Chapter 3 Learning

Cedric continued eating as if he hadn't heard her. Setting the fork to the side, he leaned back in his chair, bringing his hands together to rest on his stomach.

He pursed his lips. “The one who will marry the vampire king is Lucy.”

Her heart dropped. The blood drained from her face. “Me?” She whispered, but he did not answer her. He did not even acknowledge her as he gave the verdict.

“An excellent choice! I’m sure she’ll be splendid. We should write to the king at once!” Rosalind brightened immediately as she spoke with glee. She directed a footman to inform the messenger that a reply would be coming soon and to prepare to leave.

Happy with the turn of events, her stepmother continued with dinner, picking up her fork and resuming her meal.

Portia looked slightly relieved, but Lucy was petrified. They all ate as if nothing had happened except Lucy, who just sat there.

“May I be excused?” she mumbled as she stood, leaving without waiting for an answer. It was hard to maintain her walk until she made it out the doors, and then she was running.

Through the halls and out the scullery door, she almost ran into a footman who managed to avoid a collision. Her eyes welled with tears as she navigated the gardens with poor muscle memory.

In the back corner, a bench her mother had placed under an old oak tree sat. She threw herself on it as if it were her mother's lap.

The tears fell without a sign of stopping. Sobs came from her chest as she could not control them.

She was mourning. The end of her life here at the manor, the future she thought she would have, and the trust in her father to protect her were all dead.

When she stopped crying, her eyes were dry, and her mouth was parched. She looked up at the old tree offering her shelter.

There she vowed to make the best of her situation. If not for herself, she would do it for her mother.

She straightened, wiping her skirts. They were wrinkled beyond repair. The old tree swayed in the wind as the air dried her tear-stained cheeks.

This would be the last time she cried over her fate; she would face it straight on. The sun was high in the sky, the only indication of the time she had.

She walked straight back into the house to the decent-sized library. There were a few books on the vampire kingdom, but she grabbed them, pulling them from dusty shelves, causing her to cough.

Her arms were full when she carried her loot to her chambers, not wanting to stay in the library where anyone could walk in. No one stopped her or got in her way.

By now, word had spread as the servants learned what the king’s message said. They gave her the space needed due to their deep fondness for

Lady Lucy.

The older servants missed the days of her mother, when the halls were filled with laughter. Now, everyone’s head seemed to be permanently bowed in case the new baroness crossed their path.

Once back in her chambers, she went straight for her desk, carefully setting the antique books down. With nimble fingers, she opened the first one.

It was on the geography of the continent. There at the bottom of the continent was her home kingdom. Osteryia, where King Thadeus sat on the throne, was a futile land with beautiful views.

The people there lived peacefully for the most part, as the mild climate made the winters and summers tolerable. King Thadeus was able to keep the lords from feuding with each other, thereby preventing the land from war.

However, there was one rival that outmatched Osteryia in strength. That was where the vampires lived. On a separate sheet of paper, she made notes of things that seemed important to her.

Dragging her finger across the page, Lucy read the Words The Kingdom of Kunlun. That was where the vampires lived.

Their strength and speed were said to be that of the gods. No human would stand a chance. Rumors would swirl of people going missing in their beds during the night as the vampires tried to quench their thirst—the thirst for blood.

Did they really drink blood? Lucy wondered as her eyes scanned depictions on the pages. Surely not, the king would not make an alliance with beings that saw him as food.

Osteryia's only defense was the Manu Desert, which separated the two kingdoms. Few places existed for the vampires to take refuge during the day and escape the scorching sun. However, some still managed.

Lucy could not fathom why the King would want a human bride. She gulped, fearing the answer might not be a pleasant one. Was she to be an enslaved person used for her blood? She read stories of vampires keeping humans like pets or worse, livestock. Her shudder rippled through her as she noticed the blue veins of her arm.

She studied more geography. The capital was called Dinant. There was little information on its terrain. It had been a long time since humans dared to set foot in Kunlun; many had not gone willingly, and the information was dated, to say the least.

Lucy continued to thumb through the books without much luck. Her interest was piqued when she turned to a page titled The House of Noxend

It was the ruling family of vampires, or at least, as of the time her book was written. It said they were the strongest among the vampires.

It said they were feared for their brutal tactics and ruled with an iron fist. Lucy’s heart rate picked up as she read more about the Noxend family.

By the time she finished reading, she was left with more questions than answers. She did not dine with the other members of her family and preferred to have a tray brought to her chambers. No one checked on her to see if she was ok.

Meghan looked as if she wanted to ask questions, but held back when she brought Lucy a simple soup and bread. She knew her well. Her stomach was in no mood for anything heavy.

She sipped the soup as she stared out the window. The sun was setting.

Going to bed, she knew nothing of her future husband. Not even his name. Her father only referred to him as the vampire king. She could ask, but that would require her to speak to him, a task she had no interest in doing. It would not change the outcome anyway.

A sigh escaped her lips as she looked out her window to see the grounds being painted in the sun’s warm light. Soon it would all be just a memory.