The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 703. What Part?

Chapter 703: 703. What Part?

It took a few seconds for the rest of the Lords to join in, but there was no way they would remain seated when their Primus was on his feet. Mauve slowly approached the table, and she heard a slight gasp but nothing more as the hall plunged into further silence.

They all remained standing until Jael sat down, and he didn’t sit until Mauve was seated. As he sat, Jael turned to examine Mauve, and his eyes froze on her neck. Mauve adjusted in her seat, wondering if this was the right plan, but she knew that keeping it hidden wasn’t the way to go. If the Lords were all willing to let her endure something like this, then they should have the stomach to see the bruises left behind.

Mauve didn’t miss that Otis wasn’t at the table. She wasn’t sure if Jael had also chased him out of the castle, and to be honest, she didn’t care. Mauve knew there would be a final meeting today before the big announcement tomorrow, but she didn’t know when exactly it would take place. She could only assume it would be when all the Lords had gathered together.

Jael tried to meet her eyes several times, but Mauve kept her gaze glued straight ahead, meeting the eyes of everyone else, which was surprisingly fewer than usual. The Lords always watched her like hawks—every time she lifted her head, there was always someone staring at her—but that wasn’t the case now. Conversation was also minimal; at her table, it was nonexistent.

"Lord Louis," Mauve said at the end of her meal, "might I have a word?"

He raised a brow and then softly replied, "As you wish, my lady. When would you prefer?"

"Now," she stated.

Louis glanced at Jael, who was staring at him with anger in his eyes. Louis sighed and slowly got to his feet. He walked to where she was and tried to take her hand, but Mauve completely ignored it and just walked ahead.

"You have every right to be angry," Louis started to say as they walked out of the dining hall.

"It’s too late for damage control now, Louis. To say I am disappointed in both of you is an understatement."

"Is that why you have chosen to punish Jael? This was my fa—"

"Shut it. And punish Jael? I haven’t even started," she said. "You don’t get to ask questions until you’ve listened to what I have to say."

"Yes, my lady." Louis sealed his lips and walked a few paces behind her.

The rest of the walk was done in silence. Eventually, they reached the library, and Louis was quick to open the doors for her. The candles were already lit, and the room welcomed them with warmth and light.

"What were you thinking?" Mauve asked, glaring at Louis as she sat down.

"I am sorry. I have no other excuse, and as I said, you have every right to be angry. Any punishment you dish out, I deserve."

Mauve folded her arms and blinked rapidly, fighting the urge to cry. "How could you?"

"It wasn’t supposed to get to that point, I promise. I just wanted us to catch Seraphino red-handed. I never should have suggested it to Jael. I never should have..." his words trailed.

"You put me in danger—not just me. How did neither of you think of how this could backfire? It could have gone much worse. I had to relive such terror..." Mauve paused to catch her breath. "I don’t think I can forgive either of you so easily."

"I don’t have the right to ask you for that."

Mauve scoffed. "I was hoping for a better explanation from you. All Jael had to say was how sorry he was, and here you are doing the same. It’s not fair."

"Did it hurt?" Louis suddenly asked.

"What part? The fear? The choking? Or perhaps you mean, the betrayal? You two are the most important people in my life, and I can’t even trust you. But that’s not the worst part—you both don’t trust me. You didn’t think it was a good idea to tell me, who was potentially going to get choked by Seraphino. I would have liked to know."

"We wanted to spare you the gory details."

"And that’s the part I hate. I know I’m small, I know I’m little, I know I can’t protect myself at all, but I’m not completely helpless. You’re no different from Jael. Actually, you’re worse than him."

Louis’ expression changed but only briefly and soon enough it was back to neutral. "I am sorry, Mauve, and I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but I don’t need you to trust me. I am not Jael; I’m not seeking your approval, and I frankly do not care about your opinions. You’re the Primus’s mate now, which means you’re more important to Jael than his life. It’s my job to protect you."

"Maybe I don’t want to be protected. Maybe next time, I’d like to know."

"If I can keep it from you, I will. It’s my job to make this easier, and I failed this time. For that, I am so sorry. You have no idea how much I hate myself for this. I thought that if I’d been here the first time it happened, the bastard wouldn’t have dared lay his hands on you. But I was right there this time, and it still played out exactly as it did. I am mortified and also gravely ashamed. I let you and the baby down."

For the entirety of the conversation, Louis didn’t sit down. He just stood in front of her, but now he walked closer. Mauve didn’t realize what he was doing until he was face down on the ground, kowtowing to her.

Mauve’s breath seized. She was the one who had been betrayed and kept in the dark, but why did it hurt to see Louis like this? "Stop. Raise your head."

"No. Not until you say you forgive the both of us."

"That’s blackmail."