Transmigrated Into A Women Dominated World

Zia's eyes narrowed, a subtle shift in her expression. She did not expect the chief scientist, who should be agreeing with her and everyone else here to be defending this male anomaly.

Wasn't Daphne and the commander Charlotte Thorne the ones who were against his freedom in the first place? This sudden change of heart from Daphne was unexpected and really suspicious.

Her voice dropped to a low, deliberate tone. "Daphne… it's concerning to see you defending him. You barely know the boy. You're not acting like yourself."

Charlotte Thorne, seizing the momentary silence, cut to the core of the issue. "Regardless of his reasons, the High Commander, the chief scientist and this boy seem to have secrets that we were not privy to. My question remains, how does he absorb these powers?"

Daphne explained, "His ability to mimic Vitae doesn't make him a threat. He can only absorb it in moments of intense duress, and through a profound emotional bond."

Her voice was professional, but with a hint of passion. "The very nature of his power requires trust and intimacy. It's impossible for him to be a malevolent force because he can't absorb anything from people he wishes to harm. If his heart were truly full of malice, this ability would be a curse, his body would reject the vitae entirely."

"What sort of nonsense is that?" Zia did not hold back in showing that she did not believe it.

"It's not nonsense, it's facts." Daphne answered.

Charlotte Thorne's eyes narrowed, unconvinced. "And how do you know this?"

Daphne didn't hesitate. "I know this because I have tested it out myself. He was able to perfectly mimic my Vitae signature." The statement was a silent bombshell, confirming her unique and powerful bond with Zaeryn for everyone in the room.

A silence passed and then Charlotte Thorne spoke, "Well, it doesn't matter if he is a danger or not, he still has to stand before the Queen, and ultimately, the tribunal." The commander and second in power to Lysara in the council declared.

"He can't stand against the Tribunal now, Princess Athea, his mother won't allow it."High commander Lysara revealed.

The words hit the room like ice water. Charlotte's eyes squinted. "Princess Athea? His mother?"

Zia's eyes furrowed in shock, "That's impossible. How could—?"

Annelise's eyes widened, disbelief written across her face. "High commander… are you certain?" she spoke a word for the first time, her voice soft.

Before Lysara could answer further, Lady Valerius spoke. "It is true. Princess Athea is his mother."

Charlotte and Zia exchanged incredulous glances.

Charlotte Thorne's composure cracked completely. She turned on Lady Valerius, her face a mask of anger and betrayal. "You knew? You knew he was the Queen's family?"

"I knew his lineage, because his caretaker, Ysmeine told us," Lady Valerius replied, her voice remaining perfectly even despite the fire in Thorne's eyes. "I did not, however, know he was a Vitae wielder." Her gaze shifted to Lysara, and for the first time, a flicker of something close to fury appeared in her eyes. "Apparently, the High Commander saw fit to keep that secret from even me."

As shocked as she was, Zia quickly regained her composure. "This is treason, Lysara. Princess Athea herself is guilty of it. The ruling families are forbidden to bear sons, yet here one stands. And worse—look at what her so-called son is. A walking calamity. He could be the end of this world. So why should this council bend to her will?"

Lysara's eyes flashed with defiance. "He's a person, not a weapon to parade before your Tribunal. And I will not have my decisions dragged into your political theater—least of all by you, Charlotte, Zia, or anyone else."

Zia opened her mouth to strike back—but another voice cut through like a blade.

"That's enough," Lady Valerius said, her tone glacial. Her gaze bypassed Lysara entirely, locking onto Zaeryn. "I have no interest in your petty squabbles. His very existence defies the laws of nature—we all know that. He might yet be a threat to the foundation of our order. Or maybe he might not. I think we should give him a chance."

A shocked silence fell over the room. No one, not even the most cynical council member, had expected Lady Valerius, the very voice of cold reason, to defend him.

Even Zaeryn didn't expect that. But he was glad she was at least reasonable.

