?


    "Stop that nonsense, Fabian. It wasn''t an act. I truly felt sad about the Count''s story. It was genuine."


    Suzanne held her breath when she heard the name of the man Aries called. Her eyes were wide, just as surprised as the rest of the council. She moved her eyes at Marse, who was standing steps from her, and then at the man standing behind Giselle.


    Fabian and Marse.


    Since when did they get into this ce? From their clothing, Suzanne could tell they had infiltrated the council before they came in. It wasn''t surprising that those two managed to not get caught until now. After all, Marse was a Grimsbanne.


    Two years ago, Marse nearly seeded in taking Abel and Maximus IV''s life. She was also the person who killed Suzanne while thetter stalled time for Aries. In other words, Marse''s capabilities and skills were undeniably exceptional. The only con was that Marse might be an ally now, but no one knew when she would turn her back on them.


    Fabian, on the other hand, worked with Aries for the past two years. Surviving the harsh royal pce of the maind was already a skill. Although Fabian mostly received direct orders from Aries, Suzanne was well aware of the man''s wicked nature. After all, Maximus IV ordered his death countless times, but each time, he would return with the head of those who attempted to y him.


    One might assume Maximus IV was simply being kind to the "queen''s lover." However, it wasn''t that thete king was lenient. It was just that Fabian was untouchable, even without the queen''s protection.


    Having these two in the great hall where the coven was slightly put Suzanne''s heart at ease.


    ''I see…'' Suzanne''s body rxed, moving her eyes to Aries. ''... our ns aren''t just Her Majesty''s ns. I''m relieved she had foreseen these events.''


    If it was just Suzanne, she was certain she couldn''t do anything to protect Aries. But with Fabian, who would never turn his back on Aries because of his unbreakable connection with the queen, and Marse, Suzanne was certain the queen would be safe.


    ''Still… I cannot becent.'' Even though Suzanne''s body rxed, she only did so to regain her energy in case the council flip the table. ''Our enemies are the council of the Maind. Each member of this council came from a powerful n. Even if that butler Fabian and Marse were capable fighters, against such numbers of powerful vampires, they would still have a hard time.''


    "Haha…" Miguelughed under his breath, waving his hand dismissively as a sign for the council to stay on standby. "How prudent. Did you think taking the chief council hostage will stop us?"


    "Hmm, no, of course not." Fabian shook his head, raising both his hands on either side of him. "I''m unarmed. I''m not taking her hostage."


    Miguel caught the glint on the ring on Fabian''s finger. "I''m certain that skull ring is a weapon."


    "Hehe. You got me, but I''m still taking no one hostage." Fabian dropped his hand. "I''m simply here because my Queen needs moral support. I don''t need to lift a finger to stop you, after all. Well, maybe to make sure she steps out of here in one piece. I can''t let her die — she holds my heart, as you already know."


    "What do you mean by that?" Miguel frowned, but the answer came from Giselle.


    "He means he doesn''t need to fight unless it was necessary."


    Fabian smiled. "Correct." He peeked at Giselle''s side profile. "You''re quite bright, even though you''re blind."


    "Fabian, there''s no difference between you and that woman. You always smile that I rarely see your eyes," Marse casually chimed in before she suddenly pondered. "Should I poke my eyes as well? So far, those I met with disabilities were all unique and exceptional."


    "You already have a disability." Fabian tapped his temple. "In here."


    Marseughed before a murderous aura exuded on her back. "Do you want to have a round now, Fabian? I can let Marse out for you."


    "Should we?" Fabian smirked, not backing down as if this was the right time to test his skills.


    "Haha… hah… hah…" Miguel let out a series of chillingughter. His head was hanging low. Fabian and Marse''s brows rose, shifting their attention to the Count''s direction. "How insulting."


    Miguel slowly raised his head, only to meet Aries''s eyes. "Is this how you truly want this, Aime?"


    "I didn''t make the decision, Miguel." Aries shook her head mildly while still keeping her eyes locked on him. "What I am doing is a retaliation, a reaction. It is to save myself from your twisted beliefs. I''ve mentioned it before. You… should''ve left us alone when Maximus IV died. If only you did, you wouldn''t have to face the consequences —"


    Aries suddenly fell to her knees as if a bouldernded on her shoulder. Her eyes went wide, keeping her hands on the floor so she wouldn''tpletely fall on her stomach.


    "You… are surely being too defiant, Aime." There was no trace of remorse or pity in his eyes. "I''ll make you relearn how to treat your big brother properly."


    "Everyone, deal with those two while Giselle and I will continue with the ceremony," he added without a moment of pause. As soon as those words rolled out of his tongue, multiple people surrounded Fabian and Marse.


    Fabian''s brows rose, looking over his shoulder. Marse only blinked innocently before breaking out inughter, covering her lips with the back of her hand.


    "Fabian, how about a race?" remarked Marse, counting the people who were surrounding her. "The person who finished quickly wins —"


    Marse didn''t finish her sentence as she leaped to a distance to avoid an attack. None of the people who surrounded her attacked her, but the spot she previously stood on now has a hollow. Her smile was instantly reced with a frown, casting Giselle a re.


    "No fair!"ined Marse. "Why are you attacking me?!"


    "So dumb. Isn''t that obvious? That is because you are her enemy —" This time, Fabian had to jump several steps back from Giselle. His smirk remained, seeing the strand of his hair from the spot he previously stood.


    "What a dangerous ability," Fabian expressed. "If I was a secondter, I was certain I was cut in half already."