Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Vlad stared at Sylas for a moment before chuckling.

Sylas furrowed his brow. "Excuse me?"

Vlad grinned slightly. "Are you sure they’ll let you bring the doctor? You’re the prime suspect in the king’s poisoning."

Vlad continued. "Bringing a doctor to the king is the hardest thing you can do. There are a lot of procedures to follow, and you need approval from the court doctors. You can’t just bring someone in."

"Especially now. They won’t allow it. You know how much pride the royal doctors have. They won’t let an outsider treat a member of the royal family. They’re too confident they’re the best doctors in the world."

Sylas nodded. "I know, Lord Vlad. This is really frustrating me. The royal doctors are siding with Uncle Virouse. I can’t trust them. How is it possible that my father hasn’t woken up yet?"

"But it’s pointless if you’re the one asking for it."

"I’ll ask General Huron to pressure them into letting the doctor enter the palace."

Vlad replied right away. "First, you might not get the doctor in, and second, even if you do, you’re risking his life. If His Majesty’s condition gets worse, the doctor will be executed, and your enemies will use that against you."

Sylas fell silent. He believed the doctor could heal his father, but he wasn’t completely sure.

Vlad chuckled softly, noticing Sylas’s frustration. The young prince was facing his first real test as a ruler. He was surprised the prince hadn’t gone mad yet, with so many people revealing their true colors, and most of them, clearly, were from the opposition.

Sylas held his head. "What should I do?" he muttered. He couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to the innocent doctor. He couldn’t let him become Virouse’s scapegoat.

"Ah... Why am I so weak!" he cursed, not realizing Vlad had heard him.

Vlad smiled. He wasn’t the type to feel sympathy easily. But seeing Sylas now, he looked like a lost duckling.

"I’ll help you, but on one condition," said Vlad.

Sylas immediately looked at him, eyes full of curiosity and suspicion. He was sure the vampire would ask for something difficult.

"What is it?" asked Sylas.

"Let me take Alvaro with me."

Sylas shook his head. "I can’t make that decision. If Alvaro truly wants to go, I won’t stop him. But I won’t let you take him without his consent."

Vlad looked indifferent. "It’s up to you. I can’t force anything. Now, where is Alvaro?"

Sylas glared at Vlad, slightly annoyed. The vampire had already stood up, acting like none of this mattered. He sighed. Who was he to expect concern from someone like Vlad? This wasn’t his problem.

"You’ll find his room at the end of the corridor," Sylas finally said. He didn’t want to force anyone to help him.

Vlad walked toward the balcony, then stopped. "If you want help, ask His Majesty’s lover. I’ll help bring the doctor if you can find a way to send him to the king’s room."

Sylas stood there, confused. What did he mean? But the vampire had already vanished.

Sylas froze. His eyes suddenly widened. Why hadn’t he thought of that?

Elias. The former servant who had been his father’s favorite.

Now, how could he meet that man?

Sylas called a guard to summon the head guard, Visen. Maybe Visen could help. He hoped this problem would be solved soon.

Alvaro, who had been relieved of his duties but wasn’t allowed to leave the palace, wandered aimlessly. That night, he couldn’t sleep and walked around the garden, listening for gossip to figure out what was going on.

It was late, and the guards had already changed shifts. Bored, he decided to go back to his room. As he passed Sylas’s door, he couldn’t stop looking at it. The guards were still alert.

His room was on the same floor as Sylas’s, next to the other knight guards’ rooms. Each step felt heavy. He had a bad feeling.

When he opened the door, his eyes widened in shock.

Vlad was inside. He instinctively stepped back, reaching for the door handle to escape, but Vlad moved quickly, shutting the door.

Alvaro was pinned against it by Vlad’s body.

’Shit!’ he cursed silently.

Vlad smiled down at him. He had missed him.

"How did you get in here?" Alvaro asked, clearly unhappy.

"What’s going on? Why are you looking for me?"

"Hm? Didn’t I say I’d visit you?"

"But we just met last night!"

"So? I can’t even live an hour without you."

"Can you move?" Alvaro snapped, trying to push him away.

But Vlad leaned in. Alvaro turned his face away, feeling the vampire’s cold breath. He swallowed hard. No wonder he had felt uneasy, trouble had arrived.

He held his breath as Vlad gently kissed his neck, a shiver running through him. His breathing grew heavier. He shoved at Vlad’s body harder.

Vlad tilted his chin up, forcing him to look at him.

"Did you forget your promise?" Vlad asked, coldly.

Alvaro tensed. Vlad’s calm expression was gone. He looked serious, disturbed, even. It made Alvaro nervous.

