"I don't know where you heard that the Bloodstone could awaken sleeping vampires, but that's only half true... It awakens only their consciousness."
The Crimson Princess's joy faded. "Then your power..."
"My power is gone." The Scarlet Queen raised a pale hand. "Apart from this young body, I have nothing..."
Annan didn't know whether the Scarlet Queen was testing him or telling the truth, but it was entirely possible...
If the Bloodstone had such a drawback, it made far more sense that the vampires' ancestors remained asleep instead of taking an active role in the Southlands.
"Is there any way for you to recover?" Annan asked with a frown.
Everything hinged on the Scarlet Queen still having her power. If she had become an ordinary person, restoring the Sturette family would be nothing but empty talk.
Even if Annan dealt with the False Stuart Family, drove away Grand Duke Borodia, and used the Blue Dragons to reclaim her Councilor seat, the Scarlet Queen's weakness would eventually come to light.
"It isn't a matter of recovery, but growth... I have to start over."
Whatever the case, they still had to put on a show for the outside world: the Scarlet Queen was fine.
"We could reclaim your Councilor seat first."
"It won't be that easy... A vampire who loses her seat holds only a provisional seat. She can vote, but she can't propose resolutions."
Dozens of figures had been seated in the Council hall when Annan and the Crimson Princess entered that day, but there were only ever twelve full Councilors.
The Crimson Princess lowered her head in shame. She had failed to hold on to the seat.
"It wasn't your fault, Lena..." The Scarlet Queen's sharp gaze softened. "My fall was so sudden that I had no chance to leave