Chapter 1

promise to the perished
​

​The radiant light of full moon cast a faint silver glow over the Vrivaryan palace—a rare occurrence as it was situated on the foothills of the Dark Mountains where it was almost always engulfed in darkness. Most would say it was an auspicious omen, one that could elevate the kingdom to new heights, but the recent events made everyone think otherwise.

I quietly stood on one of the precipices in the Dark Mountains overlooking the entirety of the palace grounds, as well as the nearby fiefs of the Revali, Dvorach, and Kuzlav clans. Vrivarya was one of the smallest countries in the northern continent, yet I was overwhelmed by its grandeur and immensity when I first arrived here. More than a year later, I begrudgingly realized how puny and insignificant it was in the hands of the wrong ruler.

The sound of cloaks fluttering in the wintry wind broke the silence I briefly had.

“Are there any suspicious movements from the noble houses?” I asked, acknowledging the arrival of my retainers.

Kei and Irus knelt behind me while I remained staring at the fiefs visible from my point of view.

“Most of them are staying quiet this time, Your Highness,” answered Irus.

“I guess they aren’t all fools.”

“Although the house of Kuzlav seems to be gathering their subordinates discreetly,” Kei added.

“I see. Then we must prepare, too. Let us go back to the palace.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

It had been almost a month since the last court meeting where I announced my intention to claim the throne. There was a constant state of tension inside the palace as the royal house was beginning to split into two factions: those who wanted the king to continue ruling over Vrivarya, and those who were ready to welcome a new sovereign.

Waiting in front of my chamber were my remaining retainers, Sigrid and Moria, who were assigned to monitor the borders.

The four looked confused as soon as they stepped foot in my room that had changed significantly. I had sent them on errands outside the palace grounds and they were only able to return today.

My bedchamber had turned into my personal office after I recovered from the effects of the second awakening.  I had no need for a bed since high level vampires could survive without sleeping, hence, I discarded it and created a reception area where I could receive guests. A huge desk was set up on the other half of the room, which served as my workstation.

They reluctantly sat around the desk as I occupied my seat, but immediately switched gears when I ordered them to report.

“The high sanctums of Ethiana, Romuna, and Fortuna are moving, Your Highness,” Moria said. She was tasked to observe the magi through scrying, a high-level technique among mages that could briefly see their target through any reflective surface.

The annihilation of the group they had sent during the royal parley must have reached every single magi coven across the continents. If they decided to launch a full-scale attack on Vrivarya, the two vampiric kingdoms might join the fray, too, and that would be much more than I could handle as a mere heir.

“I must hasten,” I murmured to myself before looking at them. “Continue monitoring everyone.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” they answered in unison.

After the meeting, I pondered about the steps I must take to realize my grand plans, and the most crucial part was my solidifying my authority. The Revalis promised support, but one noble house wouldn’t be enough to persuade the entirety of aristocrats to proceed with her coronation, especially since the king still has a lot of influence among Vrivaryans.

The only person who could certainly strengthen my claim would be her, and I must gain her support.

***

My footsteps echoed through the desolate hallway leading to the queen’s chamber. Stationed on each side of the door were the two synders that she had dominated using her charm. They immediately drew their lances and pointed it at my direction.

“Stop at once.”

A familiar voice filled the silence, and it was the queen’s attendant, Vanda, who escorted us here before. Her golden irises gleamed dangerously in the dark, but Vanda looked quite surprised upon recognizing my identity.

“Your Highness,” she said with a light bow. “Are you here to meet Her Majesty?”

“I am. Could you announce my presence?”

There was a slight hesitation on her face, but nevertheless heeded my request.

“Your Majesty, Her Highness Vyrka requests for your audience,” she announced and a few seconds later, the door seemingly opened on its own.

The queen was sitting on the couch, perusing royal documents that must have been given by Troian earlier.

“To what do I owe this unbidden visit?” she asked without shifting her gaze from the papers on her hand.

Sitting right across her, I saw that some of the documents she was reading were inquiries about the royal house’s status. 

“I want your support, Your Majesty.”

Her hands halted for a moment before looking straight at me. I thought nothing could ever intimidate me after what happened, but the queen’s golden eyes could rouse the dormant fears beneath my chest.

She put down the documents, sparing me her attention, but it was quite hard to look at her as I could see Zaria’s face on hers. Not only did Zaria get the Dvorach’s bloodline ability, but she also had their ethereal yet cold beauty.

“The king is still strong enough to rule,” she remarked. “Why are you in a hurry?”

