The Crown's Seduction

Chapter 24: Converted Vampires

"Will she really be alright, Dani?"

Zaila couldn't help but worriedly ask Dani as soon as they were inside her fellow shadow maiden's cabin. While the three of them were given separate cabins not far from the Queen's private quarters, they still all decided to have a meeting after what they'd just been through.

Dani helplessly sat on the nearest chair to the table while Krisha and Zaila followed her.

"This is the first that this has happened," Krisha anxiously sighed. "I mean, she shouldn't be that exhausted for her to pass out like that. We've barely even traveled that much."

Before, their Queen would only pass out from great exhaustion after she did something considerably strenuous like participating in hunts or practicing spellcraft and alchemy using much of her inner energy. Clearly, this was far from the case, so why would she pass out after just a day of traveling?

"I am not sure as well. However, once she wakes up, we will find out," Dani remarked. "I will monitor her situation for now. In the meantime, we must move and gather information." She then turned to both Krisha and Zaila, her instructions already flowing from her mouth for her respective fellow maiden.

"Krisha, deliver a message to Niran and make sure that no one will know of your every action. Be swift and move without a trace. As for you, Zaila, go out and mingle with the others. We need to know more on how these people see our Queen."

Zaila's face paled as she asked, "Can I swap with Krisha?"

Dani frowned. Naturally, she was the head of their Queen's Shadow Maidens. As such, Mineah had given her the authority to take action as chief-in-command should their superior be unavailable.

Instead of replying, Dani simply gave her fellow maiden a pointed look. Eventually, Zaila shrugged. "Fine, I'll do it and mingle with those vampires," she sighed in resignation. "Damn, I just hate how those suckers bluntly stare at my bare neck!"

Krisha chuckled. "And who told you that you had to wear an off-shoulder dress?" she pointed out. "Look at me and Dani. We're wearing clothes that cover our necks for our safety."

"Hmm, but my chest is a great asset. It would be a pity not to flaunt them," Zaila defended.

She then let out a weak sigh as she added, "I was thinking…. What if Her Majesty got really exhausted during our journey? I mean, the King stayed with her inside the grand carriage. And looking at that thing, it might be comfortable enough inside to, you know… For them to cuddle and do more…"

Dani blinked at Zaila in disbelief. Likewise, Krisha was also stunned with what she just heard.

"Well, I'm just saying that since there seems to be no other reason for Her Majesty to get exhausted and reach her limit to pass out like that, then something must have happened," Zaila reasoned. "Surely, it's not because she read a few books or took some lessons from His Majesty, right?"

"Zaila, stop that. Do you really think they will consummate their marriage inside the carriage?" Krisha sharply rebutted. "What are you thinking? Besides, Her Majesty doesn't have any marks on her skin. And as we know, vampires-"

"You two, stop with the gossip and leave the room," Dani grumbled, having finally lost her patience from hearing the slanderous discussion. "We have work to do…"

"Fine," the two answered in chorus and quickly left Dani alone in her room.

Left to her own devices, Dani let out a sigh as she stared blankly at the table in front of her. She was in deep thought about the whole situation. Something was amiss. She couldn't help but wonder if what happened tonight with Mineah had something to do with the curse she harbored.

She let out another deep sigh. Not one among them knew the exact details about the curse their Queen was afflicted with except for the fact that they must help her find the best astronomer in the world. One that could somehow help predict when the moon would turn red.

Wordlessly, she readied herself to check on their Queen's condition once more. Grabbing her usual tools, Dani went out of her cabin and made her way to the King's private quarters. She was almost near the door when the figure of a tall man suddenly appeared before her.

"I apologize, milady, but you're not allowed to disturb the king and queen at this moment," the imposing man informed her.

Defiantly, Dani narrowed her eyes at the man and replied, "But I must check on Her Majesty."

"Didn't His Majesty already tell you that you will be notified once she's awake?" the man dubiously pointed out as if he was mocking her. "You can do nothing for now, so either go back to your cabin or join the festivities on the main deck."

Suspicious, Dani pressed further. "Who are you, exactly?"@@novelbin@@

"I'm Taro, milady," the man introduced himself.

"You're a Scion of the King then?" she asked in confirmation, to which Taro simply nodded.

Dani took a glance at his face. He had forest green eyes, which looked striking when compared to the usual hue of a vampire's eyes. Aside from Purebloods and an Exordium, only a Scion was able to keep their irises' natural color after they were turned.

The King was a pureblooded Exordium, so she could only assume that his Scions; abilities would be just as exceptional.

Seeing the opportunity to gather information, Dani asked, "The woman earlier… Lady Rosela… Who is she?"

The woman in question could be a potential threat to their Queen, and it wouldn't do for Dani to not do anything about it. In fact, she already didn't like the woman just from the first glance she took of her a while ago.

Their Queen acted out of impulse back then, having suddenly clung to the King in defense of her position. Of course, Rosela was the reason for such a move. She was a threat… one that must be dealt with if needed.

"Lady Rosela was a Scion of the former King, King Arturo," Taro answered, making Dani nod.

From what she recalled, Scions were more privileged than most converted vampires since they wouldn't die should their Maker perish. The venom of an Exordium was stored in their turned's hearts, somehow preventing death, unlike other converted vampires from non-exordium varieties like Curbs, the tamed ones, and Rampants, the untamed ones.

Having gotten a decent answer, Dani gave Taro a genuine smile as she extended her hand to him for a handshake. "I'm Dani, Taro. It's nice to meet you…"

"I think it's rather late for that kind of formality," Taro coldly answered as he simply stared at her hand.

Blinking, Dani retracted her hand. "I guess you're right," she whispered. She then gave him an awkward smile as she asked, "Are you going to join the festivities on the main deck?"

"If you want more information for any questions you have, then I will try my best to give you those answers," Taro bluntly replied. "Our King is generous enough to have instructed us to be attentive and take extra care not just to our Queen, but also to the people around her that she cares for…"

Dani was speechless. That was… surprisingly thoughtful… But still, it was way too early for her to trust this Vampire King for the safety of their Queen Mineah! She wanted more information, and if this man was going to be her only reliable source for now, then maybe it would be a good thing to befriend him.