Leo hesitated in front of the grand doors, a shiver running down his spine. The vampire who had brought him here nudged him forward, and the doors creaked open, revealing a massive throne room bathed in shadows. A towering figure sat on an ornate throne at the far end, radiating a dark and oppressive energy that made Leo's skin crawl. Every instinct in him wanted to run, but he had nowhere to go.
The vampire who had escorted him walked forward, bowing low before the man on the throne. "My Lord Valentine, I have brought you the human, as you requested."
Lord Valentine's eyes glinted with an odd mix of curiosity and amusement as he looked down at Leo. His sharp, crimson gaze seemed to pierce right through him, making Leo feel small and exposed.
"So," Lord Valentine's voice boomed through the hall, "you're the one who has somehow crossed into my kingdom. Tell me, what is your name, boy?"
Swallowing his fear, Leo straightened himself and tried to appear brave. "My name is Leo DeGrace."
At the mention of his family name, Lord Valentine's expression shifted. For a moment, his cold, confident demeanor faltered, replaced by something that looked almost like surprise. "DeGrace… did you say DeGrace?" he repeated, his voice softer.
Leo blinked, confused. Why would a vampire in this strange, otherworldly kingdom know his family's name? "Yes, that's my family name," he replied cautiously.
Lord Valentine leaned back in his throne, his gaze distant, almost nostalgic. "It's… been a long time since I've heard that name," he murmured, as though talking to himself. The vampire beside him looked puzzled and spoke up.
"You seem troubled, my lord. Does this human's family name mean something to you?" he asked.
Lord Valentine's eyes narrowed slightly, and he shook his head, dismissing the question. "It's of no importance," he said quickly, returning his gaze to Leo, his expression once again hardening. "Now, back to the matter at hand. You, Leo DeGrace, entered my world illegally, breaking the ancient laws that govern our realms. Such a crime must be punished."
Leo's heart dropped. This was all a misunderstanding! He hadn't meant to come here. Somehow, he'd been transported against his will. "Please, Lord Valentine," Leo said, his voice trembling. "I didn't mean to come here. I don't even know how I ended up in this world. I swear, it's not my fault."
But Lord Valentine's gaze remained cold. He rose from his throne, his tall, imposing figure looming over Leo. "Ignorance of the law does not free you from the consequences," he said, summoning a long, dark sword that appeared in his hand with a crackle of dark energy. "Prepare yourself to face your punishment."
Leo stumbled back, feeling his heart pound in his chest. This couldn't be happening! Just as Lord Valentine raised his sword, the vampire beside him stepped forward, holding up a hand.
"Wait, my lord!" he called. "I have an idea that may benefit us… in light of the upcoming war."
Lord Valentine paused, his sword hovering in the air. "Speak," he said, his eyes narrowing.
The vampire servant nodded, glancing back at Leo. "This boy comes from the Human Kingdom. He may possess valuable knowledge about the humans and their world. Such information could be crucial for us in the upcoming Great War of Blood."
Lord Valentine lowered his sword slightly, looking thoughtful. "Hmm… you may be onto something. However, he still broke our laws. The punishment must be given."
The vampire servant nodded, his eyes gleaming with an idea. "What if we… transform him?" he suggested. "If he were made a vampire, he would no longer be an outsider. His human identity would be erased, and he would belong here, serving our kingdom."
Leo's stomach churned. He hadn't asked to be here, and now they wanted to change him into one of them? "No!" he protested, his voice shaking. "I don't want to become a vampire. I just want to go back home!"
But Lord Valentine's expression didn't soften. He studied Leo for a moment before nodding in agreement with the vampire's suggestion. "Very well," he said, "a transformation it shall be."
Without giving Leo a chance to resist, the vampire servant guided him forward, forcing him to sit on the cold, dark throne at the center of the room. Shadows seemed to gather around him, and a strange, pulsing energy began to fill the air. He could feel a powerful magic taking hold of him, swirling through his veins like fire.
"No, please," Leo whispered, his voice barely audible as the dark energy overtook him. His memories of his family, his past, and even his identity seemed to twist and fade, leaving only fragments. The pain of the transformation was overwhelming, yet he was helpless to stop it.
When the magic finally subsided, Leo opened his eyes, breathing heavily. Everything felt different. He looked down at his hands, now pale with a faint, otherworldly glow. He was still Leo… but no longer fully human. The transformation was complete. He was now part of this world, his humanity erased, his fate changed forever.
Lord Valentine looked pleased. "Welcome to your new life, Lord Leon deValentine," he said with a smirk. "From now on, you are a ruler of the West Region of our capital city, Netheron."
Leo felt a strange mixture of confusion, dread, and a new sense of power. He had just been given a new name, a new identity, and a position of authority. He could hardly believe that just days ago, he had been a regular human in the Human Kingdom.
The vampire who had brought him here stepped forward and bowed. "My name is Kim Daniel," he said respectfully. "From this moment on, I am your servant, Lord Leon. You may call me Kim."
Leo was still trying to process everything that had happened. Kim seemed to notice his shock and gave him a reassuring nod. "I know this is overwhelming," he said gently. "But I will help you adjust. You are now part of our world, and I will guide you."
As Leo tried to make sense of his new reality, Lord Valentine rose from his throne once again. "And one more thing," he announced, his voice echoing in the hall. "From now on, you are not just a ruler. You are my grandson, part of my family."
The words struck Leo like a lightning bolt. He was speechless, unable to comprehend what he had just heard. He had gone from being a human student in the Human Kingdom to a vampire prince, adopted into the royal family of the Vampire Kingdom.
Kim looked shocked as well, but he quickly bowed. "As you wish, my lord," he murmured.
Lord Valentine glanced at Leo, his expression softening just slightly. "You will live here in the castle, alongside my other grandchildren. And starting tomorrow, you will attend the Royal Vampire Academy."
Leo felt like the ground had shifted beneath him. Everything he'd known, everything he'd been, was now gone. He was no longer Leo DeGrace of the Human Kingdom. He was Lord Leon deValentine, a vampire prince in a strange and dangerous world.
As the reality of his new life settled in, he realized that his fate had taken a path he could never have imagined. He would have to learn the ways of this kingdom, adapt to its customs, and somehow find his place in this strange, dark world.
But deep down, Leo knew one thing: he would never forget where he came from. Even if he couldn't go back, he would carry the memory of his human life with him, no matter what challenges lay ahead.