"That wretched girl!" Queen Prisca screamed the moment she saw the state of her son. His face was swollen beyond recognition, his eyes barely able to open. The stench of blood lingered in the air as servants hurried to clear the stretch of bodies that lay outside his chamber.
"Thank the heavens thoses leeches are leaving," she hissed, her voice trembling with fury. "They want to murder us all!"
Turning to the royal physician, she demanded sharply, "How long before he recovers?"
"At most,two months, Your Majesty," the doctor replied cautiously. "Though none of his bones are broken, there's swelling at the back of his head and neck. If not treated carefully, it could lead to brain damage."
Queen Prisca's hand flew to the wall for support, her vision spinning. The maids around her quickly rushed forward, steadying her trembling form. Someone brought a chair, and she sank into it, her face pale and drawn with distress.
She had been woken by the royal butler this morning with the terrible news of her son's condition–and of the guards found slaughtered in his wing. She hadn't needed anyone to tell her who was responsible. The vampire king's signature brutality was unmistakable.
But when she pressed further, she discovered something that made her blood boil even more–
it had all started because of that girl… Bella."You will do whatever it takes to make sure my son recovers," Queen Prisca hissed, her voice low and venomous. "If he doesn't… I will see every member of your family erased from this kingdom."
The royal physician dropped to his knees, trembling. "Y–yes, Your Majesty."
Without another glance, the queen, stood up,turned on her heel and strode out of the room. Her heart thundered in her chest, but her rage burned hotter—each step fueled by the thought of vengeance. Someone would pay for this.
"Mother!" a sharp, panicked voice rang through the hall.
Prisca stopped, turning just in time to see her daughter, Lucy, sprinting barefoot toward her, still dressed in her nightgown. Two maids followed in disarray, trying and failing to keep pace.
"Lucy?" The queen's stern eyes softened for a moment. "Why are you running around like this?"
Lucy threw herself into her mother's arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Mother, you have to do something!" she cried, stamping her foot in frustration.
Prisca's brows knitted. "What is it? What's happened?"
"It's that miserable slut Bella!" Lucy's voice rose with fury. "Father ordered the servants to bring my jewelry—for her! And now she's leaving with the vampire king!"
"Leaving?" Prisca asked in disbelief. She had always wanted that girl to disappear, but now that Bella was the cause of her son's condition, letting her leave would be far too easy.
"Yes, Mother," Lucy spat, jealousy in every word. "That slut must've seduced Damien – otherwise why would he want to leave with a half-breed like her?" She wished she could kill her.
"She can't just leave after causing this problem," Prisca muttered, turning and hurrying away. "Go and wear something decent," she instructed Lucy before she left.
"I'm sure Mother won't let her leave just like that," Lucy said, joyfully, as she walked back into her room with a smug relief smile. With her Bella's mother still in the palace, she knew Bella's weak points all too well.
The servants swiftly packed the luggage into the carriage. Bella watched in quiet disbelief as things she had never even dreamed of owning were loaded one after another. It all felt surreal–like she was trapped in a fever dream.
Her father stood nearby, a false grin plastered across his face, still pretending to be the doting parent.
"When you get there, you must do your best to please the king," he said smoothly. "We'll send letters, letting you know how your mother is doing."
His tone was caring, but Bella knew better. It wasn't concern–it was a threat. He was still trying to control her, even now.
"Yes, Father," she replied obediently.
"Good," he said, pleased. "Always remember where you came from, and do whatever you can to help this kingdom prosper."
When everything was ready, the coachman opened the carriage door and placed a small stool before it. Bella took a step forward, ready to leave–
but she paused midway. Clenching her hands tightly, she drew in a deep breath before speaking.
"Please make sure my mother and her maid are well taken care of," she said, her voice steady but laced with warning. "If not, I'll be heartbroken while I'm away–and someone with a broken heart can be… dangerous, Father."
Then she turned and climbed into the carriage, leaving the king momentarily stunned.
A faint, amused smile tugged at Damien's lips as he stepped in after her.
"You heard her," he said lightly. "A broken heart tends to break things."
Bella blinked in surprise–she hadn't expected him to support her bluff. She had used her father's assumption that the vampire king favored her to protect her mother and Lumi, but Damien's casual reinforcement had caught her off guard.
When she glanced up at him, her expression softened for just a moment.
"What?" Damien teased,a teasing smirk appearing on his lips. "Already falling in love with me?"
Bella rolled her eyes pushing her pink lips slightly she turned toward the window. God help me, she thought, I don't faint from anger before we even arrive.