Leonard dismounted his horse and strode straight into the castle without sparing a glance at the guards. The maids scattered at once, skirts brushing the marble as they bowed hurriedly, careful not to cross his path. His boots struck the polished floor in steady, muted steps while exhaustion weighed heavily on his shoulders. He had returned victorious from war only hours ago, his body still aching from weeks without proper rest, yet his mind refused to slow. The king's illness remained a secret to the people, but Leonard knew secrets had a way of rotting when kept too long, and by morning he would be forced to sit before the court and discuss what came next. The thought irritated him, but another, more pressing need rose sharply within him. He hadn't eaten all day, and the hunger clawing at him had nothing to do with food.
He stopped abruptly, senses sharpening as he tuned out the world and listened. Heartbeats emerged one by one, faint but distinct, echoing through the halls like a quiet invitation. He followed the sound until he came upon a small group of maids scrubbing the floor, their movements slow with fatigue. His gaze swept over them, calculating, dismissing, until it settled on one who looked healthier than the rest, her cheeks still full of color, her pulse steady and strong. He lifted a hand and spoke calmly, his voice carrying authority without effort. "You, over there." The maids froze, rising quickly and bowing in unison. The chosen maid felt his eyes on her and stepped forward, heart fluttering with nervous excitement, willing to do anything to please the crown prince.
"Come with me," Leonard ordered, already turning away. She followed two steps behind, careful not to close the distance too much. He led her down a narrow corridor where the lights dimmed and the air cooled, and before she could question where they were going, he spun around and grabbed her shoulders firmly. Panic flared in her eyes, but it vanished the moment his irises darkened into a deep, unnatural red and his power wrapped around her mind. "Stay still. Do not make a sound." Her body obeyed instantly, stiffening as though she were no longer her own. His fangs slid free and he leaned down, sinking them into her neck with practiced ease. Warm blood flooded his mouth, rich and intoxicating, and he closed his eyes as the hunger eased, if only slightly.
Then he heard it—two heartbeats nearby, one pounding wildly in terror, the other quick and eager. Leonard withdrew at once, licking the blood from her skin as his brows furrowed. The sounds came from behind a door just a short distance away. He released the maid, who remained frozen in place, and approached the door, his hand closing around the handle. With a sharp twist, he flung it open.
The sight before him made his blood run cold. The shock hit first when he recognized the dark skin and striking red hair of the girl inside. The anger followed instantly as his gaze dropped to the man looming over her, her shirt torn open, her body exposed, his lips hovering far too close. The man, Hugh, turned at the sudden intrusion, irritation flickering across his face before recognition set in. Panic flashed briefly in his eyes when he saw Leonard, but it faded just as quickly, replaced by arrogance. This was nothing unusual among vampires in the castle, and the crown prince was known for his indifference. Hugh smirked, confident enough to speak.
He never got the chance. Leonard's fist connected with his jaw with brutal force, sending him crashing to the floor. Dydra, eyes squeezed shut, had already resigned herself to her fate moments earlier, expecting pain, humiliation, and worse. When the weight on her vanished, she remained still, fearing another cruelty was coming. A sudden chill brushed her skin, and her heart slammed against her ribs as she struggled not to open her eyes. She heard a dull thud, then silence. Slowly, trembling, she opened her eyes and clutched her torn shirt to her chest. Hugh lay sprawled on the floor, clutching his jaw, staring ahead in disbelief. Her gaze followed his, and her breath caught when she saw Leonard standing there, fury burning in his eyes.
Before she could speak, he shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders, shielding her without hesitation. She couldn't meet his gaze, shame washing over her as the scent of him surrounded her, clean and warm, so different from the filth she had just endured. Leonard noticed and his anger sharpened, his expression hardening as he turned back to Hugh. Grabbing the man by the leg, he dragged him out into the corridor and slammed him against the floor, fists raining down relentlessly. Hugh tried to fight back, but he was no match. Blood spilled freely, splattering the marble as Leonard struck again and again, until the man's resistance faded and his body went limp.
Breathing heavily, Leonard finally pulled away and returned to Dydra, who stared in stunned silence at the broken figure outside. Fear flickered through her as she wondered if Hugh was dead, but before the thought could settle, Leonard pulled her into his arms. The instinct to shield her overrode everything else. She stiffened for a moment, then collapsed against his chest as the reality of what had almost happened crashed down on her. Tears burst free, her sobs muffled against him as she clung to his coat, trembling violently.
Leonard froze, startled by his own actions. He had never comforted anyone like this, never held someone simply to ease their pain. It made no sense. He should have walked away once the threat was dealt with, yet something about this girl rooted him in place. He held her awkwardly at first, then more firmly, as though afraid letting go would shatter her completely. Her cries tore at something deep within him, something he didn't recognize and didn't want to examine too closely. Was she a witch, he wondered bitterly, capable of twisting his will without him noticing? Or was it something far more dangerous—that he cared?
As Dydra's tears soaked into his shirt, Leonard stared into the dim corridor, jaw clenched. He didn't know what future awaited this girl, or why fate kept placing her in his path, but one thing became painfully clear to him in that moment. Whatever darkness ruled this world, he wanted—no, needed—to keep it from touching her again.