“Who are you?” Taehyung asked, his voice wary but firm.
The vampire smirked, his lips curling in amusement. “Why do you ask?” His voice was deep, velvety, and carried an edge of danger. His eyes gleamed as if he knew something we didn’t. Then, without another word, his gaze shifted to me. The amusement in his expression shifted to something more intense, something almost reverent. He moved closer, his gaze never leaving mine.
Before I could react, he bowed slightly, his cool hand gently grasping mine. His touch sent an unexpected shock through me, and then he leaned forward, pressing his lips against my skin, his kiss lingering as if it were more than just a greeting.
“I am Jungkook,” he said, straightening but still holding my hand. His voice was quieter now, almost intimate. “I have guarded this castle for more than ten centuries. It belonged to the royal vampires of a long-forgotten age. I have served them, and now…” He paused, his dark eyes meeting mine, filled with unspoken vows. “I will serve you.”
I blinked, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. His presence was magnetic, his loyalty palpable, and yet there was something unsettling about it. I glanced at Taehyung, whose expression had hardened. He stood a step behind me, his jaw clenched. It was clear he wasn’t pleased by Jungkook’s sudden display of devotion.
Jungkook noticed Taehyung’s gaze and the tension between us. His smirk returned, but this time it carried a hint of jealousy. “Who is this?” he asked, his tone polite but dripping with disdain.
“This is Taehyung,” I said, quickly withdrawing my hand from Jungkook’s grip. “He’s with me.”
Jungkook’s eyes narrowed for just a second before he masked his expression with another charming smile. “Ah, a companion.” He didn’t say more, but the undertone of his words was clear. To him, Taehyung was nothing more than a temporary presence, a distraction.
With a wave of his hand, Jungkook gestured for us to follow him inside. “Come,” he said, his voice echoing through the grand hall as we stepped inside. The interior was breathtaking, with towering ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers that glittered like stars in the dim light. Tapestries hung from the walls, depicting long-forgotten battles, royal courts, and ancient vampires who once ruled over vast empires.
Jungkook led us through the labyrinthine halls, his movements graceful and confident, like a predator guiding his prey. He spoke of the castle’s history, of the royals who once lived here, their legacy now reduced to whispers and dust. But even as he spoke, his eyes never strayed far from me, and I could feel the tension growing between him and Taehyung with every step we took.
We passed through a series of heavy wooden doors, each one leading to a new part of the castle. Some rooms were filled with ancient artifacts—ornate vases, delicate weapons, and paintings that seemed to follow us with their eyes. Other chambers were dimly lit, their purpose lost to time. And yet, there was a strange sense of life within the castle, as if it had been waiting for something—or someone—to awaken it from its slumber.
Finally, Jungkook stopped before a set of towering, iron-clad doors. He pushed them open with ease, revealing a massive master bedroom, fit for royalty. The bed was large, draped in crimson velvet, with golden accents that shimmered in the candlelight. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with volumes of forgotten knowledge, and a large window overlooked the vast forest outside.
“This,” Jungkook said, stepping aside to allow us to enter, “is where you will rest.” His voice was smooth, but I could feel the subtle tension in the air. He was watching us closely, his gaze lingering on me before flickering to Taehyung, who stood protectively beside me.
