The Vampire's King Pet-Chapter 33: Too lenient.

Marcus walked into the palace and went straight to the room where they had their first meeting. Normally, he would have announced his presence, waited for a guard to escort him, or at least knocked. But today, he did none of those things. Instead, he barged into the room, pushing the heavy door open with a loud thud that echoed sharply against the marble walls, causing the three men inside to look up at him in surprise.

Marcus’s eyes swept across the room with stealthy precision, scanning every corner, every shadow, every reflection on the polished floor. He was hoping, no expecting to see the girl Derick had brought in earlier. The last time he saw her, she was walking into the palace which means she would be taken to the King. He was certain she must be here. But as he scanned again, there was no sign of anyone except the three men seated inside.

Alexander leaned against the long obsidian table, folding his arms over his chest. His expression was unreadable, carved from stone. He didn’t look up at Marcus, but Marcus already knew the king was angry. Every creature in Noct knew that when the Vampire King chose silence over confrontation, the danger was twice as deadly.

"Tell me, Marcus," Alexander asked, his voice cold and menacing, each word sharp enough to slice through bone, "what are you doing here?"

Instantly, the entire room felt suffocating, thick with an immense, crushing aura that made the air heavier. Marcus swallowed an invisible lump in his throat. Why didn’t he think before charging in like that? Why didn’t he take one second to consider the consequences?

"Your Majesty," Marcus began, forcing a small, shaky smile, "I didn’t mean to startle you. I haven’t been around much, so I decided to pay my respects to you... and also see how well the investigation on the rogues has been going." He added a light chuckle, hoping it would ease the tension, though it sounded far more nervous than he intended.

Alexander lifted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. "I heard you brought a whore into my palace last night." His voice was calm unnervingly calm but the fury behind it was unmistakable. "Tell me, Marcus... does my palace look like a fucking inn to you?"

The last word cracked through the room like thunder.

"You seem to have grown very bold in front of me. Perhaps I’ve been too lenient with you." Alexander’s voice deepened, colder than the northern winds. "Marcus, make one more mistake, and I’ll be sure to remind you of your past ones... in a very unpleasant way."

His eyes shifted color so fast Marcus nearly flinched—changing frI’m black to gold.

Marcus instantly bowed his head. "I’m sorry, Your Highness," he said quickly. The words felt like poison in his mouth, but he forced them out anyway. He had to. Alexander was not the type to make idle threats. If he wanted someone dead, he killed them. If he wanted someone tortured, it was done without hesitation. The fact that Alexander was threatening him instead of acting outright... meant something else. Something no one wanted to decipher.

As much as Marcus hated the Vampire King—hated his authority, hated his ego, hated how everyone worshipped him, Marcus knew he needed to stay alive long enough to see that throne crumble. So for now, he had to keep up the act.

Alexander studied him a moment longer before walking back to his seat. "Sit down," he ordered.

Marcus obeyed immediately, lowering himself into the chair. His eyes subtly swept across the room again, cautious, alert. He could sense someone else’s aura, light, airy, concealed. But he couldn’t identify it.

Arthur noticed his behavior. "Are you looking for something, Lord Marcus?" he asked, taking Marcus by surprise.

Marcus hid his discomfort behind a smirk, though his heartbeat quickened.

Trying to redirect the conversation, Marcus cleared his throat. "While I was away, I heard the princess was almost drowned. And also that the lady got sick... what a coincidence, the princess must have been frightened." He added a touch of sympathy to his voice. After all, she was the princess of Noct—even Marcus knew better than to openly mock her misfortune.

Arthur nodded. "Yes. We’ve handled the situation properly and the princess is perfectly fine. Don’t worry."

He ended the topic abruptly, hoping Marcus wouldn’t pry further, knowing the princess and him weren’t on the best term.

But Marcus leaned forward with feigned concern. "And what about the lady? I heard she suddenly got very sick and the royal physician couldn’t treat her. How was she healed?"

Alexander stepped in, his voice flat. "And?"

