Ezra had known for a few hours now that Princess Akiko had arrived.
He didn't know much about her as information on the Monarchy had been restricted in the Society.
When his Aura had picked up the gathering in front of the mansion, he'd toned down the range of his Aura, not wanting to offend the coming Princess.
But right now, Ezra could sense her presence all over the mansion, her powerful Aura stretching far and wide.
Fortunately, her Aura just grazed the edges of his own, not spilling into their suite and giving them privacy.
Her arrival had been sothing they'd been looking forward to with anticipation as it ant their acceptance into the monarchy but at this [point, the excitent had waned. It's been hours but there has been silence.
No summons, no ssage, no nothing.
When the knock finally ca, it was Duke who stepped into the room.
The commander was like a professional brick, his tone curt as he delivered the news. "Lord Ezra, the Princess has requested your presence. You, Lady Red, and Lady Olivia are to accompany to her suite."
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Ezra rose slowly from his seat, adjusting his posture. His blindfold shifted slightly as he tilted his head toward Duke. "Very well. Let's not keep her waiting."
Red and Olivia exchanged a glance before standing as well.
Olivia smoothed her dress over her growing belly, while Red stood near to support her if needed.
The three of them followed Duke as he led the way, their footsteps muffled by thick carpets. At this point, they didn't know what to expect.
Was the silence before now a sign that she was giving them ti to prepare or a sign that she was hostile?
They finally approached the suite and the closer they got, the more Akiko's Aura beca… heavier. Its presence felt invasive and commanding, like they had no choice but to beneath it.
Ezra could feel it more than most as it brushed against him. He pushed back instinctively, his own Aura rearing up for the challenge.
Duke finally stopped in front of the doors leading to the suite, gesturing for them to enter.
Ezra placed a hand on the door and pushed it open. He quickly stepped inside with Red and Olivia close behind.
Princess Akiko stood near the suite's wide windows, her petite figure frad by the golden light streaming in from outside, making her look like so kind of ancient goddess.
Standing by the door like a guard was Sariel who eyed the Matten coven but said nothing.
Akiko turned as they entered, her eyes lighting up with a mixture of curiosity and amusent.
"Ah, my brother has arrived!" She said warmly, stretching her hands out as if she wanted to hug them from where she stood.
Her smile widened as she took in Ezra, her eyes lingering briefly on him before shifting to Red and Olivia. "It's good to finally et you."
It was undeniable. Akiko had used the word "brother," signaling to everyone in earshot that he really was a prince of the Nightmare Court and the wielder of the last relic.
Valaren stirred faintly inside of him, as if acknowledging its peer within Akiko.
At the side, Sariel stiffened slightly. Her expression was carefully neutral but she still couldn't hide the rigidity in her posture.
"If you'll excuse , Your Highness," she said, bowing slightly toward Akiko. "I must take my leave. There are other matters I must attend to."
Akiko's smile turned to her. "Of course, Sariel. Thank you for your diligence. You've been a wonderful caretaker."
Sariel bowed and left the room, but not before she gave Ezra a brief, unreadable glance. Who knew what she was thinking?
The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving the Nightmare Princess alone with the Matten Coven.
Akiko's gaze returned to Olivia, her expression softening as she approached. "And this must be the anomaly I've heard so much about."
She knelt slightly, her eyes level with Olivia's swollen belly. "May I?"
Olivia hesitated, her hand instinctively moving to shield her stomach.
Ezra stepped forward, standing right beside and slightly in front of Olivia who had taken a step back. "Perhaps another ti, Princess. My wife needs her rest."
Akiko's eyes flicked up to et Ezra's, and for a mont, the room seed to hold its breath. Their Auras pressed against each other as they stared.
Red's hand was stretched out slightly as if she was ready to reach out and pull out a weapon while Olivia remained perfectly still.
This was a seventh ringed vampire and they weren't sure of their ability to hold her off but they'd rather die trying than have anything happen to the baby.
The pressure in the room kept growing as the seconds stretched on.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Akiko broke the silence with a laugh. An actual laugh, both light and genuine.
She stepped back as the pressure disappeared.
"You're a protective one, aren't you?" She said, straightening with a graceful motion. "I can respect that. A family man is always admirable."
Ezra inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her comnt but saying nothing. He didn't need to. The ssage had been sent and received.
Akiko moved to one of the room's armchairs, lowering herself into it with the kind of elegance that couldn't be replicated even by lower ranked vampires.
She gestured lightly for the others to sit and sohow, her every gesture made it clear that she was still the one in control. It reinforced the goddess image they'd all had when they entered the room.
Ezra and Olivia took their seats, while Red remained standing behind them, her eyes fixed on Akiko.
"You know, Ezra," Akiko began, folding her hands neatly in her lap, "even with your claim as a prince confird by , you won't find the Monarchy welcoming you with open arms."
Ezra tilted his head as he kept his face pointed at her like his eyes were actually working. "And why is that?"
Akiko rested her chin on her hand, her smile returning but this ti, it was anything but friendly. "Because you are from the Society."
There was silence.
"You coming and being confird as a prince was never the end of everything, Ezra Matten."
"Even if you're a prince, there will always be rumors and suspicions that you're a plant sent by the Council to infiltrate us."
"Trust is a fragile thing here, and you've arrived with it in short supply."
Ezra kept his Aura on her even as he processed what he was hearing. He'd known that there was a possibility that this would happen but Akiko's words still cut deeper than he cared to admit.
He'd been looking forward to finding a place called ho and here he was, only to realize that he was still an outsider.
"And what would you have do about that?" He asked.
Akiko's eyes glead with amusent as she leaned back in her chair. "Oh, that is for you to decide, brother."
"If you truly wish to be accepted by the Nightmare Court, you'll have to earn it. Prove yourself to the other princes."
"Only then will they see you as an equal."
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