Branch sat on her throne as she silently eyes the beautiful rose in her hand. The rose Poppy had given her. Why did he give it to her? Did he actually have feelings for her or was he just being nice? Was she looking too deep into this? Even if that were the case, who would give a red rose to their friend for no reason? Yellow roses represent friendship and joy,not love and romance. That is what the red rose represents. Love and romance.

Most of the glitter had accidentally been wiped off the rose but,it was still sparkling. Usually roses don't have glitter sprinkled on them but,since it came from Poppy Branch assumed that he might had added it himself. The thought of Poppy adding his own personal touch to a gift, even know that it wasn't necessary, made Branch wonder why would he put the extra effort for her? Why did he choose her?

Was it cause she was the Queen? No,it can't be that. He treated her like she was his equal most of the time,despite their different social classes. He rarely seemed afraid to speak to her about anything and also seemed very intrigued about her as a person. It wasn't a creepy or strange behave to have. He was a troll before so it makes sense why he would act like the way he does. Trolls have always been very social creatures. Vampires just don't usually mix with other crowds of creatures due to their history and nature.

Sure,she did find it odd that Poppy was so interested in her at first but,then she had to remind herself of what she believed was Poppy's situation. She was the first person to welcome him into Vampdom. Even after joining the shelter;meeting other vampires and making new friends,he still remembered what she did on the night they first met. Poppy knew that he could trust her therfore he must had felt safe around her. Vampdom was unknown world to him so having her as a friend must had meant more to him than she orginally thought.

Then he had gotten to know her as a person instead of simply a Queen that now rules over him. Maybe that is when he started to possibly feel something other than friendship for her. Could that be the case? That he fell for who she actually is? Branch wished that she knew the answers but,only Poppy could confirm any of questions that Branch had.

" Your Highness...", Shylah's voice greets respectfully.

The Queen snapped out of her thoughts and back into reality. That's when she noticed Shylah respectfully bowing to her waiting for her royal permission to discontinue the gesture. Branch didn't know Shylah as much as she would had liked to but, she knew who she was. Shylah's father used to bring her to the castle when Branch was a princess. They rarely had an conversation back then but,now as adults they actually have a relationship. Shylah and her had eventually became friends but,their still not as close as she is with the Vamp Squad. Most of the time Shylah didn't dare to speak informal with Branch unless she told that such action was fine.

"Shylah... You may rise. ",Queen Branch says calmly.

Shylah readjusted herself while remaining as calm as possible. She looked up at her Queen with an serious expression in her eyes while her face was netrual. The visitor had something important to say that she felt Branch should know about. It deeply concerned Shylah that the hunters were now so oddly quiet. Something about it just didn't feel right.

"Queen Branch, you might know this already but, I feel like this matter should be addressed. The hunters are way too quiet for my liking and are seemly hunting us less than before in past few months. Something about this feels strange to me. It's almost like they are planning something but, I don't know what. I'm afraid that they are decreasing their hunting activities just to give us false sense of low risk of danger and draw us out right into their possible trap... ", Shylah informs concerned.

Branch's grip on the rose stem tighten a little as she listened to Shylah's concerns. The leader couldn't deny that it was in deed strange that the hunters have been so quiet lately. She knew very little about the Troll Village but, what she did know is that the hunters there took their jobs very seriously. It wouldn't be the first time they plotted to trap a group of vampires or attempted to find Vampdom. The thought of them suddenly arriving at Vampdom bothered the Queen a lot. Especially if Vampdom had fallen into a moment of weakness allowing the hunters to have the perfect advantage over them.

" I understand how you feel. It is strange and has unfortunately happened before but, as long as none of us get close to the Troll Village we should be fine. Everyone should be more careful in general when they leave Vampdom. The world outside of Vampdom is where I have no control over. ", Branch replies considerately and seriously.

Shylah nods her head in agreement. Branch was right. By choosing to leave Vampdom you are generally putting yourself at risk but, can avoid the danger if your careful and avoid the village. Unfortunately not everyone who went out into the forest took that heart. It's common for more than a handful of vampires to go directly to the village just for blood or whatever urge they were trying to satisfy but,they didn't always come back. Most didn't come back.

" I fully agree but,may I make a suggestion over the matter?", Shylah replies respectfully.

The Queen had no problem with her subjects wanting to make suggestions to her as long as they were respectful. She is willing to listen to their worries and ideas but,it wasn't an every night occurrence to have someone suggest any idea concerning the queendom. Most didn't bother to say anything and expected Branch to have the answers. There were times when Branch had to ask "Is there anything I can do?/What can I do to help?" just cause nobody was telling her anything. At least she could trust her Royal committee to be open to saying their thoughts.

"Go ahead. ",Branch states.

" I feel that it would be best to inform our people about the sudden changes in the hunters' activities. Any strange changes that will appear in the future should be reported like you have done before. The more everyone is aware - ",Shylah suggests calmly and worried.

"The more likely everyone will remain safe...", Branch says finishing Shylah's point.

Silence filled the throne room for a moment. Her people's safety has always been a strong concern for the Queen. If she could prevent every large attack of the hunters ,Branch would do everything within her power. A good leader puts their people's needs first before their own. The Royal then calls for her guards to round up her people gently to castle. She had an important announcement to make.

AN: How will Poppy react to Branch catching on to the Hunters' activities? Good question. Maybe the next chapter will tell. ;)

People featured:Vampires
Shylah - @Isimpforblueboyz

The people added are not Genderbended in this fanfic. I don't own the Trollsonias or the OC's requested,except for On and my OCs! They belong to the people mentioned on the username side.