The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride
Chapter 345: To appease the witches

Chapter 345: To appease the witches

"Why did your mother tell me then how you kept cursing me for leaving without any words to you?" Odin asked her, his voice edged with hurt and confusion.

Venus gazed at him and gulped hard. Why did her mother have to say all this to him? She averted her gaze from his piercing eyes, not understanding what she could possibly say now as she struggled to find the right words.

"I’m here, not there," Odin remarked, his tone a mixture of frustration and longing.

Venus took a deep breath and steeled herself. "I didn’t miss you. Why would I even miss a person who considers me his enemy?" she retorted, looking straight into his eyes, trying to mask the turmoil within her.

Odin didn’t say anything and turned to walk away.

"Eh? Where are you heading to?" Venus asked, now standing on her knees, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and defiance.

"To my home," Odin replied, turning slightly to glance at her. "I was here with Griffin to understand the situation. You won’t see me again. And by the way, don’t speak ill of me behind my back. I don’t mind if you say the same words to my face," he affirmed, his tone carrying an edge that felt like a warning.

"Really? Then, can I say that you are a jerk?" Venus shot back, her eyes blazing with challenge.

Odin’s lips twitched slightly, almost as if he were amused. As he decided to leave, something seemed to strike him. In a flash, he was in front of Venus, his hand wrapping around her throat. "Then I should show you what a vampire jerk like me can do?" he taunted, leaning in close and baring his fangs menacingly.

Venus’s eyes widened in fear, but she quickly gathered her composure. "No way! You can’t suck my blood. I’ll complain to Prince Magnus," she asserted, her voice steady despite the situation. She pressed her hands firmly against his chest, trying to push him away, her heart pounding in her chest in fear.

Odin’s grip tightened momentarily before he released her with a look of disdain. "You think Prince Magnus will save you?" he sneered. "You’re more naive than I thought." With one last menacing glance, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Venus to catch her breath and process what had just happened.

Venus didn’t feel this scared even around Eugene. Odin was truly a dangerous man from whom she needed to stay away. But why a part of her heart feeling very different toward him.

~~~~

In the grand hall of the palace, as the evening shadows lengthened, King Esmond called his three sons to an urgent meeting. They hurried to his side as soon as they received his summon.

King Esmond didn’t waste time with pleasantries. "I will come straight to the point," he began, his voice steady but burdened with concern. "The newly appointed Head Witch, Rienna, has made a bold demand. She wants me to abolish the old rules that limit the witches’ powers—rules that were put in place to keep a balance with the vampires."

His sons exchanged uneasy glances, knowing the delicate balance their father spoke of.

"The witches no longer want their powers to be restrained simply because the vampires desire it," Esmond continued. "Rienna has refused any kind of negotiations as well. She is adamant and uncompromising."

The king paused, looking each of his sons in the eye. "It’s not that I’m afraid of her," he clarified, his voice firm. "But I don’t want the peace of this kingdom to be shattered. Once the conflict starts, it will spread like wildfire, consuming everything in its path."

Izaak, the eldest prince, spoke up, his tone measured and thoughtful. "What Damien did is the root of their rage. They can’t openly refuse the King’s order because that would be a direct challenge to the throne. I believe more witches should be consulted this time," Izaak suggested, offering a potential solution.

"That means we need to seek out those who can stand against Rienna and prevent her from consolidating too much power," Magnus, the second eldest, added, his voice reflecting the weight of their predicament. "I can’t deny that what happened with Gloria was unforgivable, but telling them to stay under control will only fuel their anger toward us. Most importantly, witches are known for their unity, unlike us," he continued, his expression grim.

Alaric, the youngest, spoke up, breaking the tense silence. "There is one way to tackle this issue," he said, drawing the attention of his brothers and father.

The three of them gazed at the Second Prince, who began, "I believe that if Rienna is given power equivalent to the elders, the situation can be controlled," he opined.

Izaak frowned, his concern evident. "There’s a risk in that, Alaric. Who knows if Rienna might want more power than that? We need harmony among everyone—be it human, werewolf, witch, or vampire. Moreover, witches can use magic to hide their true intentions from Magnus’s reach," he added, his voice carrying a note of caution.

King Esmond listened to his sons’ deliberations, weighing their words carefully. "Alaric, your suggestion has merit, but Izaak’s concerns are valid. We cannot afford to empower Rienna without ensuring that it won’t lead to further demands. We must find a balance—a way to appease the witches without compromising our authority or the kingdom’s stability."

Magnus nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps we can propose a new council where representatives from all factions, including the witches, have a voice. This might diffuse some of the tension and make them feel heard without giving too much power to any one individual."

The king’s eyes brightened at the idea. "A council could work. It would show our willingness to cooperate and share power, which might placate Rienna and the witches. But we must proceed with caution and ensure that the new council members are chosen wisely to maintain the balance."

The princes nodded in agreement, recognizing the delicate path they needed to negotiate.

"However, I would like to meet Rienna once. Can I do that, Father?" Magnus asked after a moment of silence.

"She’s refused any kind of communication," Esmond answered.

"I’ll send her a message. Perhaps, she will agree, Father," Magnus stated, giving him a reassurance glance that the Kingdom wouldn’t fall toward instability.