Chapter Seven
IN THE OPULENT THRONE room of the eldrida kingdom, a fierce debate raged among the Ministers of the royal council. The issue of blood slaves had long been a point of contention in court, and today's argument was no exception.
Lord Valois, Minister of Justice, passionately argued that the blood slaves were nothing more than property, meant to serve the vampire nobility. T o satisfy their hunger and to keep themselves healthy, the palace gave out a degree years ago that allowed humans to be captured as blood slaves.
After all, magic reign supreme.
"They are ours to command," he declared, his voice rising through the council chamber. "We are their betters, and it is our right to utilize them as we see fit."
"How dare you, Lord Valois!" Lady Calantha, Minister of Compassion, shot back, her voice trembling with rage as she threw a angry look at Lord Valois. "You speak of 'beneath' and 'betters' as if the blood slaves were nothing more than animals! They are living beings, torn from their families and forced into servitude. Is this truly the mark of a civilized society?
"Civilized?" Lord Valois sneered. "You would question our civilization? We are the ones who have brought order and prosperity to this land. The blood slaves are a necessary part of that order."
"Necessary?" Lady Calantha repeated, her voice heavy with disgust. "You call enslavement and exploitation of humans 'necessary'? I call it barbarism!"
"They are better off being useful for us than them being out in the open, right? How will others think of us if we would laugh along with slaves?" Lord Valois pointed out.
Lady Calantha huffed. "We're one of the strongest kingdom, who would dare question our authority?"
They exchanged words. The other Ministers began to take sides, their voices rising in a fit of outrage and argument.
Queen Kaelin watched the debate unfold with her expression unreadable but her eyes gleaming a foreign expression. She sighed, placing her finger on her forehead as she watched the debate in front of her.
"You would have us abandon our way of life?" Lord Valois thundered. "You would have us surrender our power and our privilege?"
"I would have us recognize the inherent worth and dignity of all beings," Lady Calantha countered. "I would have us choose compassion over cruelty, and justice over oppression."
"I will not stand idly by while you discourage the very fabric of our society," Lord Valois snarled, his fangs bared in a snarl. "Keeping blood slaves is necessary."
"Nor will I stand idly by while you perpetuate a system of oppression and exploitation," Lady Calantha shot back, her eyes blazing with determination.
Lord Void hissed, "The realm cannot be without blood slaves! How are we supposed to survive then?"
"Like all the other common vampires!" Lady Calantha argued. "You think this privilege of having free blood as part of the noble family makes you superior?"
"Yes it does! Nobles and the common ones cannot share a table. That's an unjust of a natural order!" Lord Valois stood by his words, determined to let the noble families hold power over the common families.
"Lord Valois, ain't you just afraid to lose power over the noble family? Everyone knows that you've done so much corruption hiding behind your position in the royal council." Lady Calantha said calmly.
Suddenly, Lord Valois slammed his fist on the table, making the room fall silent. "Enough!" he bellowed. "We will settle this once and for all. Let us put it to a vote."
The other Ministers nodded in agreement, and Queen Kaelin raised her hand, her voice ringing out across the room. "Let it be so. Let us vote on the fate of the blood slaves and then we'll agree on a mutual decision."
The room erupted into chaos as the Ministers began to cast their votes. Lady Calantha watched in horror as the votes were tallied, her heart sinking with each passing moment. Her plans were not going in her favour.
And then, the result was announced. The blood slaves would remain in bondage, their fate sealed by the very ones who were supposed to protect them.
Lady Calantha rose to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury as she said towards the royal council."This is a dark day," she declared. "A day that will go down in history as a shameful betrayal of our most basic humanity."
Queen Kaelin's expression remained unreadable, but her eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity. "We're not humans Lady Calantha, stop talking about humanity. The decision is made," she said. "Let us move forward."
But Lady Calantha shook her head, "I fear we are moving backward, Your Majesty. Backward into the shadows of oppression and shamefulness.," "The court is dismissed!" Her Majesty stood up.
As the Ministers rushed out of the throne room, Lady Calantha approached Queen Kaelin, her eyes burning with a fierce determination. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice low and urgent. "I implore you, reconsider this decision. Think of the suffering, the injustice, the very lives that are, and will be lost."
Queen Kaelin regarded her calmly, her expression unreadable. "I have made my decision, Lady Calantha. It is final and the royal council has voted for this."
Lady Calantha's face fell. "His Majesty the King will be disappointed. He had hoped that humans would live freely in this land."
"His Majesty is sick, he entrusted me the throne because he believed I can make good decisions for the kingdom and the people. Are you planning to rebel against me, Lady Calantha by questioning my authority?" The Queen asked, her voice firm and threatening.
Lady Calantha curtsied with a meaning that says she wasn't intending to go against the Queen, yet she knew very well that she wishes to go against her, "I shall take my leave, Your Majesty."
At Lady Calantha's departure, Queen Kaelin's gaze followed her, a calculating glint in her eye. She didn't like her authority to be questioned, it angered her. She walked back to her resting chamber.
Summoning her most trusted advisor, a tall, dark figure stepped by, Queen Kaelin spoke in hushed tones. "Watch Lady Calantha closely. I fear she may become a problem."
The advisor bowed, his face expressionless. "As you wish, my Queen. But if I may ask, what of the blood slaves Your Majesty? Shall we prepare for disposal?"
The Queen's smile was a thin, cruel line. "Not yet. Let us see how Lady Calantha plays her hand. Perhaps she will reveal her allies, and we can crush them all at once."
The advisor nodded. "As you wish, my Queen."
"What has the crown prince been busy with lately?"Queen Kaelin asked as she settled on the couch. One of the maidservant walked in to massage her feet.
"I've been keeping an eye on the crown prince's manor as Her Majesty requested but there's nothing going on yet.
The crown prince is always drinking and partying with girls."The advisor said.
Queen Kaelin sighed, "I fear it's not as easier as we think. The crown prince must be up to something, you should keep a close eye on him."
The advisor bowed, "As requested, Your Majesty."
"How about the King?" She asked.
"The King is still not responsive, you do not have to worry about it though. You Majesty." The advisor replied.
Queen Kaelin nodded. "Alright, let's go."