Carmilla

It's my turn to be inspected and I have no idea how to avoid getting found out. Then a big hand rests on my shoulder. Algron! He was behind me the whole time!

He pushes me past the inspector. "Do it fast," he says. "Do not keep the Queen waiting."

He shows his belly button and walks in. The inspector is too annoyed and humiliated that he didn't care to inspect me. Well, that's a relief.

Now, I'm here inside the long and huge hallway with a high ceiling. I expected the inside of the castle to be dark and bloody because it would befit the demeanor of this race. Instead, torches on the walls with blue fires well as candles on the chandeliers. The maids are dusting every nook and cranny. Humongous paintings of vampires in fancy clothes and armor are on the walls. I know some of them from Lazarus's memory.

This is straight from the Middle Ages vibe of Earth's Europe. How do I know this? School. We were required to learn the history of Earth—the mother planet.

I have an idea of the proceedings here thanks to the memory of Lazarus so it's easy to blend in. It is even easier because I just have to do what everyone else does. As long as I stay behind Algron, I'll be fine. Then we arrive at this large throne room. Thousands of us are standing in columns and rows.

At the front, there is an empty throne and tens of guards in heavy black armor standing at its sides. The throne is mostly black glass spikes. A faint violet light comes from inside of it, throbbing like a corrupted heart.

Then I just know I had to kneel. . . now. Everyone does the same. In, comes a strong scent of flowers and buzzing sounds that echo throughout the room. Small creatures are flying above us but I'm not allowed to raise my head until the very moment. I think these are bats.

The noise stops and leaves an eerie silence. That's when we stand and see a young woman sitting on the throne.

She's. . . beautiful!

I'm stunned. I could not avert my eyes. Not even daring to blink.

Wait, this is. . . Carmilla!

Her hair is as white as ash and her skin is pale but her lips are so red that it draws your gaze. From this distance, I can't miss her golden eyes. They're arguably the most-priced jewels of her beauty. Her long gown is black and dark red but the fabric glistens as if its threads are made out of metal. Despite that, I bet it's gonna be so smooth it would tickle the skins of those who touch it. Her right leg is nakedly exposed as it goes through the cut-out of her dress and over her left leg as she crosses them.

*Swallow*

I get the feeling that I want her to step on me.

No, stop it! You're not thinking straight. Don't forget that she's a vile Queen that teaches her subjects to hunt and consume other Daemons. Even Zaori isn't fond of her.

"Ah, my loyal subjects," she says. I never expected her voice to be so soothing, so. . . enticing. She speaks to you as how you would speak to the person you treasure the most.

I'm not alone in feeling like this. The faces of the others are showing it. What is this dark magic? Why do I feel a longing for her although I never met her? Could this be the effect of being in this Frame? I don't like this. This makes me feel like a prisoner. Ugh! Stop looking at her! Stop admiring her! She's the enemy!

<Buff: Amentia>

Oh, this is the first time I encountered a buff mechanic. I have an idea of how it works but never really experienced it. Or. . . it's just now that I noticed it since buffs and debuffs can be found anywhere.

<Description: The affected unit will have increased endurance, stamina, and loyalty.>

I can't get much out of that.

"How well did you fare, while I was deep in my sleep, my dears?" she speaks.

"Aggrieved," we answer simultaneously. "We suffer every hour, every minute, and every second, longing to see your beauty once more."

Ugh, this again! This is nothing different from having a parasite inside your stomach that controls everything you say and do! So, this is how Algron and the others feel. . . They have no choice but to feed the ego of this narcissistic bitch. It's sickening!

"Oh," she moans, obviously acting as if we touched her feelings. I know for a fact that they do this as a ritual every time she wakes up. "I'm undeserving of your admiration! I'm only existing because of all of you."

"No, O' Queen Carmilla! We are the ones whose existence depends on you."

"Yes," she nods with a smug. "all of you exist because of me. I'm the only one who can give you life and even greatness!"

"Hail, Queen Carmilla, the most beautiful in all of Shannia! Her beauty never fades!"

"And so shall my reign."

"May it never end," we answer and that is the end of the ritual.

How could she find satisfaction with this? She knows that we only compliment her because she has a firm grip on our actions. Yet she puts on that beauti— I mean. . . evil smug of hers. She's not right in the head. Zaori's ego is not this worryingly bloated.

She continues speaking, "It has been five hundred years since I started my beauty slumber. I hope all of you have been good boys and girls."

*Swallow*

"I have been a good boy. . ."

Argh! What am I muttering?! Stop it! Take control of your thoughts!

"Good," she says, smiling. "Before we proceed to the feast, I shall let you hear an important announcement." Whatever this is, I bet it's not gonna be good. "I have chosen a successor!"

Gasps fill the throne room. The chattering almost sounds like the noises of bats. They have burning questions such as,

"Who could it be?"

"Is it a man or a woman?"

"Could it be me?"

"Don't kid yourself! If anyone who deserves to be her successor, it's gonna be me!"

"Fool!"

"Die!"

"SILENCE!!!" Carmilla roars. Her face looks terrifying with her fangs bared and her skin crumpling like paper. With that, I feel hesitant to breathe as others are feeling. We're terrified of her. "Only speak when I require you to speak! Interrupt me again and I'll rip you all into pieces!" She sighs, calming down. Her chin is raised high as she announces, "My successor shall be as graceful and beautiful as me. For beauty, in itself, is the embodiment of a great Vampire Queen. Excluding me, I see no one more capable, nor prettier than my sweet little Nisha!"

NISHA?!!!