Enthroned (Bloodline, #3)

Chapter 1

01 : Promise to the Perished

The radiant light of full moon cast a faint silver glow over the Vrivaryan palace—a rare occurrence as it was situated on the foothills of the Dark Mountains where it was almost always engulfed in darkness. Most would say it was an auspicious omen, one that could elevate the kingdom to new heights, but the recent events made everyone think otherwise.

I quietly stood on one of the precipices in the Dark Mountains overlooking the entirety of the palace grounds, as well as the nearby fiefs of the Revali, Dvorach, and Kuzlav clans. Vrivarya was one of the smallest countries in the northern continent, yet I was overwhelmed by its grandeur and immensity when I first arrived here. More than a year later, I begrudgingly realized how puny and insignificant it was in the hands of the wrong ruler.

The sound of cloaks fluttering in the wintry wind broke the silence I briefly had.

"Are there any suspicious movements from the noble houses?" I asked, acknowledging the arrival of my retainers.

Kei and Irus knelt behind me while I remained staring at the fiefs visible from my point of view.

"Most of them are staying quiet this time, Your Highness," answered Irus.

"I guess they aren't all fools."

"Although the house of Kuzlav seems to be gathering their subordinates discreetly," Kei added.

"I see. Then we must prepare, too. Let us go back to the palace."

"Yes, Your Highness."

It had been almost a month since the last court meeting where I announced my intention to claim the throne. There was a constant state of tension inside the palace as the royal house was beginning to split into two factions: those who wanted the king to continue ruling over Vrivarya, and those who were ready to welcome a new sovereign.

Waiting in front of my chamber were my remaining retainers, Sigrid and Moria, who were assigned to monitor the borders.

The four looked confused as soon as they stepped foot in my room that had changed significantly. I had sent them on errands outside the palace grounds and they were only able to return today.

My bedchamber had turned into my personal office after I recovered from the effects of the second awakening. I had no need for a bed since high level vampires could survive without sleeping, hence, I discarded it and created a reception area where I could receive guests. A huge desk was set up on the other half of the room, which served as my workstation.

They reluctantly sat around the desk as I occupied my seat, but immediately switched gears when I ordered them to report.

"The high sanctums of Ethiana, Romuna, and Fortuna are moving, Your Highness," Moria said. She was tasked to observe the magi through scrying, a high-level technique among mages that could briefly see their target through any reflective surface.

The annihilation of the group they had sent during the royal parley must have reached every single magi coven across the continents. If they decided to launch a full-scale attack on Vrivarya, the two vampiric kingdoms might join the fray, too, and that would be much more than I could handle as a mere heir.

"I must hasten," I murmured to myself before looking at them. "Continue monitoring everyone."

"Yes, Your Highness," they answered in unison.

After the meeting, I pondered about the steps I must take to realize my grand plans, and the most crucial part was my solidifying my authority. The Revalis promised support, but one noble house wouldn't be enough to persuade the entirety of aristocrats to proceed with her coronation, especially since the king still has a lot of influence among Vrivaryans.