The summer breeze was brewing in the air, lightly brushing against the cheeks of the man.
A man, dressed in a black tuxedo suit, a red vest, and a black shirt underneath, was sitting there with a poker face, looking out of the carriage window as it made its way through the road.
The atmosphere was calm - the stillness before a storm. He felt like a sacrificial lamb - groomed, adorned, and completely unaware when the knife would fall.
It's… happening. Too close. There is.. no going back. His mind was clouded with unwanted feelings.
The Carriage halted. He exhaled, bracing himself to step out. He ran his fingers through his short black hair - neatly combed upward.
A cursed jewel still catches the light. Even his attire seemed to mock him. To them, a polished groom. But who sees the shadows stitched beneath his smile?
As he stepped down from the carriage, he could feel a warm breeze brush past him. But the heat here felt lower than Zenith, compared to the fact that it is now the middle of summer here.
The skies above Rosett were cloaked in enchanted clouds, shielding the land from sunlight. He once thought that magic like this was nothing but blasphemy.
After seeing it with his own eyes, he no longer knows what to believe. Not that vampires can't stand sunlight - they simply prefer the dark.
Before his ocean-like blue eyes, there was a beautiful Palace - vast enough to be called a small kingdom itself.
Vastness echoing the weight of centuries. Dark flowers - midnight black and deep crimson - twined gracefully along the archways and the paths. The scent was faint but intoxicating, a bittersweet perfume that clung to the air.
Rosett knights stood like statues. Their armor and shielded weapons glistened like stars. The sharp and watchful gaze contrasted with the delicate flower arrangements.
"Is he an Elite Vampire? I'm jealous of his looks," one of the young men among the commoners' crowd asked his father.
"Don't envy the silver prince, child. Even moonlight bleeds in silence," he replied.
With his face exposed, he became the poor prince caught between the war for the commoners and a disgusting seducer for nobles.
"He brings nothing but omens. Rosett needs heirs, not hauntings," whispers of nobles were audible.
He could feel the prejudice of the noble crowd. But he didn't comment on it. He wasn't able to, not here. Soon, the announcer announced his arrival before the crowd.
"The first prince of the Zenith Empire, the future emperor consort, Eric Leonardo, arrived in the palace. Everyone, show your respect."
They announced as they bowed to show respect to him. Soon, the other carriages, which were trailing behind the main carriage, also came to a halt.
The people dressed in imperial robes stepped down. Their names were announced as they got down from the carriage.
"The Sovereign Emperor of the Zenith, Alex Leonardo, with his esteemed consort, Empress Gloria Halen, followed by their noble children: Prince Arthur Leonardo and Princess Avira Leonardo, have arrived."
Soon, a lady dressed in a purple ladies' suit arrived and lowered to pay her respect before Eric. Her brown hair, tied into a ponytail, fell to her waist behind her as she rose to speak.
"Welcome to the Rosario Empire, your highness. I'm Yura Lancaster. Her majesty's aide and one of the dukes of this empire. I hope your journey was smooth. Her majesty is waiting for you inside the palace."
"Please allow me to escort you there and your family to the wedding venue directly," she said, looking at him with emerald green eyes.
Nodding reluctantly, "Of course. I appreciate your guidance, Duchess."
As he permitted her, she gestured to a group of maids to escort the imperial family of the Zenith Empire to the wedding venue. While she personally escorted Eric to the inner palace.
She led him through the endless halls of the palace. The whole palace was veiled with dark colors, whispering the elegant and rich history of the empire.
All the maids are well-dressed and trained well as they work with their heads down and wordlessly. He almost mistook the knights as statues from their strict stance.
Suddenly, he felt a sweat trickling down his spine. A heavy presence suffocated him. An eerie reminder of the person he was about to meet.
It's… happening. Too close. There is.. no going back. His mind was clouded with unwanted feelings.
As they went down the big hallway, they reached a spacious area connected to the wedding venue.
There, he saw a woman who stood tall and confident. Her fiery red eyes locked onto him. Her lips curled almost into a cruel, twisted smirk. His eyes scanned her meekly.
A sleeveless gown, whose black and red colours perfectly matched his outfit. Her long black hair flowed down to her thighs behind her back as it was combed elegantly.
A black and red rose bouquet, in her hand, while a long red veil trailed behind her. She was tall.
But her red glass high heels made her taller. Since Eric was tall despite his weakened state, he managed to stand at the same height in front of her as he stood before her.
Yura bowed and excused herself, vanishing like a shadow into the corridor, leaving them alone in privacy. Before Eric could speak up, he heard her speak up.
"So, you are the 1st prince of Zenith?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm - an opening move in a game only she seemed eager to play.
"I'm Nashia Rosario, the empress of the Rosett Empire and your to-be-wife. I trust your journey was tolerable, Your Highness. Everybody is waiting for us; let us go now."
She said while stretching out her hand toward him, waiting for him to hold it. She didn't even bother to take a good look at him.
Her sarcastic jab hung in the air. Only when she stressed the word 'your highness' did he lift his gaze - finding her hand outstretched, not in warmth but in obligation.