The morning sun bathed the Royal Palace of Lumiya in golden light, its warmth stretching across the elegant marble pathways of the royal gardens. The scent of blooming lilies mixed with the gentle rustling of the wind as Princess Yuhi walked gracefully through the garden, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight under the sun.
Beside her, Aries, the Royal Mage, walked with light steps, her flowing blue hair barely moving in the breeze. Dressed in ceremonial mage robes, she carried her ornate magic staff, the embedded gemstone faintly glowing with stored mana. As the daughter of Edward Hawk, the commander of the royal army, Aries was more than just a mage—she was one of the kingdom's strongest spellcasters and Yuhi's most trusted ally.
Yet, despite her prestigious title, Aries had a playful side, which she never hesitated to show, especially when it came to teasing Yuhi.
But today, Yuhi's mind was elsewhere.
She was thinking about last night.
🔹 Yuhi (thoughtfully, her voice controlled): "Last night… I met a man who betrayed the high-level vampire, Liza."
Aries halted mid-step, turning to Yuhi with an expression of surprise.
🔹 Aries (raising an eyebrow, intrigued): "Liza? That monster has terrorized the kingdom's hunters for years.
You're telling me one man alone took her down?"
Yuhi nodded, her mind replaying the swift, effortless way he had cut Liza down.
🔹 Yuhi (seriously): "It wasn't just strength, Aries. His movements… his aura… he was inhuman."
A brief silence passed between them before Aries leaned in slightly, her blue eyes gleaming with curiosity.
🔹 Aries (grinning): "Hmm… and? Was he handsome?"
Yuhi blinked, momentarily caught off guard. The image of him flashed in her mind—his untamed white hair, his sharp silver eyes, and the way the moonlight had carved his expression into something both cold and captivating.
She quickly turned away, hiding the faintest hint of color dusting her cheeks.
🔹 Yuhi (firmly, avoiding Aries' gaze): "That's not the point."
Aries let out a mock gasp, covering her mouth in dramatic shock.
🔹 Aries (teasing, nudging Yuhi playfully): "Ohoho~ our perfect princess is flustered. This is new!"
🔹 Yuhi (crossing her arms, glaring at Aries): "Enough, Aries!"
But Aries had already won. A satisfied smirk curled on her lips.
🔹 Aries (grinning): "Well, well… If you must know, I might have an idea who he is."
Yuhi's eyes snapped to her, curiosity flickering in their depths.
🔹 Yuhi (serious, stepping closer): "You do? Who is he?"
Aries took a moment, clearly enjoying the attention before answering.
🔹 Aries (smirking): "I think he might be the Dark Knight
—the infamous hunter of our kingdom."
Yuhi's expression shifted.
She had heard rumors of him before—a nameless warrior, A mercenary, A legend, A shadow that even monsters feared.
Some whispered he was a Fallen knight. Others claimed he had no past, no master, no mercy.
And yet, despite all the legends surrounding him, no one seemed to know his real name.
🔹 Yuhi (thoughtfully): "The Dark Knight…"
She clenched her fingers slightly.
🔹 Yuhi (curious): "Do you know his real name?"
🔹 Aries (shrugging): "Nope. No one does."
Yuhi frowned. She didn't like not knowing.
Before she could press further, a royal soldier approached, bowing.
🔹 Soldier: "(Princess Yuhi) Lieutenant, the King requests your presence immediately."
Yuhi nodded, her face hardening into a more serious expression. This was no time for distractions.
🔹 Yuhi: "Let's go, Aries."
Aries nodded, her playful demeanor fading as they followed the soldier toward the palace's inner sanctum. The journey through the palace corridors was swift, though Yuhi's mind was still racing. She had a feeling this meeting with the King would not be just about the recent vampire attacks.
When they finally reached the King's chambers, the door swung open, and they were ushered in by the royal guards.
