My Three Beautiful Vampire Wives can hear my Inner Thoughts-Chapter 65: Higher Blood

The sound of hurried footsteps cut through the tense courtyard.

Several guards stiffened at once, turning their heads toward the entrance.

The pressure in the air had not fully faded, and the metallic smell of blood still lingered thickly, clinging to the stone like a warning.

A tall figure stepped into view, his robe marked with the crest of the Blood Barons Academy, his expression sharp and already darkening as his eyes swept across the scene.

"Move."

The tall figure ordered the guards.

The guards listened and instinctively parted.

"Senior Flein," one of them said quickly, lowering his head.

Flein strode forward without slowing. His gaze locked onto the center of the courtyard, where Cornelia was crouched beside Sevette’s battered body.

Sevette’s face was swollen beyond recognition, blood drying along her lips and jaw. Her chest rose weakly, each breath uneven.

For a brief moment, Flein’s expression froze.

"Huh?"

Then it shattered.

"What the hell is going on here?" he demanded, his voice sharp enough to slice through the silence.

Cornelia looked up slowly.

Her eyes were calm, almost cold, but her fingers were still stained red.

"We fought," she said evenly. "She challenged me. We made a deal. And now she’s here like this."

"What?" Flein’s jaw clenched. "A deal?" He took another step forward, fury burning behind his eyes. "She’s my cousin. You think that excuses this?"

Cain leaned lazily against a broken pillar nearby, watching with mild interest. Vance lay unconscious not far away, forgotten for the moment.

Flein pointed at Sevette. "She looks like she was dragged through hell."

Cornelia didn’t rise. "She lost. That’s what happened."

Flein flinched. He couldn’t believe this. What do you mean she lost a duel against you? Sevette was secretly a twelve-peak Blood Infusion Stage fledgling vampire, he knew that.

Looking at Cornelia, he was sure that she was only in the tenth stage of the Blood Infusion realm.

So how, a vampire two times higher in mana mastery lost to a vampire two times below her I mana mastery?

But he wasn’t certain, so his eyes flicked to one of the guards. "Is that true?"

The guard hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, Senior Flein. They dueled. It was agreed beforehand."

Flein sucked in a breath through his teeth, then turned back to Cornelia. "Then why," he said slowly, his anger simmering just beneath the surface, "are you still slapping her?"

As if summoned by his words, Sevette stirred. A weak groan escaped her throat as her eyes fluttered open.

"I... I don’t believe it..." she croaked hoarsely.

Cornelia didn’t hesitate.

Slap.

Sevette’s head snapped to the side, and she went limp again.

The sound echoed painfully.

Flein stared, stunned. "Are you insane?"

"She’s not convinced she lost," Cornelia replied simply. "And she still hasn’t handed over the stake."

Flein frowned. "What stake?"

Cornelia finally stood. "The military token."

The words hit Flein like a hammer.

"The military token?" he repeated, disbelief flooding his face. "You mean the command seal for her forces?"

"Yes."

For a moment, Flein couldn’t speak.

That token wasn’t just a symbol. It represented influence, authority, and the right to mobilize troops within the Blood Baron Territory. It was leverage powerful enough to shift the balance between noble houses. His mind raced as memories surfaced, pieces clicking together.

Baron Rivik’s position had been weakening for years. Morale among his supporters was slipping. The army remained strong, but politics was a battlefield of its own. Sevette’s father, Flein’s uncle, had been waiting patiently, gathering influence, preparing to strike when the time was right.

If that token changed hands...

That can’t happen.

Flein turned sharply to the guard again. "Explain everything."

The guard swallowed. "Sevette wanted Cain as her husband. Lady Cornelia refused. They agreed to settle it with a duel. Winner takes what they desire. Lady Sevette staked the military token and several territories under her name."

Flein’s hands clenched into fists.

"Ridiculous," he muttered. "Absolutely ridiculous."

He dragged a hand down his face, frustration burning hot. "That idiot... what was she thinking?" His voice rose as he spoke, anger spilling over. "That token is our future. Our leverage. Our chance to replace Rivik if the opportunity arises. And she gambled it away over a man?"

His gaze snapped to Cain.

"What did she do all this for you?" Flein demanded. "What is even good about you?"

Cain raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely thoughtful for a second.

"I guess," he said casually, "I’m just handsome."

There was a pause.

Then Flein laughed, sharp and humorless. "You think this is funny?"

Cain shrugged. "A little."

Flein’s smile vanished. "You’re nothing special. A fourth-stage fledgling with borrowed confidence. You should know your place."

Cain tilted his head. "I know my place. Seems like a lot of people want it."

Flein’s brow twitched.

"You’re disrespectful," Flein snapped.

Cain nodded. "I get that a lot."

"Don’t play dumb with me."

"I’m not playing," Cain replied. "This is just how I talk."

Each answer landed lightly, almost lazily, but every word dug deeper. Flein could feel it, that subtle mockery, the way Cain didn’t even try to sound impressed or intimidated.

Flein took a step closer. "You should show respect to your seniors."

Cain smiled faintly. "I would, if they acted like seniors."

That did it.

Flein’s eyes flared. "You little—"

Cain continued, unbothered. "Besides, I have three beautiful wives. I must have some charm. Otherwise, Sevette wouldn’t have been so desperate she challenged one of them."

The words hit like a slap.

Flein’s face darkened instantly. "You’re insulting my cousin."

Cain shrugged again. "She challenged my wife. Lost. That’s on her."

"You dare speak like this?" Flein snapped. "Do you know who you’re talking to?"

Cain looked him up and down. "Someone very angry."

A vein throbbed at Flein’s temple.

"Listen carefully," Flein said, his voice rising as he launched into a heated speech. "In our Moonshade Family, seniority and filial piety matters. Strength matters. Experience matters. You don’t get to act arrogant just because you married into a noble family. People like you should learn humility before you open your mouth."

He straightened, radiating authority. "As your senior, I will punish you for this disrespect."

He stepped forward.

Cain didn’t move.

Didn’t flinch.

Didn’t even blink.

That lack of reaction only fueled Flein’s rage further. His mana surged instinctively as he reached out, intent clear in his eyes.

Before he could take another step, a voice cut through the air.

"Don’t you dare touch my husband."

Cornelia’s voice was calm, but it carried weight.

Flein turned toward her, irritation flashing across his face. "Stay out of this."

She didn’t answer.

Instead, her blood pressure expanded.

Red mana poured outward, invisible yet crushing, sweeping across the courtyard like a tide. The ground trembled faintly. The guards gasped as their knees weakened. Even Cain felt the pressure brush against him, heavy and suffocating.

Flein’s eyes widened.

"What... is this...?"

The pressure slammed into him fully.

His vision blurred instantly. The world tilted. Sound faded into a distant roar. His legs gave out beneath him as if the strength had been ripped straight from his body.

He tried to speak.

No sound came out.

Darkness swallowed his sight.

His body hit the ground with a dull thud.

Silence followed.

Cornelia stood there, red mana slowly retracting back into her body, her expression unreadable as she looked down at Flein’s unconscious form.

Cain stared at her back, his mouth slightly open.

"...Wow," he muttered.