Fangless: The Alpha's Vampire Mate
Chapter 85: A Trusted Traitor

Chapter 85: A Trusted Traitor

Riona trembled, her lips quivering as she clenched her fists. She turned away, not wanting to look Sir Orlo in the eye for fear he might find out about her plan.

Sir Orlo might treat her kindly, but she was certain he was on the king’s side. After all, his payroll came from the king, and he received orders directly from the palace, as well.

Her teacher knew she was imprisoned here.

To those who didn’t know what actually went on—and that meant almost all citizens of the Kingdom of Eira, her punishment seemed linked to her rude behavior at the Blood Moon Masquerade.

But she had been fighting for the truth—for her rights!

Moreover, Lady Maris had started the conflict. She had plunged into the mud first through that underhanded petition. Riona’s anger toward her was justified.

If Sir Orlo truly cared about her, he would have found a way to convince the king to change his decision about her punishment. Instead, he had accepted and followed the king’s orders without question.

"So, it’s true. I was just speculating, but it turned out to be true. How fascinating! Riona, do you think you can break the spell and return to this world?" Sir Orlo taunted.

Riona bit her lower lip and glared at her teacher.

She hissed, "Do you think I can’t do it? I’m friends with the werewolves. Did you know we’re getting married soon? I’m practically family now."

Sir Orlo said nothing. His expression remained stoic, making it impossible for Riona to read his thoughts.

She rose from her seat, sending the chair flying with a thud. "They will take Florian out of the palace, and once he’s gone, I can burn this whole place down just like I did with Umbra Grounds. Do you think I’m not capable of that?"

Riona was furious. Her anger was easily flared by a lot of things, and being belittled was one of her triggers.

This wasn’t the first time Sir Orlo had witnessed her rage. Recognizing the signs, he raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Calm down, Riona! I was just teasing you."

She didn’t look convinced.

"Look, I was about to offer my help," he continued. His tone softened. "But your face was too funny. You can’t even lie convincingly, and yet you’re planning an escape? You are daring, indeed."

Riona’s eyes narrowed. She hesitated. Her fury was momentarily checked by curiosity.

"I’m serious, Riona," Sir Orlo said, his voice steady.

"Why? What’s in it for you?"

If Sir Orlo claimed he would turn a blind eye, she might have believed him. But now he was expressing a desire to help her escape the palace!

If that wasn’t suspicious, she didn’t know what was...

Riona stepped back, maintaining a safe distance. Sir Orlo’s main power was close combat, and it would be dangerous if he suddenly grabbed her and reported her plan to the king before it even began.

"You’ve never helped me!" Riona groaned. Her voice was bitter and filled with resentment.

She had felt betrayed by her teacher many times before. She had once trusted him deeply, but when he had proven to be nothing more than the king’s subordinate, she had lost all hope in him.

Riona had grown up without her parents. She lost them at a young age and was forced to live in the royal palace, where everyone seemed to despise her.

She had learned to be independent. She learned to care for herself because no one else would do it for her.

Despite her resilience, she was still just a girl who needed a father figure. Sir Orlo had come along and seemed to fill that role—or so she had thought. But she was wrong. Even her teacher had to bow to the king.

"I’m sorry," Sir Orlo said. His voice sounded genuinely apologetic. "I should have helped you. There were so many occasions when I could have, but I didn’t. I regret that to this day."

Riona’s eyes filled with tears, but she sniffed them back, embarrassed. She turned away and wiped her face. "Can I really trust you?" she muttered.

"I’ll do whatever you ask of me," Sir Orlo declared.

To be honest, it would be a lie to say that Sir Orlo had never helped her.

He had been there for her when she needed someone. He stayed by her side when she lost consciousness. He was the only one in the royal palace who didn’t call her Fangless.

He was also the one person who encouraged her to control her power instead of suppressing it. While others wanted her to cease using it entirely, Sir Orlo wanted her to master it without being overpowered by it.

Sir Orlo believed in her.

"Can you help me weaken the spell, then?" Riona asked, her voice softening but still hesitant.

"I may know a way," he said.

"How?"

Sir Orlo hesitated, knowing the answer sounded impossible. "The spell could be broken with the help of the Moon."

Even as he spoke, the words seemed absurd. He laughed bitterly and added, "But, of course, that’s kind of insane because that means you’d have to speak with the elders who meditate during the Blood Moon and ask for their help."

Feeling foolish for even suggesting it, Sir Orlo scratched the back of his head. "After what you did with one of them, I doubt any elder in the Elders Assembly would want to help you."

What Sir Orlo didn’t know was that Riona had already spoken with an ancestor herself.

She swallowed hard, realizing this might be her only chance, though she wasn’t sure if she could summon the ancestor again. He had seemed flippant, so there was no guarantee he would answer her call.

"Um, so do I need to talk with someone who has spoken to the ancestor, or do I need to find someone with the power of the Moon?"

Either way, Riona was the key. She was the Blood Moon child, and she had already conversed with the ancestor.

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