My Most Precious Human novel Chapter 74

I wanted to stay like this forever. I melted in Sariel's embrace, ignoring everything that surrounded us. Nothing mattered except for the fact that he was safe, and he was there close to me. His arms were hugging me tightly. Neither of us wanted to let go. He was kissing my hair while gently stroking my back. I let my tears wash away some of the blood from his suit jacket as I tried to hide my crying eyes in his chest. We could have stayed indifferent to the awkward silence around us if it weren't for Dominique and her ostentatious throat clearing.

"Perhaps you two should wait until you get back to the castle," she grinned, while meaningfully raising her eyebrows.

Sariel sighed. He released his arms around me but grabbed my hand instead, so I could stand beside him, facing the crowd. I didn't mind being dirty with blood. I felt more confident than ever, ready to look those other vampires in the eye.

I gazed around; there were around thirty of them, cautiously staring at Sariel and me. Among them, there was only one person from whom I felt intense hostility: the Princess. She locked her burning eyes solely on me. She had tried to belittle me. She had tried to endanger my life by separating me from Sariel. At this moment, the disgust she had for me was boiling in her veins. I bet that she felt humiliated that Sariel publicly chose a human over a royal princess. I knew she would do anything to have me killed, but she couldn't do anything as long as Sariel was there by my side.

"Let this be a warning!" Sariel called out, pointing at Aryan's headless corpse, "Those who share a bond with our kind were always protected, yet Sir Desai broke this sacred rule. That was why he needed to be punished as an example…"

Sariel looked around the crowd. They stood silent, giving him respect and authority worthy of the king.

"However…" he continued, "that wasn't Sir Desai's only sin. He insulted the Mistress of the House of Calvet, and he insulted Lady Calvet, and with that, he insulted me. That insult he could only pay with his blood, all of his blood!" he roared.

The muttering spread through the crown while lowering their heads. The message was clear. All those who gathered outside the royal mansion witnessed Sariel's power and how easily he defeated the one who thought he could match his strength. Standing against him equaled committing suicide.

Dominique and Leo carried smirks of satisfaction on their faces, while Elora couldn't hide her displeased expression. She was the still-living king's representative, and all nobles were already prepared to give vows of their loyalty to Duke Calvet, disregarding her completely. I bet she barely managed to stay quiet until this moment…

“Duke Calvet graciously reminded us that mates are indeed under special protection…” Princess Elora spoke out loud.

The eyes of the crowd turned on her as she stepped in front, lining up with Sariel and me. She smirked coldly, looking me up and down before she continued.

"Nonetheless, humankind was always inferior and should be treated as such. A human has no right to raise their voice against the lowliest vampire, not to mention a noble. That is why that human should be punished as well," Elora claimed, directing her words to the crowd.

The agitation among the crowd rose in an instant. I saw all of them nodding their heads, agreeing with Elora, and sending me their spiteful stares. I had to give it to the Princess… Even if her physical strength couldn't match Sariel's, her political skills and cunningness were notable. With only a few populist words, she turned the entire crowd against me…

Sariel glared at her while clenching my hand harder. Then he looked at me with a warm smile, which immediately disarmed all of my anxieties.

"Don't worry," he whispered to me, then let go of my hand and approached the gathered nobles and representatives.