King Godfrey Lionbane sat at the head of the grand table, his presence commanding respect. He was a towering man, his golden armor gleaming even in the dim light of the chamber. His graying hair, though marked by age, still held the strength of a lion. His sharp eyes focused on Yuhi the moment she entered.
The king's face was serious, his sharp blue eyes scanning the reports in his hands. His fingers tapped lightly against the polished table, a sign of his deep concern. The other high-ranking officials stood silently, waiting for his words.
Yuhi After come inside
🔹 Yuhi (bowing slightly): "Your Majesty."
Yuhi stood tall, her posture straight as she approached the King.
🔹 King Godfrey (in a deep, steady voice): "Yuhi, my daughter, come. We have much to discuss."
Finally, he spoke.
🔹 King Godfrey (sternly): "The vampire attacks have spread across Lumiya. Reports from the northern and eastern territories show increasing deaths. It's not just isolated incidents anymore."
Yuhi's expression hardened.
🔹 Yuhi (firmly): "This isn't just some rogue vampires hunting in the shadows… This feels planned."
The king sighed and leaned forward, his gaze meeting his daughter's.
🔹 King Godfrey (grimly): "That's exactly what I fear, Yuhi. Edric Bloodworth—the Vampire King—is moving in the dark. I don't believe these attacks are random."
Yuhi clenched her fists. She had seen the battle firsthand. She had watched Liza disappear before her eyes, slipping into the night like a wounded beast. And if Liza was still alive, that meant something worse was coming.
🔹 Yuhi (determined): "Are you saying we should prepare for war?"
🔹 King Godfrey (nodding): "If Edric is planning something big, we cannot afford to be careless. I need you to be ready. Gather the best warriors, prepare the defenses. If the vampires strike in full force, Lumiya must not fall."
The weight of his words pressed heavy on Yuhi's shoulders, but she did not flinch.
🔹 Yuhi (bowing slightly): "Understood, Father. I will not let Lumiya be caught off guard."
The room was silent for a moment, the air thick with anticipation.
Then—scene shift.
---
Vampire King's Palace – A Throne of Darkness
Deep in the heart of the vampire lands, hidden beyond the cursed forests, stood the Obsidian Keep—a towering fortress of shadows and blood. The air reeked of death, and an ominous red glow filled the vast throne room.
At its center sat Edric Bloodworth, the Vampire King.
His presence alone was suffocating. Draped in a crimson-black cloak, his red hair contrasted sharply against his piercing crimson eyes. His aura was thick with an ancient, terrifying power—one that silenced even the strongest of vampires in the room.
Before him, rows of vampires stood in absolute silence, their glowing red eyes fixated on their king.
Edric slowly rose from his throne. His deep, icy voice echoed through the chamber.
🔹 Edric (calm yet menacing): "We were humiliated."
The air tensed. Every vampire in the room stiffened as a cold shiver ran down their spines.
🔹 Edric (clenching his fists): "One man—one mortal—wounded our Queen."
He took a step forward, his overwhelming presence pressing down on them like a crushing force.
🔹 Edric (growling): "who is he, the Dark Knight..."
The mere mention of Dark knight's name filled the hall with a burning hatred. A low, guttural growl spread among the vampires.
Edric's eyes burned with cold fury.
🔹 Edric (deadly whisper): "We do not forget. We do not forgive."
His voice rose, filled with the power of centuries of rage.
🔹 Edric (commanding): "WE WILL HAVE OUR REVENGE!"
The chamber erupted.
🔹 Vampires (chanting, roaring): "REVENGE! REVENGE! REVENGE!"
The ground trembled from their unified rage, their bloodlust filling the air like a raging storm.
But away from the chaos, in a dimly lit chamber, Liza lay in bed, her body wrapped in black silk sheets. Her once undefeated form was now weak, broken from the battle against Kai.
She clenched her fists, feeling the lingering pain of his blades cutting through her wings.
🔹 Liza (whispering, eyes burning with hatred): "Dark knight... I will kill you with my own hands."
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 5....…....