BLEED

How many times will I be amazed by Mino's abilities and why he was chosen as our Goddess's vision? There are many vampires in this world who can interact with the creatures that live here, so why would someone else who would be in risk be selected to be the Goddess' vision?

How many questions have I had since this mortal entered my life? How many times have I nearly shattered my mind with these questions that keep increasing instead of being answered.

"Be... Beloved Goddess?" my voice rattles as I mention the one who gives us life. I still can't believe I'm standing in front of her. I was a youngster when my queen mother won the tournament, but now I see her again.

"Vreihya, let me protect him, I swear I won't let your mate be hurt," her sweet voice sounded like music to my ears. Even her mere voice conveys the power she possesses.

"I'd like to know why you're so fond of treating him this special, my Goddess," I bowed slightly to her as I felt my body tremble. "At the right moment, Vreihya, you will both know the truth," she whispered softly, and I was hit by questions and astonishment once more. Truth? What is the truth?

"Do everything you can to keep him here, Vreihya," She said, I quickly looked up at the Goddess's blinding radiance. "But you promised him that you would return him to his world, my Goddess," I remarked, as it appeared that what she had promised and what she was now directing me to accomplish were contradictory.

"I want you to prepare him for everything he will know, and let me take care of my promise," her calm and authoritative statement to me bewildered me even more.

Prepare for what? My query appears to be causing me more confusion than clarity. What are you keeping from me, Goddess? Who is Mino in your perception? Is the person we took from their world is just simply a mortal?

I was about to inquire again when I noticed how the light seemed to be absorbed to re-form a figure, and it gradually weakened until I saw Mino's body as the blue and white light entered his chest. When he opened his eyes, I saw him staring at me.

I was going to say something when I heard a huge thud on the ground. I cast a quick glance and saw the king of Berbantes flew due to the force of my manipulated flowers with massive tendrils. His companions attempt to dodge the acid spewed by my flowers.

"Stop that, Vreihya! Chaos will ensue if you kill them," Mino stated seriously at me, and I'm not sure why, but my savage plants stopped moving with my gesture.

I was immediately struck by mother and uncle's confused expressions, as though they were wondering why I had stopped. The queens and kings peered at me breathlessly. The ground trembled again at my signal, and my plants slowly returned to the ground. I couldn't help but be irritated since some part of my garden had been ruined.

I was going to say something when Mino took a step closer to my queen mother, and I quickly followed to stand beside him. I was taken aback by how he stood up as if he were one of us, royals. I don't see him as scared, but I wish he wasn't simply acting that way.

"Make me fight with whoever you want! I will prove that I am worthy for the princess!" the weight of his words instantly makes my eyes grew wide. I'm not sure, but I was struck by hundreds of shivers. He can't possibly do that, he will die as a result.

Also, I knew he had no affections for me, and I had no feelings for him too. How can he prove his worth if there is no love for me for him to fight for? I'm not sure why I smiled bitterly, but the motive for everything popped up again.

He was simply carrying out the Goddess's wishes in order to return to his world. He had already informed me that he was willing to suffer and do whatever to be freed from me and this world.

He fought not out of love, but just to return to his world. I'm not sure why, but my heart appeared to prick up, yet I shook my head because why should I have to experience pain? Don't I want it all to end too?

The kings and queens stood up straight as if they hadn't fought before, and they all gave us smirks and harsh stares. "We pledge that if that man wins the duel, we will not disturb your kingdom and territory," queen Marayca spoke emphatically, her gaze fixed on Mino, as if she's underestimating him.

"I will not allow us to hold merely words; you will vow to the Goddess of the Moon," mother said firmly, and I glanced at her immediately because mother's notion was so brilliant.

Pledges to the Goddess of the moon are hefty in our world and carry the death penalty if not kept. Uncle's grin at my mother's statement didn't escape my sight, and I'm sure he was overjoyed to witnessed mother's brilliance once again.

I noticed how surprised their faces were at mother's remark. Now it feels like if mother had not commanded them to pledge to the Goddess, they will never fulfill their words. A vow to our world is a heavy one, especially if it is to mediate between kingdoms.

"Perhaps you've forgotten that we're keeping the villagers; we won't allow the need to pledge to the Goddess because if you don't accept our terms, you'll never see them again," king Arthur remarked proudly. I already had a feeling! They will merely deceive us and threaten us with their abductees, who are our villagers.

This discussion is going far too long! I was about to say something, but we all looked at uncle, who suddenly and sneakily laughed out loud. My mouth blew open since he has the guts to laugh at this point. I also witnessed mother's mild smack on him, which seemed to stop him from laughing out of place.

The kings and queens are also staring at him. What went through Uncle's head that caused him to laugh out of nowhere? I honestly don't understand him at times.

"Are they the ones you're referring to?" uncle sarcastically remarked, pointing up, and we all glanced, my eyes widening at what I saw. Silvestre was flying, and at his feet was a big cage containing our lost villagers. I t finally dawned on me, Silvestre had begun searching for the villagers while they were occupied bargaining with us.

As I lowered my gaze, I noticed how our enemies' jaws stiffened. I couldn't help but smile because they didn't have anything to threaten us with. "Next time, you'll be good at hiding," uncle stated arrogantly, while the kings and queens' eyes turned red as if they longed to devour us.

Uncle, you are excellent. Uncle, as far as I can tell, just sent me here to entice the enemies to come out of their dens so he could locate the villagers more easily.

"You will vow to the Goddess whether you want to or not in order to get the duel you want," mother remarked authoritatively, because we needed to take advantage of what they said so that such an occurrence would not happen again.

