A dangerous proposal

Bella shakily knelt on the cold kitchen floor, staring at the shattered pieces of porcelain scattered before her.

Her heart pounded painfully against her chest.

Fear crawled through every part of her body as she reached for the broken plates with trembling fingers. One wrong move, one careless mistake, and she knew exactly what awaited her.

Punishment.

She swallowed hard and carefully gathered the pieces, trying not to make a sound. Perhaps if she quietly threw them away before anyone noticed, she could escape this.

Perhaps.

But just as she rose to her feet—

BANG!

The kitchen door flew open.

Bella froze.

Her blood ran cold.

Standing in the doorway was Mrs. Juliet, the furious head chef, her face twisted with anger. Behind her stood three maids—Chloe, Lila, and Paula—all staring at Bella with expressions ranging from amusement to disgust.

Mrs. Juliet's eyes immediately fell on the broken plates in Bella's trembling hands.

"What happened here?" she demanded furiously.

Bella's lips trembled.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Juliet. It was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen, I swear. I just felt dizzy from the hung—"

"Look at her, giving some stupid excuses," Chloe interrupted with a mocking laugh.

Bella lowered her eyes.

Paula folded her arms and sneered.

"So what are you trying to say? It's our fault you didn't finish your chores early enough to collect your lunch?"

Bella's stomach twisted.

"No... that's not what I meant."

She quickly shook her head.

"I-I'm sorry. Please."

She begged them.

She really did.

Her voice became smaller with every word.

"Please don't tell Duchess Evelyne."

The moment the name left her lips, fear tightened around her throat.

If this reached her stepmother—no.

Duchess Evelyne.

Even thinking about the woman made Bella's hands tremble.

She knew what would happen if Evelyne found out.

Mrs. Juliet suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Bella harshly by the ear.

"Agh!"

A sharp pain shot through her as Bella stumbled after her.

"Move."

Bella didn't resist.

She couldn't.

As the chef dragged her away, Bella lowered her head and silently endured the pain.

Strangely, she found herself thinking that this was better.

Far better than whatever punishment Duchess Evelyne would give her.

---

Deep within the darkest corners of the royal castle stood the enormous library.

Tall shelves stretched toward the ceiling, disappearing into the shadows. The faint scent of old parchment and dust filled the air, while the only sound was the quiet ticking of an ancient clock.

Vincent Valemont stood alone between the shelves.

His pale fingers slowly traced the spines of the books as his crimson eyes remained distant and unreadable.

Humans wanted a truce.

The thought amused him.

A slow, sinister smirk curved across his lips.

"What a bold move."

His fingers stopped against one particular book.

"Or perhaps they're simply stupid."

A presence appeared behind him.

Vincent didn't turn.

He didn't need to.

He could hear the man's heartbeat.

"What do you want?" Vincent asked coldly.

The butler immediately bowed his head.

"Your mother calls for you, my king."

Vincent's eyes narrowed.

Annoyance flickered across his face.

"Tell her I'll be there in a while."

"Yes, my king."

The butler hurried away.

Vincent remained still for several seconds.

Then he glanced at the books once more before turning toward the door.

The moment he stepped outside, the guards stationed along the corridor immediately lowered their heads.

No one dared meet his eyes.

They knew exactly who stood before them.

Vincent Valemont.

A pure-blooded vampire.

The highest rank among their kind.

His presence alone carried an oppressive weight, an aura that made the air feel colder.

He was feared throughout the kingdom.

Not because he shouted.

Not because he threatened.

But because he rarely needed to.

Vincent's silence was often more terrifying than another man's rage.

They whispered that he was even more ruthless than his late father.

And those who had witnessed his cruelty knew the whispers were not exaggerations.

Vincent pushed open the door to his mother's chambers.

Inside, the Queen sat before an enormous mirror while a maid gently brushed her long, jet-black hair.

A delicate cup of blood tea rested in her hand.

She didn't turn around.

She already knew he was there.

"What are you going to do about the humans?" she asked.

Her voice carried the authority of a queen.

Vincent's expression remained completely blank.

"I don't see how that's your problem, my queen."

There was a faint edge of sarcasm in his voice.

He knew his mother too well.

She cared little about the affairs of the kingdom.

Her interests were her own comfort, her position, and her deep hatred for humans and lower-ranked vampires.

And yet, despite his own cold nature, Vincent cared about the kingdom.

He simply had a different way of showing it.

The Queen finally stopped the maid's hand.

"Well, since you are bothered enough to ask, I suppose I will answer your question."

Vincent leaned against the doorway, his crimson eyes watching her carefully.

"I guess we have to visit the humans soon and listen to their proposal."

The Queen immediately turned around.

Her expression darkened into a deep frown.

"Visit the humans?"

Vincent's lips curved into the faintest smile.

A smile that held no warmth.

"Yes, Mother."

His crimson eyes gleamed dangerously.

"Let's see what they have to offer."

I.OEsthy