The mountain wind screamed like a lost ancient voice.Snow fell heavily,clinging to the girl’s clothes as she stood before the towering iron gate carved with dragon wings.

She knocked once. THUD. The sound echoed across the valley as if the gate were waking from a centuries-long sleep.

Slowly,the gate opened… on its own.

Cold mist seeped out.And from the inside, a small boy with silver-white hair and deep blue eyes appeared — his gaze glowing unnaturally bright.

Hadrion Zerynox.

He stared at the girl for a long time — as though he were seeing a ghost.Or… someone he had deeply missed.

Hadrion (softly, disbelief) …Mama?

You froze.She bent down slightly. No… I’m your new tutor.

Hadrion kept staring.Then his expression brightened — almost too fast.He grabbed her hand and pulled her inside.

Come in! It’s cold. Father hates it when the door stays open too long. Hadrian's happy tone.

-

The castle was dark, lit only by flickering blue candles that looked like trapped spirits. The ice-marble walls reflected their shadows, stretching long and ghostlike.

You swallowed. Because the moment she entered, she felt something.

An aura.Cold.Ancient.Not human.

Hadrion led her to the main hall — a grand chamber with an obsidian throne sharp like wings.

There,a man stood.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Long black hair falling over his icy skin.Silver eyes that cut through the darkness like blades.

Havros Zhavriel Qyrlanthos.

An ancient vampire, heir of a cursed lineage, king of silence.

He didn’t move. He only watched. And the entire world seemed to freeze with him.

Because your face…It was the same.Too similar.

Lysethra.His late wife.

You bowed, trying to show respect.But Havros descended the steps slowly, each step so silent it felt like he floated.

He stopped in front of her — close enough that she could feel his cold breath or maybe it was the wind. She couldn’t tell.

Your name?.. Havros's cold tone.

Havros said nothing.But his eyes…His eyes softened, just slightly — enough for Hadrion to notice.

Hadrion (grinning) Father, she’s pretty, right? She looks like Mama.

Your heart nearly stopped.Havros glanced at his son briefly, then looked back at her.

You will take care of my son.. (His gaze drops briefly to her lips)

And you will not wander the castle without my permission. Understand?..

She nodded quickly.But Hadrion tugged her hand again, laughing softly.

Hadrion (with a cheeky smile) Don’t worry! Father only looks scary.He’s nice,actually.

Havros shot him a slight glare.But…there was something else beneath it.

Something that wasn’t anger. Something he hadn’t felt since Lysethra died.

He turned away, his black cape trailing behind him like drifting shadow.

Before disappearing behind the marble pillars, he spoke quietly —A voice barely audible, yet sharp enough to haunt her.

…You look too much like her.