Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 167: Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 167: Heart of a Warrior

"What?!" Lisbeth shot up from her seat and practically flew to the door. "Where is she? I need to speak with her this instant!"

Lumi hustled behind, trying to match Lisbeth’s furious pace. "She’s waiting just outside, right now."

"Open the gates! Bring Cielo in, now!" Lisbeth’s voice echoed down the corridor like a battle cry, sending a ripple of panic through the servants.

Everyone scrambled into action—no one wanted to be caught looking idle in the storm of Lisbeth’s wrath. If they didn’t look busy, they’d be swept up in her fury for sure.

"Where’s my father? Someone get him—he needs to know immediately!" she barked.

Miss Olive stepped forward, looking a little anxious but trying to remain calm. "His Majesty has made it quite clear that he’s not to be disturbed, Your Highness. He’s strategizing with Margrave Nicholas in his office."

Lisbeth clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms, but she didn’t have time for a tantrum. Not today. She spun on her heel and stormed outside, her fury simmering just beneath the surface.

In the inner courtyard, Cielo had only just arrived. Lisbeth’s temper, however, had been brewing for much longer, and it reached a boiling point as soon as she saw her.

But for once, she couldn’t waste energy screaming at the servants or flinging objects at walls. There was something more urgent demanding her attention.

"Speak!" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through stone.

***

Last night, just after midnight, Elder Alfred and Lady Tanith made a quiet visit to Cielo’s residence to discuss their attack plan with Margrave Nicholas.

Cielo had felt a gnawing guilt for having her father side with the enemy of King Valentin. Determined to prove that her father wasn’t the traitor Lisbeth believed him to be, she set out to gather evidence.

As she crouched by the window of the second floor, she pressed her ear against the cool glass, balancing on a narrow ledge outside the room. The fog on the window concealed her presence.

As soon as she heard about the attack, she tumbled off, but just in time, she transformed into a bat, flapping her wings before returning to the ground and transforming back to her human form.

Afterward, she hurriedly scribbled a secret memo to Lisbeth, urging the messenger to relay it as quickly as possible. However, just as she was sneaking back inside, she overheard Elder Alfred chatting casually with Lady Tanith on their way out.

"He thinks he can fool me? What a joke! It’s a pity, really. He has potential, but he wasted it by choosing the wrong side. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he realizes the east gate is empty and our troops swarm in from the west, wiping out every fanged creature in the palace," he sneered.

Lady Tanith trailed slightly behind him, but close enough to engage in their conversation. "And what about Emperor Kaan?"

"We’ll spare him. Once I’m seated on the throne, maybe then he’ll be open to negotiations."

***

While Cielo was still recounting her version of events, a sudden noise erupted from the west side of the palace. Gritting her teeth, she shouted, "Everyone to the west gate! Get every knight and Royal Guard you can find!"

She grabbed Cielo by the collar and added, "I’ll apologize later, but you need to tell our fathers. They’re in the king’s office!"

Without hesitation, Cielo dashed away, two knights in tow, the ones she had brought from her residence. Meanwhile, Lumi was trembling, sandwiched by her own two knights. She was already bracing for battle but still felt far from ready.

"What’s it going to be, Lumi? You can still turn back and skulk home, tail tucked between your legs, or you can fight with me, side by side like true comrades," Lisbeth challenged, her voice laced with urgency.

Lumi had never been known for her combat prowess, but her defensive skills were top-notch. Lisbeth considered using that talent to guard the west side until her father and the Royal Guards could shift to the right side of the battle.

"I... Can I really do that? Do you think I can?" Lumi stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Self-doubt washed over her like a cold wave, primarily because Lisbeth had always pointed out her weaknesses instead of celebrating her strengths.

But tonight, Lisbeth knew she had to break that cycle. "Yes, I believe you can. You are one of this kingdom’s best defenders, Lumi. You must do this."

Though the pressure weighed heavily on her, Lumi felt a swell of pride rise within.

Being trusted by Lisbeth, the second most powerful vampire of her age—the most powerful vampire after Riona had left—was a monumental boost to her confidence.

It was as if Lisbeth had handed her a shield made of belief, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

After assigning tasks to her friends, Lisbeth stormed into the palace, not out of fear, but out of determination. She had trained for this moment—to guard the palace and prove she wasn’t a burden to her father. She hurried inside, intent on checking on her mother.

"Mother!" she exclaimed as she barged into the room. Lady Maris stood by the window, already aware of the commotion outside, given that her quarters were on the west side of the palace.

Lisbeth quickly drew the curtains and turned to her mother’s servant. "Prepare enough clothing for a few days. Mother, you need to leave—now."

Lady Maris clasped Lisbeth’s cheeks, her eyes wide with worry. "What about you? You must come with us!"

Lisbeth shook her head resolutely. "The troops are coming through the west gate. Father was misled into believing the attack would come from the east. Someone has to fend off the assault until he arrives."

"No! If you’re joining the battle, then I will too!" Lady Maris insisted. But she was no warrior.

The extent of her skills lay in rallying noble ladies to support the king; she had never trained for combat. She had long forgotten how to hunt, relying instead on the palace’s ample supply of artificial blood.

"Mother, this isn’t a game," Lisbeth said, trying to keep her voice steady. "You’re not prepared for this kind of danger. Stay safe, please. I need you to do that for me."

Lady Maris opened her mouth to protest, but Lisbeth could see the fear flickering behind her mother’s eyes. The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, and Lisbeth realized she had to be the strong one, for both of them.

As soon as her mother nodded, Lisbeth bolted from the chamber. But Lady Maris was a tough one; she wouldn’t stand by and let her daughter fight alone. Determined to play her part in the battle, she resolved to lend her support in whatever way she could.