Beneath the Vampire King's Desire

Chapter 57

They wasted no time and immediately set off for Elderglen. As they approached Elderglen, an unsettling silence greeted them. The once lively pathways usually filled with the laughter of elves children playing under the towering trees were now empty.

The presence of guards had doubled, their expressions grim and their stances tense. Every entrance was heavily fortified and patrols moved in seamless formations, eyes sharp and alert. Among the towering silver-barked trees, a few elves practiced their magic in hushed concentration. Their movements precise yet restrained. The usual aura of tranquility that Elderglen was known for had been replaced by an unspoken wariness—an undeniable tension that lingered in the air like an unbroken storm.

"It seems Elderglen has become more cautious." Halos pabulong ni Liwayway na nasa tabi ko. "The air here feels different... heavier."

I didn't respond immediately, but I felt it too—the shift in the atmosphere, the way the magic in the air seemed taut like a bowstring pulled too tight. As they moved closer to the grand palace, the towering trees that intertwined with its crystalline structure cast long shadows under the dimming sky.

"Lady Elara, Lord Lucius." One of the elves guard greeted me and bowed slightly. " we are honored by your presence. The King and Queen has been expecting you."

Tinahak nila ang pamilyar na pasilyo ng palasyo habang palakas nang palakas ang tensyon sa bawat hakbang. Nasa unahan na nila ang engrandeng silid-aklatan ng kanyang ama. Ang gintong pinto ay may mga ukit na elf runes na bahagyang kumikinang sa ilalim ng liwanag ng sulo. Malalim na huminga siya at pinapanatag ang sarili bago itinaas ang kamay at malakas na kumatok.

"Amang, inang... it's Elara and Lucius." Her voice is steady but I couldn't ignore the way my fingers curled tightly against my palm. "We've arrived."

A moment of silence stretched before a low, commanding voice answered from within.

"Come in." Sabi nito sa kabilang pinto.

Lucius pushed the door open and immediately, the sharp gaze of my amang met mine. The Elf King stood tall, his regal presence as formidable as ever but there was something in his eyes—an intensity. His expression is unreadable. A mask of cold calculation as if already preparing for war.

Beside him, my mother sat on a velvet chair, her delicate fingers gripping the armrest. Unlike my father, her mother's emotions were written all over her face—anxiety, worry, and a silent plea that made my chest tighten.

"Elara... anak." Her voice wavered slightly and I could see the way her shoulders trembled. "We feared you wouldn't come in time."

My stomach twisted. In time for what?

Lucius stepped beside me. His presence grounding. His silver-gray eyes scanning the room with an unreadable expression. Liwayway, standing just a step behind shifted uneasily as if expecting the worst.

"What happened?" I forced myself to ask though I feared the answer. "Nasaan si Mira?"

"She was attacked." His voice was grave, laced with something I rarely heard—concern. "Her condition is... uncertain."

I felt the blood drain from my face. The air in the room suddenly felt suffocating.

"T-tell me... everything." Sabi ko at ramdam ko ang panginginig ng aking kamay.

Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Lucius na marahang pumulupot sa akin at hinabi ang mga daliri namin na parang nagpapaalala na hindi ako nag-iisa. May kung anong init at katiyakan sa kanyang haplos na tila pinapawi ang bumibigat na pakiramdam sa aking dibdib. Ilang sandali lamang ay unti-unting bumagal at naging banayad ang aking paghinga at hinahayaan ang kanyang presensya na pakalmahin ako.