BLOOD.FANGS.N'.FIRE

A well polished koffee brown carriage attached to four magnificent brown stallions stood at the front of the castle.

Two coachmen stood at the side of the carriage wearing black coats with white shirts. Upon seeing the king, the two bowed and one opened the carriage door for him.

Florah was awestruck seeing such a beautiful carriage and the beautiful front of the castle which looked neat with well trimmed green bushes, several colorful flowers planted and cobble stone pavements.

She held the front of her uniform, while going down the multiple stairs.

Gavriel entered and sat in his carriage waiting for the girl to enter.

Florah tried climbing the carriage but when she supported her herself by holding the door, she ended up stepping on the front of her dress.

Florah felt her heart jump out of her chest as she started falling backwards but before she could fall, the coachman caught her by her waist and gave her his hand as support to enter the carriage.

An embarrassed Florah muttered a 'thank you' to the nice coachman who saved her from hitting her head on the stone pavement.

"Clumsy" she had the king say as he looked at her.

She had an urge to glare at him but resisted as he was king and that could have her punished.

The interior of the carriage was covered in black velvet on the walls and the seats, that were cushioned well for comfort.

The king sat lazily, his head thrown back and his eyes closed. Florah had an urge to ask him where they were going but decided to stay quiet.

' Why me of all the servants in the castle' she internally asked herself again. There were more experienced servants that could cater for his needs a hundred times better than her but here she was seated opposite the king looking shabby and hungry.

'I should have stayed working in the market' she regrefully thought but she knew it was too late for that. She wondered whether her original plan to leave after a month would be possible.

'I have to contact Jeremiah. He would be upset but l think he will have a plan to get me out of here'. Florah thought hopefully.

The carriage had started moving towards the main gate of the palace, Florah looked through the small window on her right. Looking at how the carriage drove passed the greenery of the castle and its big iron gates.

The carriage drove for some minutes as it passed through what Florah believed to be the capital that she had heard so many stories about.

She gawked at the numerous buildings that were tall and big. Various people dressed in expensive garments with servants following them as leisurely roamed the streets.

Most of them looked at the carriage knowing who was seated in it.

Coming to a halt, the carriage stopped at a certain building that was named Hollow's Inn.

The coachman came and opened the door for the king,"We are here, your majesty" the man said.

Stepping out of the carriage, Gavriel turned to look at his frail servant who looked like she wanted to run away from him and smirked.

Florah this time grabbed the side of the carriage with one hand and held the front of her maid's uniform with the other.

Carefully Stepping out of the carriage, looking at the King she could have sworn she saw disappointment in his eyes. 'Was he waiting for her to stumble like before'.

Quietly glaring at his back, she looked around at the new and clean atmosphere of the capital."Wow" she quietly muttered.

Unlike Dradfold town which was occupied by people of the lower class who were mostly market vendors, servants, farmers and the beggars who slept on the streets. The capital was beautiful, people of high status moved around poised. The men wore suits and hats while the women wore silk gowns with corsets that actuated their figures, carrying fanswith there glove covered hands.

Several servants who looked shabbier than her, followed their masters carrying numerous things at a time.

Florah followed behind the king who had garnered a lot of attention from the town folks. Most of them bowed at him and cleared way for him.

Florah saw how the women blushed and giggled as they looked at the king.

"Your Majesty.." A gorgeous lady wearing a baby blue dress called the king.

Walking closer towards him, the lady left some space between the two of them as she bowed to greet the sovereign.

"A Good morning, your highness" The woman Samantha Bowess coyly greeted the king.

Gavriel looked at the vampiress who was stupid enough to try and strike a conversation with him and smirked.

Gavriel nodded to her greeting and said "It has indeed been a good morning Lady..." He waited for her to fill in her name.

"Samantha Bowess, your highness" The beautiful lady said.

"Yes, Lady Bowess" Gavriel said pretending to be interested.

"Your Majesty, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for inviting my family to the midnight ball yet again". The lady politely said.

" Well, your father, Clifford Bowess has established a number of ...". He paused looking for the right word to describe the man's businesses. "Entertainment houses" he said instead of brothels which were the man's business.

Lady Samantha was delighted to know that the king knew her father which would make it easier to get close to him in the future.

"Well yes, his businesses are doing well, your highness" The young vampiress gloated in her father's name.

"How about you lady Bowess, I see you were occupied..."Gavriel said glancing at the woman's servant who carried multiple bags.

"Yes, I did visit Harrez town before I came here. Lucky enough to get a chance to thank you, sire". The lady politely bowed to the king.

Gavriel looked at the woman whom he just indulged for his plan tomorrow night.

"Forgive me for hindering your way, sire". Lady Samantha moved aside to let the king pass.

Florah who was still cluelessly looking around didn't realise that the king and the woman were done talking and the king had entered the inn.

She came back to her senses when one of the bags the lady's servant carried bumped into her.

Looking at where the king was formerly standing, only to realize she was left alone there.