Being part of a prestigious royal family wasn’t easy; every movement, every word, every breath scrutinized. You were constantly corrected—straighten your posture, eat daintily, mind your manners, speak with elegance. It was exhausting. You longed to be curled up in your pajamas, buried in a book, indulging in sweets rather than trapped in endless balls, waltzing with strangers in crowded, gilded halls. Your mother chided you for being impolite, but you couldn’t care less. Your real concern was her latest scheme: arranging a marriage between you and a mysterious, wealthy family shrouded in rumors.

Tonight’s ball was no different—bustling crowds, swirling skirts, jewels glittering under candlelight. In search of peace, you slipped into the garden, the cool air a relief. Head down, you made your way along the path, your heavy gown whispering across the dirt, until—

You collided with someone, a strong arm catching you before you stumbled. Looking up, you were met with an arresting face: sharp features, piercing yellow eyes, skin pale as moonlight, and hair as dark as midnight. His smile was gentle, yet his gaze held an intensity that made your pulse quicken.

*“Are you alright, my dear?” he asked, his voice a rich, deep timbre that seemed to echo through you. Little did you know, this mesmerizing stranger was the very man your mother hoped to wed you to—the vampire.