The absolute microsecond the royal handmaiden departed beyond the threshold, the massive carved portal glided shut smoothly with a low acoustic vibration.
Arriving at the center of the vast suite, Eric's posture dissolved its restraint. Without a microsecond of hesitation, he allowed his entire frame to go limp, letting gravitational force collapse his body directly onto the colossal velvet bed. The extreme plushness of the bedding absorbed his weight effortlessly.
Remaining sprawled across the mattress, Eric rotated his neck, anchoring his pupils strictly onto the sealed portal.
His gaze then slowly traversed across the expansive architecture of the sanctuary.
Soaring marble pillars adorned with fine golden filigree, ethereal crystal chandeliers suspended from the high ceiling, and rare spectral decor... the entire environment projected zero resonance of a standard guest chamber. It appeared far more aligned with the personal sanctuary of a high sovereign.
A deep layer of skepticism ignited within Eric's cognition. He attempted to synthesize a logical counter-thought—'Perhaps every designated guest suite within this imperial citadel reflects this precise tier of grandeur...'
Yet, as that thought surfaced, a subtle, sharp curve expanded across his lips. Half-closing his weary eyes, a barely audible whisper escaped his lips:
"Even so... this is by no means structured for a mere guest."
.
On the adjacent front, within the grand throne room of a distant imperial citadel, an atmosphere of extreme gravity prevailed.
Astria remained seated upon the majestic royal throne. A layer of subtle tension stretched across her commanding features.
Arranged systematically at their designated coordinates across the vast court, high-ranking vampires stood in silent posture, their heads bowed downward in absolute reverence.
Positioned in immediate proximity to the royal throne, merely a short distance away, stood Astria's uncle—Grand Duke Ethos.
Registering the layer of unspoken worry anchored across Astria's countenance, Grand Duke Ethos rotated his gaze toward her, projecting in a refined, low tone:
"My Queen... you appear considerably troubled. Has something of significance transpired?"
Tightening her refined fingers over the velvet armrest of the throne, Astria maintained her gaze strictly forward. Bringing a composure back into her voice, she projected softly:
"No... it is zero matter of great consequence."
Pausing for a microsecond, a deep layer of contemplation flared within her pupils as she continued:
"I was merely reflecting upon the fact... that someone has remained absent from this domain for a considerable duration."
The absolute microsecond those words escaped Astria's lips, a subtle glint ignited within Grand Duke Ethos's pupils—he immediately comprehended the precise figure she was referencing. Leaning slightly forward, he projected in a low whisper:
"My Queen... are you speaking of your fiancé?"
Beyond Grand Duke Ethos, who stood positioned closest to Astria's side, numerous high-tier vampires occupied their respective standing points across the expansive hall, maintaining absolute silence as the conversation unfolded near the throne.
The absolute microsecond the designation 'fiancé' echoed through the draft, sparks of irritation, impatience, and sharp anger flared vividly across Astria's crimson pupils.
Registering the surge of frustration upon her features, Grand Duke Ethos projected in a quiet, inquiring tone once more:
"Is it truly beyond your awareness... as to which coordinate he currently occupies?"
Astria offered zero immediate vocal response. Rotating her cold gaze across the grand hall, she swept her pupils over the rows of high-tier vampires standing motionless in the distance.
Slowly elevating the tilt of her chin, she narrowed her eyebrows fractionally, locking her sharp, piercing gaze strictly onto Grand Duke Ethos. A layer of stern imperial authority surfaced across her countenance as she projected in a crisp, sharp tone:
"What relevance does that hold for you?"
Leaning back against the sculpted backrest of the royal throne, she released a cold breath, continuing in a dismissive tone:
"Regardless... this has persistently remained his standard conduct. It is by no means the primary instance where he has departed beyond the realm's perimeters without notice or remained absent for such an extensive duration."
Allowing a dismissive curve to surface across her lips, Astria extended her line of reasoning:
"Regardless... beyond the realm of mortals, where else could he possibly venture? He is bound to be somewhere within those coordinates."
At that precise microsecond, a high-tier vampire positioned at the absolute vanguard of the court advanced a step forward.
Bowing his head with utmost reverence, he projected in a grave tone:
"My Queen... if I may be permitted, could I present a query?"
Astria shifted the alignment of her crimson pupils directly onto that individual.
His frame was draped in a pristine white sovereign attire, anchored by a deep crimson velvet cloak attached at both shoulders that tumbled elegantly downward toward the floor behind him. In sharp contrast to his white attire, his crimson eyes shimmered with a intense, luminous luminescence.
Without projecting a single vocal word, Astria lowered her eyelids slowly before elevating them back up—a silent, imperial gesture of consent.
Receiving the Queen's tacit approval, the crimson-cloaked vampire clasped his hands together and projected firmly:
"My Queen... yet this arrangement presents significant flaw. You are intimately aware that for your fiancé to remain alone within the perimeters of the mortal realm... is by no means appropriate or safe."
The absolute microsecond those words escaped the vampire's lips, a sharp tempest of anger flared within Astria's sapphire-blue eyes. The deep crimson-blue glow encircling her pupils alongside her commanding features projected with absolute clarity that she deeply resented such unsolicited interference.
Leaning fractionally forward from her royal throne, Astria projected in an icy, lethal tone:
"Indeed... so what precise issue do you hold regarding him? He is by no means a fragile entity. Do you possess a personal grievance toward him... or is his presence at those coordinates causing a problem for you?"
Registering the sharp imperial authority radiating from her gaze, the vampire trembled slightly. Instantly lowering his head fully toward the floor, he projected in a trembling whisper:
"Forgive me, My Queen... that was by no means my intention."
Astria tapped her refined fingers against the armrest of the throne, her resonant voice echoing commandingly across the vast hall as she issued her imperial decree:
"This court session concludes right this microsecond. Depart from this chamber, all of you... I demand absolute solitude."
Receiving the Queen's absolute decree, every high-tier vampire present across the hall simultaneously placed a hand over their chest, bowing their heads in deep reverence. In systematic order, they advanced toward the massive carved exit doors.
Within moments, the entire grand hall emptied, yet Grand Duke Ethos remained standing motionless at his coordinate.
Astria shifted her sharp gaze strictly onto him, projecting softly:
"Uncle... ought you not depart as well?"
Offering a subtle, refined bow of his head, Grand Duke Ethos projected in a quiet tone:
"Indeed, My Queen... I shall take my leave immediately as well."