Zeidan marked off the thick scroll before him, agreeing to make Lyne the Queen of Vampire City. He could hear the chants outside the palace and he knew that the people are gradually getting impatient. They needed to know what was going on and what the next line of action was. Especially since he was recovering already. Unfortunately, Luana had run off, knowing what her fate was.

Zeidan tied the cloak around his body and walked outside, stepping majestically. The murmuring died down as he moved closer to address them. 

"Brave people of the city! Men, women, and even children. I want you to know that all your pains and sorrow have been noted by the King which I'll assure you today, I would have done something about it a long time ago if I knew. Today, marks the beginning of a new era, the start of a new legacy, and the choice of a leader."

The people cheered and yelled while he lifted his clenched fist. The curtain lifted and Lyne showed up wearing a white large gown that was off the shoulder, revealing her white silky skin. Her golden hair was arranged so that they were fixed into a golden headband. Her face was all dusted up with the help of his royal artist and he must say that she had done just to her face.

She walked up to the balcony where he stood and faced the crowds as well, saving at them. The cheering stopped and it was time for her to deliver her speech. Lyne walked elegantly closer to them.

"As you all know that this battle has become a fight for all and sundry, I have tried in many ways to defeat Shelbrooke and his men but all to no avail. During the war that broke out and destroyed our fort, I went missing, almost dead. But now," she straightened. "I'm back."

They all cheered for a while and she waited for them to be calm before speaking again. 

"As your Queen, I vow to fight to the very end, even with my last breath. I promise to stand by this city even when times are difficult. I will always be the first to abide by all the rules of Vampire City. Only if you all accept me as your Queen."

There was silence at first and it made Zeidan feel uneasy. When he would look at Lyne, he realized she didn't move an inkling. She was so confident.

"Long live the Queen!"

Someone shouted and the rest chorused.

"Long live the Queen!" 

They all bowed as well and Zeidan just knew that there was no mistake in choosing her. Unlike Luana, she was everything a city needed.

Luana.

He hasn't seen her since the accusation and he knew she deserved to be arrested. She had done enough damage to be thrown into the dungeon already and this time, he would have no mercy. He stepped forward, raising his hand to stop the noise, face straight.

"Great people of Vampire City. I'd like to urge you all to not hesitate to turn in Luana, daughter of our ex-chief commander of the City army, should you find her." Murmuring rose. "She is nothing but a criminal!"

They all cheered and shouted.

"Criminal! Criminal!"

"When you find her, don't hesitate to hand her over to the authorities. Luana deserves to go to jail for treason, murder, kidnapping, and many more crimes. I will stop at nothing to see that she is brought to book."

Zeidan released a long-held breath as he thought of how he had almost died, thanks to her poison. Sunset poison. The deadliest substance a Vampire could take. It's a miracle he is back on his feet today. But this time, he won't slack as he would make sure Luana is arrested, tried, and sentenced to prison right before him, whether she was of noble birth or not. 

A knight stepped forward to the balcony, with his head covered in a helmet, and went straight to the pillar where he stuck a paper to. He stretched the second one that had Luana's face on it, declaring her wanted.

"What about your son, Gabe?" Someone shouted from the crowd.

He thought for a while about his son. How Luana had informed him that she was pregnant but his heart had fallen. He hadn't planned for any pregnancy to come in between. 

Zeidan looked at Lyne who just stood beside him, hands clasped in front of her and eyes down and he knew he had broken her in so many ways.

"Princess Aurora is my first daughter," he said aloud. "She is the recognized heir to the throne. And as for Gabe? He is just Gabe."

★★★★★★★★★★

Zeidan stepped into the palace, exhausted from all the places he has had to visit. Since he became healthy, he had made it a frequent routine to constantly check on his people. Their conditions were not good at all but he had done a lot to ensure they get better. 

As he sat on his throne, weary, Amber came in and bowed.

"Your Highness, if I may, I'd like to request that Aurora and Gabe are given to me for proper care. The people you hired don't seem to know how to keep them calm."

He closed his eyes for a while, thinking of how much trouble the two can be. No doubt about that. But can he trust his kids in the hands of this woman?

"The security of my children is very important to me and I am not ready to compromise or joke with them. I don't know how efficient you are in caring for kids but I'll give it a shot. You can go."

Amber bowed again, eyes looking up to meet his.

"Thank you, my Lord."

She then turned on her heels and left, her gown swaying behind her. He needed to do something concerning his Kingdom and ensure that they do not get defeated again in this war. And by this, he must ensure they have nowhere to pass. His mind went on to the Onyx.

No, he wouldn't dare.

Effinton walked in briskly, bowing in the same manner as Amber and inside of him, he calculated how old this man was already. In Vampire City, people are older than they look. 

"What has brought you here, Effinton?" He asked the man who rose.

"A lot, your Majesty. I have brought both good news and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first."

"Just get on with the report." He waved.

"Okay, I'll start with the bad one. The bad news is we will have to use the Onyx even after building the bridge to hold the Werecats off. Our Vampire powers are not enough."

He sighed as he noted subconsciously that he'd just thought about the Onyx before he entered.

"The good news?"

"We found out who else is powerful enough to hold them off."

"Who is it?" He straightened on his throne but when he heard who he was talking about, his lips tightened and his face muscle tautened.