The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 85: Sudden promotion

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Sudden promotion

Lucien’s eyes narrowed as he noticed the trembling form of Grand Duke Leon. A cold edge slipped into his gaze as he spoke, voice low and dangerous.

"Leon... do you have a problem with my decision?"

The room tensed as nobles turn their gaze toward Leon.

Leon flinched. He slowly raised his head, only to be met with Lucien’s ice-cold stare. Sweat beaded along his forehead as he stammered,

"N-No, my lord... but she’s not even a thousand years old. How can someone so young be granted the rank of Marquis? Even your own daughters are still Viscounts because they haven’t reached a thousand!"

Lucien’s expression turned blank—emotionless,

I also don’t want to do this, but my daughters love her what can i do.

Then came the crushing reply:

"Duke Leon... you are from a noble house. You have no right to question the decisions of a Progenitor household."

The hall froze.

Lucien took a deliberate pause before delivering the final blow.

"And, for your information, the one who appointed her as Marquis... is Queen Nyssa. Are you saying you dare to challenge her authority?"

Leon’s eyes widened in horror.

He instinctively clenched his fists, trying to appear composed—but his fear betrayed him. A glance toward the throne beside Lucien revealed Queen Nyssa’s cold, impassive face. Her crimson eyes were like frozen daggers,

w when did this monster start involving in politics.

Leon’s gaze dropped instantly."...Of course not, my lord. I... I meant no disrespect."

Lucien watched him for a moment longer, then allowed a smirk to tug at the corner of his lips.

They still fear her as much as ever, he thought, with amused face.

Lucien turned his gaze to Zara.

"Marquis Zara," he began, voice echoing through the ballroom. "From this moment, the Crimsonveil Clan and Enigma Clan—previously under my daughters’ names—will fall under your governance."

A low murmur stirred the nobles again, but Lucien wasn’t finished.

His jaw clenched slightly as he added,"As per our laws, the main wife/husband holds ruling authority over shared lands. However..."His crimson eyes narrowed."...the noble titles still belong to your wives. If you were to die, the territories would revert to them."

Zara’s eyes widened. She snapped her gaze toward Lilith and Grace in disbelief.

Lilith, ever calm, gave her a loving smile."Don’t worry, dear. We’re not losing anything."

Grace merely shrugged and nodded with a gentle grin, her tone casual."It doesn’t really matter to me."

But Zara couldn’t accept it. Her fists tightened."How can you say that? If I take this, doesn’t that mean you both lose your authority over your clans?"

She took a step forward, clearly about to refuse."No. I can’t accept this. I’ll deny—"

Before she could finish, Lilith gently took her hand and pulled her into a soft embrace by the waist.

Zara blinked, her momentum halting."Lilith?"

Lilith smiled again, soothing."Dear, it’s not what you’re thinking. Our society’s rules are different from humans. Let me explain, okay?"

Zara paused, slowly nodding.

How can they say they’re not losing anything? They’re my wives—I can’t just take what’s rightfully theirs.

Lilith began to speak patiently,"What Father meant is this: in name, you are now the ruler of both territories. As the main wife, it’s natural in vampire society. But that only means you own the land legally. When it comes to battle command and clan authority, we’re still the heads."

Zara raised a hand."Wait. I didn’t get a single word of that."

Lilith blinked, then chuckled softly."Let me simplify: I still lead the Crimson Knights. Grace still leads the Enigma Knights. You, as Marquis, must build your own knights."

Zara finally nodded in understanding.So I hold the title, but they still have their power. I’m not taking anything away. In fact... this just makes us stronger together.

She turned to Grace."So that means... the territories are ours now?"

Grace smiled brightly."Yes. As the Marquis of a Progenitor House, you now oversee the largest territory among us. Since Lilith and I are under a thousand years old, we remain Viscounts. But you..." She winked.

"You’re officially outranking all of us now, wife."

Zara’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she quickly turned her face away, coughing lightly to hide it."W-What do you mean outranking, we are same...?"

Grace gave her a sly smile, eyes sparkling with mischief.

Zara caught the look and immediately turned her head, refusing to meet her gaze.

Up on the throne, Lucien raised his hand with a commanding presence."Let the ball begin."

With that, the grand ballroom filled with elegant music. The nobles began pairing off, taking each other’s hands and spinning into graceful dances.

