Chapter 11

Adrian's POVMy hands tightened slowly. The interrogation room was very quiet.Elena's father went first. "This is impossible. On what basis does Lucien have authority over the Valerie family?" An old voice came from the doorway. "On the basis that he is Lord Lucien."The Elder Council's representatives entered, their expressions unreadable. The lead elder looked at me. "The Prince has authorized this ruling, Lord Adrian." "My father authorized it?" "Lucien submitted the evidence directly. There is nothing to contest."I went quiet. Lucien hadn't needed to be in the room. He had simply sent his evidence and the Elder Council and my father had given their assent. That was what genuine power looked like: not the stories of a monster driven out to the edges, not a failed contender for a throne.I thought briefly about the old history I knew in pieces. Lucien and my father had once been rivals, and most people had expected Lucien to win because his abilities were too formidable — fo

Chapter 12

Elena's POVI arrived at Lucien's northern domain with him, and by the time the carriage passed through the gates the sky was dark.I had expected something bleak. Every story about Lucien described his home as cold, forsaken, forbidding. But when I walked through the doors it was nothing like the stories.The iron gates opened slowly, and the long corridor beyond was lined with lanterns. The household staff stood in two quiet rows, and when they saw me they bowed together. "My lady."I stopped walking. The title felt wrong, unfamiliar. In the Valerie house I was a problem. To Adrian I was a liar. In Sophia's accounting I was the obstacle between her and everything she wanted. But here I was someone's lady, without mockery, without wariness, without being treated as something dangerous to be managed.Lucien stood at my side and didn't rush me forward. He only turned to the head of the household. "Send for the physician." I tightened my fingers. "That's not necessary." Lucien

Chapter 13

Adrian's POVI heard about Elena's power beginning to recover while I was sitting in my father's study, staring at a document I hadn't read a word of. My father was at his desk with an expression that had been building for some time; the Elder Council had suspended my inheritance status and recalled half my guard command, the kind of things that once would have stripped me of sleep.Then my guard stepped close. "Sir. Word from the northern domain. Miss Elena's bloodline — there are signs of recovery." I looked up sharply. "Say that again." He kept his eyes down. "Lucien brought in a physician. She's apparently been able to reform a faint barrier."Barrier. Something struck me hard in the chest. The day the hunters attacked, she had done the same thing: terrified, no guarantee it would work, and she stood there and held her barrier up, kept it going until she ran herself dry, because it was for me. I had woken to Sophia's story and never questioned it. And then I had taken that v

Chapter 14

Elena's POVAfter Adrian left, the handkerchief remained on the table. I looked at it for a long time, then asked the housekeeper to take it away.Lucien didn't ask why. He only pushed the box with my mother's things toward me, then drew out two larger cases. "I had these brought from the Valerie estate some time ago," he said. "I wasn't sure when you'd want them. I didn't want to bring them up too soon in case the memories were difficult." He paused. "Keep them. I know how much you miss her."I opened the cases. My mother's ruby necklace — she used to wear it to the window to read to me when I was small. It was something I had thought I would never get back. When she died, my stepmother claimed all her personal effects were to be held by the family, and I had been too young to stop her.I held the necklace in both hands and my eyes went hot. Nearly twenty years, and it was back in my hands. I said, very quietly, "Thank you." Lucien looked at me. "Stop thanking me. They were alw

After My Vampire Fiancé Chose My Stepsister, I Married the Monster Everyone Feared のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 14

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14