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Chapter 3

"He's going to die soon, and remember, you're next, so you should consider being in a relationship before he passes away. I'll only come to that eerie village if necessary. I can't find any friends there!" Harry remarked. "Daniel, can you believe what happened last night at the palace?"

He walked into the warehouse and took a seat.

"What happened?" Daniel asked, eager to hear the story.

"I was relaxing when that squeaky door your dad installed in the room opened. I thought it might be one of the guards, but to my surprise, a pretty maid entered with food. I talked to her..."

"Shh..." Daniel interrupted.

"What's wrong? Are you busy?" Harry asked.

"No," Daniel sighed. "When are you going to drop that weird accent of yours? How could you approach a royal vampire maid like that? The gods won't be pleased. Don't let it happen again."

"I understand," Harry replied.

"What, Harry?"

"I know you plan to take over the palace when the king is gone. Don't worry, I won't come to visit," Harry said, ending the call, clearly upset.

Harry always felt like an outsider in the king's presence. The king treated him poorly, like he was unwanted and unlucky. So, he left home and started researching how to be self-sufficient. He found this warehouse, which became his hideout.

He looked at a picture on the blackboard: "Liam Ruger."

Harry smiled at the picture. "It's been a while since I had a meaningful connection. Liam Ruger, you're next on my list. I'll make you rethink your choices." He chuckled and poured himself some wine, taking a sip.

In the vampire kingdom, in Prince Daniel's room:

Daniel stared at his phone, frustrated by his brother's behavior. The last thing he needed now was Harry pulling away.

Then Queen Rosie entered the room, her face serious. "Have you seen Harry?" she asked.

"No," Daniel replied.

"Does he know about the king's illness?"

"Of course, he does. I just called him, and he was talking about spending time with a maid," Daniel explained, and Queen Rosie looked worried.

"A maid?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Daniel confirmed. "What do you want to do, Mother?"

"I want to dismiss the girl," Queen Rosie declared.

"Mother, the young maid didn't seduce him; he's the one who approached her," Daniel reasoned.

"Really? Well, I'm just trying to ensure that my return to the palace doesn't create rumors that I'm only doing it for my son, not for the kingdom," Queen Rosie explained.

"Mother, nobody will accuse you of that. Have you forgotten how you tried to establish a connection between you and Harry?"

"Yes, I remember," Queen Rosie admitted.

"Harry is the one choosing to act this way," Daniel reminded her. He approached his mother, hugging her affectionately. Queen Rosie responded warmly.

"I want one night with you, son," she whispered.

"Mother, not now. Our priority is to bring Father back to health. And I need to find a suitable partner, so it doesn't seem like I'm just fooling around," Daniel replied.

"I understand, but my desires can't wait, and your father can't fulfill them. I'm left unsatisfied, and if you won't satisfy me, I'll look elsewhere," Queen Rosie said, her frustration evident.

"Mother, in this kingdom, you won't find anyone willing to be involved with you. They love and respect their king too much. Finding a partner outside the palace would be difficult," Daniel cautioned.

"I'm aware of that, which is why I'm considering leaving the kingdom temporarily to find a suitable partner in the city," Queen Rosie confessed, her mood brightening.

"Mother, it's best to keep your intentions discreet. We can't afford to damage the kingdom's reputation," Daniel advised.

"True," Queen Rosie agreed, displaying a cunning smile. "But if you ever decide to share our little secret, it could prove quite advantageous for both of us."

"Mother, this doesn't make any sense. Are you truly my mother?" Daniel asked, bewildered.

"Well, unless you want to be called a bastard," Queen Rosie retorted, revealing a video on her phone.

"This is us," she said. "Think twice before you decide to expose our secret, my dear son."

With that, she left him to ponder the implications of their clandestine relationship.

Daniel was left deep in thought about the situation involving his mother and brother. It troubled him that their family was entangled in such secrecy and potential scandal. He couldn't help but wonder how they had reached this point.

As the days passed, he continued to worry about his father's deteriorating health and the looming uncertainty of succession. Daniel knew that his brother Harry could be unpredictable, and his mother's intentions were equally perplexing.

One evening, he decided to pay a visit to his father's chamber, where the king lay weak and bedridden. He found Queen Rosie sitting by the king's side, her eyes filled with sorrow. The king's condition had worsened, and it was evident that he didn't have much time left.

"Father," Daniel whispered, approaching the bed.

The king opened his eyes weakly and managed a faint smile. "Daniel, my son," he rasped.

Daniel took his father's hand, feeling a pang of sadness. "I'm here, Father. We're all here for you."

Queen Rosie nodded in agreement, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Despite their complex family dynamics, they shared a genuine concern for the king's well-being.

Over the next few weeks, the king's health continued to decline. Daniel and Queen Rosie spent more time together, discussing the kingdom's future and the challenges they would face once the king passed away. They realized that they needed to work together to ensure a smooth transition of power.

