Beneath the Vampire King's Desire

Chapter 21

As she blinked, she found herself in the Kingdom of Arvandor stretched out before her, a realm of stunning beauty and magic.

The kingdom was filled with tall, golden towers and sparkling castles perched on cliffs. The land below was covered in green meadows and bright wildflowers. Griffins soared gracefully above, their powerful wings spreading across the sky. Around the edges of the kingdom were large, silver-leaved forests, and clear rivers and lakes glittered in the sunlight.

"We have arrived, My Lady, My Lord." Bahagyang yumuko si Haru.

She felt the griffins' intense stares and the palpable disdain in their aura as they looked at her companion. Their disapproval was clear.

"Greetings, Lady Elara and Lord Lucius." Sinalubong sila ng right-hand ni King Gerard.

"Thank you. It's our pleasure." Ngumiti siya sa lalake.

Tahimik lamang si Lucius at hindi nagsalita. Tiningnan niya pa ito ng masama pero nagwalang-bahala lamang ito.

"Let's meet with the King." Sumunod sila dito.

Habang naglalakad ay kinakausap sila ng right hand nito. Ito ang unang beses na nakatapak siya sa Arvandor. Nararamdaman niya naman ang mga matang pinupukol ng griffins lalo na sa kasama niya. They seems uncomfortable.

She understood the gravity of the situation, especially with Lucius being a vampire from the Noctrisrealm. As the vicious ruler known for his ruthless nature, he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds. In just one day, they would witness the face of the man who had caused so much suffering.

Bumukas ang malaking pinto at bumungad sa kanya ang hari na agad na ngumiti ng makita sila. Agad na yumukod siya. Nakita niya sa gilid ng mata na nakatayo lamang si Lucius at diretsong nakatingin sa harap. Napailing na lamang siya.

"Welcome, welcome!" Masiglang bati ng hari.

Lumapit ito sa kanila at nakipag-kamay. She shakes his hand at ganun din ang ginawa nito kay Lucius. Mahinang sinipa niya naman ang paa ng lalaki ng tingnan lang nito ang hari. Ilang sandali laman ay tinanggap din nito ang kamay ng hari.

"I will lead the way to the Garden of Hope." Sabi ng hari.

Nakangiting tumango lamang siya at sumunod dito. Habang naglalakad ay nagkwekwento ito ng history ng Arvandor.

The kingdom's origins are deeply rooted in the legend of the first great griffin, Geran..." Patuloy na kwento nito.

"Why do we even have to pray in their ancestors?" Narinig niyang tanong ni Lucius.

Tiningnan niya ito ng masama. Binalik niya ang tingin sa hari kung narinig nito ang tanong ni Lucius. Nang makitang patuloy na nagsasalita ito ay nagsalita siya ng mahina.

"It's a tradition of the Seven Kingdoms that any member of the royal family about to wed must follow." Matalim na tiningnan niya ito.

He just smirked at her. Hindi niya na lamang pinansin ang lalaki.

"Bathala and the ancestors from the Seven Kingdom blesses us." She added.

Each time a member of the royal family is about to marry, it is tradition to visit the Seven Kingdoms of the Magical Realm. This ceremonial journey serves to seek guidance and show respect to each kingdom. During the visit, they pray at the sacred sites of each realm, asking for blessings and wisdom for the upcoming union, honoring the deep bonds and mutual respect shared among the kingdoms.

"You will do this for eternity, Lucius." Seryosong sabi niya. "That's the consequence of marrying an elf."

Mas binilisan niya ang paglalakad para maabutang ang hari. Hanggang sa makarating sila sa Garden of Hope ay hindi na siya nagsalita. They began preparing and praying. The right hand also instructed Lucius. Hanggang sa matapos ay tahimik lamang siya.