Heart of a Hero: Somehow I've become the Vampire Queen?!

Chapter 36 - The Princess and the Shady Vampire

Ambra meandered through the manicured gardens of the Duke's estate, her eyes wide with amazement at the ornate beauty around her. Towering trees with branches swaying gently in the breeze offered cool shade, their leaves shimmering in the dappled sunlight. Vibrant flower beds erupted in a riot of colors, filling the air with a perfume so intoxicating it was almost otherworldly. Exotic plants that she had never seen before spiraled upwards, as if reaching for the heavens, and elegant statues of mythical creatures stood frozen in their eternal dance, lending an air of whimsy to the surroundings.

Despite the garden's serenity, the sounds of martial training wafted through the air, punctuating the quietude. Ambra followed the noise and soon came upon a clearing where a handful of guards—men and women alike, their faces stern and focused—were practicing. Their armor glinted in the sun, and their weapons moved in swift arcs as they shouted, "For His Grace!" The fervor in their voices bespoke a loyalty that couldn't be easily dismissed.

A satisfied smile crept across Ambra's face as she watched. The guards seemed competent, well-trained, and committed to their duty. Yet, as she continued past the training grounds, she caught sight of a few wary eyes shooting her less-than-welcome glances. The guards' faces tightened subtly, eyes narrowing as if questioning her presence there.

Tired of feeling like an unwanted vermin—and slightly indignant at being regarded as suspicious when she had just returned their elusive Lady Camila—Ambra decided to let their glances slide off her like water off a duck's back. She was, after all, here on an assignment, and if they didn't understand that, it wasn't her problem to solve.

Pulling her cloak a bit tighter around her as if to physically ward off their suspicion, she continued her trek deeper into the Duke's estate. Her boots made a soft crunching noise on the well-maintained gravel pathways, and as she walked, the grand façade of the Duke's mansion began to loom larger ahead of her.

As Ambra ascended the steps leading to the grand entrance of the Duke's mansion, her eyes couldn't help but admire the intricacy of the carved wooden doors. With a deep breath to prepare herself for whatever lay inside, she gave a firm knock. The door creaked open, revealing a young maid with curious brown eyes and a slightly disheveled appearance, as if she had been in the middle of some urgent task.

"Yes?" the maid inquired, her eyes narrowing subtly as she took in Ambra's cloak and general appearance.

"I'm Ambra," she introduced herself briskly, "Lady Camila's new security detail. I've come to meet her."

"Her Highness's security detail?" The maid's voice tinged with skepticism, her eyes flickering with a kind of wariness Ambra was getting all too used to. For a fleeting moment, Ambra considered explaining herself further but decided against it. She was tired of justifying her presence.

With a sigh, she simply said, "Thank you for opening the door," deciding to let her actions speak louder than any words could.

The maid, perhaps sensing that Ambra was neither a threat nor in the mood for prolonged scrutiny, relented. "Very well. Lady Camila is in the drawing room, down the hallway to your right." She pointed, keeping her eyes on Ambra as she stepped inside.

Ambra nodded and began to make her way down the corridor, her boots clicking softly on the marble floor. The mansion's interior was as opulent as its exterior. Fine tapestries adorned the walls, and the air was filled with the subtle aroma of incense. Priceless vases and sculptures populated elegant tables, and every chandelier seemed to be an artwork in its own right. Yet for all its grandeur, the mansion felt strangely empty, almost as if it were a beautiful shell waiting to be filled.

As she walked, Ambra felt the maid's eyes on her back until she turned the corner, finally out of sight. Continuing to walk down the decorated halls, she had now arrived before the pristine white doors that led to the drawing room.