauty in the world.
Her eyes showed a hint of fear, but she maintained a facade of composure as she spoke, "Who gave you the audacity? I am the sole daughter of Queen Lamia, the only heir, the next queen, the ruler of all vampires. Leave quickly, or I will execute you." As she spoke, the girl named Aurelia's eyes turned red, seemingly preparing to launch an attack.
Hearing the girl's determined words, Paul and George were initially shocked. The ingrained hierarchy within their blood made them hesitate to resist, and their bodies began to tremble slowly.
"Pfft!" Suddenly, the girl spewed out blood from her mouth. "How is this possible? Why can't I suppress you with my bloodline?" she said, disbelieving and despairing.
"Haha, you almost fooled us. You've long been a traitor's daughter, your blood has been tainted, you're no longer a vampire princess. How can you control us and harm us? You better come with us obediently to avoid more..." Paul said loudly, but his voice was cut off because at the same time he spoke, Gavin snatched the dagger from George and accurately stabbed Paul's heart.
"What are you doing? Have you gone mad?" George said with a hint of fear, but Gavin paid no attention, quickly picked up the crossbow and aimed it at George, shooting an arrow, and George, like Paul, met his end at his hands.
Aurelia was stunned, unable to believe what was happening.
"Now is not the time to be stunned. Go straight ahead and exit through the forest. It leads to the human realm. Your appearance doesn't differ much from humans, and you can live normally in the sunlight'. Pretend to be one of them and live there. I'll find you when I have the chance," Gavin urgently advised.
"How do you know that? And who are you?" the young girl asked, shocked.
Gavin didn't answer her question directly but replied, "I'll tell them you're already dead. Paul and George perished in their bid for the title."
"They won't believe it without seeing the body," Aurelia said
"Don't worry about that. Just go. I have my ways. Go!" Gavin urged.
Aurelia glanced at Gavin's emblem and then at his sincere face, as if she wanted to remember him forever. With determination in her young voice, she said, "I don't care about your identity or how you know my secrets. But now I know your name, Gavin. I'll find you. When I return victorious, I'll bestow upon you the title of duke." With that, she ran off without looking back.
Gavin was visibly taken aback by the young girl's solemn promise, his gaze lingering on her determined eyes. He seemed momentarily lost in thought. However, he suddenly snapped back to reality, remembering his mission. Walking to a fork in the path, he found the corpse of another girl of about the same age. She look exactly the same as Aurelia! And she wore a necklace with a precious blue gemstone, bearing a name — Aurelia.
"Thank goodness we were prepared," Gavin muttered to himself.
Suddenly, Gavin heard footsteps and felt the oppressive aura of someone's presence behind him. "Who are you talking to?" a voice demanded.
Gavin's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the voice, so familiar yet filled with menace. He knew that this was a moment of life and death.
Gavin slowly turned his head, his face showing a shocked expression as he looked towards the source of the voice. A golden-haired, blue-eyed, and delicately featured nobleman was approaching slowly. His demeanor was polite. He was accompanied by two guards who showed disdain.
"Lord Edward, I'm Gavin. I, along with Paul and George, were assigned to search for Princess Aurelia in the southwest corner of the castle. They seemed to have seen something, suddenly broke free from me and ran wildly. I followed all the way, heard a few screams, and arrived here to see this. I was just too shocked earlier, mumbling to myself to comfort myself." Gavin said innocently.
"Bold words! Lord Edward is a duke, and there's no such thing as Princess Aurelia anymore. The traitor Lamia has already been killed by King Henry, and her daughter is naturally no longer a princess. You better think clearly, are you in cahoots with them?" One guard rebuked loudly.
Upon hearing the news of Queen Lamia's death, Gavin almost couldn't maintain his disguise.
a huge sadness welled up in his heart, but it was soon overshadowed by an even greater hatred.
"Gavin, isn't it? I remember you're from the Gary family, known for collecting blood and cultivating crops for the nobles. Though not powerful, your role is important. Titles don't matter much. And Aurelia is still a princess. She is not aware of what her mother did. If we find her, I…" Edward seemed to recall something, his gaze becoming distant.
Suddenly, he noticed the body next to Gavin. With a swift stride, he rushed over, trembling as he examined the corpse and the necklace, his hands shaking as he repeatedly confirmed the details, his mind swirling with disbelief. He muttered, "How could you die like this? My father promised he won't kill you, the poison should have only rendered you powerless. Could it be… could it be… Hahaha."
Gavin, seeing Edward's momentary madness, couldn't discern if it was genuine compassion or some other unspeakable emotion. Without waiting to think further, he saw Edward regain his composure and leave without looking back, saying, 'Gavin, take Aurelia to see my father. He will grant you a viscountcy."
With that, he and his guards departed. Hearing this, Gavin felt no joy. His thoughts turned to Aurelia, thinking, "Princess, I hope you've escaped and won't return. I'll avenge the queen, even if it costs me my life." He then lifted the fake corpse and left the secret passage.
Outside the castle, Aurelia climbed out of a well shaft and looked back at the castle, thinking, "Mother, I will avenge you. Gavin, I won't forget you. Wait for my return. Edward..., I will kill you" With one last glance at the castle, Aurelia dashed into the dark forest.
Beneath the castle, in a massive prison, a beautiful woman was chained with golden shackles. Her hands were suspended high, each bearing wounds, and blood dripped into collection vials below. A transparent tube was inserted into her blood red mouth, connected to a blood reservoir in the distance, from which blood flowed slowly into her mouth.
Standing nearby was a masked figure, hands behind their back, observing the woman and saying, "The day has finally come…" As the figure turned to leave, the iron door slowly closed, sealing the prisoner in darkness once again.