Bloodline Rose (12)

She was set up. Cassie realized it belatedly. In fact, she should have suspected earlier, especially when she entered the estate and noticed that Nelson was also one of the eight noble families.

Xavier had briefly mentioned the ongoing conflicts among the eight noble families, describing them as troublesome and filled with various schemes. Cassie recalled asking him about his thoughts, but he had dismissed it with indifference, teasing her with remarks like, "Why should we care about what they do? Do they matter to Her Majesty?"

His tone had made his stance clear to Cassie. Minor squabbles were inconsequential to him—perhaps, everything he did was silently approved.

And then, eradication.

So, though she was awake now, Cassie didn't open her eyes. She patiently waited for their reactions.

However, she discovered she couldn't move. Beyond that, even lifting her eyelids felt challenging. She lay on a cold, hard surface, feeling helpless, akin to a fish on a cutting board, completely powerless.

At this moment, her senses heightened, capturing the sounds of approaching footsteps.

"Blood exchange? Is it feasible?"

A seductive and charming female voice, coincidentally, the same person Cassie saw before losing consciousness.

Karada.

"When?" Karada walked over, impatient.

"Patience," Nelson smiled. "It's almost time."

Cassie was more intrigued now. Cooperation between these two? It seemed like they had ambitious plans.

The thought struck her, and she recalled something. Xavier had gifted her a butterfly necklace, matching many of her dresses. Since returning from the human world, she wore it continuously. The necklace had a magical aura.

Karada spoke again, "How long do we have to wait?"

"Don't be impatient," Nelson grinned. "It's coming."

He seemed to enjoy this estate, particularly because the moonlight could fully illuminate the place. And today was a full moon night.

Xavier bid farewell to the king. After altering his memories, the king posed no further trouble and the presence of Princess Taff vanished.

Outside the window, roses bloomed brightly. Xavier, seemingly indifferent, admired the beauty, reminiscing about the little rose at home.

It had been several days since he last saw her. She might be bored by now. He needed to go and accompany her.

Calculating the days, they should be starting tonight—on the night of the full moon.

...

However, upon alighting from the carriage, there was no fragrance and softness throwing itself into his arms. Instead, Odis awaited anxiously.

"Forgive me, Your Highness," he gritted his teeth, struggling to speak. "Her Majesty is missing."

Xavier raised an eyebrow, looking at him.

"It's Prince Nelson," Odis explained. "He invited Her Majesty for a small gathering today. I intended to accompany Her Majesty, but he stopped me."

He wasn't overly concerned. The Blood Queen held a natural intimidation for blood-kind. Would Nelson dare to harm the Queen?

Yet, she had not returned.

Either something went wrong, or she chose not to come back. In either case, it wasn't good for Xavier.

"Is that so?"

Without waiting for more, Xavier disappeared from view.

Undeniably, Nelson had quite the audacity. Under Xavier's tacit approval, nobles engaged in numerous clandestine activities. However, Nelson openly invited the Queen, detaining her. It was a challenge.

It was a signal. Nelson made a move, and the nobles were no longer silent.

Xavier's figure blended into the night. Shadows converged from all directions. The wind rustled through the trees, and countless dark figures arrived, swiftly vanishing into the night.

...

The first rays of moonlight entered, and Cassie felt her strength gradually returning. However, an invisible restraint still held her tightly within the coffin.

She could only open her eyes.

And then, she met Nelson's smile.

In his hand was a delicate dagger, shimmering with a cold light in the moon's glow.

It was a silver dagger, and as the Blood Queen, Cassie was not afraid of silver or sunlight. But the silver glow made her look like a fish ready to be filleted.

"Your Majesty," his voice was gentle, "it won't hurt much. Just endure it for a moment."

Then, she no longer needed to keep her eyes open.

At this moment, his tone eerily resembled Xavier's.

But Cassie suddenly understood the difference between the original and the imitation—Nelson intentionally mimicked Xavier's speech and gestures, but he could never grasp Xavier's inherent nobility.

She was not enticed by the familiar tone. She just felt nauseated.

Was Nelson trying to become the next Prince Xavier? Elevating Karada to power?

She didn't believe this was a collaboration. Judging by Karada's appearance, he was more like a puppet in Nelson's hands.

The butterfly on her neck flickered slightly.

She could feel the powerful force it contained, especially now, under the moonlight.

She tried to channel her magic, slowly infusing it into the butterfly.

The light of the butterfly became even brighter.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot from her wrist. Nelson had cut her wrist.

It was a specially made silver dagger, and the harm to a blood being was significant. Even if her body resisted, the slash was profound in a situation where she couldn't move.

Blood slowly flowed from her wrist, not in a gushing manner but drop by drop, into the beautifully crafted porcelain bowl.

What did Nelson intend to do? Granting Karada the abilities of a Blood Queen?

An audacious thought appeared in Cassie's mind. She suddenly realized that Nelson might be even more insane than she had imagined.

He wanted to let her blood go and sacrifice her powers to Karada.