Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 183: Lost and Found

Chapter 183: Lost and Found

Lady Maris couldn’t contain her joy. King Valentin had shown signs of recovery the day before, and now, nothing else mattered to her. She abandoned all her tasks and rushed to his chamber, her heart pounding with hope.

But when she arrived, her heart sank. King Valentin lay still in his bed, his eyes closed, the same way she had found him for countless days. There were no outward signs of the miraculous recovery she had longed for.

The royal physician, noticing her disappointment, approached her with a calm expression. "His Majesty woke briefly," he said softly. "But he’s still recuperating and quickly fell back to sleep. It’s a good sign, My Lady."

"I see," Lady Maris murmured, her voice tinged with frustration.

She gazed at the king, wishing she’d been there during those precious moments when he had opened his eyes. How much better it would have been for him to see a familiar face, to have someone he loved encouraging him to recover.

Reading her thoughts, the physician offered a reassuring smile. "This is progress. His Majesty will wake fully soon, I’m sure of it."

Lady Maris managed a smile, though her mind was racing. She understood well what the physician meant—she had seen something similar before.

Cielo, too, had once awoken briefly only to return to slumber, yet that had been a sign of healing. Within days, she had recovered completely. This was indeed promising.

After Cielo’s recovery, she and Lumi had visited the palace often, their concern still focused on Lisbeth. Though both had suffered grave injuries in battle, it was Lisbeth’s struggle that weighed on their minds.

"I passed out almost immediately after the fighting began," Lumi had confided to Lady Maris, her tone tinged with guilt. "But Lisbeth—she fought until the bitter end. She’s been through so much."

Cielo nodded in agreement. "I arrived late to the battle. I had to convince both my father and His Majesty about the attack. Lisbeth had been there from the very start, holding her ground, despite everything."

Lady Maris smiled warmly at the two young women. "Thank you for standing by my daughter. I know she’s difficult to befriend, but she’s a good vampire at heart."

Raising Lisbeth had been an act of deep love, but also one of relentless discipline. From the moment she could understand, Lady Maris had drilled into her the weight of her responsibilities and the gravity of her role as crown princess.

Yet, despite the care and attention, King Valentin’s disapproval of Lisbeth had been a constant shadow over her life.

With every slight, every dismissive look from her father, Lisbeth’s resolve had only grown more rigid. She had developed an insatiable desire for his approval, a need to prove herself worthy of his attention.

The burden she placed on herself was unbearable—perfection was her only standard, for both herself and those around her.

"I heard His Majesty has woken up," Cielo said, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yes, but only briefly," Lady Maris replied, though her own smile was subdued by her lingering worries.

Cielo, however, beamed, her joy undimmed. "That’s wonderful news, My Lady! I must tell my father—he will be relieved and pleased to hear it."

Lady Maris found herself comforted by Cielo’s enthusiasm. In such dark times, every glimmer of good news felt precious. She was grateful for anything that could lift their spirits, no matter how fleeting.

Hope, after all, was something the vampires of Eira desperately needed.

An idea took root in her mind. Turning to Margrave Boris, she suggested making a public announcement about the king’s health, knowing the news could give their weary citizens something to cling to.

Margrave Boris agreed without hesitation, recognizing the value of hope during these troubled days. Lady Maris offered to draft the announcement, leaving the final revisions in the margrave’s capable hands.

Once the draft was complete, however, her thoughts drifted elsewhere—toward a matter far more urgent and troubling, though one she kept buried deep in secrecy.

A chill of unease gripped her heart as her mind circled back to the same haunting question: Where was Emmanuelle?

Lady Maris clenched her jaw, frustrated. The longer Emmanuelle remained missing, the more her fear deepened. She had searched everywhere, exhausted all possible leads, but still no trace of her could be found.

Emmanuelle couldn’t have simply disappeared—she wouldn’t have left the kingdom without a word... would she?

"Has something happened?" Lady Maris muttered under her breath, pacing restlessly in her chamber.

Unable to bear the tension any longer, she called for her servant. "Fetch me a few Royal Guards—men who can be trusted. Make sure they are loyal to me, not to the king, not to the kingdom. Me—do you understand?"

Her servant, wide-eyed but swift, nodded and hurried out. She knew exactly who to call—guards of lower rank, perhaps, but ones she had known personally for years.

When the guards assembled before her, Lady Maris wasted no time. Her gaze was sharp, her tone steely as she issued her command.

"You are to find Emmanuelle, and I want her located—discreetly. I’ve given you descriptions; if you happen to see her in the streets, approach her without raising suspicion. Understand?"

The guards nodded solemnly, accepting the task with the gravity it deserved. Lady Maris looked at them one by one, searching their faces for any sign of doubt. Finding none, she dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

As the Royal Guards exited her chamber, a servant burst in, breathless. "My Lady! His Majesty has woken up. He’s asking for you!"

Panting and frantic, the servant didn’t bother with proper decorum, rushing in without knocking, his voice loud and trembling.

Normally, such a breach would have been unforgivable, but Lady Maris couldn’t care less about courtly manners now. Even if he had addressed her by name alone, it wouldn’t have mattered.

Her only thought was of the king—her love.

Without hesitation, she spun on her heel and hurried toward the king’s chamber. Her movements were quick and unrestrained, nearly breaking into a run. She was half aware of how improper it was for a noblewoman to run in the hallways, but the thought barely crossed her mind.

After all, she wasn’t a noble by birth—sometimes her common origins were useful.

My love... I can’t wait to see you again, she thought. I hope your pain has eased. If I could take it all away, I would. But I can’t...

She was nearly at the king’s door when, suddenly, her steps faltered. She came to a halt just outside, her breath catching in her throat.

Her heart pounded—not just from the speed of her walk but from a creeping dread. Through the door, she could hear voices inside. Someone else was already with the king.

"...I have reason to believe the servant’s words. It seems she had been bound by a spell to keep her silence, but it no longer matters. I’ve gotten what I wanted," came the cold, commanding voice of Emperor Kaan.

Lady Maris’s breath hitched. Emperor Kaan? What was he doing here?

"And where is this servant now?" another voice inquired.

There was a long pause before Emperor Kaan replied, his tone chilling. "She’s gone. She broke the spell, and it killed her."

The servant...

The blood drained from her face.

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