BOUND TO THE VAMPIRE KING

CHAPTER 6:THE ROYAL TRIAL BEGINS

The throne room remained deathly silent.

Every noble stared at Seraphina as though she had just signed her own death warrant.

Even the servants exchanged nervous glances.

No human had ever volunteered for the Royal Trial.

Lucien stepped toward her, his crimson eyes filled with concern.

"You don't have to do this."

Seraphina looked into his eyes.

"If I refuse..."

"...they'll never accept me."

"They'll always think I'm weak."

Lucien's jaw tightened.

"I don't care what they think."

"I do."

Her quiet answer caught him off guard.

She smiled faintly.

"I don't want to spend the rest of my life hiding behind your power."

"I want to earn my place."

For a long moment...

Lucien simply looked at her.

Then, for the first time in centuries...

The feared Vampire King smiled.

It was small.

Gentle.

Almost impossible to notice.

"As you wish."

He turned toward the Royal Council.

"When does the trial begin?"

Lord Cassius struck the marble floor with his silver staff.

"At sunrise tomorrow."

"The first trial will test courage."

Another elder stepped forward carrying an ancient scroll.

"The contestant must enter the Blood Forest."

A murmur spread across the hall.

"The Blood Forest?"

"That's impossible."

"Even vampires avoid that place."

Seraphina frowned.

"What is the Blood Forest?"

Lord Cassius slowly unrolled the scroll.

"It is the oldest forest in the vampire kingdom."

"It is cursed."

"The trees are alive."

"The shadows whisper."

"And monsters born before history still roam within."

Seraphina swallowed hard.

"You expect me to survive that?"

"You are not required to defeat the monsters."

"You need only retrieve one item."

He pointed to a drawing on the scroll.

A crimson flower.

"The Blood Moon Lily."

"It blooms only once every hundred years."

"You must bring it back before sunset."

Lady Evelynn hid a satisfied smile.

'She won't even make it past the entrance.'

Lucien noticed the expression but said nothing.

Instead, he walked toward Seraphina.

He removed a silver pendant from around his neck.

At its center rested a crimson gemstone that glowed softly.

He gently placed it around her neck.

"This belonged to my mother."

Seraphina's eyes widened.

"I can't take something so precious."

"You can."

"It will protect you."

Their fingers brushed.

The Blood Bond on their wrists shimmered warmly.

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

The connection between them grew stronger.

A strange warmth spread through Seraphina's heart.

She quickly looked away, embarrassed.

One of the council members cleared his throat.

"The contestant will also be accompanied by one royal observer."

Lord Cassius looked toward the knights.

"Commander Kael."

A tall vampire with short silver hair stepped forward.

Unlike the other nobles, his golden eyes held no contempt.

He bowed respectfully.

"I will oversee the trial."

Lucien's gaze sharpened.

"If anything happens to her..."

Kael placed a fist over his heart.

"I will protect her with my life, Your Majesty."

Later that night...

Seraphina stood alone on the balcony outside her guest chamber.

The Crimson Palace glittered beneath the moonlight.

She tightened her grip on the silver pendant.

"Can I really do this?"

A cold breeze swept across the balcony.

Somewhere in the darkness...

A pair of glowing emerald eyes watched her.

Lady Evelynn stepped out from behind a marble pillar, a wicked smile curling across her lips.

She whispered to the hooded assassin standing beside her.

"Make sure the Blood Moon Lily is the last thing she ever sees."

The assassin disappeared into the shadows.

Unaware of the danger closing in around her...

Seraphina gazed at the moon, preparing for the trial that could decide her fate.