Beneath the Vampire King's Desire

Chapter 55

They waste no time. The moment Calius arrives with the news, everything shifts. There is no hesitation, no second-guessing—only swift movement as we immediately make our way back to Noctrisrealm. The air around us is thick with urgency, yet an unsettling silence lingers.

Lucius remains quiet. He doesn't speak a word, nor does his expression betray even a hint of emotion. His usually intense eyes, which I have come to read so well, reveal nothing. It's as if the weight of the news has locked something deep inside him, sealing it away where no one, not even I, can reach.

My hands won't stop fidgeting. My fingers tremble as they clench and unclench in my lap, a futile attempt to steady myself against the storm brewing in my chest. My heart is a relentless drum, pounding furiously against my ribs, a wild rhythm of unease and disbelief.

It hasn't fully sunk in. The words Calius spoke keep echoing in my head, but they feel distant, unreal. Eira is dead. It doesn't make sense. It shouldn't be possible. I just spoke to her mere days ago. And now... she's gone?

No matter how hard I try to grasp it, my mind refuses to accept it. It feels like some cruel misunderstanding, a mistake that will be corrected any moment now. But deep down, the pit in my stomach tells me otherwise. Something dark coils around my thoughts, suffocating, unrelenting.

We don't know the details of her death. Not yet. The uncertainty claws at my chest, making it harder to breathe with every passing second. The moment we step into Noctrisrealm, the eerie normalcy of it all sends a shiver down my spine.

Everything appears untouched. The vampires go about their usual routines as if nothing is amiss, their movements fluid and unbothered. The streets remain bustling with life, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the walkways, and yet, there's a weight in the air that only those attuned to it can feel. A storm is brewing beneath the surface. They don't know. They don't realize what has happened.

As we near the grand manor, the sight of Draken and Evelina standing at the entrance sends another wave of unease through me. They do not rush to greet us, nor do they wear their usual composed expressions. Instead, they stand stiffly, their features set in stone, their gazes dark and unwavering.

The grand hall is deathly silent when we enter. The air is thick, heavy with unspoken words and suppressed emotions. Draken's crimson eyes, usually filled with mischief or calculated intent, hold only serious acknowledgment. Evelina, ever the poised and elegant force of Noctrisrealm, carries expressionless, yet her stance remains firm. Lucius says nothing. He remains cold, unreadable, his presence like a sharpened blade—dangerous, restrained.

"My Lord, My Lady." Saad ni Draken at bahagyang yumuko kasabay ni Evelina.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to speak.

"What happened?" My voice barely breaks the silence, but it's enough. Evelina exchanges a glance with Draken before she takes a slow step forward, her gaze flickering toward me, then Lucius.

And then, with measured gravity, she finally speaks.

"We found her body." Sabi ni Evelina.

"Evelina, take Elara to our chambers." Lucius said commanding. Napakunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sinabi ni Lucius.

Evelina steps forward, nodding, but before she can take another step, I clenches my fists and straightens my posture. My heart hammers in my chest, and my voice rings with defiance.

"No. I'm not leaving." Umiiling na sabi ko.

"Elara, this isn't up for discussion." Lucius said as his eyes narrowing.