Chapter 57: A Triple Alliance

“M-marriage?!”

Chloe almost doubted her own ears, instinctively pinching her cheek.

“Marriage, as in…”

Norria looked at Carloman with suspicion. The man, a living fossil who had reigned for over three centuries, yet inexplicably remained on the throne, wore a face full of smiles.

“Chloe becoming my wife.”

“Yes, exactly.”

Wuxu’s face was deathly pale. She bit her lip hard, not even daring to meet Chloe’s gaze.

Chloe felt a dizzying wave wash over her.

She had been sold!

“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Chloe retreated a few steps, pressing against the grand doors. She yearned to open them, to escape this hall teeming with schemes. She longed to flee to Avros, to Sirena Castle, to the comforting presence of Xina and Lucia.

Yet, the doors remained tightly shut, mirroring her own uncertain fate.

“I apologize, Divine Chosen. This is the only way for you to swiftly acquire territory.”

Wuxu grasped Chloe’s arm, her voice laced with apology.

But Chloe decisively shook her off.

“Are you insane? How could you sell me to such a…”

Chloe pointed a trembling finger at Carloman. Carloman propped his scepter upright, his crimson eyes fixed on Chloe, a pristine smile gracing his lips.

Was he a dashing young man, an emperor wielding immense power, or perhaps a cunning schemer?

“You damned vampire.”

Chloe glared at Carloman with loathing. It was he who had driven Lord Norlin and his daughter to madness.

“A vampire?!”

Norria’s eyes widened. He seemed to be the only one present who was unaware.

Chloe glanced at Norria. Flames seemed to blaze in his eyes as Lilith’s fingers intertwined with his, her voice murmuring words of comfort.

Chloe paused, then continued, “Have you forgotten his wicked ‘Evernight Project’? If I fall into his hands, all humans will become his livestock.”

Even if the Elder Council was tyrannical, Chloe had originally believed they wouldn’t stoop to colluding with Carloman.

“Which is more important,” Chloe demanded of Wuxu, her voice already hoarse, “the Eledis Empire or the freedom of humanity?”

Wuxu was surprised by Chloe’s extensive knowledge, and Carloman seized the opportunity to interject, “The Evernight Project was merely an immature idea of mine. I have already abandoned it.”

Wuxu nodded reluctantly. She explained, “Naturally, otherwise we would not have cooperated with him. Furthermore, the Evernight Project’s execution requires your willing participation in casting the spell.”

‘Was that truly the case? Would he sacrifice Xina’s future for an immature plan?’

“Then what benefit do you gain from marrying me?” Chloe murmured.

“With the rampant rise of vampire hunters, our living space is rapidly diminishing. For this, I need you. My descendants need a mother, and vampires need an empress. Is that reason sufficient?”

Carloman narrowed his eyes, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Suddenly, a dagger flew, aiming for his head. Yet, he merely swayed, the sharp tip leaving only a faint scratch on the corner of his face.

The wound began to heal in less than two seconds, his skin returning to its tender, flawless state.

Everyone looked in surprise at the dagger’s origin. Norria had broken free from Lilith’s grasp, poised in a throwing stance.

Carl lunged at Norria, securing him firmly. Wuxu, though silent, merely frowned slightly.

Chloe herself was astonished by Norria’s reckless act.

‘Why couldn’t you have aimed better?’ Chloe thought to herself.

“What are you doing?!” Carl demanded loudly.

“Eliminating a menace to the people,” Norria shouted. “My brother was murdered by a vampire.”

Norria struggled fiercely but couldn’t break free from Carl’s hold. Carl, though nearly sixty, possessed far superior physical prowess than Norria.

Lilith, standing beside them, pleaded with her father to be gentle. Torn between her father and her fiancé, she found it difficult to take a side.

Carloman’s smile vanished. He strode over to Norria and gently lifted his chin with an index finger.

“What was the name of the vampire who killed your brother?”

“Why should I tell you? First, she pretended to be a delicate maiden to gain my brother’s trust, then drained him dry when he wasn’t looking. That’s what vampires do!” Norria ranted wildly.

Carloman raised a single finger, stating gravely, “I have repeatedly warned them not to hunt and harm humans on their own. Rest assured, as the Most Ancient Ancestor, I will bring her to justice.”

“Why should I trust you? All vampires are cut from the same cloth!”

“I am also a vampire,” Chloe declared with dignity, pressing one hand to her chest.

“Lady Chloe, you…”

Norria’s eyes widened, staring intently at Chloe.

“Even for my sake, please listen to Carloman for now. I beg you.”

