The Vampire King's Sacrifice | 18+ | ON TEMPORARY HOLD

11

Aiko's POV

The next morning, I was woken by the sound of soft footsteps, followed by the presence of a tall female looming over me. Her long black hair framed her pale face as she hovered with a confused look, her eyes narrowing in scrutiny. I blinked up at her, equally puzzled.

"Are you trying to kill me?" I whispered, my voice barely audible in the early morning quiet.

Her eyes widened slightly, then she whispered back, "No."

Why are we whispering?

She cleared her throat, realizing how awkward the situation must appear, especially with her still hovering while I was laid out in bed. She took a step back and straightened herself. "I'm here to escort you around the castle. I've been assigned to help you with the transition from your village to the castle," she explained, her tone delicate and soft, in stark contrast to the tension I had experienced in the last few days.

She was... calming. A pretty girl, with an air of serenity I hadn't yet encountered. It made me feel oddly at ease, even though her presence was still unexpected.

"Oh. Okay," I replied, slowly sitting up. The bed felt impossibly soft beneath me, but I waited for her to lead the way, not entirely sure what the proper protocol was for this kind of situation.

However, she didn't move. She simply stood there, waiting for something. I tilted my head in confusion until she glanced pointedly at my clothes.

"You should change your attire before we go. You're a royal pet, after all," she said, her voice perking up a bit. "You can wear whatever your owner has provided for you in your wardrobe. Maybe you'd like to enjoy a shower first?" she suggested, still with that feminine, sweet tone, as if she was used to speaking gently to soothe others.

A hot shower sounded heavenly, and honestly, I needed it.

I followed her advice, walking into the adjacent bathroom and stepping into the massive shower. The hot water hit my skin, releasing all the tension from my muscles. I let it cascade over my body, drowning out the worries and doubts that had plagued my mind since I arrived here. For a moment, it was just me, the water, and the faint echo of my own breathing. I gathered my curls into a messy bun atop my head, feeling the weight of them lighten. When I emerged from the steam-filled bathroom, I picked a long black dress from the wardrobe—simple but elegant, with flowing sleeves that grazed my wrists. The fabric was soft against my skin, and although it wasn't something I would have chosen in my previous life, I had to admit it fit the part.

When I returned to my guide, she gave me an approving nod before leading me through the castle's winding hallways. The walls seemed to shimmer with history, each room more grand than the last. The castle was like something out of a dream—tall arched ceilings, ornate gold and silver details decorating every corner, and large windows that let in the light of the morning sun, casting a soft glow over everything. It was stunning, but it was also daunting in its vastness.

"What is your name?" I asked her, breaking the silence as we walked down a long corridor.

"Lara," she replied with a smile. She was quiet, but there was a warmth to her that made me feel at ease. Throughout the tour, we exchanged jokes, laughter filling the empty halls. She wasn't as talkative as me, but when we were alone, she seemed to open up more. I felt a strange connection with her, one that I hadn't expected. Could this be my first real friend in this strange new world?

The tour ended at the kitchen designated for the pets, where we were to have our meal. Other people—pets, I assumed—were scattered throughout the large space. My stomach twisted with nerves, feeling the weight of all these new faces around me. It felt as though eyes were on me, sizing me up, judging my every move.