Lilith and everyone arrive at the grand entrance of the estate, where Caleb and Rosalina finally return after the rescue mission. Primrose, still unconscious, is tugged away in his loving arms, his coat wraps around her body protectively.
"Brother!"
Rushing to his side, she sighs in relief to see that the raven head is unharmed. However, as her eyes trail from head to toe, the physical torture that Primrose has endured becomes evidence. When her eyes fall onto the skin that is peeking through Caleb's coat, her face turns pale.
Primrose…What have they done to you…?
Stepping closer to Edward, Rosalina smiles tiredly at him, a nod to her success at rescuing their daughter. Nathaniel stands by her side, offering his mother support as they all enter the estate.
Inna Cents tries to seize an opportunity to speak with the young lord, but he remains steadfast in curing the poison effects in his beloved's body. Rosalina instructs Lumera to help ease Primrose's pain while she is taking care of the antidote. When asking about Kian and Marlin's whereabouts, Caleb has instructed them to stay and take care of the rest. He turns to his trusted butler, and with a knowing exchange, Richard takes his leave to offer his support in detaining Victor and his goons back to the Vatore estate.
"Mom, how is she?" Nathaniel asks her, worries etching his face when he witnesses her painful face.
"Is she okay?" Lilian rushes toward them, dread takes over when her best friend groans in pain.
"She will be okay. I must make an antidote for her." Rosalina sighs "Lumera, please look after her with Caleb."
The healing mage nods, following the young lord as he makes a hasty retreat to his chamber, Primrose still nestles in his arms.
With a new set of clothes that Lilith provides, Lumera quickly helps her student change into a more comfortable outfit, discarding the remnants of what has transpired at castle Straud. Eyeing the torn fabric on the floor, her heart clenches. The implication of what torture Primrose endured sends chills down her spine, but Rosalina steps in with a relieved smile.
Her daughter is still safe…
Caleb stays by her side, caressing the soft raven locks while Lumera works her magic, soothing the pain that continues to torture her student. Rosalina concocts the antidotes fast, her eyes moving from one herb to another, picking the right ingredients for her creation. The experience she has after years of creating potions allows her to quickly produce the antidotes her daughter needs.
"Have her drink it." handing the small cup to Caleb, she continues "It is not going to taste good, but she must drink it."
The green substance in the cup looks foul to drink, he can pick up herby scents, musky and earthy at the same time. Primrose doesn't like to taste bitter things, but this medicine is non-negotiable. With the raven head in his arms, Caleb slowly helps her drink the antidote. Her brows knit tightly, unused to the bitterness that hits her tongue.
A few moments later along with plenty of coaxing, Primrose finishes her drink, the horrible taste still lingers in her mouth, but she is too tired to do anything. Caleb, still cradling her, observes the raven head with a mix of concern and tenderness. The ordeal she has faced weighs heavily on both of them, and the shared relief in knowing she is on the path to recovery brings a sense of solace.
"The antidote will help her get better soon. Just give it some time…"
Nodding in gratitude, Caleb slowly brings her back onto the bed, the soft blanket carries his scent and wraps around her like a cocoon, the familiarity sinks in as Primrose slowly drifts back to unconsciousness.
Nathaniel, Lilian, and Lilith stand nearby, their expressions reflecting a combination of worry and relief. Lilith, though maintaining her composed demeanor, glances at Primrose with a protective instinct, her brother's pain mirror in her eyes.
Noting that the water mage needs her rest, Rosalina insists that everyone should wait for her to recover instead of crowding the bedroom like this. She turns to Edward whose eyes share a mixture of worry and relief, escorting the matriarch of the Emberlynn family back to the guest room. His wife has done well and she deserves nothing more than a good rest. Lumera gazes at the young couple in bed, hinting that she will be waiting outside and leaving them to have a moment together.
Appreciating the healing mage's offer, Caleb continues to stay by Primrose's side, brushing away the strands of raven hair that cover her face. Despite the paleness of her lips, she looks visually better than earlier. The bruises and cuts she received have been tended by Lumera and he is grateful for that.
