Chapter 62 A New Heir.
CAMILLE'S POV.
The woods felt like home. Actually, it has always been home to me. Ever since I left the palace years ago, the woods has been my solace.
At first it wasn't easy. The shadow monsters were everywhere. It took me months to battle through their brutality until I finally found my solace in the mountain of the moon goddess.
No might know this, but I felt more free here in the woods. Back at the palace, I felt like I couldn't breath. No one agrees with my belief in treating the humans right and feeding on animal blood. They thought I was a fool to suggest that. I couldn't join them, so I left.
As I practiced my sword fighting, the trees around me whispered secrets with every breeze, the damp earth beneath my feet grounding me as I practiced.
Domenic has left the vampire world to be with the human he loves. The vampires would never accept it. They will surely go after him soon. He may think I hate him, but I've never hated him once. I'll do my best to protect him. That's why I'm his sister.
Suddenly, I heard foot steps approaching, and I was instantly on high alert. No one comes around here, and the shadow monsters would not be sensible enough to be discreet. So who could it be?
When the figure stepped out of the shadows, I almost didn't believe it. The last person I expected to see today was my father. I paused, muscles frozen in the motion as my eyes fixed on him.
I haven't seen him in years. He has never once looked for me, so why is he here now?
He was as regal as ever, his grey eyes filled with warmth. He was dressed in his fighting gear firmly clutching his sword.
Domenic had told me he was in critical condition some months ago, but Kate's blood saved him. It's so good to see him strong and healthy.
His eyes softened, the smallest hint of pride in them, and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my chest.
"Camille," he said, and his voice was deep and filled with warmth, though his eyes never lost that calculating sharpness. "You look better than when you left the palace. Free, in a way I never thought I'd see you."
His words were like a balm to my soul. I had left behind so much of that life—the power, the torture of having to see humans suffering like animals everyday, but I'm leaving, I had gained something invaluable: freedom. A life where I could breathe, where I could choose my path. And I hadn’t just survived without luxury; I thrived. I had learned to live without the things that once defined me. I had fed on animal blood for so long now, rejecting the human blood that once pulsed through my veins, that tainted part of me.
The pride in his voice was palpable, and it filled me with something I couldn’t quite describe.
I bowed my head in respect "I’m glad you’re proud of me," I said quietly. Believe it or not, I really loved my father but I hated that he wouldn't stop the rule of making humans slaves in the vampire kingdom. I mean, he even got a human pregnant and had a child with her.
He smiled, his gaze sweeping over my small wooden home—the crude walls and the scent of the forest in every corner. There was no luxury here, no silk or marble, just the simplicity I had chosen.
But I could see the flicker of disapproval in his eyes. "This… this is your home?" he asked, a slight wrinkle of concern crossing his brow.
I knew what he was thinking. This wasn’t the life of a vampire princess. It wasn’t the life he wanted for me. "It’s enough," I said. "I’m happy here." I meant it. For the first time, I felt at peace.
I motioned for him to come inside. He hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside, his posture still regal, his eyes scanning the modest furnishings. "It's strange you came here without any guards" I said as I offered him a cup of animal blood, trying to ease the awkwardness. He looked at it, then shook his head.
“I didn’t want anyone eavesdropping on our conversation, and I didn't come here for a drink, Camille. I came because there’s something urgent we need to discuss.”
My heart sank. Because I already knew what he wanted to talk about.
Domenic!
I decided to ask anyway. “What happened?”
He sighed, the weight of whatever he was about to say heavy in his expression. "It’s about Domenic."
My stomach clenched in discomfort. I knew the council had already heard about Domenic’s actions. His recklessness in attacking Giron's coven to get Kate. I expected this moment would come, but not this soon.
“The news of what he did has spread,” my father continued, his voice cold. "The council is looking for him… and Kate. They want to pass judgment on them both and it won't be good." He gave me a sharp look. "I know you helped him rescue Kate from Giron’s coven, and because of that, you’ve been implicated as well. You are in danger, Camille."
I felt my throat tighten, the weight of his words sinking in. This is definitely big trouble. The council and the vampires would never let this go. They would consider it a betrayal. They would hunt Domenic down, it doesn't matter if he's the prince of not.
Father narrowed his gaze, watching me closely. "But what I need to understand is why. Why did you help him? I thought you hated each other?"
I straightened my back, meeting his gaze with as much strength as I could muster. "I never hated Domenic," I said, my voice soft but firm. "I’ve never hated him. I saw how in love he is with Kate. For the first time, my brother wanted something that made him happy… how could I refuse him?" I paused, my chest tightening with emotion. “He deserves happiness, too Father. He's not the monster you guys are trying to make him be.”
My father was silent for a long time, his gaze unreadable. Then, finally, he nodded, though his eyes were heavy with something I couldn’t place. "I understand, Camille. But Domenic has lost every right to the throne. He’s a traitor, and the council will never allow a traitor to sit on the throne, to rule over us."
I expected that and Domenic did as well. He was willing to give up everything for Kate. That's how in love he is.
My father’s voice cut through my thoughts as he said something unexpected. “I want you to return to the palace, Camille. I want you to take Domenic’s place as the heir.”
I blinked, my heart hammering in my chest. "What?" I whispered. "Father, you know how much I hate your laws. I don't want to be the next ruler."
"It's the only option we have Camille," my father replied, his voice firm. "If you come home as the heir, you won’t suffer the consequences of helping Domenic betray our kind. And more importantly, you will have the power to protect him. You will stop the council from hunting him down."
I felt the weight of his words, each one pressing against my chest, stealing the breath from my lungs. I will be able to protect Domenic? But won't taking the throne seem like I betrayed him?
I didn’t want the throne. I didn’t want the palace. But I couldn’t let my brother suffer because of his love for Kate. I couldn’t let him be destroyed because he had chosen something that brought him happiness.
With a reluctant sigh, I nodded, feeling the burden settle deep in my bones. "Alright," I said quietly. "I’ll return. But I'm doing it for Domenic."
My father gave me a small, knowing smile. "Good. I knew you’d understand."