Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

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Chapter 31

****************Gideon POV****************

I was ashamed of myself. The vampire prince Bram was able to manipulate me and I wasn't even able to put up any resistance. When I went in to face the vampires I knew to avoid eye contact to prevent the possibility of falling under their control, but I couldn't help but look into his eyes the second I saw him. It was like I was drawn to them.

Gideon:"I'm still so weak!"

I jumped up and ran to a corner of my room.

Gideon:"I can't stay in this room any longer."

In the corner was my armor that was taken off me after mother knocked me out. I usually wouldn't let my armor sit in a pile on the floor, but I just couldn't muster the will to even touch it until now.

After dressing myself in the emerald green armor I headed for the bedrooms door. It was time to stop hiding in my room and put more effort into my training. I made my way down the hallway walking at a fast pace. My destination was a field the palace knights used for training. When I got there I froze instantly.

Gideon:"Who is that?"

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The most beautiful girl I had ever seen was doing push ups in the field with a huge smile on her face. She had the most beautiful red hair tied back into a ponytail. I wanted to talk to her, but my voice just wouldn't come out.

Aelisia:"Oh you finally came out of your room."

*She's looking at me!*

The girl had stopped her workout and was now sitting on the ground looking over at me.

*What do I do! I should say hi!*

I was able to maintain my usual stoic face even though my mind was in turmoil.

Gideon:"Sup."

*Shit! That's to relaxed sounding!*

I had never once felt like I did right now. There was just something about this woman that called to me and shook my nerves. This was the first time I felt so thrown off around a woman. My training with mother left no time for personal relationships so I wasn't very experienced in impressing the ladies.

Aelisia:"So did you come to get your punishment?"

She stood up and stretched.

*Punishment? Is she some kind of sadist? That's alright I can be a masochist if she wants.*

Gideon:"I love punishment."

She smiled.

*Oh what a beautiful smile! Please marry me!*

Aelisia:"Well if you really love punishment so much then I'll give you exactly what you want."

She lunged forward.

*So fast!*

I was barely able to block her hit. Her strength was incredible. If I hadn't of already been wearing my armor it might of broken a few bones.

Aelisia:"Alright lets see if you can handle it if I put a little power behind my punches."

With her next punch I was sent flying. I had blinked during the fight and when I opened my eyes I was already looking up at the sky. Blades of grass poked my face. When I tried to brush them off I couldn't for some reason.

Gideon:"What's wrong with...."

Both my arms were broken. The armor protecting them was shattered to pieces. That beautiful angel from before was now standing over me. Even with my now broken arms I was able to maintain my stoic face. I wasn't sure if she liked that kind of guy, but I seriously doubted she'd have a good impression of me if I started crying.

Aelisia:"You couldn't handle a weak punch like that? You really do need more practice. Don't worry about your arms. The palace has a new elf from the church. I'll go get them so that they can heal you."

She was about to leave, but I stopped her.

Gideon:"Wait what's your name!"

Aelisia:"So you didn't recognize me."

She sighed.

*Even her sighing face is beautiful!*

Aelisia:"I guess it's a good thing you like punishment. Things would've been so much easier on you if you'd of just recognized me."

Gideon:"Huh?"

She walked away then came back holding something.

Aelisia:"Recognize this?"

It was mothers sword.

Gideon:"Why do you have that? Wait........................ M-Mother?"

****************Becket POV****************

Arnie and I were making our way to the inn.

Arnie:"I almost forgot to tell you. This ring can only bind 72 people at a time so that's your limit."

Becket:"That's the kind of detail you shouldn't forget. Is there anything else about the ring you haven't told me?"

Arnie:"The marks left on the people bound by the ring will disappear after a while, but control over them remains. We need to be sure to remember where we put the mark if we ever want to remove it."

Becket:"Alright anything else?"

Arnie:"Nothing that I can think of."

Becket:"I hope that's all."

We made it back to the inn and I entered first.

Gene:"That was fast. Is he a slave?"

Arnie was standing behind me.

Becket:"No he's a new friend. His names Arnie. Arnie this is my friend Gene."

Arnie gave Gene a little wave.

Arnie:"It's nice to make your acquaintance."

I tossed the pouch with efren in it to Gene.

Becket:"There's the efren. Arnie and I have some business with your guests."

Gene nodded and I headed for the stairs. Arnie walked a few feet behind me, but stopped when we reached the door. I had my armor fully covering me again except for two eye holes.

Becket:"I'm back."

I walked into the room that didn't have a door.

Carmilla:"About time."

Carmilla was sitting on the bed while Bram was in a chair off to the side. I stretched both of my arms out towards them and whips shot out of my armor. There were four whips from each hand and each one grabbed a limb. I restrained both vampires and held them in place face up against the floor.

Bram:"What is the meaning of this!"

Carmilla:"Let me go! Get these things off me!"

Becket:"Sorry but things will be a lot easier if I do this. Arnie put it on their necks."

Arnie stepped into the room.

Arnie:"You sure about the neck?"

Becket:"Make it low so that it can be covered by a collar or something just in case it lingers."

Arnie:"Alright."

I wasn't really very concerned about where to put their mark since it would vanish after a while. He walked up to Bram first.

Bram:"What are you doing! Look at me!"

Arnie and I had been avoiding eye contact. The two of us didn't want to give them the chance to compel us. Arnie ended up having to use his hand to feel around for the right spot on the neck. He stuck the ring to Bram's neck then stepped away.

Becket:"Bram I order you to remain still and do not use compulsion on either of us."

