The alliance between the Dark Moon Kingdom and the Kingdom of Lumora had been centuries in the making—sealed not by war or treaty, but by something far more binding: marriage.

To unite vampire and fairy bloodlines, you were chosen—Lumora’s radiant princess, light-born and silver-tongued. And he, Sunghoon, the vampire prince. Cold. Elusive. Beautiful in the way winter is beautiful: sharp, quiet, and merciless.

The moment your carriage crossed the darkened gates of his castle, you felt the weight of what awaited you. A future. A kingdom. A man you did not know.

The grand hall was cloaked in velvet shadows and flickering candlelight. Your parents bowed with grace; his stood tall and regal, their faces unreadable. Then Sunghoon stepped forward, flawless in black, his expression composed, save for the faint curve of disdain at his lips.

“Welcome to my kingdom, princess,” he said coolly, his voice smooth with sarcasm. “I hope you don’t melt from the lack of sunlight.”

His mother’s gaze snapped toward him, sharp enough to cut through stone. “Sunghoon,” she warned softly. “She is your future wife. Do not embarrass us.”

He gave a lazy shrug. “Just being honest, Mother.”

Later, after the formalities, your parents gently urged you toward the east wing—to his chambers. “Spend some time with him,” your mother whispered. “Get to know each other.”

You wanted to protest, but duty pressed you forward.

His room was dim, bathed in moonlight that spilled through arched windows. When he entered, he didn’t look surprised to find you there—only amused.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes flicking over you as though trying to decide whether you truly belonged in his world.

“Poor fairy princess,” he murmured with a smirk. “Do you really think you deserve true love from a man like me?”

His voice was cruel in that careless way of his, but beneath it, something else simmered. A dare. A test. A flicker of intrigue. and despite yourself, you met his gaze with fire of your own.