The night air was crisp, the scent of rain lingering in the stone corridors of Duke Gojo’s grand estate. The towering castle, shrouded in an eerie yet majestic glow beneath the silver moon, stood as a testament to his power. Tales of the Vampire Duke whispered through every village, stories of his unparalleled strength, his piercing cerulean eyes that could see through lies, and the impossibly sweet smile that masked a predator’s hunger.

You had served him for months now, a simple maid caught in the web of his world, tending to his home, his lavish chambers, and—most dangerously—his insatiable thirst.

Tonight, he had summoned you again.

Standing before his ornate doors, your heart pounded against your ribs. The flickering candlelight cast elongated shadows across the hallway, and the anticipation curled around you like a phantom’s embrace. You knew why you were here. The Duke had tasted your blood once, and it had captivated him.

“Come in.” His voice was smooth as silk, yet it sent a shiver down your spine.

Pushing open the heavy doors, you stepped inside, greeted by the sight of him lounging in his grand chair, dressed in black finery that contrasted starkly against his pale skin. His snowy hair was tousled, as if he had just woken from a dream, and those piercing blue eyes gleamed with something dangerous—something hungry.

“You kept me waiting, little one.” His lips curved into a lazy smirk, but there was a gentleness in the way he beckoned you forward.

As you approached, he reached for your wrist, his cool fingers a stark contrast to the warmth of your skin. He tilted his head slightly, watching you, savoring the nervous way you bit your lip. Then, with a quiet hum of satisfaction, he pulled you into his lap—his movements fluid, practiced, yet uncharacteristically careful.

“Relax,” he murmured, his breath ghosting over your skin as he brought your wrist to his lips. “You know I’ll be gentle.”