9 2030-08-02: Someone to hear their grievances

Milla becomes a hot topic on top searches and social media such as- Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other media platforms. The netizens have varying opinions but no one dares to speak ill of her. Because they are talking about a vampire, an Empress on top of that, and someone who has a myriad of vampires at her disposal. It's different now since vampires are educated and scattered to various kinds of careers. Nobody wants to gamble on their life by posting anonymously, then ends up going across a vampire hacker or techy. 

"Did you all see the Vampire Empress?!"

"I'm a woman but why can't I stop simping her?"

"Is she single?"

"Now, I want to see her in person *crying emoji*"

"This is a real goddess…"

"Please drink *a little* from my blood…"

Every human praises her impenetrable eyes, jaw-dropping countenance, even how the red gown compliments the whitest skin their eyes ever laid upon, and literally everything about her. There are also some people who despise her for slaughtering humans, who want her to pay for her crime with her life. But the latter type of people control themselves and are wise for not sentencing their own lives.

Halfway through the celebration, Milla senses Lionel and the Shadows on the shore. So she turns to Frederick's seat and just looks at him with boredom. He's already looking at her from time-to-time, making sure she's comfortable and taken care of. Resulting in Frederick's quick movements of standing up and walking towards her after. He stands on the right side of Milla's chair and bows slightly to her, "What can I do for you, Empress Milla?"

"Tell them to bring a table and a chair here," Milla orders him as she points to the space between her and the vampire royalties. Frederick makes it happen even though he's confused, and left to pass the Empress' order to some vampire servants. The vampires also witness everything she does as they wonder what it's for.

Their questions are answered when Lionel appears at the feast a few minutes later, yet, more questions keep popping into their minds. While the vampire prince, Steve, prevents himself from making annoying faces for what Lionel does in the next hours and so.

'How did the Empress know that the vampire emperor is here?'

'Are the two of them… together?'

'She really can hear everyone on the entire island, the f*ck?'

'What will happen to the world… humans better start praying.'

Lionel goes straight to Milla, not stopping on his seat and causing everyone to feel nervous. He reaches out his left hand, but Milla only looks at it as if she's looking at someone stupid. Earning her a threat from him while he whispers close to her ears, the vampires do not dare to miss any of their interactions. With the coldest voice that Milla has ever heard, Lionel threatens and challenges her at the same time, "You told me to court you so here I am, or were you just lying to me?"

Milla pushes him away and offers her right hand, Lionel accepts it and unexpectedly gives a peck on the back of her hand. This shocks everyone including the vampire royalties and Grand Elders, and all of them can agree that no one likes whatever the meaning may be behind it. Again, Milla doesn't give him an answer, a wise vampire indeed. 

Everything returns to normal when Lionel surprisingly sits on his seat, not complaining nor killing somebody. Not really back to normal since it's different for their situation, where an ancient vampire and another powerful vampire are with them, no one can be calm in their shoes.

...

Sitting on the center seat, Milla stares blankly at her table as she unconsciously shuts all the sounds she can hear. She slowly glides her right hand in her armchair whilst thinking if she does deserve this, she knows Lucinda deserves this position compared to her, 'She should be here, instead of me.' 

She remembers Lucinda on how she reigned over the vampire community like it's smooth sailing. Even though there were problems that transpired, Lucinda faced it head-on with a cheerful attitude. For Lucinda's honor of building this community, she'll do her best as if Lucinda is guiding her.

All the pain and hatred, she still can feel all of it. Everything that happened in the past seems like it only happened a few days ago for her. But, for these humans, it has been hundreds of years ago. Everyone might have forgotten it, no one might be alive to remember what they've done to her but she will never forget. 

How could she? This is the downside of being immortal. Those people who have done wrong to her already died, but it doesn't mean she will let their souls rest peacefully for she'll continue looking for their descendants. Even with all this revenge in her heart, she will never neglect the vampire race. 

She will learn how to be a good ruler if she has to, and she will never let humans undermine them. For Milla, it should be the other way around, this proves how she harbors resentment towards humans. She unintentionally smirks whilst thinking, 'Should I remind humans the terror that they should be feeling? 'Cause it seems they've forgotten what we are.'

Someone snaps her back to reality when she feels a hand on her left shoulder, then she realizes that she's been smirking as she transforms back to being emotionless. All eyes are on her especially the eyes of this spineless vampire touching her shoulder. But the rest of them are clueless about what can make this adamantine vampire mentally absent earlier, it isn't like her based on the rumors they've heard about her. Meanwhile, Milla slowly turns her head to the left and looks questioningly at Lionel.

"What were you thinking about?" Surprisingly, there's a little bit of concern in his voice despite his seriousness, but Milla doesn't pay attention to it and just shrugs it off.

Seeing her frown a little with her eyes that make them wonder what's going on, in that mind of hers. Her irritation can be felt by everyone as she stares at his hand, "You can let go of my shoulder now, Lionel. Don't mind me and... enjoy the celebration." Lionel complies and returns to his seat, but continues to glance back at her.

Milla successfully draws their attention away from what happened. But her diversion makes them think twice after hearing her question since no one expected Milla to care for any one of them, "I command you to raise your hand and tell me why. Do any of you hates humans?"

At first, no one responds because they are scared to know what would happen to them if they did. Her question also catches the attention of Lionel who seems interested in her reason for asking this. Seeing Milla calm and quiet keeps them on their toes, but a lot of them desired for someone to ask them. 

They wanted someone to hear their grievances so when they heard Milla's question, it feels like someone tugged at their hearts. All of them suddenly feel vulnerable.

That's when a brave vampire boy stands up and speaks his heart out after bowing to Milla, "I-I hate... them. My schoolmates… they often pour red paints over me while I'm inside the cubicle, saying I should drink it… *muffled cries* I told my teachers but no one listened nor helped me. So, I started fighting back every time they bully me. We're always spotted by guards but I'm always the one getting detained after. I was just defending myself from them but I was always in the wrong."

His mom pulled him down but seeing Milla pay attention, others nod their heads and raise their hands. Milla nods at a teenage boy motioning him to express his reasons. "Thank you for hearing us out, Empress Milla. They're so brave because they have laws protecting them, laws that favor humans and are against vampires. Some of us fight back but we have to face these discriminatory consequences."

Many follow after as they voice their hatred towards humans, and Milla is silently listening to them which causes them to feel a little bit relaxed. A generous number of vampires- kids, teenagers, and adults talked. Then, Milla asks them, "Who made these unfair laws?"

Frederick answers her with a neutral voice, "The humans made them, Empress."

The vampires' detestable impressions on Milla are starting to crumble down, all because of her single question and showing her interest to them. They never thought of her as a benevolent ruler, well, they also never thought of giving her a chance to prove herself. It seems like she doesn't need to prove herself, at all. Some of them may or may not admit it, but they are starting to open up their hearts little by little for their Vampire Empress.