The First Vampire

Emperor Reinhardt’s scrutinizing gaze made Colin a little uncomfortable.

Fortunately, the other party quickly smiled and said, “Indeed, a young talent! The cream of the crop among the Northern Knights!”

“Your Majesty flatters me,” Colin modestly replied, all the while guessing at the Emperor’s intentions.

After Knight Fermi’s “gift”, Colin was on high alert for the Emperor, in case another tough condition would be added.

“For slaying the Troll Emperor, annihilating a hundred-thousand-strong Troll Army, and quelling the Rebellion in the North Territory, Viscount Angler, you fully deserve this praise!” Emperor Reinhardt stated sincerely, “With your accomplishments, you merit more than a countship. However, as you are a vassal of the St. Hilde family, I will let them handle the reward of nobility.

In the other aspects, I still wish to reward you.”

Colin wanted to say that he didn’t need a reward, but understood that he might not have a say in the matter.

Just as he was feeling uneasy, he heard Emperor Reinhardt say, “I would like you to serve as Harrison’s teacher.”

“Huh?” Colin was slightly shocked, he hadn’t expected Emperor Reinhardt to ask him to become the tutor of Prince Harrison.

However, he soon realized the crafty nature of this request.

By becoming the Prince’s tutor, wouldn’t this imply that Colin had to stay in Dragon City?

Thus, any influence he had on Vera would be severed. Perhaps within three to five years, the North Territory would be completely controlled by the St. Lorenzo family, and St. Hilde would only be a titular lord in the North.

Suppressing his inner turmoil and rage, Colin replied in a slightly distressed manner, “Your Majesty, I am truly honored by your proposal, but I fear I may not be capable enough to educate the Prince and might disappoint you.

Furthermore, I have a viscount’s territory in the North to manage, and will not be able to stay in Dragon City permanently.”

Emperor Reinhardt waved off his concerns and said with a smile, “I believe you’re more than capable of teaching Harrison, there’s no need for modesty. As for the issue of location, don’t worry, Harrison will accompany you back to the North Territory.”

What?

Colin was taken aback, and instantly realized he might have misunderstood Emperor Reinhardt.

If he was willing to let Prince Harrison go to the North Territory rather than forcing Colin to remain in Dragon City, then this proposal was indeed a great honor and reward for Colin.

After all, Harrison was Emperor Reinhardt’s only son!

If one day he ascended to the throne, wouldn’t Colin become the Imperial Tutor?

Colin felt like he was on a roller coaster.

He suddenly realized that the Emperor was likely trying to win over the North Territory!

Knight Fermi was probably not, as Colin had previously thought, a chess piece planted by the Royal Family in the North to vie for control of the Golden Lion Legion with the St. Hilde family. Instead, the aim was to win the favor of the commander of the most important military force in the North.

The Emperor clearly understood the influence Colin had on Vera and knew the military force he had under his control. It could be said that though Vera would be the nominal Duchess of the North Territory, the true ruler would still be Colin.

Now, by asking Prince Harrison to study under Colin, it was an explicit move to win him over.

So, why was the Emperor so eager to win over the North Territory?

As Colin recalled events at the Holy Light Cathedral, he began to make some guesses…

Seeing Colin remaining silent, Emperor Reinhardt’s brows furrowed, he asked, “What is it? Are you still reluctant?”

Colin quickly replied, “No, Your Majesty. If you insist that I am qualified to instruct Prince Harrison, then I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations.”

Only then did a satisfied smile appear on Emperor Reinhardt’s face, he turned to Prince Harrison and said, “Harrison, come and pay respects to your teacher.”

Prince Harrison seemed hesitant. From his expression, it was clear that he was still a bit afraid of Colin. Perhaps the events at Silver Moon City left a profound impression.

But with his father’s command, Harrison couldn’t refuse. He braced himself, stepped forward to Colin, bowed and said, “Teacher.”

Colin quickly stood and returned the bow.

At that moment, a crisp voice sounded, “Father, I want Viscount Angler to be my teacher too!”

Colin was slightly surprised to see Princess Judy, who was twisting her small body and pouting.

Queen Midela’s expression became stern, she scolded, “Judy, stop this nonsense!”

