The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 210. Hiding Something

Chapter 210: 210. Hiding Something

Breakfast was brief for Jael and he was back in the study again with Erick’s deathly pale face looking back at him. He could tell that neither of them was pleased with the arrangement.

He didn’t even bother to wait for Mauve to finish her meal before he left

He was as sick of this as Erick was and considering Erick had been stuck with this longer than he has he could only imagine the nerve-racking situation.

At least he felt better after a good day’s rest and all that happened during it. Erick on the other hand looked like he had been dragged down a mountain with a rope around his neck.

"Did you get any sleep?" He said to the dazed figure that sat across from him.

"Huh?" Erick asked, snapping out of whatever trance he was in.

"I said did you get any rest?" Jael sounded irritated.

"It’s not the lack of sleep that’s getting to me. It’s these four corners. The tight space is squeezing my throat. When this is over, I never want to see the inside of your study ever again, your Grace."

"Touche, the faster we can finish this, the better for you. Now, snap out of whatever that is."

"Yes, Sire." Erick sneered and sat up straighter. He leaned forward as he sorted the letters.

"Are there any new ones?"

"I don’t think so," Erick said. "I didn’t accept any through the entirety of yesterday. However, I don’t know if somebody else did."

Jael wasn’t surprised, he knew word had definitely gone around that he was back in the castle. It was one thing to send a letter to the castle knowing he wasn’t there and a completely different thing now that he was back.

The Lords had nerve but he was still King and even though the Lords were just a step below him, he was still on top. There was a limit to just how hard they could piss him off.

"There is one," Erick suddenly announced.

"What?" Jael dropped the current letter he was reading. "Who?"

"Lord Garth," Erick said, squinting.

"Read it out," Jael ordered and groaned.

There was no particular reason to worry about this because Lord Garth’s letters had mostly been concern and disappointment at the fact that Jael couldn’t attend the party.

He had to go on a lengthy explanation and what had transpired. He did promise the Lord and as much as he hated to go back on his word it was an unfortunate circumstance.

"Your Grace," Erick started with a cracked voice and Jael glared at him.

"Just give it to me," Jael ordered and Erick stretched it out toward him.

Jael pulled it a little forcefully out of Erick’s grasp. The vampire pulled back and returned his attention to the rest of the letter.

Your Grace,

I apologize for the inconsiderate nature of my letter after you had to go through such an attack.

I am glad you’re back in the castle. It would be unfair of me to ask that you leave after just arriving. Therefore, I will visit you myself...

"What?" Jael shouted.

Erick didn’t flinch nor he asked what was wrong. He probably already saw it while reading the letter

Jael pinched the bridge of his nose. This was annoying. He had too much on his plate right now to deal with guests.

There was the lack of progress with Palers, the urge for him to get a mate, Mauve’s request to rebuild the fence, and then the damn meeting.

He also needed to set up a training squad soon enough, one that would deal with palers specifically. However, he needed a proper weakness of the Palers before he could even attempt this.

Unfortunately, they still had nothing. This wasn’t good in any way and he didn’t want to make irrational decisions out of urgency.

"Are you going to decline his request for a visit?" Erick asked, pulling Jael out of his thoughts.

"Most likely..." He frowned slightly and resumed reading the letter.

Therefore, I will visit you myself. I pray that you accept my humble request. I should arrive at the castle in three days. I will consider a lack of response as an acceptance of my request.

Jael winced, he forgot Lord Garth could be a righteous pain in the rear. If he declined, he would not be able to decline Lord Garth’s request if he asked Jael to fulfill the party promise and there was no way he could leave the castle, let alone for that long.

However, maybe Lord Garth wanting a visit wasn’t a completely bad thing. Besides, he could tell that this was just a social call; there was probably something else going on.

He groaned. If only he had something about the palers. It would be a perfect time to set up the meeting. At first, he didn’t want to but after going through the letter there was no way he wasn’t going to.

The only problem was, he wanted the meeting to coincide with the announcement of the squad that would deal with the palers.

Aside from the meeting, Lord Garth was also the vampire he had to speak with about the reconstruction of the walls.

Jael touched his head, maybe it wasn’t such a terrible thing that the Lord was coming. Unfortunately for him, three days was too soon.

However, he wouldn’t decline Lord Garth’s request. At least not yet. For now, he was more worried about the rest of the letters, he would deal with that later.

He tossed it to the side and picked up another letter.

"I am assuming you have made a decision."

"Something on that line," Jael said.

"Okay, Sire," Erick said with a straight expression.

Jael was not only concerned about the vampire he ruled over and the state of things here but Mauve worried him.

Aside from the fact that she had survived a paler’s attack without any adverse effects, her father’s response still gnawed at the back of his mind.

He knew something wasn’t right and he grew curious about this as the day dragged on. She seemed to be settled here and that was a little too odd.

He has been to the human Kingdom, and he knew how different things were there, yet she warmed up to the vampire regions pretty fast.

He had expected her to want to leave after getting attacked. It wasn’t only dark here but it was also dangerous. However, she was thinking about rebuilding the walls and not because she wanted to feel safer about the Palers.

His brows dipped. There was no doubt that he wanted her by his side and even if she wanted to leave, he wouldn’t let her but the fact that she wasn’t putting up some kind of fight, amongst other things have gone on far longer for him to not think there was something odd about it.

He intended the get to the bottom of this, one way or another. The only problem was how he couldn’t exactly ask her or stomp to the palace.

If they were hiding something, he doubted he would be told if he asked. He would have to find some other means.

...

"Mill," Mauve called sternly. "Do you really intend to follow me around?"

"No, however, I have finished most of my tasks today and I figured you wouldn’t mind some company."

"I appreciate your concern, Mill but it almost seems like you’re following me around instead of alleviating my boredom."

"You misunderstand me, Mauve. That aside, where would you like to go? The rooftop, the library?"

Mauve glared at the vampire as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I already promise to let you know where I am."

"Well, there will be no need for you to have to inform me if I am right by your side. Besides, His Grace asked me to keep an eye on you. Let’s not forget your arm is still healing."

"I will very much prefer to do this on my own. I am sure I can manage."

Mauve squinted her eyes. Why was Jael suddenly concerned for her? Was it because of last night?

She did notice he was refusing to drink her blood for a while now and even when he did earlier, it felt more like a sip than anything else.

Their relationship didn’t feel odd, besides, it felt better than ever. Unfortunately, she couldn’t help feeling that something bad was coming.

"I can aside another servant if you would prefer that." Mill offered with a smile. "But I am afraid, I can no longer let you wander alone. For your safety."

"Fine, you can follow me around. I don’t mind." Besides, company was always welcomed.

Mill brightened up immediately, "Of course, Mauve. Where are we headed?"

"The garden," Mauve announced and stood to her feet.

Mill glared at her, "Surely, you don’t expect to go there in this attire. It’s a bright-colored dress, Mauve."

"I only want to see the plants. I don’t have to do anything until almost dawn."

"Absolutely not! Not on my watch."