Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 194: The Return of the Dark Prince

Chapter 194: The Return of the Dark Prince

Lady Maris regularly sent funds to Emmanuelle for the boy’s living expenses, careful to maintain her distance.

She refrained from visiting in person, knowing that frequent trips to Emmanuelle’s house would attract unwanted attention. The risk of being caught leaving the royal palace was too great.

Meanwhile, as the boy grew, Emmanuelle began to see him as more than just a vessel for the demon. Gradually, she forgot the dark origins of his existence and treated him as if he were a crown prince.

She spun tales about his mother, omitting any mention of her identity for fear that the child might accidentally reveal it. More importantly, she made sure he understood that his mother loved him deeply.

Unlike other children his age, the boy was quiet and shy, struggling to connect with his peers despite Emmanuelle’s best efforts to encourage him. She often worried about his solitude, but her heart ached for him whenever she recalled the dark spirit that lingered within.

Then one day, Lady Maris appeared at Emmanuelle’s door, her dark brown cloak drawn tightly around her to shield her from the sun and prying eyes.

"I will bring the child with me. I’ve found a suitable family for him," she announced.

Emmanuelle’s heart tightened at the news. "Which family?" she asked, unable to mask the anxiety in her voice.

She had grown fond of the boy, despite the lingering fears that haunted her during sleepless nights—fears of the dark spirit’s sudden emergence.

Lady Maris pursed her lips, deep in thought before replying, "It’s best that you don’t know."

Her intention was not to undermine Emmanuelle’s contributions; she recognized the servant’s sacrifices and promised to compensate her fairly.

Yet, Lady Maris believed that maintaining distance between them and the boy was crucial. The less Emmanuelle knew about him, the safer they would all be. By severing ties, she could shield Emmanuelle from the dangers associated with the boy’s dark heritage.

The servant had no choice but to let him go. With a heavy heart, she packed the boy’s belongings and handed them over to Lady Maris. She asked no further questions, bidding farewell to the child with tears in her eyes.

Emmanuelle knew this moment would come eventually; after all, the boy had only been entrusted to her as a temporary measure, and now a permanent solution had finally presented itself.

"Be good, alright? And remember, Florian, you’re loved," Emmanuelle said, crouching down to meet the boy’s gaze.

"What did you call him?" Lady Maris asked, noticing something that piqued her interest.

"Oh! Florian, why don’t you wait in the carriage?" Emmanuelle gently urged the boy to climb aboard, leaving the two adults alone. She felt a pang of guilt as she added, "He’s been living with me for a long time, and it felt strange not to have a name for him, so I named him Florian."

"Florian..." Lady Maris repeated, rolling the name over her tongue.

"It means blooming," Emmanuelle explained, her eyes shining with hope. "I want him to bloom like flowers in life."

But then her expression faltered, and fear flickered across her face. "Was I crossing the line, My Lady?"

"No, not at all. I had just never considered giving him a name." Lady Maris smiled warmly. "Thank you for the name. It’s beautiful."

***

The royal palace descended into chaos upon the news of Amara’s death. King Valentin quickly set out to fetch Amara’s child from her home.

Left with only a fleeting moment to mourn her friend, Lady Maris already had to prepare for the funeral and mourning period.

Amara had been a dear neighbor, known for her sweetness and compassion. Lady Maris was certain that, had Amara lived and known about Florian’s existence, she would have acted just as Lady Maris was about to.

So, Lady Maris seized the opportunity. She was resolved to provide Florian with the loving family he deserved. She brought the boy home, publicly claiming he was Amara’s illegitimate child.

Not everyone accepted this story. In fact, many nobles whispered maliciously, suggesting that Florian must be Lady Maris’s own bastard child from a younger lover.

King Valentin, though reluctant to entertain such rumors, found himself troubled by the gossip swirling around the palace. To ease his mind, he turned to Lady Maris.

"Tell me honestly, my love," he began, hesitating as he gathered the courage to ask his question. "I don’t care whose child that is, but... he’s not yours, is he?"

"Of course not!" Lady Maris exclaimed, her voice rising in panic. "I am forever faithful to you. Please, my love, never doubt my sincerity or loyalty. Even to my dying breath, you are and will always be the only one for me."

That was enough to quell any silly doubts that lingered in King Valentin’s mind. Lady Maris introduced Florian to Riona as her brother, encouraging them to bond as siblings.

For the first time, Florian found himself getting along with other children, and Lady Maris felt a sense of relief wash over her.

In her mind, this was the perfect facade. By positioning Florian as Riona’s brother, he shared similar rights to Lisbeth, allowing him to maintain a semblance of belonging.

At the same time, she could keep a close watch over Florian, ensuring that the demon within him remained suppressed and never resurfaced.

As Florian grew older, Lady Maris felt a wave of relief when he showed no signs of sprouting fangs. This was proof that the seal remained effective. He couldn’t transform into a bat or exhibit any vampiric powers at all.

Coincidentally, Riona also lacked these abilities, which further reinforced the narrative that she and Florian were siblings.

Despite the relief, Lady Maris grappled with guilt over the life she had forced upon Florian. She knew it was a harsh existence, but the seal had to remain intact, even if it meant sacrificing his identity as a vampire.

To protect their secret, Lady Maris kept her distance from Florian. She feared that if he remembered his early years—when she had cared for him and played with him—it might awaken something dangerous within him.

Additionally, being too affectionate toward him could raise eyebrows among the palace staff, sparking renewed gossip about their relationship. The rumors that Florian was Lady Maris’s illegitimate child had faded, and she was determined to keep them buried.

***

King Valentin froze, overwhelmed by the flood of information. He sat motionless for what felt like an eternity, and Lady Maris didn’t dare to interrupt his thoughts. She waited patiently for him to come to terms with the revelation.

As the silence stretched between them, Lady Maris felt a pang of guilt.

She had kept such a monumental secret from him, and she questioned whether it would have been better to reveal everything from the start. But she had already cast a spell on Emmanuelle and herself, binding them in silence.

This moment of truth was only possible because Emmanuelle had broken her spell first, a decision that carried serious consequences for both of them.

Just then, a knock interrupted their tense silence. The servant announced Lisbeth’s arrival, but King Valentin remained frozen, lost in his own thoughts. Lady Maris took control of the moment and quietly nodded to let her daughter in.

Lisbeth entered the room, bowed, and greeted both her parents. When neither responded, her gaze shifted uncertainly.

Lady Maris finally broke the silence. "What is it, dear?"

Lisbeth hesitated for a moment, glancing at her father before answering. "Um, Florian has returned. He’s at the gate. Should we... let him in?"