Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 68: Blood Stains

Chapter 68: Blood Stains

Being summoned to see the king alone was a clear sign that Riona was about to face a harsh reprimand. And that would be the lightest punishment she could hope for.

Being thrown into the kitchen as a servant, despite sharing royal blood, should have been humiliating. But for Riona, it had become a routine rather than a punishment after years of enduring it.

She knew that working in the kitchen would no longer suffice as a punishment. King Valentin would resort to something else. She didn’t know what, and that uncertainty drove her crazy.

Riona had no idea what to expect—she only knew it would be bad.

Meanwhile, Sir Kai walked beside her, clenching his fists and pursing his lips without saying anything. She glanced at him, wondering why he was following her instead of returning to the party.

The masquerade would continue until sunrise. Most of the guests were still in the grand hall, but the king typically left early to allow others the option to depart without seeming impolite. It was customary to stay until the king left.

"Why do you look like that, Sir Kai? If anyone saw you, they would think you were the one being summoned to the king’s office," Riona said, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Her effort had the opposite effect as Sir Kai lowered his head further. His complexion darkened as he creased his forehead. "I’m sorry," he muttered.

She laughed it off and playfully punched him in the arm. "What for?"

"I was the one who suggested this plan. I thought this plan would give you a chance, but..." His eyes glistened with guilt. Riona was surprised to see how badly he took this hit.

He clenched his fists tighter and mumbled, "I couldn’t defend you, and I couldn’t stop His Majesty from summoning you."

"No one could stop His Majesty from summoning anyone. Even Lady Maris would go if the king commanded it. Don’t beat yourself up. It’s nothing to do with you. You tried to help, and I’m grateful for that."

She took a deep breath in front of the king’s office. Sir Kai announced her presence, giving her one last look before Riona disappeared into the room.

The servants and King Valentin’s aides soon left the office. Riona gulped, fixing her gaze on the floor. She bowed and greeted him politely, "Your Majesty. How may I—"

She paused abruptly. Her throat tightened, and a familiar choking sensation returned. Riona collapsed, clawing at her neck desperately as she tried to clear what felt like an obstruction in her lungs.

"Ugh...!"

Seconds later, Riona was flung into the air. Her back collided with the wall, destroying a huge portrait of the king that hung there. Both Riona and the broken frame crashed to the floor.

Panting, she clawed at the carpet as if it could help her endure the suffocating feeling. She pressed her throat and opened her mouth, trying to expel the blockage, but she knew it wasn’t something from within.

It was King Valentin’s power. The power she feared most.

"Ohok!" She coughed violently. Black liquid gushed from her mouth and dripped from the edge of her lips.

King Valentin raised his hand, and Riona’s body was lifted into the air. When he twirled his arm, her body mimicked the movement. Before she could react, he slammed her into the opposite wall.

It felt like her spine had shattered. Something in her stomach bubbled up, and she vomited dark blood. Her black blood would leave stains on the wooden floor and carpet, but hygiene was the least of her concerns now.

Riona tried to raise her legs, attempting to get up. King Valentin walked toward her, and this time, he didn’t use his power. Instead, he pushed her head onto the floor with his foot.

Glaring down at her, he opened his mouth. "How dare you?"

"Y-your Maj—"

THWACK!

Which mistake had angered him the most? For which offense should she apologize first?

Asking for his decision regarding the petition in front of so many people? Talking back to his beloved Lady Maris? Or gathering her mother’s supporters to her side?

"Who do you think I am?"

King Valentin’s voice was low and calm, but the anger in it was unmistakable. He used his power to lift Riona’s chin. His eyes widened as he stared at her face.

Seriously, what should I say in this situation? I need to apologize. Just apologize!

"F-forgive m-me, Uncle."

She deliberately called him "uncle" to remind him of their relationship, although it had never seemed to deter him before. He was someone who resorted to violence often to display his dissatisfaction, even with his own daughter.

But there was no other way now. Riona felt like she would die if her uncle kept beating her like this. She needed to do something—anything.

"Hookkk!!!"

Riona wailed in pain as King Valentin’s power struck her stomach, hurling her to the far end of the left wall. She landed on her back and curled into a fetal position.

Quickly, she kneeled and pressed her forehead to the floor. "F-forgive me, Uncle. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have acted so arrogantly. Forgive me..."

She was so overwhelmed with fear that she would have kissed his boots if he told her to. Quivering, Riona kept pleading for forgiveness. If she didn’t know what had made him this angry, she would just apologize for everything.

"I was out of line. I talked back to Lady Maris. I was a fool." Tears streamed toward her temples as she pressed her forehead deeper into the floor. Her black blood trickled down to her nose.

"I shouldn’t have brought up the petition in public. I didn’t think things through."

Her voice trembled, but she continued, "I shouldn’t have gathered the nobles. I shouldn’t have divided this kingdom into two sides."

King Valentin extended his arm toward her, and she felt something grip her neck. Choking, she struggled against the invisible force as her body floated up slowly.

Her head was now a few feet higher than the king’s. He locked eyes with her, and she could see the fire in his eyes. He was enraged. There was probably no way out of this.

She must accept her fate—she would cease to live tonight.

The king brought her closer and said, "Amara was my sister before she was your mother! How dare you suggest I was involved in her death? I would trade my life for hers anytime if I could."