Chapter 14: Blood Princess!

The gates of the castle slowly opened.

More than a dozen figures walked in from outside the castle.

What was somewhat strange was that the figures in front and those behind clearly did not share the same status.

The figures in the rear were bound in shackles, as if they were criminals.

Inside the grand hall of the castle, pale crystal chandeliers cast down a cold, piercing light.

Karola sat upon the main seat of the hall.

Phyllis stood behind Karola.

"Tsk."

Karola beckoned to Phyllis, signaling for her to come forward.

Phyllis was a little puzzled, but she still took a few steps forward and came to Karola's side.

Her large blue eyes carried a questioning look as she gazed at Karola seated on the throne.

Karola did not explain. She merely extended her arm and, with an attitude that was both irresistible and entirely natural, gently pulled Phyllis toward her.

"Meow!"

Phyllis fell straight onto Karola's lap and was immediately drawn fully into her embrace.

This intimate posture caused a faint blush to spread across Phyllis's cheeks. The cat ears atop her head twitched shyly, and her tail stiffened slightly.

Karola's fingers continuously stroked Phyllis's chin, beginning to pet her like a cat.

"Purr... meow~"

Normally, Phyllis would not feel much from this kind of petting.

But now, she cooperated with Karola's movements, letting out soft, comfortable purring sounds.

Nestled in Karola's arms, she curiously observed the figures who had entered the hall with her blue eyes.

At the front were several vampires dressed in magnificent robes, their temperaments entirely different from Karola's.

One of them appeared as a middle-aged man with neatly trimmed facial hair and sharp eyes. Another was young and handsome, with a standardized smile hanging at the corner of his lips. The last was a woman with dark purple hair, and even her eyes were purple.

'The Setite Clan, the Toreador Clan, and the Malkavian Clan...'

With just a glance, Karola knew which clans these vampires came from.

And she also knew the purpose of their visit.

She looked toward the figures in the rear.

Those figures were vampires bound by shackles.

They looked dispirited, most of them numb or fearful, not daring to lift their heads.

The vampires present were also momentarily stunned when they noticed Phyllis being petted in Karola's arms.

A catfolk?

"Duke Karola Brujah," the middle-aged vampire at the front bowed elegantly. "I am Raymond Setite. It is an honor to meet you. By order of the Ventrue Clan, we have escorted these criminals here."

Karola ignored Raymond and continued petting Phyllis, merely nodding to signal the other two to introduce themselves.

"Lucien Toreador," the young, handsome vampire said.

"Raphael Malkavian," the purple-haired, purple-eyed vampire introduced herself as well.

"I already know why you are here. Leave these criminals and you may go."

Karola waved her hand, issuing an order to see them off.

The muscles on Raymond's face twitched almost imperceptibly, and a crack appeared in his otherwise refined, standardized expression.

"Duke Karola Brujah, aside from delivering these criminals, I have another request."

Raymond stepped forward.

"Oh? And what might that be?"

Karola continued teasing Phyllis in her arms, not sparing Raymond a glance.

Raymond bent at the waist and performed a bow before voicing his request.

"I wish to ask for the heart of my clan elder from three hundred years ago."

"..."

Karola patted Phyllis on the hip, signaling her to stand up.

Phyllis sensed that something was wrong. She quickly rose from Karola's embrace and moved behind the tall-backed throne chair.

"Raymond, Raymond... you brought criminals into my territory, and I received you. And now you still dare to ask for that heart back?" Karola lowered her gaze to look at Raymond. "What exactly have I done to earn such disrespect from you? You will not even call me—Blood Princess?"

"..."

Raymond fell silent.

Beside him, Lucien withdrew the smile from his lips and subtly shifted his stance into that of a bystander, signaling that he wanted nothing to do with this matter.

Raphael, on the other hand, narrowed her purple eyes with interest, her gaze moving back and forth between Karola and Raymond as if she were enjoying a show.

The air in the hall grew heavier, and the vampire criminals bound by magical shackles were affected even more, trembling in silence.

'She is not going to kill all of us in a fit of anger, is she?'

Phyllis hid behind the tall back of the throne chair, poking out half her head along with a pair of cat ears.

Karola slowly stood up from the throne. Her court gown fell with her movement, flowing like fresh blood.

She did not release any exaggerated aura, yet merely standing upright, her not particularly tall stature exerted a mountain-like pressure upon Raymond.

"Blood Princess... my lady."

Raymond spoke again, his voice dry, each word seeming to be squeezed out through clenched teeth.

He bowed deeply once more, this time bending even lower, his posture nearly humble.

"Please forgive my discourtesy. That heart is of extraordinary importance to the Setite Clan. It is vital to our lineage. The conflict three hundred years ago was merely an unfortunate misunderstanding. We are willing to pay an appropriate price... so long as it may be returned."

"A misunderstanding?"

Karola stepped forward. The sound of her boots striking the floor echoed sharply through the silent hall.

"Three hundred years ago, that elder of your clan coveted my servant, plotted an ambush, and attempted to use your Setite Clan's specialty of bewitching hearts to turn her into a pawn, even a plaything..."

Karola's gaze swept over the doll-like attendant standing nearby, the former maid she had rescued, who later chose to commit soul suicide, leaving behind only an empty shell to continue serving her.

"A price?" Karola's lips curved into a cold smile. "What price could you possibly offer that would make up for what I lost? Your life?"

Sweat nearly broke out on Raymond's forehead from the tension.

"I—"

"Your life is not worth it!"

Karola cut him off.

"Please calm your anger, Blood Princess," Lucien spoke up, attempting to mediate. "Lord Raymond only has his clan's legacy at heart, and his words may have been inappropriate. Escorting these criminals here is merely routine. As for the old grudge between the Setite Clan and yourself... perhaps it could be discussed in another way?"

He believed his words were perfectly balanced, offering both sides a way out while easing the current tension.

"And what are you supposed to be? Do you think this is your place to speak?"

Karola did not give Lucien any face at all, her words merciless.

"I..."

Lucien's expression turned cold. He seemed to want to say something, but after thinking better of it, he fell silent.

Only Raphael at the side was enjoying the scene so much she nearly burst out laughing.

Lucien, you really have guts. You actually dared to talk back to her. Are you not afraid she will kill you on the spot?

This is Karola Brujah, the one who bears the title of Blood Princess!

Even some elders of your clan would not dare to act presumptuously in front of her.

Just as she said, what are you, really?

"Is this what you want?"

Karola took out the crystal-sealed heart from her spatial bracelet.

"That is indeed it..." Raymond smiled upon seeing the heart. "We are willing—"

Crack.

Fractures spread across the crystal as, under Karola's strength, it was gradually crushed to pieces.

"Now, it has been completely destroyed."