Holding onto her hand gently, the young lord watches her, his silver eyes carry a glint of love and adoration. His beloved is safe in his hands and surrounded by those she loves. The pendant on her neck continues to shine a dim light and relief washes over him as he takes notice of that. The dim glow emanating from the heirloom reassures him that Primrose is indeed under the watchful gaze of their ancestors, protected by generations of Lady of the House.
The pendant, which served as a talisman, is a reminder of the intertwined connection between his family and the current Lady, his beloved Primrose. Just yesterday, she was still in the hands of those monsters and now, she is here, in front of his very own eyes. Caleb tightens his grip on her hand, carefully not putting any more bruises on her. The thought of losing her is unbearable and despite his many promises, he knows he has failed her. Caleb fails to protect her…
He can already imagine her adorable pouts as she hears him say how he is unable to fulfill his promise. His beloved, despite her being a young maiden in her twenties, understands the duty that weighs on his shoulders, she never subjects him to be her protector as she is a mage who can fight. But the events that happened today show them that even with her background as a magic user, there are circumstances that will pose a threat to them both.
His hand trembles at the thought of what would happen if he is too late, or that something worse happened to her. Would he be able to forgive himself for being useless…?
Shaking off the dreaded feeling, he should not have that kind of thought in the first place. Primrose is here, she is safe and by his side. The knowledge of her sacrifice to protect the sanctity of their relationship, how she fought back to protect her virtue and dignity, and how she asked him to believe her when she said her veil remains intact, that her body is still pure. Her words weigh down his heart, knowing that she resolves to a deadly decision just to protect herself for him.
"Beloved…"
A part of him feels proud that she went out all her way to do that, but at the same time, knowing that he was the reason behind her action to swallow the poisonous oleander flower makes Caleb want to punch himself in the face. The notion that he will abandon her just because her chastity is breached fuels his anger and frustration even more…
It is not the matter of her dignity that draws him closer to her, Caleb loves her simply because she is Primrose, the maiden who wears her heart in her sleeves, the one who proudly shows her feelings without the fear of being judged, that her heart is big enough to carry other people's pain. Her vibrant smile, the innocence in her eyes, how her view of the world is untainted, even with the storm that they are in, Caleb would never trade anything for that.
Caressing her cheeks, the young lord leans in, planting a kiss on her forehead, a gentle promise to never let her suffer again. And in her sleep, Primrose smiles, knowing that she is now safe in the hands of her loved ones.
"Let me speak to Caleb!"
Inna tries to force herself into his quarter, demanding to see the young Head of House Vatore. She finally understands now, the reason for that surge of energy she felt earlier. Seeing so many people at the Vatore estate, mages and humans, all gather at the stronghold of the alliance, prompts a surge of anger within her. She can never comprehend the reason for him to shelter these people, let alone orchestrate a rescue team to bring that wicked human back.
"Keep your voice down, Inna." Lilith sternly warns her "Primrose needs her rest."
"Rest? She is the Lady of the House, she is not supposed to rest while her lordship is working to protect Forgotten Hollow!" the brunette exclaims "You are all out of your mind to think that she is the suitable partner for Caleb!"
"Suitable or not, my brother chooses her. You have no right to tell him what he can and can not do." narrowing her eyes dangerously, the younger Vatore responds "He is not a mere puppet in this political game you are playing."
The Head of House Cents scoffs, mocking their naivete. That wretched human needs Caleb to dispatch a rescue team when she is a mage. The young lord has to come to her aid. She has shown her inability to protect herself amidst the ongoing tension within Forgotten Hollow. Getting kidnapped by a bunch of weaklings like that, she is a disgrace to house Vatore.
Despite Lilith's efforts to maintain composure, the tension between her and Inna continues to escalate. No matter how much she tries to tell this woman, the brunette refuses to listen. What a stubborn mule Inna is, one who is fueled with the pride of being a vampire and her disdain for the fact that Caleb chooses a human as a mate instead of his kind.
