The First Vampire

Chapter 608: 606 Return_1
 

In early July, Colin returned to the North Territory from the Sky Ice Plain.

However, he did not directly head to Winterfell City, but returned to Ice Rock City instead.

It was not that he missed home, but rather because Vera was here.

Upon hearing the distressing news of the Imperial Allied Army’s defeat and Marquis Garcia declared a traitor by Emperor Reinhardt, Vera hurriedly headed north, seeking her husband’s help.

The two happened to meet at Ice Rock City.

In fact, Ice Rock City, although Colin’s ancestral home, had rarely seen him over the years due to his constant battles across the land.

The castle, inherited from the Sudor’s family, had been completely renovated and had become a real “Red Keep” belonging to the Angler family.

Upon his return, Colin found himself lost in his own castle…

After bathing and changing, Colin dusted off his journey and entered the study.

The Half-Elf maid, Kathy, greeted Colin with a faint smile, saying:

“Count, the Duke is currently bathing. He will be right with you. Please wait for a moment.”

Colin nodded, and sat down on the sofa.

“Meow——”

A blue-gray shadow flashed behind Colin, and only then Colin noticed that he almost sat down on Little White, who was lying on the sofa, which he failed to notice due to his preoccupation.

Long unseen, Little White looked rounder, a clear sign of excessive food and little exercise.

However, upon seeing Colin, Little White’s eyes were extra cautious. It seemed to not recognize this irresponsible owner.

“Count. What would you like to drink?”

“Coffee.”

“Very well.”

Kathy daintily prepared the coffee, her movements sleek, her posture graceful. It was a pleasing sight to behold but Colin, distracted, was lost in his own thoughts.

Honestly, Colin hadn’t expected the Imperial Allied Army to lose so quickly.

To know, in these large-scale million men stand-offs, even after a year or so, a winner is seldom determined, but now, in such a short time, there was news of the dire defeat of the Allied Army.

What shocked him even more was that Marquis Garcia had abandoned the battle midway!

In Colin’s image, Marquis Garcia was definitely not a man who feared death. Such a desertion was impossible for him.

Colin speculated that either Marquis Garcia was wronged, or… Marquis Garcia had different plans…

Kathy had already placed a cup of aromatic coffee in front of Colin, with a dollop of milk and a spoonful of sugar added according to Colin’s preference.

Colin picked up the cup nonchalantly and took a sip of coffee. The soothing taste revived his senses.

At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the door, and then, Vera walked in.

Quickly, Kathy rose and asked, “Duke, what would you like to drink?”

Vera, looking at the ready-made coffee, said, “Coffee, no sugar.”

“Very well.” Kathy poured a cup for Vera and then quietly exited the room, leaving Colin and his wife alone.

Colin moved forward to cuddle Vera in his arms, and then gently kissed her on her radiant forehead, asking:

“Why did you not wait for me in Winterfell City?”

“I was impatient.” Vera nestled more firmly in her husband’s warm embrace, her previously anxious mood significantly soothed.

“You’re going to be a mother soon, so stop running around recklessly.” Colin put his hand on Vera’s slightly bumped belly, advising her.

“Mmhm.” Vera bobbed her head and then pulled out a letter from her pouch and handed it to Colin, “This is a letter that my father sent to Winterfell City. It details the reasons behind what happened. Have a look.”

Colin quickly took the letter, wrapped his arm around Vera and sat on the sofa, reading it carefully.

Little White, choosing this moment to climb over, lay on Vera’s belly and started to purr.

Colin, too engrossed in the letter to acknowledge the kitten, finally understood the true circumstances after reading Marquis Garcia’s letter.

“The Marquis took a considerable risk this time.” Colin sighed, “And, he staked his reputation, even his life on this…”

“Colin, my father won’t get into any trouble, right?” Vera quickly asked, worried.

“He shouldn’t.” Colin could only reassure his wife, “As long as we follow the Marquis’ strategy and successfully repel the orc army, we can help clear his name.”

Vera exhaled in relief, but with concern in her voice, said, “Why must my father adopt such extreme measures? Why didn’t he persuade the emperor to retreat?”

“He probably already tried persuading, without success,” Colin could guess something about the situation on the front, “Emperor Reinhardt is stubborn, and Duke St. Gregorian would not want to see Westland fall, so both of them would probably not agree to Marquis Garcia’s retreat strategy…”

“Therefore, the Marquis had no choice but to make such a decision.”

Vera sighed and felt somewhat helpless.

After a moment of silence, she asked: “So when are you planning to head to Westland?”

“As soon as possible.” Colin pondered, “I will rest at Ice Rock City for a day, and will lead the army out early tomorrow morning.”

“That soon?” Vera was somewhat reluctant to let Colin go, but seeing the urgency of the situation, she did not dissuade him.

Colin delicately brushed his wife’s hair, kissing her daintily at the ear, speaking softly, “I must quickly get information on Westland’s situation, so it’s better to leave sooner. Once I return from this trip, I will stay put, and take care of you during your delivery.”

“Mmm. Don’t worry about me.” Vera didn’t want the mood to be too gloomy, she attempted a smile, “You’ve made a great contribution on the Sky Ice Plain, I intended to confer upon you the title of Marquis. But now, I will have to decide when you come back from Westland.”

“Marquis?” Colin gave a small smile, “Is there enough Fiefdom left in the North Territory to confer a new Marquis?”

Vera held back a smile, “Of course there is, I have already planned it. I’ll confer the western bank of the Angry River to you. Since the Angry River is already under our control, if one day you feel your territory isn’t large enough, you can continue to expand eastwards.”

Colin obviously understood Vera’s intention and burst into laughter, “Alright, you save that land for me first, when I return from the campaign to the West.”

Vera, seeing the enthusiasm in her husband’s eyes, was filled with pride, and quickly awarded him a kiss.

During their passionate embrace, Little White was pushed off the sofa.

Meow! Meow!

Little White caterwauled a few times at Colin, displeased, but Colin caught it by the collar and threw it out the window.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Luckily the study was not high from the ground, Little White managed to find its balance mid-air, landed on all fours, then caterwauled even more loudly at the window, protesting its grievance.

Thud!

Colin casually shut the window, cutting off all noise from inside and outside the study.