Tic toc. Tic toc. Tic toc.
MY EYES followed the hands of the grand clock while potato-lying on the couch, then sighed heavily after. I did it simultaneously for a minute now, I think. “Ha!” I puffed after sulking my head to the pillow. I am so bored! Please, someone, get me out of this hellhole.
After what happened last day, Father decided to tighten my security by caging me in my room, guards on the balcony, and guards on the door. If anything, they gave me a bell to call the maids whenever I need something. I’ve tried talking to them, but it seems like my father already warned them already how good am I with talking.
“I wonder what the flowers on the balcony look like… Can you help me take a look?”
“You are not allowed to leave the four corners of this room, milady. My humble apologies.” the lady who brought my food, “apologized” with a cold voice.
“Psst… I forgot my barrette in the rest room, can you go take a look?”
“We are not allowed to leave these doors, milady. We’ll manage to get it for you later, my humble apologies.” The man guarding my door didn’t even glance at me.
I flatly laid my back on the bed, giving up. I guess there is no choice but to wait for my Father to come back, that’s what Giovanni told me when he locked me off here.
“You are such a child.”
My brows furrowed with the hearing of a familiar gentle voice. Am I going crazy or did I just hear Giovanni’s sister talking to me? I slowly tilt my head to see and gasped in excitement when I realized I’m not just hallucinating. “Everleigh!”
She chuckled when I jumped to hug her tightly. “And still as giddy as ever,” and then kissed my cheeks after hugging me back.
“I missed you,” I stared at her after letting go. “But… aren’t you supposed to be in Concordia right now?”
Besides being Giovanni’s little sister, Everleigh is my best friend. She is Lord Gustavo Octavian’s one and only beloved daughter. Royal daughters like us are required to go to finishing school and that is where our friendship truly bloomed. Everleigh is naturally so quiet and shy, and she often gets bullied for that. Being her only friend, I was the only one who stood up for her at those times. But I’m glad that she’s doing good in the school she’s attending now, the Concordia. A well-known school for music.
“Just a little break,” she winked. She moves graciously while scanning my room, gently touching the pieces of jewelry and mirror. Then, she clapped her hand two times suddenly, two ladies with a bunch of embellished dresses and sparkling accessories came in right away.
Startled, they grab me in my arms and make me sit in front of the mirror. “W-Wait—”
“And I came here to help you dress up for the special supper,” Everleigh said with a proud smirk on her lips.
“With whom?”
Her eyes twinkled in excitement. “Us.”
Octavians.
I SAT ON the floor in my own room, too dumbfounded to even sit properly. There’s a lot going on in my mind right now and I don’t even know how to handle them all.
The first thing I remember is going to that dinner… and then the rest is chaos.
“Here they are,”
On a long fancy table and feast, different unfamiliar faces have gathered. I want to hug myself when I felt how cold and dead the room felt. As I looked carefully, vampires with different races and bloodlines. However, all of their aurae screams power and superiority, as they hold the red blood wine and lay at their seats like it’s their own throne.
This is the Valentin-Octavian Bloodline, I whispered to myself as I stand there stunned, their hawk-like eyes on me as If I am their prey, and one wrong move feels like a sin.
“Luna.”
I secretly thanked the winds when Giovanni finally offered me a seat, just beside him. While Everleigh sat beside her father. I feel like they are gonna burn me alive with their gazes If I stand there for too long. Even though I am already sitting, I still can feel their heated gazes upon me.
“Bonum Vesperum, familia et amicis! [Good evening, family and friends!]”
Lord Gustavo, Giovanni’s father, welcomed us with a hearty laugh. The Octavian’s Lineage family head is known for being mischievous and playful despite his elite standing in society. It is a bit obvious that his own did not inherit from him.
“Hac nocte collegimus ad celebrandam unionem duarum familiarum, Octaviani et Valentini, heredem meum, Giovanni et Luna Valentin.” [We have gathered tonight to celebrate the union of the two families, Octavian and Valentin, through my heir, Giovanni, and Luna Valentin.]
The smile I tried so hard to plaster in front of them slowly fades. The realization splashed within me like cold water, waking my senses up. The engagement those ladies in the streets have been talking about, Everleigh’s strange excitement over this, and Father’s reason for visiting Aerith regardless of how long I’ve persuaded him to do so a long time ago.