"Inna, no matter how many times I tell you, you continue to disregard everything. You are the Head of House Cents and our ally, not a member of our family." the ongoing tension is slowly draining Lilith's energy as she places a hand protectively on her flat abdomen "Please reframe from speaking about this matter. He can make his own choice."
"His choice is detrimental to Forgotten Hollow. He is the Head of House Vatore, he has a duty to his people. Unlike you and Kian, his blood is not tainted with Vladislaus Straud!"
Lilith's eyes snap open at the insult, her unborn child is subjected to this kind of prejudice and yet, Inna still thinks that she is doing something good for House Vatore and the alliance. How is she going to tell Kian and everyone about this little bundle of joy when all she receives is the notion that her child is tainted with the blood of their enemy?
"Enough!"
A loud, authoritarian voice draws everyone's attention. Caleb steps out of his quarter, raising a brow at the ruckus that is disturbing Primrose's rest.
"I'm sorry, Caleb." Lilith lowers her head "How is she doing?"
"She is resting, her face looks better now."
"I see…" nodding to herself, she continues "I'm glad…"
Turning his attention to Inna, the coldness in his eyes pierces through her defiant stand as she avoids his gaze, sensing the rising anger of her friend. Asking everyone to move their conversation to the living room, Caleb sits on the sofa with one leg crossing, tapping his finger on the armrest as he impatiently waits for Inna to speak up.
"Well, what was the commotion?"
His voice holds an underlying tone, a warning for her to pick her words carefully. Despite being friends for centuries, Inna can never feel comfortable enough to speak with Caleb when he is in a bad mood.
"Caleb, you have to understand the consequences of your actions," Inna begins, her voice carrying a tone of urgency. "Forgotten Hollow is at risk, and bringing outsiders into our stronghold compromises the security of our kind."
The young lord listens attentively, his gaze unwavering. Lilith, standing nearby, clenches her fists, prepared to defend her brother's choices.
"Why do you think it is a good idea to jeopardize the safety of our kind like that, Caleb? This is not something you would do…" the brunette continues, looking at her friend with determination in her eyes, she must speak up "You have never put anything above the safety of Forgotten Hollow, at least, not until you meet her…"
Rosalina silently enjoys her tea, her ears perk up at Inna's words. Using Forgotten Hollow to jab her daughter like that, what a low move that woman is taking…
"We have been through this, Inna. Caleb has a choice to choose who he wants to be with. Be it a human, a vampire, or even a werewolf for fuck sake…" Lilith exclaims "And we won't turn our back against Primrose."
"Your brother is blinded by his feelings for that wretched human. She couldn't even protect herself and got kidnapped. How can she be fit to be the Lady of House Vatore?"
And Inna doesn't stop there. Continuing to berate Primrose and her ability, she asserts that it is Seraphina Bloodhaven who is the suitable mate for Caleb, emphasizing the fact that the Bloodhaven princess is a vampire instead of a human. Now that danger is returning to Forgotten Hollow, Inna insists that Caleb as the Head of House Vatore must have the duty to ensure the next generation of his family can inherit the secret ability, blood manipulation.
"It is a good thing that you and that traitor don't have a child, Lilith. Such a disgrace to House Vatore…"
She turns to Lilith, pointing out that she and Kian's child can not be the next heir of the family. The future child who is tainted with the blood of Vladislaus Straud is unfit to be the new heir. This remark strikes a chord with Lilith, as it questions the legitimacy of her unborn child's place within the Vatore family. She has told no one but Caleb about this little one inside her and yet, Inna already hurls insult after insult at her…
"Inna!" setting the teacup down with a loud clank, Caleb looks at her "You are in the Vatore estate, my home. Need I remind you that Lilith is my sister and Kian is a member of House Vatore?"
"Caleb…"
"We have talked about this before, Primrose is and always will be the only one I choose. You can come back and tell Seraphina Bloodhaven that she is not welcome here." fueled by the anger of Primrose's pain, Caleb's words take a personal turn "And you, Inna. One more bad word about Primrose and consider our alliance done."
