Chapter 1

My husband, the new Duke of our world, called me tyrannical. My adopted daughter hated me for robbing her of the right to grow up. So, I decided to spend my last seventy-two hours indulging the father and daughter who so craved "freedom." I would play the part of the perfect woman.

The Clan Healer's diagnosis echoed in my mind. "The Blood Blight has reached your heart, Isolde. If you don't ingest the Progenitor's Blood immediately, in three days, you will crumble to dust like a statue."

I stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, pulling the collar of my black velvet nightgown higher to cover the gray, petrifying patch on my collarbone.

As Miles's wife, I had carefully nurtured our marriage for a century, until a fledgling vampire entered our lives.

"Still angry?" The heavy wooden door to the bedroom swung open, and Miles strode in.

He undid the top button of his collar, his gaze darted toward me, scanning me quickly before looking away.

"I'm fine." I turned, my voice soft.

He frowned. "The Healer did say you were due for the Progenitor's Blood, but..."

"But Vivienne was turned more recently, and her rejection symptoms have worsened. She needs it more. That's it, isn't it?" I finished his sentence for him, a bitter smile touching my lips.

I remembered three years ago, when Vivienne and Lily were still humans, dying from a plague.

I couldn't bear to watch them suffer, so I broke the clan's most sacred law and granted them eternal life.

I never could have imagined that they would now claim I had destroyed their human dignity, painting me as a tyrant who had stolen their right to die.

"Isolde, you have to understand," Miles's tone softened slightly. "Vivienne's rejection symptoms are more severe. You, on the other hand, appear to be handling it well."

"I understand." I walked to the liquor cabinet and pulled out a thick stack of documents. "She certainly needs more care than I do."

Miles froze, seemingly unprepared for my compliance.

"What's this?"

"A transfer of power." I tossed the file onto the black walnut table.

"Since I'm so cold-hearted, the clan's blood banks, territories, and all my other assets will be under her management from now on."

Miles picked up the documents, his expression wary.

Instead of joy, a deep furrow appeared between his brows. "Isolde, why are you doing this? You never give up power. What are you planning?"

"Vivienne is just a fragile fledgling. She needs to feel secure."

Fragile?

The woman who rehearsed her tearful, pitiable act in the mirror at night, yet secretly slashed my portraits with a silver knife out of jealousy. Yes, she was very "fragile."

She didn't hate being a vampire; she hated that I was the one at the top.

No one knew that just to maintain a veneer of composure, I swallowed a poison potent enough to kill a werewolf each day, just to have the strength to stand before him.

"Take it and have her sign. Consider it my apology to her." I dug my nails into my palm, fighting back tears.

Miles hesitated for a moment, looking at me as if searching for a crack in my mask, but he took the documents anyway. "Good. Rest, Isolde, You are not allowed to break."

That evening, I forced myself down the stairs, enduring the excruciating pain of petrification.

In the living room, Miles was holding Lily, who would forever look like an eight-year-old.

"Daddy! That mean woman is coming down." The moment Lily saw me, she buried her face in Miles's chest, her voice sharp and piercing.

"Lily." I tried to muster a motherly smile, though the muscles in my face were already stiffening.

"Don't call me that!" The little girl looked up, her blood-red eyes filled with venom. "If it weren't for you, I'd be in middle school by now, not trapped in this monster's body that never grows up! I hate you!"

Vivienne, wearing one of my silk gowns, sat in the master's chair that had once been mine, swirling a glass in her hand.

"Lily, don't be like that. Your sister was only trying to save us back then," Vivienne feigned, then turned to me. "Sister, you don't look well. Are you feeling ill?"

She was always doing that, creating a subtle "us versus her" narrative, as if she and Lily were the only true allies.

I didn't answer, simply walked over to her. "Vivienne, I have something for you."

From my ring, I produced an ancient bone key, the only key to the family's underground vault.

"You've always wanted this. Take it."

Vivienne's hand trembled, and a few drops of blood spilled from her glass. "Sister, what are you doing? This is what you value most..."

"It suits you more than me," I said softly, my eyes sweeping over Miles's complicated expression. "Consider it an early wedding gift."

Vivienne's expression flickered, but she quickly returned to her innocent facade. "Sister, what are you talking about?"

I moved closer to her, whispering, "I know everything. It's all right. You have my blessing."

Just then, Miles walked in, his expression tense when he saw us together. "What are you two talking about?"

"I'm tired," I cut him off. "Miles, take care of them. Lily, listen to your aunt."

"Fine!" Lily answered coldly before turning to coo at Vivienne.

Watching her so happy, a sharp pain shot through my heart.

But I truly couldn't stand any longer.

Back in my bedroom, I locked the door and slid to the floor.

My legs had gone completely numb. The Blood Blight was devouring my life force at a terrifying rate.

I crawled toward the walk-in closet and began to organize the crowns, scepters, and every piece of jewelry Miles had ever given me.

They would all belong to Vivienne soon.

"Seventy-two hours left," I said to my pale reflection in the mirror. "Isolde, for these last three days, you will play your part."

I knew the truth would eventually come out.

I had already made arrangements for what would follow my death. The most damning evidence would expose Vivienne's true nature, and I knew that in the end, they would all be filled with regret.

The moment my body finally crumbled would mark the true beginning of this feast of vengeance.

Until then, I would let them laugh a little longer in this beautiful, fabricated dream.