I searched for Everleigh’s eyes for some answers, but she only winked at me for the second time. I sighed and tried to find my father’s next, but he was busy sipping wine and prettily wiping his lips with satin. He looked relaxed for a man whose daughter’s going to be married any time forward.
Not knowing what to do, I looked over at the man beside me. The very reason I am in such a situation. To my surprise, Giovanni remained stern and emotionless while looking at his father, not even the slightest confusion in his face.“What is this?” Frustrated, I leaned at him and whispered secretly at his ears, only to be totally startled at his next move.
He grabbed me in the waist so fast to the point that my ears could touch his lips already, then whispered in a faint and rasping voice, “Behave and wait for your turn, Luna.”
He let go of me but his grip stayed at my waist. It’s like my mouth magically sewed itself as I felt my mouth unable to speak. His words and his arms on my waist worked like magic that it made me real shut and still.
“Sed parum videtur Valentinus huius rei conscius, mi frater.” [But it seems like our little Valentin is not even aware of this matter, my dear brother.]
Matertera Matilda, my late mother’s relative, even though talking to Father, stared at me straight with her crimson red eyes. I unconsciously swallowed the invisible air in my mouth. Her sultry yet spine-chilling voice never failed to scare me every time.
“Matrimonium est processus crucialis qui duas prominentes sanguinis lineas coniungit, credo non cito fieri.” [A marriage is a crucial process that unites two prominent bloodlines together, I believe it is not to be done hastily.]
"Si ita est, matrimonium est impossibile." [If that’s the case, then marriage is impossible.”]
All of the people, except Giovanni and I, joined the discussion about our “marriage”. To summarize, the majority of the table is obviously not pleased and disapproved of the matter. Of a sudden, I want to stand up and shout to their faces that the person involved, which is me, should be the one making a judgment. But I’m afraid that Giovanni’s tight grip on my belly won’t even give me the chance to move a bit.
Then slowly, his hands left my waist in a gentle manner, I raised my head in confusion as he slowly stands up. His presence is that too much that the commotion between them quickly vanished. Giovanni stood there proudly, and look at everyone with so much authority, like telling us to shut up and listen to him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to apologize for the misunderstanding.”
His voice is the only one reigning in this four-cornered hall. No one dared to interrupt.
“It’s true that Luna has no idea about the matter,” he continued. “That’s how surprises work.”
I saw how others’ faces filled with embarrassment and confusion. However, Matertera Matilda just flashed a small smirk, as if she was amused. Father and Lord Gustavo did the same as if they were not expecting the stone-cold Giovanni to speak such sarcasm.
“Primum, patribus nostris gratias agere volo,” [First, I want to thank our fathers,] shivers went down my spine when he started speaking in Latin. He looked over their seats and nodded. Then, swiftly moved his gaze toward me. "Et rogas domina mea quaestio valde magna,” [And ask my lady a very important question] I stared at his hand that is offering me to stand up and join him. Although a bit shocked, the pressure everyone’s eyes weighed upon me had me take it without hesitation.
“Honorem mihi fiere coniugis vultis?”
I SOAKED my head deep in the waters as my mind drowned in its own sea of thoughts. Lost and eyes closed, I let myself sink in the vast, wide oceans of Iunae Lumen.
Valentin-Octavian Lineage is a prominent bloodline, families of vampires circa 1517. Founded by Lucius Octavian and Aurelia Valentin, a legacy that our ancestors managed to preserve through the centuries. The tradition of marriage between these two families is strictly followed, and all of us are well-educated enough about that. It’s just that it never occurs to me that the one I will marry is that man. Octavian’s mysterious, and cunning firstborn.
Giovanni is destined to reign and conquer the whole of the Aerith Kingdom. Everyone wants to be associated with him, to be associated with his power. That’s why how they reacted to the engagement a while ago did not shock me anymore, and I highly doubt that this ‘engagement’ is enough to stop them from pursuing what they want.
Especially after what I’ve done.
“Will you do the honor of becoming my wife?”
Everyone is waiting. Matertera Matilda, Everleigh, Lord Gustavo… and Father.
My mind went blank, the pressure is eating me up. I know I should say yes, but my mind is too confused to even form a single word.
Then, it just happened.
I jumped through the glasses and ran as fast as I can. I didn’t know how I did it, but no one was able to stop me.