If this continued, Norria would be executed for attempting to assassinate the emperor, a fate Chloe absolutely could not allow.

Norria ceased his struggles, his head drooping.

“Her name is Triss. She has long, light blue hair and an angelic beauty.”

“Triss left me long ago, but I will send someone to capture her, rest assured.”

“Great-grandfather, what should we do with him?”

Carl held Norria’s hand tightly, refusing to loosen his grip.

“Release him. Don’t forget, he is your dear son-in-law.”

Carloman’s smile returned. He reached out and pinched Norria’s cheek.

“Try not to play with such dangerous weapons in the future, brother-in-law.”

Carloman released Norria, allowing Carl to lead him away. Lilith wanted to follow, but Carloman held her hand.

“Lilith, you stay.”

Only four individuals remained in the hall: Chloe, Wuxu, Carloman, and Lilith.

“A splendid performance, wouldn’t you agree?”

Carloman leaned back on the sofa, with Lilith sitting nervously beside him.

“A farce,” Wuxu stated coldly.

A great weight finally lifted from Chloe’s heart. Though she and Norria shared a subtle rivalry, she certainly didn’t wish for Norria to be executed; otherwise, she would never be able to face Xina.

Norria always seemed to clash with authority figures. First the Prime Minister, now the Emperor. What would be next? A deity, perhaps?

Compared to Norria, who was now out of danger, Chloe was more concerned about her own fate.

It was truly unbearable, this feeling of having no control over her own destiny.

“So, I’m to marry Carloman… the day after tomorrow?”

Chloe leaned close to Wuxu’s ear, her voice trembling.

“Yes, and then he will cede the Eledis Empire to you. You will then use Eledis as your base to conquer the world,” Wuxu explained coolly.

In Wuxu’s eyes, Chloe was merely the Divine Chosen, a tool to conquer the world.

Chloe clasped her hands tightly, her beautiful eyes blinking. She took a deep breath, the air thick with perfume, making her feel slightly dizzy.

“I’m sorry, I cannot accept.”

“Why?”

Chloe was surprised to find that neither Wuxu nor Carloman had spoken. Instead, it was Lilith who questioned her.

“You get an entire empire just by getting married… That’s such good treatment. I don’t even get that; I only get a kingdom.”

Lilith’s tone held a hint of grievance.

‘What did she think of herself? A tool for political marriage?’ Chloe found it hard to believe such a person existed in the world.

Carloman gently stroked Lilith’s head, then looked at Chloe.

“Can you tell me why?”

“I cannot bear to share a bed with a man.”

The air grew completely silent. Chloe quickly clapped a hand over her mouth; she had accidentally blurted out her true feelings!

Indeed, even with a female body, her sexual orientation remained female. Sharing a bed with a man was simply repulsive.

Wuxu covered her face, seemingly utterly speechless by the answer.

Lilith froze, looking at her with a strange expression, while Carloman burst into laughter.

“It’s alright. I promise I won’t touch your body, for merely seeing you fills my heart with happiness.”

This cheesy declaration almost made Chloe gag. ‘Won’t touch me? Only a fool would believe that!’ She had once been a man herself and understood male intentions with ease.

However, Carloman didn’t seem like a lecherous sort. She would set that thought aside for now.

“There’s one more thing, Wuxu. How can you be sure he’ll hand over the Eledis Empire to me? What if he goes back on his word? Wouldn’t I be at a disadvantage?”

“We have already entered into a contract. Anyone who violates its terms will face consequences equivalent to violating the No-War Edict.”

Chloe turned to Carloman, asking, “Why would you hand over an empire, just to marry me?”

In ancient times, there were examples of rulers who, to amuse a favored consort, lit beacon fires to summon their vassals, ultimately losing their kingdoms. But Carloman didn’t seem like such a foolish monarch.

“I wish to strengthen the vampire clans once more, and to do so, I must disengage from worldly affairs. While Carl yearns to be emperor, he is, after all, a descendant of my adopted son, not related by blood. Rather than him, I prefer to entrust Eledis to you, who are connected to my bloodline,” Carloman said, his gaze full of affection.

Chloe had one final question, the one that piqued her curiosity the most: “Why must our wedding take place the day after tomorrow?”

The timing was far too rushed. Moreover, the day after tomorrow was also Cliff’s wedding.

Carloman patted Lilith’s head, gesturing for her to answer.

Lilith cleared her throat and announced clearly, “The day after tomorrow, Saint Fros and Eledis will conduct a triple alliance through marriage: Cliff and Dorota, Your Majesty and Emperor Carloman, and myself and Norria.”

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