King Rolfe went right to his study, now that he had gotten over the hurdle with Silvan, he needed to send a letter to Vallyn immediately. He was not only in a hurry to remedy his blunder but to also prevent neighboring countries from capitalizing on this moment of weakness.
Being the allies of Vallyn provided them with far more benefits than disadvantages. They were bestowed with an all-powerful country to protect them for as long as the alliance stood, and beyond that, Asten was generously given gifts by the Vampires. All just for a bit of blood given by willing participants.
At first, the neighboring countries had claimed that Asten had sold its integrity and the souls of its citizens but merely a few years later, they all vied to form an alliance with the Vampires.
It had barely been ten years since the alliance was form but Asten flourished greatly in that time, the country growing steadily in riches and military power. The only reason this could happen was because of the Vampires, they no longer expended resources and valuable men to battle the indestructible Vampires, and there was no longer the threat of war from the neighboring countries. The alliance was the lifeblood of the country, he couldn't let it fall apart.
Rolfe showed all of his cards in the letter, he had no reason to keep anything hidden from the Vampires. He would also rather not give the countries he had strained relationships with the chance to capitalize on his secrets.
He promptly sent the letter at once, and behind the letter were carriages loaded with gifts to show his sincere apology. Rolfe knew that the Vampires had no need for gold and diamonds as they had in excess but they wouldn't accept humans as gifts so he had to settle for this.
Rolfe felt drained after writing a simple letter, another coughing fit wracking through him. He ignored his panicked courtier who showed up almost immediately, frantic.
"Your Majesty, should I order for the Head Physician to take a look at you?" Graham hovered over the King, unable to enter his personal space.
Rolfe lifted a hand and shook his head, "I'm fine. In a few days, I'll announce the death of the Princess to the people and order a nationwide mourning." He rose to his feet as he spoke, walking past Graham.
"I'll turn in early, don't bother me with any more matters today." He added dismissively, walking out the door.
It was dark out, night coming swiftly. But the messengers would go on regardless, the nights were safe now so they had no need to worry. Rolfe paused outside his study, hesitation on his face. He had heard from Graham that Silvan had returned to his old quarters in the castle and although he wanted to go see him, he squashed the intention and turned to leave the castle.
Although he had dismissed all other matters for the night, King Rolfe didn't go to his quarters, instead, he walked alone in the dark to the temple. He had been there before so he easily found Silvan's old room. The disciples and priests he walked past on his way there merely bowed to him respectfully, none of them saying a word.
Rolfe stepped into the empty and drafty room, closing the door behind him. It was dark, the candles at the altar had been put out. The gold necklace by the bed soon caught his attention as his eyes adjusted to the darkness but he didn't dare touch it, dropping to his knees in the middle of the room.
The burdens of his country were heavy but he had to bear it with a regal countenance. He did not care for salvation, he only wanted to ease the sacrifice he had given to his second son.
-+-
In a scant few days, the messenger from Asten had reached Vallyn. The two countries shared boundaries so there was barely any distance between them, their boundaries merging gradually after the alliance was signed.
King Vatore sat on his throne, bored gray eyes staring down at his subjects. Glittering eyes peered up at him from the lavishly dressed court, waiting for a moment of weakness from the current Vampire King they could capitalize on.
Vatore didn't care. Might made right among Vampires, if anyone managed to wrench the crown from his hands, then they deserved to sit on the throne instead of him.
Vampires had a long lifespan and little worries, so all that filled the court was petty squabbles and entertainment. He yawned as he gazed at the solemn play being performed, bored beyond words, not for the first time, he wished he didn't have to attend court.
But with all the power-hungry Vampires in his court, it was unavoidable. If he stopped attending court, they would capitalize on that and force a crack through his impenetrable might.
Vatore knew that most of the Vampires were interested in the throne out of boredom and not out of any personal dislike or dissatisfaction, after all, he had successfully forged an alliance with the country right at their doorstep, cutting down the need to hunt for blood.
Vatore regretted doing that sometimes, because it just made his subjects all the more idle, the boredom driving them to silly antics. It kept him occupied in a way, so it was all a means to an end.
The grand gold doors slowly opened, a liveryman standing ramrod straight with an efficacious scroll in his gloved hands. "Messengers from the Country of Asten have arrived." He announced at large to the Royal Court.
Vatore lifted his head up at this, the boredom going out of his eyes. Messengers from Asten were not uncommon, he frequently exchanged letters with the human King. But with the approach of the joining of their two countries by Royal marriage, this message was received with a lot of interest by the court at large.
Two rows of neatly marching guards made their way in, their expressions relaxed despite being in a room full of the most powerful Vampires in Vallyn.
"Your Majesty," The emissary in the lead dropped to his knees in reverence, the men behind him doing the same. "We bear a message from our King, His Royal Majesty, King Rolfe of Asten."