"We're here. Come with me—you'll meet Her Majesty now."
The carriage rolled to a stop before a towering palace, its facade both regal and forbidding. Elmenhilde rose, her posture crisp and formal.
Tenra and the girls exchanged nods, saying nothing more. They followed Elmenhilde out, stepping beneath the palace's shadow and into its cold, echoing halls.
For all its grandeur, the interior felt more mausoleum than palace—chill and oppressive, the sort of place where secrets never died.
Vampire guards stood at every passage, their eyes hard and unwelcoming as Tenra's group passed.
Gasper's nerves showed in his fidgeting, but Tenra, Yubelluna, and the rest moved with quiet confidence.
These were minor threats—not even worth a second glance.
Elmenhilde led them swiftly to the throne room.
At the far end, upon a golden throne, sat a woman whose presence demanded silence.
Her crown gleamed against a cascade of silver-white hair, braided with meticulous care. A blood-red robe draped her figure, every inch radiating power and poise.
She was beautiful in a way that stole breath and invited awe—her mere gaze was a command.
This was the Vampire Queen.
Arrayed below her, four ornate seats lined each side of the dais, each occupied by a strikingly elegant vampire woman.
To be granted such a place before the Queen marked them as elders, the highest rank in vampire society.
And in the shadows—dozens of pairs of blood-red eyes blinked into view, silent witnesses to every move.
The room's atmosphere was so thick and strange, an ordinary visitor might have screamed just from the tension.
"Your Majesty, I present the Red Dragon Emperor and his retinue."
Elmenhilde stepped forward, bowing low.
"Well done, Elmenhilde."
The Queen's voice was cool and clear, like water over glass—impossible not to be drawn in.
Elmenhilde moved to stand beside the first seat on the left, next to a woman whose golden hair and delicate features mirrored her own.
Mother and daughter, unmistakably.
Tenra took his place at the center of the hall, Gasper and the girls at his side. He bowed with easy respect.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Tenra Kamiyo of the Phoenix House."
The Queen's lips curved in a subtle smile.
"Your reputation precedes you, Miracle Child of Phoenix, and the current Red Dragon Emperor. I am Akasha Carmilla—Queen of the Vampires."
Her gaze was appraising, but not hostile; the elders and the shadowed eyes watched just as closely.
"I hear from Elmenhilde that you recently rejected my peace proposal—and declared you could wipe out my entire race single-handed. Is that true?"
A playful glint flickered in Akasha's eyes.
The room's temperature seemed to drop another degree. Vampires all around fixed Tenra with razor-sharp attention.
Yubelluna and the others quietly readied their magic, every sense on alert.
Tenra, though, only smiled, unruffled.
"I did reject it, Your Majesty. Your offer lacked sincerity—so we declined."
He shrugged. "And yes, I said I could destroy the vampire race on my own. But that was mostly Elmenhilde's fault. She was so high and mighty, so arrogant, I couldn't resist scaring her a little."
He winked at Elmenhilde, whose face instantly flushed with indignation.
"Tenra Kamiyo, you—you—!"
She trembled with outrage, glaring daggers.
Seriously, Tenra? After all the trouble I went to welcome you, you turn around and badmouth me in front of Her Majesty? I must be out of my mind to trust you!
But to everyone's surprise, Queen Akasha laughed—a soft, melodic sound that filled the hall.
"I'd heard rumors, but meeting you in person is something else. You are an entertaining man, Tenra Kamiyo."
She smiled at Elmenhilde.
"Elmenhilde acts on my orders—she must never let outsiders see us vampires as weak. It seems she's followed my instructions well."
One elegant hand touched her lips.
"Lord Tenra, if Elmen was rude, I apologize on her behalf."
The woman beside Elmenhilde stood and smiled warmly.
"And you are?"
Tenra could guess the connection, but asked anyway.
"I am Lamia Hilde Karnstein—Elmenhilde's mother."
Tenra chuckled.
Elmenhilde, Lamia Hilde… They really are mother and daughter. Not only do they look alike, even their names match.
But something felt off. Weren't vampires supposed to be proud, cold, and distant? Why so friendly, so polite?
He didn't know what game they were playing, but you don't slap a smiling face.
Tenra played along.
"I suppose I was out of line, too. In truth, Miss Elmen is a gracious and charming princess—and we're grateful for her hospitality."
He smiled, but Elmenhilde just huffed and turned away, cheeks still pink.
Red Dragon Emperor, don't think a few sweet words will win me over!
Akasha's laughter echoed again.
"Now, Red Dragon Emperor—state your purpose. You're not here to annihilate us, I hope?"
Her eyes glittered with curiosity.
"Of course not. That was just a joke."
Tenra's voice was calm, direct.
"We're hoping to cross into Tepes territory to rescue a companion. I ask Your Majesty's permission to pass."
Akasha considered him for a moment.
"I see… And if I refuse?"
She smiled sweetly, but the tension in the room snapped taut once more.
Tenra sighed, meeting her gaze head-on.
"Is that really necessary, Your Majesty? I came here to avoid pointless conflict, not because I fear you. But if you insist—"
He smiled, every bit as regal as the Queen herself.
"I'll just have to force my way through."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (50+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/GoldenLong
Happy reading, everyone!