Chapter 197
“Mamaaa.”
“Yes, Mikael? Hungry?”
“Nn… wanna play with Ppiu…”
“We can’t see Ppiu right now. How about playing with Mama instead?”
“But Ppiuuu…”
Ysaris sighed as her son pouted. Despite her gentle explanations that this wasn’t home—that they couldn’t have the things they once did—the toddler’s frustration only grew.
At least he never asked for his father.
Probably because Kazhan was always busy, even during the New Year festivals.
She forced a smile, distracting Mikael with promises to reread his new storybook. It worked—but the victory felt hollow.
These “gifts”—the book, the plush toys—were part of her deal with Trienne.
The Deal
“I’ll cooperate.”
She had said it calmly.
“No escape attempts. No self-harm. I’ll stay healthy, provide blood… fulfill all your demands.”
Why had Trienne agreed so readily? He could’ve forced her. Instead, he’d removed her restraints, wooed her with gifts, even confessed love—something he clearly didn’t understand.
Why?
She didn’t know his full motives, but she could guess.
Perhaps her ancestors had crossed paths with him. Perhaps her bloodline’s abilities were rarer than she’d thought.
Whatever the reason, she’d seized the slim advantage.
“If my blood is what you truly need… delay taking Mikael’s. I’ll give you more of mine instead.”
It was a gamble. If escape proved impossible, if Uzephia never found her, if she died here—
‘At least I’ll have protected him.’
“And if you could provide more for Mikael… his survival benefits you too, doesn’t it?”
Trienne had grinned, amused by her bargaining. But he’d agreed.
* * *
A week later, Ysaris dutifully drank the unknown potions Trienne’s lackeys brought, offering her arm for blood draws. The painkillers helped, but the ritual never grew easier. Without the regeneration draughts, she’d have collapsed from anemia long ago.
Harsh for a princess raised in luxury—but she didn’t regret it.
Mikael is safe.
She’d almost begun to believe this could continue… until—
“We have an issue.”
Ysaris tensed as Trienne strode in. Mikael, drowsy from his nap, burrowed into her arms as the dark mage grumbled.
“The prince’s blood results came back. No awakened abilities—not even a trace of your purification gifts. Useless.”
“…And?”
No abilities meant no need to harvest Mikael’s blood.
But it also means he’s worthless in their eyes.
Before she could decide if this was good or bad, Trienne shrugged theatrically.
“Well, he’s still a Tennilath. Their blood can nullify imperial barriers—abilities or not.”
“But you’d rarely need that,”
Ysaris countered, relieved.
“So you won’t need much from him.”
A small mercy.
Then Trienne dropped the blade.
“True. But there’s another use.”
His smile sharpened.
“Leverage.”
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