Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 75: Answered Prayers

Chapter 75: Answered Prayers

Riona had been unable to sleep because her mind was consumed with worry for Florian. After hearing what had happened, she became desperate and attempted to escape multiple times, but each time, she was forcefully returned.

She even tried leaping from the window, only to find it sealed by the spell too, preventing her from extending her hand beyond the frame.

Just as she was reaching her breaking point, King Valentin appeared in her room. He suddenly took her out of the room and escorted her to visit Florian, but he acted like a prison guard, monitoring her every move.

Even as they walked toward Florian’s room, she felt closely watched. Despite the surveillance, she complied without resistance. She was willing to endure anything just to see her brother.

Seeing Florian brought a rush of relief. At the same time, she felt despair. He lay peacefully, but he was injured and unconscious.

How had this happened? Florian was no longer a child; he had grown taller than ever now. He had no longer run along the corridor like he used to. His timid nature also made him careful around others, so how could he have fallen?

That question was quickly set aside when good news arrived. Thorin burst onto the scen, just like he previously had. He was trying to barge in while the guards struggled to restrain him.

Similarly to last time, Riona was in the middle of a lesson. Sir Orlo noticed the commotion and let him in. "It’s alright. I’ll watch over them," he told the guards.

Panting, Thorin exclaimed, "He’s awake! He has woken up!" He couldn’t contain his excitement.

Riona shrieked with joy and leaped at Thorin, clinging to him like a monkey on a tree branch. She hugged him tightly, closing her eyes to savor the moment and resting her head on his broad shoulder.

The Alpha werewolf tensed at first, but then he wrapped his arms around Riona’s back and twirled her around. They danced ecstatically, sharing their happiness.

"How is he?" Sir Orlo asked with a fatherly smile on his face after waiting for the Alpha and Riona to calm down.

Riona jumped off Thorin to listen intently. Now she had to wait for King Valentin to fetch her to see her brother. She was itching with anticipation but there was nothing she could do.

"He’s doing well. His broken leg is fully healed, and he can move his arm without pain. He still can’t move too much, but he’s eating well," Thorin reported.

"That’s great to hear," Sir Orlo replied sincerely, glancing at Riona. "Aren’t you glad, Riona?"

"Of course!" Her eyes sparkled briefly before dimming with sadness. "I want to see him..."

"Didn’t you say His Majesty regularly lets you see Florian?" Sir Orlo asked.

She sighed. "Yes, but I want to see Florian now. I don’t know when His Majesty will come to take me out of here."

This moment was the most frustrating for Riona. Why did she have to be locked up when Florian needed her the most?

"Let’s just be happy he’s alright. I’ll keep you updated on his condition. When he’s better, I’ll bring him to see you," promised Thorin.

It all came down to who could visit first: whether King Valentin would arrive soon enough for Riona to see Florian, or if Florian would recover quickly enough to come to her.

***

King Valentin had yet to make an appearance, so Riona couldn’t see her brother just yet. Fortunately, Thorin visited daily, providing updates or simply keeping her company.

Interestingly, Riona began to enjoy his presence more and more. Somehow, her isolation made her appreciate him in new ways.

But today, Thorin didn’t come just to share good news. He decided it was time to discuss what he and Puck had discovered.

Puck was tasked with watching over Florian so he hadn’t come with Thorin to Riona’s room. Instead, Thorin spoke on his behalf.

"Puck found out that Florian’s fall was no accident," Thorin revealed.

"What?" Riona couldn’t wrap her head around the news.

What did this mean? Who would want to hurt a fangless child? Florian posed no threat to anyone. Lisbeth wouldn’t be so cruel as to harm her young cousin just to hurt Riona, would she?

"Was it Lady Maris?" Riona wondered, then immediately doubted her own deduction. "But why go so far when the petition was already granted? I don’t understand."

"When your uncle told you that he had a position ready for you after you graduated, he was being honest," Thorin began, though Riona still couldn’t connect the dots.

He searched her face, studying her expression. She listened quietly, which was unusual for her. Perhaps because this matter was related to Florian, she was willing to think things through instead of reacting emotionally.

"You will be part of the Royal Guard," Thorin dropped the bomb.

"The what–??? Are you serious? Is he serious? No way! There’s no way!" Riona shook her head in disbelief.

Riona wanted to leave the palace. She had to. For Florian. No... For herself. She couldn’t bear being there any longer. If she became a Royal Guard, there would be no chance for her to leave.

"Your king’s decision seems to be final, and those who oppose it have started to move. Puck and I believe that Florian got hurt because of that decision," Thorin explained.

That means... he’s hurt because of me?

"The nobles wanted to distract you or cause you to fail from graduating. It would give them enough time to concoct another plan to prevent you from becoming a Royal Guard."

Why are these people trying so hard to keep me here? Lisbeth, Lady Maris, and now the king. Don’t they hate me? Shouldn’t they want to drive me away from the palace?

Riona felt terrible, blaming herself for Florian’s injuries. The people she loved kept getting hurt. Was she a curse? Could her parents’ deaths also have something to do with her misfortunes?

Suddenly, she remembered her vow to the ancestor. Now that Florian had woken up, she needed to fulfill her promise.

"Thorin," she called, using his name for the first time. She usually just called him Alpha, and this made him nervous. "Take me to Wintertooth."