The noble district of Moon Phase City, Marquis Edward's estate.
A massive crystal chandelier cast a cold, sharp glow, making the silver cutlery on the long table look deathly pale.
The air was thick with the scent of aged blood mixed with the aroma of expensive truffles, a combination that was almost nauseating.
Leon Wolfgang sat to the right of the head of the table, swirling a glass of crimson liquid in his hand.
Seated across from him was a man dressed in a deep red velvet formal suit.
Edward Cullen.
A vampire marquis and a family friend of the Wolfgangs for over three hundred years.
“Young Master Leon.”
Edward raised his wine glass, scrutinizing the young man through the red liquid with a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“It is truly an honor for the heir of the Wolfgang family to visit a forgotten old man like myself in the middle of the night.”
His gaze shifted past Leon, landing on the two women standing in the shadows.
Tia was wrapped in a heavy cloak, revealing only a sliver of her pale chin.
Margaret, on the other hand, wore a face of frost, staring at Edward as if he were a pile of trash.
“However...”
Edward set down his glass, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table.
“Bringing the headmaster of Ventus and an unidentified woman along...”
“I suspect this lineup isn't just here for a simple trip down memory lane, is it?”
Leon let out a cold laugh.
He set his glass down and leaned back into his chair.
“Uncle Edward, let's not beat around the bush.”
“I need to stay in Moon Phase City for a few days.”
“Furthermore, I need three invitations to the noble banquet taking place in three days.”
Edward arched an eyebrow.
“The banquet?”
“That is the pre-celebration for the new Queen's coronation.”
“Only pure-bloods are qualified to attend.”
He stood up, walked behind Leon, and leaned over the back of the chair, resting his hands on it.
His icy breath brushed against Leon's ear.
“If humans go in there, they'll be treated as snacks.”
Leon didn't look back.
He reached into his coat, pulled out a badge engraved with a wolf's head, and slapped it onto the table.
“Is the face of the Wolfgang family enough to buy three tickets?”
Edward stared at the badge for two seconds of silence.
Then, he burst into a fit of laughter.
“It is.”
“Of course it is.”
“Since Young Master Leon wants to join the fun, how could I, as your uncle, not help?”
He straightened up and snapped his fingers.
A butler appeared like a ghost.
“Prepare rooms for our guests.”
“The best ones.”
...
Inside the guest room.
Tia removed her hood, revealing her long silver hair.
Her face was somewhat pale, though it was unclear if it was due to nerves or the pervasive chill of the estate.
“Marquis Edward.”
Tia suddenly spoke, her voice somewhat urgent.
“I want to know about the new Queen.”
Edward, who was about to leave, paused.
He turned around, his gaze lingering on Tia for a moment.
His eyes grew deep.
“The new Queen...”
Edward walked to the window, looking out at the two purple moons. A hint of fanatical worship colored his tone.
“She is a miracle.”
“A miracle that broke a thousand-year curse.”
He turned abruptly, staring into Tia's eyes.
“Do you know of the ‘Daywalker’?”
Tia's heart gave a sudden, sharp squeeze.
A Daywalker.
A vampire who could walk in the sunlight, immune to the burning of ultraviolet rays.
In her mind, a figure instantly appeared.
The slave girl who always knelt at Bell's feet, trembling and covered in blood.
Lilian.
“That's impossible...”
Tia retorted subconsciously.
“A Daywalker hasn't appeared in thousands of years. How could one suddenly—”
“That is why I said it was a miracle.”
Edward spread his hands.
“Not only is she unafraid of the sun, but she has even mastered the secret to letting our kin bask in the sunlight as well.”
“The ten ancestors are even willing to bow their heads to her for this.”
“Although...”
Edward paused, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
“Although she looks very young, even a bit... naive.”
“That doesn't stop her from being our King.”
Tia's fingers dug deep into her palms.
Naive.
Young.
Daywalker.
Every characteristic pointed toward that one name.
If it really was Lilian...
Bell was in her hands now. What would his fate be?
A former master falling into the hands of a slave who had now turned the tables.
It was the script for the most terrifying revenge drama imaginable.
Margaret had been leaning against the door without speaking.
At this moment, she suddenly let out a cold snort.
“Letting vampires bask in the sun?”
“A technique that defies common sense like that isn't something a newborn vampire could master, I suspect.”
She looked at Edward with a sharp gaze.
“Is there someone behind her, helping her?”
Edward glanced at Margaret, his eyes flickering with avoidance.
Clearly, he still held some wariness toward his old flame.
“That, I wouldn't know.”
“A Queen's secrets are not for subjects like us to pry into.”
Leon stood up and walked to the center of the room.
“Regardless of whether it's her or not.”
“The banquet in three days is our only chance.”
“Once we see the Queen herself, everything will be clear.”
He looked at Tia, his expression unusually serious.
“If it's her.”
“We'll snatch that idiot back.”
“If not...”
Leon's fingers lightly brushed the wand at his waist.
“Then we'll reconsider.”
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
Everyone knew that this wasn't just a simple rescue mission.
This was pulling a tooth from a tiger's mouth in the heart of the vampire stronghold, a city filled with monsters.
Just then.
Edward, who was about to leave, seemed to suddenly remember something.
He stopped at the door, his hand on the handle.
He looked back, that signature elegant and hypocritical smile on his face.
“Right.”
“There is a bit of news I thought you might be interested in.”
The three of them looked at him simultaneously.
Edward leisurely adjusted his cuffs.
“I heard that a special guest recently moved into the side hall of Night Rose Palace.”
“A... human male.”
Tia's breathing stopped instantly.
She stepped forward, asking urgently, “How is he? Is he hurt? Is he locked in a dungeon?”
Edward shook his head.
“Dungeon?”
“No, no, no.”
“That guest is receiving the highest level of treatment.”
“Not only that.”
Edward lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of gossipy excitement.
“It is said that the usually haughty First Ancestor Leila Vantrue, who looks down on all men...”
“Has been running to that side hall every single day lately.”
“She stays for the entire night.”
“She doesn't even leave the room.”
“Some have even heard Lady Leila inside...”
Edward blinked, giving an 'if you know what I mean' look.
“Performing a kneeling salute to that human male.”
Boom.
Tia felt as if something had exploded in her head.
It wasn't just Lilian.
Now there was a First Ancestor too?
And it was... all night?
A kneeling salute?
Leon's mouth twitched.
He looked out the window with a complex expression.
That damn Bell Lucas.
Was he here to be a prisoner?
Or was he here to enjoy himself?
Edward smiled with satisfaction at their colorful expressions.
“I wish you all a good night.”
“I hope you enjoy yourselves at the banquet in three days.”
The door was gently closed.
Leaving only a deathly silence in the room.
Tia stood where she was.
The Mithril skeleton on her body emitted a faint hum due to the violent fluctuation of her emotions.
She looked up.
There was no fear in those silver eyes.
Only a burst of impending chill, enough to freeze all of Moon Phase City.
“Leon.”
Tia's voice was very soft.
Yet it made Leon unable to stop himself from shuddering.
“What is it?”
Tia turned and walked toward the balcony.
She looked at the distant Night Rose Palace, which towered into the clouds and emitted an eerie red light.
“I think.”
“We don't need to wait three days.”
She raised her hand.
In the palm of her hand, a silver blade slowly took shape.
“I want to go see right now.”
“Just what kind of ‘positions’...”
“That First Ancestor is learning from my man.”
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