The First Vampire

Chapter 355: 353 Agate Manor_1
Early September in Winterfell City was already somewhat chilly.

The early autumn breeze swept across the lush meadows, bringing a touch of desolation.

Winterfell City, in fact, is a place of mountains and waters, but these waters are not located inside the city but outside, hence it can only barely be described as having an imposing geographical location.

Colin left Winterfell City and traveled south for about ten kilometers, then he saw Agate Lake.

A fine breeze blew over Agate Lake, creating layers of ripples. Various colored carp swam freely in the lake but were immediately scared away by the sound of horse hooves by the lake, scattering and disappearing into the water.

After walking along the lakeside for a while, the outline of a manor appeared in front of them.

Colin didn’t speed up but leisurely enjoyed the lakeside scenery.

Before long, they entered the St. Hilde family’s manor by Agate Lake.

Colin asked the servant who came forward to lead the horse: “Where are the two royals?”

“Sir Earl, both of their Highnesses are studying horse riding at the training grounds.”

Colin nodded his head, turned his horse, and headed towards the training grounds.

As the teacher of Prince Harrison and Princess Judy, it should have been Colin personally teaching them horsemanship. However, with all the things Colin had to deal with, he had no time for it. So he delegated it to the riding instructor of the St. Hilde family.

At least in Colin’s view, the horsemanship instructor of the St. Hilde family was more suited to teach the two younglings how to ride.

Upon arriving at the training grounds, Colin saw several skinny but remarkably fit figures riding horses and racing across the lawn from a distance.

Colin sat down in the gazebo, a young maid quickly served freshly squeezed orange juice and a small dish of ice cubes.

Despite the coolness at the end of summer, outdoor activities still felt stuffy. Colin poured the ice into the cup and started sipping it slowly.

“Teacher!”

The two younglings also noticed Colin’s arrival and waved at him from afar.

Colin waved back with a smile, but noticed the presence of another little one identifiably Joyce in the training grounds next to the riding instructor, Prince Harrison and Princess Judy.

His eyes immediately narrowed.

Upon seeing Colin, the riding instructor quickly wrapped up today’s lesson.

The three children then jogged to the gazebo and paid their respects to Colin.

Joyce was the last one to arrive, his glances at Colin were always a bit shifty, this sense of guilt didn’t sit well with Colin.

To be honest, out of the three sons of the former Duke St. Hilde, Colin valued Charles the most. He deeply respected this eldest son of the Duke, but unfortunately, Charles, who harbored resentment towards his own father, even conspired with the Trolls to betray the North Territory. His plot was seen through by Colin and was consequently turned into a Blood Slave.

As for the second son, Adams, Colin only met him once. But during that encounter, Adams was directly had a boxed-rice meal (meaning, he embarrassed himself), leaving no particular impression on Colin.

Regarding the youngest son, Joyce, Colin was increasingly beginning to see that this young man had limited potential.

This wasn’t because Joyce had once tried to compete with Vera for the position of the Northern Duke, and Colin was deliberately belittling him out of suspicion. Rather, it was because, in Colin’s view, this young man’s behavior, indeed, was not smart enough.

So, what is Joyce trying to achieve by eagerly pursuing Princess Judy?

Does he really believe that by marrying Princess Judy, he could turn the tables?

Moreover, he did it so blatantly and without any subtlety. Did he really think that Colin was blind?

In fact, Colin would be willing to provide Joyce a bland but stable life, lived at Lion Roar Castle, eating and playing as he pleased out of consideration for Vera.

But, if Joyce wasn’t willing to stay put and wanted to make a big leap, he couldn’t blame Colin if he stopped being considerate.

“Teacher, you really are too irresponsible!” Princess Judy’s clear, slightly petulant voice pulled Colin back to reality.

Today, the Imperial Princess wore a tight outfit that was conducive for horse riding. Her silky hair was tied into a ponytail, swaying cutely back and forth as she jogged over.

“How am I irresponsible?” Colin leaned back lazily on the lounge chair, asked with a broad smile on his face.

“You never personally taught us horsemanship!”

“Didn’t I find you a more suitable instructor? People have their own strengths; I can’t teach everything.”

“Then what are you really good at?”

“I excel at…I excel at beating up bad guys.”

“Beating up bad guys?” Princess Judy, holding the towel the maid handed her, paused and then joyfully exclaimed, “Then I also want to learn how to beat up bad guys from you.”

Colin took a quick look at Judy, whose arms and legs were thin, and purposely put on an indifferent expression, saying, “You should take a bath and change your clothes first.”

The little girl humphed, but obediently ran off to take a bath.

“Count, I shall withdraw as well,” Joyce spoke up in turn.

Colin glanced over at him indifferently and nodded, saying, “Alright.”

When only Prince Harrison was left in the pavilion, Colin asked with a smile: “Why aren’t you going to wash up?”

After some time of acquaintance, Prince Harrison found Colin to be quite easy to get along with, so he wasn’t as reserved as he was at the beginning.

“Teacher, I have noticed that the Blood Knight Army is currently preparing its military supplies, are you about to lead another expedition?”

Colin took a sip of the refreshing cold orange juice and shook his head: “Not exactly an expedition, but I am planning to go to the Half-Elf Kingdom, and the Blood Knight Army will undertake the escorting mission.”

“So, have you come to say goodbye to us this time, teacher?”

“Yes.”

Harrison was taken aback, and then plucked up the courage to ask: “Then teacher, can you take me with you?”

Colin intended to refuse, but seeing Harrison’s eager eyes, he chuckled and said: “If you can guess what I am going there for, I’ll take you with me.”

Prince Harrison scratched his head, pondered for a moment, and then suddenly enlightened, saying: “You are going to beat up bad guys!”

Colin burst into laughter and asked: “Do you know what a bad guy is?”

“Of course I do, anyone that poses a threat to us is a bad guy!” Prince Harrison clenched his fists and responded with a touch of bravado.”

Colin chuckled, looking at the prince of the empire and asked: “So, do you think there is a bad guy in Agate Manor?”

Prince Harrison seemed a bit hesitant, but still nodded: “Yes!”

“Who?”

“Joyce!”

Colin narrowed his eyes, taking a closer look at Harrison.

Unconsciously, a slight smile started to curve at the corners of Colin’s mouth. He asked: “Why is he a bad guy?”

“Because… he wants to take what is not rightfully his!”

Colin put down the mug he had in his hand and sat up straight.

This prince of the empire had finally sparked his interest.

So, he put his hand on Harrison’s shoulder, gave him a piercing look, and asked in a deep voice: “Alright, since you think Joyce is a bad guy, what do you think we should do about him?”

Under Colin’s deep gaze, Prince Harrison trembled slightly, but deep inside him, a strong impulse was trying to break out.

He knew that this was his teacher’s test for him.

Therefore, this young prince of the empire growled in his youthful voice:

“Bad guys must be punished!”

Colin’s smile broadened. He patted Harrison’s shoulder and said in a tempting tone:

“Well then, let me see what you can do.”

Prince Harrison pressed his lips together, nodded firmly and said:

“Teacher, I won’t let you down!”

After saying that, Prince Harrison bowed and then ran off.

Colin watched his retreating figure, his eyes flickered with a sharp glow.

He was eager to see just how capable the prince was. If he proved satisfactory, perhaps Colin would truly consider taking him as a student.