Chapter 39: Old Grudges and Hidden Hatred

Some people below were already showing signs of anger. Clearly, they were on Lionel's side, and this queen was not just unwelcome—she was downright detestable.

For this ring, Lionel had pursued the deputy elder of the Western European region for over seven hundred years. Yet, she mocked him for not being able to return to the past?

Whatever it was in the past, it must have been beautiful. At least, back then, Lionel must have had someone who loved him. He shouldn't have been lonely, nor should he have been obsessed with bloody vengeance.

But why did this queen suddenly bring up Lionel's mother?!

Was there some unresolved conflict between them?

Perhaps she was the one who killed her. Otherwise, why would Lionel look at her as if she were his enemy?

His heavy trembling felt more like he had been stabbed hard, and the hand around my waist tightened abruptly.

Just as I was about to speak up to accuse her, Henry, who was beside me, suddenly grabbed my wrist and gently pulled my hand away from Queen Dalina's nails. He spoke to her respectfully, "Your Majesty, since the baron has found the ring and kept it quiet, it shows he has no intention of returning to that position. Let this ring be a token of love between him and Miss Margie, don't you think?"

"Hmm, that would be better. You all know the emperor's temper. He truly dislikes anything too flashy. We, the vampire clan, should remain low-key and united, not fight over a mere ring!" After saying this, she glared fiercely at Lionel, then turned sharply and disappeared without a trace.

I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine. Why could the vampire clan members come and go without a trace?!

Suddenly, I remembered that when Lionel and I first entered, we hadn't noticed her presence. What did this ring symbolize that made the queen come here to give a speech?

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, her voice suddenly echoed again, "Lionel, you are responsible for the deaths of those clansmen in Avion a few days ago, especially the deputy elder of the Western European region!"

"If there's to be a judgment, it's not your place to speak!" Lionel coldly retorted.

"If you insist on having the emperor pass judgment, then bring your woman along! Don't let those damned judges gossip. But don't let yourself be sentenced to lie in a coffin for another hundred years. By then, your Margie will have died of old age! Hahaha..."

The cold, sharp echo finally dissipated.

My mind flashed back to the scene of Lionel rushing into the restaurant and hiding under the table. He must have been pursued by someone immensely powerful!

"Henry, thank you!" If he hadn't spoken up first, I might have rashly caused trouble. Seeing Lionel's wariness and hatred toward her, it was clear that no one here was her match.

Henry smiled gracefully, "Miss Margie, I hope you'll wear this ring on your left ring finger. It might make the baron feel more at ease. All of us sincerely wish you both happiness!" With that, he raised his glass to the crowd, "A toast to Baron Lionel and Miss Margie!"

Everyone raised their glasses, finally relaxing.

Lionel's expression returned to normal. He glanced at me, his lips curling into a gentle smile, and waved his hand to signal the band to start playing.

We stepped into the empty dance floor, swaying gracefully to the beautiful waltz.

The dance floor gradually filled, and light conversations began to flow...

"Lionel, are you okay?" I asked, looking at him with concern.

"Did you notice something wrong with me?" he replied with a smile.

Whether he was okay or not, I couldn't tell. A thousand years had perfected his ability to mask his emotions.

"Margie, don't dwell on things that give you a headache. You'll never figure it out. The vampire clan's grudges have been tangled for centuries!"

"Just now... I was just worried about you, not curious about the vampire clan's feuds, especially with all that talk of judgment!"

"Just now, I was more worried you'd stand up for me." He suddenly frowned, as if remembering something amusing, and smiled playfully.

I stomped on his foot in mock anger, "What are you thinking about? Are you thinking about Princess Sibelle and Miss Tiffany?"

"Hahaha..." He suddenly laughed, stopping the dance and pulling me close, "I was just remembering how you lashed out when you first saw me at the Saturday restaurant!"

"Oh..." So he was thinking about me! It seems I'm too quick to jump to conclusions.

It's all because of Daisy and Phoebe, who painted him as some heartless villain. But still, I couldn't shake the discomfort. The names Sibelle and Tiffany were like tumors, growing deep in my heart.

I was just about to ask Lionel about the ring's symbolism and the judgment when someone sighed softly, "Prince Rui Jones?!"

Then, someone whispered as a reminder, "Rui Jones Albert."

Someone else complained worriedly, "Is today a royal visit? The queen just left, and now the prince is here. The baron is in for some bad luck!"

It seemed the royal family of the vampire clan wasn't very popular with their people. But strangely, why did Lionel Albert and Rui Jones Albert sound like brothers?

I didn't want to seem overly surprised. Perhaps they just shared the same surname, after all, they had the same vampire emperor.

My eyes searched for the man in the beige suit—tall, noble, with a perfect figure. His features bore some resemblance to Lionel's. His bright eyes and shoulder-length hair were a deep brown, and his handsome features combined to give him a sinister, almost demonic aura, much like Queen Dalina, who had just left.

It was clear that this prince was the queen's own son—like mother, like son!

I wanted to say, the people's eyes are sharp—those who are unpopular are usually not good people!