CHAPTER 128: VAMPIRE’S CLAIM

Alvaro pushed Vlad’s body away. But the vampire pressed against him, then quickly released his kiss and turned his head, his crimson eyes glinting with amusement and danger.

Vlad looked at Huron and smirked. Then he let go of Alvaro, his expression sharp, as though daring the general to challenge him in front of everyone present.

"What are you doing?" asked Huron, his face fierce and expressionless as usual. He had already heard Alvaro’s explanation about his relationship with Sylas from Adrien. And he wondered who this man was who had made his adopted son fall in love.

He never expected that person to be Vlad, a vampire hundreds of years old. Why was the vampire targeting Alvaro?

Huron had never dealt directly with Vlad, but as a nobleman he knew many things. He had seen portraits of the vampire when talking to several nobles. He remembered the figure carefully. Vlad was not only rich but also powerful and influential.

"Nice to meet you, General," Vlad greeted him. He didn’t remember seeing that man in the palace, but he knew him well after learning about Alvaro’s background. He thought he had seen a young Huron once in the Thalden region.

"Don’t you realize you are in the palace?" asked Huron.

Vlad tilted his head. "I didn’t see any signs, General. Are people now forbidden to kiss?"

Huron frowned. Such a relationship was clearly inappropriate in public. And yet the vampire was still asking questions.

Huron looked at Alvaro, who had turned away. "Alvaro, explain this to me. Is he your lover?"

Alvaro looked at his adoptive father indifferently. "Sorry, General, but I don’t think that’s any of your business. It was a mistake, and I won’t do it again," Alvaro replied.

"Alvaro!"

Vlad chuckled. "As his adoptive father, you have no right to force him. As a general, you have no right to forbid your subordinates from being with anyone. I’m not a servant and I have no connection to the palace. I know the palace rules, and I can assure you Alvaro hasn’t broken any of them. Do you want to use your position to look powerful? I can help you, if you want."

Huron fell silent, staring at Vlad, clearly disturbed by the vampire’s words. "Lord Vlad, I know you are a nobleman. I hope you set a good example for the public."

"Why? I have no interest in setting an example." Vlad stood tall and folded his arms.

Huron clenched his fists. He would not allow his son to have a romantic relationship with a vampire. Alvaro would only end up heartbroken and ruined. Worse, there were rumors that the vampire had many slaves and using them as his source of blood. He would not allow Alvaro to become that man’s prey.

"Lord Vlad, I ask you to release Alvaro. I will not hesitate to send troops if you insist," Huron said threateningly. He used this chance to try to control Vlad’s power in the kingdom.

Until now, no one had dared to touch the vampire. And Huron had never had a reason to provoke him. Although Vlad was dangerous, he was always careful in his actions.

Vlad only smiled, but that smile made Huron’s hair stand on end. As he walked closer, Huron felt a sharp pain in his chest.

Huron held his breath, his chest tightening as if something heavy was pressing on it, and he stepped back without thinking. "You... What are you doing?" he snapped, gasping.

Alvaro stared at Huron and Vlad in shock. He held Vlad back. "Please, don’t cause trouble," he pleaded softly. If anything happened, he would also be punished.

Vlad gently lowered Alvaro’s hand and looked at him. "I won’t let you go, so I have to do something."

Vlad looked straight at Huron. "Aren’t you the strongest man, the one who leads hundreds of thousands of soldiers? Do you realize, General, that you are no match for me? You want to sacrifice thousands of troops just because of a relationship you don’t approve of, one you have no right to decide?"

Vlad grinned. "I’m very entertained, General."

Huron took a deep breath, clutching his chest. "Do you know what the consequences are for hurting a general?"

Vlad folded his arms and tilted his head. "Hm? What do you mean, General? I didn’t touch you at all."

"You..." Huron felt his chest tighten more and stepped back again.

Vlad stared at him. "General, I am Vladimir Hans, a citizen of Valigria. I obey the laws and follow the kingdom’s rules. I also have the right to live peacefully and live my life. So I ask you, respectfully, not to bother me or interfere in my relationship with anyone. Especially with Alvaro. Because he is my lover."

