Chapter 7 Love

Queen Lucinda came from the noble family of the Blackwells. The Blackwells were known throughout the vampire world for their elegance, intelligence, and their deep knowledge of the dark arts. They were also known to be fierce warriors in battle, and they were respected and feared by many.

Lucinda was the youngest daughter of the Blackwell family, but she was also the most powerful. She had been trained in the dark arts since she was a child, and she was a force to be reckoned with in battle. Her parents were proud of her abilities and knew that she was destined for great things.

When Lucinda met King Dracula, she knew that he was the one for her. He was just as fierce in battle as she was, and she admired his strength and determination. They were a formidable couple and quickly rose to the top of the vampire hierarchy.

Despite her fierce nature, Lucinda was also known for her beauty and grace. She had long, flowing black hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to glow in the dark. Her skin was flawless and pale, and she always dressed in the finest silks and jewels. She was a queen in every sense of the word, and she commanded respect wherever she went.

Now, as the queen of the Leaden kingdom, Lucinda stood by her husband's side in battle, ready to defend their kingdom against any threat. She was a force to be reckoned with, and her enemies knew better than to cross her.

As Ashina walked through the ruins of her kingdom, she saw a handsome man standing near a pile of rubble. He was tall with broad shoulders and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through her. As she approached, he turned his attention to her and smiled, revealing a set of perfect teeth.

"Hello there," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I haven't seen you around here before. Are you one of the survivors?"

"Yes," Ashina replied, feeling a little nervous under his gaze. "I'm Princess Ashina, heir to the throne of Zuih. And who might you be?"

The man chuckled. "I'm just a wanderer passing through. But you can call me Kael."

They struck up a conversation that lasted for hours, and it was the most fun Ashina had had since the attack on her kingdom. Kael told her stories of his travels across the land, and Ashina shared memories of growing up in Zuih. They laughed and joked, forgetting for a moment the tragedy that had befallen their world.

As the sun began to set, Kael looked at Ashina with a glint in his eye. "I hate to leave so soon, but I have to be going. It was a pleasure meeting you, Princess Ashina."

Ashina felt a pang of disappointment as Kael turned to leave. "Wait!" she called out. "I didn't even get your full name. Can we meet again?"

Kael paused and turned back to face her. "I'm afraid I can't promise that, Princess. But perhaps fate will bring us together again."

With those words, Kael disappeared into the ruins, leaving Ashina with a feeling of longing and a glimmer of hope.

Prince August was determined to become even more skilled than he already was. His father, King Dracula, had tasked him with leading the next attack on Zuih, and August was determined to make his father proud.

Every day, he would wake up early in the morning and go through his training regimen. He started with a run around the castle grounds, followed by weight training to increase his strength. After that, he would practice his swordsmanship, going through different techniques and fighting styles.

His training wasn't limited to just physical exercise, however. He also studied magic extensively, practicing different spells and incantations until he could cast them perfectly. He knew that magic would be an essential tool in the upcoming battle, and he wanted to make sure he was prepared.

One day, while August was practicing his swordsmanship, his mother, Queen Lucinda, entered the training hall. She watched him for a few moments before speaking.

"August, you are becoming quite skilled with the sword," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Thank you, Mother," August replied, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"But do not forget the importance of magic," Lucinda continued. "It can be a powerful tool in battle. Make sure you are also practicing your spells."

August nodded, knowing that his mother was right. He picked up his wand and began practicing different spells, reciting the incantations over and over again until he had them memorized.

As he trained, August couldn't help but think about the upcoming battle. He knew that it would be the most significant test of his life, and he was determined to succeed. He pushed himself harder and harder, honing his skills until he was confident that he was ready for anything.

But little did he know, a surprise awaited him on the battlefield, something that would shake the foundations of everything he believed in.

Princess Ashina felt overwhelmed with sadness as she walked through the makeshift memorial that had been erected for the fallen soldiers and civilians of the Zuih kingdom. There were so many names carved into the stones, so many lives lost in the attack by the Leaden kingdom.

As she walked, she saw families and loved ones gathered around different parts of the memorial, some weeping openly while others stood in stoic silence. Ashina stopped at a particularly large stone that was surrounded by flowers and candles, and she recognized the names of her parents, King Drake and Queen Sophia.

Tears began to stream down her face as she remembered her parents' warm smiles, their kind hearts, and their fierce protection of their people. She wished that she could see them again, even for just a moment, to tell them how much she loved them and how much she missed them.

As she stood there, lost in her thoughts, she heard the mournful cries of the people around her. They were all grieving, all struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. It was a heart-wrenching moment, one that Ashina knew would stay with her for a long time.

Eventually, Ashina had to tear herself away from the memorial, but the sadness stayed with her. She knew that rebuilding their kingdom would take time, but she was determined to honor the memory of those who had been lost by working tirelessly to create a better future for her people.