Beneath the Vampire King's Desire

Chapter 38

She couldn't quite grasp how long she had been absentmindedly tapping the table in their room, her fingers rhythmically drumming against the surface. The quiet of the space only amplified her anxious thoughts. Hours had slipped by since she had sent a message to Liwayway.

Liwayway had flown all the way to Elderglen, determined to deliver her message in person, and now, as she sat in the silence, the weight of uncertainty settled heavily on her shoulders. Each passing minute felt like an eternity, with her mind replaying their last conversation and the importance of what she had to say. She knew Liwayway understood her better than anyone, and the anticipation of receiving a reply was almost unbearable.

Maaga namang tumungo sa Isla Fuego si Lucius. Kasama nito si Vladimir at bukas nga ang balik nang dalawa dito sa Noctrisrealm. He already told her that he ordered his vampires to cease any activities at the border and forbid them to enter there even a single step. She leaned back in her chair. Tumayo siya at pabalik-balik na naglakad sa loob nang kwarto. Napaigtad naman siya sa gulat nang marinig ang marahang katok.

"Come in." Saad niya nang maramdaman ang presensiya ni Tacia na nasa labas.

Tumigil siya sa kakalakad at tinuon ang tingin sa pinto. Ilang sandali lamang ay bumukas ito at niluwa si Tacia na agad na yumukod.

"My Lady, I apologize for disturbing you. Lord Lavruzko is asking your presence in the Imperial Study." Nakayukong sabi ni Tacia sa kanya.

Biglang kumabog nang malakas ang kanyang dibdib dahil sa sinabi ni Tacia. Ilang beses na nakasalamuha niya na ang ama ni Lucius pero madalas ay hindi ito naglalagi sa Noctrisrealm. Ngayon lamang siya nito pinatawag.

"S-sinabi ba niya kung bakit?" She asked stuttering.

Alam niyang bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pagkabahala at kaba ngayon. Sa buong pamamalagi niya sa Noctrisrealm ay wala namang pinakitang masama sa kanya ang ama ni Lucius pero kahit ganun pa man ay hindi niya maiwasang kabahan. His father is a fearsome vampire in the realm. He was once the ruler before he passed his throne to Lucius. He's a murderer. He killed thousands of people from their kingdom.

"No, My Lady." Sabi ni Tacia.

"S-sige." Mahinang saad niya. "Tacia, kung pwede ay hintayin mo kung may kalapati na pupunta dito sa aking kwarto? It's important."

Inangat naman nito ang ulo at bahagyang tumango.

"Of course, My Lady." Ngumiti naman siya dahil sa sinabi nito.

"Where the Imperial Study located? Pasensiya ka na hindi ko pa tanda ang pasikot-sikot dito sa loob." Sabi niya kay Tacia.

"Nasa ikaapat na palapag po. Sa banda kana sa dulo." Magalang na sagot ni Tacia habang magkasalikop ang dalawang kamay nito.

Inayos niya ang kanyang suot na bestida bago siya nagsimulang maglakad papalabas nang kwarto.

"Babalik lamang ako pagkatapos nang aming pag-uusap." Saad niya bago sinarhan ang pinto nang kwarto.

With each step she took, her heart pounded more intensely, reverberating in her chest like a distant drum. The uncertainty gnawed at her as she pondered the reason for Lucius's father's summons. What could he possibly want from her? She had no idea if she had inadvertently offended him or if her actions had displeased him in some way.

In an effort to steady her nerves, she took a deep breath, inhaling slowly and then exhaling just as deliberately. Each breath was an attempt to calm the storm of anxiety swirling within her.

May ilang tagapagsilbi siyang nadadaanan na mukhang nagtratrabaho. Sa tuwing makikita siya nang mga ito ay binabati siya at yumuyukod ang mga ito para magbigay galang sa kanya. Ramdam niya ang distansiya at lamig nang mga ito sa kanya. Siguro ay hindi pa rin sanay ang mga ito na may isang elf sa Noctrisrealm.