One

It all started when Thomas Clifford, the King vampire of Dallnalia, demanded that his subordinates found a woman worthy to become his wife, the Queen of Dallnalia. Thomas was the kind of man who lived surrounded by sycophants and attractive women and was accustomed to having everything and everyone in the palm of their hands. For the King, marriage was something remarkable. It was not about seeking fidelity, or love, but yes, to find the greatest beauty in the kingdom and display as a trophy. A woman capable of causing envy in opponents and admiration in allies.

After two years of incessant search, with entourages visiting every corner of the country finally one of the men returned boasting of having found a suitor to the height expected by Thomas and after traveling to inspect the young man, the butler James returned restlessly and invaded the king’s chambers, without ceremony, eager to tell the good news.

With an incomparable beauty, Mila Rivera, twenty-two years old, was the chosen of the King. The patriarch of the Rivera family would have willingly left the king would take the girl, only to have someone of his blood sit on the throne. Meanwhile, the prodigal Thomas covered the family with riches, as if to congratulate you for producing such a perfect creature.

While Thomas waited in the castle, a royal entourage went to fetch the future queen. In Dallnalia, there were no wedding or coronation ceremonies, so the young woman was dressed according to her new rank and, with a crown on her head, beautiful girl with green eyes, black hair and graceful body was taken to her new home. She was now Mila Clifford, the Queen of Dallnalia.

— God...how beautiful! -I say with my hand glued to the back window of the car, falling in love with the view as we get closer and closer to the palace.

How impressive the grandeur of this place is, I didn't even know its interior yet, but just a piece of the garden already left me awestruck. Even seeing its beauty on canvas, nothing compared to being here in person, close to such wealth.

"The sea...I can hear it!"

There were parts of the land that the eyes could not even reach, but my ears, soon identified the sound of the waters hitting the rocks.

—I'm sure you'll love the view of the sea... -he commented as if reading my thoughts.

— Just hearing it makes me fall in love! I replied. —But where exactly do I see it from?

— It's in the back garden. It's a bit far from the palace, but it's a very worthwhile walk.

He looks at me through the inside rearview mirror as he explains and I reciprocate with a smile, along with a thousand butterflies in my sPiterach.

"Easy people, the butterflies in my sPiterach are from anxiety, OK?"

— Welcome, Queen Mila! -said the man I met at the ball, who quickly curtsies to me standing in the lobby. —King Thomas is in a meeting, but will see you soon!

I still didn't know the King, at least not personally. — Mr. Cooper, right? I'm gentle.

The sun streamed through the huge glass windows, illuminating a majestic golden staircase that stood in the middle of the lobby. The gold drew so much attention that it covered the beauty of the magnificent rubies attached to the banister.

— Is that gold by any chance? -I ask, shocked.

— Yes... -he answers in a way that ignores my question.

Gold, almost the entire staircase was made of gold and super valuable stones. — How bizarre... -I comment in a low voice.

— How? -he leans over.

— Ah... -I'm embarrassed. —I mean it's pretty extravagant!

— I see... -he looks at me strangely. —I advise you not to use slang around the King. You're a Queen now and it's interesting that you act like one!

"Wow!"

I swallow dryly so as not to send him to that place. — Could you tell me where I can get settled?

"I'm dying for a bed!"

— You'll soon find out! she says, turning around.

He takes three steps and without understanding his attitude I take two in his direction. He turns to me again and stares at me in a hard way, as if what I was doing was absurd.

—Wait here! -he points his finger at the floor.

"What the fuck does he think I am?"

He leaves the lobby and I sit down on the step of the stairs, sliding my fingers over the rubies beside me.

That day jumped from happy to boring in a few seconds.

— QUEEN MILA! -a cheerful voice echoes from the next Riveraway, making me stand up immediately. —I'm sorry I'm late, I just got caught up with some chores...

A boy a little taller than me, with brown hair and broad shoulders, walks towards me with a smile from ear to ear.

—I'm Piter Bennet, your head security guard!

"Security?"

