When Lyanna opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was softness under her body. Her eyes flew open, heart hammering as she looked around in confusion to understand where she was.
She sat up quickly and noticed the luxurious and massive bed she was lying on. She looked around. The room was large and warm. She'd expected a dungeon; instead, she was in a luxurious chamber.
The furniture was antique, and beautiful paintings were hanging on the walls.
She looked down at herself and noticed her torn gown gone. She was wearing a simple but clean nightgown. Someone had undressed her, and bathed her as bandages were wrapped around her scraped hands. Her hair was damp and smelled of lavender.
Before she could process what had happened, the door opened, and Lyanna flinched, pulling the silk covers up instinctively.
A vampire woman entered inside carrying a tray.
"Oh! You're awake." The woman smiled, and put the tray on the side table. "I'm Clara. His Majesty has assigned me as your attendant. How are you feeling?"
Lyanna's mouth was too dry to answer. Clara understood and poured her water from a pitcher. She offered the glass to Lyanna. Her hands shook as she took the glass and drank the water.
"Better?" Clara asked.
Lyanna just nodded in response.
"You've been sleeping for almost two days now. It's mid-morning . You must be starving."
Lyanna looked at the food tray and her stomach growled. She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten.
"Go on." Clara smiled. "Eat. You're safe here." She paused as Lyanna took the tray and started eating.
"His Majesty has given clear orders that no one can touch you until he decides what to do with you." She continued.
Lyanna almost choked but she kept eating.
"What…what will he do to me?" She asked suddenly.
"I don't know, my lady. I'm just a servant. But he hasn't ordered your execution which I assume is a good sign…given your history."
"You know who I am?" Lyanna asked.
"Everyone knows who you are, Lady Lyanna." Clara replied in a sympathetic tone. "His Majesty is in council meetings all day. They're discussing about the attack on your castle, news has spread everywhere."
"The council will want to interrogate me, then."
"Yes. But His Majesty wants you to recover first." Clara said as she walked around the room. "Everyone is curious about you. We don't often get human visitors, and never ones with such a complicated history with His Majesty."
Lyanna just gulped the water in response. When Lyanna was done with her food, Clara cleared the tray and turned to the wardrobe.
"His Majesty had these brought for you. Surprisingly, he was sure of your size."
She pulled out a number of dresses, all beautiful and expensive than the last ones.
"Why?" Lyanna asked. "Why is he giving me all these? I'm a prisoner here, aren't I?"
"His Majesty ordered everyone to treat you with respect, and provide you everything you need. As for whether you're prisoner or not…I'm not sure."
Lyanna just smiled sadly and tried to stand up. She stood up though her feet still ached. Someone had bandaged the blisters and cuts on her feet. She slowly walked towards the window and looked out.
The view outside stole her breath. She was at the fifth floor of the beautiful Thornfield Castle. Below, she could see the vampires living normally, doing their routine work.
"My lady?" Clara said. "Would you like to bath? There's a bathing chamber through that door. I've already had it prepared for you."
Lyanna nodded and let Clara walk her to the bathing chamber. The bathing chamber was as luxurious as the bedroom. A large tub was already filled with hot water that smelled of herbs and oils. Huge mirrors were hanging on the walls.
She looked at herself in one of the mirrors and couldn't recognize herself. She looked haunted and broken, completely different from the sheltered princess she had always been.
Clara helped her into the bath talking non stop about mundane things to make her feel comfortable. Lyaana sank into the water, letting the heat seep into her aching muscles.
She stayed in the bath until the water cooled down and Clara told her to come out before she caught cold. When she came out, Clara was already ready with a beautiful charcoal gown. It fit Lyanna perfectly. Then she styled her hair in a simple but elegant updo.
"Much better." Clara said, satisfied. "His Majesty will be pleased."
"When will I see him?"
"He will send an order when he's ready. Until then, you can stay here comfortably. I'll bring you meals, and anything else you need. Just tell me." She replied politely. "Do you need something?"
Lyanna shook her head.
"Alright. I'll see you then." Clara said as she left, locking the door, and leaving Lyanna alone.
Lyanna sat on the bed thinking about her family. She should've cried, screamed but she had no emotions left. She just sat there looking like a living dead body.
Clara returned with her lunch and then dinner but there was still no message from Azrael. His message came the next morning, when Clara returned with her breakfast.
"His Majesty will see you this afternoon." She said as she put down the tray. "You'll be presented before The Grand Council."
"The Grand Council?"
"It's the highest ruling body of Thornfield territory which contains twelve of the most powerful vampires of the kingdom, including His Majesty."
"What will happen to me there?"
Clara busied herself arranging the breakfast tray, trying not to look at her.
"I don't know, my lady. That is for His Majesty to decide."
The morning passed in a blur. Clara helped Lyanna dress in a sapphire blue gown, then styled her hair in a simple updo again.
Someone knocked at the door. Lyanna's heart stuttered.
This is it.
Clara opened the door and saw two vampire guards.
"Princess Lyanna Graves," One of them said. "You're summoned before His Majesty King Azrael Thornfield and The Grand Council of Thornfield. You have to come with us now."
Lyanna straightened herself, lifted her chin and stepped forward.
"I'm ready."
The guards flanked her as they walked through the corridors. Lyanna tried to memorize the route.
Right…then left…then down a grand staircase.
Servants and nobles stopped and start at her as they passed, whispering. Finally, they reached in front of a massive double door carved with intricate patterns of thorns and roses.
The guards paused, and one of them pulled out a silver chain.
"Your wrists, my lady." He asked.
"Is that necessary?"
"This is His Majesty's order. You have to appear before the Council in chains, looking like a prisoner."
There was no point in arguing. Lyanna extended her wrists, trying not to flinch as the guard tied them to the chain.
The guards then pushed open the doors. The Grand Council chamber was vast and magnificent. Twelve thrones were arranged in a semicircle on a dais at the far end of the chamber, each occupied with a vampire who looked powerful from all angles.
But it was the central throne that caught her attention. It was the largest, and most beautiful throne carved from black wood.
King Azrael Thornfield sat on it like a god. He wore black. His features were beautiful, sharp, but dangerous. His silver eyes were gleaming with so much intensity that it could kill someone right there.
Six years had changed him. Or perhaps she'd never seen him clearly before. He'd been handsome then, and she remembered how his eyes had warmth. But today, that warmth was gone.
The chains dragged at Lyanna's wrists as the guards forced her to her knees before the council. She had to tilt her head back to look at Azrael.
For a moment, no one spoke. The council vampires looked at her with curiosity, contempt, and amusement. But Azrael's face was blank.
"Lyanna Graves, last surviving member of a traitor bloodline." Azrael finally spoke. "Tell me, Princess, can I still call you that, now that you've no kingdom to rule? Do you have any idea what I'll do to you?"