"What do you mean? We’re in the palace. You can’t just come and go. If I get caught, I’ll be the one in trouble," Alvaro said, lowering his voice. Vlad’s aura was so dominant. It made him feel powerless.

"Why are you scared? No one can touch you. If they throw you out, I’ll take you to my house. That would be better," Vlad said, then kissed him.

Alvaro closed his eyes, feeling Vlad’s grip tighten around his jaw. He gave in to the vampire’s lips pressing against his own.

His eyes widened as Vlad’s hands slipped under his clothes, pulling them up.

Alvaro held his breath. When Vlad let go, he glared at him and pushed his hands away.

"Don’t do this here."

Alvaro gasped in panic as Vlad lifted him effortlessly and dropped him onto the bed.

"No!" he shouted. It was his room, but guards came and went without knocking. He didn’t want trouble.

He struggled as Vlad started pulling his clothes off.

"You can’t do this to me! I’m not your slave! You can’t force me !" Alvaro shivered as cold air touched his bare skin.

Vlad didn’t care. He kissed Alvaro deeply. "Scream if you want."

"Damn it!" Alvaro muttered angrily. He knew he couldn’t scream. He held his breath as Vlad held him tightly. Their bodies pressed together.

"Lord Vlad, please don’t. I don’t want anyone to see us. I’m begging you," Alvaro pleaded. He was starting to realize he had no choice.

Vlad smiled. "As you wish," he whispered.

Alvaro thought he’d stop, but instead, Vlad moved the wardrobe in front of the door. No one could get in now.

"Arrghh!" Alvaro screamed as Vlad bit his neck. His body tensed.

"You don’t want anyone to hear you, do you?" Vlad teased.

"Keep your voice down."

Alvaro clutched Vlad’s arm, feeling pain shoot through his body. Not again, he thought.

"Live with me in Rampesh. We can do this every day," Vlad whispered, as if Alvaro wanted that.

Alvaro glared, lips sealed to stop himself from crying out. His breathing was ragged, and he held back the pain.

What had he done in a past life to deserve this?

An hour later, Alvaro lay limp, soaked in sweat. His hair was messy, his skin flushed and wet. His breathing was shallow, his throat dry.

The vampire’s stamina was insane. Even as a knight, Alvaro couldn’t compare. He could only lie there helplessly.

Vlad sat at the edge of the bed with a satisfied smile, gently stroking Alvaro’s body to comfort him.

That night, the vampire didn’t let go and held him tightly the whole time.

"Who do you love more, me or Sylas?" Vlad suddenly asked.

Alvaro groaned, pushing Vlad away again and again, but the man wouldn’t budge. He gave up. That ridiculous question made him angry all over again.

"What are you talking about? I’ve never loved you. And my relationship with the prince isn’t what you think," Alvaro snapped.

"So, who do you choose? Me or him?" Vlad pressed.

"Of course, the Prince. I have to protect him."

Vlad chuckled. He kissed Alvaro’s shoulder. "You’re so sweet."

"And very talkative."

"No one can survive around you without cursing, I’m sure," Alvaro muttered. Especially in his position, forced into this twisted relationship.

Vlad stroked Alvaro’s neck, tempted by the scent of his blood. But he held back.

"Sylas needs help. How’s the palace?" Vlad asked suddenly.

Alvaro wasn’t expecting that. He thought quickly before answering. Since Vlad’s help was important to Sylas, maybe he could trust him.

"They’re preparing for a trial. They’re waiting for Duke Marcellus to arrive," he said with a frown.

Vlad nodded. "Sylas asked me to bring Doctor from Rampesh. What do you think?" Content orıginally comes from nοvelfire.net

Alvaro paused. Doctor from Rampesh? The one they had visited? He remembered what happened to Kai. That doctor might be able to revive King Adrien. Why hadn’t he thought of that?

He quickly sat up to look at Vlad more seriously, though Vlad’s hand kept touching him in ways that made him scowl.

"So, you’ll help him?"

Vlad shook his head. "I offered him a deal. I’ll help if I can take you with me. But he refused."

Alvaro’s eyes widened. "What?!"

Alvaro clenched his fists. That man was cunning. But Vlad really was the only one who could move freely right now. Sylas probably needed him.

"Why won’t you help him?!"

Vlad smiled. "Should I? Will you come with me?"

Alvaro stayed quiet. He didn’t want to go with Vlad. Not ever.

"You can find me whenever you want. Why should I go with you?"

"How about you be nice to me? Maybe I’ll consider it."

Alvaro glared at him. But what choice did Sylas have? Was Vlad the only option?

"Alright, anything but going with you. I’ll do it!" Alvaro finally said, instantly regretting it.

Vlad chuckled. "Good boy. First, lower your voice around me."