Moonlight draped like silver gauze over the terrace of the Vampire Royal Court, the night breeze carrying the delicate fragrance of roses and tuberose.
This was the first grand ball Sista had hosted since her coronation as Queen.
The light from the crystal chandelier and countless candles interwove, illuminating the ballroom as bright as day. Vampire nobles and envoys from allied races mingled in elegant attire, chatting and laughing.
Su Ling wore a gown personally chosen by Sista—a moon-white long dress. The silk fabric flowed like water, the hem adorned with tiny pearls that cast a soft glow with every step.
Her silver hair was intricately tied up, revealing her slender neck and gracefully curved collarbones.
She sat quietly beside Sista.
This was the Queen Consort’s seat—the fixed position of the “human” who now held a delicate and transcendent status.
Sista sat on the throne forged from obsidian and silver, dressed in a dark crimson velvet gown. The crown glittered with a cold gleam among her dark hair.
Holding a wine glass, she seemed to converse lazily with her close ministers, but her eyes were like the sharpest ice shards, sweeping across the hall with quiet authority.
Her dignity was unquestionable.
The new Queen had quickly solidified her power with an iron fist and wisdom. No one dared to provoke her lightly.
Yet, some gazes would inevitably drift toward that moon-white figure.
Though human, Su Ling’s beauty was rare and ethereal even among vampires. In this gathering of the Eternal Clan, she stood out especially.
Many young vampire nobles, and even some beastfolk envoys, let their eyes linger on her intentionally or otherwise.
Some held pure admiration, some curious scrutiny, and even… a poorly concealed, predatory interest.
A young lady from a border count’s family, just introduced into the ballroom, was immediately captivated by Su Ling the moment she entered.
She stared at the Queen Consort without restraint—from her glossy silver hair to her pale pink eyes—with such fervor that she unconsciously licked her fangs.
At that instant—
Crack.
A faint, crisp sound.
The stem of the crystal wine glass in Sista’s hand silently snapped.
The deep red liquid, like blood, instantly stained her white glove and her splendid gown.
The chatter ceased.
The close ministers held their breath, horrified as they watched the Queen’s instantly darkened, icy profile.
Sista didn’t even glance at her soiled glove or dress.
Her gaze, like a solid icicle, stabbed sharply toward the disrespectful young lady.
The young lady turned pale with terror, nearly dropping to her knees on the spot.
But Sista said nothing.
She merely stood up slowly, very slowly.
The music and conversation in the entire ballroom froze at that moment, all eyes turning toward her.
“I seem to be a bit tired.”
Sista’s voice was calm and flat, yet carried a pressure that could freeze the air.
“Please, enjoy yourselves.”
Without even glancing at Su Ling, she turned directly and, in the dead silence, swept out of the brilliant ballroom, her wine-stained gown trailing behind her.
Leaving the hall filled with astonishment and whispers.
Su Ling’s heart clenched.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she lifted her skirt and quickly followed.
Sista’s pace was fast, carrying a barely restrained fury as she passed through the long corridors toward the side door leading to the royal back garden.
Su Ling had to jog to keep up.
The cool night air rushed in, replacing the rich perfume of the ballroom.
The private royal back garden looked dreamlike under the moonlight.
Clusters of blue-purple hydrangeas spread softly, and night roses bloomed wantonly in the darkness, exuding a dense fragrance.
Glowing crystal stones dotted the winding path, leading to an elegant fountain in the courtyard’s depth. The water trickled coolly. Ancient trees spread their branches, leaves rustling in the breeze.
Sista stood beneath a trellis of white night roses, her back to the path.
The moonlight traced the tense line of her shoulders.
She had removed the soiled glove and casually tossed it onto a stone bench nearby.
Her silhouette radiated an unapproachable loneliness and… irritation.
Su Ling stopped a few steps behind her, breathing slightly heavily, her chest filled with inexplicable emotion.
“Why did you follow me?”
Sista didn’t turn around, her voice colder than the night air.
“Go back and dance.”
Su Ling didn’t move. She just stared at that back and spoke softly.
“Your Majesty…”
“I said, go back.”
Sista’s tone hardened slightly, carrying an unquestionable command.
“I just needed to take a walk and clear my head. This has nothing to do with you.”
Only the sound of wind passing through flowers and flowing water remained in the garden.
Su Ling was silent for a moment.
Then she stepped forward, moving beside Sista, and mustered the courage to look up at the Queen’s profile, even paler under the moonlight.
“I’m not here to disturb your walk, Your Majesty.”
Su Ling’s voice was very soft.
Sista finally turned her head and looked down at her.
Those ruby-like eyes churned with complex, unfathomable emotions, but she tried her best to suppress them, attempting to maintain a surface calm and coldness.
“Then what are you here for?”
Su Ling didn’t avoid her gaze.
She had long seen through Sista’s icy facade, glimpsing the suppressed, nearly erupting possessiveness beneath—and a childlike grievance.
From the very beginning, Su Ling had known.
The shattered glass, the abrupt departure—all stemmed from the seemingly all-controlling Queen’s jealousy, spiraling out of control because of her.
Su Ling took another small step forward.
The distance between them was now close enough to feel each other’s breath.
She raised her head, meeting Sista’s slightly evasive eyes, her voice gentle and firm.
“I just came to see you.”
Sista’s body seemed to stiffen slightly.
“…See me?”
“What’s there to see? I’m right here, perfectly fine. It’s not like something happened that you needed to rush over…”
Her voice grew softer.
The forced composure was rapidly crumbling.
Seeing her like this—almost shy and evasive—Su Ling’s heart softened.
She didn’t let Sista continue those insincere words.
She reached out and carefully took Sista’s hand, which hung at her side, slightly curled.
Sista’s hand was cold and soft.
The moment it was touched, she flinched as if startled, but she didn’t pull away.
Then, Su Ling made an even bolder move.
“Your Majesty…”
She gently pressed her cheek against Sista’s velvet-gowned shoulder.
Her other hand lightly circled Sista’s waist.
“How about I read you poetry tonight?”
“The ball is so tiring. Let’s go home.”
“Or I could play chess with you.”
As she said this, Su Ling’s face flushed.
“Or…”
She lightly touched Sista’s cheek.
“I’d like to… be a little closer to you.”
Sista’s body went completely rigid.
Su Ling’s warm breath, through the thin fabric, seeped into the skin of her shoulder, bringing an indescribable warmth.
The soft body leaning against her, with an attitude of full trust and dependence.
And that gentle, complaining tone…
All of it was far beyond the experience of the Vampire Queen, leaving her momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
After a long time,
She tentatively raised her other hand and patted Su Ling’s back extremely gently.
“Alright.”
She said quietly.
“Let’s go home.”
The moonlight was silent.
It quietly hid the embracing shadows and the unspoken tenderness deep within the fragrant flower shadows.