Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 184: The Emperor’s Suspicions

Chapter 184: The Emperor’s Suspicions

"I believe you need your rest. Forgive my thoughtlessness in coming so hastily upon hearing you had awakened, only to burden you with grim news," the emperor said.

Emperor Kaan had planned to wait a few more days before delivering the news to the king, who had only just awoken. However, an urgent matter had arisen, and the emperor now had to leave the Kingdom of Eira without delay.

There was no time to spare; he had to inform the king immediately.

"I must take my leave," he said, his words carrying a double meaning—both his exit from the chamber and his imminent departure from the kingdom itself.

With that, the emperor rose gracefully. His long, silver hair shimmered, flowing elegantly with each movement. He made his way toward the slightly ajar door but stopped abruptly when his eyes fell upon Lady Maris.

"Your Majesty," she greeted him.

A cold, knowing smile played across his lips, as though he had just caught a thief in the act. His gaze fixed on Lady Maris, sharp and unyielding, before he turned his attention back to the king.

"Remember what I said, Your Majesty. The rat lurks close—far closer than you may realize. I trust you’ll act with integrity and inform me of any... developments."

With that, Emperor Kaan continued toward the exit. Lady Maris, standing near the doorway, kept her head bowed low, her posture respectful as he passed. Yet her heart raced.

There was something unsettling about the emperor. For all his beauty, sculpted like a flawless statue, there was darkness beneath the surface—a monster concealed behind his perfect facade.

Lady Maris couldn’t shake the ominous feeling that something terrible was looming, and Emperor Kaan was at the heart of it.

The emperor nodded at her, greeting her with a curt "Lady Maris," before departing.

Heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement, she rushed inside. She flopped onto the bed, her hands finding the king’s as she examined them closely, searching for any signs of pain etched into his features.

"Are you still hurt, my love?" she asked.

King Valentin smiled softly, cupping her cheek in his palm. He had always adored her face, but the memory of the emperor’s words nagged at him, casting a shadow over his affection.

"I’m fine now. You must have been worried," he replied, attempting to soothe her.

"Of course! But you’re awake now, and that’s what matters. Lisbeth is still unconscious," Lady Maris informed him.

Yet King Valentin was disinterested in his daughter’s condition. He knew Lisbeth would pull through; she had inherited his tenacity, and no injury could dampen her will to live. She would survive.

But as he lowered his gaze and withdrew his hand from her face, Lady Maris sensed the shift in his mood. She grasped his hand tightly, concern deepening in her voice. "What is it, my dear? What did the emperor tell you?"

King Valentin stared at her, exhaling a deep, frustrated breath. He parted his lips, but no words emerged. Shutting his eyes, he shook his head, desperately trying to banish the image of Emperor Kaan from his mind.

But no matter how much he wished to escape, he couldn’t. As the supreme leader of the Kingdom of Eira, he had an obligation to investigate this matter.

Finally, he gathered his resolve and said, "A few weeks before Elder Alfred attacked the palace, Emperor Kaan came to me. He claimed to sense traces of dark magic within these walls."

Lady Maris swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling heavily in her stomach. Her fear materialized: the servant the emperor had mentioned must be Emmanuelle.

The nauseating sensation that had overwhelmed her at that time must have been a result of Emmanuelle breaking the spell.

How much had Emmanuelle revealed to the emperor? Had she disclosed everything? No, that couldn’t be possible.

Please...

The last thing Lady Maris wanted was for Emperor Kaan to uncover the truth.

"His Majesty requested an investigation into the matter. I provided him with ample resources to assist, but I also conducted my own inquiries behind his back," King Valentin continued, his voice steady yet tinged with urgency.

Emmanuelle had known so much; perhaps she had been the only one who knew everything. If the emperor had captured her, it was only natural for Lady Maris to envision the worst-case scenario.

Yet, a flicker of hope remained. If Emmanuelle had revealed all, Emperor Kaan would not have remained silent. He would have already dragged Lady Maris to the dungeons or the High Coven Court for trial.

"He seems to have found someone willing to provide information," the king said, his voice heavy with concern.

Willing... That word struck Lady Maris as deeply ironic. She couldn’t fathom Emmanuelle ever disclosing such sensitive matters voluntarily; she would rather die than betray them.

King Valentin pressed his lips together, then opened them again, as if weighing his words carefully. "She testified that someone from the royal palace practiced dark magic. I don’t know the specifics of her testimony, but Emperor Kaan has concluded that... you’re involved."

His face twisted with pain, the kind that told Lady Maris how much it hurt him to even ask. He let out a long, weary sigh before meeting her gaze. His lips pressed together, his eyes glistening as if on the verge of tears.

"Tell me, my love, and please, be honest," King Valentin pleaded, his voice strained. "Is it true? Are you involved in forbidden magic?"

Lady Maris’s expression hardened. She trembled, but whether from fear or anger, the king couldn’t tell.

"Do you suspect me?" she asked, her voice sharp and cutting.

"It was reported to me," King Valentin said carefully, his tone shifting as he donned the mantle of king over that of lover. "As king, I have an obligation to seek the truth and render proper judgment."

The words burned him as he spoke them. Doubting the woman he loved felt like a betrayal in itself. If he could, he would have dismissed the accusation outright. But he couldn’t. He was bound by duty. All he truly wanted was to clear her name and move on to find the real culprit.

But instead of offering a firm denial, Lady Maris gripped his hand tightly and brought his knuckles to her lips in a soft, desperate kiss.

"My love, I have never asked you for anything. I have hardly ever made requests of you. But this time, I beg you—please, drop this case. Pretend it never happened."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.