Ꮖɦɛ ɢʀɨʍʍ ʀɛʋօʟʊᏆɨօռ

Ͼ24: MΛSКǪUΞЯΛÐΞ

Richard's POV:

The next days flew by quickly as everyone worked to prepare for the ball in Laurence's castle. Within the last minutes before visitors showed up, Laurence surprised us with masks to go with our outfits. Surprising us with a mask ball. He thought it would be clever and fun. We all- every one of the masked council members- were rounded up at a table in one of Laurence's grander dining rooms. There were papers spread out everywhere, and it became obvious then just how serious tonight was. We were forming a council. One better than our parents. Laurence had the table set up to where I had to suffer facing Paris who was at the other end of the table. He probably did it so we would get work done. The table was oval shaped, and there was decorated flowers sitting in the middle. A glass of blood sat in front of each of us. Laurence was at Paris's side while Dante was put by me. Dante had recovered just in enough time for this. Val and Alex were on the other side of Paris, and I had Victor on my other side. I could tell that this was set up directly to get business done. This was a serious matter after all. I am king of these vampires now, and Paris rules beside me... which is why we're organized like this. There was so many other masked faces at the table that I hardly know. I shifted a little in my seat and glanced around before I looked at Paris and frowned. I wish I was still sitting beside him. This is cruel and unusual punishment for my love for him.... I sighed then took a sip of my blood before I sat it down. Guess I will be the one speaking since I am the son of Dracula.

"Welcome everyone to our first council meeting! As you know, we had a long and hard battle to overthrow our parents, but our wills and our love brought us through the trial and helped us get to here today. Each and every single one of you must be wondering what the future holds for royalty and for vampire kind, and that is what we are here to decide. Tonight is the night that decides where we go from here and how we tackle the future in a way that is better and more efficient than our parents. Tonight we will decide how we'll make laws and what kind of laws we want to start with, but also, after this meeting, we will enjoy a night together in celebration~ Let's go into this ready to work and happy to be here however," I told them and smirked as I sat up a little. I wonder what will happen. We might decide to keep some of the old ways. If that is the case, I will be able to take the title of king of vampires with Paris as my queen.

"I think this should be set up by vote," Paris said calmly. He looked at me then and gave a smile like he knew what I was thinking. "Before we break down rules, we should start off with who declares them. As we all should know, Richard is the rightful ruler to the Dracula throne. So he could rule us like it once was before... or we could set up equality at this table. We're all rulers, and we could all rule together and make rules by vote." Paris looked towards Dante and Victor before his eyes landed on me. Dante smirked then and tapped his fingers on the table.

"Let's do away with the title of being king of vampires. It's too much power for one person to hold, and we saw how that ended. I, for one, don't want to see Richardo end up like his father. We don't want to have to stage another revolution, do we?" He purred out and held back a small laugh. I frowned a little and looked his way then narrowed my eyes at him. That jerk! I know what he's doing. He knows I wouldn't wind up like my father, but the rest in this room don't know that. I held back a growl and crossed my arms as I stared him down. Ass.

"Richard, you should stand up and give a good speech about how you would make a great king of us all. We'll take a vote after you defend yourself and decide on a ruling system then," Laurence suggested calmly. "After all you should have a fair hearing. Anyone that supports the idea of Richard ruling can stand up and tell their reasons as well to convince the rest. There is nothing wrong with debating so no one at this table should remain quiet about their opinion." Paris looked towards Laurence in awe before eyeing me over. He looked to be conflicted. Crap. I looked at Paris and frowned. If my own mate is conflicted, that's not a good thing. I watched him for a few seconds before I took a shaky breath. I'll have to convince him then, but hopefully he won't think too hard on the fact that we just overthrew that system for each other. Pushing the chair back, I stood up then looked at everyone at the table, meeting their eyes through their masks then gave a small smile at them.