Verona, still looking a bit weak, hadn't expected to be so forward.
She moved with the eagerness of someone determined to become a knight, but her actions—though seemingly skilled—were in fact clumsy and inexperienced.
Vlad played along with her enthusiasm, helping to remove the remaining restraints from her body.
After a while, Verona appeared lost and unsure of herself.
Vlad gave her a devilish smile, then flipped her over and took the lead—guiding her gently, yet firmly, as he began to teach her.
Two hours later.
Vlad toyed with a pair of long, smooth, snow-white legs—easily over 1.2 meters in length—completely captivated.
"These legs… enough to enjoy for a whole year," he thought with a smirk.
"I told you not to get carried away. You didn't listen. Now you know how crazy things can get."
"It didn't hurt that much then," Verona whispered shyly, burying her head in Vlad's chest.
This was her first experience, and she had begun it as a rider by riding Vlad repeatedly, without any reservation.
She was clearly a novice, but she loved the thrill.
If Vlad hadn't taken the reins in time, she probably wouldn't have been able to get out of bed for days.
After all, vampires are supposed to have strong recovery abilities.
Vlad was just thinking about the regenerative power of vampire blood when a small, soft hand reached for him.
"Master... if you haven't had enough... we can keep going," Verona murmured, fluttering her eyelashes shyly.
"Alright. But rest for now."
"It won't take long…" she replied, clearly still tempted. But Vlad gently shook his head.
Given his current physical strength, he could keep going until sundown. But considering Verona's condition, he firmly refused.
Transylvania – Deep in the Jungle
The air was cold, and the forest was shrouded in mist, giving the lush wilderness an eerie, mysterious atmosphere.
From deep within the jungle, rumbling sounds and tremors echoed through the trees.
Amid the dense forest, the tall, thick trees had begun to thin out. As the ground shook beneath them, more trees fell one after another.
"Move! Faster!"
"Learn to use your skills—don't just charge in blindly!"
"You'll only make yourself an easy target that way!"
A magnetic male voice rang out, stern and commanding.
Verona darted through the shadows like a ghost, circling around Vlad, trying to find a way to break through his defenses.
Whoosh—!!
Boom!!
Vlad suddenly struck out, and Verona instantly dissolved into a swarm of bats, narrowly dodging the attack.
A thick tree behind her, wide enough for two people to wrap their arms around, was shattered in half and crashed to the ground.
Above Vlad, the bats reformed into a half-human, half-bat creature and lunged at him with supernatural speed.
But a red light flickered in Vlad's eyes. He moved like lightning, raising his arm and grabbing Verona in an instant.
Realizing her attack had failed, Verona quickly tried to scatter again—but just as she did, an overwhelming pressure surrounded her. She couldn't breathe.
The swarm of bats dispersed helplessly.
Vlad's large hand had gripped her slender neck, cutting off her breath and leaving her powerless.
Her entire body weakened, and she feebly slapped at his arm in a last-ditch struggle.
"Ahh… cough…!"
"Not bad," Vlad said, nodding with satisfaction. "You've made real progress over the last few days."
Gasping for air, Verona finally calmed herself.
"And yet… Master still caught me in an instant," she muttered.
She stepped forward and clung to Vlad's arm, showing no anger despite his rough handling just moments ago.
"Master, how did you find my real body so quickly?" she asked, her eyes wide, glimmering with curiosity.
"You were out of sync with the other bats. It was easy to spot the difference."
"And don't focus too much of your energy on yourself."
As Vlad stroked her long, black hair, he offered advice—how to refine her combat style, how to compensate for her weaknesses.
Though Verona was now part of the Dark Night Vampire Clan, she lacked real battle experience. Whenever Vlad had time, he brought her here to train.
"Mhm! I'll remember," she nodded seriously.
Seeing her dedication, Vlad felt truly gratified.
Since she had chosen to follow him, she'd never once complained about his intense training. Instead, she always tried to make him happy. Vlad noticed all of it.
"Is this fate?"
He didn't think of himself as some chosen one, destined to be surrounded by adoring women.
But he did believe in destiny.
"I wonder where my other two vampire brides are now. I can't wait to meet them," Vlad thought, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Master? Master?"
"Hm? What is it?"
Verona's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Master, are you leaving tomorrow?" she asked.
"Yes, I will return. All resistance has been defeated, and I must report to the old Sultan."
Verona looked at him, clearly reluctant. "Can't you take me with you?"
Vlad smiled and gently stroked her fair cheek, but shook his head.
"No. You still need to stabilize the situation here.
Besides, when I return, the Sultan will likely release me to return to Wallachia and inherit the throne.
As the princess of Transylvania, it wouldn't be appropriate for you to be at my side right now. Understand?"
Verona nodded slowly. "You're worried the Sultan will grow suspicious and things could go wrong."
"Exactly. He's treated me well—I don't want to cause any unnecessary trouble."
"But I don't want to be apart from you, Master…" she murmured, clutching his arm tighter, gently shaking it.
Vlad didn't say anything to comfort her, but instead spoke directly:
"This land has strategic value. I need you to build up my forces here. Can you do that for me?"
"When I return to claim the throne, you can come find me. It won't be long."
Verona, reassured by his words, rested her head against his chest and took a deep breath.
"Don't worry, Master. I'll complete your mission and never let you down."
She raised her head, her expression firm.
She knew her father was dead, and her eldest brother had betrayed her.
Now, only she and her younger brother—barely eleven or twelve years old—remained to inherit the family legacy.
This was no time for her to leave.
Awooo—!!
Just as Vlad was about to say something more, a distant howl echoed from deep within the jungle, interrupting them.
"A wolf?" Verona looked toward the east.
"No…" Vlad narrowed his eyes. "That's a werewolf."