Chapter 3

"What a wonderful farce."

I walked to the center of the crowd, my cold gaze sweeping over the guards on the floor and Gene's bitter face.

"Carys, don't let him fool you," Alistair hurried over, trying to keep up his fake affectionate mask. "This thin-blood is extremely dangerous. He almost ruined our banquet."

I ignored him and raised my right hand.

"The library holds my clan's most precious ancient scrolls. Did you really think I'd leave it unguarded?"

A drop of blood seeped from my fingertip, and I flicked it into the air.

"The ancient 'Bloodline Recall' spell left by my ancestors never lies."

Fueled by magic, a blinding scarlet mist exploded in midair.

A massive, crystal-clear memory projection instantly replayed above everyone's heads.

In the projection, the three elite guards sneered and drew their holy water daggers.

They cornered Silas.

The vicious threats, the deadly strikes—every detail, every word echoed clearly in the banquet hall.

And Silas only defended himself.

The truth was out.

The crowd erupted. The nobles' looks toward Alistair and Gene changed instantly.

The three guards on the floor turned deathly pale, trembling violently.

Gene's jaw dropped, her beautiful face contorted like a clown's.

[It's over. It's completely over!]

She screamed internally, terrified.

[Damn it! Why didn't these useless fools just kill him!]

I looked coldly at Gene's white face. I felt nothing.

Silas stepped out of the shadows.

He stopped in front of me, bowing his head slightly, his tone calm and humble.

"I am very sorry, Lady Carys." He looked at me, neither arrogant nor submissive. "An antique candelabra was broken during the fight. I will take full responsibility for the damages."

I looked at him, a very faint smile touching my lips.

"Don't worry about it," I said lightly, just loud enough for the whole room to hear. "It's just a candelabra. It's not as important as dignity."

Silas paused. A strong spark of interest ignited in his deep eyes.

The color drained from Alistair's face.

Slapped in the face in front of everyone, he could only grit his teeth, turn around, and viciously kick the lead guard in the chest.

"You useless pieces of trash!" Alistair roared, desperately trying to save face. "How dare you draw holy water behind my back! Get out of my sight and await your death penalty!"

[Bitch! How dare Carys humiliate me in public!]

Alistair roared in his mind.

[Once I fully control your clan's resources, I'll make you beg on your knees!]

The next second, the heavy toll of the bone bell echoed through the castle.

It was time to seal the Blood Oath.

Alistair instantly slipped back behind his flawless mask.

He eagerly walked up to me, gently taking my hand.

"Darling, don't let these idiots ruin our mood," he said, his eyes burning with absolute lust for power. "No matter what, nothing will stop our sacred union."

[Let's just get this over with. Once the contract is signed, tonight's humiliation won't matter at all.]

I let him lead me. Under the awestruck gaze of the entire vampire nobility, we slowly walked up to the towering obsidian altar.

In the center sat the vial of thousand-year holy blood, radiating a dark, sweet scent.

Alistair's breathing grew heavy.

He picked up the ceremonial bone dagger, his eyes locked on my wrist, ready to slice my vein and mix our blood.

With this single cut, my wealth and my clan would be his to share.

"To our eternity," he murmured passionately, raising the dagger high.

Just as the blade was about to touch my skin.

I let him raise the dagger. Then I smiled and ripped my hand away.

Alistair swung at the air, the bone dagger freezing in midair.

The entire hall fell dead silent.

Everyone stared in shock at the sudden turn on the altar.

Alistair looked up in disbelief, his eyes full of confusion. "Carys... what are you doing?"

I looked down at him from above, speaking slowly.

"Alistair. The catacombs guarding the holy blood are my clan's most ancient forbidden ground."

I took a step forward, my gaze piercing his soul like a blade.

"What made you think... the library is the only place with a Bloodline Recall spell?"

Alistair's affectionate, hypocritical face instantly drained of all color.

His eyes widened in horror. His perfect mask shattered completely.

Watching his trembling body, I coldly spat out the final words.

"This Blood Oath ceremony is canceled."