Zia and Charlotte wanted to argue with Lady Valerius and challenge her thinking, however Daphne spoke up before either of them. "His only crime is survival. He hid the truth because the alternative was chains and experiments. So far, he's given us no reason to brand him as dangerous."

Zia didn't hesitate, "Listen to yourself, Chief Scientist. Of course you're defending him. You've fucked him. Hardly makes you an unbiased judge, does it?"

The room went completely still. It was the kind of accusation that froze breath in lungs and silenced even the most hardened council members. The idea that the esteemed Chief Scientist had slept with the one male in the Citadel was beyond shocking.

Commander Charlotte Thorne had no words. She simply stared, her face not confused, but a mask of profound, cold revulsion. The violation of professional protocol was as offensive to her as a coward on the battlefield. And she never expected Daphne, of all people to stoop so low.

Lady Valerius, meanwhile, didn't flinch. No one could tell if she was shocked by this or not. But given her reputation for ruthless calculation, it was clear that the accusation was not an emotional scandal for her, but a new piece of political ammunition. Her silence was more chilling than any of the others' reactions.

A soft gasp escaped Annalise's lips as her eyes darted to Zaeryn. Did he really sleep with the chief scientist? 'Interesting way to absorb Vitae.' she thought, looking at him with even more interest. 'If his power is tied to a bond, what would a bond like that do? Would it enhance his abilities?' her eyes were filled with a fresh layer of intrigue.

Lysara, the High Commander, stood rigid. This was new to her, she didn't expect to hear that.

Zaeryn, meanwhile, was equally stunned. His and Daphne's relationship was supposed to be a secret.

Daphne frowned, her flawless pale skin flushing with controlled anger. She didn't know how Zia knew. "You don't have any proof of that," she said smoothly.

"Oh please, isn't it obvious?" Zia retorted, a cruel, mocking smile playing on her lips. "You just told us his power is born from a bond. He has your Vitae signature. And look at you, rushing to his bedside the moment he wakes up. I think that proves my point. Don't you?

"That is irrelevant and proves nothing about me. My and Daphne's relationship, if there is any, is no one's concern." Zaeryn spoke up.

To everyone's surprise, Annalise who didn't want to say anything at first, finally said something, "He is right. Why are we talking about his personal life when the issue is a security risk? And while I admit that he might be a threat, I think we should follow Princess Athea's directive for now. Given her reputation, we shouldn't risk our wellbeing going against her."

"Annalise, if you are not going to say anything useful, please keep your silence." Zia spoke irritably.

But Annalise didn't stop. "We have to look at this in a different lens than him just being a threat. He could be useful, in the never ending war against the Vorthak. Therefore I agree with everyone who thinks he should be given a chance. If we treat him badly, like we are doing right now, then what's stopping him from hating us and becoming what we fear?"

"I couldn't agree more."

"And." Annelise continued, her voice soft but firm, cutting through the rising tension. "Are we truly suggesting that this decision should not be made by the High Commander, who has been in control of the citadel for many years? Is there truly a need to take this to the Tribunal? Isn't the point of a council to be able to make a decision without resorting to a higher power?"

"Annalise is correct. We are a council, not children running to higher authorities at the first sign of complexity."

Daphne spoke, "Here are the facts: Zaeryn poses no immediate threat. His abilities require trust and emotional bonds—hardly the tools of a would-be destroyer. His mother's protection shields him from the Tribunal's reach, and frankly, antagonizing Princess Athea serves no one's interests."

Charlotte Thorne's jaw tightened. "You're all making a grave mistake. This... Man violates every natural law we've built our society upon."

"He's not in violation of anything," Daphne said quietly, but her words carried steel. "He's a person who deserves the same consideration we'd give anyone else."

Charlotte's eyes flashed with disgust. "Consideration? For someone who's already corrupted our Chief Scientist?" She turned her contempt on Lady Valerius. "And now you want to coddle him further?"

Lady Valerius remained unmoved. "I want to make a rational decision Charlotte. We will monitor him. Closely. If he proves to be the threat you fear, we can act then. But I will not be party to destroying someone based on speculation and fear."

