The First Vampire

In the moving horse-drawn carriage, Colin asked.

Prince Harrison fell into deep thought, but after a moment, he shook his head, “I’m sorry, teacher, I can’t remember.”

Colin nodded slightly, not blaming the other party. After all, Harrison was only eight years old five years ago, and surely did not understand these political upheavals.

“I know! I know!” Princess Judy exclaimed loudly, her enthusiastic appearance as if she were afraid that others could not see her.

“Alright, you tell me.” Colin smiled.

However, Judy rolled her eyes and cunningly smiled, “Teacher, if I tell you why Scholar Sunny was dismissed, will you tell me a story?”

Ever since Colin made Judy cry last time with “Daughter of the Sea”, he had thought she would stop pestering him. However, to his surprise, Judy had become even more attached to Colin, insisting that he continue to tell her stories.

Colin could only nod his head, “Alright.”

He could recall many of Andersen’s fairy tales, so dealing with a little girl should be no problem.

Judy was overjoyed at his words and immediately began to show off, “Because Scholar Sunny tried to promote an agricultural reform scheme when he was the Minister of Agriculture. However, this reform caused many nobles to oppose it. In the end, it could not be implemented, and Scholar Sunny was removed from his position because of it.”

“What kind of agricultural reform?” Colin queried.

Princess Judy was stumped. Her delicate little face scrunched up in thought and after a while, she pouted and said, “Just a reform.”

Colin of course hadn’t expected the little girl to elaborate on the content of the reform. He had just asked with a try-your-luck attitude, and unsurprisingly, no miracle occurred.

However, he had increasingly come to believe that Baron Heidegger, the Prime Minister, had sent him to Springs Town for this former Empire’s Minister of Agriculture – Scholar Sunny.

Or more precisely, for that agricultural reform scheme that had been vetoed back then.

So, Colin must first understand what kind of agricultural reform scheme Scholar Sunny had proposed, why it was vetoed, and why Sunny even lost his position as minister for it.

With these thoughts in mind, Colin lifted the carriage curtain to see Scholar Sunny, not too far away, riding his horse and sharing an animated conversation with Scholar Doan.

Colin noticed that the alumni of the White Tower Academy seemed to know each other and that there was a strong sense of affinity amongst them. This feeling went beyond camaraderie; it was on another level.

Just as Colin was lost in thought, Judy’s clear voice brought him back to reality:

“Teacher! You promised to tell me a story!”

Colin had no choice but to nod with a smile, “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you the story of ‘Snow White’!”

Upon hearing that Colin was about to tell a story, Prince Harrison did not run away with an excuse like the last time. Perhaps he had heard Judy retelling “Daughter of the Sea”, and had started to believe that the teacher’s stories were not so scary.

Even Vera moved her gaze from the Holy Book of Glory, looked up at Colin, waiting for his story.

“A long, long time ago, the queen of a certain kingdom gave birth to a girl in the winter. The girl’s skin was as white as snow…”

Outside the carriage, Scholar Doan looked at his senior’s weather-beaten face, plunged into a trace of melancholy, and asked:

“Scholar Sunny, how have you been these years?”

“I’m fine.” Scholar Sunny casually replied with a smile, “Planting crops, herding, even if I spend my lifetime this way, I would have no regrets.”

Doan looked at Sunny for a while, then shook his head, “I don’t believe it.”

Sunny laughed loudly, neither agreeing nor denying. Instead, he switched topics, “I’m not like you, vibrant and robust, and deeply trusted by our lord. I’m sure you will be able to showcase your talent in the North Territory.”

Doan, with a fixed gaze, asked Sunny, “And what about you? Are you willing to nestle in such a small place for your whole life, burying all your knowledge and wisdom?”

Scholar Sunny did not speak, and his expression showed some struggle.

Scholar Doan started again, “You know what? The reason the Duke came here to Springs Town is because Prime Minister suggested it.”

“The Prime Minister…” Scholar Sunny’s face changed, his eyes becoming more complex.

After a while, he coldly said, “The Prime Minister had firmly opposed my agricultural reform scheme back then.”

“No, The Prime Minister just thought that your plan was too radical and needed some measures to be removed. Or you could implement it in phases, using mild and gradual methods to let the empire’s nobles accept your reform.”

“You don’t understand.” Scholar Sunny showed pain in his face, “My agricultural reform scheme is a whole system. Either it gets accepted outrightly, or it gets denied outrightly. Any compromise would create a beast which even I would not be able to control.”

Scholar Doan remained silent. After a while, he suggested, “Have you ever thought of going to the North Territory?”

Scholar Sunny hesitated. He was, of course, aware that the Duke and Duchess of St. Hilde’s visit to Springs Town was certainly not to visit his brother — Baron Grant.

A small-time baron did not have such a grand allure.

Their target could only be him.

“Does the Duke know about my agricultural reform scheme?” Scholar Sunny felt a glimmer of hope surging within him.

Scholar Doan shook his head and said, “No, the Duke does not yet know. However, you could share your ideas with Viscount Angler, the Guardian of the North Territory.”

Scholar Sunny discerned shrewdly that Doan was suggesting that he should approach Colin, and not Vera. Apparently, the one who dominated this couple was Colin, whose rank was even lower.

“But…but are you certain my agricultural reform scheme will not meet the same fate in the North Territory?” Scholar Sunny was still hesitating.

Scholar Doan replied solemnly, “You should know the current situation in the North Territory. The chaos of war has just settled, famine is rampant, and the Duke and the Viscount of St. Hilde hold absolute power!

Believe me, there is no more suitable place than the North Territory. If your reform plan cannot be implemented even in the North Territory, I advise you to give up as soon as possible.”

These words gradually bolstered Scholar Sunny’s gaze. After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and nodded, “Alright! I have a manor in the south of Springs Town, would I be able to invite the Duke for a rest?”

Scholar Doan smiled slightly and nodded, “I will ask for you!”

“…The prince ordered the queen to wear red-hot iron shoes and made her dance non-stop until she died so that the wedding could proceed smoothly.

After Snow White married the prince, their life was filled with joy and happiness, and they lived happily ever after.”

When Colin finished the story, he took the flower tea that Vera handed over, and drank it all.

Princess Judy, with her chin propped on her hand, her eyes twinkling with an envious glow, dreamed aloud, “Wow! So happy! I wonder when my prince will appear?”

As Colin was about to tease his female student again, he heard Scholar Doan’s voice from outside the carriage, “Duke, Viscount, Scholar Sunny invites you to rest in his manor.”

Upon hearing this, Colin immediately responded:

“Alright! We’ll accept the invitation!”