True Alpha’s Chosen Mate - Chapter 236

“Please stop it.”

A faint exhale escaped my nostrils while staring at Addler’s solemn eyes. They were desperate and I could tell from the look in their eyes.

“I can’t,” came out an airy voice, moving my gaze at the faces around. “If only I could, I would’ve done it. Unfortunately, this is something that is beyond my control.”

I wanted to lie to them and tell them I would do my best. However, the painful and irreversible truth was far better to be known now instead of leaning against the white lies.

“Even back when I hadn’t recovered the memories of the lamb, Niall had burned the entire Everfell and used it as his military base. My decision changed nothing. He had already decided a long time ago, and we simply chose to fight for what is about to come,” I continued in the same calm yet stern voice, eyes giving them equal attention. “I presumed you already knew that since you, witches and vampires, had gathered in this place and invited me in.”

They remained silent as they looked at each other. When their eyes fell on me once again, Addler’s lips parted.

“We already knew you’d say that.” He breathed out, bitterness filling his eyes. “You were right. The crown prince, now the emperor, always had his eyes on the werewolves and the history of our kind. No one had said it, but deep down in our hearts, we had always known there would be a day he would conquer the throne and push us all into his madness.”

“Apparently, the late emperor, who recently entered an eternal slumber, had lowered his guard,” Dorothy chimed in solemnly. Her hand on the table curled into a tight fist. “So he didn’t know that his son would come to him to overthrow his throne.”

“The late emperor might be a little foolish and wasn’t a saint. However, he didn’t lead his people to a situation where it could endanger our kind.” Another person chimed in, making me gaze at him.

He was a vampire and by the looks of it, he was someone who used to support the monarchy before Niall succeeded it by force. I moved my eyes to the other man sitting next to him as he also spoke.

“A war against the werewolves is something the late emperor had avoided during his entire reign. He didn’t make his childish qualms with the emperor of Ronmin big. We might sound we were supporting the late emperor, but he was slightly better than the current one.”

“The witchhunt is one thing. But vampires, like us, were also in danger.” Another woman—the only vampire lady at this table—voiced out. “The reason we decided to join hands. We have to save our people.”

“As my husband said, this war isn’t supported by all vampires. We’re not saying we’re siding with the werewolves, as we still honestly believe savages like them cannot be trusted.” This time, Ellaine also spoke, catching my attention. “However, you… we are still your people, Lamb. We shared the same creator, and we didn’t intend harm to anyone. We simply want to live and survive, just like everybody else.”

There was a prolonged silence after Ellaine’s remarks. I felt a little guilty, a little prick in my heart after listening to them. For a long time, I had always believed all vampires wanted destruction and dominance.

I was wrong.

Not all of them shared the same beliefs as Niall. Half of the empire probably supported Niall, but the other half opposed him. I also had to understand that these people still had no choice but to submit and make a choice.

Not only humans but also vampires were hungry for freedom, peace, and prosperity. I was a bit disappointed in myself, but at the same time, I was glad I had infiltrated Hendrik beforehand.

“We’re not asking you to help us and we can understand if you forget everything we had said. All we’re asking is… protect our souls.” My brows rose as I looked back at Addler. To my surprise, he sported a weary smile, as if he wasn’t expecting anything from me at all.

“The people gathered at this table are not the only ones who are against the new monarch. We are only a few among the many of our brothers and sisters, witches and vampires alike. The mass execution of humans… many of them are caught and executed. We can no longer stay in the shadows while our brothers and sisters await for their impending doom.”

Ahh… my eyes glossed over around the table once again and finally understood. I had a hunch, but now it was confirmed.

There would be a revolt. No wonder Niall hadn’t started his move against the Ronmin Empire. Under the facade of ‘preparation’ for sitting on the throne, Niall’s true reason was he was anticipating an uprising.

Back in Ronmin, Elizabeth brought up this possibility, which Hugo and Daniel backed up strongly. However, Azazel vouched that Niall was well-loved and supported by their people. Maybe it was because of how Niall ascended the throne or his actions after sitting on it that divided his people was what I initially thought.

But now, it started to make sense in my head.

Niall could’ve done things differently and still have the same result while keeping the trust of his people. Why he had done a reckless action was a mystery, but considering his personality, he would always have his reason.

“Don’t,” I whispered, breaking the prolonged silence that enveloped the entire dining hall. “Save your people and flee.”

Addler laughed briefly. “Flee from our land? Even if we do, are you saying there is still a safe place in this world?”

“The world is vast.”

“It is, and we probably don’t have an idea how vast it is. However, this is our land. The blessing of the lamb is all we need and your reassurance that our kind will remain.”

Addler and I stared at each other for a good minute before my lips parted. “The cycle of life… the vampires and witches will always live. So was the lamb, the werewolves, the Tarsa, and all others. I commend your determination to fight for your land against a tyrant, but it was foolish.”

“Vampires who were on a lower chain in the blood hierarchy wouldn’t even graze a pureblood like Niall. Even purebloods only had a slim chance against the child of evil,” I continued solemnly, throwing out the fact that they seemed to forget. “Even if you have the will to go against him, the law and order of this world would always prevail.”

I paused after speaking in one breath. “It is courageous, but at the same time, plain stupid. Even with the witches, the outcome of this fight is already clear. The witches will all die… and I think that this is Niall’s plan.”

“The bigger the sacrifice, the easier to open a magic circle,” I added while putting the puzzle pieces in my head.. “I’m not sure myself, but if I am in his shoes, a sacrifice that big with witches’ and vampires’ blood combined is enough to open a portal that connects to the underworld.”