Forced Bride Of The Vampire Lord

"My lady, this is the weekly expenditure of the royal kitchen. They have demanded that the budget is too low for maintaining supply of fresh blood!"

Hazel rubbed her forehead as this was the third time they have complained. If it would have been any other ingredient, she would have confirmed the price from the market.

But there is no fixed shop selling blood. The money was mostly offered to the poor who had good genes or fallen nobles to sell their blood to the royal palace. So, the compensation could start from a gold coin and end up in 1 billion gold coins.

That was why they were able to pressurize her so much.

"Jenna, aren't the maids offering blood to my lord?" letting go of the file in her hands, she picked up the glass of water.

She knew there was nothing but a nonsensical figure in the name of funds for buying blood.

"Yes, my lady but most of the time we are offered compensation for it from the kitchen and there are many nobles who offer blood in exchange for their titles or their wealth back.

But if you are still not sure, why don't you ask my lord for help!" replied the maid after some hesitation.

Though she still did not understand why she was so worried about this measly sum? Even if she paid billions of gold for blood every week and the palace stopped earning, they could still buy blood for centuries with the enormous amount the emperor had!

"Alright, take it and you can go!" Hazel signed the papers and returned them to the maid since her doubts were so clear on her face. As if she was thinking that Hazel was a fool to put so much effort over this meager amount.

Hazel wanted to explain that it was not about the amount but her future.

She was sure that Scarlet was looking closely at her every move and waiting for a chance to attack her again.

She was walking on eggshells and a single mistake could cost her, her position and if she would not have power, she would be forgotten soon and that would be the end of her life.

She had to stay in the center of power that would attract the attention of others so that if she attacked suddenly there would be a knight trying to rescue her.

Knights! Come to think of it, she had brought a loyal knight but never went to see her.

"Anne, I am taking a break, if anyone asks for me. Tell them to come after lunch."

"Yes, my lady. Shall I bring tea and snacks for you?" Hazel was glad that she had at least a few maids that did not look down on her and served her earnestly.

"No! I am going to the garden for a walk. I will have lunch directly when I come back."

"Oh! Then I will bring a shawl for you, the weather is still cold.`` Before Hazel could deny, the girl had already run away as if the matter was of life and death.

Hazel shook her head but a soft smile someone her lips looking at the unruly but caring actions of the girl.

"Here, it is. It would go well with your dress." The girl draped the shawl and added a broch in front to keep the dress at her place that brought a look of satisfaction in her eyes, amusing Hazel.

She wondered how happy the girl would be if she would get the chance to wear something like that when she was so happy with her wearing it.

She decided to bring a small gift for the girl when she would visit the town this time.

"Thank you! Take a rest till I come back."

"Oh, are you going alone? You should take some maids with you, my lady in case of urgency!" looking at the fidgeting figure, Hazel laughed hard.

Not because she could not feel the sincerity of the girl, but she felt like it was no less than a joke.

"Even if an emergency happened, would the maids be able to help me in front of the night creatures?" Though there was still a smile on her face, the words were so cold that the girl flinched and bowed her head.

"You do not need to worry so much. Take rest as I have said. I will come sooner." this time the maids just added as they did not dare to go against the wordings of her mistress twice.

Satisfied with their reactions, Hazel walked out of the office only to be followed by two knights but she did not try to stop them.

They were no less than the accessory that was kept to spy on her rather than protect her. But that gives her a chance to tell the enemies what she wanted to tell them and hide what she did not want them to know.

The soft winds caressed her cheeks as she reached the garden but instead of enjoying it, she walked straight to the training ground of knights.

Rafael had told her that he would sent the slave to the training grounds so that he would learn the rules of knights and could be appointed officially tp protect her later.

Though it may sound selfish, she was looking forward to that day so that she did not need to be so wary of the knights around her.

Come to think of it, she had not seen Rafael after that night either.

She had thought that he would invite her to dinner or send flowers to apologize to her but he had completely vanished like before.

Shaking her head to let go of his thought, she walked further to listen to the sound of clashing swords and the sound of spar.

"My lady, we should not disturb the practice of the knights. The head would not like it!" she sneered at the way the knights were trying to subdue her as if she should be mindful of her actions.

"Then, he should leave. After all this is my palace not his!"