The Masked Encounter - The sun dappled through the trees as Ariana sat near the stone fountain, its gentle waters murmuring like a lullaby. She laughed softly with her friends, the sound of joy echoing for once without shadows. Ari stood to admire the view, a little distance away from the group, the breeze toying with her hair. Birds chirped, leaves rustled—and then, silence. A soft step behind her. She turned. A tall figure, elegant and poised, stood before her. Cloaked in regal black and deep red velvet, a half-mask veiled the upper half of his face—sharp fangs barely hidden by the curve of a smirk. Lucien. Though hidden behind the mask, she knew him. She felt him. Ariana froze. Her breath hitched. Her heart pounded—not out of love… but fear. He spoke no words. His eyes, glowing faintly beneath the mask, held an ache.Lucien (softly): "…Ari."She trembled. Took a step back. And then another. Her voice barely a whisper,Ariana: "Don't… don't come near me."Lucien didn't move. He only watched. His fingers twitched like he wanted to reach out—but didn't. Suddenly, she turned. Ran. Her friends returned with baskets of fruit, but Ariana was already gone—vanishing between the trees, her breath sharp, her heart twisting in confusion and dread. Lucien stood alone beneath the fading light of the garden, clutching a petal that had fallen from her hair. He whispered to the wind,Lucien: "Even if you run… my flame, I will find a way back to you."
The Unwanted Corner - The palace was alive with music and mirth. Ari, dressed in moonlight and silks, smiled politely at the young princes around her, her laughter light but guarded. Yet her eyes flicked often toward the hall's tall doors, as though expecting something—or someone. Later that evening, she volunteered to deliver a gift box to a guest room. Alone. The hall she walked was quiet. Her slippers echoed against the marble… until another sound joined hers—soft, elegant, deliberate. She stopped. Her breath caught. Lucien. He emerged from the shadows like the night itself, draped in crimson and black. His silver chain glinted faintly beneath his jacket, and his eyes—those deep, familiar eyes—locked on her with intensity.Ariana: "…Lucien."She stepped back instinctively, clutching the gift box. Her gaze stayed low. Her lips trembled.Lucien (calmly, almost sadly): "Ari, I know… you're scared of me."She said nothing. Her breath was shallow.Lucien (stepping closer): "But please. Listen to me—just once. I'm not here to hurt you."Ariana clenched her fists tighter. Still silent. Lucien leaned down, his face close to hers, voice soft yet chilling.Lucien: "…But if you keep avoiding me like this…" His smile curled with a dangerous elegance. "…I might have to chain you again, my flame."Ari's breath hitched. Her eyes widened. The word—chain—echoed in her mind like a bell tolling doom. Her fingers shook. The box slipped from her hands with a dull thud on the floor.Ariana (hurriedly): "O-okay! I'll listen. Just—just don't…" Her voice cracked. Lucien stood back slightly, watching her. The smirk faded. For a brief moment, regret flickered in his gaze.Lucien (quietly): "I didn't mean to scare you, Ari… I just… don't know how else to reach you anymore." The silence between them tightened like a noose.
Cracked Glass - Lucien's voice was lower now, his tone laced with guilt as he stepped back slightly—hands raised, no longer threatening, but pleading.Lucien (softly): "Ari… I'm sorry. I was out of control that night. I—I never wanted to hurt you. I don't want to be that monster anymore. Just… come with me again. Let me prove I can change."The chandeliers above flickered slightly as if echoing her breath—shaky, uneven, fragile like a leaf in the wind. Ariana's hands trembled at her sides. Her body stayed frozen, but her eyes, wide and shimmering, were enough to show what her words couldn't. She looked at him—not as a prince, nor a boy who once kissed her under moonlight, nor a beautiful shadow who called her flame—but as what he truly was. A vampire. Something inhuman. Something dangerous.Ariana (voice shaking): "…Okay... just... leave."Her voice cracked, eyes filled with fear. Then—she ran. Down the hall, past the room's golden edges and flickering candlelight, her gown catching on her heels, heart pounding in her chest like war drums. She didn't look back. And when she did, once—Lucien was gone. No footsteps. No shadow. No whisper. Only silence, and the echo of a choice made in fear.
A Bud of Blossoming - The sun filtered softly through the stained-glass windows of the palace, casting jewel-toned hues onto the marbled floor as the garden breeze fluttered through the velvet curtains. Birds chirped somewhere beyond, their songs laced with springtime promise. Ariana strolled across the courtyard, arms linked with Princess Flora, both of them radiant in pastel dresses—Ari in lavender, Flora in blush rose. They were laughing at something silly, their voices chiming like wind bells in the breeze, until Flora's gaze drifted. And settled. Far across the training yard stood Edward, sword in hand, practicing with a Rowan guard. His sleeves were rolled up, muscles defined, golden-brown hair tousled from the wind. The sun made him look like a noble painting brought to life. Flora's cheeks bloomed pink. Ariana, sharp-eyed and teasing, leaned in with a knowing grin. "Ohhh no, don't even try to hide it, Flora. I saw you blushing harder than a rose." Flora gasped, flustered, trying to shield her face with her fan. "I—I wasn't! I was just—watching his technique. For… royal combat. Yes." Ari smirked. "Uh-huh. 'Royal combat' makes your cheeks that red?" Flora groaned softly, before finally whispering, "…Fine. Yes. I like him. But you can't tell him, Ari, promise me. I don't want him to know… not until I'm sure he could like me back." Ariana smiled warmly and squeezed Flora's hand. "I won't say a word. Not until you do. But… I think you'd be lovely together." Flora's eyes glimmered at that thought. From across the courtyard, Edward glanced up—his eyes catching Flora's for a fleeting second. Flora quickly looked away, nearly dropping her fan, while Ariana burst into a quiet giggle. From that day forward, Flora made little efforts—sharing stories with Edward, bringing books to the palace library, joining walks in the gardens when she knew he'd be there. She didn't say much… but she watched, listened, smiled more around him. And Edward—charming and calm as always—began to notice.