Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate-Chapter 269: An Offer of Protection

"Your Majesty!" Margrave Boris burst into the king’s office, breathless. Sweat glistened on his temples as he came to an abrupt halt before King Valentin’s massive oak desk, clasping his hands tightly before him.

The king barely glanced up. "Hm?"

In court, protocol dictated that a subordinate must wait for permission before speaking. But King Valentin was a man of few words—his silence spoke louder than any decree. The mere flick of his gaze toward Margrave Boris was all the approval needed.

"A large force has gathered at the gates," Boris said, his voice taut with urgency. "They claim to be sent by Emperor Kaan—to protect Eira."

King Valentin’s eyes narrowed. "What nonsense is that?"

Emperor Kaan had departed from Eira years ago without explanation, leaving no word of his return. And there was no threat to warrant his so-called protection. The only disturbances in Eira came from Florian’s occasional hunts—internal matters, nothing that required imperial intervention.

Besides, an emperor did not send his armies to defend just any kingdom. He protected only those who bent the knee. Eira had never done so.

So why had the imperial soldiers come?

Margrave Boris swallowed hard before delivering the final update. "The Royal Guards are restless, Your Majesty."

King Valentin remained still, but his mind raced through countless possibilities. Was this tied to Emperor Kaan’s investigation into dark magic? Or his persistent demand to marry Riona?

Perhaps Emperor Kaan had discovered the truth—that Riona was the Blood Moon child—and now sought to claim her for his own purposes. Or worse, this was a demand for Eira’s submission.

He couldn’t be sure. Not yet.

His voice was steady when he spoke. "Bring the Imperial General to me. Summon the Nightwatch—quietly. We don’t know what the emperor wants."

War loomed as a possibility, but if there was any way to prevent it, Valentin would take it. He had lost too many already—too many good men had died in the battle against Elder Alfred, their sacrifices weighing heavily on him.

And truth be told, he was tired of fighting.

As Margrave Boris hurried off to fetch the imperial general, King Valentin returned to the documents before him. He worked swiftly, finishing as much as possible—just in case the coming discussion took a turn for the worse.

It wasn’t long before Margrave Boris returned. After the formal announcement, the door swung open, revealing the imperial general.

He was a short, athletic man, his lean frame deceptively unassuming. But the scars that marked his body told a different story—one of countless battles, hard-won victories, and a warning to any who dared underestimate him.

He carried himself with the quiet assurance of a man who knew his worth.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, King Valentin of Eira," he said, his voice smooth yet edged with authority. "I am Colin Kane, General of the Imperial Army. We have come under His Majesty the Emperor’s orders—to protect Eira."

King Valentin betrayed no surprise. A stoic expression was one of his greatest weapons in diplomacy.

"Pray tell, Sir Colin," he said evenly, "what dangers does Eira face that warrant the presence of an army as distinguished as yours? Is Asvaldur no longer in need of protection? I hear your emperor is far from home."

The last remark was a calculated bluff. Valentin had no certainty about Emperor Kaan’s whereabouts, but he needed to find out. If he could pinpoint the emperor’s location, he could better anticipate his next move.

Sir Colin inclined his head slightly. "His Majesty the Emperor intended to visit Eira himself. However, urgent matters demanded his attention elsewhere. In his stead, I have come with our forces to establish the first line of defense before His Majesty’s arrival."

King Valentin studied him carefully. There was no hesitation in his words, no obvious deception. While Valentin harbored no faith in Emperor Kaan’s goodwill, that didn’t mean Sir Colin was lying. The emperor was a cunning man—truth and falsehood were both tools at his disposal.

Still, the answer was insufficient.

"I appreciate the gesture," Valentin said smoothly. "But you have yet to address the most pressing concern—what danger does Eira face? Don’t misunderstand me, Sir Colin. If a threat is looming, my guards must be properly prepared. Or does your emperor expect me to accept protection without explanation?"

The Imperial General considered the question for a moment before answering with blunt honesty. "To be frank, Your Majesty, we are still uncertain. We were ordered to stand by and await His Majesty’s instructions when the time comes. As of now, that time has not yet arrived."

That sounded exactly like Emperor Kaan—keeping his own men in the dark, always one step ahead, his true motives concealed.

King Valentin’s expression remained unreadable. "I’m afraid I cannot grant entry without a clear cause. The presence of a large foreign army at my gates will only breed uncertainty and fear among my people. I trust you understand."

Sir Colin, however, was not one to retreat so easily. Diplomacy was not his forte, but neither was surrender. If the emperor had chosen to withhold information, there had to be a reason.

"It is only natural for a ruler to put his people first," Colin acknowledged. "However, should danger arise suddenly, I am bound by duty to fulfill the charge His Majesty has given me—to ensure Eira’s safety."

Eira’s safety? That’s the last thing your emperor cares about. What is it, Kaan? What are you really after, stationing your troops at my doorstep?

King Valentin kept those thoughts buried beneath an impassive gaze. No matter how certain he was of Emperor Kaan’s ulterior motives—or how confident he was in his ability to repel him if it came to that—he couldn’t afford to voice his suspicions outright. Subtlety was key.

"I cannot permit an entire army to take up residence within Eira’s walls," King Valentin declared. "However, I recognize the difficult position you are in. As a compromise, I will allow a third of your forces to remain. My subordinates will arrange lodging, and in return, your soldiers will train with my knights in the courtyard every day without fail."

It was a calculated move. By dispersing the troops, he would weaken their cohesion, making it harder for them to act as a unified force. Their lodgings would be spread far apart, hindering swift communication.

As for the daily training—King Valentin preferred to keep potential threats where he could see them. An enemy standing in plain sight was far easier to eliminate.

"A third—?"

"I will accept no more than that," Valentin cut in, his voice firm. "That decision is final."

Sir Colin studied him for a moment, then gave a curt nod. He understood there was no room for negotiation.