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59. A PLACE IN COURT
publish date:
2026-08-30 14:09:13
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The Vampire's Human Bride 62. FREEDOM
Winter’s POV The silence that followed was so complete that I could hear my own heartbeat pounding against my ribs. A few of the ministers looked openly offended now. One of them even stiffened, and I had the distinct feeling I had just crossed some invisible line of court etiquette. The High Chancellor was the first to recover. “With all due respect, Your Highness, I believe that is an unnecessarily harsh description.” “Is it?” His brows pulled together. “The humans within this kingdom are provided food, shelter, and protection in exchange for their labor.” I almost laughed. “In exchange?” I looked directly at him. “That would only be a fair exchange if they had a choice.” The High Chancellor’s expression hardened. “They are not free to refuse the work. They are not free to leave. They are not even paid for what they do.” My voice sharpened. “You give them food and shelter because you need them alive enough to keep working. That is not a fair exchange.” I held his gaze. “Th
The Vampire's Human Bride 61. SLAVERY
Winter’s POV My jaw tightened. Human laborers? That was a generous way of putting it when they were treated more like slaves, not workers. King Zintius nodded. “Continue.” “The shortage has begun affecting several farms, mines, workshops, and noble estates. Many are reporting that they no longer have enough workers to maintain their usual production.” The minister paused briefly before continuing. “The situation has worsened since the treaty took effect.” A few murmurs passed through the hall. “As everyone here is aware,” the minister continued, “the treaty forbids us from capturing humans and bringing them into our kingdom.” My stomach twisted. And what exactly was wrong with that? The way he said it so casually made it sound as though he were talking about importing livestock instead of kidnapping people. Before the treaty, that was how they had increased the human population here. They crossed into human lands, raided villages, captured anyone they could, and killed those
The Vampire's Human Bride 60. LOW POPULATION
Winter’s POV King Zintius reached the raised platform and took his place on the throne. The moment he settled into the chair, the entire hall moved as one. “Your Majesty.” Every minister bowed deeply. I followed them, lowering my head beside Mavros. A few seconds passed before King Zintius raised one hand. “You may rise.” I straightened along with everyone else. The King looked over the hall, his gaze moving from one row of ministers to the other. “Is everyone who was summoned present?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” Mavros answered beside me. His voice was calm and formal, nothing like the way he spoke to me when we were alone. There was no hesitation in him, no trace of the man I had argued with yesterday. Standing here, he sounded entirely like the Crown Prince. King Zintius gave a small nod before his eyes moved toward me. I lowered my head slightly, suddenly more conscious of myself beneath his gaze. “Before we proceed with today’s matters, there is one addition to this council
The Vampire's Human Bride 59. A PLACE IN COURT
Winter’s POV I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, Mavros’s words haunted me. The more I thought them, the more questions filled my head. I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. Yesterday, I had been so certain. Certain that Mavros had known what was happening to humans and simply allowed it. Certain that his refusal to let me leave the palace had been another attempt to keep me ignorant. Certain that Sorin was the only vampire here who genuinely cared about what happened to people like me. But now, I wasn’t sure of anything. A soft knock sounded at the door, “Your Highness?” I instantly recognized Lara’s voice. I pushed myself upright. “Come in.” The door opened, and she entered carrying a dress over one arm. Behind her came Nessa with a basin of warm water. “You need to prepare for the council meeting,” Lara spoke. I had spent half the night arguing with Mavros in my head only to wake up and face him again in front of an entire room of vampi
The Vampire's Human Bride 58. TRUST NO ONE
Winter’s POV Being his wife did not mean surrendering my judgment to him. I held Mavros’s gaze. “I know we’re married, but that doesn’t mean I have to inherit every grudge you have or distrust someone simply because you tell me to.” His expression hardened. “Sorin may not be perfect. Maybe there are things about him I don’t know,” I admitted. “But at least he was honest with me about one thing.” Something shifted in Mavros’s face. “He admitted that there are things happening in this kingdom that he hates. He told me he has tried to help where he could, but he doesn’t have enough power to change the system.” Mavros’s jaw tightened. “And you believed him.” “I had no reason not to.” A humorless laugh left him. “Do you really think he meant those words or was he just saying the things you wanted to hear?” Anger sparked inside me. “Sorin didn’t lie to make me feel better,” I continued. “He told me the truth.” Mavros was unsatisfied with my answer. “I don’t know why you hate Sori
The Vampire's Human Bride 57. RESTRICTIONS
Winter’s POV I clenched my fists as I stared at Mavros. I could feel the anger radiating from him. It showed in the tightness of his jaw and the stiffness of his shoulders, but mine was quickly becoming stronger. He was furious because I had left the palace. Meanwhile, humans outside these walls spent their entire lives without the freedom to leave anywhere at all. Mavros finally looked away from me. His hand briefly moved toward the inside of his coat as though he was about to reach for something, but he stopped himself and let his arm fall back to his side. “Whatever you saw out there does not change what you did,” he said. “No, it doesn’t.” I lifted my chin. “And I already told you I don’t regret leaving. If you want to punish me for disobeying you, then fine. I’m willing to accept whatever punishment you give me.” Mavros’s expression hardened. “From now on, I want you to stay away from Sorin.” My brows furrowed. That was it? I had been expecting him to confine me to my ro
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