I am worried for Mino's life, but I cling on to the Goddess' assurance that she will not let anything happen to him. Their eyes were filled with rage because we appeared to be disadvantaged earlier, but now, they have no choice but to obey my mother's condition.

Queen Marayca immediately stepped forward and immediately looked up while uttering the words. "I am queen Marayca of Nordalez."

Her companions immediately followed her and looked up to the sky to speak the same words.

"I am queen Elena of Salizte."

"I am king Ozyrus from the kingdom of Berbantes."

"I am the king of Calixtas, King Arthur."

"I am king Zakarias the ruler of Les Padas."

"We pledge not to disturb the kingdom of Zecillion and their people!" they said in unison, and the sky darkened as if it had suddenly turned night.

When a magnificent round moon appeared in the sky, I was really astounded. Simultaneously, the promisers' mouths opened, emitting a light that drew the sky.

In this world, you'll know when a vampire is pledging because it instantly becomes night and the Goddess appears to hear their pledges. They emitted a brilliant light. Because it is beginning to get dusk, the light gradually fades and the surroundings gradually light up, and the Goddess fades.

"Let the battle commence!" mother insisted. I'm not sure if Mino is scared because the effect of my blood on him has obscured even his heartbeat. I couldn't get rid the thought out of my head that if my blood suddenly lost its influence on him and his scent returned, what would happen?

We were soon inside a vast and wide battle room that could hold hundreds of spectators. The wide ground below where the fighting will take place is surrounded by upholstered seats. The kings and queens were in opposing corners, while my uncle, mother and me sat at our elevated thrones to get a better view of everything.

I could sense the oppressive atmosphere inside. I can't help but fear for the mortal, even though the dear Goddess will not abandon him, his body is not used to this kind of combat.

A few minutes later, the battle warden entered through a door and stood in the center, bowing to the kings and queens who were present. "Greetings to the cherished and respected queens and kings of the various kingdoms; we will now witness a private tournament to win the hand of the adored princess Vreihya Amely Zecillion!" the warden's loud droning signaled the start of the duel, which increased my uneasiness.

"Calling the dear princess's mate!" he exclaimed eagerly, pointing to the door he had entered before, and I saw the mortal's perfection once more. My lips parted when I saw him without an upper garments. Damn! Why is he flaunting his stunning body? Uncle coughed and looked at me slightly, as if to warn me not to stare too much. I raised an eyebrow at him because I wasn't staring at all!

"As the customary rule in this duel, the first to lose consciousness or life is the loser!" declares the warden firmly.

"The first opponent is none other than the prince of the kingdom of Salizte!" exclaimed the warden, and my mouth immediately opened. Why should that prince be the first to come? I hate this duel already . "Prince Calix!" he exclaimed, signaling mother to stand up and create a portal large enough for the prince to enter.

When I saw the prince standing in front of the portal, my blood immediately began to boil. He carefully passed the water portal, and as he entered, mother stopped gesturing, and the portal vanished.

Mother didn't use her portal to get us to our location quickly since she didn't want to send a mortal there because Mino's body might not be able to handle the force, so we had to journey on Silvestre's back.

My brow furrowed as the prince's eyes met mine, along with his mischievous smirk. "Is this your mate, Vreihya?" he asked arrogantly, his attention shifting to Mino, who was no longer moving from his stance.

"Don't make me furious right now, Calix!" I yelled angrily at the prince, filled with pride, but he merely mocked my statement. "I'm more muscular and better looking than him!" he boasted once more. Meet Calix, one of the princes who attempted but miserably didn't win my heart. I shook my head at what he said because Mino was more gorgeous than the snow prince.

"Are you the prince of chitchat?" my eyes widened at Mino's icy remark. Calix's gaze hardened as he was pissed with what Mino had said. Mino, you're really something; where do you get your boldness? You truly astonish me. "You prefer a man as keen as your tongue, lovely princess," Calix shook his head, as if it were a joke.

"Don't delay any longer!" uncle exclaimed authoritatively. I didn't make it obvious that I was worried about what might happen, but the warden pulled out his horn and blew it. Its sound echoed throughout the large room, marking the start of the duel. Calix's hand released a sharp ice dagger from his hand, and I gradually felt the temperature dropping. Entrante! Mino, be careful!

Calix immediately jumped up and rose into the air, heading towards Mino's position, who was staring at him directly. Together with Calix's landing, he aimed his dagger, but I was taken aback by Mino's swift avoidance, but Calix struck him again, which he also evaded as if he was an expert fighter.

But I was stunned when Calix waved his hand together with the formation of ice on the ground that Mino was standing on, causing him to lose his balance. Calix took advantage of this by attacking again and attempting to stab Mino with his dagger, but Mino's two hands caught on, preventing the dagger from being entirely thrust at him.

Mino was having difficulty holding back and I instantly stood up. "You must not interfere Vreihya!" uncle's harsh statement. I was becoming increasingly concerned as the dagger drew closer to Mino, but he abruptly sprang up and kicked the prince's left foot, forcing him to stumble.

Calix only smirked as he collapsed to the ground, and then he tossed sharp ice at Mino repeatedly. Mino swiftly drew himself aside while dodging the flying sharp ice. I know he is like that with the Goddess's assistance, but his body may not be able to withstand this kind of battle.

My eyes immediately expanded in response to my terror. Mino was caught aback when he took a mistake stride and was struck in the arm with the ice dagger that Calix suddenly flung at him.

Damn! He is bleeding!