As I walked into my room, Sebastian followed behind me, his footsteps slow and deliberate. I didn't know if I should feel scared… or relieved. At least now, my mother wouldn't have to pay her debts.
That should've been a comfort.
Instead, it just made the silence heavier.
Sebastian suddenly held out a sleek phone with a golden case. It shimmered like it had just been dipped in money.
"This is for you," he said.
I stared at it. The logo wasn't Apple or Samsung. It read "Vexelion." I'd only heard rumors—some ultra-elite vampire brand, stronger and faster than any human tech. The newest version wasn't even available to the public.
My eyes widened in shock.
Luna: "W-Why…?" I whispered, my mouth slightly open. "I… I can't take this."
Sebastian tilted his head slightly. "Of course you can. You are my son's wife."
He snapped his fingers—twice. A maid in black stepped into the hall, her posture stiff, her eyes avoiding mine.
"I'll take my leave now," Sebastian said. "She'll show you to your room."
Luna: "I—But I know where it is…" I said quietly, confused. "You already showed me."
Sebastian sighed like I was missing something obvious.
"You have more than this, Luna."
Luna: "More?" I blinked. "This already looks like a royal palace…"
"You're a Valemont now," he said, then turned and walked away.
I stood frozen for a second, the heavy golden phone still in my hand. The maid stepped forward, waiting.
I glanced once more at the room behind me—the one I thought was mine.
Luna: "If that's not it… then how big is this place?" I thought.
And what else was waiting for me here?
Luna: "Wait—so this room isn't mine?" I asked, just to be sure.
The maid gave a polite little smile. "Oh, miss, you misunderstood something."
She walked over to the table behind her, heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
Maid: "It is indeed yours… but we have more floors."
I blinked. More? What did that even mean?
She picked up a black remote and held it out like it was nothing.
Maid: "Please don't scream."
Luna: "Heh? Wha—"
CLICK.
Suddenly, the ground beneath us gave way.
Luna: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
We dropped—fast. My hair flew up, my stomach flipped, and I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes.
Maid: "Should've known."
Luna: "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The fall stopped with a THUD. We hit the ground. I landed face-first into something... hard.
Luna: "Ow."
I groaned and sat up, rubbing my forehead.
It was pitch black.
Luna: "I can't see anything down here," I said, stumbling forward with my arms out like a zombie.
The maid calmly reached for my hand and led me through the darkness.
Then she knocked on a wall—three soft knocks.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The wall shimmered.
Then it opened like magic.
Light poured in.
My eyes widened.
Luna: "No. Way."
It was a secret underground room — part closet, part gaming hall. Racks of clothes lined the curved walls: ball gowns, combat boots, vampire armor, designer dresses I couldn't even pronounce. In the center was a high-tech gaming setup, glowing in blue and red.
I stepped inside like I was entering a dream.
Luna: "This… is mine?"
Luna walked around the massive room, her eyes still wide with disbelief. She ran her fingers across the velvet-lined walls, staring at rows of dresses, shoes, accessories… and yes, even a glowing gaming setup in the center.
Her gaze landed on a deep red dress.
Without thinking, she grabbed it and slipped into one of the curtained corners to change. It fit perfectly, like it had been tailored for her before she was even born.
As she stepped back out, the maid from before—Jennifer—was holding the remote again.
Luna: "Hey, what are you doiIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNG—!"
CLICK.
The floor dropped.
Again.
Luna screamed, then everything went black.
Four hours later…
Luna woke up slowly. Her head spun, stars danced in her vision, and her whole body ached.
Jennifer was gone.
Someone else was standing over her.
A new maid—this one taller, older, with sharper eyes and a silver pin on her collar.
???: "Shhh," the maid said calmly. "The young master doesn't sleep at night. Don't go looking for him. If you need him… he won't pick up."
Luna: "Wh–wh–what...?" she croaked, sitting up weakly.
She looked around. Everything was different.
The floors were polished marble in shades of royal red and deep purple. The walls shimmered with gold trim and glowing sigils. No dust. No shadows. It was like she'd stepped into a different mansion altogether.
Luna: "Where… am I?"
Maid: "Still in the Valemont Estate. Just… a different location," the maid said.
Luna: "What…?"
Maid: "I'm Danielle," she added, helping Luna to her feet. Luna's arms were weak, but Danielle gently adjusted her dress and helped her walk.
They moved down a bright corridor, sunlight streaming in through tall glass windows. Then Danielle opened a grand set of double doors.
What Luna saw next made her freeze.
Children. Vampire children. Running around in the sunlight—laughing, playing, chasing each other with glowing red toys.
Parents stood nearby in elegant clothing, watching from shaded spots. Some were sipping drinks that definitely weren't juice.
Luna was still blinking in confusion when Danielle walked up to a mic on a nearby table, pressed the button, and said:
Danielle (into mic): "Attention, everyone. Please welcome your new queen."
The music stopped.
The air changed.
Everyone turned to look.
Some stared in silence. Others… glared.
???: "Why does she look human?" a man in the crowd said sharply, his brown hair falling into his eyes.
Danielle didn't hesitate.
Danielle: "That is none of you're concern, sir."
Danielle let go of Luna's hand, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as they walked.
Danielle: "I've been instructed to guide you on how to behave as a queen," she said smoothly.
Luna: "Wait—so this is a kingdom?"
Danielle nodded.
Danielle: "To humans, it's not. But humans can't speak of it… because our kingdom is larger than three human nations combined."
She glanced at Luna with a slight smile.
Danielle: "And to answer your question—yes. This is a kingdom. And the king?" She paused dramatically. "You've already met him."
Luna's eyes widened.
Danielle: "Yes. Young Master Lucian will become king soon. Since you married him, you're now queen in training."
Luna's heart thudded in her chest.
Danielle: "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
Luna: "Twenty-three."
Danielle: "Same as the young master. Excellent."
They kept walking until Luna suddenly slowed down, her head low.
Danielle noticed and stopped.
Danielle: "What's wrong?"
Luna: "I… I think he hates me."
Danielle blinked, then scoffed.
Danielle: "He hates everyone. If he didn't hate you, now that would be concerning."
Luna: "Really?"
Danielle chuckled.
Danielle: "You think you're the first person his father tried to get him to marry? Sweetie… he's rejected over forty princesses from around the world. His father is done with it."
Luna's jaw dropped.
Danielle gave her a wink.
Danielle: "So congratulations. You're the last one standing."