A trip to the palace
The servant came back to notify them that Lord Fife was in the sitting room waiting for Theodore. Theodore finished his breakfast, excused himself and went to the sitting room to meet lord Fife.
He entered the sitting room and met lord Fife seated on one of the armchairs, sipping a tea which one of the servants had served him.
He looked up when he heard Theodore's footsteps.
"Lord Fife, it's a surprise to see you here", Theodore said as he sat down on an armchair.
"Just Fife is enough, I don't really like my title, it makes me feel old". Fife said with a dramatic shudder.
Theodore smiled at his request, "okay Fife".
"I know you must be wondering what brings me here today", Fife continued. "Yes, I am", Theodore agreed.
"I told my uncle about what you said,, and he told the king. The king sent a message that he would like to see you in the palace". Theodore was shocked, when he had said the beast might be a vampire yesterday, he had just said it thoughtlessly. He had no idea that the king might want to see him over the matter. He hoped that he wasn't in trouble.
Fife saw through his fears and immediately tried to reassure him.
"don't worry, you aren't in trouble, the king just wants to ask you more about the Vampire".
"Can I tell my parents where we are going?",
"of course", Fife answered.
Theodore informed his parents that the king wanted to see him to ask some questions about the beast. He explained to them what had happened at the get together yesterday. They were worried about him going there, but Fife assured them that he would look after Theodore and nothing would happen to him.
They agreed and Theodore set off with Fife to the palace.
"How could you agree to let him go to the palace?", Theodore's mother asked his father as soon as Theodore left.
"Did we have a choice, what reason could we have given him not to go",
"I know, but you know 'who' is at the palace? What if they meet and the king suspects something? I know I wanted him to make friends and socialize more, but I also don't want him to be in danger", his mother said in a worried tone.
He held her shoulders and tried to calm her down. "Martha, it has been a long time, I don't think the king would suspect anything. Besides, isn't 'she' locked up and watched over by guards. They might not even meet each other".
"do you think so?", she wanted to be reassured that Theodore would be fine.
"absolutely, now come in and take a rest". He led her into the house.
Theodore and Fife got to the palace, the servants took the horses,, and they went to the throne room to meet with the king. When they got there, they were informed that the king was in the garden, and they were to meet him there.
They went to the garden and met the king. Theodore had seen the king several times. But he had never spoken to him personally. Although his family was a titled family, they weren't too high on the social calendar. They were average. Thus, he had never had any reason to come to the palace or talk to the king before today.
They both bowed to the king. "Your highness, this is Theodore", Fife introduced Theodore to the king.
"Pleased to meet you, your highness", Theodore said courteously.
"welcome to the palace, Theodore. I was made aware of the fact that you think the beast plaguing us is a vampire", the king said to Theodore.
"it was just a silly idea, your highness. I read a lot of fantasy books and when I heard the description of the beast and its activities. I immediately thought of vampires. But vampires aren't real. I apologize for any misunderstandings".
The king started walking and gestured for them to follow him. They walked in silence for a while. Theodore wondered what was going on in the king's mind.
Finally, the king spoke up, "do you know that there are other creatures out there apart from humans, Theodore?", the king asked.
"there are? I always thought they only existed in books", Theodore asked, confused.
The king chuckled, "although books are fiction, most of them have an element of truth. I have heard about vampires before. It is said that they live in a far away kingdom",
"really?",
"yes, Theodore. I suspect this beast might be a runaway from their kingdom".
"If it is really a vampire, what do we do about it? We can't just let it keep attacking us", Fife asked the king.
"Isn't there's a way we can contact them to come and take it away?", Theodore also asked.
"I have only heard rumors about them, I don't know where their kingdom is or how they can be contacted. But a friend of mine who is also a king knows someone who can contact them, I have already written a letter to them, I await their response".
"so we will have to wait for their response then?", Fife said.
"not necessarily. I have instructed the guards to go through the kingdom and bring me books related to vampires. I want Theodore to go through them and see if there is any way a vampire can be harmed, so we can set traps for it". The king turned to Theodore, "I have heard you are an excellent reader Theodore, would you be interested in doing this? You won't be doing this free".
Theodore thought about the king's offer. He had always wanted to do something more than hiding in his room reading books. Now he had the opportunity, and would also be doing something he loved as well. "Yes your highness, I agree".
The king was about to reply when someone rushed up to them and clashed into Theodore.
"my son, my darling boy", she said as she showered his face with kisses and hugged him tightly.
Theodore looked at the woman, she was gorgeous. Who could she be? And why was she calling him her son?