Niklaus snapped his fingers, and the remnants of water on his clothes and body evaporated instantly. His mood was less about inconvenience and more about the frustration that boiled beneath his skin. He had just lost sight of Princess Emily, a sight that had captured his obsession.
He snapped his fingers again, and in the blink of an eye, he was back in his kingdom. The familiar sight of his private chamber brought no comfort; rather, it intensified his brooding thoughts. He collapsed onto his bed, the dark velvet of the bedspread contrasting sharply with his brooding mood. The room was a reflection of his own essence—shadowed, opulent, and unyielding.
A soft knock at the door preceded the entrance of a maid, who placed a sumptuous dinner on a nearby table. Alongside the meal was a glass of blood, its crimson hue a stark reminder of his nature. The maid exited quietly, leaving Niklaus alone with his thoughts and his meal.
Niklaus moved to the balcony, the glass of blood in hand. As he stepped outside, the vast expanse of his kingdom unfurled before him—an intricate tapestry of dark forests, looming castles, and flickering torches. He took a slow sip from the glass, the rich, metallic taste of blood spreading warmth through his veins. The sight of the land beneath him, bathed in the dim light of dusk, only deepened his resolve.
Niklaus stared out at his realm, his thoughts drifting to Princess Emily. The blood's dark color stained his lips, giving him a predatory look as he contemplated the overwhelming desire that had taken root in him. The ambition to conquer the world paled in comparison to his newfound obsession with her. All he wanted now was to possess Emily—body, mind, and soul.
The following morning, Niklaus took his place on the throne, the weight of leadership pressing down on him. His ministers gathered around, their faces a mix of apprehension and deference. Discussions about finances and pressing issues filled the room, the air thick with the hum of bureaucracy and tension.
Niklaus listened with half an ear as his ministers outlined the kingdom's financial status and debated strategies for dealing with various challenges. His gaze remained distant, lost in thoughts of Emily. The mundane concerns of his kingdom seemed insignificant compared to the allure of the princess who had captured his every waking moment.
One of his ministers, Lord Harrington, cleared his throat and addressed him. "Your Majesty, if I may, we need to discuss the allocation of resources for the upcoming campaign. The reports indicate—"
Niklaus cut him off with a wave of his hand. "We will deal with that matter later. For now, focus on the preparations for the grand event next week. I want everything to be perfect."
Lord Harrington raised an eyebrow, puzzled but cautious. "The grand event, Your Majesty? Do you mean the peace negotiations with the Eldorian ambassadors?"
"Yes," Niklaus replied curtly. "Ensure that every detail is attended to. I have other matters on my mind."
Lord Harrington exchanged a brief glance with his colleague, Lord Westfield. "Of course, Your Majesty. We will see to it."
As the murmurs of the court subsided, a guard entered the grand hall with purposeful strides. His entrance was marked by a swift, commanding presence, and he approached the throne with a scroll held firmly in hand. The king's gaze followed the guard as he stepped forward, presenting the scroll with a respectful bow before retreating.
"Your Highness, this scroll is from King William Albert Wilson," the guard announced with reverence.
Niklaus's interest was immediately piqued. His dark eyes glinted with curiosity. "Read it," he ordered, his voice sharp and authoritative.
The second guard, taking the scroll from the first, unfurled it with practiced ease and began to read aloud:
"To the King of Emberlyn,
My apologies that I must cancel the meeting of our ambassadors. The upcoming week is one of my children's birthdays. The celebrations will span the entire week. I am hosting a grand ball and will be introducing them to the world. It would please us greatly if you could attend.
Truly, King William Albert Wilson"
The guard finished reading and handed the scroll to Niklaus, who scrutinized it with intense focus. The words of the invitation were not lost on him, especially the part about the grand ball and the opportunity to see Princess Emily once more. A slow, predatory smirk formed on his lips.
"Which child's birthday is next week?" Niklaus inquired, his gaze never leaving the scroll.
Vizier, his trusted advisor, stepped forward. "It is Prince Adrian's and Princess Emily's birthday, Your Highness."
Niklaus's smirk deepened into a full-blown grin. The prospect of seeing Emily at such a significant event was too fortuitous to ignore. "I will certainly be attending their celebrations."
He turned his attention back to his ministers. "Prepare a response to King William Albert Wilson. Inform him that I will be traveling to their kingdom next week. Make sure our arrival is anticipated with the appropriate honor."
The ministers nodded in agreement, already beginning to draft the response. Niklaus's mind was already racing ahead to the upcoming ball. He turned his focus back to the pressing matters at hand.
"Before we depart, we must address all current issues. What matters require my immediate attention?" Niklaus's tone was firm, a reminder of his authority.
A murmur of activity spread through the court as the ministers gathered their reports. Lord Harrington, a senior advisor known for his meticulous nature, stepped forward, holding a dossier.
"Your Majesty, we have several urgent matters to attend to," Lord Harrington began, his voice steady. "First, there are the ongoing negotiations with Eldoria regarding trade agreements. We've encountered discrepancies that need to be resolved to ensure favorable terms."
Niklaus nodded, his expression serious. "What are the specific issues with the trade agreements?"
Lord Harrington cleared his throat. "The Eldorian representatives are demanding higher tariffs on our exports, which could significantly impact our revenue. We need to renegotiate these terms to maintain our current trade balance."
Niklaus's eyes narrowed. "We will address that. What else?"
Lord Westfield, another senior minister known for his strategic acumen, took a step forward. "There is also the matter of the rebellion in the western provinces. Reports indicate that unrest is growing, with several villages resisting our control. We need to restore order swiftly to prevent further escalation."
Niklaus's gaze was unyielding. "A rebellion is unacceptable. We need a comprehensive plan to quell it immediately. I want to see detailed strategies and timelines by the end of the day."
The ministers began to take notes and discuss the plans. Lady Morgana, who had been observing from the sidelines, approached the king with a thoughtful expression.
"Your Majesty, may I offer a suggestion?" Lady Morgana's tone was respectful but firm.
Niklaus gestured for her to continue. "Speak."
Lady Morgana's gaze met his steadily. "Given the gravity of the situation in the western provinces, it might be wise to prioritize stabilizing the region before we address the trade negotiations. Ensuring internal stability will strengthen our position and prevent complications during our visit."
Niklaus considered her words. "I agree. We will focus on the rebellion first. Once we have reestablished order, we can turn our attention to the trade agreements. Ensure that our military leaders have clear directives and that the rebellion is subdued swiftly."