Zara watched them briefly, then turned to Lilith beside her. With a warm smile, she extended her hand."May I have this dance?"

Lilith’s lips twitched, her usual calm demeanor softening. She took Zara’s hand with a fond smile."Of course."

The two stepped onto the dance floor, Zara gently leading. One hand rested on Lilith’s waist, the other holding her hand, their eyes locked in unspoken connection. They moved in perfect harmony, their elegant figures gliding effortlessly to the rhythm.

From the sidelines, Grace puffed out her cheeks in a quiet pout. She crossed her arms and looked around for a seat, finally settling into a chair.

Moments later, Edith appeared beside her like a ghost. She plopped into the seat with a smirk and stared at the couple on the floor. After a moment, her gaze drifted to Grace.

Seeing the sulking look on her younger sister’s face, Edith chuckled softly and patted her head."Don’t worry, little sis. Once she’s done dancing with Lilith, it’ll be your turn."

Grace nodded slowly, but her eyes stayed downcast.

Edith sighed, then a mischievous smirk curved her lips. She leaned in, whispering slyly into Grace’s ear,"Or... if you’re not in the mood for dancing, there are other ways to... connect, you know~"

Grace’s face turned scarlet.

"S-Sis! Don’t say weird things so casually!" she yelped, standing up quickly.

Edith grinned wickedly, arms folded across her chest."Hehe, don’t act like you don’t want to. I know how deep your feelings go. You love her more than anything."

Grace sank back into her seat, flustered, the blush on her cheeks refusing to fade.How can she say that kind of thing with a straight face...?!

Suddenly, Thalia popped up behind the chair, hands on the backrest as she peered at the two.

"What are you two whispering about?"

Edith glanced over and waved a hand dismissively."Nothing for you to worry about. You’re still a kid."

Grace nodded in agreement."Yeah, this is grown-up talk."

Thalia frowned, hands now on her hips."Hey! I’m older than Grace! Don’t act like you’re the big sisters here!"

Edith leaned back lazily and waved her hand like she was swatting a fly."You’re not a married woman, Thalia. That’s the difference."

Thalia twitched."What are you even saying!? Only two of our sisters are married—and you’re not one of them!"

Edith clutched her chest dramatically."Ahh, but soon I will be! My beloved sister-in-law has already promised to marry me. She said she’d cherish me forever!"

Thalia froze.

Her gaze slowly turned toward the dance floor, where Zara was still dancing gracefully with Lilith. Then she looked at Grace.

Grace’s face had darkened, a faint aura of jealousy and killing intent radiating from her.

Thalia blinked, her voice stiff."Wait... what did you just say, sis?"

Edith seeing grace face stand up Her hand shot up in surrender.

"Oopsie—!" she yelped and bolted, darting away from the scene.

Thalia stared at Edith’s disappearing back, blinking in confusion. She turned her gaze cautiously toward Grace.

Grace’s expression was cold, her voice even colder."Don’t even think it’s true."

Thalia stiffened. A nervous smile tugged at her lips."O-Okay, little sis... I know she was just joking. Calm down, yeah?"

But Grace didn’t respond—she simply turned her face away, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

Thalia ran her fingers through her hair, muttering to herself,Why... why am I even scared? I’m the older sister here! I should be scolding her, not the other way around...

Before she could continue her internal complaints, the music slowly faded out.

Then—

Click.

The ballroom lights shut off with a soft hum, plunging everything into darkness.

Zara blinked in surprise, her vision instantly shifting. While others middle level vampires only saw shadows, she could still see clearly—every curve, every silhouette, every figure was visible to her nightborn eyes.

She turned her head slightly—just as Lilith’s fingers gently cupped her chin.

Soft lips pressed against hers.

Zara’s eyes widened in shock, but only for a moment. She slowly closed them, leaning into the kiss, her heart skipping a beat.

On the other side of the ballroom, Grace sat in silence, her gaze locked on the stage.

Her lips formed a pout, eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.

It’s my turn next... she told herself, arms folded as she sat with practiced patience.

Don’t get impatient, Lilith. After your dance, it’s my turn to kiss our dear wife.

Her fingers gripped the edge of her blue dress tightly. She could already imagine it—Zara’s arms around her, lips brushing hers. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

"i cant get enough, i wanted to kiss her every minute..."

she whispered to herself, a small blush rising on her cheeks.

without her noticing her obsession toward Zara growing deeper and deeper.