“I’m not being unreasonable!” Princess Judy protested in a sweet voice, “Why can Harrison have a teacher and I cannot?”

Queen Midela had no choice but to comfort her softly, “I will select another teacher for you.”

“No! I want Viscount Angler to be my teacher, I also want to go to the North Territory!”

Colin felt a headache coming on, and could only awkwardly lower his gaze to the ground.

Queen Midela’s eyebrows rose in annoyance, just about to scold, but was stopped by Emperor Reinhardt, who chucklingly asked, “Judy, what do you want to learn from Viscount Angler?”

Princess Judy’s round eyes revolved in thought before declaring, “Dance!”

Colin was at a loss for words, inevitably thinking back to the welcome dance ball where Princess Judy relentlessly stepped on his feet with her disobedient demeanor.

“Hahaha!” Emperor Reinhardt suddenly laughed out loud, as though he heard something incredibly amusing. After a moment, he indulgently agreed, “Well, then you’ll join Harrison and become Viscount Angler’s student.”

“That’s great!” Princess Judy excitedly hopped off the stool.

Colin felt a headache brewing, wanting to refuse this willful princess student, but before he could open his mouth, Princess Judy had already come to his side. Lifting her dress, she curtsied, feigning a well-behaved demeanor by called out:

“Teacher!”

Colin had no choice, but to reciprocate the curtsy, his eyes covertly glancing towards the front, only to see the Emperor joyfully smiling, while Queen Midela, was frowning, seemingly displeased with the situation.

Seeing this scene, the initially reluctant Colin immediately put on a warm smile and said, “I can’t teach dancing, I can only teach some knowledge about fighting. If Princess still wishes to learn from me…”

“Yes, yes!” Judy nodded her head eagerly.

Colin nodded and turned to Emperor Reinhardt, bowing, “Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. Then, I will accept these two students.”

Queen Midela looked sternly at her daughter and asked, “Judy, are you going to follow Viscount Angler to the North Territory?”

While jesting with her brother, Judy heard her mother’s question she immediately nodded her head and said, “Yeah! I haven’t been to the North Territory yet! I want to see the Ice Plain wolves!”

“Then you will be away from me for a long time, won’t you?”

“Uh ” The little girl seemed somewhat hesitant, but quickly firmed up, “I am going to the North Territory to study with the teacher for a while, and then I will come back to accompany my mother!”

Emperor Reinhardt waved his hand and said, “Alright. Eaglets must eventually fly alone in the sky, and our daughter cannot always stay in Dragon City. It’s not bad for her to go out and see the world.”

“Thank you, Father!” Princess Judy smiled sweetly.

Watching Queen Midela’s frustrated face, Colin could not help but laugh in his heart, and started guessing – why does the Emperor want the Princess to go to the North Territory, and why is the Queen unhappy about it?

Of course, his understanding of the Imperial power couple was still too limited to guess correctly.

Everyone chatted casually for a while afterward, talking about past events between the St. Hilde family and the Lorenzo family, lightening up the atmosphere.

Before long, the horse-drawn carriage reached the foot of the Holy Mountain and returned to Phoenix Palace.

After Colin and Vera said their goodbyes and left, Queen Midela addressed Prince Harrison and Princess Judy, “You two have always wished to ride a horse. Go outside and look for Knight Erich.”

“Yay!” The two kids cheered excitedly and darted out of the carriage.

When only the Emperor and Queen were left in the carriage, Queen Midela frowned and questioned, “Why did you agree to send Judy to the North Territory?”

Emperor Reinhardt responded indifferently, “Is there a problem? Furthermore, it was her request.”

Queen Midela smirked coldly, “Aren’t you afraid that they might encounter some accident in the North Territory, leaving us without an heir?”

To her surprise, Emperor Reinhardt was not angered by her disrespectful remarks. Instead, he chuckled, raised her delicate chin with his hand, and casually said:

“Well then? Anyway, we’re still young, we can always have more.”

Slap!

Queen Midela slapped away the Emperor’s hand with a cold laugh, “I truly regret not poisoning you to death!”

Emperor Reinhardt pressed his lips into a smile, and calmly replied:

“It’s okay, we live together, you will surely find another opportunity.”