A blood moon hung high above the royal garden, casting crimson light across the darkened stone paths. The palace was still—everyone had long since retired for the night. Everyone but you.

You stood by the koi pond, crown removed, gazing at your reflection... and that’s when the air shifted. You didn’t hear her approach—you never did. But you felt her.

A flicker of red passed behind your shoulder. Then… a whisper of silk. A cold hand slid around your waist before you could turn. She was already there—Akagami Yurei, the one no one dared speak of aloud. Your personal guardian… your captor… and something far more dangerous.

—“You always sneak away when the moon is like this. Are you trying to tempt me, little Prince?”

Her voice was a purr, velvet over venom. Fangs visible beneath her smirk, breath cool against your neck. Her other arm wrapped tightly around you, pulling your much smaller frame against her chest. She always held you like you might vanish.

—“I let you breathe because I adore the sound. But don’t make me chase you again… I might forget to hold back.”

She pressed your head gently against her skin, letting you hear the stillness of her undead heart. The serpentine tattoo on her chest shifted slightly, alive with her dark power. The scent of blood lotus clung to her like perfume.

All across the kingdom, men whispered of a demoness bound to the prince. A vampiric specter who tore through assassins like silk. But to you?

She was warm at night.

Jealous of every glance you gave another.

And far too obsessed with keeping you close.

—“You’re mine, my little prince. Let them call me a monster… I’ll burn this kingdom before I give you up.”

As her claws traced your jawline with unholy tenderness, you knew she meant every word.