Sophia stirred, bleary-eyed, as Kate's gentle knock echoed through the chamber. A soft groan escaped her lips as she pried her eyes open, the welcome ball's chaos still lingering in her mind like a hazy dream. She swung her legs over the bed's edge, a wave of reality crashing in – today was the day she'd move to Prince Erik's quarters. Her stomach churned with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
"Why am I excited?" Sophia's thoughts snapped at her, a hint of reprimand in her inner voice. She still had Liam in Azura... or did she? The uncertainty hung like a mist, leaving her a bit melancholy. Memories of Liam's smile flickered, and Sophia's chest tightened slightly.
As she stood, a shiver ran down her spine. Kate's eyes met hers, a knowing glime in them. "Time for a bath, milady?" Sophia nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. The warm water enveloped her like a hug, and she let out a contented sigh. Kate helped her into a soft, lilac dress, the fabric rustling as Sophia's arms slipped into the sleeves.
During breakfast, Sophia was served poached eggs, toast, and fresh fruits. She picked at the food, her stomach a jumble of nerves. Kate hovered nearby, occasionally refilling her tea cup. Sophia's gaze drifted to the window, the castle gardens a blur outside. She felt a pang of sadness, leaving her cozy chambers behind.
Meanwhile, Kate and the maids bustled around, packing Sophia's things into trunks. They chatted quietly, folding clothes and gathering her belongings with practiced ease. Sophia watched them, a lump forming in her throat.
As the maids finished up, Sophia took a deep breath. Time to move. The vampires prepared a carriage for her. Teleportation's cool, but she's human, right? . She slipped into the carriage, her heart racing as the doors closed behind her. The ride was short, the castle corridors a blur outside the window. Sophia's thoughts swirled – what would Prince Erik be like, living with him, would they.... The carriage stopped, jolting her back to reality. Here we go.
The carriage door creaked open, and Sophia's heart skipped a beat. Prince Erik's valet, a tall, slender vampire with piercing eyes, offered her his hand. "Welcome to Prince Erik's quarters, milady." Sophia's fingers brushed against his as she stepped out, a shiver running down her spine.
As she entered the quarters, her eyes widened. The rooms were... him. Masculine, elegant, with a hint of mystery. Prince Erik stood by the window, his back to her, gazing out at the gardens. Sophia's breath caught. He was even more captivating in daylight.
"Sophia," he said, turning to face her, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Welcome to your new home."
Sophia's cheeks flushed as Prince Erik's gaze met hers. She curtsied, trying to play it cool. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Erik crossed the room, his movements fluid like a cat. "Please, call me Erik." He stopped in front of her, eyes cr crling at the corners. "We're going to be... close, Sophia."
Sophia's heart skipped a beat. Close? What did he mean?
Kate and the maids hovered nearby, unpacking Sophia's trunks. Erik nodded at them. "Leave us."
As the door closed, Sophia felt a flutter in her chest. She was alone with Prince Erik. In his quarters.
Erik smiled, a hint of fang showing. "Shall I show you around?"
Sophia nodded, trying to keep her composure. Erik offered his arm, and she took it, feeling a spark of electricity as their skin touched. He led her through the spacious quarters, pointing out the library, the sitting room, and the balcony overlooking the gardens.
As they walked, Sophia couldn't help but steal glances at Erik. He was even more captivating up close, his eyes piercing, his smile hinting at secrets. She felt a pang of guilt, thinking of Liam again. What was she doing?
Erik stopped at a door, his hand on the handle. "Your dressing room," he said, pushing it open. Sophia's eyes widened – it was bigger than her old chambers.
Erik chuckled, a low, husky sound. "I hope you'll be comfortable here, Sophia." His gaze lingered on hers, sending a shiver down her spine.
Suddenly, a soft knock interrupted them. Erik's expression turned cool, and he stepped back. "Enter," he called.
A vampire maid appeared with a tray of refreshments. Erik nodded at Sophia. "I'll leave you to settle in. We'll dine together tonight."
With that, he was gone, leaving Sophia to breathe a sigh of relief. What was she getting into?
Back in Azura, Aria's messenger, abel came to her chamber. Bowing deeply, "My lady, the message has been sent. And her highness is expected to recieve it within
two days.
"Okay, Abel thanks"
"My pleasure", Abel replied.
Meanwhile, after showing sophia around for a while, Erik got a notice from the court that his attention was needed, and that he should be present within minutes.
Although Erik is the second Prince, his potentials are greater than that of his elder brother, which makes it likely for his father to choose him as the future crown prince. His father has always discriminated since they were small, treating his two brothers better than him. There are some unknown reasons behind that which is related to his biological mother, queen grace. His mother only had him, and she died while giving birth to him. Ever since then, his father has always treated him like a freak. With everybody calling him monster and all sorts. His father's deep love for his mother resulted into resentment to him, that his father even wishes he was not born at all. All these treatments he's been receiving from childhood made him try to survive at all cost. Which transformed him to who he is today. He has even been poisoned severally because some people wants him dead and for his elder brother to claim the throne, because his elder brother is not as good as Erik is. Erik is both skilled in military and politics. He even has an army of his own, which his brother cannot compare to. If they want to claim the throne so badly, why don't they compete fairly.
With this thought, Erik got to the palace.
On the other end, sophia has settled down into her chamber. The chamber does not really have much of a difference to her chamber back in Azura. While kate was about to start arranging sophia's clothes into the wardrobe, she found out that the wardrobe was full of dresses in different colors and designs. At that moment, kate felt a hint of envy for the nobles. They have all their necessities arranged without a problem.
"My lady, the wardrobe is filled with dresses already", kate called out.
"Oh!" Was all sophia could mutter.
"Keep the box aside and let's head for lunch then."
"Okay, your highness". Kate did as she was told to do, placed the box aside, and hurried to meet sophia's pace.
Sophia headed to the dining hall, she got to know where it is located because Erik brought her there too while he was showing her around.
As sophia got to the dining, she never expected what was going to happen next at the hall.