Bab 20: Scheming
Seeing her bewildered expression, Susinda smiled.
"Has it ever occurred to you to question why the Prince of Imperion was never mentioned before you came here?" Susinda asked.
When Eve did not answer, she continued. "It was because he holds no power or authority in this Kingdom. Even a mere Baron's had more power than him."
Not understanding her words, Eve thought about the ranking of the vampires.
First, was the spawn. They were the weakest and some of the mature vampires do not even consider spawns as vampires yet.
Next was the thrall. They were newly turned vampires that were still under the control of their sire— or the vampires who made them.
Then the nobles. All vampires were considered nobles simply because they think they are superior to normal humans. Normal vampires call themselves nobles but they do not actually have any territory. Lucius told her once that nobles have the ability to shapeshift into their chosen animal once they reach a certain maturity. However, this was very difficult to achieve and takes a lot of… patience which some vampires do not have.
Then the baron or a baroness. Aside from their speed and strength, they have the ability to mesmerize humans and weaker vampires, making them do their bidding. The more powerful barons and baroness could also control some small animals or at least, the legend says so. Barons and baronesses were given territory in the outskirts of the Kingdom.
Of course, there was the duke and duchess. These vampires were stronger than the ones who rank lower than them. They also have a huge territory and could easily ensnare anyone weaker than their rank.
And lastly was the King.
The King and Queen of Vampires was not a position achieved through bloodline, but of bloodbath.
Meaning, anyone who believed they were stronger than the king and queen could easily challenge them to a duel and take the throne away. The king and queen were considered the most powerful vampires in the Kingdom. They could talk inside other people's minds, manipulate both human and vampire memories and thoughts, and most importantly, they could completely turn an ordinary human into a duke or duchess.
They also have the ability to influence a large crowd of vampires like an army of vampires and make them do whatever it is that they want.
This was how Lucius described the vampire ranks.
Susinda was right. Lucius never mentioned anything about a Prince.
"The Prince is not in the books, nor was he mentioned by the humans or any other race. It is because he is nothing," Susinda smirked. "Are you really willing to marry someone who is nothing?"
Eve blinked.
Nothing?
How could someone who is considered weaker than a baron speak inside her mind?
No. Susinda was wrong.
However, Susinda seemed to be serious. She was acting as if she, too, believed her words.
"I am giving you the opportunity to live even after the courtship. When you fail, I can ensure that you are brought to another territory where another vampire will be ready to take you on as their new wife. You will have them as your new master."
"You know this is… against the rules, right?"
"What rules?" Susinda snorted. "Did you see a rule that pertains to this matter in the list?"
Again, Susinda was telling the truth. This was not included in the set of rules that was given to them. At least, they did not specifically include the fate of the women who would fail the test. Instead, they focus on the punishments of the women who will not follow the rules.
What stupidity.
She wondered who made those dumb rules!
"The ones that were chosen and… the ones that never came back." Eve swallowed.
"Of course, they are already enjoying a life of luxury with another vampire. Did you really expect us to kill everyone because of a Vampire Prince?"
Eve said nothing.
Was this the reason why Max did not seem to care about the courtship?
"Aren't you worried that I will reveal this to the others?"
Again, Susinda only responded with a snort. "And… what makes you think that they will believe someone like you?"
Eve frowned. There was no doubt that the Prince would believe her, but she has no idea when she will have the opportunity to see him again.
The man has a talent for appearing and disappearing like a phantom, leaving her to wonder if he even exists or if he's just a figment of her imagination.
"I believe this proposal would benefit us both. Don't you agree? You get to have a perfect ending while avoiding death while I get a reward. Isn't that mutually advantageous?"
Eve did not know what to say when Susinda told her that she only had twenty-four hours to decide. It is either that… or she will reveal Eve's crimes of killing someone who was set to join the Night Courtship.
Susinda assured her that this would be a crime as the rules stated that they are not allowed to commit the act of murder or irreparable harm to the competitors.
In the end, Eve could not say another word.
*BANG*
The loud slam of Miss Susinda's office door jolted Eve out of her stupor.
A pensive expression filled her face as she stared at the door.
If she was right, then everything that had been happening between her and Susinda was an act.
The woman wanted to provoke her so she could create some conflict.
In this way, even if Eve were to disclose Susinda's proposition to anyone, they would not believe her and instead assume that she was trying to tarnish Susinda's reputation due to their past conflict.
"What a scheming bitch," Eve mumbled.
She always thought that the biggest threat that she had in this place was the vampires that had long been perceived as jealous, greedy, and evil.
It turned out, there were still humans who wish to profit from other humans.
At this point, Eve did not know what to say.
Twenty-four hours was not a lot of time.
Should she just secretly kill Susinda tonight?
That was the only way for her to escape her current predicament.
At least, she thought so.
Despite this, the news of Susinda's death, the very next day, surprised her.
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Also, did you expect this from Susinda? :D
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