The First Vampire

Only when he heard Vera’s “Aunt,” did Colin come to his senses.

The Queen of the Glorious Empire was none other than Duke St. Hilde’s biological younger sister.

There was a rumor that before she married, the Queen was already admired for her exceptional beauty in the North Territory, luring hordes of nobles into a feverish pursuit of her.

However, the most charming flower of the North Territory was eventually picked by the Emperor of the Glorious Empire himself.

Queen Midela had a good reputation in the Empire – noble, elegant, kind to others, devout in her faith, and she even bore the Emperor a son and a daughter. She was truly a model queen.

“Hurry, Colin, let’s go greet Aunt!” Vera lifted her skirt and scampered towards the entrance.

Colin quickly followed and, upon seeing her unbridled excitement, curiously asked, “Are you and the Queen very close?”

“Yes! In my mind, Aunt is a perfect noble lady and she is my idol!”

By the time they reached the main castle gate, a large gathering of nobles had already assembled.

Duke St. Hilde also came personally to greet his younger sister.

The clip-clop of horse hooves was clearly audible as a procession of perfectly align carriages appeared before the crowd.

Eight knights in full red armor rode at the front of the procession.

Each of them held a white flag bearing a flame, the crest of the Royal Family of the Empire — the St. Lorenzo family.

Unlike the general nobles who typically used animals as their family crests, the symbol of the Empire’s royal family was a raging flame.

Over a thousand years ago, this flame swept across the continent like a prairie fire, burning down each and every human kingdom, ending the fragmented history of the humans, and establishing one unified great Empire.

A luxurious carriage slowly proceeded into the castle gate.

A knight personally opened the magnificent gold -wood door of the carriage and welcomed a beautiful noblewoman out.

For a moment, her radiance seemed to illuminate the entire castle.

“Your Highness the Queen!”

The welcoming nobles all bowed in unison.

Colin sneaked a glance at the enchanting Queen.

She was dressed in a red low-cut gauze long gown. Her waterfall-like golden

hair loosely draped over her fair shoulders, and her beautiful eyes were as deep as bottomless pools- reflecting every man’s deepest and unspeakable primal desire.

Colin quickly lowered his head, scared to look again.

“Brother, you’ve gotten fat again!”

The Queen’s voice was sweet and had a touch of playfulness, as if teasing her lover.

“Ha-ha-ha!” Duke St. Hilde laughed heartily, patting his round belly, “I can no longer compare my achievements with the former Northern Dukes, so I have to strive in maintaining my weight.”

The Queen smiled, then turned towards Vera standing behind the Duke, “Vera, come here.”

Vera immediately held the Queen’s extended hand, smilingly said, “Aunt, you’re still so beautiful!”

The Queen stroked Vera’s hair and shook her head, “Aunt is old now, unlike you in your prime. I bet after this coming-of-age ceremony, hordes of noble boys will go crazy pursuing you.”

In reality, the Queen was not that old, just slightly past thirty, and she was in the most splendid period of a woman’s life.

The immaturity of a young girl had not completely faded away, but the charm of maturity was quietly blossoming.

She stood next to Vera, looking more like sisters than an aunt and a niece.

“Not at all.” Vera blushed, gently shaking the Queen’s arm, “I don’t want to marry so soon!”

“Alright, if you don’t want to get married, then don’t. Let those eager men suffer for a few more years.”

The two beauties chatted and laughed as they walked into the castle. Colin covertly watched on, marvelling at the superb genes of the St. Hilde family.

Arriving in front of Marquis Garcia, Queen Midela slightly tilted her head and joked with a smile, “Brother, why are you still so serious?”

Marquis Garcia pulled up the corners of his mouth, and somewhat helplessly replied, “Your Highness, I am smiling.”

The Queen shook her head, somewhat at a loss towards this straight-faced man, having no choice but to change the subject:

“I heard you have won another victorious battle recently. An entire troll army of three hundred thousand has been annihilated. A victory like that has not occurred in the North Territory for a long time.

When His Majesty heard this, He was also overjoyed and specifically instructed me to bring his reward for you.”

“However, tomorrow is Vera’s coming-of-age ceremony. Let’s keep the reward for after the ceremony.

After all, we can’t outshine our little princess!”

“Alright.” Marquis Garcia casually nodded his agreement.

“Auntie! I am not a princess. And I am not afraid that Uncle will steal all the attention,” Vera protested shyly, swaying the queen’s arm.

The queen gently tapped Vera’s little hand, soothing the coquettish young girl.

Then, she glanced around the crowd and asked surprisingly, “How come Charles isn’t here?”

The atmosphere momentarily stiffened.

Duke St. Hilde chuckled lightly and explained, “Charles is defending the border.”

“So he cannot even return for his sister’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

“No.” The Duke’s voice was as hard as steel, “He must pay for his mistakes.

Without toppling the troll’s royal city, he can’t return to Winterfell City.”

The queen sighed and turned to look at Adams behind the Duke, “What do you think about your father’s punishment of your brother?”

Marquis Adams quickly straightened his back and declared loudly, “I think father is doing this for the best interest of my elder brother! What he needs most now is redemption.”

The queen laughed softly, a complex look in her eyes.

She gently raised her hand, brushed Adams’ cheek, and whispered, “So you should also be careful. The greater the power you desire, the greater the responsibility you need to bear. The position of Marquis is not that easy to hold.”

“Don’t worry, Auntie! I will try my best to do well! Besides, as a member of the St. Hilde family, I have long been prepared to endure any hardship and tempering! ”

The Queen smiled and turned to the Duke again, “Adams is indeed the son who most resembles you.”

The Duke also smiled, but made no comment about this remark.

Marquis Adams, hearing such praise from the queen, became visibly excited, standing even more upright than before.

“Wow, our Joyce has grown so tall already?” exclaimed the Queen, astonished, when she looked at the Duke’s youngest son.

“Yes, Auntie. Welcome back to Lion Roar Castle.” Joyce was still a bit stiff.

When Midela had married into the Royal Family, Joyce was still not old enough to remember, hence he found his beautiful aunt somewhat unfamiliar.

The queen smiled as she touched Joyce’s hair, and then proceeded to greet the remaining nobles:

“Thank you for your welcome!

As a member of the St. Hilde family, I also welcome you all to Lion Roar Castle!

I hope that you will enjoy your time here!

And together, witness the coming-of-age ceremony of my niece— Vera St. Hilde.”

Having spoken, the queen walked in front alongside Duke St. Hilde, heading into the castle.

All the principal guests had arrived.

The ceremony was about to begin..