It's only when he stands in front of me that I think I have a heart condition. — O—the pleasure is mine, Mr. Bennet! -I stammer.

"God, what a perfect smile..."

Suit, social shoes, watch on his wrist, and a little baby face.

He wasn't the King, but he was a punishment for my twisted mind.

— Yeah... -he strangely looks me in the eye, puts his hand on the back of my neck and shakes his head with a hearty laugh.

— Is something wrong? -I turn red.

"Guys, what's the need for all this messy straight hair and muscles, like a bad boy?"

— Nothing! -responded distressed. —It's just that I just realized that I lost a good bet.

"What?"

I crossed my arms waiting for a more plausible explanation.

— Me and the guys made a bet about the Queen we chose... -he explained bashfully.

—I confess that seeing you now, I'm sure I'll lose a lot of money! — Sorry, but I still don't understand...

— You're so fucking beautiful! -she said, leaving me dumbfounded with her courage and language. —And I didn't expect James to do so well on his mission!

My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat. If I stay close to this boy, my marriage will be lost before it even starts.

— I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable!

It was hard to know if what made me uncomfortable was the compliment, or the fact that I imagined him tying me to the bed with his tie.

— It's okay... -I try to reassure him.

I already knew that I would be surrounded by a few security guards, but I didn't imagine that the one in charge of escorting me would have this mischievous teenage face.

— I'm sorry, but how old are you? -I was direct, drowning in my curiosity.

— How old do you think I am?

He is very playful, which made things more difficult for me. — I don't know. I pause to think. —Maybe eighteen!

He laughs again, leaving his torturous dimples showing.

— If I'm eighteen, will that become a problem between us?

"Fuck!"

"Help, somebody get me out of here!"

— No... -my mouth says "no", but my thoughts get worried. —I'm kidding you! -he's soft. —I'm twenty! -he replies.

I don't know why, but something tells me that he is not lying. It may even seem like he drank from the fountain of youth, but his voice, look, and even the way he speaks, show a certain maturity and other little things that only an experienced man knows how to do.

— Well... -I change the subject. —If you're the one responsible for walking me around twenty—four hours, I suppose you could also walk me to my room, right?

"Heavenly woman, will you go with this security guard to the room?"

— Sure! he replied. —I can take you anywhere you want. I can take you anywhere you want," he said, biting his lower lip.

"what a bastard."

"Is this some kind of friendly gesture, or a test of fidelity?"

— Come on... -he gently stretches out his hand to me, expecting me to take it.

I look at him with complete trust, reach my hand slowly out toward his and grasp his soft fingers, steadying myself in their support. Then he looks into my eyes just as willingly, but ashamedly I escape a very deep connection.

"I even wanted to feel more of your skin, but the glove covering your palm gets in the way of our contact, making me crave the rest of your body!"

— WAIT! he said.

A loud, thick voice emerges from behind us, until a cold air travels down my spine, causing an intense shiver to run through my body. That startle makes me miss my step, stepping wrongly, only for Piter, is quick to grab my waist with unparalleled strength and will.

— MILA! -he latches onto me. —Are you all right? -he asked worriedly.

Startled, I nodded my head twice, assuring myself I was fine. Then hard footsteps pounded against the stairs, indicating that I should straighten up my posture before I was punished.

— I'm sorry for scaring you! -said the man with black hair and a perfectly cut beard.

—I'll take it from here Piter, you can go!

—King Thomas! I greeted him, still trying to pull myself together.

— Are you hurt? -he asks and without me being able to help it, his hands quickly move down to my ankle, removing my stiletto heel from my foot.

"God!"

— Your Majesty! -I stare in astonishment. —N—no need to crouch down!

"Guys, the King is kneeling on the step, messing with my foot!"

— Hold still, I need to see if you haven't fractured it!

"Shame on you!"

— Does it hurt here? -He ignores my concern and continues to examine me.

— No, it doesn't hurt, I swear! -I affirm. —Please stand up... I ask, taking his arm.

He clicks my heel back into place and stands a few inches from me, walking my entire body with his eyes as he rises.