The Council could not refute Elias''s im about the Noble Flower. They trusted his word, but also his actions that spoke louder.


    No one had ever witnessed a tender expression on his face, like a husband looking at his wife. This man who had always viewed humans as livestock, and vampires as pets, was learning how to love?


    Their opinion of Adeline began to gradually shift.


    Dorothy was still adamant. "At the least, we should seize advantage of the Golden Rose''s presence today," she said. "Just one night with her will grant you immortality. All you have to do is deflower her."


    Lydia loved how they spoke about her as if she wasn''t in the room. Not. She was practically seething with anger, and her mother would''ve smacked this old hag. She should''ve done the same, for they viewed her as a ripe fruit and nothing more.


    "Deflower me?" Lydia sharply responded. Did these people not know what kind of dubious woman she was?


    "You''re the kind of woman to turn friends against friends, women against women," Lydia bitterly said whilst ring at the Matriarch. She would give Heaven the middle finger if she would.


    "Just one night with you and nothing more," Dorothy said. "It''s not that bad, considering the fact—"


    "Matriarch Dorothy," Duke ymore firmly said. His smile became more pressing, his eyes transforming into that of a vulture.


    "Despite being a woman of etiquette, you''re acting like a wanton woman with promiscuous thoughts and speeches. I''d appreciate it if you don''t treat my daughter''s virtue as a piece of meat to be tossed to the wolves," Duke ymore sharply said.


    Duke ymore checked his wrist. It was two before his next meeting, but he''s had enough of this old hag and the vampires in general. He had faithfully served the Luxtons and they''re trying to ruin his one and only daughter today. He was not going to tolerate it any longer.


    "I am older than your great, great grandmother, so I couldn''t care less about what kind of woman you think of me. But know this, Duke ymore, you''re turning your back to the Luxtons—"


    "Actually he''s not, Grandmother," Elias spoke up. "But go on."


    Dorothy shot him a dirty look. He was being more rebellious than usual today. It was getting on herst nerves. If he continued to provoke her like this, he''d make sure his wandering woman gets lost in a hallway for the rest of eternity.


    "If His Majesty says I am not, then I am not," Duke ymore said. "Surely, you wouldn''t expect a father to willingly let his daughter go like this?"


    "My old friend," Quinston spoke up, for he was part of the military and worked closely with the ymores. They had been friends since their school days and were the best of buddies.


    "You must view it from the perspective and wellbeing of our nation. If the King does not bed or consume the Golden Rose, he will suffer all because of you. We don''t want anything to happen to our beloved ruler, and only wish the best of him, so that this country can be run smoothly," Quinston said.


    Quinston leaned forward and sped his fingers on top of the table as if he was negotiating a trade deal of some sort. "The King is our top priority. We''re not asking your daughter to be treated as a, pardon my word, sex ve. It is but one night with her, and that''s it. Surely, with how handsome our King is, she would be delighted."


    Duke ymore narrowed his eyes. "And surely, with how beautiful women are, your sons should serve one, for I am sure they would be delighted by her body."


    Quinston''s face darkened. "Let''s no get so personal—"


    "It gets personal the minute you bring my daughter into it. As a father, you should know how precious children are," Duke ymore clipped. "Unfortunately gentlemen anddies," he said in a monotone voice that showed hisck of sincerity. "I have an urgent business meeting, and since this discussion was called forst minute, I do not have the time for it."


    Duke ymore stood up and Lydia ymore followed suit.


    "Regardless of our differences, good friend," Quinston said. "You must understand Dorothy, Minerva, Easton, and I fully wish for you to reconsider once more."


    "I hope you also reconsider when your sons are married off to one woman," Adeline muttered under her breath.


    Elias stiffened augher and Weston''s lips twitched. The taunting actions made Quinston''s face turn thunderous, but he dared to not speak against the woman that held the King''s affection.


    "Old friend, good friend, it seems we are not as close as you wish," Duke ymore said. He didn''t give a second look back whilst leaving the door, with his daughter in tow.


    Lydia, however, did look back. But mistakenly, she nced at Elias instead of Adeline. The mere mistake was enough to seal the deal to Quinston, who still believed she''d be interested in bedding the King.


    Quinston rubbed his hands together. He hoped she bed the King. It would only strengthen ymore''s connection to this Kingdom, which would also benefit the military even more. It was within his corrupted mind to mingle even more with the ymores. Now that they kept on teasing him about it, he would not mind marrying two sons to Lydia ymore if it meant he could have a dip in their wealth.


    "It seems the main discussion of this meeting has adjourned without a proper conclusion," Elias said in a solemn voice thatmanded the entire room''s attention.


    Elias rose to his feet, and everyone did the same. They followed after him, whether they liked it or not.


    "I thank you all for attending the Council Meeting today, and trust whatever happens in this room stays in this room," Elias reminded, with an edge to his voice. Some saw it as a warning, he saw it as a promise.


    "The meeting is adjourned."


    Dorothy dug her nails into her palms. She was infuriated by the failure, but was not surprised. Her grandson always worked against her. She''d just have to work against him even harder.


    Dorothy shot Adeline a dirty look, clearly displeased that her authority was challenged by a mere human girl with an ouw mother.


    It seemed the apple did not fall far from the tree. She watched with disappointment when Elias caressed the side of her face, as one would gingerly touch a flower.


    She felt a hand slide to hers. In the corner of her eyes, she saw Minerva brush past her shoulders. "Perhaps next time, Matriarch."


    Dorothy remained in her standing position, her fingers resting on the tip of the table. Indeed, perhaps next time, she would guarantee the Vampires a victory.


    Dorothy watched with animosity when Adeline smiled towards the ground. She was reminded of the foolish Addison who''s fairy tale love story ended in a tragedy. Dorothy only wanted to prevent history from happening again, can''t her Grandson see that?


    "Hmph."


    Dorothy turned on her heels and was about to walk off. But then she felt someone staring at her, and turned her head a bit. She saw Quinston, who would always be in cahoots with her.


    She gave a slow shake of her head, telling him to not do anything rash. But Quinston''s attention was long gone and focused on Adeline. Whether or not he had seen her signal, Dorothy paid no mind to it.


    Dorothy exited the room, her blood simmering with disappointment.