Blaise's revelation left Lucien stunned and bewildered. Raphael's desire to marry Blaise seemed unfathomable to him, and he struggled to grasp the way the vampire underworld worked. "How is that even possible?" Lucien asked.
Blaise sighed, his gaze shifting momentarily as he searched for the right words. "In the vampire underworld, such marriages aren't unheard of," he explained. "Bloodlines and power hold significant sway in our society. It's a way to consolidate power."
"Does Raphael want to marry you solely for your bloodline and power?" he asked.
Blaise's expression grew pained as he considered the question. "I worry that's part of it," he admitted, his voice sad in a way that Lucien didn't like. "But I also believe that Raphael has real feelings for me."
