The First Vampire

Heavy footsteps echoed as Lucien, clad in silver-white armor, entered Swan Castle.

An attendant took Lucien’s removed helmet and sword, while a charming maid bowed to Lucien, presenting a clean damp towel.

Lucien wiped his face with the towel, asking, “Where is the lady?”

The maid, taking the damp towel, replied softly, “The Countess is changing clothes upstairs.”

Lucien nodded, ascended the spiral staircase to the second floor, and pushed open a wooden door. He found that Countess Schultz had already changed into a pure black ceremonial dress.

Her hair was styled in the latest aristocratic bun, a string of crystal clear and round pearls hung around her creamy neck. Her exquisite features were delicately made up, making her look graceful and gorgeous.

“You’re back,” Countess Schultz greeted her husband with a smile, taking a few steps forward to help him out of his armor. “Did you find anything today?” she asked.

Lucien chuckled, shrugged, and said, “What could I find? I simply accompanied Viscount Angler on a tour around Swan Castle. However, it seems that the Viscount wasn’t just going through the motions, but earnestly looking for Archbishop John.”

Countess Schultz smiled lightly, dismissing the idea, “What could he possibly find with such a large undertaking.”

Lucien furrowed his brows, carefully saying, “I think he might have discovered something. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so attentive, like he was genuinely looking for clues.”

Countess Schultz’s hand paused, and the expression on her face also became tense, “Has he discovered something?”

Lucien shook his head, “I don’t know. But, since he wouldn’t let Vera come to Swan Castle to identify you, he must have some suspicions.”

Countess Schultz furrowed her beautiful brows, puzzled, “I can’t figure out what went wrong, that would make him suspicious.”

As Lucien undid the armor on his body, he shared his speculation, “Could he have discovered Vera’s true mother’s identity?”

“He shouldn’t have.” Countess Schultz shook her head, “Since that person confidently stated that Marquis Garcia won’t come forward to deny me, this means Vera’s real mother’s identity is extremely sensitive and it’s unlikely that Viscount Angler knows this secret.”

Lucien, unable to contain his curiosity, asked, “Didn’t that person reveal any information about Vera’s real mother?”

“No, he just said that Vera’s real mother did not dare to acknowledge Vera.”

Lucien rubbed his chin, as if deep in thought about who Vera’s real mother might possibly be.

Upon seeing this, Countess Schultz reminded him, “Enough, stop guessing. If you are worried that Viscount Angler has discovered something, you can feel him out at the banquet.”

Only then, Lucien retracted his thoughts, nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll go freshen up and change into clean clothes.”

Knock knock knock.

Just then, a knock at the door was heard.

“Come in.”

Countess Schultz called out loudly, and immediately, the butler entered the room.

First, he greeted the Count and Countess, then reported, “Sir, Viscount Angler would like to tour Swan Castle.”

“Tour? I suppose he wants to search!” Lucien’s face turned cold as he replied in a displeased tone.

Countess Schultz’s eyes hardened, but she soon regained her composure. She instructed the butler, “Please ask Viscount Angler to wait, I will accompany him on the tour of Swan Castle.”

“Yes!” the butler replied and then closed the door.

Lucien’s eyes glinted dangerously, he said coldly, “Has he really discovered something?”

Countess Schultz patted her husband’s robust chest, soothing him, “If he really has discovered something, he should have pretended to know nothing and stealthily left Swan Castle, heading to Winterfell City for reinforcements.

“Instead of alarming us like this.”

Lucien nodded, finding his wife’s words reasonable and gradually recovering his usual composure.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

“Since he wants to see, I might as well accompany him.” said Count Schultz, appearing nonchalant.

Lucien understood his wife’s intentions and nodded, “Okay, you keep him company while I get the guy to move his nest first.”

“Hmm.” Count Schultz nodded, then added a warning tone, “You better behave respectfully in front of him.”

“Do you genuinely believe he is Duke St. Hilde?” Lucien retorted with disdain. “Aside from looks, his demeanor, tone, and habits are nothing like the real Duke St. Hilde!

Although I have no idea about this appearance matter, he most definitely couldn’t deceive someone who truly knows Duke St. Hilde.”

Count Schultz spoke with a meaningful expression, “He has the Duke’s face, and the Duke’s power. Why can’t he be Duke St. Hilde?”

“Power?” Lucien’s expression was even more dismissive, “Given his current state, I can chop off his head within the space of an hourglass.”

“Lucien, never underestimate the power of a Holy Knight!” Count Schultz’s face became stern, “Even if he is severely injured now, if you truly dare to provoke him, you will meet a very unpleasant ending.”

Seeing Lucien still unconvinced, Count Schultz looked sternly, “You promised me, Lucien, don’t go against that promise!”

“I surely remember my promises, just hope you don’t forget yours.” Lucien responded coldly.

Count Schultz looked earnestly into her husband’s eyes and nodded, “I certainly will not.”

“That’s good. However, I would like to remind you not to let a ‘Duchess’ title blur your mind. It’s nothing but a promissory note.”

Countess Schultz nodded solemnly and said, “I know what I am doing, and I will not entirely trust this so-called ‘Duke St. Hilde’.”

“That’s good”. Lucien put on his half-removed armor again, “You go and deal with Viscount Angler first, I’ll handle the so-proclaimed Duke St. Hilde.”

The Countess nodded, then turned and left.

Swan Castle is a Gothic-style building incorporating numerous spire designs. Tall, slender yet grand, its white exterior wall strikes a captivating contrast against the green Swan Lake, creating an unforgettable visual impact.

The castle stands over thirty meters tall and has seven stories, with over two hundred rooms. It would take most of the day to look around each one.

Under the Countess’s lead, all Colin could do was to quickly skim around.

“Viscount Angler, this is all for the main castle. We also have two subsidiary castles, warehouses, stables, farms, etc. Would you like to continue the tour?”

Colin, standing in the grand hall of the Swan Castle, let his eyes roam, as though appreciating the decorations and furnishings around him.

Seeing Count Shultz pointing to the door, he didn’t immediately approach it, but stomped his foot in place and asked with a smile:

“My Lord Count, is it that there is no basement under the main castle?”

“Of course there is.” At that moment, Lucien entered. He seemed to have just finished bathing and changed into a black suit. He smiled at Colin and said, “Below is the wine cellar and storage room. Would you, my lord Viscount, like to take a look?”

Colin nodded, saying:

“Of course!”

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