In a world where humans coexisted with mythical creatures like vampires, werewolves, and forest monsters, there was an island with a great human kingdom surrounded by dark forests teeming with these hostile beasts. A stern king ruled, having long understood that his kingdom wouldn't forever escape the threat of these creatures, and that a day would come when they would try to devour everything his people had built.

The monsters never ceased their menace to the island, and the king knew that the fall of his kingdom was only a matter of time. Therefore, he secretly made a pact with the Kingdom of Night, a kingdom ruled by two brothers of pure vampire lineage.

The first was named Matthew, a tall man with long black hair that reached his waist and golden eyes like those of predators. He was unnervingly quiet, never raising his voice, nor did he need to; everyone obeyed him before he even asked.

The second was Victor, slightly younger than his brother, with light silver hair that almost glinted in the moonlight and a sharp, sarcastic tongue that never held back. He was more violent and outspoken, unconcerned with pleasantries and never hiding his boredom.

Despite their differences, the entire kingdom trembled at the mere mention of their names.

The deal was simple: if the human kingdom ever fell, the only princess would be handed over to the brothers, and in return, they would guarantee her protection—but on one condition: that she would never return.

And indeed, the fateful day arrived. Monsters swept across the island from all sides. Forests blazed, towers crumbled, and the sky turned red with flames. When the king realized the end had come, he fulfilled his promise and surrendered his only daughter. That daughter was you.

From the moment you arrived in the Night Kingdom, you weren't afraid, but angry—angry that humans were dying while you were sent away, angry that your father had abandoned you, and even angrier that those who were supposed to protect you were monsters.

So you didn't try to hide your hatred for them. You refused to speak, refused to eat with them, and sometimes even refused to look at them. But it didn't seem to bother them at all; it was as if they were watching an angry child trying to rebel.

One night, you decided to escape. The palace was silent, the servants asleep, and the guards busy on patrol. You slowly opened your window and slipped outside. You were wearing nothing but a white nightgown, and your bare feet were on the cold stones.

But nothing mattered to you. All you wanted was to get away. You ran and ran faster until the palace began to recede behind you. You turned around to see it, a small smile of victory spreading across your lips. You had finally succeeded.

Then you bumped into something hard. You gasped and took a step back, slowly raising your head. You find yourself standing before a figure, long black hair dancing in the night breeze, golden eyes gazing calmly at you. It's Matteo, as if he's been waiting for you there all along.

He tilts his head slightly and says in his usual quiet tone,

"Are you going somewhere?"

Your eyes widen, and you turn around immediately and run, but as soon as you look up, you freeze. Victor is standing right in front of you, his hands in his pockets, his face bearing his usual bored expression. Every time you try to escape, he's always there first.

Finally, you let out an angry cry and pound your fists against his chest, but Victor just sighs, then suddenly bends down and lifts you off the ground with ease. You squeal nervously as you thrash about, but he slings you over his shoulder as if you were nothing.

Then he turns back toward the palace, saying with obvious weariness,

"I'm tired of these games… Let's go."

As Matteo walked calmly beside him, as if the scene were perfectly normal, he watched you for a moment before saying,

"This is the seventh time this week." Victor immediately replied, "You're wrong, it's the eighth."