The One Night Stand Turns Out To Be My Professor

164

164

Ian’s POV

Returning to the vampire realm always heavier each time I stepped through the threshold. Maybe it was because of the shift in the air, or maybe because the vampire realm was much more complicated than the human world. The realm was still undergoing repairs, the aftermath of the attack hanging in the air like a stubborn fog. Workers moved briskly, and I noticed the council had been gathering in the grand hall. It had been a while since our last meeting, and I could sense something was brewing.

As I made my way inside, Aldric’s absence lingered in the back of my mind. His death had left a vacancy not only in the council but in the balance of power. The rest of the council, no matter how much they pretended otherwise, seemed rattled by the events that had unfolded. With everything going on, it was hard to know who to trust.

Viktor, as usual, was the first to speak when I entered. He looked over his shoulder and nodded, his eyes piercing. “Ian, good. You’re here.”

I didn’t respond immediately, my focus darting between the other council members seated at the table. There was an unusual sense of urgency, a kind of energy that made the hairs on my neck stand on end. I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be just another check-in on the rebuilding efforts.

“I’m here,” I finally said, keeping my voice neutral as I took my seat. “What’s this about?”

Viktor’s gaze didn’t waver as he leaned forward. “The council has come to an agreement. We believe it’s time for you to formalize your relationship with Sophia.”

I blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation. “What?” I asked, unsure if I’d heard him correctly.

“You heard me,” Viktor said, his voice even. “You’ve been keeping her in the human realm for months now. We understand the circumstances, but things cannot remain this way indefinitely.”

I stared at him for a moment, processing his words. “You want me to marry her,” I said slowly, as if speaking the words would somehow make them make sense. “After all this time, you’re saying I should marry her.”

Another council member, Margot, chimed in, her tone cautious but firm. “It’s not just a matter of what we want, Ian. The realm needs stability. You are our king, and Sophia carries your child. It’s time for her to take her place as queen.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, though there was no humor in it. “Now you want her to be queen?” I said, my eyes narrowing as I looked at each of them. “Weren’t you the same council that said I shouldn’t be with her? That she was a danger to our way of life? Have you forgotten that?”

“We haven’t forgotten,” Viktor said sharply, his patience clearly wearing thin. “But circumstances have changed. She’s carrying the future of our realm, and that future needs to be secured. The realm is still vulnerable, Ian. We need the people to rally behind their king and queen. A marriage will solidify that.”

I shook my head, frustration boiling just beneath the surface. “You didn’t want this. Don’t pretend this is some grand strategy now that she’s pregnant. You’ve treated her like an outsider from the beginning, and now suddenly she’s the answer to all your problems?”

Viktor’s gaze hardened. “It’s not about what we wanted. It’s about what’s necessary for the realm. The attacks haven’t stopped. The realm is still in recovery, and we need a show of unity. A marriage between you and Sophia would send a message of strength, of stability.”

“And what about Sophia?” I asked, leaning forward, my hands gripping the table. “Does she get a say in any of this? Or is this just another one of your council mandates that you expect us to follow without question?”