Claimed by the vampire prince

Chapter 492: Chapter 492

"I think you may have me mistaken for someone else." Morana’s chin lifted slightly. "I work for the lady of the house. My name is Morana Silhara." She paused. "And you are?"

Seraphine closed her mouth. She looked Morana over again, slowly, head to foot, as if she might find something different on second examination that would explain away what she was seeing. She found nothing. She looked toward Nieah, who stood a few paces away, watching the exchange with open curiosity.

"Could I have a moment alone with Miss Silhara?" Seraphine asked. "It won’t take long, and then you can take me to the parlour as planned."

Nieah glanced between the two of them, choosing whether to voice the questions that had formed in her mind. But decided against it in the end. freewebnovel.cσ๓

She dipped her head in a small bow and stepped away, leaving the two women alone.

The moment she was gone, Morana’s expression changed, like a shroud being lifted.

"I should be asking you that question, Lady Seraphine," she said. "I didn’t think your queen could manage a single afternoon without her loyal flock nearby."

Seraphine stepped forward. "You should not be here."

"And yet, here I am." She sounded nonchalant and indifferent to whatever Seraphine had to say.

"Does he know?" Seraphine asked. "Does the prince know what he let through his door?"

Morana tilted her head. "You haven’t changed at all. Not one bit."

"Answer me. Does he know he’s brought a killer into his home?"

Something flickered across Morana’s face, not quite amusement, but close. "As dramatic as ever. The prince recently returned home from slaughtering feral beasts. I doubt one demon presents much of a danger to him. And even if he doesn’t know, are you going to be the one to tell him?"

Seraphine said nothing.

"That’s what I thought." Morana stepped to the side to move past her.

But before she could, her gaze traveled naturally ahead, and landed on Thalora standing very still not far from where they were. She had barely made any sound to announce her presence.

Morana went quiet for a moment.

"I believe you should hurry back to Nieah," Morana said once she found her voice again. She did not turn around.

Right then, Nieah reappeared to take Seraphine away, and she was hovering at a respectful distance. Her hands were clasped tightly before her, and her gaze flicked carefully between the two women once more.

Seraphine cast one last glance at Morana’s rigid back. There was nothing in Morana’s posture or cold demeanor that encouraged further conversation.

Seraphine huffed as she smoothed the front of her dress with trembling fingers, and followed after Nieah without another word.

Morana remained motionless for several heartbeats before she turned her attention to the woman still standing ahead of her.

Thalora studied her with an expression that hovered between suspicion and dawning recognition.

Morana moved to step past her.

"Silhara."

The name halted her mid-step. Thalora said it slowly, as though she was testing the sound of the name on her tongue. Before coming to the manor, Thalora had only ever heard stories and rumors about the infamous family that bore that name.

"When I first learned that my daughter would have a midwife by that name, I paid it little mind," Thalora continued, her voice low and even. "I should have. I see that now." Her gaze traveled across Morana’s face. "Morana Silhara. Daughter of Leomaris Silhara. I should have known what kind of creature my son-in-law let slither into his house."

The change that swept over Morana was swift and unmistakable. The calm demeanor she had maintained in front of Seraphine shattered. She closed the distance between them in two sharp strides, her harsh stare boring down on Thalora.

"A liraelith managed to crawl out of the faelands and now she believes she may speak to me as she pleases." Morana hissed, her lips curling back. "If you are wise enough to know who I am, then you are wise enough to remember your place."

Thalora did not buck or retreat when faced with Morana’s intensity. "Go back to where you came from, Morana. Nothing good has ever come when your kind leaves Innermost."

"My kind." Morana repeated the words as though they were something strange and absurd.

"The Silharas have a long and shadowed history," Thalora said, "and none of it is good. Even at the height of your family’s wealth and power, it was never enough. Greed runs through your bloodline like black vein. And now here you stand. You have set your sights on this family. For what purpose, exactly?"

Morana’s jaw clenched until the muscle stood out like corded wire. "You have no idea what you are talking about."

"I know more than you would like me to."

"You know nothing," Morana said, her voice dropping to a dangerous murmur. "You are as blind as every simpering fool in the palace that is loyal to that wench Nheera. I harbor no grudge against this little family. I have nothing against her highness, her child, or even his highness so cease looking at me as though I have come to set them all ablaze. I care for her highness. I care for her unborn child and I take my work seriously."

"You are a ruler in your own right. The Duchess of Avarak and the Umbral Marches. You have lands, a title and responsibilities that do not include caring for pregnant women. You belong in Innermost." Thalora narrowed her eyes on her. "So tell me why you are truly here. Not the polished story you feed the others. The real one."

The silence that followed stretched taut, threatening to snap. For a moment it seemed Morana would refuse to answer.

"You’re right," Morana said at last. "I shouldn’t be here. But years ago, I lost something precious. Something that mattered more to me than you could possibly understand. Now I want it back and I don’t care what I must do to get it. Or who I have to hurt to get it. Do have a good day."

With that, Morana turned on her heel and walked away without looking back.