CHAPTER 182: SHADOWS OF BLOODLINES

Zavren lay still on the king-size bed in the royal duplex. They had arrived just a minute ago, and of course, many people hailed for the safe war.

Many were shocked that Her Highness had gone, and that it had been Her Highness who had saved the war. They were deeply curious about Zavren but decided not to ask, knowing he would be inside the carriage with his wife. Everybody hailed, little did they know what had just happened to the king.

Ariana’s face was blank as she stared into thin air. She did not know how long she had been staring, but she just kept staring.

He was laid down in the last room of the floor where Ariana stayed, while the seer and nurses moved quickly, working in perfect sync to heal him. Ariana just waited on, trying her best not to think of that thing that had happened—how he had stopped breathing.

She had decided to stay because she could not accept the fact that her husband was not alive. That had to be wrong, or maybe she was just being too conclusive.

But he had not been breathing at all, and throughout the journey, neither of his hands had moved to make her think she was imagining it. Not to mention, the seer said nothing, and the look in her eyes was enough—it was as if they did not want to tell her something. Ariana, on the other hand, could not even ask.

She was trying to understand what was going on, trying to connect the dots, but it felt like nothing was connecting at all.

The seer finally moved after finishing her chants. Now, the royal nurses were trying to heal the wound and treat it, avoiding any dirt from entering.

"Luna Ariana," she spoke softly. Ariana turned to her calmly, and she could feel it—there was no spark in her eyes at all, only regret and pain.

"We are not sure if he is dead yet. It seems like your husband is really struggling to stay awake, and death has not claimed him. He is still alive."

She moved as she pulled out a bottle with a blackish substance.

"This black flower water will be applied to the wound, at the exact place where the sword had been injected. It will help heal him, and if it fully heals his wound, he will wake up. But the healing is extremely slow, my queen, so you have to be patient. This is the last of all, and because of the poison’s strong effect, this is the only thing he can survive on."

Black flowers.

Ariana began to think. She knew that name somewhere—or rather had written it somewhere—but where?

Just then, it finally clicked. These were the exact flowers she had seen in the backyard of the duplex with Lady Stephanie. When she had been curious, who knew they were healing flowers as well? They had asked Lady Emberg, and from the way she looked shocked when she spoke, Ariana realized she had been surprised that the flower actually did exist.

Now things were beginning to make a little sense to Ariana. That look she had mistaken for surprise had just been shock.

She stared, finally understanding that most of the potions Lady Emberg had given were not what they thought they were. And after all that, the respect she had given her had gone to waste because of her actions.

Ariana was beginning to regret whether she had even made the right decision by going to that war. She wondered—if she had not gone, would that mean Zavren would still be alive? She had gone to save him, yet it felt like she was the cause of his death.

One thing about Zavren—he felt the slightest force. But at that point, his mind had been glued to his wife, and he was feeling for her, cutting her hands. He did not like it, and that had been Frederick’s plan—to make sure Zavren was caught off guard and distracted.

Who knew that she had unknowingly helped him with his plans? But thankfully, the anger that had consumed her had been too powerful. All that was on her mind was blood; she needed to kill him. Never had she thought she would have such powers. She really was a human girl, yet it was very surprising. At first, she never would have thought that the senerp they were all looking for was her. Not to mention, she had inhuman powers.

Her gaze shifted as she watched the seer begin pouring the substance into his sword wound.

And finally, a little light shone on Ariana’s face. She was glad that he would be able to wake up. Her husband was a strong man, and love really conquered all.

She mind-linked him softly:

"My husband, please wake up soon. Our daughter would like to see you. We will wait for you."

Yet there was no reply. Knowing her husband, who always replied quickly to their mind-link, his silence made her heart squeeze. But she understood very well.

There was a soft knock on the door. The seer moved to check, and after opening it and speaking briefly, she returned and spoke softly:

"Luna Ariana, it seems Lady Leah is in need of your help. Baby Anavren has been crying for a long time now."

Ariana’s eyes widened as she wondered if the baby had felt something was wrong too. She nodded softly as she stood. She needed to see her baby. She had not even seen her yet, and it already felt like ages.

☆☆☆

In the royal village

Ava and Mr. John lay on the bed, fast asleep. But Ava woke up, unable to sleep properly. Worry clung to her skin.

She moved, glancing at her husband, who was sleeping soundly. She sat up, resting her back against the bed frame. She turned to look at him, then gently tapped his shoulder. Mr. John stirred slightly, opening his eyes.

Surprised to see his wife awake, he spoke.

"Is something the matter?" He sat up as he noticed she must have been thinking about something.

"No, honey, I am just worried," she truthfully spoke. He nodded, looking at her closely.

"What makes you worried, Avey?" he asked softly, taking her hands in his and caressing them gently.

Ava turned to him and spoke softly.

"How about you tell me that story you never completed when we returned? We were both busy."

"Do you mean the past story about how the werewolf queen was sleeping with someone else?" he asked.

Ava nodded. He smiled softly, deciding to tell her—maybe that would help ease her thoughts a little.

"If I tell you, will you go to bed?" he asked.

"Yes, of course. But how do you know this story? Does anyone else know it?" she asked.

Mr. John shook his head. "No, except a few trusted royals. I knew because my father was the king’s personal aide at that time."

Ava’s mouth fell open. She stared at him, not expecting that.

He then added, "The thing was that after she had slept with him, the king realized that the second child had no features of his—his hair color and eyes were different, just like the vampires."

Ava listened, but her body stiffened as she heard the next words:

"King Zavren and Vampire King Vrazen are brothers—half brothers."

Immediately those words fell from his lips, silence filled the room.