Page 19 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

He keeps his gaze trained on Haldan’s back until he disappears, then casts a brief glance to the rooftop. I decide thisis the best time to tell Aelfric about my plan. “I want to join Lord Wesley’s search for the murderer.”

The knight bristles over my request. “Rhianelle, we both know you can’t do that.”

I need to do something. There’s too many innocent lives lost. I just know that they’re going to pin it in on Svenn eventually.

“I feel terrible. The murders started right after our arrival in town.” I try not to sound too nervous and broken.

But Aelfric notices the crack in my voice anyway.

“It’s not just us. Plenty of others have arrived here since. The emissaries, the war generals, the Aldarelfs, the Valorians,” he recounts, his tone dry.

No matter how much Aelfric claims to hate Svenn, he doesn’t jump to the conclusion that the vampire is the murderer. He is always fair and logical.

My eyes fall to the hunting gear in his hand.

“I’ve offered Lord Wesley my help with the search. We’ll catch the murderer soon,” he promises. “Rest easy, Rhianelle.”

I take his hand and offer the gods a small prayer for his safety. “Be careful, Aelfric.”

A faint smile graces his mouth. It’s rare on Aelfric, so I’ll take it. “Wait for Darstan to accompany you back to your room,” he says before he leaves.

I could have just gone to my room myself. But I don’t want my knights to worry about my safety. They’re already on edge since I decided to share my room with Svenn. Having their company everywhere I go is a small compromise.

I linger at the cloister as instructed when I hear murmurs and several gasps of surprise from the throngs of nobles. Their attentions are fixed upon the arrival of a tall, slender lady with smooth pale skin and black hair that hangs loose behind her back.

I brighten immediately at the sight of Siofra.

The lady walks towards me gracefully, each of her movement assured and steady. She wears a modest, long-sleeve dress that is favored by the older priestesses of Arawynn temple. Whispers from the crowd follow her footsteps, but her beauty is not the main reason for the commotion.

“Mommy, that lady looks like my old doll that got chewed by a stray dog!” an innocent child exclaims before her mother shushes her.

A horrific jagged scar runs across Siofra’s face, paired with another linear one on her neck. I know she has multiple others all across her body underneath the brown dress.

She bows, the movement effortlessly graceful.

“Your Highness,” she signs with her hand.

It is said that her vocal cords were so severely damaged that she could no longer speak. Some say her tongue was cut entirely. I never asked deeper about what happened to her.

She was once the Lady of Celestria before it was conquered by Myrkheim.Her scars are the testament of the orc’s cruelty,the Aeonians had announced. Few know the truth that she sustained the injuries prior to her capture. Her late ex-husband, the Lord of Celestria, had a terrible temper.

“Congratulation on your wedding, Your Highness,” she signs with a bright smile. Her compliment feels genuine, unlike the ones the Aeonians and the members of the council had thrown at me.

“Thank you. Lady Siof—I mean Siofra.” She told me to stop calling her with honorifics and I don’t dare to dishonor the request.

“Come with me.” She takes me by the hand.

I follow her without question. I’m sure she has visited Wesley’s keep multiple times in the past. Windhaven is one of Celestria’s nearest neighbors. I just feel bad for asking her toreturn to this region after everything. The lady brings me to a private area away from scrutinizing eyes.

Before I can ask her about her journey, she reveals the book in her satchel.

The Book of Bindings.

This giant tome is taken from the Arawynn temple at the capital.

“I’m sorry for making such a sudden request,” I say, carefully taking from her hand.

“No worries. I’m happy for the chance to visit my husband—”