The Unclaimed Consort

Tom's tense and uneasy expression stirred a long-buried memory within me.

Six years ago.

Darkness enveloped his ancient castle, and on that very night, he officially took over the family, only to be openly challenged by several elders who believed his bloodline was unstable and his power insufficient.

When I found him, he was sitting alone under the colonnade, blood seeping from his torn gloves, gazing at a dull, lifeless stone in his hand.

"What is that?" I asked softly.

"An amulet," he chuckled hollowly. "They say it can calm restless blood and stabilize the soul." His fingers tightened around the stone. "I've been holding it for hours. But I still feel... powerless."

I knelt beside him and began to clean his wounds.

"Strength doesn't come overnight," I said softly. "You've already endured pressure that most people couldn't bear."

He looked at me—no longer as a vampire lord, but as a man stripped of all pretense.

"Rowling," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "If one day I become strong enough... will you still stay by my side?"

I didn't hesitate.

"I will. Whether you are strong or weak, I will stay."

That night, he held my hand tightly, as if I were the amulet that kept him standing.

Now—

"I no longer need the tokens of the weak."

Those words echoed cruelly in my ears.

"Rowling?"

Lady Mia's voice interrupted my thoughts, sharp and tinged with annoyance.

"What are you looking at?" she demanded. "Hand over the stone."

I blinked, and the memory faded.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on the object in my hand.

"Hand it over?" I asked calmly. "Why?"

The captain of the Council Guard stepped forward, his tone stern.

"That stone is no mere trinket. It contains immense power—a sacred relic connected to ancient blood rituals. Humans have no right to possess it." His eyes narrowed. "Where did you steal it from?"

"I didn't steal it," I said calmly. "It was given to me by a friend of my son's father."

A burst of laughter erupted in the hall.

“Ridiculous,” Mia chuckled softly. “Rowling, do you really want to humiliate yourself? How could a blood slave possibly possess something like this?”

The guards murmured in agreement.

“She must have stolen it. This is a sacred artifact.”

The captain’s face turned serious.

“According to vampire law, you have committed a crime. You will be condemned to be the lowest of blood slaves for eternity.”

“I told you—it wasn’t stolen.” My patience was wearing thin.

“Then prove it to me,” Tom finally spoke, his voice cold. “Otherwise, as a lord recognized by the High Council, I will authorize your arrest.”

Before I could answer—

Ding.

The elevator doors slid open.

Tiny footsteps echoed on the smooth marble floor.

A small figure rushed into the hall, his curly hair disheveled, his eyes filled with tears.

“Mommy!”

My heart broke.

“Mommy! Did you find it? Daddy said you would find it!”

“Astra—” I knelt down, opening my arms. “I found it. It’s here.”

The hall fell silent.

The child looked no older than three.

However, the moment he crossed the threshold, the air changed.

An aura spread outwards—noble, ancient, and breathtakingly pure.

Several nobles stumbled backward.

The captain’s face was pale. “This aura… this bloodline…”

Before I could stop her, Mia lunged forward, snatching Astra from my arms.

“This is impossible!” she hissed, holding him tightly. “This child possesses a lord’s bloodline! How could a human woman give birth to such a child?”

Astra screamed and struggled. “Mommy! I want Mommy!”

Her grip tightened.

“This child was stolen,” Mia announced loudly. “Rowling not only stole a sacred artifact—she also kidnapped the heir of a great family!”

The hall erupted in chaos. “An heir?”

“No wonder she has a sacred artifact!”

“Humans are vermin—this proves it.”

The captain shouted, “Subdue her!”

Several hands grabbed me from behind, locking my arms. I struggled, rage burning in my heart.

“Let him go!” I shouted. “He’s my son!”

“Your son?” Mia sneered, “Can humans give birth to children with the bloodline of a lord? Do you think we’re fools?”

Astra cried in her arms. “Bad woman! I want my mommy!”

Something inside me shattered.

Tom slowly approached, looking down at me with cold disgust.

“I suspected your greed,” he whispered, “but kidnapping? Falsifying lineage?” His eyes turned icy. “You disgust me.”

He turned away.

“Take her to the tribunal. As for the child—send inquiries to all the great families. Someone must have lost their heir.”

“No!” I struggled violently. “You can’t take him!”

Just then—

Ding.

The elevator doors opened again.

Silence descended like a blade.

A man stepped out.

Tall, impeccably dressed in a black suit. His mere presence plunged the entire room into silence.

Power—not aggressive, not ostentatious—but absolute.

Every vampire present instinctively felt it.

A monarch.

Everyone instinctively lowered their heads.

“Your Majesty,” someone whispered.

Silver eyes swept across the hall—over the guards, the nobles, Tom, Mia—

Finally stopping on me.

The moment our eyes met, it felt like fire ignited beneath my skin.

The mark on my neck—the long-dormant mark—burned intensely.

A cold, dazzling light burst forth.