The First Vampire

Prince Topaz had never hated someone so much before.

Now though, as Vera’s delicate hand was within reach, the half-elf prince had no choice but to turn his gaze to the man who had vocalized his opposition— Viscount Colin Angler.

Upon hearing Colin’s voice, a glimmer of vitality returned to Vera’s pale face.

Her deep blue eyes focused resolutely on Colin, filled with hope and trepidation, yearning for her own redemption.

“Colin, why are you opposing this marriage?” Duke St. Hilde’s voice was chillingly cold.

Colin stepped out from the crowd, approached Duke St. Hilde with calm and composed expression.

After showing respect with a bow, he replied determinedly, “My lord Duke, I have long admired Miss Vera, so I earnestly ask for a chance to fulfill this long-held desire.”

Before Duke St. Hilde could respond to Colin’s remark, Prince Topaz burst forth like a provoked wild cat:

“A duel then! Viscount Angler! Let us determine who is worthy to marry Miss

Vera in a man’s way!”

With that, a white glove was thrown at Colin’s feet.

Colin’s eyebrow arched — Do all you nobles carry white gloves around?

This was the second time he had been challenged to a duel.

The last time it was that crazy Cynthia.

Back then, Colin did not pick up her glove.

But this time, Colin knew there was no room for retreat.

Just when he was about to bend down and pick up Prince Topaz’s glove, Duke St. Hilde reminded him, “Colin, think it over. Prince Topaz is a third-order knight.”

Half-elves, being the progeny of humans and elves, could choose the human-exclusive bestowed profession—Knight, or the elf-exclusive bestowed profession— Ranger.

But given the current world situation, where the humans had established the flourishing Lord of Glory Empire while the elves had vanished deep into the Bright Moon Forest, it was pretty obvious what choice most noble half-elves made.

Majority of them chose to serve the Lord of Glory, so it was no surprise for Prince Topaz to be a knight.

But, a third-order knight!

For a half-elf prince of his age, that was undoubtedly a rarity.

However, Colin was not intimidated.

He too was at the third-order!

Moreover, he had an immortal body, which was a huge advantage in a duel.

So, a smirk crept onto Colin’s face. “My lord Duke, I have thought about it, I accept Prince Topaz’s challenge to a duel. For Miss Vera, I am willing to risk life and limb! ”

Just as Colin’s hand was about to touch the fallen white glove, Vera abruptly stopped him:

“No! Colin, don’t do this!”

Although Colin believed he could defeat Prince Topaz, others did not share the same confidence.

Especially Vera.

In her memory, Colin was merely a first-order knight. Therefore, it was natural that she did not want Colin to accept Topaz’s duel invitation.

That was like courting death.

“Miss Vera, do not worry for me…”

Despite trying to reassure Vera, she was far from convinced.

This naive sorceress even genuinely believed that Colin was willing to die for her.

After all, Colin had risked his life in the Battle of Ben Liu River before.

Thus, with a heavy heart came a sudden resolution from Vera.

This time, she decided, she was going to save her knight!

“Father, I agree to marry Prince Topaz! Please stop this meaningless duel!” Hearing her words, Colin, who had just picked up the white glove, froze.

Could you please have a little bit of faith in me?! !!

Colin roared inwardly.

“Good.” At last, a smile crept onto Duke St. Hilde’s face.

Prince Topaz was also ecstatic.

This half-elf prince’s emotions had undergone a roller-coaster ride, with ups and downs.

But in the end, Vera had chosen him.

Magnanimously, as the victor, Prince Topaz didn’t wait for Duke St. Hilde to stop him, but immediately addressed the stolid Colin who held the white glove:

“Viscount Angler, your courage has already conquered me. And so, let’s say you’ve won this duel.”

A strong sense of humiliation shrouded Colin.

The other’s patronizing attitude completely outraged him.

He took a large step forward, closing in on Prince Topaz, and demanded harshly, “What do you mean ‘let’s say I’ve won’? If I win, don’t you have to voluntarily give up your pursuit of Vera?”

“Certainly not. Miss Vera has already made her choice, and I, of course, respect her choice.”

“Bullshit!” Colin directly threw his white glove in Prince Topaz’s face, “If you’re a man, duel with me fairly and squarely!”

Prince Topaz immediately became furious as well.

Facing the insolent Colin, he also took a step forward, confrontationally crying out, “Fine! Let’s have this duel, Viscount Angler!”

“No!” Vera suddenly rushed out, standing between the two men that were about to fight like cocks.

Interestingly enough, she was facing Colin, not Prince Topaz, her newly chosen fiancé.

“Colin, don’t do this. I’m not worth your sacrifice…”

Colin intensely gazed into Vera’s eyes, asking gravely, “Don’t you trust me?”

“If you trust me, please step aside. Actually, I’m also at the third order!” Colin’s confidence, in Vera’s eyes, was filled with a tragically heroic air.

“No! I will not let you!”

Even Prince Topaz who was behind Vera at this moment was about to go crazy with anger.

Even if he was dull, he now realized that his fiancée had chosen to marry him just to protect Colin.

They hadn’t even got married yet and he was already wearing a metaphorical green hat…

Prince Topaz, who couldn’t stand such humiliation, cried out immediately: “Miss Vera, please get out of our way! Let us men settle this matter between ourselves!”

“Enough!”

A stern voice interrupted the ongoing love-triangle melodrama.

Duke St. Hilde strode up to Colin and questioned him, “Viscount Angler, is your loyalty still with me?”

Faced with this question, Colin was forced to kneel on one knee and reply, “Of course, it is, my lord Duke!”

“Well! Now, I appoint you as the envoy to escort Vera safely to the Half-Elf Kingdom to marry Prince Topaz!”

Colin felt his heart flutter and became silent instantly.

He had also realized by now that the Duke was determined to marry Vera off to the Half-Elf Kingdom.

The reason why?

Obviously, the death of Marquis Adams made the Duke scared.

He couldn’t rule out the suspicion that it was his own brother, Marquis Garcia, who caused this. His intension was to get rid of the heir before Vera, so Vera could become the future leader of the North Territory.

So, the Duke must send Vera away now.

Get her away from Winterfell City, preferably marry her off to a foreign land, bear a child from a different race, so she could finally lose her right to the Duke’s title!

As for Vera’s feelings, they were obviously not considered by the Duke.

Perhaps, to him, Vera was just a tool for making alliances.

Seeing that Colin kept silent for a long time, the Duke questioned again, “Viscount Angler? What about your loyalty? What about your unconditional obedience?”

The Duke kept close on Colin’s heels. Colin had no choice but to suppress his anger, lowered his head, and said, “Yes, my lord Duke, I will ensure Miss Vera arrives safely at the Half-Elf Kingdom!”

Now, Colin could not suppress his anger anymore.

What a goddamn duke!

What a goddamn loyalty!

All he wanted to do now was to burn down this place of conspiracy and ruthless cruelty completely.

You want to win over the Half-Elf Kingdom?

You want to ruin Vera’s right to the Duke’s title?

Tsk!

I just won’t grant you your wish!

Colin suddenly looked up at Marquis Garcia, who was sitting on the high platform, coldly watching everything.

Their eyes locked, as if they finally reached some tacit understanding.

(End of the First Volume)