Satoru didn't think he would prefer awkward silence when being with someone, much less while walking, but it would be better. The damned vampire noble didn't shut up but kept on babbling.

It was getting on his nerve.

How far is this palace, goddamn it! He cursed in his mind as he kept increasing his pace, trying to shorten the time it would take to reach their destination. Although, he hadn't figured out what he would say, he could improvise, he was sure he would come up with something.

They passed a bridge and entered a big castle. They walked down the corridors flanked by vampire soldiers on each side until they reached a great chamber where pure white pillars held up the roof. This place was truly grandiose, but it paled in comparison to the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

Satoru saw an empty throne. He was relieved. It seems the Queen was not here yet, that meant he had some time to gather his thoughts and figure out how to convince her to be on his side. Maybe it would be easier to convince her that he was on her side? The two wasn't the same after all…

…

Soon he could hear the doors opening when a little girl who couldn't be more than 12 strode in closely followed by a vampire.

Satoru's eyes almost bulged out, — he recognized that vampire. — It was Mika.

What th-? Well, it was a good thing to make friends with him after all, even more so that he has such a high standing. Satoru continued to pay extreme attention to every move the queen made, maybe he could glean some insight to her personality from the way she carried herself.

The way she moved; it wasn't anything close to what he would regard as a regal bearing but considering only the most powerful ruled it was entirely possible that she ruled solely through power.

How could a monarch have such an uncaring attitude? Satoru questioned in his mind while staring at the queen. The way she moved was more fit for a child, in addition with her looks he found it hard to believe that this little girl could be the one in charge, nonetheless it appeared to be the case.

The girl had a sour expression as she took her place on the throne before speaking up.

"What do you want Ferid?" Her eyes trailed to him; Satoru gulped under those eyes. They were cold, he was sure she wouldn't care even if his throat was sliced in front of her. "… and what is that cattle doing here?"

"My sweet Krul, you are as ravishing as always. ~" The noble behind him said while performing a light bow.

"Hah, I have a feeling you only love my power about me."

"Aww, you know me too well my Queen. ~"

"So, what is the reason you wanted to see me?" Krul asked, it was plain to see for Satoru that her patience was wearing thin.

"You see my gorgeous flower, ~ this human here "

Ferid pointed at him.

"had declared that he is under your protection, I only wanted you to confirm his words."

Satoru shuddered as the noble smiled at him, there was murderous intent behind those eyes.

He was further plunged into despair when the cold gaze of the vampire Queen held not a shred of compassion; however, she didn't say anything. He was afraid she would question him, or even worse; outright murder him, but apparently the Queen had another idea. Her eyes only lingered on him for a moment before refocusing on the noble next to him.

"He is, so what?" She asked in a bored voice.

Satoru hearing those words felt like his whole world fell apart. His eyes gleamed as possibilities raced through his mind as he tried to decipher why the queen would protect him.

"Hmm, ~ first you keep the seraphs, then you turn one into a vampire, and now you even protect cattle, I wonder what the progenitor council would think of this?"

"I am sorry, what?"

"Isn't this betrayal, my lovely Queen. ~"

"I am afraid I didn't catch that; would you repeat it?" Krul asked, and Satoru could tell she was enraged, but the noble next to him didn't seem to notice himself. Was he getting a kick out of this?

Angering your superior like that? What was he playing at? Oh shit, did I make the wrong decision? Only one who had equal standing would permit such behavior, or one who was a total idiot.

Just then the little vampire queen had disappeared.

Satoru felt a shock wave hit him in the side and he was instantly blown away by the pressure. He landed a few feet away from his previous spot. When Satoru looked up, he could see Krul standing 30 ft behind him and the Noble was crushed into the ground under her foot. He felt cold sweat trickling down his back as his mind caught up to what has just happened.

"Do you value your life so low that you would go against me Ferid?"

"Ahh, of course not. You know me! I wouldn't risk my life exposing you. ~"

"Be grateful you only lost an arm, next time it will be your head." Satoru hearing such absurd words looked around and indeed there was an arm lying flat on the floor a few feet from the noble.

"I value my life too much to ever back stab you, I know that I wouldn't survive if I ever did. ~"

Satoru watched as Krul turned around and walked back and took her place on the throne.

"You may leave Ferid, but next time you oppose me I will have your head."

"My stunning Queen, ~ I wouldn't dare." Ferid said as he picked up his arm before leaving the room.

…

Ferid left the throne room leaving Satoru with the vicious vampire queen and a docile vampire guard he recognized as Mika. He could only hope that the guard would put in a good word or two for him.

He gulped, Satoru knew it was his turn to be questioned, and if the Queen's earlier reaction was anything to indicate, then she wouldn't tolerate him false using her name. Although, she had protected him it could be because her and the noble's relation was quite tense… if the earlier display were anything to go by.

"Be grateful that you were saved, don't presume there will be a next time or that I'll overlook this offense human, I'll come up with a fitting punishment later, now you may leave."

"I am thankful your majesty." Satoru said as he bowed once more.

"I wonder who would put such ideas in your head." Krul said as she glanced at Mika, who visibly flinched.

"…" Satoru knew he should be grateful that he was spared, and he somehow avoided certain death, but he couldn't let this chance go by. Maybe this would be the last time he could negotiate a favorable deal with no other than the ruler of this place. He wanted to provide better living conditions at least for those few children whom he called family. He felt that it was his duty.

"Your highness if I may, I'd like to propose a deal." Satoru started as he deeply bowed. He could hear Mika sucking his teeth, the docile vampire must be worried for him, but he shouldn't. If Satoru had confidence in something then it was his negotiation skills, he was sure that he could make a favorable deal, not just for himself but for all seven of them.

…