When we crossed the border of the Vampire Empire, daylight vanished. Only night remained. The moon hung high in the sky, shining brightly—not red, not white, but blue, radiating an eerie glow.
We reached the castle. This was the Vampire Castle—an entire fortress.
The walls were tall and endless.
I asked, "I haven't seen any villages or towns. I didn't see a single house. Where is everyone?"
Lilith replied, "The Vampire Empire is right there. Look."
She pointed at the fortress.
"It's just a fortress," I said.
Lucien interrupted. "Felix, that fortress is the empire itself."
Vampires can't live in daylight for long. That's why they built everything inside the fortress. Within those walls are towns, villages, and the vampire population itself.
"You've got to be kidding me," I gulped. "That fortress holds an entire empire?"
The Vampire Lord said calmly, "Yes. Inside the fortress, there is so much space that it will feel like you are on the surface if you stay there. There are houses, castles, mansions, and villas belonging to vampire nobles."
He looked at me.
"Welcome. You are the first human in a thousand years to set foot inside this fortress."
We landed on the fortress grounds. Guards rushed toward us, dropped to one knee, and spoke urgently.
"My lord, the Third Prince has just suffered a panic attack. He is lusting for blood."
The Second Prince Vaelthar frowned. "What? Not again."
The Vampire Lord said, "I will check on him."
He then turned to the Second Prince and Lilith.
"You two show them the empire," he said. "At 3:33, return to the castle. We will hold a ball."
"A ball?" Lucien asked.
"Yes," the Vampire Lord replied. "My daughter has returned. The war has ended. It is time for a ball."
We hadn't brought any clothes with us," Lucien said.
Lilith smiled. "Don't worry. We'll buy some or order them from the royal tailor."
"Is that so?" Lucien asked.
"Yes. They'll make something suitable for you."
"Shall we go?" Vaelthar said, turning away. "We have many things to attend to."
We walked through the gates.
The moment we entered, light flooded my vision.
"So bright…" I muttered. "What is this?"
Vaelthar glanced back. "Artificial sunlight. It allows visibility in constant night. The fortress also has artificial weather control."
Lucien frowned. "No other race has created something like this."
Vaelthar began to reply. "We are vampires. We've lived long enough, and—"
Smack.
Someone struck the back of his head.
"Shut up," a sharp voice said. "Don't babble secrets in front of other races, idiot."
It was a woman.
She was stunning—so much so that Lucien openly stared, completely mesmerized.
Lilith sighed. "She's my brother's fiancée."
"What?" Lucien's dream shattered instantly.
"She's a tough one," Lilith added calmly. "She hates humans—but she does enjoy drinking their blood."
The woman crossed her arms. "My name is Maria. Grand Duke's daughter."
Maria's eyes shifted to me… then to Lucien.
"Tch," she clicked her tongue. "Lilith, who's that boy?"
Her gaze lingered. "He looks delicious. Can I drink his blood?"
"No—no!" I blurted out. "I'm not food! Eat my teacher instead!"
Lucien snapped back. "Hey! You traitor! You're offering your own teacher to a vampire?"
Maria laughed softly. "Relax. Just joking. Humans are interesting."
She studied us again, her expression turning thoughtful.
"I was surprised when Lord Altharion brought humans here," she said. "We were told you saved Lilith."
Maria stepped forward, then bowed slightly.
"Thank you," she said. "For saving this little one."
"So, you want clothes?" Maria said casually. "Fine. I'll take the measurements myself."
I blinked. "But… you're not a tailor."
Lilith smiled. "She likes making clothes. She's the best designer in the empire."
"…Oh."
After the measurements were taken and we finished touring the area, we headed toward the castle.
"Wow," I said, looking around. "It's not at all how I imagined it."
Vaelthar glanced at me. "What did you expect? An old, rusty castle full of cobwebs, broken halls, and haunted rooms?"
"I—yes. I mean, no," I corrected myself quickly. "It's nothing like that."
"Humans really do think low of us," he said with a smirk.
"Well, well, well… isn't this my little sister and brother?"
A new voice echoed through the hall.
A tall vampire stepped forward, his presence calm but imposing. He studied the scene briefly before smiling.
