Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 25: The King’s Fury

Chapter 25: The King’s Fury

After the chaos in the Nightwarden Trials, Lisbeth had barely escaped Riona’s savage onslaught. Upon arriving at the palace, she turned to the training hall immediately.

She was in disbelief at the extent of Riona’s prowess.

While Riona had always displayed outstanding talent and immense strength, Lisbeth didn’t know that the Riona that she had faced all this time did not even use her full power.

Lisbeth seethed in annoyance. She had always prided herself on her competence. She had the ability to swiftly master any skill thrown her way.

Until Riona came along and ruined everything.

"That was quite the session today. You’re certainly on fire, Your Highness," Cielo remarked, still panting.

"My wings are practically begging for a break. I’m lucky to have survived your attack at all. But then again, you held back at the last moment," she continued.

Lumi giggled loudly. "Survived and thrived, I’d say. Lisbeth, your technique was impeccable as always. You make it look so effortless."

"There’s no question about it. Lisbeth is truly unbeatable," added Cielo.

Except against Riona, Lisbeth thought bitterly.

The memory of her last sparring match with Riona still stung, especially since her father had witnessed her defeat.

That cousin, whom King Valentin had brought to the royal palace when Lisbeth was eight, had constantly been a thorn in her side.

Despite being new to the academy, not developing any fangs, and incapable of transforming into a bat, Riona showed remarkable potential.

Even the academy’s teachers couldn’t suppress their curiosity and admiration for Riona.

I am only the top student because Riona dropped out. If she had stayed at the academy, I wouldn’t have ranked first.

Lisbeth vowed to train even harder and defeat her cousin. That was the sole reason she didn’t want Riona to leave the palace just yet.

She hated her, for sure, but she needed to regain her honor by besting her. She wasn’t proud of resorting to petty tricks during the Nightwarden Trials, but it was necessary.

If Riona became a Nightwarden, she’d leave the palace.

Until Lisbeth could win a spar against her, Riona couldn’t go anywhere.

All of a sudden, the air thickened with an unsettling aura, sending shivers down Lisbeth’s spine. She glanced over her shoulder as she couldn’t shake the feeling of being hunted.

"Dear Lord of Darkness, this is..." Cielo rubbed her arms, feeling the same ominous sensation creeping through her skin.

"This aura... isn’t it His Majesty?" Lumi’s eyes widened in fear. The king terrified her.

Among Lisbeth’s friends, Lumi felt particularly targeted by King Valentin’s disapproval. His glare was always suffocating, and the mere thought of facing him made Lumi’s legs grow numb.

"Um, Lisbeth, see you tomorrow, okay? I have to go now." Lumi hastily gathered her belongings and staggered towards the door.

Just as she extended her hand towards the knob, the door slammed open from the outside. Lumi collapsed at the sight of King Valentin, towering before her with a thirst for blood.

"Y-your Majesty...!" Lumi’s voice thinned out, like a mouse cornered by a lion.

"Your Majesty!" Lisbeth and Cielo sprang up and bowed deeply.

What is Father doing here? Does he know...? It can’t be. I have bribed everyone involved. They won’t speak if they still value their lives.

King Valentin’s gaze turned to Cielo, who understood the message and promptly excused herself, helping the still-paralyzed Lumi out of the training hall.

The king raised a finger, and his subordinates stepped back, closing the door of the training room behind them.

"Father–aaagh!" Lisbeth began to speak, but King Valentin attacked her mid-sentence.

Lisbeth flew through the air, slamming into the wall with such force that the bricks cracked and fell to the ground.

But the worst of all was the pain in her stomach that felt like it was ripping her apart from the inside.

She staggered to her knees, clutching her stomach to ease the pain, coughing for breath. Dark blood splotches dotted the floor.

Wiping the edge of her mouth, she looked at her hand now covered in black liquid.

"Father..." Lisbeth managed to get back on her feet, despite the excruciating pain in her abdomen.

"Did you do that?" King Valentin’s voice boomed through the hall, low and deliberate with lethal intent.

She was screwed. She knew it right then. Somehow, her father had caught wind of what she did in the Nightwarden Trials, and he was clearly not happy about it.

In that split second, Lisbeth contemplated whether to risk her life and lie or speak the truth and die in peace. Her tongue went stiff, and she almost collapsed under the immense anxiety enveloping her.

"F-forgive me, Father," Lisbeth chirped, bowing so low she could almost kiss her knees.

"Foolish child!" King Valentin raised his hand, summoning an ice storm that hurled Lisbeth against the wall.

The storm was so powerful that it pinned her there. As she struggled to escape, she began to run out of breath, coughing violently and spouting more dark blood.

"Forgive me! I beg—ugh—of you, Father. Ohok! Please forgive me!"

"Weak and inadequate. Have you no shame?" King Valentin growled, releasing the storm from Lisbeth’s body.

Lisbeth dropped to the floor, on her knees, rubbing her palms together as she begged for her father’s forgiveness. "I was narrow-sighted, Father. I didn’t think it through. It’s all my fault. I will fix it."

"How will someone like you fix this mess? That furry crude has chosen Riona instead of you. Now, what are you going to do?"

Lisbeth’s eyes widened, her mind racing to find an answer.

Thorin chose Riona instead of her? Why? How could that be? Wasn’t it impossible? Lisbeth was the princess of this kingdom; it was common sense that marrying her would strengthen his position, not marrying someone insignificant.

King Valentin had assigned Lisbeth to be Alpha Thorin’s wife.

As the king’s direct descendant, slipping her into the Wintertooth pack would secure their position among the werewolves.

The king aimed to control them from within, using his daughter as leverage. But now, Alpha Thorin had chosen another woman as his wife.

If it was Riona, King Valentin would never be able to control her as he could Lisbeth. And Riona wouldn’t act in the kingdom’s best interest; she would only jeopardize the Kingdom of Eira’s position.

Lisbeth clenched her chest, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to overcome the pain.

"I will convince him. Father, please," she pleaded, her voice strained but determined. "Let me seduce him. I’ll ensure that he chooses me."