Chapter 11
(Gabriel P.O.V)
I stared at Master Luna who has been giving me a unpleasant smile ever since I walked in the court room. All four Masters sat behind a big dark podium just above me as they stare down at me I smile kindly up at them. I even dared waved at Master Rowan who kindly waved back before being stared down by Master Lorenzo.
"Your highness, 'tis been a while since our court has been honored by your presence." Master Rowan bowed his head to me and gave me a smile.
"Aye, it has." I say bowing to him.
Master Lorenzo scoffs. "A King mustn't bow."
"I agree, but, you four are above my status." I bow once more.
"Flattery won't persuade your judgement your highness." Master Luna's raspy voice is as lovely as always.
"I know not of what you speak Master Luna. I simply show notoriety and veneration you all deserve." I gave Master Luna a sly smile as I took my seat.
"Artful as always your highness." Master Bathsheba spoke causing my eyes to dart in her direction.
"Always pleasurable as I can be Master Bathsheba." I bow my head slightly to her as I watched her
Master Bathsheba is the fourth and youngest Master to be in this tribunal. Her Ebony skin shined , her black afro hair had small metallic beads and she wore her cultural necklace. Although all the Masters wear red togas she's the only one to wear a white toga. For she represents the damned of the first realm; demons, soul takers and reapers.
"You killed a Crescent in your home your highness." Master Rowan spoke.
"It's true." I simply said.
"Witness say it was over a mundane." Master Luna read off a piece of paper. "You dare I say ripped his heart out." She looks down to me. "Why you sought death your highness?"
I smile once more at Master Luna, "I deemed it so."
Master Luna's eyes glowed yellow as she gave me a evil grin. "It seems, your highness, that you completely disregard the position you are in."
"'Tis law That I may pass judgement of whoever harms my marked one." I say back.
"Although it's true your highness," Bathsheba spoke kindly whereas her eyes were stabbing me. "You never sought death before."
I nod at her. "Precisely why I decided it was time."
"Meaning your highness?" Master Lorenzo now spoke.
"I had two marked one previously killed and only took a hand and six severed fingers," I calmly spoke. "I think it was time I showed that whoever harms my marked one, especially in my home when I have a special event occurring... Won't meet such an understanding and merciful king." I said boldly as I nonchalantly lock eyes with each and everyone of them.
"Can you attest that you killed this crescent for no other motives your highness." Master Rowan spoke kindly to me.
I nod and looked behind me, Othilia, Zarra, Olympus and a crescent called Gunner, who has been close to me informing me of everything having to do with the crescents, all sat a couple of rows behind me. I look back up to the Masters.
"Any of them can clarify your doubts." I acclaimed.
"You're highness," Master Lorenzo clears his throat. "You do know we are unable to use Lady Othilia's testimony as she is of your blood."
"I'm well aware Master Lorenzo." I bow my head. "I brought her as a means of support."
"Your highness I beseech you to refrain from being jest." Master Luna growls.
I gave her a grin. "Why Master Luna, I earnestly mean what I say of my sister. Although younger than me, she is much more wiser than I, for if spoke out of term in your eyes I must apologize." I acted as sincere as I could causing Master Luna to simply scorn at me.
"Lady Zarra and Lord Jeremia, may you attest?" Master Rowan asked.
Both Zarra and Olympus made their ways to the middle of the court and kneeled before the Masters. I watched over them proudly, for they are my close confidante. When they rose Zarra spoke first.
"I can testify that Lord Gabriel did not kill this crescent over other means except respect and territorial Masters." Zarra spoke smoothly and clear.
"On the Mandrapilias name, I swear my Lord did it for respect he is owed. He practiced more passive-aggressive methods but his marked ones have been harmed once more. I believe he did it as a means to end it once and for all." As Olympus spoke I know he genuinely felt what he spoke. I look at them like a proud father would look at his children as all Master bow their heads and dismiss them.
"Crescent, what is your name." Master Bathsheba calls out.
The crescent stood. "Gunner Compton."
"Mr. Compton, What is your purpose accompanying these vampires today in court?" Master Luna asks.
Gunner appeared in the middle of the courtroom but did not kneel, he simply kept his head bowed as he nervously swayed.
"I came to testify that the Vampire King, Gabriel, is in fact speaking the truth... There's no bad blood between us crescents from the moon manor and them." He spoke calmly despite his nervous swaying.
"You may sit once more Mr. Compton." Master Lorenzo nods to him.
"See? I only did it to make my point." I say giving them a side smile.
"Your Highness..." Bathsheba gave me such a beautiful-yet-creepy smile that I felt a bit uneasy. "I rule you a gift."
All other three Masters look her way but dared say nothing.
"Your highness killed a member of the first realm, correct... I only see it fit you return a member to the first realm." As she spoke Master Luna leans in trying to whisper something to her but Master Bathsheba ignores her.
Puzzled I cocked my head to the side. "Elaborate Master Bathsheba."
"You must make your marked one, into a vampire in order to pay the price I bestowed on you your highness." Bathsheba smiles.
I rose to my feet trying to keep my cool, but Master Luna had beaten me to the punch .
"Master Bathsheba, he killed a crescent, not a vampire. The first Realm is short a wolf!" Master Luna shouts displeased.
"Master Luna, you are aware that crescents are unable to make a human into a wolf...right?" Master Lorenzo respectfully asks.
Master Luna glared my way. "You must have his highnesses Marked one dead! That'll be even."
"That would be against the law." Master Rowan spats at Master Luna. "I agree with Master Bathsheba."
"With all due respect, I decline that price." I say firmly.
Bathsheba rose her brow at me. "Oh? Then, if you refuse to make her a vampire in order to replace the void you have made in the First Realm you must then," Her blacked out eyes weirdly twitch as she looks behind me. "Must kill one of the vampires who has come to testify in your behalf, that way a crescent and a vampire have been equally taken... And your highness, you must rip their heart too... 'Tis only fair."
I felt my body over come with anger as I stare at Bathsheba who only smiles down at me. I felt cornered, dangerously cornered. I stare down at the desk as my thoughts ran wild in my head. I cannot kill one of my own. But I cannot make Rosabella into one of us. I felt myself tremble as my father's laughter played in my head, taunting me. For him it might have been an easy choice. I simply cannot think straight! What should I do!
'Kill the mundane.' my father's voice whispers.
"Your highness, what have you decided?" Master Lorenzo asks me. I sat back down and held my hand tightly as I spoke.
"I agree to make Rosabella a vampire as payment to you Masters." I couldn't even look at them. I felt in raged for what Bathsheba has put before me.
"As it is written," Master Rowan said emotionless.
"As it will be done." Master Lunas finished for him.
"Master Lorenzo, please hex our dear highness for he is to complete his task within a month... If your marked one is not a vampire by the next months full moon your body will dry up of its blood and you will turn to stone." Master Bathsheba spoke harshly down to me.
Master Lorenzo made his way down and stood before me, he held out his hand to me and I gave him mine. He traced a symbol on the back my hand, as his finger glided over my skin it sliced open, as if his finger was a balde. I wince as sliced skin burns bright red as it then healed. Although I healed the symbol he drawn stayed. He gestures with his hand for us to take our leave.
"Thank you for coming today your highness." Master Lorenzo says bowing his head to me.
I glared one last time up at Bathsheba and Luna as I felt this is unjust... I walked furiously out of the courtroom.
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-Hey my lovelies ❤️ it's Anat here 🥰 hope you enjoyed! If you liked this chapter please leave a comment or a '⭐️'