SPELLBOUND

"He is the traitor, and this city is only forced to aid him, I believe because of their fear of him since you yourself told me this prince is a monster the vampires can't even manage to kill." Lucius continued when Lorcan remained silent. "It's hard to blame the citizen for aiding him. And instead of destroying them, why not use this city's army to your advantage to help us hunt this prince? You yourself, told me that this city's army is formidable."

"Alright, we will continue this discussion in the castle." Lorcan finally gave in and Evie barely stopped herself from sighing in relief. 

...

Inside the castle.

After Evie, the duke and duchess, and all the official's confessions about everything that had happened in Dacria, Emperor Lorcan eventually decided not to punish anyone. Though Evie could feel the emperor's doubt, it relieved her that at least he listened to her father's advice of using the Dacrians to gain his purpose instead of simply disposing them.

Somehow after that, everything went on smoothly and that night, both humans and vampire armies set up camp in Dacria.

Upon leaving the throne hall, Lucius accompanied his daughter to her room. Evie had refused to part with him but since it was time for them to plan for their next move, she was not allowed to be there during the discussions. However, considering how 'traumatised' she was, Lucius decided to be a bit more understanding and walk her to her room.

Evie remembered that her father always does this to her. Whenever the human emperors came to their castle, Lucius would send her away, saying that their discussion was not something a woman should hear about. This was one thing that she felt strongly against.

"Father. I don't want to be alone again. I'm scared you might leave me again." Evie had said while they were passing through the hallway where many imperial armies were situated.

"Don't worry Evie. I'm not going to leave you alone. The reason I came here was because of you. I'm here to take you back home and away from that monster." Lucius voice became menacing at the end of his sentence. Evie had to try hard not to react to his words and maintain her current frightened and weak act. This was not the time to slip up and let the cat out of the bag yet for now because Evie could tell that Lorcan's men must be hiding somewhere and listening.

"You already got me back, father. Can you take me back home now? I want to go home now. I am missing mother a lot." Evie whined. She found it very hard in acting like a spoiled princess, but she had to. She must in order for all of their plans to succeed.

"I know darling," Lucius held his daughter's shoulder, "But we cannot go back yet. Because your husband broke the truce, Lorcan came to us to offer a new truce. And this truce will be the ultimate effort to finally end the war between humans and vampires."

"Gavriel broke the truce? Is it because he kidnapped me?"

"Yes. And god knows what else he did to you while he imprisoned you here!" Lucius exploded when he thought of how badly his daughter was treated by that dastardly vampire.

"He's…" Evie had to bite down on her lips as she felt the presence of a vampire following behind them. Her time in Dacria had made her more sensitive and aware on how to detect the presence of a hidden vampire especially when she started walking back and forth along these corridors. "But… Gavriel… he is very strong, father."

"I know. But your father is stronger, Evie. Don't forget. I have a dragon on my side." Lucius said confidently and smiled at her tenderly, like a proud father that he always was. "Don't worry, this won't take long at all. Furthermore, now he does not have anyone to aid him anymore so it will only be a matter of time until we find him. And once he's been dealt with, we can finally go back home. And this time, we won't have to worry about wars anymore." Lucius' explanation was full of vigour and self-assurance which came from the conviction that having the dragon would be the ultimate game changer.

"R-really? Did emperor Lorcan give you the promise on not to attack the human lands ever again?"

"Yes. Lorcan is a good emperor unlike the real royals of this empire. He is the only vampire emperor who ever approached us humans first. He's not a monster. And that's why he had come seeking for our help to annihilate the royals who are the ones that are angry with those who have human blood. So, after this, we will finally enter a new era where vampires and humans will unite and live at peace with each other."

"I… I see…" Evie managed to stammer out a reply as she forced a relieved smile as they finally arrived at her room.

"Alright, I am going back to the throne hall for now Evie. You go get some rest. I'll come get you once I'm done with the discussions."

Evie clung onto her father and showed some hesitation. "But I'm afraid to be alone now. Can you send me a guard to accompany me?"

"Alright, I will send my general to –"

"But a human general is not powerful enough to protect me against…" she burst out before stopping as though she had just thought of a great idea. Evie then looked at her father with shining eyes. "Father, I remember that there's a powerful half-human I saw here. I think his name is Leon. When I met him, I didn't feel scared of him even though he's so powerful. I think it's because he's a half-human. I'd feel safer without you by my side if he'll be the one to guard me." She requested smoothly and her father patted her head.

"Alright. I will talk about this to Lorcan. Rest assured Evie, the emperor won't say 'no' to my request."

"I'm glad." Evie was rejoicing in her heart as so far things have been progressing as planned. She just hoped everything would continue to go on as smoothly.

"Now go inside and fix yourself. You might catch a cold."

"Okay."

After the father and daughter finally parted, Evie entered her room and took a deep breath. This was easier than expected but also at the same time harder than what she had thought. It seems Lorcan was not an easy person to fool – as expected of the emperor. She had expected him to remain doubtful, but she did not expect him to send someone to follow in hiding and listen in to their every conversation. Such a sly personality. How could she find the opportunity to tell her father about Gavriel now? She must think of a plan on letting her father know!