As they deliberated on the kingdom's affairs, Daniel couldn't help but admire his mother's resilience and determination. She had always been a strong presence in the palace, and her commitment to the kingdom was unwavering.

One day, as they were deep in conversation, Queen Rosie broached the subject of Harry. "Daniel, we must find a way to bring your brother back. Despite his erratic behavior, he is still our family, and the kingdom needs unity."

Daniel nodded in agreement. "I'll try to reach out to him again. Perhaps we can persuade him to return and support our efforts during this challenging time."

Their shared commitment to the kingdom's stability brought them closer together, setting aside the complexities of their personal relationships.

In the following weeks, Daniel managed to establish contact with Harry, convincing him that their father's health was in dire straits. Harry, although still distant, agreed to return to the palace.

As the day of the king's passing approached, the royal family gathered around his bedside. Despite their differences and the secrets they held, they came together as a united front, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

The king's passing marked the end of an era, but it also signaled the beginning of a new chapter for the vampire kingdom. Daniel and Queen Rosie, with Harry's reluctant support, would work together to lead their people and ensure a prosperous future.

The palace, once filled with secrecy and uncertainty, would now witness a new era of leadership, where the royal family's strength and unity would guide the kingdom toward a brighter tomorrow.

?LIAM RUGER HOUSE ?

Liam Ruger looked at her children, their eyes filled with interest and understanding. She hoped that sharing her story would help them appreciate the complexity of life's twists and turns.

"Mom, that's a touching story. But what happened next? If you and Dad were so in love, what could have torn such a happy union apart?" Dora asked.

"Who told you that your father was handsome?" Liam Ruger asked, her tone slightly puzzled.

"Well, Mom, sometimes you can just tell when someone is handsome. It's in the way you talk about him. I can see it in your expression," Dora replied with a playful smile.

"He's not the most attractive person, but love can make you see past such things," Liam Ruger admitted with a chuckle.

Liam Ruger continued her story, reminiscing about those early days of her relationship with Liam, who was not their biological father. She wanted to shield her children from the truth that could shatter their perceptions of their family.

She remembered their time together in high school, how their initial rivalry had transformed into a deep connection. Their love had blossomed, despite the teacher's encouragement for them to be together for the sake of their studies. They had faced the challenges of young love head-on, even as they navigated the complexities of high school life.

She also acknowledged that not all students at their high school were as focused on their studies. Some were there simply to indulge in romantic relationships or engage in reckless behavior.

As Liam Ruger continued her story, her children listened attentively, captivated by the tale of their parents' early romance. They couldn't help but admire the love that had brought their family together, despite the hurdles they had faced.

Eventually, Dora asked the question that had been on her mind. "Mother, can you tell us what caused the separation between you and Dad?"

Liam Ruger hesitated, knowing that the truth was a painful and complicated matter. She decided to provide a partial answer. "Dora, your father and I faced challenges, and we grew apart over time. It's not a simple story, and it's best not to dwell on the past."

Dora and Danielle exchanged glances, sensing that their mother was holding back. They respected her decision not to reveal the full truth, but their curiosity remained.

As Liam Ruger gazed at her children, she hoped that her explanation had sufficed for now. She knew that they were growing up and would have more questions as time went on. For the moment, she cherished the love and bond they shared as a family, even if their past was shrouded in secrets and complexities.

Liam Ruger took a deep breath, her children's expectant eyes urging her to continue. She knew it was time to provide them with a more complete picture of her past.

"Alright, my darlings," she began, "I want you to know that your father, the man I fell in love with in high school, was not your biological father. We faced many challenges as we grew older, and one of those challenges was the realization that we couldn't have children together."

Dora and Danielle exchanged surprised glances, absorbing this revelation. It was a lot to process.

"So, what happened next, Mom?" Dora asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Liam Ruger continued, her words measured and heartfelt. "We decided that it was best for both of us to go our separate ways. It was a difficult decision, one that caused us a lot of pain, but we knew it was the right thing to do."

Danielle spoke up, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Mom, we had no idea. We thought Dad was our real father."

Liam Ruger nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I understand, my sweethearts. I never wanted you to feel any different, and your father loved you as if you were his own. That's the kind of man he was."

Dora leaned in and hugged her mother tightly. "We love you, Mom, no matter what. You did what you thought was best for us."

Liam Ruger embraced her daughters, feeling their love and support. "Thank you, my dears. You both mean the world to me."

As they held each other, Liam Ruger knew that their family had faced challenges, secrets, and complexities, but they had also found love, understanding, and acceptance within their bonds. It was a reminder that even in the face of adversity, family remained a source of strength and unconditional love.

With their newfound understanding, the Ruger family faced the future with open hearts, ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead and cherish the love that bound them together.