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VAMPIRE KING APOLLYON

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Apollyon glanced down from their flying carriage as they headed to the Spring Courts to meet with his cousin, Prince Aspen.

The Spring Court where his cousin had belonged had lands of rolling green hills that stretched for countless miles, surrounded by thick forests, serene mountains and crystal clear lakes that can be seen on the horizon.

Apollyon had also seen a vast expanse of spring fields in the wild—an endless meadow of tall grass, flowers, and hedges surrounding the manors and estates Fae owned from the Higher Courts.

There were grasslands with vibrant grasses taller than most humanoids which could be a perfect hiding place for criminal Faes.

Apollyon shouldn't forget to suggest that to Prince Aspen when they go out at night to hunt for the dark Faes if he hadn't checked them already.

The Faerie Realm was breath-taking, but Apollyon wasn't about to admit that out loud, so he kept his lips pressed together in a grim line.

Apollyon swore he wouldn't have any regrets about not visiting the Faerie Realm earlier rather than just visiting today for the first time.

According to Prince Aspen, Apollyon was supposed to visit the Summer Court to pay respects to his mother's side of the family first before visiting the Spring Courts.

Apollyon had refused, saying that he must deal with the investigations first because Luna was his top priority and not his estranged Faerie family.

The Fae Prince from the Spring Courts had given him a funny look because the news will soon spread to the Summer Courts that the Vampire King had arrived at the Spring Courts first, and they would likely take that as an insult.

King Oberon and Queen Titania of the Summer Court would have a bad reputation for not reaching out to their grandson without offering their hospitality before the Spring courts.

Apollyon had told the Faerie Prince that he didn't care because deep inside, he had made his wife as an excuse, somehow, to delay his meeting with his mother's side of the family.

He hated it, and as much as possible, Apollyon would like someone to accompany him there as a buffer—Prince Aspen and King Zephyr, specifically--so that he wouldn't bear the brunt of his grandparents' bottled-up animosity.

Apollyon was afraid it would explode in his face because his mother and father didn't exist anymore, and he was scared of hurting them because he didn't have it in him to hold back.

He wasn't a coward.

Apollyon considered himself a courageous king and a warrior. Still, honestly, he would rather go to a battlefield or go to Hell and fight the Archdemons who had taken her wife rather than deal with this toxic ménage.

When Apollyon finally caught a glimpse of the castle of the King Nuada and Queen Gloriana of the Spring Courts, he willed his magic carriage to descend.

Prince Aspen had finally agreed that Apollyon paid courtesy to the Spring Courts first, receiving him in a welcoming celebration.

Apollyon told Prince Aspen to specifically inform his parents—the King and the Queen of the Spring Courts--that he wouldn't stay the night in the castle because he had somewhere to be, and he was just there until the rest of his envoy from the Vampire Realmarrived.

The Faerie Prince's confusion was visible when his long lashes moved in a slow blink.

"Where would you and your Envoy stay if not in the Spring Courts, cousin?" Prince Aspen raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did you change your mind and decided to visit the Summer Courts and ask for assistance to cater to your needs?"

"No." Apollyon waved a hand in dismissal. "Who said I am staying with the Summer Courts?"

"You were the one who visited my Castle to ask for help on the investigation, so naturally, my Envoy and I will stay on your Manor for the meantime." Apollyon squinted at him when he shifted in his seat and straightened his spine.

He was too tense, and that alone was suspicious. "I'm sure a Faerie Prince like you could accommodate your guests easily, just like I did for you during the Marriage Auction?"1

Clearing his throat, Prince Aspen began, "As much as I have appreciated your hospitality in your Kingdom, I can't allow you to be in my Manor, cousin. My wife---"

Apollyon cut him off, his lips curling into a little smirk. "What about your wife, Prince Aspen?"

As his eyes widened in surprise, Prince Aspen shook his head, correcting himself. "Not my wife! I meant my fiancé."

His cousin sighed a heavy sigh.

"It was a mistake. I had no intention of making her, my wife." The Faerie Prince was either whispering to no-one-in particular, or he was trying to convince himself.

"Ah. Lady Clarence." Apollyon drawled as he played with the stem of his goblet, "A human concubine of mine you had brought home from the Marriage Auction, hmm?"

Apollyon noticed how the Faerie Prince Aspen had controlled each nuance of his movement all the time, but now, he couldn't miss how his posture went rigid all of a sudden.

"Yes, cousin. She isn't your concubine anymore." The Faerie Prince had enunciated every word with a sombre expression. "Please be aware of your words because I don't like to attach the word 'concubine' when I had given her a new life the moment she came along with me."

Gritting his teeth, Aspen continued, "In the eyes of the Fae, Lady Clarence will be my future wife."

Apollyon liked the hint of unease in his cousin's tone, and it was the first time he had heard something that perturbed the Faerie Prince.

It would be nice if Apollyon could make him angry and make him lose control without being too obvious about it.

He could bully his cousin as a distraction for missing Luna.

"I told you I would bring my sleeping wife with me, Aspen, so I don't know what the problem is." He responded solemnly, but deep inside, Apollyon was chuckling in amusement.

"I wouldn't take away your wife, fiancé, whatever because I am already blood-bonded and happily married to my wife." Apollyon continued impishly, still maintaining a blank expression. "I think you are making excuses because you couldn't accommodate me and my men because your manor is too small."1

"No, our manor is alright." Frowning, Prince Aspen unclenched his fists. "I just don't want you around her."

There was something else in those words that whispered insecurity for his fake human fiancé.

Did Prince Aspen had a hidden affection for her wife's friend?

Apollyon should try and play with him as revenge for what he had done at the Marriage Auction, compelling the women to take their clothes off, including his wife.

"Then, hide the lady away from me if you don't trust me, cousin." He smiled graciously in response. "It's not like I want to steal her away, and if I could, I shouldn't have offered her to you in the first place."

Shrugging with nonchalance, Apollyon gave him a fixed stare. "Why should the Vampire King, your ally to the crown of the Spring Courts, needed to adjust to this nonsense?"

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