Although the king’s ability had considerably weakened because of me, he was still one of the most powerful undead across the continent. His unrivaled strength was also the reason why the kingdoms of Remis and Slovar couldn’t launch a direct attack against Vrivarya upon learning that he broke the ancient laws. His only flaw was his nonexistent political skill, which was compensated by the queen’s cunning ability.

He might be the sovereign, but the queen de facto ruled over the state affairs. She could enjoy such power as long as the king was sitting on the throne.

I met her piercing eyes. “Are you satisfied with the royal house’s status? With your influence?”

Her eyebrows subtly flinched as she tilted her head in both perplexity and curiosity. She was yet to use her charm, but I could already feel the growing force in her presence.

“I do enjoy your father’s political skills—or the lack thereof—as it allows me to silently reign over the kingdom. Only a fool would forgo such power.”

“I will offer you more,” I said.

“More?” she intoned as her lips slightly curved upward. “It is true that you are much wiser than him, but without that child on your side, you are as callow as those pompous nobles.”

I flinched upon witnessing a rare yet indistinct flash of emotion on her face. For a moment, the air in the room felt heavy, and I couldn’t even move a finger.

She might not be fond of Zaria’s weak demeanor, but the queen had acknowledged her skills before. Perhaps besides me, only the queen knew how huge Zaria’s absence was when it comes to future political affairs.

I swallowed the fear creeping through my throat. “I am aware of that. She was a significant factor in my sovereignty, and the only one who could fill her absence would be you, Your Majesty.”

“You dare compare my competence to hers?”

She had been the most powerful vampire from the Dvorach clan, and it was certainly an insult to her pride to be compared to someone who had been labeled as a schlab.

The air crackled from the palpable and overwhelming force exuding from her as I incurred her wrath, but my blood instantly surrounded me in defense before I could even will it myself.

This was the first time it happened, yet I immediately understood the reason why.

“That child…” she blurted out.

“You felt it, didn’t you, Your Majesty?”

The heavy air dissipated as the queen studied my blood that was gradually moving back into my body.

No, not mine, but Zaria’s.

“Although it was her first and last time, Zaria manifested a charm that could rival yours that day, Your Majesty.”

She stayed silent for a few seconds, and I was unable to gauge her thoughts. It might sound presumptuous, but it was what I sincerely felt. Zaria was truly powerful that time.

“Then, it was indeed hers,” she murmured with certainty.

My eyes narrowed with her sudden change of demeanor. “Your Majesty, did you feel her power that time?”

Her eyes met mine once again. “Any charmer can sense a powerful charm even from a distance, especially one that can transcend time.”

Memories of that day vividly flashed in my head. I could remember how Zaria brought time and space to a standstill, which she previously stated was beyond her capacity, and only the most powerful charmers could perform. But to think that she did another one that only manifested this time almost made me lose control again.

“To charm her own blood to protect you from any harm despite her demise is indeed a rare and exceptional skill,” the queen remarked. “It was almost considered a myth as no charm could linger once the user perished…yet that child cast a charm that went beyond her lifetime.”

Zaria said she wanted me to absorb her blood as a reminder that she existed in this world. I honored it as her last wish, blissfully unaware that she had already charmed it using her last strength.

You truly are a selfless older sister, Zaria.

I willed the rage swirling in my chest to simmer down, or I might lose myself, and that would affect my plans.

After regaining my composure, I looked straight at the queen. “With my ability and Zaria’s protection, I have become much more powerful. Your Majesty, if you stand by my side, I will not only strengthen the royal house, but I will also elevate Vrivarya to the very top.”

Her golden eyes dangerously glinted with both interest and desire. “What are you scheming, child?”

“An absolute conquest,” I replied. “Unlike Father who only wish to prove his strength through wars, I will completely raze the realms of Vrivarya’s enemies to the ground.”

***

“It’s been a while,” I whispered as I sat on Zaria’s bed.

Her room was left untouched after her death per my order. After negotiating with the queen, I went straight here to rest.

I willed her blood to come out and it formed itself into crimson tendrils hovering in the air. Truthfully, I was still in disbelief after what happened earlier, and it was making it harder to accept her death even more.

“Even without me, you will be fine…because you are meant to be a ruler.” Her words were still clearly ringing in my ears.

“This is unfair, Zaria.”

She told me I’d be a great queen, and perhaps, her blood was her last gift to me, but I don’t think I could fulfill my promise. I could only be great when she’s by my side. Without her, this damn kingdom meant nothing to me.

​“I apologize, Zaria. My reign will be nothing like what you have envisioned.” Her blood started to return inside my body as I stood up. “For I shall only be a queen for retribution.”

---

Chapter 2 >>

---