Quentin Zero Moriarty, the last pureblood of the Moriarty Clan. If memory serves, the Moriarty's, Le Blac, and Von Stein clan along with the La Crox, Bloodfang, and Crawford's founded the Heart's Kingdom. Unlike the Bloodfang and Crawford Clans, who had inferior blood, those three clans could par the La Crox. However, instead of fighting for the throne, the three clans went on their separate ways to build their own kingdom.

Those kingdoms were now known as Karo Kingdom, Cross Kingdom, Spade Kingdom. Just like the Heart's Kingdom, those three held the same power and declaring war with any of them would result in unimaginable casualties for both sides.

But time had passed and the previous clan leaders had perished. The newer generations don't seem to think peace was always the perfect resolution. Whether it was their egos or greed for more power, Stefan and Zero from the Spade Kingdom seemed to share the same goal.

That was an Empire.

"Duchess."

My brows quirked as I halted from leaving. The rest of the people I had met tonight glanced at me, but they didn't stop me from leaving the meeting room.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" I turned around and faced Zero.

He glanced at Yul, who was waiting for me for a moment, before setting his eyes on me. "Would you grant this old fellow to share a tea with you?"

Tea? With him? I took a deep breath as I pondered about it momentarily. I glanced at Yul and offered him a smile, before facing Zero once again.

"I would love to," I replied with a smile doesn't reach my eye. "Yul, can you wait for me outside?"

"But…"

"I don't think there's something to be wary about His Majesty." I cut Yul off and cast him a quick look. Yul clenched his teeth before letting out a deep sigh and bowed.

"I'll just be right outside," he said as he gazed at me, and then to Zero who was smiling brightly.

"Forgive my brother's rudeness, Your Majesty. I hope you understand he is quite fond of me." I beckoned a slight bow as soon as Yul left.

"Oh, no offense taken." Zero waved as he turned and walked towards the chairs near the shelves. "I understand the ninth prince since his sister is quite bold yet… endearing."

Zero dragged the chair carefully and then turned his head to my direction. "Please, take a seat."

"Thank you." I nodded and sat on the chair. I watched him walked back and forth as he personally prepared the tea before sitting from across me, with the tray in his hand.

"You're quite skilled at this, Your Majesty." I praised as I watched him pour tea elegantly.

Zero let out a low and soft chuckle. "I like doing everything by myself, Duchess. Hence, I picked up these type of unimportant skills."

A profoundly distrustful person… that was what he meant.

After putting down the tea pot, he carefully served the tea in front of me before gestured to me to take it. "Please."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." I smiled and picked up the cup of tea, sniffing its aroma that made me furrow my brows. My hand unhesitatingly guided the cup to my lips and took a sip.

My eyes dilated a bit and turned to him when he chuckled. "Surprised that it's sweet?"

I pursed my lips and carefully placed the cup down. It was indeed surprisingly that was very unlike the tea I shared with Yul and Silvia.

"It's sweet and refreshing as if soothing my fatigue and my muscle." I expressed honestly as I faced him. Zero was sipping before he placed down his cup on the saucer and smiled at me.

"I'm glad you liked it," He mused and explained the components of the tea which surprised me even more.

"It's blood?" I asked as I glanced at my tea.

"Don't worry. In our Spade Kingdom, we had human blood donors." Zero smirked at me playfully, clarifying his side just in case I would misunderstand. "This tea had been very popular among nobles from our kingdom and to other lands."

It was popular to other land, but not in the Heart's Kingdom? I remembered drinking that bitter tea during my first day in the Avolire Palace. Did they deliver all the bad goods in our kingdom? Or did the kingdom refuse a trade with them?

"Oh, dear! Your expression tells me everything. The Heart's Kingdom is our biggest consumer since there were more vampires in this kingdom." Zero chuckled in amusement, smiling brightly for whatever reason. "If you're a vampire, you will enjoy the natural taste of the tea. However, since you're still human, I added my secret ingredients in it."

"By secret ingredients, you don't mean your blood, right?"

"Haha! How did I not think of that?" he chuckled while shaking his head lightly. "Unfortunately, although the thought of you having me is tempting, I can't attract attention by bleeding. So no, it's not my blood, but my love."

The little expression on my face completely vanished. "I didn't know Your Majesty is quite generous." This guy… was he also a pervert? His words could mislead anyone who was listening.

"Zero. I do not mind being called by my name, Duchess."

"How can I do that, Your Majesty? Please don't put such a burden in me."

Zero's smile slightly faded. "We are allies and just like me, you almost have the same standing being the Bloodfang's clan leader." He rested his leg over the other, propping jaw by the back of his hand with his eyes fixed on me.

"Your Grace, do you know that by having one of the purest blood made you the most desirable woman in this kingdom?" he asked out of nowhere, rendering me in silence. "However, that is not the reason I asked you to stay."

I unconsciously held my breath as I clutched my skirt, but kept my exterior in check. Zero's alliance with my clan must have more than… my eyes dilated as a scoff slipped past my lips upon the sudden realization in my head.

This alliance… hah… fucking —!

"Have you realized it?" Zero smirked as he amused himself watching me.

I cleared my throat and bowed slightly. "Thank you for the tea, Your Majesty. I can't stay out for a long time."

I didn't wait for him to speak as I stood and bowed once again before leaving. When I was by the door, I halted as he spoke.

"This will be a long night, don't you think?"

My head turned back at him as I sported a subtle smile. "I hope it'll be an interesting one as well." And then I left, grinding my teeth with my fist trembling.

"Sis, are you alright?" asked Yul while I stomped my feet away.

"Alright?" I sneered, as my eyes glinted in ridicule. "Yul, my desire for the throne just became stronger than ever."

*****

"How cute," Zero remarked with a smirk while his eyes were still fixed on the door. "No wonder the king and the duke are drawn to her."

"Your Majesty, what do you think about her?" asked Tristan Willow, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"I think…" Zero trailed off as Lilou's smirk and last remarks before she left hovered in his head. "Just as the Bloodfang said, the long wait will be worthwhile."

"We can't trust her, Your Majesty. That ninth prince is also not to be underestimated."

Zero let out a loud chuckled as he turned his eyes towards Tristan. "The Bloodfangs are meticulous. It's just a matter of time until the will of the Bloodfang will be her own will… although now that I met her, I don't think I still have the patience to let my fiance be with someone else's wife."

"Your Majesty, are you saying…"

"My fiance said she hopes tonight will be an interesting night." The corner of Zero's lips stretched wider. "Since the founding celebration is coming, didn't the king send an invitation? It's my duty to respond, right?"