The First Vampire

Chapter 568: 566 Refuse_1
 

The architecture of Oak Manor was exquisite, elegant yet filled with hidden opulence. The pillars holding up the mansion were neither gold nor wood. It was impossible to discern what they were made of, but they were extraordinarily sturdy.

Colin tried touching them, but to his astonishment, he couldn’t leave a mark.

After inquiring with a guard on duty, he found out that these pillars were actually made of dragon bone!

Legend has it that among the Elves, the most powerful warriors in the old days were not the Rangers, but the Druids.

Back then, Druids were formidable beings, capable of going toe to toe with a Giant Dragon.

Regrettably, the class disappeared due to unknown circumstances as time passed. Only elusive legends and scattered relics are left behind, leaving subsequent generations to admire and speculate on their legacy.

Just as Colin was staring at these dragon bone pillars in awe, a clear voice suddenly sounded from behind him:

“Count Angler.”

Colin slowly turned around and saw a young girl dressed in a black ceremonial dress, standing there, looking adorably striking.

She was tall and well-proportioned, delicately featured. Her radiant fair skin gave off the glow of a captivating gem, which complemented her smooth and lustrous blonde hair. Her unique charm was unforgettable at first sight.

“Miss Sallya, I didn’t expect to see you here,” said Colin, genuinely surprised.

Although Oak Manor had once been granted to Prince Lexie, it had been taken back by the Royal Family. As the daughter of Prince Lexie, Sallya would not want to return to this place of sorrow unless she had been invited to do so.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Sallya gathered a lock of hair that had been tousled by the breeze behind her ear, her eyes evaded his gaze, showing an unusual display of shyness.

“I am here at the invitation of His Majesty,” she responded.

Colin was taken aback. Why would Emperor Reinhardt invite Sallya to Oak Manor, especially when a very formal conference was just about to take place here, and she had seemingly no connection to it?

But, looking at Sallya’s blushing cheeks, a sudden thought crossed Colin’s mind-

Could it be that Emperor Reinhardt was contemplating a matchmaking between him and Sallya?

On second thought, it might indeed be possible.

To Emperor Reinhardt, Vera was already as good as a vegetable, while Colin, being young and promising with a bright future, did not have any legitimate heirs. Likely, he would have to return to being single…

So was Emperor Reinhardt trying to draw him over by using Sallya?

Colin suddenly found it somewhat amusing and absurd.

He wondered who had recommended this match to Emperor Reinhardt that they ended up picking Sallya.

Of course, Sallya’s status was suitably noble, and she was indeed beautiful. However, her current predicament was too awkward. Even if Colin truly planned to abandon Vera, he wouldn’t choose Sallya.

After all, the reputation of Prince Lexie was now in ruins. He was an outcast whom everyone in the Empire wanted to attack.

Unless…

Colin suddenly realized something—unless Emperor Reinhardt intended to exonerate Prince Lexie!

Perhaps the invasion of the Orc Empire had stirred fear in Emperor Reinhardt, or maybe the current state of affairs in the Empire was becoming dangerous, slipping out of royal control. Emperor Reinhardt must have realized that the Royal Family still needed someone like Prince Lexie, the Holy Knight, as a cornerstone for stability.

The question remained: How could Emperor Reinhardt be so confident that Prince Lexie would forgive him for everything he had done in the past?

Colin’s silence led to some misunderstandings for Sallya. She lowered her head, as if she couldn’t bear Colin’s intense gaze, and it took her a while to speak. In a low voice, she said:

“Count Angler, I took the liberty to visit the Red Castle before, but unfortunately you were not there…”

“Oh, yes, I heard about that,” Colin came back to his senses and laughed. “I’ve been away lately, and wasn’t available to receive you personally. If I unintentionally neglected you, I hope you will forgive me, Miss Sallya.”

“Count Angler, you are being too modest. I received a warm reception at the Red Castle. It was an unforgettable, wonderful experience. If I have the chance, I would love to see the scenery of the North Territory again.”

Any gentleman hearing these words should take the initiative to extend an invitation, but Colin pretended he didn’t comprehend the implication of Sallya’s words and smiled:

“Miss Sallya, let’s hurry to the Banquet Hall. It would be rude if we are late.”

“Okay.” Sallya lowered her head, a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes, but she obediently followed Colin towards the banquet hall along the corridor.

They did not speak again, and the atmosphere became awkward.

It wasn’t that Colin wasn’t aware of Sallya’s feelings, but he had no intention of abandoning Vera, and he also couldn’t give Sallya too much hope, lest she misunderstand.

If Sallya simply wanted to be Colin’s lover, then that would be fine. Colin was not morally uptight, he would be more than willing to engage in pleasurable experiences if both parties were willing. Unfortunately, what Sallya expected was the position of a legal wife, to which Colin could only regretfully decline.

Soon, the two arrived at the Banquet Hall.

“Count Angler, welcome to Oak Manor!”

As soon as he entered, Colin heard a booming greeting.

“Your Majesty, thank you for your invitation!” Colin respectfully saluted Emperor Reinhardt.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Reinhardt approached and patted Colin’s shoulder enthusiastically. He then glanced at Sallya beside Colin with an ambiguous look and teased:

“Count Angler, have you chosen your companion for this evening?”

Colin’s mouth twitched a few times. He privately criticized the Emperor’s method of winning him over for being too direct, too crude. It was like shoving a lollipop into his mouth while asking, “Is it delicious?”

But there was no helping it, the man was the Emperor of the Empire after all.

Colin could only play dumb and replied: “I apologize, Your Majesty, my lady companion is currently in Winterfell City and is unable to attend tonight’s banquet.”

Emperor Reinhardt frowned, rather displeased with Colin’s unwillingness to cooperate. Just as he was about to flare up, a voice suddenly rang out from the entrance:

“Count Angler, if you need a female companion, I am currently lacking a male companion.”

Emperor Reinhardt’s eyes widened, ready to scold, but when he saw the person, he held his words back.

Because, the person who spoke, was Duke St. Gregorian.

Colin also turned his head and saw that Duke St. Gregorian had ditched her armor for a sky-blue court dress tonight. It accentuated her lovely curves but also exuded a dignified elegance. Her perfect face, enhanced with a touch of subtle makeup, was radiant and attractive. Her composed and graceful demeanor carried a strange beauty that subtly influenced people’s senses, conforming to the rules of nature.

This incredibly beautiful woman who was at the pinnacle of the Way of the Knight possessed an inviolable aura that could easily ignite a man’s primal desires with just a captivating glance.

While Colin was taken aback, Duke St. Gregorian had already swayed up to him, taking the initiative to link arms with him.

Colin could only feel a rich fragrance wafting into his nostrils and the warm sensation from his arm which caused him to lose focus.

Seeing this, Emperor Reinhardt’s suppressed anger resurfaced, making his face flush red.