The courtyard remained silent long after the prince's words.
Seraphina stood frozen where she was.
This human belongs to me.
Those words echoed in her mind like a curse.
The vampire students around her slowly began whispering again.
"She's finished."
"The prince never takes interest in anyone."
"Poor human."
Seraphina ignored them. Her heart was still racing.
Why had he said that?
Why her?
Before she could think further, a tall woman in a black uniform approached her.
Her pale face was strict, her eyes cold.
"Seraphina Vale."
Seraphina looked up.
"Yes."
"The prince has summoned you."
Her stomach tightened.
"Now."
The watching vampires stepped aside as the woman led her toward the massive doors of the academy.
The interior of Crimson Veil Academy was even darker than the outside.
Long gothic corridors stretched endlessly beneath crimson chandeliers. The air was cold… almost freezing.
Seraphina could feel eyes watching her from every corner.
After several minutes of walking, they stopped in front of a large wooden door.
The woman knocked once.
A deep voice answered from inside.
"Enter."
The woman opened the door and gestured for Seraphina to go inside.
Seraphina stepped forward slowly.
The office was enormous.
Bookshelves filled the walls, candles burned softly on a long desk, and the large window behind it showed the endless night sky.
And there he was.
Prince Lucian Nightfall.
He was standing near the window, his back facing her.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he turned.
His crimson eyes locked onto hers instantly.
Seraphina felt that same strange pressure again.
He walked toward her slowly.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Her heart began pounding again.
Lucian stopped only a few inches away.
Up close, he was even more intimidating.
His gaze moved over her face carefully.
Then his hand lifted.
Seraphina stiffened slightly.
His cold fingers gently brushed a strand of her hair away from her face.
The touch sent a strange shiver down her spine.
"So fragile," he murmured.
Seraphina forced herself to meet his gaze.
"You called for me, Your Highness."
Lucian's lips curved slightly.
"Straight to the point."
His fingers moved from her hair to her chin, lifting her face slightly.
"You are very brave for a human."
"Or very foolish."
Seraphina swallowed.
"Maybe both."
For a moment, Lucian simply stared at her.
Then something unexpected happened.
He leaned closer.
Too close.
His voice dropped to a whisper near her ear.
"Tell me something, little human."
His breath was cold against her skin.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Seraphina's heart was beating so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
But she refused to look away.
"Yes."
Lucian chuckled softly.
"Good."
His fingers tightened slightly under her chin.
"Fear makes things… interesting."
Then suddenly he stepped back.
The distance between them returned.
Lucian walked toward his desk calmly.
"From today onward," he said without looking at her, "you will stay under my supervision."
Seraphina blinked.
"Your supervision?"
He turned his head slightly.
His crimson eyes gleamed in the candlelight.
"Yes."
A slow smile appeared on his lips.
"My human."
Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine.
Because something in his voice told her one thing clearly.
Prince Lucian Nightfall wasn't protecting her.
He had claimed her.
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