Forced Bride Of The Vampire Lord

"......." the whole ground fell into an uproar. No one has ever thought that Hazel would be announced as the new empress.

Not only was she the illegitimate child of the old emperor but she was also the wife of the vampire lord.

"Is that a joke? How could she be the ruler when she did not even belong to this empire. She had her own empire, then why did she want this one too?

"Yes, that is ridiculous. She belongs to the vampires. What did she have to do with our empire?"

"Would that not mean that the lord will get the post of the emperor then when he already has council and the lord of the vampire position in his hands!"

Everyone started to show their displeasure over the matter, mainly taking it as a trap of Rafael who wanted to own that part too.

Declan looked at the whole scene with a smirk on his face but when he walked towards hazel, his face was full of worry.

"You do not need to worry about their words, my lady. They do not hold the power to decide." though he said so, both of them knew that the nobles had a big hand in the progress of the empire and if she would not pay attention to their demands, then they would not perform their duties well.

"I know that all of you think you deserve this position more than me!" she said with a smile on her face, when others sneered.

"Of course, we do! We have been a part of this land for generations."

"We knew what this land needed and what problem the empire is suffering through!"

"We have the noble blood that deserves to be in that position." Everyone started to shout again and the place turned into a mess.

"Al right, then tell me what problem is the empire suffering the most and how can you help in improving it?"

"And what have you done in solving the problem of slaves?

Her sharp voice only brought more sneers.

"Is that how you wanted to win the argument? By cornering us on the name of slavery after burning the black market?" The argument only turned fiery once she opened her mouth but in spite of so much pressure, she did not look pressured at all.

She was standing there with her straight back and then smiled,

"You are exaggerating. I thought it would only be right if the blood of the royal family continued to lead the empire. And as long as it is about qualification. Why don't we start with the hunting competition to decide the physical strength." she said in a calm tone when everyone exchanged their glance as if they were not sure what she was saying.

"If I lose in the hunting competition, I will be proved that I did not deserve the title. But if you all lost, then we will participate in the next round to compete our wisdom and rational skills.'' They all looked at her as if she had lost her mental balance and had turned crazy.

But that was good for them. If she would lose the hunting competitions and take their name back, then they would prove that she was worthless since the start yet trying to covet the position.

"If that is all you want, then we are ready to accept the challenge. But what if you back away with your promise?" asked the duke with a look of suspicion in his eyes but staring at Hazel as if she was an object.

Her father, the old emperor have offered hazel to her a long time ago but he rejected it. He did not want to marry an illegitimate child even if it belonged to the royal family, not to forget that she was not even part of the family.

But who would have thought that a foolish girl would grow up into such a beautiful and confident woman.

He could not help but stare at the woman with a disappointed look.

"Do you think I would do that after announcing it in front of so many people?" she asked with a chuckle when the man smirked too.

"Then I will accept the offer. But to make it more exciting, let us have a bet too." he said as he looked at other confused faces.

"If I win, you will grant one of my wishes. And if you win, I will grant one of your wishes. That would only make winning more worthwhile." he said with a laugh as if he was sure that he was going to win.

She could see the sneer on many faces that were directed towards her.

"Oh, that would be great! I am up for the challenge." She accepted it with a smile on her face when many cheered.

"Then we will meet each other when the sun sets, right here with the amount of bests we have killed." she nodded as she held the crossbow in her hands and took some dagger and a sword in her hands.

So many weapons in her hands only gave the illusion that she was nervous and was not sure which would suit her.

The others laughed as if she was a joke but they did not say anything else. They were waiting for the duke to win and show her where she belongs.

No one even thought for a second that she could win.

The ritual of tying a handkerchief on the weapon of the knights started.

Many girls were excited about it from the start. This gesture gives them a chance to show their affection towards the man and a chance to see if he was interested in them too.

Everyone came forward and started trying handkerchiefs on the swords of their lover when Hazel was standing alone.

Women are the ones who give handkerchiefs, so it was a given that she was not going to get any.

But just as she was about to climb her horse,

"Are you going without taking my good wishes with you?"