I ran and ran without even knowing where to go until I remember that place. Without a second thought, I went through the dark tunnel outside the palace.
Now, I’m stuck here. Lost in the depths of the Lumen, away from their soul-seeking gazes and venomous words.
Suddenly, the solemn scenery was disturbed by a massive and loud splash in the water. It harshly woke my spirit and consciousness, my mind was quick to perceive that someone had just dived in but my reflexes weren’t. Before I can even move, a firm grip encircled my waist and lift me up in a swift and forced manner.
The way I catch my breath after is so heavy as if I just ran through the tallest hills in this kingdom. I didn’t notice that I’m holding my breath for a long time already. We are able to exceed mortal’s abilities but just like them, most vampires die in the same way they did. That’s why we still need to take good care of our physical body, despite being soulless and half-dead.
I almost died. I almost drowned. Well, if not for the man who saved me—
“Who are you?!”
My calm state was quickly replaced by a defensive facade. I forcefully pushed his metal-like chest and finally got the chance to cover my naked body with my arms. My lips trembled both from the cold and the sudden near-death experience but my glare at him didn’t even move a bit.
In front of me is a naked, incredibly perfect man with a set of alluring ocean eyes. His brows are furrowed and his jaw tightly clenched, but his aura stayed calm, unlike mine.
"Answer me if you want to live."
His deep blue orbs are the opposite of the dead and bloodshot eyes I have. It looks kind of familiar, too but I quickly shoved my head off the thought. This man came out of nowhere, and I haven’t seen him before.
The two of us stared at each other under the full moon of Iunae Lumen, naked and lost.
I don't want to overthink but I can't be wrong. A muscular man who came out of the woods at exact moonlight, deep blue eyes...
"You're a wolf."
————————————————————
IMPORTANT NOTE:The Characters and Events mentioned in this book are purely fictional and are not to be construed as even remotely inspired by persons and events known and unknown to the author.
“Luna?” I slowly opened my eyes the moment I heard Everleigh’s soothing voice. My hand automatically touched the temple of my head, it was throbbing heavily and my whole body feels numb. I tried to move a bit, which is a bad idea, it just worsened my suffering. Everleigh rushed into me as she heard me groan in pain. “My, don’t force yourself.” Her eyes and voice were full of worry as she approached my bed and sat beside me. I can’t help but chuckle a bit as I saw panic written all over her face. Adorable. “You made me feel better, Everleigh. Thank you,” my voice sounded so hoarse and strained. She sighed disappointedly and decided to just stroke my hair, “You really are a child,” I closed my eyes in comfort. We stayed like that for a long time, savoring the peace and comfort between us. Sometimes, I think of Everleigh as a snow flower; soft, beautiful, and soothing. She has that glow in her, her smile, and a voice of an angel that can calm the most savage monster there is. An epito
“You can run but I promise to find and put you back in your place every time.” You can run but you can’t escape. “Giovanni…” I whispered. “I can’t.” He scooped me slowly and held my chin up, his head looking down at me. “You don’t have to do anything. Just… stay still,” his lips are just inches away from mine and I tried not to look so hypnotized by his luscious red lips and seductive whisper. How can a man be so harsh yet so gentle? In the midst of the crowds, I stared at him and let ourselves fall in-depth into each other’s eyes. He moved closer and closer and gave me a swift peck on the lips. It was so light that my mind is debating if it really happened or if I am just hallucinating. “Make me your husband and I’ll give you everything you need.” “EVERLEIGH! THADDAEUS!” I can’t help but shout at them when I saw them laughing and enjoying street food they seem to have bought in the market. These two! “We were looking all over for you two—” “Hey! You should try this.” Giova
I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. “Where am I?” Everything is white, and there is a lot of some sort of herbs everywhere. The room is also covered with some weird smells of medications and chemicals. “Certus esne id quod vidisti?” [“Are you sure that’s what you saw?”] I glanced at the far corner of the room when I heard a voice, the voice of my father to be exact. He seems like talking to someone. Their voices are low, not wanting anyone to hear whatever they are talking about. I get off the bed slowly and carefully, making no sound, and moved closer to the curtain that is covering half of the room. “Etiam, mi domine. Credo etiam id quod vidit Everleigh.” [“Yes, my lord. I believe that’s what Everleigh saw too.”] My eyes widened at the hearing of Everleigh’s name. “Sinistra oculus conversus alba et dextra collyrium—” [Her left eye turned white and her right eye—] “Father.” I was not able to stop myself to interrupt and carelessly swept the white curtain to face them. They wer