"You can't be serious about this, Caleb! She is a mere human, a worthless one, nonetheless."
Inna continues to jab at Primrose, stating that the human girl will never have the acceptance of anyone. She keeps bringing up Seraphina, stating that the alliance already sees her as the mate of Caleb, which only heightens his frustration even more. After the Selene Voss incident, everyone wants him and the Bloodhaven princess to form a union, her status as a noble vampire carries a stronger sense of authority than a weak human like Primrose.
His eyes narrow, his patience wearing thin as Inna persists in her derogatory remarks about Primrose. The protective instinct for his chosen partner and the anger stemming from her recent ordeal fuel his response. And the mentioning of Seraphina Bloodhaven only makes things worse…
"She can't protect herself, let alone help you with House Vatore's duty."
"She can't protect herself because she wasn't able to…"
Inna flinches when the coffee table crashes onto the wooden floor, the tea set shattered under the hands of Caleb. The brunette consistently pushes his button and the notion that Seraphina is better than Primrose has made his anger reach its peak.
He points out how her magic was locked, how she was subjected to physical violence, and how she swallowed the oleander flower to protect her virtue and dignity. Caleb's voice resonates with a mixture of anger, frustration, and a deep sense of protectiveness for Primrose.
"She did that for me, she protected herself for me. She would rather choose death than let that monster defile her."
Inna flinches at his expression, guilted and remorseful. Something tugs her heartstrings and Caleb looks like he is going to cry…
"You insist that she can't protect herself, but dare I say she takes the dangerous route to preserve her virtue and dignity. No woman should be subjected to that kind of violation…" his voice becomes louder, the remnant of what has transpired in that castle etching on his mind "You know nothing, Inna. Calling yourself my friend and yet, you know nothing!"
Edward startles at Caleb's words, the dreaded look on his wife's face confirms his fear. Primrose was on the brink of being violated…
Inna, unsure how to respond, gathers her thoughts on the matter. Even if what Caleb said about his human mate is true, Forgotten Hollow needs a strong leader, Primrose can not do that…
"Caleb, I only want what's best for Forgotten Hollow. Seraphina-"
A loud smacking sound echoes in the still air as Inna's cheek reddens at the impact, she stumbles onto the sofas, grasping for her face as she stares at the woman in front of her with disbelief. This mere human dares to lay a hand on her…
"You say that you want the best for Forgotten Hollow and your friend, but you choose to degrade his chosen partner to further your agenda…" Rosalina, unable to sit back and listen to the insults that are hurled at her daughter, steps in "What kind of twisted friend are you?"
"How dare you-?!"
"Go on, touch me then!" with one step closer to Inna Cents, Rosalina grasps her face violently, forcing the brunette to meet her eyes "You think that vampires can scare me? Think again!"
Inna, seething with both anger and embarrassment, glares back at Rosalina, her pride wounded. The room is tense, and the clash of wills intensifies. The Head of House Cents, known for her arrogance, struggles with the realization that her actions have consequences.
"You should be grateful that my daughter is still alive and doing good. Or maybe I should subject you to the same ordeal Primrose has gone through?" her nails dig into Inna's skin, the manifestation of her anger and despair as a mother "You have no idea how much I would love to see that monster deter under my hand, how his whole being is turned into mushes and how his agonizing scream becomes melody to my ears, knowing that justice is served to my daughter."
Rosalina's eyes are hollow, the reality of Primrose paints a grim expression on her face. She will find that monster and hunt him down, listening to his cries and pleas as she subjects him to the most horrific death that even the devils can't give him.
Inna, now silenced by Rosalina's fierce response, struggles to maintain her composure. The room is fraught with tension as Lilith, Caleb, and the others watch the unfolding confrontation. Lilian, who had been a silent observer, shifts uncomfortably, troubled by the intensity of the situation.
