Nashia's palm stayed pressed against his chest. Her eyes locked on him with her jaw tight.
Eric forced himself to focus to maintain a calm exterior, though it grew harder with every tick of the clock.
"Why? So, you can play the victim? A new scandal? Vampires didn't even treat their human consort despite being sick?"
She didn't move an inch from her place. Her warm breath hit the side of his neck.
"I didn't mean that," he stammered, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I just didn't want to burden you with this silly reason."
"Shut Up! You insisted on being a fool despite having clear warnings. You had to stay still when you were about to get hit…"
She trailed off for a second. It was almost like she was fighting herself not to worry over him.
Her voice echoed harshly against the empty stone walls, sharp enough to cut through the silence, sending shivers down his spine.
She wanted to tell him how badly she had the urge to tear Valoric apart the moment she saw him coughing blood. How could he be so reckless?
But something different slipped past her lips.
"A mere human. Who hasn't trained once in eight months, dares to duel a vampire knight commander?"
Her words stung in his heart. Eric felt himself drowning in her fury, trapped beneath a storm he couldn't escape.
"Do not humiliate the imperial family again," she snapped. "It was shameful enough to watch one of its own cornered so easily by a knight."
Her words left him no space to answer. Was this anger? Jealousy? He couldn't tell.
"He may have lost to me, but on the battlefield, he carried the weight of your empire's knights."
Nashia's eyes blazed, her hand still pressed against his chest. Her fingers curled tighter into his coat, knuckles whitening.
The pressure was controlled, but barely, as if she could crush the breath from him if she let herself slip.
Eric's breath caught in his throat as he couldn't comprehend the depth of her intention. The silence between them grew oppressive.
The atmosphere is heavy with unspoken things. As if they are frozen in a time-lapse in a whirlwind of raw emotions.
"I just wanted to prove myself, your majesty," he stammered, his eyes darting nervously around as he tried to find suitable words.
"And what did you do? You proved yourself? I wonder if you really possess the dragon blessing or not." She blurted with a scoff.
Eric's heart skipped a beat. Gulping visibly under pressure. She was now questioning his ability. What if she finds out the truth?
"You would've been dead if I hadn't stopped him!" Nashia's gaze pierced through his lame excuses.
His mind scrambled for a way out. He can't risk it.
"I.. He wouldn't dare to do anything to me, your majesty." Eric forced a calm expression on his face, which was becoming difficult to keep up with the ticking time. As he spoke, his eyes met Nashia's gaze.
For an instant, he thought he saw a flicker of uncertainty in her gaze. But it was quickly exchanged for her usual ice-cold mask.
However, Nashia's face contorted in anger. A sarcastic laugh escaped her cherry lips.
"That's the reason I hate humans. Some of you are fools, the rest worse than demons. Do you think a vampire would have spared you!?"
The scars of the war and the loss of their princess had left most vampires loathing humans. To them, he was nothing but prey.
"You are only alive because you are under my charge. Were you here under any other title, you'd already be devoured."
Nashia leaned in, eyes glinting with rage. "I control myself around you. That doesn't mean others will. You know that, don't you?"
Her fingers curled lightly around his neck, a warning touch that made his pulse spike. Her voice dropped, laced with warning.
"After all, you humans call us 'Bloodthirsty monsters'. Tsk! I don't know what I was thinking when I married you."
Eric swallowed hard, crimson flames burning in her eyes like a pit of hell, ready to devour everything in their path – including him.
She pulled her hand back, distancing herself from him. She stepped aside, throwing her fist against the wall to calm her raging madness, only for the stone to crack beneath her knuckles.
Eric froze there as he saw her cracking the wall with just a punch with her bare hands. He struggled to process the scene, fear clawing at his chest.
Blood trickled from her knuckles, vivid against the stone. He involuntarily stepped forward to see her bleeding knuckles.
Nashia misunderstands his action as a selfish act of sympathy to gain her trust. She jerked his hands away from her.
Eric was left frustrated due to her action. Her rage left him utterly helpless, unable to even defend himself.
Does she hate me so much that she can't even stand my touch? He questioned himself in his mind as he drew back his hands.
But she quickly gathered herself, mistaking his concern for yet another attempt to seduce her.
He remained mute, helpless, as her fury boiled over, sharp and uncontrollable. Without another glance, she turned and stormed toward her chamber.
Eric had never seen Nashia like this before. Indifferent? Yes. But never cruel. Fear and uncertainty tightened in his chest as he struggled to understand her.
The heavy door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing through the dimly lit hall.
Eric was left alone in the silence, his thoughts churning restlessly until only a sigh of desperation escaped him.
His hand slid up to his chest as he tried to suppress the throbbing pain inside. He staggered toward his room, stumbling against the doorframe.
A harsh cough tore through him, echoing down the hall. His palm pressed over his lips. When he pulled it away, it was smeared with blood.
Panic surged. He darted a glance around, making sure no one had seen. Then, forcing what little strength remained in him, he slipped into his chamber and shut the door behind him.