The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride-Chapter 149: Let me die for a good cause.

After some time spent discussing their condition, Kai said something that struck a raw nerve in the King. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Can you guess which one of your nobles is aiding the pirates and bandits? This person is wealthy enough to fund Lutherieth’s entire mortal army. Even if we wipe out every last vampire, danger will still haunt the Seven Kingdoms."

Aunt Eve’s face was drained of color. "A royal? Good Gods... how foolish!"

Ren shook her head grimly. "Aunt Eve, there’s worse. Victor Keleemont is now a Lord Vampire. He’s turned an entire village and stolen intelligence from our camps."

The woman winced, fear glistening in her eyes. It was horrifying.

And it explained the recent wave of brutal casualties.

"Victor? That murderer is still alive?" Aunt Eve’s voice trembled with disbelief. Everyone remembered the atrocity he committed at the King of Sokalia’s banquet.

A sharp knock on the door cut through the tension. Beta Coran had arrived, just in time.

"Come in, Coran," Kai called.

The shifter entered, escorting a girl whose hands were shackled in iron cuffs.

"Who is she?!" Aunt Eve demanded.

Ren quickly explained what they had uncovered. The girl had confessed to her crimes.

The King of Alvonia and his sister were left stunned. They had never imagined that Lord Vampires could be so depraved. Thankfully, these creatures couldn’t walk in sunlight, otherwise, they would be indistinguishable from the nobility they so easily infiltrated.

"Did you ever hear a name connected to Victor, a royal?" the King asked, leaning forward with intensity, hoping for a sliver of truth.

The girl shook her head, her spine rigid with fear beneath the dragon rider’s gaze. This man—this king—could have her incinerated in seconds with that monstrous dragon at his command.

"No, but, Victor used to send supplies to our village. The wooden crates were top-quality and always packed with more wheat than we needed for bread. The salted, dried beef... it was delicious too. If that helps."

The King’s expression darkened as he exchanged a knowing look with Kaisun. Only one realm had that much wheat and cattle, Sokalia.

"He must be out of his mind!" the King snapped, jaw clenched in fury.

Ren’s brows knit together. "Who said the royal in question is a man? We don’t know that yet. Perhaps, that is a woman."

Aunt Eve nodded in agreement. Then, after a moment’s pause, she said, "There are only three powerful houses in Sokalia. One belongs to their King. Another to Rebedina’s father. The third is the Queen’s family. As merchants, my people worked with all of them. Rebedina’s father owns vast farmlands and cattle, but he’s not the only one. The King himself has considerable holdings in food supply."

Kai smirked darkly. "Let’s put that theory to the test. The King isn’t foolish enough to aid Victor, the man who coveted the Throne and killed his crown prince. But there is another House with ambitions just as grand."

He paused, then turned to the King of Alvonia. "Have you ever voiced your intent to place a girl on the throne of the Seven Kingdoms?"

The King’s shoulders stiffened. Of course he had. After a thousand years, a legitimate princess had been born to the royal line. He had spoken openly, more than once, about choosing a female heir to reign over the Ruby Throne. But he never mentioned Reneira.

Narrowing his eyes, the King looked at the shackled girl. "Take this rat away. I’ll let Sunkiath decide her fate."

Ren’s spine went rigid. "No...I’ll decide." Her voice was firm, unshakable.

She had promised to protect the girl.

Daniella wasn’t to blame for falling into the snare of a monster like Victor Keleemont. Her actions hadn’t come from a place of malice or willful betrayal. She had been manipulated, and by the time she’d broken free from his influence, her entire village had already been turned.

It was too late to take any action.

He pressed his lips together, but didn’t hide his disagreement. "She was a spy! That girl caused countless deaths. How can I, as King, pardon her? And why do you get to decide the fate of an Alvonian?"

Ren’s expression darkened. "I am the Queen of Thegara, and she is our prisoner. I risked my life to heal the Cursed Garden, to save her and countless soldiers on the battlefield. I brewed potions from the Devil’s Heart flower to shatter their illusions. I forged poisons laced with silver to cripple vampires, so our men could dominate the combat. Please tell me, what did Your Highness do? Except for dealing with the devil and risking my life."

Her voice rose with steely command, eyes burning with defiance.

"Now tell me, who has more right to decide whether she lives or dies?" She finished.

Each word landed with unshakable authority. Even the King sat stunned. This was his daughter, no doubt. Not in appearance, but in spirit, she was the mirror of her mother.

"Oh, my love!" Aunt Eve gasped, nearly rising from her seat. "You were the one who made that medicine for our soldiers?"

She looked ready to leap up and embrace her.

"I had help, but yes, I found it," Ren replied, her voice calm, sincerely humble.

"So, she’s yours then." The King exhaled, finally lowering his guard. He didn’t press further, perhaps because he knew she was still angry with him.

Daniella dropped to her knees. "Please... let me do my part. Let me kill him."

The King raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think you can kill a mighty vampire?"

Daniella bit the inside of her lower lip. "There’s something... I’m not certain it will work, but it’s worth trying."

Ren tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "I’m listening, Daniella. Tell us."

But the girl hesitated. "Promise me, Your Highness... if it fails, I’m the one who must die. Let me die for a good cause, I beg you."

Kai let out a low chuckle. "Well, I’m not risking my men for that. Your plan, your risk."

As for the King of Ruby Throne, he would not risk it either.