Being around the castle for a few days gave me a more relaxed view of life. For once there was no running away from anyone or turning around and killing anyone if they pissed me off. I was strangely at ease. Yet I still haven't met everyone here. I hadn't met any of the other members of the Queen's personal guard, but I had become acquainted with court and the manners that were expected of me.

 

"I have business with her majesty." I explained as I quickly made my way up some steps towards the royal quarters.

"Oh who are you?" One asked as she stared at me with her dark and desiring eyes.

 

 

"I think our Queen ordered us to kill anyone who tried to go through that door, say shall we act on that?" The other asked with a terrifying smile. The smile scared me more, by the fact that she likely could kill me quite easily.

 

 

"I'll have you know that I'm the newest member of her guard, and I think she'd have you killed if you hurt me." I said hoping that the threat might have the faintest affect on her, but strangely it didn't, she seemed unfazed by the threat and stood with an unbroken face that seemed like that of a soldier.

 

 

"Fine, fine. Even trying to torment you is boring. Go on ahead." The more considerate of the two said as she gently gestured to the hallway, with a cold and determined stare.

 

 

"I'll gladly get my business with the Queen concluded. Thank you." I muttered as I began to force myself up the steps. This would be one thing I could never stand about this place, all the stairs. Stairs everywhere.

 

 

"Such a shame, here I was thinking you might be at least a bit of fun. Maybe I'm not such a good judge of character after all." The more...murderous of the two sighed as I began to pass between her and through the doorway.

 

 

I was glad to get past. But if they were to be my friends, allies even, I suppose I'd have to understand them. Yet even in an ideal world it would be difficult to do that.

 

 

A few moments later...

 

I walked straight into the royal quarters, they were bigger than I thought. In the centre was a large fireplace with a small throne sat in front of it, it was clear the Queen was sat there, staring into fire, for no reason clearly, she also clearly was getting old, she didn't even acknowledge I was there, or she just didn't want to. I couldn't be sure which it was, not until I met her. Then as I closed the door, a fragrant wave of snow-berries happened upon me, there was only one person who wore that in this castle, that was Sofia. I think she'd be better company for now.

"I didn't think you'd be here, are you a handmaiden now?" I asked poking fun at her. Because I knew the truth about her.

 

 

"As you very well know, I am not. I'm writing letters for her majesty, your family will need an explanation why you haven't returned." She explained as she perused through the books that were laying idle on her desk.

 

 

I stepped towards it and took a book off of it and opened it, revealing a huge cloud of dust.

"The Mysteries of Vampire Court? You were going to read this? The man who wrote this was a fool who wasn't even a vampire." I exclaimed proudly, as I brushed my fingers along the pages that were ready to fall into pieces.

 

 

"You know I wouldn't read the grovelling of an old man. Besides it's not mine anyway." Sofia argued, as I finally closed the book and placed it back onto the polished desk.

 

 

"Oh I know you wouldn't you're much better than that." I continued as I began to lean away from her and towards the queen.

 

 

"Go, get your business done with the Queen, I'll teach you a lesson later." She said licking her lips for a few short seconds, making me tingly just thinking about her. Thinking of her caressing me, every part of me.

 

 

I quickly made my way over to the throne, where the Queen sat as if scared, or confused. All she seemed to do was stare into the fire place, I know we needed to get warm sometimes but we never did nothing near the fire.

"Your Grace, you requested me." I admitted as I took a deep bow hoping to at least appease her a little bit.

 

 

"You may rise. Now, I know you have talents, you beat my son in a duel and lived. I think your talent would be wasted being a glorified sentry. And it also seems that you are a very good tactician, according to the story, you orchestrated the defence of Skystone Castle when the Dawnguard first attacked." She explained. Did she admire me. I hope not, I wasn't one for having someone kiss my boots, and if I was Queen she would be one of those people. But I had to accept the flattery.

 

 

"Well the stories told glorify the Dawnguard mostly, but I'll take what flattery I can. Thank you your grace. But what is it you mention about my talents being wasted?" I asked. "If I have any mentionable talents."

 

 

"Well said, but you do have many talents. I've been having eyes on you for weeks. And now you're finally here, I just needed a ploy to get you here." She said with a menacing grin. "Well I suppose as a Queen I shouldn't beat around the bush. I've been reshuffling my cards in the game. I've been needing a new member on my council, I think you'd be a good choice for a position on there, despite your...actions against my family." She looked at me almost as of she was expecting reassurance of her decision, I didn't want to give her that of course, I despised her ploy in forcing me to stay here.

 

 

"So will that make me a master of something?" I asked, with a smirk hoping to lighten the mood a little bit, although her look didn't change, it was unbroken.

 

 

 

A few days later...

 

"So this council meeting, none of you seem to care." I admitted as I looked across the room.

 

 

 

"You don't care, you're reading a book, and not a good one at that."

 

 

"And you're just sat playing the fucking lute."

 

 

"They do this all the time. Though when we live for thousands of years, you learn nothing good really happens often." Sofia said as she looked over across the table towards me with a meaningful glare.

 

 

"Great." I said clearly. "I also have to deal with Prince Vlad too." I muttered noticeably quieter.

 

 

"Can you not just let us have some fun, nothing is going to happen, nothing ever does." Svennia whined as she strung her lute lightly.

 

 

"Yeah, besides I'm reading about the great sieges of Tamriel, I like this it's not a poor choice of book." Kellen cried as she brushed along the pages.

 

 

"Cmon you're the Prince, organise, you'll have to rule at some point!" I commanded bearing my fangs and making them slightly visible. I could see Sofia getting infuriated, though I'm not sure in which way. To be honest I was infuriated myself.

 

 

"Nope, I'm just here for the ride." He said calmly as he swung a bronze key around his fingers.

 

 

"I did warn you, no one wants to do anything here." Sofia whispered towards me, tossing her words to the point where I don't think anyone but myself could hear them.

 

 

"Great a Prince who won't rule and councillors who won't council."

 

"Fuck me."

 

End of Chapter 12

 

Thank you for reading it really means a lot. Do feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments, I read all the feedback, as it allows me to improve my chapters.

 

Once again thank you!