Lysara nodded slowly. "I agree. Zaeryn will remain under supervision. Daphne will continue her research—under council oversight. We watch, we learn, and we reassess as needed."

Zia's silver hair caught the light as she shook her head in disbelief. "Marea help us. You're all fools. This boy, will bring ruin to all of youl, remember that I warned you." She looked directly at Zaeryn, her eyes cold as winter. "Enjoy your reprieve, little prince. It won't last."

Charlotte pushed away from the wall where she'd been leaning. "I want no part of this madness. I'm forbidden by the code from speaking of this without the high commanders permission, so that's the only reason I will not be reporting this to the Tribunal, because I value my life." She said, "but when the Tribunal learns of your treason—and they will—don't expect me to share in your downfall." She strode toward the door, her boots clicking sharply against the floor.

"Charlotte—" Lysara began.

Charlotte didn't turn back.

"The Commander speaks wisdom, even if the rest of you have lost your minds." Zia said as she glanced once more at Zaeryn, her expression unreadable. "This isn't over, boy. Secrets have a way of surfacing, no matter how deeply buried."

With that, she followed Charlotte out.

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the soft hum of medical equipment.

Annalise cleared her throat gently. "Well. That could have gone worse."

Lady Valerius nodded. "Indeed. Though we've likely made two powerful enemies today."

"We've also made the right choice," Daphne said firmly, moving closer to Zaeryn's bedside. "Sometimes that's more important than making the easy one."

Lysara nodded. "The decision stands. Zaeryn remains under our protection and observation, per his mother's directive. But understand," she fixed him with a steady gaze, "this trust is fragile. Don't give us reason to regret it."

Zaeryn, who had been quietly absorbing the entire exchange, finally spoke. "I won't. Thank you... all of you."

"Don't thank us yet," Lady Valerius said coldy. "Prove you're worth the risk we're taking." She didn't wait any longer and walked out of the room.

Zaeryn watched her leave, the door sliding softly behind her. His gaze shifted to Daphne, Lysara, and Annalise—the latter still a stranger to him.

"Hi… thank you for defending me," he said.

Annalise's voice was quiet, almost musical, her smile gentle. "You're welcome. I… I could tell you were a good person, so of course I would." seeing that he was smiling at her, she seemed nervous.

Zaeryn blinked, taken aback by the softness in her tone. It was so different from the sharp edges and harsh words of the others in the room. Somehow, her calm made the tension in the air ease, and for the first time he felt a flicker of something like relief.

"I, uh…. I'll see you around, Zaeryn." Annalise said before leaving.

Lysara headed for the door too. "Zaeryn, Daphne— I will need to have a word with you two tomorrow . There are… matters we need to discuss." Her tone was back to her usual authoritative self, the brief glimpse of defiance now gone.

The words sent a shiver down Zaeryn's spine. Tomorrow. Whatever had happened between him and Daphne was out in the open now, and he could almost feel Lysara's disapproval waiting.

Before he could dwell on it too long, Daphne leaned close, pressing a quick, teasing kiss to his cheek. "I have work to do," she murmured, her voice smooth but carrying an unspoken warning. Then she was gone, leaving him alone in the hospital room.

Zaeryn remained still for a long moment, the silence pressing down on him like a weight. In the end, he was relieved with how things had turned out. The silver-braided viper, Zia, had somehow discovered his Vitae ability and broadcast it to everyone—but somehow, it had ended up working in his favor.

Still, he couldn't shake the sharp edge in her eyes, the venom in her voice. Zaeryn knew he would need to tread carefully; Zia was a storm waiting to strike.

Not long after, he left the Citadel with Mireille and Arya, who remained assigned to watch over him. This time, however, he was told that their duty was purely for his protection—a shield against the dangers of the world, rather than a measure to safeguard the Citadel from him.

___

Zaeryn arrived home, Arya and Mireille following close behind.

"Look… who's back home." A voice said, startling Zaeryn.