“THEY ARE coming, Nero. Many of them.” As if on cue, a couple of fast movements from far away filled my ears. My crimson-red eyes widened in realization. I know very well where that came from and I can’t be wrong. “We need to get out of here. Quick.” The fear in my voice is evident, but the urge to hurry them is greater. But it seems like they are not as nervous as me. Their eyes looked at me with the same ice-cold glance they normally have. I saw Nero turn to Ava and nod at her, and the latter nodded back as if the both of them can read each other’s minds well. “What is happening?” And I was the only one not getting it. Ava glanced at me with his icy frost eyes. “You need to come with me.” My forehead creased in mixed emotions and confusion. “I do not know you.” “You need to trust us, Luna.” Nero’s voice behind me does not sound like he’s requesting me to. “This is for your own good.” I turned around and meet his determined eyes with my doubtful and worried ones. “I’m not goin
THE HALLS in the castle are busy with the people moving left and right. There are variant dishes and cocktails that are very pleasant to see, flower decorations and all. No doubt that everyone is preparing for a big party to happen. I looked at the grand mirror in front of me and stared at my reflection. In my hair are properly placed crystals that shine when light hits. The off-shoulder ball gown I am wearing also complements the sharpness of my collar bone. Well, the pale complexion is understandable. All in all, I look so ready. I look complete. But I don’t feel like I do. I sighed in frustration with all the things going around my head right now. I feel like I’m going crazy about the thought that I really left Nero all alone and now I have no idea what really happened to him after. To compensate for the guilt, I tried my best to gather some information from the guards yesterday, but it seems like the higher-ups heavily instructed them to keep it tight. What’s more intriguing is t
THERE IS no other more devilous than the smirk he had on his face. It instantly woke the anger I’d been keeping in for a long time. My mind was completely black, I can only see red and was ready to chase him with my fangs when Giovanni stopped me with a tight hold on my arm. “Don’t,” he whispered with a rasped voice like he was struggling with something. Pissed, I hissed at him. “Let go.” But then my reaction softened when I saw him clenching his jaw, looking pained. My eyes dropped to his hand holding his stomach tightly. “Giovanni, what’s wrong?” He only shook his head and tried to fix his composure. “Go. You need to get out of here.” But his eyes can’t lie. He’s good at pretending that there’s nothing wrong but he has to do better than that to fool me. I abruptly pulled the hem of his suit to reveal his stomach and gasped in shock after. “W-What happened to this?” There is a large deep slit all the way from his abdomen through the lower part of his nipple. The bandage he put
“Lucinda.” She slowly took steps forward and locked the door behind her without taking her eyes off me. Both of our eyes are fixated on each other, with an equal amount of raging intensity. “We came here personally to congratulate you on your upcoming wedding,” but it seems not to be the case when she slid a small sharp knife out of her pocket. “Vota, Luna Valentin Octavian." [Best wishes, Luna Valentin Octavian.] “No, Lucinda.” I whispered under my breath, “You came here personally to get yourself killed.” A burst of teasing laughter came from her and it filled the whole room. I can feel my insides trembling from the unadulterated grudge. I gritted my teeth and clenched my hands. “Makes me wonder… what does a fragile Valentin princess capable of?” She emphasized the word princess to make her point clearer. Now, it’s my turn to smirk. “Stabbing one’s eye.” I watched how her smile fades slowly from what I said. You need not ask me that again when you just watched me show you with
MY LONG JET black hair flew with the wind as I widely opened the window and let the dark night come into my room. The night is at its peak and everything seems to dance with the violent wind outside. The skies are heavy, anticipating stormy weather to come. Numb and cold, I took a step forward to make a clearer view of the outside. Then, slowly looked up to take a glance at the glowing moon above. I learned at the side and continued staring at it, sighing heavily. I’ve always loved the moon. In the middle of the dark cold night, everyone stays hiding. Yet the moon is the only one that stays, lighting and following your every step. On the days when I feel I’m most alone, I found myself being comforted by this certain celestial body. Especially this night. It has been a couple of weeks since Father and I decided to go back to our home. It was heavily agreed upon by all of us that Aerith is not a safe place anymore after what happened. Who would’ve thought that one peaceful and elega