The Vampire Empress: Blood Queen & Her Kings

[The Previous Evening ~]

Jiang Ying Yue stepped inside the Star Lake Manor through the back door that was located in the west, opening into a small and quiet alley.

She had been constantly walking in and out of the mysterious manor that belonged to the Three Princes. However, she still had not seen anything more than the back garden and the small courtyard located near the wall of the manor.

She was about to make her way towards the old tree where the hidden trapdoor was located when a particular person standing under the pavilion grasped her attention.

For a moment, she thought about ignoring him and leaving but her legs refused to listen to her. Instead of heading towards the trapdoor, she found herself approaching the pavilion. And as she came closer to the man, she recognized him even though he was facing away from her.

"What? Can't ignore me?" Wu Xie asked in a taunting tone as he kept gazing at the grapevines that were growing near the end of the garden. 

As soon as she heard his mocking words, Jiang Ying Yue started regretting not ignoring the man when she had the chance.. "I thought it's one of your brothers. If I have known that it's you, I won't be wasting my precious time here." 

She turned around to walk away and thankfully, this time her legs decided to follow her command. But that's where her good luck ended because before she could have taken more than two steps, she was pulled back against a solid chest as Wu Xie wrapped his arms around her, holding her captive in his embrace.

Jiang Ying Yue found her breathing catching in her throat as she felt her body starting to react to his closeness and as sweet pleasurable tingles started flowing through her limbs, all the last specks of doubt that she had towards his identity as her third and final soulmate also disappeared. There was no longer any doubt left in her mind that he was indeed her final soulmate. 

"W... What are you doing? Let me go!" She tried to wriggle herself out of his hold but her fragile body was of no match to his strong built. Besides, she was not really that keen about getting out of his arms so quickly. After all, this was their first physical contact.

Just when she was thinking about enjoying the precious moment, her bubble of euphoria got burst when the Third Prince nearly shoved her out of his arms. He just did what she asked him to do - let go of her.

While she was flustered from inside out, the man looked like his usual calm and indifferent self. Did he felt nothing while touching her so intimately? Jiang Ying Yue could not help but questioned as she started feeling troubled after seeing his poker face.

"Look at you. Calling yourself a monster and you can't even save yourself. The worst part is that I did almost nothing other than holding you loosely and you still failed to get out of my hold." The Third Prince sounded totally disappointed as he shook his head while a look of unhappiness visible on his face.

Jiang Ying Yue could hardly believe her eyes and ears. The man was really something. Why did she even think that he would be interested in her if not for the fact that she was useful to him and his brothers? Looked like the soulbonds were making her lose her sanity over her desire for these men.

"You don't have to worry about me. I know how to take care of myself... even when I'm as fragile as you just mentioned." Her voice was filled with coldness and so was her gaze that sent daggers flying at the Third Prince.

Not wanting to spend another second in his company, Jiang Ying Yue turned around to finally leave the place but once again got stopped by Wu Xie but at least, this time he didn't try to hold her back by wrapping his arms around her. He just blocked her way and came to stand in front of her.

"Why do you always get angry whenever we meet? Do you have some kind of personal grudge towards me? I'm here trying to help you and look at you... acting like a fierce kitten." Wu Xie commented with a scoff but his last sentence made him receive another cold stare. 

To speak the truth, if he had been any normal mortal, he would have been left scared just by Miss Jiang's angry and cold glares. Her gaze was so dangerous and overpowering that it could make people shiver in terror.

"Your Highness, I don't have time to waste here. If you don't have anything important to say, then I'll be taking my leave." Jiang Ying Yue politely addressed the Prince before slightly bowing her head as she started to walk away from him. But again, it was the Third Prince - Wu Xie. How could she get rid of him so easily? 

"Miss Jiang, please don't misunderstand me. I came here today only because I want to help you." Wu Xie hurriedly explained when he noticed that the young lady was getting more and more irritated by his words. 

Instead of saying anything, Jiang Ying Yue remained silent as she waited for him to continue. She was in no hurry to decline his help. At least, not before even hearing it out. That would be utter stupidity on her part.

"I heard that you are looking for a potential manager for your shop. I have a perfect candidate." Wu Xie continued when he saw that she was actually listening to him this time.

Jiang Ying Yue arched her eyebrows in question as she heard his words. "You heard? Where did you hear it from, Your Highness? Don't tell me you are keeping tracks of my movements." 

To her surprise, the Prince didn't try to decline. He just smiled softly as he shrugged his shoulders lightly. "You are someone who's a very important part of my life. I would be an idiot to not keep track of you and whatever you are up to." He replied honestly. 

Jiang Ying Yue remained silent for a couple of seconds as she tried to understand the meaning behind his words. It was indeed true that she had become a very important part of his life, whether he wanted it or not. But what she wanted to know was if he's pointing at her becoming his and his brothers' mate or if he meant the secret that they were keeping from her.

"Why are you helping me?" She asked him instead and once again watched him shrugging his shoulders in reply to her question. 

"I just seemed to have the perfect person in my hold for you and decided that it won't do any harm if I help you out. After all... according to what I learned the previous day... you are my future wife." His voice was soft and his eyes were gazing at her with a sparkle in them as he spoke those words. 

Jiang Ying Yue found herself getting flustered all over again. The word 'wife' seemed to ring in her ears repeatedly as she stared at the man who was making her confused about his character with every passing day.

Wu Xie smiled with satisfaction when he noticed that he finally succeeded in taking the girl by surprise. He took hold of one of her hands before he pulled her into a teleportation array that led them straight to his secret manor.

The two of them appeared in a dimly lit room where a little boy of around eleven to twelve years was sleeping on the bed and another young man was sitting beside the bed as he read a book in a soft and low voice.

As soon as the young man, who appeared to be in his early twenties and looked immensely good-looking, noticed them, he stood up from his seat and moved towards where the two of them were standing. 

"Master, you are back." He greeted Wu Xie with a deep bow and kept his eyes trained on the floor after that.

"Jun, from today onwards, you will no longer work here in this manor. I have found a new master for you. This is Miss Yue, you will work for her from now on." Wu Xie told the young man as he introduced Ying Yue to him.

To Jiang Ying Yue's surprise, the young man dropped down on his knees and started bowing. "Master, have I committed some kind of mistake. Please don't throw me and my brother out. I will do anything to make up for my mistake. Please master... M-master... Please..." 

She became even more shocked when she noticed that he was crying as he begged Wu Xie. Her eyes immediately moved towards the younger boy who was sleeping on the bed. She noticed his pale skin and heard the sound of his faint pulse. The little boy was dying.