Chapter Thirty-Two: The Summoning of the Vampire Council

“Sir Ang, has Her Highness Liliana not yet awakened?” In the drawing room of the manor outside the city, a man addressed Ang.

The man’s hair was pure white, meticulously combed, and his eyes glowed with a crimson hue. He wore a black cloak and held a goblet in his hand, swirling the blood-red liquid within.

“No, Your Grace Duke Ukru. Her Highness Liliana is still asleep,” Ang replied calmly.

“I heard that this time, Her Highness Liliana was injured saving a human. Is that true?” The Duke’s lips curled with a hint of mockery.

“Yes, as you say, that is an indisputable fact.” Ang’s face remained composed despite the Duke’s derisive tone.

“Hmph! As expected of the daughter of that ignoble woman, she’s disgraced the entire bloodline. What does she take the pride of our kind for? Truly a ‘half-blood.’” The Duke sneered again.

“Silence!” Ang shouted angrily, unable to bear the Duke’s repeated insults.

“Sir Ang, have you forgotten your place?” The Duke felt a chill as Ang’s fury washed over him.

“Your Grace Duke Ukru, I advise you to choose your words carefully,” Ang said, his gaze stern. “If you dare utter another word disrespecting Her Highness Liliana, I will not hesitate to kill you. Protecting Her Highness’s safety and honor is the mission bestowed upon me by the Prince.”

“Hmph!” The Duke snorted in dissatisfaction, but said nothing more.

“I am here to deliver the decision of the Bloodline Council,” he continued solemnly. “Given Her Highness Liliana’s actions that undermine our dignity, the Council now demands she return at once to the ancestral castle for scrutiny. Moreover, the disgraceful human who sullied our honor must be eliminated. These are the Council’s collective resolutions. Please relay them to Her Highness when she awakens. I will wait here and return with her.”

“That won’t be necessary.” A weak voice drifted down from upstairs just as the Duke finished speaking.

Both the Duke and Ang immediately turned their attention to the staircase.

“Milady! You’re awake,” Ang said, delighted.

“Yes, I’ve slept for quite a while this time,” I replied weakly. My reckless actions had almost destroyed my body; though I had slept for so long, the weakness remained, showing no sign of improvement.

“Yes, Milady, you have been asleep for a month,” Ang answered with reverence.

“A month?” I smiled bitterly.

“Greetings, Your Highness Liliana.” Although he was clearly reluctant, the Duke was compelled to bow and pay his respects.

I nodded to him lightly.

“Your Highness, what did you mean just now? Are you prepared to return with me immediately? Given your current condition, perhaps you should rest a while longer.” The Duke frowned as he observed my frailty.

“Hmph!” I scoffed, dismissive. “No need. I have no intention of returning with you. Those senile old fools of the Bloodline Council have no authority to command me. How I choose to act is not for them to dictate.” Despite my weakness, my dominance as the First Princess of the bloodline shone unmistakably.

The Duke, who had previously shown nothing but disdain for me, now grew meek under my assertiveness. The title of First Princess was not earned by age alone.

“And as for the human named Xingyu—if any of you dare lay a hand on him, do not expect me to show mercy. Prepare yourselves for my wrath.” My voice was cold as I spoke to the Duke.

“Your Highness, please reconsider. You may ignore the Council’s judgment concerning yourself, but as for the human who tarnished our honor, we will not permit his continued existence. The glory of our bloodline must be washed in blood.” Even under my oppressive aura, the Duke refused to yield. Clearly, not holding me accountable was their greatest concession, yet I could not allow them to harm Xingyu.

“Take this message to those decrepit elders of the Council: Xingyu is my friend. Anyone who dares harm him will pay dearly. They should be prepared for death. I mean what I say.” My voice, though weak, carried undeniable authority.

“Your Highness, are you serious?” The Duke asked, incredulous.

“You are welcome to try,” I replied coolly.

“Your Highness, you are defying the dignity of the Bloodline Council. You will regret your words.” With these harsh words, the Duke stormed out of the manor without another word.

I watched him leave. Once he was gone, my frail body could no longer support itself and I collapsed.

“Milady!” Ang hurried forward, catching me as I fell.

“Ang, forgive me. I’ve been willful again,” I apologized.

“Milady, I will obey your command. But I will not allow you to stay by his side any longer. He has already caused you too much pain.” Ang’s tone brooked no argument.

“I understand,” I said, smiling self-deprecatingly. “What right do I have to remain by his side now? To him, I’m nothing but a monster hiding in darkness, feeding on blood.”

“Milady, it is that lowly human who is unworthy to be by your side. What has he done for you besides causing harm?” Ang spoke with anger, clearly displeased by my self-deprecation.

“Ang,” I looked at him, tears welling in my eyes. “Ang, I truly don’t want to leave him. I really don’t.” I buried myself in Ang’s arms, sobbing.

“Milady, I cannot fathom what makes that Xingyu boy worthy of your devotion,” Ang said helplessly.

“I don’t know either. Perhaps it’s because he reminds me so much of my mother. When I’m with him, I feel at peace,” I replied.

“Ah…” Ang sighed deeply. “I will help protect him, but on one condition: you must not stay with him anymore. If the Council sends agents, your presence will drag him into the conflict. You wouldn’t want that, would you? Milady, will you promise me?”

“I promise, Ang. But let me see him one last time. After that, I will never appear before him again,” I pleaded.

“Very well, one final meeting,” Ang relented, unable to resist my supplicant gaze.

“Thank you, Ang,” I said, my eyes glistening with tears.

“Milady, please rest now. Surely you wouldn’t wish to meet him in this state. Rest well, and tomorrow I will bring Miss Lexiao You and Xingyu here,” Ang said.

“Yes, Ang. I leave it in your hands,” I replied.

Ang lifted me up and carried me straight to the bedroom, laying me in the dark coffin.

“Milady, rest well. Good night,” Ang said.

“Good night,” I replied. After speaking, I finally succumbed to exhaustion and closed my eyes.

Ang gently wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and slowly exited the room. A soft sigh drifted from the direction where Ang departed.