Episode3

The carriage rolled forward with a gentle jolt, leaving the Evernight Estate behind.

Cassian sat in silence, his hands resting on his lap as he tried to steady his breathing.

The rhythmic sound of the horses' hooves echoed through the streets.

Clop... Clop... Clop...

The sound should have been calming.

Instead, it only reminded him that there was no turning back.

He slowly pulled aside the black velvet curtain covering the carriage window.

The sight outside stole his breath.

"So... this is the Vampire Kingdom..."

Everything looked exactly as the novel had described—yet somehow even more magnificent.

Towering black castles reached toward the crimson sky like ancient guardians.

Elegant mansions lined the wide stone streets, their balconies decorated with blooming black roses that seemed untouched by time.

Golden lamps burned with eerie blue flames despite the daylight.

People walked through the streets dressed in elegant clothing.

Some had ruby-red eyes.

Others had golden or icy-blue irises.

Their skin was unnaturally pale, almost glowing beneath the dim crimson light.

Long capes fluttered behind noble vampires as servants respectfully stepped aside to let them pass.

No one smiled loudly.

No one shouted.

The entire kingdom carried an air of elegance... and quiet danger.

Cassian swallowed.

"I actually came into another world..."

His gaze wandered farther into the bustling streets.

Small children laughed as they chased one another through the market.

Merchants sold crimson fruits, glowing flowers, enchanted crystals, and bottles filled with shimmering liquid.

For a moment...

He forgot they were vampires.

They laughed.

They talked.

They lived ordinary lives.

"They're not monsters..."

"They're just people living differently."

That realization made his heart strangely lighter.

The original novel had focused so much on war and politics that Arihan had never imagined how beautiful everyday life in the kingdom could be.

Suddenly, the carriage slowed.

A loud horn echoed through the city.

The people on both sides of the road immediately bowed their heads.

"What happened?"

Curious, Cassian peeked outside once more.

Royal Knights.

Nearly fifty of them stood in perfect formation, wearing black armor decorated with silver engravings.

Each carried a spear that gleamed beneath the crimson sky.

The captain stepped forward and saluted.

"The Young Master of House Evernight has arrived."

The enormous palace gates slowly began to open.

A deep rumbling sound filled the air.

Cassian unconsciously held his breath.

The Crimson Palace...

The home of the Vampire King.

Even after reading about it dozens of times, nothing could have prepared him for seeing it with his own eyes.

The palace looked less like a building and more like a city.

Massive towers pierced the heavens.

Countless stained-glass windows reflected shades of crimson and gold.

Elegant gardens stretched across the grounds, filled with silver trees whose leaves shimmered like moonlight.

Stone gargoyles watched silently from every rooftop.

A fountain stood proudly in the center of the courtyard, its water sparkling like liquid crystal.

"So beautiful..."

He whispered without realizing it.

The carriage finally came to a stop.

One of the palace attendants opened the door.

"My Lord."

"We have arrived."

Cassian stepped out.

The cool breeze brushed against his silver hair.

His polished boots touched the marble ground.

He looked up once more.

The palace seemed even larger from below.

For the first time since arriving in this world...

Fear crept into his heart.

This wasn't a story anymore.

Every decision from this point onward would determine whether he lived... or died.

A palace maid bowed respectfully.

"His Majesty and the Royal Council are waiting."

Cassian nodded.

"I understand."

He followed quietly behind her.

The palace corridors were breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers hung from ceilings painted with ancient legends.

Portraits of former kings lined the walls, each radiating an overwhelming sense of authority.

Every servant they passed immediately bowed.

"Welcome, Lord Cassian."

He smiled politely, though inside he was anything but calm.

Stay calm.

Don't panic.

You know this story.

Just don't act like the original Cassian.

As they reached the end of the corridor, two enormous black doors came into view.

Silver dragons were carved across their surface.

Two Royal Guards stood on either side, gripping their spears.

The maid turned toward him.

"My Lord..."

"The throne room lies beyond these doors."

Cassian's heartbeat quickened.

This was the moment.

The beginning of everything.

The guards pushed the doors open.

Creeeak...

The sound echoed through the vast hall.

The throne room was enormous.

Sunlight streamed through towering stained-glass windows, bathing the chamber in crimson and gold.

Rows of powerful nobles stood silently on both sides.

Generals.

Dukes.

Council members.

Their eyes turned toward him all at once.

Cassian suddenly felt as though hundreds of sharp blades were pointed directly at him.

He forced himself to keep walking.

His footsteps echoed across the polished marble floor.

Every step felt impossibly loud.

At the end of the hall stood a magnificent throne carved from black crystal.

And seated upon it...

Was the man who ruled the entire Vampire Kingdom.

Lucien Valerius.

Cassian's breath caught in his throat.

The novel had described Lucien as handsome.

It hadn't come close.

His long midnight-black hair flowed over his shoulders like silk.

His crimson eyes were calm yet impossibly sharp, carrying the weight of centuries.

A silver crown rested effortlessly upon his head.

He wasn't smiling.

He wasn't angry.

Yet simply sitting there made everyone else seem insignificant.

An overwhelming pressure filled the room.

Cassian finally understood why every character in the novel feared him.

It wasn't because Lucien was cruel.

It was because he possessed the quiet confidence of someone no one could challenge.

Without thinking, Cassian looked into those crimson eyes.

For a single heartbeat...

Their gazes met.

The entire room seemed to disappear.

Lucien's expression remained unreadable.

Yet something flickered in his eyes.

Curiosity.

It lasted only an instant before his face returned to its usual calm.

Cassian quickly lowered his head.

Did I just stare at the Vampire King?

Wonderful...

I've been here less than a day, and I'm already making mistakes.

Silence filled the throne room.

Every noble waited.

Every servant held their breath.

Then...

Lucien slowly rose from his throne.

The movement was graceful, but it carried enough authority to make the entire hall feel even colder.

His deep voice echoed through the chamber.

"Lord Cassian Evernight."

Cassian's fingers tightened at his sides.

"Step forward."

Without another choice, he obeyed.

Each step toward the throne felt heavier than the last.

When he finally stopped before the king, he bowed respectfully, careful not to let his nervousness show.

Lucien studied him in silence.

Long enough for Cassian to begin wondering if he had done something wrong.

Then, to everyone's surprise, the king spoke in a calm voice.

"You seem... different today."

Cassian's heart skipped a beat.

Different?

No...

Surely he can't already suspect me...

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