Is it, perhaps, the work of magic?
I thought. Because magic truly exists in this fantasy world that I'm in right now, and I'm still new to the existence of magic considering that I've been in this world for 3 weeks at least.
Not months or years. But weeks.
I study the intricate and grandeur of the castle's receiving area. Interior design is exquisite and classical. I love it.
Mouth gaping, I walked further inside the hall and felt at absolutely awe at the gothic beauty of the palace.
The interior designer of this place must be brilliant.
Suddenly, goosebumps rose from my skin as I felt someone watching me from afar.
I turn around and a lone silhouette was standing atop the grand staircase.
Is this-
I stop and gulp.
It was dark where he stood, and he was obviously a man just looking at his silhouette.
My eyes met his piercing amber colored ones as he studied me coldly, measuring me up. "Who are you?" His low, commanding voice made me flinch instinctively.
It was thick, and with a British accent at that. (Wow...) The thought immediately sent shivers down my spine.
I love the sound of people with a British accent. It makes them sound so elegant, and totally out of my league.
I open my mouth. But no words got out of my lips.
Because of that, the man looks at me. His thin lips lined in a displeased frown.
"Who are you and why have you come to my home?" He asked again and his tone was sterner and menacing than before, like if I don't answer him now, he would instantly have my head.
I forced down my fear, swallowing a big lump of air and spoke; "My name is Melina. And I have come here to ask the Night King for his protection."
"..."
The corner of his mouth hooks up. A bemused chuckle coming out of his lips.
Obviously, this man was the master of this castle, the Night King.
When he said my castle earlier, it was clear that he was the one she's been looking for.
The night king's gorgeous frame towered over me, even though he was standing so far away.
If I don't get on his good side, it was pretty clear I'll never leave this place alive.
The night king cocked his head. "Take shelter? Inside my castle, my home?" he asked, like he couldn't believe what he just heard from me.
"Funny. I never thought my father's castle was actually shelter for our kind..."
I immediately shook my head. "I didn't mean to disrespect. I only wanted to know if you can provide me with the things that I asked for."
The night king raised an eyebrow at me, "You say you don't mean to disrespect me yet your words hold so much insolence..."
I cut the words off from my throat when the Night King suddenly disappeared like a red mist from the staircase, then appeared in front of me the next, making me flinch back in surprise.
"W-What the-"
"What would I get in exchange, hm?"
I gulp.
He was standing so close to me. I can smell his musky scent, like hot chocolate and peppermint lulling my senses into a daze...
"W-What?"
Wake up, Melina! Wake up!
The night king took an intimidating step closer to me and I obviously did the opposite to gain some distance between us. His scent was oddly intoxicating, so I needed to get away from his scent to be able to think!
"I- uhm-"
"All things have a price, little vampire. What do you have that you can offer me in exchange for giving you my protection?"
I swallowed hard.
Shoot! I actually didn't think that far in my plan.
"A-Are you, uh, perhaps in need of a servant?"
The night king's eyebrow rose at my question and he stalked around me, clearly appraising me.
"A servant?" he asked, bemused.
"Yes," I nodded, trying hard to convince him of my case, "I noticed that your place needs cleaning and maintenance." I said, pointing around the dust and cobwebs in the receiving area. "I can do it for you..."
The Night King chuckled. Finding my words funny which made me confused. Did I say something wrong?
"I have no need of a maid, little vampire. This place looks like this because I want it to."
I gulped. "Oh."
Wrong move. Quick! Think of something else.
"H-How about a... secretary?"
His head tilted back at that. "A sec-re-tary?"
Shit! I bit my lower lip at that minor mistake.
Of course, he doesn't know what a secretary is. In this time period, there're only slaves and servants who serve their masters. Forced labor, and willing servitude with pay.
The poor people here have no human rights whatsoever go protect them, and they also don't have the freedom like a normal employee has in my time.
So, obviously this man doesn't know what a secretary is.
I cleared my throat, "It's... actually an assistant."
"Ah." The night king nodded, finally understanding me. "I have no need of that either."
I grimaced. "T-Then tell me what you need and I'll be that for you."
The night king's gaze met mine, and his golden eyes considered me seriously. "What I need, huh?" He took a step closer towards me and my feet instinctively took a step back, which- in my surprise- brought a hint of displeasure in his eyes.
"Stay still," He commanded me, and I gulped when his sharp nails suddenly pricked my neck, making me flinch at the slight pain he had caused.
"Aw!"
He brought his finger to his lips, tasting my blood on it.
"Hmm."
My heart hammered inside my chest when the Night King closed his eyes and savored my blood.
I gulp.
His eyes suddenly flashed bloody red before looking straight at me.
"Not enough." He growled.
Before I realize what was going to happen next, his powerful arms suddenly wrapped around my waist
"W-What are you doing?"
I tried to get away, but his arms held my body like a vice, and to my surprise, he lowered his face at the side of my neck and inhaled my scent.
"Finding out your usefulness."
And with that, I felt his lips biting on the sensitive spot on my neck, his fangs already elongated, scrapping my skin like a needle before it took possession of my neck, burying deep into me.
I gasped.
He bit me!
"N-No...!"
I heard his moan at the side of my neck as I felt my blood entered his system.
I clenched my hands on his shoulders, my nails burying itself into his pale skin.
No! I can feel my strength leaving my body as he continued to drink my blood. His other hand held the back of my neck in place so I couldn't move.
Now that the night king was feeding on me, I felt like he was going to suck me dry.
(Am I going to die again this time? Cause of death: drained of blood?)
I was actually malnourished when I first woke up to this world. After taking non-threatening meals from my unconscious human victims, I regained some flesh.
As much as I want to fight the night king off of me, I was too weak to do so.
That's why I gave up my resistance and instead wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers running along his short, silky black hair as I closed my eyes and sighed.
If this is my end, then I accept it. It did not prepare me before my first death. I died inside a bus from a collision accident, but now I'm ready...
But suddenly I felt the night king stop. His fangs retracted and his tongue licked the puncture wound he made on me.
Good thing he still locked me in his embrace or I would fall to my knees like a lifeless doll.
My vision was hazy, unfocused. I can only see a blurred image of him, his eyes not blood red anymore but amber. And he was looking down at me.
"I'm sorry." he said, looking guilty at what he's done.
Looks like he wasn't really planning on taking things too far when he fed on me. I smiled. That's great to know...
I wanted to tell him what he did was wrong, that he was a bastard for feeding on me without my consent.
I really wanted to lecture him about consensual drinking, but I lost my consciousness before I could spout a single word to him.
The last thing I remember was a mouthful of warm liquid entering my mouth. The taste of it was the sweetest I've ever tasted. Delicious and addictive.
Gradually, strength returned to my system. And when I woke up, I was lying in a four-poster bed. Alone. The fire place blazing with fire, giving warmth and light to the dark bedroom.
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