The First Vampire

Colin knew that Prince Okamoto’s visit to the North Territory this time was to seek peace.

As a defeated party, Okamoto would have to humble himself and lower his stance to get the North Territory to agree to peace.

But Colin never assumed that Okamoto would lower his stance to such an extent.

He had almost bent down to the ground.

It seemed like if Duke St. Hilde didn’t forgive them, it would be a slight to the knight’s virtue of forgiveness.

Honestly, Colin thought the young troll prince was quite clever.

Because the Troll Empire was already severely damaged, with the demise of their three hundred thousand elite regular army, it would be impossible for them to recover without three to five years.

And as the Troll Empire’s biggest enemy, the North Territory would definitely not miss such a good opportunity, and would not sit idly by and watch the Troll Empire recover.

Therefore, in Colin’s view, this peace negotiation was just a one-sided wish of the trolls.

But who would have thought, Prince Okamoto was so thorough right down to his insanity.

Since he couldn’t resist the North Territory, he simply gave up resistance.

He handed over all his border military stations just to tell Duke St. Hilde— I am no longer a threat to you, please don’t bully me anymore.

It is indeed a crazy choice.

But it might indeed sway Duke St. Hilde.

Especially because Colin knew that the biggest threat in Duke St. Hilde’s eyes right now, was actually Marquis Garcia—his younger brother who had just betrayed him.

Would the Duke agree to the Troll’s peace proposal and concentrate all his efforts on resolving the internal conflict?

The atmosphere at the banquet became somewhat heavy.

Vera didn’t know what to do at this point, so she could only look at Duke St. Hilde with pleading eyes for help.

The Duke put down his wine cup and said in a quiet tone, “Prince Okamoto, your gift seems a bit too valuable.”

Prince Okamoto smiled and shook his head, “Duke, how can this be considered valuable. In fact, I feel like such a gift does not even match Miss Vera’s status!

Thus, I have decided to solemnly promise to you—if I serve as the southern prince of the Troll Empire, I will not initiate war with the North Territory!”

“Whoa—I’

The entire room gasped, people were stunned by the “generosity” of the Troll prince.

Duke St. Hilde stared at Okamoto, “Is this your gift?”

“Yes,” Prince Okamoto put his left hand on his chest, bowed to Duke St. Hilde, and spoke loudly, “And it also serves as my dowry to ask for Miss Vera’s hand in marriage!”

“Whoa—I’

The reaction was even stronger this time around, the whole room was buzzing like a hornet’s nest.

All those men who wanted to court Vera were glaring at the Troll Prince. It’s as if they wanted to knock him down on the spot and scold him— You think you’re worthy?

Vera’s little face instantly turned red.

Then slowly paled.

Because, she saw that her father did not immediately refuse Prince Okamoto’s request, but fall deep into thought, as if he was genuinely considering the feasibility of this matter!

Vera panicked.

She wouldn’t want to marry off to the distant Sky Ice Plain, let alone to a troll!

Feeling panicked, she looked for that dependable figure in the crowd…

Colin also noticed Vera’s distress.

He was originally hesitant.

After all, his identity as a viscount, wanting to marry a duke’s adopted daughter, seemed like he was reaching too high.

He was hoping to showcase more military achievements, raise the title of the Angler family higher, and then propose.

But when Vera’s gentle eyes looked over, Colin finally made up his mind.

He couldn’t hesitate anymore.

Or else, who knows if the Duke would be touched by Prince Okamoto’s conditions and send Vera off to the Sky Ice Plain.

It was definitely not impossible.

After all, Vera wasn’t his own daughter, more than ten years ago, he had personally sent her to Yevir. So now sending her to the Sky Ice Plain would have no mental barrier for him.

Perhaps, the Duke right now is eager to see Vera off.

After all, she had already threatened the smooth transfer of the Northern Duke’s title.

So, Colin walked a few steps forward: “Duke…”

“Duke! Please forgive my rudeness!”

Just as Colin began to speak, someone else jumped in first.

It was Prince Topaz Modewen, the half-elf prince who Colin had met at the gate of Winterfell City!

Prince Topaz boldly stepped up to the Duke, standing shoulder to shoulder with Prince Okamoto.

“I believe you shouldn’t agree to this marriage!” Colin blinked with a sinking feeling in his heart.

“Why?” The Duke St. Hilde’s voice betrayed no emotion. “Because, I believe I’m a better match for Miss Vera!”

‘What?!”

As expected!

Colin, who had guessed what the half-elf prince was going to say, couldn’t help but snort.

Meanwhile, he thought to himself: Why are they all vying for the woman I’ve set my eyes on?

“Hahaha.” The Duke suddenly burst out laughing, “Vera, now a troll prince and a half-elf prince both want to marry you. Who do you want to marry?”

Vera blushed, shaking her head, “Father, I’m not ready to get married yet.”

But the Duke shook his head, insisting, “Don’t speak like a child. You have to marry someday. So, do you dislike both of them?”

Vera’s face was filled with conflict as she twisted her hands nervously together, unsure how to answer this question.

Queen Midela suddenly smiled and suggested, “Vera, if you’re torn, why not have them duel for you in the oldest and most traditional manner and let the victory decide who will get to marry you.”

At this, the atmosphere at the scene suddenly heated up.

Two nobles, dueling for possession of a beautiful young girl, what could be more exciting?

All the eligible male nobility from the North, who had also wanted to pursue Vera, now fell back.

After all, the status and standing of the two suitors who had proposed were too high.

In terms of status, age, and appearance, it was truly hard to find a worthy competitor among the northern nobility.

It should come as no surprise.

Since the northern nobility circle had just undergone a major purge.

There may have been some nobles who could have stood up in the past, but their heads had been chopped off by the Duke and their titles stripped.

For a while, the northern nobility circle was left in a state of decay.

However, if they let these two “foreigners” pick the most tender and noble flower of the North, it would probably be an insult to the North.

With this in mind, many people turned their eyes to Colin.

While this Viscount Angler wasn’t high in status or well-known.

But he had danced with Vera, so perhaps he had a chance…

Colin understood that he had to step forward.

If Vera truly married somebody else, he’d regret it his whole life.

And Marquis Garcia would probably hound him for the rest of his life too. So, Colin took a deep breath, stepped forward, and loudly said, “Duke…”

“Bang!”

However, just as Colin began to speak, another unexpected incident occurred.

Marquis Adams suddenly fell to the ground, pale and convulsing!

Screams filled the air.

The banquet was thrown into chaos!

All of Colin’s pent-up words were left swirling in the wind… Is nobody going to let him make a proper marriage proposal!