Lord Anton cast Fabian a look. Then silence. The only sound that dominated the dining hall was my fork faintly hitting my plate as I ate.

Everyone stopped eating, but I couldn't. This felt new to me, after all. The Duke of Grimsbanne's mansion was too peaceful. I got used to it.

I promised to accept whatever Sam's side would show me. But I didn't expect to be in a suffocating situation early in the morning. Thus, I'll remain silent and act naturally.

Yes, natural. But heck! Stuffing my mouth was not natural… well, this meat was actually tender and flavorful.

Unlike my plan to stay away and pretend I'm not here by eating, the effect was the opposite. One after another, under this stifling silence, all eyes turned to me.

With a stuffed mouth, I awkwardly skimmed through the eyes that were cast upon me. What?

Unconsciously, I still shove the fork inside my mouth carefully.

"Are you…" As I chewed half of the meat in my mouth down, I asked. "... going to kill me?"

"Pfft—!" I immediately turned my attention to Sam who suddenly burst out in laughters. "They want to, Silly. But you're eating too much, it feels awkward to stop you midway and not finish your last meal!"

What? My eyes instantly went wide. I would choke on my food if I didn't stop chewing the food in my mouth.

"Your Highness, do you think the king will approve of your marriage to a mortal?" Lord Anton sneered as he lowered his tone.

"With what have you done to our clan, I'm won't be surprised if the Davidson and other clans in Grimsbanne had experienced worse. Do you think His Majesty, the King, will just sit still?"

The Davidson… My brows furrowed. I heard that noble family as a peasant. Being a peasant, we're very wary about the people we shouldn't offend.

That noble clan nearly killed me in the past. When someone pushed me down the road, I nearly got run over by their family carriage. If not for a kind samaritan who pulled me up just in time, I'd be dead long ago.

Wait. What did Lord Anton say? What did Sam do to the Davidson?

"He knew about my awakening. I wonder why the Remington and his other supporters hadn't heard about it?" Sam cocked his head to the side, sporting an innocent look on his face.

Slowly, Sam leaned forward, resting his elbows on the edge of the table. His eyes narrowed, linking his hands together as he placed his chin on the back of his hand.

"You all know that if I wake up from my long slumber, none of you are safe."

Sam, acting like a cunning nobleman, looked a little… appealing. I'm too used to seeing his sweet side that I forgot he's a Duke. I like it, either way.

"Is that a threat again, Your Highness?"

"A threat?" Sam sneered, pleased at something I didn't know. "It's a fact. You, along with the Davidson and other nobles, had started the rumors about me wanting to covet the throne. How come you sound surprised if I wanted to play the role?"

What? Instinctively, I cast Sam a look. He glanced at me and cleared his throat.

"I mean, obviously, I didn't want to carry the weight of the crown. But you keep pressing that matter and consistently put a wedge between me and my brother."

Sam added, looking away from me. Did he take it back because I looked at him?

Did he remember getting bitten? Heh.

Was my thoughts due to stress? I felt like they're getting darker.

"I won't step down as the Duke of Whistlebird, Your Highness. I only obey and listen to my king. Whistlebird is my fief, and you returned our kind gesture of welcoming you by demeaning our family's honor." Lord Anton's tone grew firmer.

His crimson eyes didn't leave Sam. Aside from him, the rest remained silent. Just like what I'm doing.

"Did I sound like I'm requesting you to step down? Anton?" Sam raised a brow. He then slowly stood up, walking calmly towards Lord Anton.

My gaze followed Sam's figure. His fingers trailed the high-back chairs which caused the individuals across me whom he passed by stiffened.

Suddenly, Sam stopped behind Noah's seat. Unlike last night, that man was like a tamed cat. His complexion paler, sensing that Sam stood behind him.

I didn't understand the fear creeping out on their faces. I'm aware Sam's mien was different. However, perhaps it was because I'm a mortal that I couldn't sense what these noble vampires sensed.

Lord Anton didn't yield as he remained his eye contact with Sam. "Will you use violence again? Unfortunately, even if you kill us all now, we won't turn back on our words."

"We? You mean you and your entire family's words?" Sam smirked as he tapped Noah's shoulder. "Is that right?"

He asked, cleaning on Noah's side. The latter's lower lip trembled as he breathed through his lips.

To my surprise, Noah turned his eyes towards Lord Anton. His eyes flickered with resolve.

"No, Your Highness." Noah answered. "The Duke of Whistlebird had committed unforgivable crimes and used the Remington's name for his own benefit."

I blinked my eyes in disbelief. Did I hear him right? Was he selling his own father out?

"Noah!" In a greater disbelief, Lord Anton slammed his palms against the table. "Have you lost your mind?! I already knew you're a failure of a son! But, I didn't know you'd be this foolish!"

"No, Father." Noah argued immediately. His voice thundered, resonating across each corner of the dining hall.

"You are the one who's foolish! You got blinded by material things and the people of Whistlebird suffered!"

"Noah!" The tension between Sam and Lord Anton shifted immediately between the father and son.

"Do you know the consequences of your action, son?!"

"I'll take responsibility for my action, Lord Anton. And I no longer see you fit to the title."

What was going on? Why did this Noah suddenly had a change of heart?

"Kill this disgrace in our family." Lord Anton ground his teeth as he ordered. However, no one around the table acted under his order.

Instead, they all turned to Lord Anton and smirked. Even without saying a word, I felt that everyone of them had sided with Noah.

"The tide has turned, Father. It is time for you to step down." Noah smiled as he briefly cast a look at the rest of the people around the table.

"My lady, are you done with your meal?" Suddenly, Fabian came up from behind me, snapping me back from my puzzlement.

"Uh, n — yes." But I'm intrigued by how things would unfold.

"Please follow me. It's time for us to set off." Fabian informed. I blinked and glanced at Lord Anton, laughing maniacally.

It seemed he didn't expect this to happen. Well, I didn't. Just… what happened?