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Bram:"Like hell I'll remain still!"

I released the restraints I had on him.

Bram:"Why can't I move!"

Becket:"Quiet."

Bram went silent. Arnie moved on to Carmilla next. He spent more time finding the right spot on her which ended up with him smiling as he felt around where he shouldn't have.

Carmilla:"Get your filthy hands off me! I'll kill you!"

Becket:"Do it already Arnie. Stop assaulting the girl."

Arnie frowned then left the brand on Carmilla too.

Becket:"Now you will follow the same orders I just gave Bram."

I pulled the whips back from her and she didn't move. The two vampires were now glaring at me.

Becket:"Once my mission is over I'll unbind the two of you, but for now I believe things will work out better for all of us if I am in control."

I let out a huge sigh before taking a seat on the ground and retracting my armor.

Becket:"I've used a lot of mana today. That earlier spat I had with Carmilla was tiring, but holding you two down consumed more than I thought it would."

Arnie:"So what now?"

Becket:"You can return to your shop for today. I'll be visiting quite often from now on."

Arnie walked over to where a door should be.

Arnie:"Then I'll be returning. I'll have the research on that vial you gave me done in three days like I said."

Becket:"Good. I might visit before then."

Arnie nodded before leaving. I looked toward the two vampires that were just sitting quietly on the ground.

Becket:"Alright let me explain how things are going to work from now on. Bram already told me vampires don't require blood so the two of you will stop drinking it while we're in this city. People disappearing isn't good especially since I told the queen I'd handle the vampire problem."

I stood back up.

Becket:"We will put Bram on the throne in the vampire kingdom then I will release the two of you from my control. I won't listen to anymore of your demands. We will do everything by my plans. Bram you can speak."

Bram:"You betrayed us!"

Becket:"No I didn't betray you. I just made sure the two of you couldn't betray me. I also told you this will only be temporary."

Bram:"I still can't agree to this! At least release my sister."

Becket:"Your sister is the whole reason I decided to do this. She's obviously a loose cannon. If we don't put a leash on her she'll cause some serious problems."

Bram looked a little confused.

Bram:"Whats a loose cannon?"

Becket:"Someone who's hard to manage."

Bram didn't try to deny it and just kind of nodded.

*Should I let her speak? No. There's no reason to.*

Becket:"The two of you are not allowed to leave this inn unless you need food and once you get it come back here immediately."

Bram:"You're going to trap us in this inn?"

Becket:"For now you two need to stay here. You're not allowed to attack me or anyone else unless they try to kill you first."

Bram:"Are we suppose to believe that you'll really free us once you give me the throne?"

*Maybe.*

Becket:"Yes. All I need is for you to become the next vampire king. Once that's done our business with each other will be over."

Bram:"If a few months of servitude is all it takes to have Radu's head then I'll follow you, but if you can't deliver on your promise then you'll die. Even if I can't kill you there are still other ways to arrange your death."

Becket:"Bram you're not allowed to arrange my death. That's an order."

I glanced over at Carmilla and saw that she was still glaring at me.

Becket:"Fine you can speak too Carmilla."

Carmilla:"I hate you! And your ugly face!"

Her eyes narrowed.

Carmilla:"I'm gonna crack open your skull and drink the blood as it pours out."

Becket:"That sounds a little disturbing. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all."

She went quiet.

*I shouldn't of let her speak. That was my mistake.*

Becket:"Bram how can you like a person like that?"

Bram:"Like what?"

Becket:"Never mind."

Carmilla was still glaring at me, but Bram seems to understand and accept why I did this. I walked over to the door frame.

Becket:"Feel free to talk and get up after I leave."

I waved as I disappeared past the door, but then stopped and stepped back into their view.

Becket:"Oh yeah there's something I should tell you two."

Both of their eyes met mine.

Becket:"I'm a guy. Alright bye."

I headed off downstairs without looking to see their reaction.

*I feel a little better knowing those vampires won't be a big problem anymore.*

Gene was wiping the floors with a rag. Next to him was a wooden bucket filled with water. He stopped and looked up at me when I came down the stairs.

Gene:"That older guy Arnie just left. You leaving too?"

Becket:"Yeah. One problem in my life has been simplified so now I'm headed back to the palace. Got things to do before my trip in two months."

Gene:"Trip? What trip?"

*Oh yeah I haven't told him.*

Becket:"I'll be visiting the vampire kingdom in two months. Don't know how long I'll be there."

Gene:"Why did you wait so long to tell me? I've gotta get prepared."

Becket:"I hope you don't plan on coming cause you'd just be in the way."

Gene:"That hurts man. That really hurts."

Becket:"I'm just being honest."

Gene:"What about Aria? Is she going too?"

Becket:"I plan to bring her."

Gene slumped over.

Gene:"So I'll be all alone."

Becket:"You still have that girl you're stalking right?"

Gene:"Stalking?"

Becket:"Sorry meant to say in love with."

Gene:"You're right. I do still have her, but I'll drown in loneliness if I don't make her my wife before you leave so I'll have to take more extreme measures."

Becket:"She doesn't have to be your wife right? I mean you're not even dating."

Gene:"I know she loves me. She just hasn't realized it yet."

Becket:"Don't do anything crazy."

Gene:"I won't. I am an adult after all. I know what not to do."

I was a little curious so I decided to ask.

Becket:"Oh by the way. What was her name?"

Gene:"I can't believe I never told you her name. It's the loveliest name that's ever graced my ears. Alexa."

Becket:"I think I should be getting back to the palace now. Bye."

I left immediately.

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