"You dare lay hands on me, a head of one of the noble houses? You will regret this, Rosalina Emberlynn," Inna hisses through gritted teeth, her pride wounded but her determination unyielding.
"Or perhaps you need a reality check, my lady…"
A familiar voice draws their attention, Marlin and Kian are standing at the door, a victory smile hangs on their faces.
"Kian!" Lilith's face lights up when she sees him.
Marlin walks in, in his hand is a report that butler Richard has concluded after helping them with the interrogation. Looking at Caleb, he suggests that Inna Cents should read it to understand how delusional she is at thinking Seraphina Bloodhaven is the only noblewoman who is fitted to be by the young lord's side.
Edward understands the task, walking towards his wife and easing her hand off Inna's face. The woman throws a glare at the brunette one last time, anger still gnawing in her heart but she decides to stand back, allowing the Head of House Cents to assess the information in the document.
"What is this?"
"The culprit behind Primrose's kidnap and the missing students at Glimmerbrook."
"Glimmerbrook?" raising a brow, she looks at Caleb before reading the material.
With each passing line, her face becomes paler. The report specifically stated the crimes that have been committed against the students of Glimmerbrook, the majority of them are still missing. He and Kian were able to find the remains of the victims, each was subjected to a gruesome end.
"Seraphina Bloodhaven?" dropping the document, she turns to them, insisting that there must be some kind of mistake.
But no…
Marlin's Oath of Truth compels everyone to speak the truth…
"But how…?" the brunette slumps down "She was…she was…"
Inna struggles to reconcile the image of Seraphina she held in her mind with the horrifying reality presented in the report. The once seemingly perfect alliance with House Bloodhaven now appears tainted with the blood of innocent victims.
Butler Richard steps in, providing her with all the information about the ongoing case of human trafficking. Standing on top of the intricate web of lies and manipulation is no other than House Bloodhaven. From Don Lothatio's nightclub to Selene Voss's downfall to Primrose's kidnapping incident, all were orchestrated by Seraphina Bloodhaven and her father.
Inna, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, can no longer deny the depth of her misjudgment. The very person she advocates for, believing her to be the ideal mate for Caleb, has committed unspeakable acts against the supernatural community. She stands by House Vatore and their heroic action to maintain peace between humans and vampires, and yet, her pride has clouded her judgment.
Caleb, still seething with anger over Inna's earlier remarks, watches her internal struggle. Not only does Seraphina lay her hands on humans, but she is now attacking Glimmerbrook for the so-called exquisite blood of mages and spellcasters. The Bloodhaven princess is making enemies with Glimmerbrook and House Emberlynn for her atrocious action.
As the room falls into a heavy silence, the shattered teacup and remnants of the tea set serve as a reminder of the clash that unfolded moments ago. The Head of House Cents, once confident in her beliefs, now faces the harsh reality that her alliance was built on a foundation of lies and deception. A humble reminder that she is a mere pawn in Seraphina's game.
"What have I done…?"
Caleb softens his gaze as he stares at the once prideful woman, the dilemma is evidenced on her face.
"Inna…" placing a hand on her shoulder, guiding her attention back to him "We are allies, I need your support. It's time to bring her twisted desire to an end."
"Caleb, I…"
She doesn't mean to, she has always thought that Seraphina Bloodhaven is the perfect mate for her friend. Her intention is driven by the determination to preserve the bloodline of House Vatore, one that stems from the goodness of her heart. But her caring nature is taken advantage of and the Bloodhaven princess has used her…
"I know you mean well, that everything you have done until now is for my sake and the future of Forgotten Hollow. But Seraphina is a cunning woman…" sighing, he continues "Stand up, Inna. You can not allow her to look down on you like that."
Caleb knows his friend, Inna Cents is one prideful woman who refuses to be stepped on…
Anger simmers within her at the revelation, her hand tightens into a fist, humiliated at how she is being used. Unforgivable…
"House Cents will provide you with everything we can. I will make sure that wicked woman will receive a big slice of humble pie for the atrocity of her actions."
