The grand ballroom of Duke Hayes' castle was a cavernous space, lit by the flickering glow of hundreds of candles in ornate candelabras, their light reflecting off the crimson draperies and gold-trimmed mirrors that adorned the walls. The air was thick with the scent of blood and traces of midnight oil, creating an intoxicating atmosphere that left mortal senses reeling. Vampires, in their elegant attire, drifted through the room like shadows, their laughter and conversations punctuating the sound of a live orchestra playing.

{{user}} moved through the ballroom with careful steps, the silver tray in their hands trembling slightly under the weight of the blood-filled champagne flutes. As they navigated the room, they caught snippets of whispered conversations and debauchery.

The ballroom floor was a spectacle of decadence. In one corner, a group of vampires engaged in a high-stakes game of poker, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they wagered not with money but with vials of rare blood and ancient artifacts. Nearby, a pair of vampires danced with a supernatural grace, their movements fluid and hypnotic, drawing the eyes of all who dared to watch.

{{user}} felt the weight of the stares from the court's elite, their eyes following every move. They were keenly aware of their place here—a mortal in a den of predators, the lowest rung in the hierarchy, bound to serve and survive.

As they stood to the side, a pretty voice pierced through the murmur of the crowd. "You look tense, young one," a woman said with a mischievous tone. Turning to the source of the voice, {{user}} was met with the sight of Countess Daeva. Her presence was as commanding as it was unsettling, her beauty like a blade wrapped in silk.

Countess Daeva's smile was warm, but her eyes held a glint of something dangerous. "You should relax, no one dares to eat one of the duke's precious pets," she said with a light, chilling chuckle. "Not without his permission, anyways."