SCENEThe moonlight glistened over the palace rooftops, casting a silvery hue upon everything it touched. The air was still, but inside Ari's chest, a storm brewed—a wild, burning thirst she had never felt so strongly before.Her breath quickened. Her fangs pricked the inside of her lip. Her eyes flickered faintly red in the mirror, but she refused to let the thirst win.Edward's voice broke the tension. "Ari! Are you okay?!" he sat up, alarmed, seeing the sweat across her brow.Without replying, Ari dashed out of the room barefoot, her silk nightgown swaying behind her. She rushed down the corridor to the kitchen and grabbed a crystal goblet. Water. Cold and overflowing. She gulped it down like her life depended on it.The burning faded—slowly, but surely. Her breath eased, her heart steadied. She rested against the cool marble wall and wiped her forehead.Moments later, Edward stood by the doorway, arms crossed, looking worried.She turned to him and whispered gently, "Don't worry, Edward. I'm fine now. I just... needed water. That's all."He studied her face for a moment but nodded. "Alright. But if it ever gets worse, you tell me. Promise?"Ari smiled softly, walking toward him. "Promise."They returned to her room under the watchful gaze of the full moon. Ari lay down, facing the stars through the window, whispering to herself: I won't lose control… not again.
SCENE In the grand, shadow-draped corridors of Lucien's gothic kingdom, the vampire nobles had gathered for the usual night court—elegant, haunting, and ever buzzing with whispers.Two vampire princesses, adorned in midnight-colored gowns laced with silver embroidery, stood near the obsidian balcony that overlooked the moonlit valley.The first one, Princess Mireille, flicked her dark curls and whispered, "Do you know that pretty immortal is now a half vampire?"The second, Lady Nyla, raised a brow, eyes glowing faintly crimson. "Yes… it seems Prince Lucien bit her himself." She leaned in, lowering her voice dramatically. "Poor girl... dragged into our cursed world."Mireille smirked, sipping from her goblet. "Mm… but now, I'm at least glad she's a part of us. I always liked her aura. Mysterious… fragile... yet powerful." Her eyes glinted with amusement. "And honestly? She's lucky. Most of us would kill to be his chosen."Lady Nyla narrowed her eyes. "Let's just hope she can handle being one of us. Half or not, the thirst… the instincts… they only grow worse."The chandelier above flickered with blue flames as another vampire lord walked by, clearly eavesdropping but pretending not to.Mireille added in a whisper, "And if she can't control herself, she might become dangerous. Or worse… hunted."The palace echoed with faint violin music as the two princesses continued to talk—unaware that Lucien himself stood a floor above, gazing down silently… a shadow within shadows, his red eyes unreadable.
SCENEThe grand hall of Lucien's obsidian palace shimmered beneath floating lanterns and the soft glow of enchanted candles. A slow waltz echoed through the crystal domes, the notes sharp and elegant like a spider weaving silver threads in moonlight.Princess Alena approached first, graceful as a swan, her long crimson gown trailing behind her like fire. Behind her, Nyla and Mireille giggled softly, nudging each other toward Lucien.Alena, always bold, smiled and extended her gloved hand. "Prince Lucien," she said, eyes gleaming, "will you give me the honor of a dance? Just for practice, of course."Mireille chimed in teasingly, "Yes, practice. It would be such a shame if our prince forgot his steps."Lucien's crimson eyes flicked toward all three princesses. But when he looked at Alena, they lingered a little longer—his gaze sharp, curious. With a devilish smirk, he took Alena's hand, his voice low and charming."Very well," he said smoothly, "just a friendly dance, for practice."As the music swelled, they moved to the center of the hall. Lucien led the waltz effortlessly, every motion sleek and powerful. Alena matched him step for step, her eyes watching him with barely-hidden admiration.From the side, Princess Nyla and Mireille swayed with other vampire princes, though their attention kept slipping back to Lucien and Alena—watching, whispering, wondering.Lucien, though dancing with Alena, seemed distant… his smirk hiding something deeper. For all his grace and focus, his thoughts drifted—toward another girl, with softer eyes and a warmth that not even the cold marble halls of this kingdom could imitate.Ari.When the dance ended, Alena thanked Lucien. Lucien gave his charming smile and walked away. and he happily talked with his friends, his kingdom was almost complete. except one person.As the final note of the waltz echoed through the ballroom, Alena stepped back gracefully, giving Lucien a polite curtsy."Thank you for the dance, Prince Lucien," she said, her voice smooth and light, though her eyes lingered longer than her words did.Lucien returned a dazzling, effortless smile—the kind that made even cold-blooded vampire hearts skip a beat. "The pleasure was mine, Princess," he said, voice rich like dark velvet. Then, without waiting for more conversation, he turned on his heel and walked away, his long coat fluttering behind him.He moved through the shadows of the ballroom like smoke, making his way to the eastern balcony where his close friends waited, casually chatting and drinking bloodwine."Your Highness," one of them greeted, raising a silver goblet. "We saw your performance on the floor. The court will be gossiping for weeks."Lucien chuckled, leaning against the balcony railing, eyes gazing out into the silver-lit expanse of his dark kingdom. "Let them gossip," he said smoothly, brushing a lock of hair from his eyes. "They'll tire of it eventually."His friends laughed, but then Lucien grew quieter, more thoughtful."My kingdom is thriving. My council is in order. My lands are united…" he murmured, fingers tapping the stone ledge. "And yet—" his voice lowered, turning almost wistful— "it's still missing something."His best friend raised a brow. "Or rather… someone?"Lucien's smirk returned, this time gentler. He looked up at the moon."Yes," he said. "One person."His flame.
SCENE One morning, when Ari was picking a rose to give it to Lucien, Edward saw it and he advised Ari, Lucien may be charming, handsome. But he's still a vampire. He is not fully trustable. So you must be always careful. Since you are a half vampire. Ari understood her brother's concern and accepted it with affection.That morning, the palace garden was painted with golden sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a warm glow on the dew-kissed roses. Ari stood among the blooming flowers, her fingers gently reaching for the perfect rose—a crimson one, soft and flawless, like a symbol of the silent bond she shared with Lucien.As she plucked it carefully, a familiar voice spoke behind her."Ari…"She turned to see Edward standing a few steps away, arms crossed, his expression gentle yet serious. His gaze fell on the rose in her hand."For Lucien?" he asked, already knowing the answer.Ari nodded with a soft smile. "Yes."Edward stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "I know he's charming. I know he makes you feel something rare. But Ari… he's still a vampire. A pure one. That means his instincts, his urges—they'll always be stronger than yours."Ari looked down at the rose, the petals seeming heavier now in her hand.Edward continued, "You're a half vampire, yes, but your humanity hasn't faded. That's what makes you… you. And that's what could be dangerous if you trust too easily."Ari nodded slowly, the warmth in her expression not fading but softening into understanding. "I know, Edward… I really do. But I also know that Lucien's different from the others."Edward sighed with a small smile, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I'm not saying don't love him. I'm saying love him… with caution. Promise me that?"Ari looked into her brother's eyes and smiled faintly, the morning light catching the glimmer in her half-immortal gaze. "I promise."She held the rose a little tighter, not as a gift this time—but as a reminder.