"Roxanne, please take the plate of food to Lord Vangelis. You're the only one he listens to," Mrs. Valeria said urgently.
It had been over three months since Queen Fiona's disappearance—a loss that had thrown the entire pack into chaos, but none more so than Lord Vangelis. He had grown lean in contrast with the man he was and withdrawn, often boycotting court meetings and locking himself away in his chambers.
"Yes, Mrs. Valeria," Roxanne replied with a bright smile. As she walked toward his room, she muttered playfully, "Finally, someone has noticed my importance. I mean, everyone should have."
Inside, she placed the plate gently on the table, her gaze flickering to Vangelis, whose face was devoid of any emotion.
"Mrs. Valeria told me you haven't eaten since yesterday. So I've decided… I'm going to feed you myself," Roxanne said teasingly.
"I won't eat," Vangelis snapped sharply.
Undeterred, Roxanne pouted and folded her arms like a stubborn child. "Well, I brought my own food too. I guess we'll both starve together."
Vangelis let out a tired sigh, picked up some rice, and half-heartedly extended it toward Roxanne's mouth. She simply turned her head away, watching as he instead fed himself.
"Happy?" he asked dryly.
She nodded and finally began eating a few bites herself.
"Do you know why I speak only to you? Why I care for you above the others?" Vangelis asked suddenly.
Roxanne shook her head.
"Before she left, Fiona gave me her final wish—she told me to protect you and keep you happy," he said quietly.
Roxanne smiled gently and, without thinking, began to sing—a soft, haunting tune that floated through the room. Memories of Fiona flooded Vangelis' mind, and for the first time in months, a genuine smile curved his lips.
Overcome with emotion, he stood up and hugged Roxanne tightly, sobbing against her shoulder.
Outside the window, Mrs. Valeria and a few nobles watched silently. Their faces softened with relief at the sight.
Later, as they sat together, Roxanne bowed politely. "You called for me, Mrs. Valeria?"
Mrs. Valeria patted the seat beside her. "Come, sit with me, dear. You remind me so much of Fiona—the way you care for everyone, the way you've helped Vangelis heal even a little… it's heartwarming. I believe you could do even more if you had an official place in our family."She brushed a strand of Roxanne's hair behind her ear, smiling warmly. "I want you to marry Vangelis."
"I can't, Mrs. Valeria," Roxanne said, lowering her eyes. "I could never replace Queen Fiona."
"You won't replace her," Mrs. Valeria assured her. "You would be the second wife, not the Queen."
A bittersweet smile crept onto Roxanne's lips. As she stood and walked toward the darkened end of the hall, she whispered to herself, "I've always been everyone's second choice. But it won't matter once Hazel finishes the task."
Far away, at the edge of the cursed Larva Falls, two figures lay pale and broken in Nymortix.
Roots like molten snakes slithered up their bodies, pulsing and glowing as they drained the power from their veins.
Every time the larva pulsed, it sapped more strength from them both.
"Hazel… we're both going to die. Stop this madness!" Fiona gasped, fighting for breath.
"You're the only one who's going to die," Hazel spat back, even as exhaustion racked her body.
Back at the palace, Vangelis was arguing with his mother.
"I won't marry a second wife, Mum. I swore myself to Fiona alone my Queen ," he said bitterly.
"She's no longer here, dear," Mrs. Valeria said, her voice heavy with sadness. "We need a Duchess. The blood treaty with the Silvermoon clan depends on you having a vampire wife. Roxanne is the perfect choice."
She went down on her knees, desperation in her eyes. "I promise you, the moment Queen Fiona returns, we will arrange a divorce. But until then, please… for our people."
Vangelis, torn between duty and his own broken heart, lifted her gently and said, "Fix the date, Mother. I'll do anything… for you."
Meanwhile, Phoenix and his soldiers arrived at the abandoned battlefield.
"This is going to be a long night," Phoenix muttered grimly as his eyes surveyed the devastation.
"Search the area carefully. Leave no stone unturned," he ordered.
Back inside the palace, Vangelis faced Roxanne.
"Have a seat," he said quietly.
Roxanne bowed slightly and sat.
"I want to marry you, Roxanne," he said without any emotion, his eyes cold yet steady.
"Mrs. Valeria has explained everything to me," Roxanne replied calmly. "I have agreed."
Vangelis reached out and took her hands gently in his own.
"Until Queen Fiona returns, I vow to care for you honorably," he said.
Roxanne hesitated, then whispered, "There's only one thing I fear… disgrace."
Vangelis tightened his grip slightly. "I swear, no matter what happens, you will never be disgraced. You are my friend, and I will never hurt you".
The messenger arrived at Silvermoon Palace the next morning, bearing news heavy enough to split the court in two.
"Lord Vangelis has invited you for the marriage preparations," he announced curtly.
"Who is he marrying?" Mr. Canelo asked, suspicion sharp in his voice.
"Roxanne," the messenger replied simply before bowing and departing.
Mr. Canelo's face darkened. He turned sharply and, in a fit of rage, swung his hand toward Mr. Trevor's face — but Trevor caught it midair, his grip ironclad.
"May I know why you wish to strike me?" Trevor asked, his voice calm, almost mocking.
"You ungrateful wretch!" Canelo hissed. "After everything I gave you, you dare to betray me by putting that brat up for marriage? I command you — tell her to refuse it at once!"
Trevor dropped his hand with disdain. "My daughter and I have committed no sin that binds us to your mercy, Canelo. Remember, you are merely holding the throne — temporarily."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a deadly whisper.
"Have you ever wondered why we never granted you the title of Grand Custodian — the true guardian of Silvermoon's throne — and instead continue to address you as Mr. Canelo?" Trevor's lips curled into a cold smile.
"We all know you are no rightful heir. You are neither Fiona's parent, nor her kin. We know your past, Canelo. We merely played along with your games… until now."
A glint of triumph shone in Trevor's eyes as he continued,
"Once my beloved daughter Roxanne marries Lord Vangelis, I will rise as the new Throne Keeper — the title reserved for the father or uncle of the Queen or her successor. You, Canelo, will be nothing but a fading shadow."
Mr. Canelo stood frozen, the weight of Trevor's words hanging like a guillotine over his head.