Marcus chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Don’t get me wrong, Your Majesty. I only wanted to recommend one of my personal physicians. He’s very skilled—"

"I didn’t ask you to sit here to discuss the lady." Alexander cut him off sharply. "Two days ago, you claimed you wanted to help with the investigation. So tell me, what do you have for us?"

Marcus forced another smile he didn’t feel. Alexander’s irritation was rising quickly. If he wasn’t careful, he would leave this palace in a coffin.

"Of course, Your Majesty." Marcus cleared his throat, adjusting his sleeve. "I’ve been doing some research, and the rogues are multiplying. Their numbers are increasing as they move around Noct."

"Yes, Lord Marcus. We received the same report yesterday," Derick finally spoke. The underlying message was clear: If that’s all you have, then you’ve done nothing.

Marcus almost glared at him but restrained himself.

"This time, the rogues are different," Marcus continued. "Stronger. Faster than the one we captured last time."

Arthur and Derick exchanged a look of genuine surprise.

"Do you have proof?" Arthur asked.

Marcus nodded and rolled up his sleeve, revealing a long, fresh mark. The wound was jagged and still healing—evidence of a recent encounter.

"I caught one. Or rather, one attacked me. I managed to injure it, but it got away. Whoever is behind this... is increasing the experiments."

Alexander’s brows knitted together, though he remained silent.

Arthur exhaled slowly. "This is absurd."

"What do you think, Your Majesty?" Derick asked, turning to Alexander.

Alexander finally lifted his gaze, his golden eyes locking onto Marcus’s. That stare alone made Marcus feel ten times smaller and ten times more exposed.

"When will you leave?" Alexander asked suddenly.

Marcus blinked. "Tomorrow," he answered, confused.

Alexander sighed. "Too bad. I actually had a task for you."

Marcus straightened instantly. "Whatever it is, I can make time to—"

Alexander cut him off again. "Do you think the person who almost murdered the princess is related to the rogues?"

Marcus stiffened.

Those blackened orbs staring at him felt like they were ripping through his soul.

Marcus forced a calm expression. "Why would you think that, Your Majesty? The rogues and the princess are two different matters entirely."

Alexander watched him for a long moment—too long before turning away.

"Fine. Derick will look further into this new evolution of rogues. If that is all?"

Marcus nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

But inside, panic churned. What exactly had the king discovered? Why was his aura so heavy today?

"My work here is done. Your Majesty, Lord Arthur, Derick... if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave. I have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

Alexander waved his hand dismissively.

Marcus stood, bowed, and took one last curious look around the room before leaving.

When the door finally shut, silence filled the space for a heartbeat.

Then—

A tiny cabinet door creaked open, and Faith rolled out of it, landing lightly on her feet. She stretched her limbs with a relieved sigh.

"Whew! It was surprisingly comfortable in there," she muttered as she dusted off her dress and plopped into a chair.

Alexander raised a brow. "Why did you hide?"

Faith rested her arms on the table. "He’s looking for me."

Derick frowned. "Why would you think that?"

Faith rolled her eyes. "Why do you think he barged in like a fool? He saw me earlier when we walked into the palace together..."

flashback.

---

After they settled into the room earlier, Alexander had begun asking his questions when Faith sensed something off. A strange aura... a familiar heaviness. Then she heard it—the softest footstep just outside the door.

"Hold on, Your Majesty," she whispered.

The footsteps paused.

She didn’t need to check who it was. She already knew.

With a snap of her fingers, she vanished into thin air moments before Marcus barged in.

---

The flashback ended.

Faith crossed her arms. "I know what I’m saying."

Arthur nodded slowly. "You did well. Marcus’s sudden appearance definitely sparks suspicion."

"He wanted to know so much about the lady," Derick added. "Does he know something?"

"He knows plenty," Faith said. "He wanted to ask how she was treated but didn’t want to look too interested. He knows her sickness wasn’t ordinary."

Alexander tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. The rhythm was slow... dangerous.

"Don’t worry about him," Alexander said. "Focus on finding the witch. I’ve already put him to a test."

His eyes darkened.

Marcus had something to do with everything happening and one way or another, his cover would be blown soon.

Alexander needed to hasten the rogue hunt, or things were going to get far more difficult.