The other nobles seemed to understand it too. They could see just how far the vampire general was willing to go for this hybrid. And truly—someone like that, someone so striking, was not easily forgotten even when they died.
As the rumors said, it wasn't the general one needed to watch out for.
It was the one he held dear.
One by one, the advisors stepped forward to offer their greetings. Their smiles were stiff, their words polite, their eyes lingering far longer than courtesy allowed.
The judge came last.
He went pale the instant Sylene met his gaze.
His bow dipped far deeper than required.
Sylene returned it smoothly, expression unreadable—no trace of the wounded, bruised figure once seated before the court.
Only when the formalities ended did Melchior finally turn his head, voice lowered.
"Go," he said. "Eat something."
Sylene blinked. "For… you, sir?"
"For both of us," Melchior said quietly.
