When Cassie died, she wasn't surprised at all—being alone yet possessing a tremendous treasure, in the face of the dirty and ruthless aspects of humanity, even the closest people could turn hostile.
Icicles pierced through her body, and intense flames consumed her soul. She writhed in pain, drenched in sweat, her consciousness in chaos.
In a daze, she heard someone speaking.
"Do you want to live?"
It was a cold and deep male voice, elegant and mysterious, like the enigmatic and elusive night.
Cassie tightly shut her eyes, remaining silent.
He asked again, "Do you want to live?"
He was asking her.
Her eyelashes trembled.
He spoke leisurely, as if taking a casual stroll in the courtyard, "Make a deal with me."
"Travel through small worlds and find the pieces of my soul."
"In return, I will make sure that you are reborn into your original world and help you in seeking revenge."
His voice, like a ghostly presence, slowly cast out the bait.
"And making a deal with me is your best choice."
"Ten seconds. If you agree, open your eyes."
"Ten."
"Nine."
"..."
"Three."
"Two—"
Cassie couldn't speak. She wanted to ask who was he, where was this place, how has she arrived here. She had so many questions. Instead, the only thing she could do was open her eyes. Even though she couldn't see his face clearly, she could sense his smile— "Contract complete. Pleasure to meet you, my host."
Cassie squinted her eyes, quietly surveying her surroundings.
At this moment, she lay on a velvet-covered crystal coffin, hands folded across her chest, tightly gripping a blood-red rose.
She recalled the conversation from earlier. The man who claimed to be the system told her that she needed to search for fragments of his soul in each small world.
She asked, "Where are your soul fragments?"
He elegantly smiled, "Certainly, in my heart."
Then, he fell into a slumber.
Upon waking again, Cassie found herself thrown into this place, digesting the information the system provided:
This was a Western fantasy world. Her name was Elena Clemens, the soon-to-awaken Queen of the Blood Clan. She was tasked with finding the embodiment of the system.
She pondered, "Go into his heart to find soul fragments? Make him fall in love with me and then dig out his heart? That is quite crazy."
After processing this information, she opened her eyes, slowly sitting up from the crystal coffin. The red rose slipped from her hand, petals instantly shattering, scattering around like vivid blood.
Around the crystal coffin, a group of men dressed in black knelt. They held scepters, blending almost seamlessly with the night, chanting low ancient and gorgeous hymns. At the moment Cassie opened her eyes, the melody reached its climax.
"Welcome to the birth of Her Majesty, the Queen."
"With my most devout heart, I welcome the arrival of the Queen."
Cassie raised her eyes and saw the most conspicuous man among the crowd.
This was the embodiment of the system's soul fragments in this world—Xavier.
Before the awakening of the Queen, he was the most powerful prince among the vampires.
Undoubtedly, this man's appearance was impeccable.
While the elders all knelt with both knees, he knelt with one, his movements calm and elegant, like a medieval nobleman.
He stood in front of Cassie, extending his hand to her, lifting his finely shaped thin lips, "Greetings, Your Majesty, the Queen."
Cassie discreetly extended her hand.
He bowed to kiss her hand, gently closing his eyes. His slender fingers wrapped her hand in his palm.
Cassie noticed his deep red eyes.
Like a glass of mellow red wine gently swirled in a cup, bottomless yet particularly captivating.
As she assessed the vampires, they were also observing her.
The pure-blood Queen possessed the most noble and beautiful features among the vampires. Having just awakened, she still retained the charm of a young girl, somewhere between innocence and maturity, resembling a rose about to bloom.
The Queen stepped barefoot on the soft carpet, her small, fair feet as white as jade, even more beautiful than precious collectibles.
Then, she saw the vampire prince at the end of the crowd perform a hand-kissing gesture and unexpectedly lift her off her feet.
Not only were the elders surprised, even Cassie didn't understand the reason for his action in such urgency. She could only hook her arm around his neck to prevent herself from falling.
He exuded the cold fragrance of the night.
"Do you intend to let the noble Queen step on the floor?" Xavier's tone seemed to carry a hidden smile, his playful gaze sweeping over the vampires.
Not a single vampire dared to speak.
Before the awakening of the Queen, this prince represented power. Despite his youth, he awakened his talents within a century, single-handedly making the eight major clans bow to him, and even the Elder Council acknowledged his authority.
With the appearance of the Queen, all vampires were secretly anticipating.
The Queen's talent naturally suppressed all vampires. Just by catching a whiff of her scent, they involuntarily softened their knees.
So, was Xavier, who was clearly just a prince, trying to become the vampire emperor?
They couldn't guess his thoughts.
They could only watch as he carried the Queen away from the crystal coffin, walking along the long crimson carpet, and leaving this room.
Cassie quietly observed him.
With just one glance, she recognized that if the man who claimed to be the system had a body, it must resemble Xavier.
Their auras were too similar.
The same nonchalant demeanor, yet in control of the overall situation.
"Your Majesty," his tone was exceptionally gentle, the infatuation in his eyes almost giving her the illusion that he willingly swore allegiance to her, "I have arranged a room for you. Would you like to go and see?"
Unfortunately, Cassie remembered one thing.
As a queen, she possessed an innate suppression over all vampires. Remembering the sight of the elders kneeling before her... could it be that the higher the rank, the more intense the suppression?
She pondered.
Seeing her seemingly indifferent, Xavier remained silent, patiently waiting.
With seaweed-like waves of golden hair, quietly draping over his arm, feeling as smooth as silk, Cassie finally spoke, "Hmm."
It was the first time she spoke since awakening. A simple syllable, under the Queen's unique talent, seemed to turn into the most beautiful melody in the world. The Queen's approval was a heavenly gift, and every vampire should feel honored.
His smile deepened, but the strength in his hold gradually tightened, allowing her to lean completely against his chest.