The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 702. You don’t!

Chapter 702: 702. You don’t!

Mauve woke up alert, her memories of the night before flooding her mind. She frowned and slowly sat upright to see Jael sitting on the bed, staring at her. He didn’t look like he had gotten much sleep the night before. Mauve instinctively opened her mouth, ready to ask if he was okay, but she immediately shut it down and rolled out of bed.

"Mauve," Jael called helplessly. He truly was helpless—he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t think he had ever seen Mauve this angry, and whenever they had a problem, she was usually the one to bring an end to it. To say he was at a loss right now was an understatement.

She didn’t respond to his call, just headed for the connecting door. She reached for the handle, and Jael stopped her. Mauve shot him a look. "It is almost time for the first meal, Jael. I have to get ready in time."

She had almost called him "Your Highness." Mauve was infuriated, but she wasn’t that angry, and she could see the broken look on Jael’s face, she couldn’t make it worse. If only he had shared the same sympathy for her. She had told him countless times not to keep anything from her, but to keep something as big as this from her? It would be a little hard for her to get over it so easily.

"I am sorry. I know, and I would tear open my guts right now to show you how sorry I am."

A/N: This is a traditional way vampires apologize for grievous offenses. Erick did this in an earlier Chapter.

Mauve’s eyes widened in horror. The idea of more blood repulsed her. "No, I don’t want that and I heard your apology," she said.

"But you do not forgive me."

"I didn’t say that. I just need some time. It was horrible, what happened. You have no idea how scared I wa—"

"I know—"

"No, you don’t, because if you did, you would have wanted to give me some semblance of hope in that terrifying moment, but you didn’t." Mauve instinctively grabbed her stomach with her free hand. What were these vampires doing endangering her and her child? Even if they never intended for it to turn out the way it did, it didn’t absolve them of guilt.

Jael saw her grab her stomach, and a pained expression passed across his face. "I can’t ask for your forgiveness enough." He bent his head forward, putting the hand he held to his forehead.

"I don’t want you to do that," she said and pulled her hand from his grasp, wiping it on her dress. "As I said, I just want some time. I will go for the first meal by myself. Don’t accompany me."

Mauve felt her stomach knot at the words. It didn’t compare to Jael’s reaction, but she didn’t say the words without effect on herself. However, she felt this was something she had to do. She had cowered behind Jael for too long. The Lords probably thought she was easy to get rid of. She had to show some strength, especially after an incident such as this one.

"Mauve, I will give you some time as you have asked, but don’t push me away. I don’t know what I’ll do with—"

"I am not doing that," she said and turned the handle. She walked out the door and shut it behind her.

Mauve barely said anything as Mill helped her get ready, and the vampire must have noticed Mauve’s mood as she barely spoke too. "What dress would you like to wear?" Mill asked. This was the first time she had spoken to Mauve in a while.

"Something low cut. I’d like some jewelry too."

"Yes, my lady. W-would you like a scarf too?"

Mauve knew why Mill asked that. She could clearly see herself in the mirror, and what was most clear were the bruised marks on her neck. Mill had gasped while washing Mauve. The latter had not known the reason for Mill’s reaction, and she wasn’t very curious, but one look in the mirror was all she needed. Her hair did a very good job of hiding them, but Mauve had no intention of keeping them hidden.

"No," Mauve said with a hardened look on her face. "And I would like my hair tied up."

Mill swallowed, and Mauve expected some discouragement from her, but she simply nodded and made her way to the wardrobe. She came back with the perfect dress, which she quickly helped Mauve into. When all was said and done, Mauve made her way to the door.

Mill helped her with the door, and Mauve’s hands shook slightly as she walked out. She was relieved when she didn’t see Jael standing outside. A part of her was worried he would go against her wishes and try to bypass the rule by standing outside, but he was nowhere to be found.

Mauve was glad because she knew she would have collapsed into his arms and wouldn’t be able to go through with this herself, but this was something she needed to do.

"Would you like me to come with you?" Mill offered.

Mauve gave her a curt smile. "The dining hall is only downstairs. Why would I need to be escorted? I am fine. Don’t look so worried."

Without waiting for a reply, Mauve turned and walked down the hallway.

She walked steadily down the stairs. A few times, she thought she would lose her step, but she didn’t. It was hard to tell if it got easier with each step, but this was something she was determined to do, and nothing would change it.

The guards bowed to her first before they opened the door. Things were really different, and it was best for her to start acting like it. Mauve took a deep breath and walked into the dining hall.

Everything stopped, and all eyes turned to look at her. Mauve didn’t even flinch. She held her chin high and met every gaze directed at her. Then something unexpected happened. Jael stood up, and so did Louis. Then Damon, Danag, and even Erick, though hesitant, also stood.