Huron was stunned and fell silent.

Alvaro was even more shocked to hear this. The man was claiming their relationship when it wasn’t true.

Vlad looked at Alvaro, smiling mischievously at his surprise, then turned back to Huron.

Huron didn’t know what else to say. Because what the vampire said was true—he couldn’t punish anyone who had done nothing wrong.

The general glared at Vlad but was startled when the figure suddenly vanished. He looked around in shock, searching for the vampire.

Where did he go?

Suddenly, something grabbed him from behind. It was so fast. Before Huron could react, Vlad’s hand was wrapped tightly around his stomach.

His instincts told him to push the hand away, but he couldn’t. Vlad’s grip was like iron.

"What are you doing?!" Huron shouted.

Hearing him, the guards rushed over, raising their swords and surrounding Vlad, waiting for the general’s order.

Vlad grinned. He pulled Huron closer and whispered, "One more thing... If you don’t know, I can kill thousands of soldiers without touching them. So think carefully before you confront me, General."

Huron’s body trembled with rage. How dare the vampire threaten him. But he could feel for himself how strong Vlad was and what kind of power he had just used. The vampire had abilities no human could match.

He would be a fool to fight him. Now he understood why so many nobles wanted Vlad on their side.

Finally, Huron calmed himself. He ordered his guards to stand down.

Vlad chuckled softly into his ear. "You were so handsome when you were young. It’s a good thing I didn’t take you to my manor. You wouldn’t be a general now."

Huron shuddered. He pulled Vlad’s hand away with all his strength. His whole body tingled just imagining being the vampire’s prisoner.

"You crazy vampire!" he cursed once he broke free.

Vlad grinned. "Don’t worry, you’re not my type anymore."

Huron glared at him, then looked at Alvaro. "Did he force you? Did he kidnap you the other day?!"

Alvaro’s heart pounded. He didn’t want to admit he had been kidnapped, raped, and intimidated by Vlad. That would only make things worse.

"You don’t need to worry, General. He’s not what you think," Alvaro replied.

Vlad smiled.

Huron’s breathing grew faster. "Is he really your lover? Of all the women—"

"General, please don’t interfere in my life," Alvaro interrupted. His head spun just imagining the rumors that would spread after Vlad’s words.

Huron immediately remembered they were in a public place. He controlled his emotions, then looked at Alvaro. "Meet me tomorrow morning."

Alvaro didn’t answer, but Huron quickly walked away.

Alvaro clicked his tongue in annoyance. Then he looked at Vlad. "Can’t you stop causing trouble for me?" he said.

"Trouble? I’m helping you, Sweety."

"Damn it, don’t call me that! You’re not helping at all!"

"Sooner or later everyone will know. It’s better they find out sooner. Then I can see you anytime I want," Vlad said with a grin.

Alvaro was shocked again when Vlad pulled him close and kissed him quickly. He turned his face away.

"No! Not here!" he said, glancing at the guards who were watching them with disgust.

Vlad nodded. "All right, as you wish."

Alvaro frowned, not understanding what he meant. Especially when Vlad told the coachman to take the slaves to the festival and look for Sylas.

Then his eyes went wide when Vlad suddenly lifted him into the air. At once he felt something terrible was about to happen.

"W-what?! Where are you taking me?!" Alvaro yelled, closing his eyes as the wind whipped his face.

"Somewhere quiet."

"NOOO!!"

***

Huron returned to his residence and saw a group of crows circling the royal family’s palace. He frowned. For the past few days, the crows hadn’t appeared. But now they were back.

He ordered the guards to chase them away, but no one dared. They feared the curse more.

Elsewhere in the palace, a dark shadow followed Amos.

Amos walked slowly, unnoticed as he moved quietly through the corridor. He hurried to his room.

He was surprised to find it completely dark. No more light.

The shadows around him moved. "You like it?" a voice sighed and whispered.

"Ah..." Amos smiled.