"I am Azhryon Noctyrr," he said. "The First Prince of this empire."
His gaze shifted to me. "Lilith, you even brought a boy with you. I'm impressed."
Smack.
A sharp sound echoed.
A beautiful woman had struck the back of his head.
"You jerk," she snapped. "Stop talking like that in front of guests, or I'll suck your blood."
Lucien immediately drifted into another daydream.
Lilith sighed. "She's the Marquis's daughter, and the fiancée of my eldest brother."
I leaned closer to Lilith and whispered, "Why is everyone in your family like this?"
She answered calmly, "They're not. Just these two idiots."
I looked at Vaelthar. He smiled back at me.
Oh gods, I thought. She just insulted you. How are you smiling?
Before I could say anything else—
Lucien's dreamy expression shattered again.
"At least stop drooling over vampires, Teacher," I said. "They're way older than you."
Lucien coughed and turned away, trying to regain his composure.
Lilith pulled me, and we ran into a garden. It was so beautiful.
She turned back. "You know, I like this garden. Whenever I'm here, I feel warm… safe."
She smiled.
Looking at that smile, something inside me screamed. My heart raced, fast—but I didn't collapse this time. I didn't know what this feeling was.
At that moment, I realized that even vampires could be good. I felt a strong urge to protect her… to protect that smile of hers.
From the doorway, Lucien, Maria, Vaelthar, the First Prince, and their fiancée were peeking at us. We didn't notice them.
"Felix," Lilith said softly, "thanks for saving my life."
I replied, "I will protect you… every time, with everything I've got."
Lilith blushed. "Promise?"
"Yes. Promise," I answered.
Others might have understood what it meant, but we didn't. We were too young to understand that we were falling for each other
Maria rolled her eyes and scoffed.
"Look, Vaelthar. You never said anything like that to me."
Vaelthar glanced away, clearly uncomfortable.
"Why would I say something so… cringey?"
Maria narrowed her eyes. "Then shut up and say it now. Make a promise like that to me too."
He sighed, defeated. "Fine. I promise. I'll protect you."
She stared at him for a second, then cracked her knuckles.
"You really need a beating, I guess."
The First Prince, Azhryon, raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"This is… unexpected."
Beside him, the Marquis's daughter leaned closer and whispered, her voice soft with surprise,
"They actually… look good together."
Azhryon let out a quiet chuckle, watching the scene unfold with clear amusement.
Meanwhile, Lucien sat crouched in the corner, arms wrapped around his knees, shadows practically pooling around him.
"Even a child got a girl…" he muttered, his voice trembling with despair. "And I'm still single. That's not fair."
A single, dramatic tear slid down his face.
Vaelthar glanced at him and sighed. "Get a grip."
Maria smirked mercilessly. "Skill issue."
Lucien looked up, devastated. "You didn't have to kill me like that."
Azhryon shook his head, clearly entertained. "Truly tragic." As I kept my promise to Lilith, my vision blurred. Memories crashed over me like a tidal wave, black and white flashes of the past filling my mind. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground.
Lilith screamed and lunged forward, catching me before I hit the stone floor. Her eyes were wide with panic, hands trembling as she held me close.
The others came rushing toward us—Maria, Vaelthar, Azhryon, even Lucien—faces etched with concern. Vaelthar's brow furrowed. "What's happening?"
Lilith's voice shook as she looked up at them. "He… he promised me… and now…" She tightened her grip, refusing to let go.
Maria knelt beside us, her usual composure replaced by genuine worry. "Felix! Stay with us!"
Azhryon's hand hovered uncertainly over my shoulder. "This… isn't normal for him."
Lucien muttered under his breath, pacing like a caged animal. "By the gods… this is worse than any lesson I've ever taught him."
Time seemed to stretch, the fortress around us fading as all attention centered on me and Lilith, the weight of that promise and whatever it had unleashed hanging in the air.
Somewhere in the shadow someone said "Make sure to get rid of them," the first figure added coldly.
"There will be no mistakes," the other answered. "No witnesses. No survivors."
A faint, cruel chuckle echoed through the corridor as both presences dissolved into the darkness, their intent sealed long before the music of the ball would begin.