Chapter 70

• In the world of vampires, noble titles were a privilege reserved exclusively for pure-blood families. Historically, there were five noble, pure-blood vampire families, but the annihilation of the Vexleys had reduced their number to four. A family could retain its noble title as long as at least one pure-blooded member remained alive. For the Thornes, this legacy rested on the shoulders of three surviving members: King Alaric, Princess Selene—both pure-bloods—and Prince Varen, a half-blood who bore more human traits than vampire ones.
• After the assassination of the former Lord Protector and Lady Protector, the once-prominent Kessler family was left with just two members: Hadrian and his sister, Penrose. Meanwhile, the other noble families, the Patels and the Ashcrofts, harbored varying ambitions for the throne.
• The Patel family, hailing from India, once revered as gods, now focused on global business ventures. With wealth that defied imagination, they had no interest in political power. Their loyalty to King Alaric, pledged centuries ago to safeguard their enterprises, had earned them the title of Count. Old Count Patel had no aspirations for greater influence, but his younger sons might not share his contentment.