The First Vampire

However, he tossed and turned on his bed, unable to fall asleep. His mind kept stirring with the secret that Count Schultz had just revealed to him.

All of a sudden, Colin realized a critical point.

Previously, when Queen Midela declared herself to be Vera’s mother, she also divulged another secret—she had poisoned Marquis Adams!

If Queen Midela wasn’t Vera’s biological mother, why would she brazenly kill Adams when Duke St. Hilde broke his promise and didn’t give Vera the title of the Northern Duke?

Okay, if that was a lie from Queen Midela too, then what about the will that Duke St. Hilde left behind?

Count Uman had said before his death that the will was coerced from Duke St. Hilde, and the person who did this was very likely Queen Midela herself.

Moreover, during their time at Dragon City, Queen Midela did indeed consistently help Vera secure the position of the Northern Duke. If it was not because Vera was her daughter, then why?

The words of Queen Midela might be false, but her actions had always been true.

With all these, Colin couldn’t deny her special care for Vera.

As for Count Schultz…

On the contrary, Count Schultz only seemed to have verbal assertions, but no proof in action.

However, Colin also didn’t think that Count Schultz was likely to lie.

After all, if she was not Vera’s biological mother, she, as an outsider, would hardly know who Vera’s biological father was. Moreover, her lies would be immediately exposed by Marquis Garcia, especially since she was prepared to publicly acknowledge her mother-daughter relationship with Vera…

Wait a minute!

Colin instantly sat up straight on his bed.

Count Schultz wanted to publicly acknowledge her mother-daughter relationship with Vera!

Colin suddenly realized that once Count Schultz publicly recognized Vera as her daughter, confirming their mother-daughter relationship, even if she was lying, Marquis Garcia would not dare refute it publicly.

Because, the relationship between Queen Midela and Vera could not be made public!

The Glorious Empire would never accept a queen who committed incest with her own brother.

The reputation of the St. Hilde family would also suffer a significant blow as a result.

Therefore, if Count Schultz was lying, she had nothing to fear!

But there’s a single issue with this hypothesis—how could Count Schultz know that Marquis Garcia was Vera’s biological father?

Moreover, judging by her fearless demeanor, she probably knew that Vera’s real mother was Queen Midela!

This secret, even Marquis Garcia did not tell Colin.

So, who was lying in the end?

Queen Midela? Or Count Schultz?

This question lingered in Colin’s mind, making it impossible for him to fall asleep peacefully.

Since he couldn’t sleep, Colin simply got up from the bed.

Donning a coat casually, Colin left his room.

The night was deep, and Swan Castle was quiet, with only the faint hooting of owls coming from an unknown distance.

Colin walked down the dim corridor, pondering whether to take Vera into the city tomorrow.

If Count Schultz was really lying, then once Vera entered the city, and they both recognized each other publicly, Count Schultz would have to be Vera’s mother, even if she really wasn’t.

Since Marquis Garcia wouldn’t dare refute publicly and Queen Midela wouldn’t dare to admit either.

At this point, Colin suddenly felt that he shouldn’t take Vera into the town.

He should at least consult with Marquis Garcia first.

If Count Schultz was really Vera’s birth mother, Colin could take her to Winterfell City to meet Vera, there was no need to rush.

Having made the decision, Colin’s mind relaxed a great deal.

Just as he was about to return to his room to rest, he smelled a faint hint of blood again!

Colin’s eyes narrowed in surprise!

Because he discovered that this bloody smell was identical to what he had recently smelled in the confession booth of the Glorious Church in Swan City!

Following this scent, Colin quickened his pace.

Before long, he found himself back on the terrace where he had just spoken with Count Schultz!

The chilly moonlight spilled onto Colin’s face, illuminating his inscrutable expression.

Colin looked out at the dark lake surface that resembled a gaping abyss, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

Count Schultz, it seems you’re not the benevolent type after all!

Early the next morning, just as the day was beginning to break, several maids drawing water at the lake saw Colin and his party return to the camp on horseback.

“Good morning, my lord Viscount!”

“Good morning, hasn’t the Duke awakened yet?”

“Not yet.”

Colin nodded to the maids and entered the camp, heading directly for Vera’s camp.

The new Northern Duke was still sound asleep. Colin bent down and gently kissed her smooth and fair forehead.

Vera’s long eyelashes quivered slightly before she opened her eyes in a daze, and seeing Colin, she hummed softly, wrapped her arms around his arm as a pillow, and cooed.

“Colin, how did you get back so early?”

Colin smoothed Vera’s soft hair and said softly: “I came to say goodbye to you, I have to return to Swan City soon.”

Vera sat straight up, wrapped her arms around Colin’s neck, and asked, “Has Archbishop John not been found yet?”

“Not yet, and, I found some interesting things here that require further investigation, so you should go back to Winterfell City first.”

“Alright.” Vera was somewhat reluctant. She leaned in and gave Colin a deep kiss.

After the affectionate moment, Colin took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Vera, and he said: “After you return to Winterfell City, give this letter to Marquis Garcia, and have him reply to me immediately, okay?”

Seeing Colin’s seriousness, Vera put herself together, nodded solemnly, and said, “I understand.”

“Good, I’m leaving then, please say goodbye to the two kids for me.”

“Yes, be careful.”

Outside Swan City, the Schultz family’s ceremonial team once again arranged in the most orderly formation, expressing their most uplifted spirit, preparing to welcome the soon-to-arrive distinguished guests.

Count Schultz and Lucien stood hand in hand at the front of the team, with perfect smiles on their faces, watching the convoy approaching from across the river.

However, in no time, the smile on Lucien’s face froze. He squinted his eyes and said in a deep voice, “That’s not the Duke of North’s convoy, there are too few people!”

“What?” Count Schultz also looked intently and soon realized something was wrong.

Her heart sank, constantly wondering where things had gone wrong.

Soon, Colin arrived under Swan City.

He immediately dismounted, with a sincere look on his face, “I’m sorry, Count Schultz! The Duke’s convoy had already set off, and I was late.”

Count Schultz took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her inner rage and looming fear, trying to depict a somewhat disappointed but not overly so expression, saying,

“It’s alright, it appears Swan City was just not meant to have this honor.”

Colin carefully watched the expression on Count Schultz’s face, and then he burst into laughter, saying,

“Count Schultz, why don’t you visit the Duke in Winterfell City then?”

“I should indeed.” Count Schultz regained her composure, and the graceful and noble countess appeared once again.

Colin then turned to look at the expressionless Lucien on the side, he says with a smile, “Sir Lucien, how about we search Swan City together again, to see if we can find Archbishop John’s whereabouts?”

Lucien responded with a slight smile.

“The honor would be mine!”