The Vampire's werewolf mate

Chapter 12

The coronation

Lucien's POV

I walked back into my room, forcing myself to wear my usual emotionless expression.

You're not disappointed.

I repeated the lie to myself over and over.

She simply wasn't coming.

That was all.

I took a deep breath before slipping into my royal suit. The black fabric fit perfectly, embroidered with silver patterns that represented the Draven bloodline. A crimson cape rested over my shoulders, and the crown ring on my finger caught the morning light.

I looked at my reflection one last time.

"Pull yourself together, Lucien," I muttered.

Today wasn't about Lyra.

It was about becoming king.

With that, I left my room.

The palace corridors were already buzzing with voices and footsteps.

"I guess there are a lot of people," I thought as I made my way toward the waiting hall.

Protocol required me to remain there for another ten minutes before the ceremony began.

I let out a quiet sigh and waited.

---

The grand doors slowly opened.

A royal announcer stepped forward and struck his staff against the marble floor.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

"His Royal Highness..."

"Prince Lucien Draven!"

The hall erupted into applause.

I walked down the crimson carpet with steady steps, refusing to let my nerves show.

At the end of the aisle stood the royal throne.

Father, Mother, and Serena watched from their seats.

I bowed my head before taking my place.

The High Priest began the ancient coronation rites, reciting blessings that had been passed down through generations of vampire kings.

The ceremony seemed to last forever.

Finally, he lifted the crown.

"By the authority of the Draven bloodline..."

"I crown you..."

"King Lucien Draven."

The crown settled onto my head.

Thunderous applause echoed through the hall.

People cheered.

Nobles bowed.

Music filled the room.

Yet...

My thoughts were somewhere else.

---

The ceremony soon gave way to celebration.

Music played as nobles mingled throughout the hall.

Werewolves gathered among themselves.

Vampires did the same.

Even during a celebration...

The distance between our kingdoms remained obvious.

I slowly swirled the wine in my glass.

Mother's words echoed in my mind.

"The Moon Goddess has given our kingdoms a chance."

"A chance to end centuries of hatred."

I stared across the room.

Could that really be possible?

Just then...

The massive doors to the hall opened once more.

Every conversation came to a halt.

A young woman stepped through the entrance.

My breath caught in my throat.

Lyra.

---

Lyra's POV

I stepped away from the window and into a warm bath.

The sound of water washing over my skin was calming.

For a moment, I let myself relax.

Then...

His face appeared in my mind.

I opened my eyes in surprise, my heart suddenly racing.

"Even now... I'm still thinking about him."

I sighed and stepped out of the bath, wrapping a robe around myself.

A few moments later, several maids entered my room.

They carefully prepared me for the journey.

One braided the top of my silver hair into an elegant crown braid, leaving the rest flowing freely down my back.

The others helped me into my emerald-green gown. The fitted bodice shimmered with silver embroidery shaped like vines and moonflowers, while the layered skirt flowed gracefully to the floor. Tiny crystals caught the light with every movement, making the dress sparkle like morning dew.

One maid smiled warmly.

"You look beautiful, Princess."

I smiled back.

"Thank you."

"Just one last thing."

She fastened a silver moonstone necklace around my neck before placing a delicate tiara on my head, its emerald gems perfectly matching my gown.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

For the first time that day...

I smiled.

---

The journey to the vampire kingdom felt unusually long.

With every passing minute, my heartbeat grew faster.

When my carriage finally stopped, I looked outside and groaned softly.

"I'm late..."

I stepped down and followed the guards toward the palace.

The sight before me stole my breath.

Towering black stone walls stretched into the sky, decorated with crimson banners bearing the Draven crest.

"So..."

"This is where he lives."

The massive doors opened.

I took a deep breath and walked inside.

Immediately...

Every conversation stopped.

Hundreds of eyes turned toward me.

Werewolves.

Vampires.

Everyone.

Whispers spread through the hall.

"That's Princess Lyra..."

"She's beautiful..."

I ignored them all.

Then...

My eyes found him.

Lucien.

He stood proudly in royal attire, the crown resting perfectly upon his head.

He looked every bit the king he had become.

For a moment...

The crowded hall disappeared.

It was only the two of us.

He looked at me.

I looked at him.

Neither of us moved.

Then I noticed his wine glass slip from his hand.

It shattered against the floor.

My heart skipped a beat.

"No..."

Before he could walk toward me, I quickly slipped into the crowd.

I accidentally bumped into someone.

"Hey!"

I turned.

"Aria!"

She laughed before wrapping me in a tight hug.

"You actually made it!"

"I told you I would."

The rest of the evening passed with Aria doing most of the talking while I nodded along, barely hearing a word.

My thoughts kept drifting back to one person.

---

That night, the royal families were assigned rooms inside the palace.

Aria and I shared one of the guest chambers.

Unfortunately...

She talked in her sleep.

After nearly an hour of listening to her mumble nonsense, I quietly climbed out of bed.

"I need some fresh air."

I lit a candle and slipped into the hallway.

The palace was silent.

Portraits of the Draven royal family lined the walls.

One painting caught my attention.

Lucien.

He looked younger, but the same calm determination remained in his crimson eyes.

I smiled faintly.

"You've always looked serious."

As I continued walking, something felt strangely familiar.

I stopped.

"This hallway..."

It was the same one from our shared dream.

A chill ran down my spine.

Realizing I'd wandered farther than I intended, I turned around.

Only to nearly scream.

Lucien stood a few steps away.

Before the sound escaped me, he quickly placed a finger to his lips.

"Quiet."

I took a deep breath until my heartbeat slowed.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered.

One of his eyebrows rose.

"It's my palace."

I blinked.

"...Right."

He couldn't help the faintest smile.

"You frightened me," I muttered.

"Hm."

His eyes studied me for a moment.

"Why aren't you asleep, Princess?"

"I couldn't sleep."

He nodded slowly.

"I thought you weren't coming."

I met his gaze.

"Well..."

"You thought wrong."

Silence settled between us.

Neither of us seemed eager to leave.

Suddenly, Lucien took a slow step toward me.

Instinctively, I stepped back.

He closed the distance again.

I retreated until my back met the cold stone wall.

My breath caught in my throat.

He stood only inches away, his crimson eyes never leaving mine.

Without a word, he lifted a hand and gently tucked a loose strand of my silver hair behind my ear.

His fingertips barely brushed my cheek, yet the simple touch sent my heart racing.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he asked,

"May I kiss you, Princess?"

My eyes widened.

My mind went completely blank.

I couldn't answer.

I couldn't even breathe.

Seeing my silence, he leaned in a little closer.

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting...

One second.

Two seconds.

Nothing happened.

Confused, I slowly opened one eye.

Lucien was still standing there, watching me.

A grin spread across his face.

Then he burst into laughter.

"You should've seen the look on your face."

"Hey!"

I shoved him lightly on the shoulder.

"That wasn't funny!"

He laughed even harder.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"Just... shut up."

His laughter gradually faded.

The smile slipped from his face as he noticed the tears welling in my eyes.

"Lyra..."

"I didn't mean to—"

I quickly looked away.

"I don't want to talk to you right now."

Before he could say another word, I turned and ran.

I didn't stop until I reached the guest room.

Trying not to wake Aria, I quietly picked up a pillow and a blanket before slipping onto the terrace outside.

The cool night air wrapped around me as I curled up on the lounge chair.

I wiped away the tears that had escaped.

"Stupid vampire..." I whispered.

Despite everything...

I couldn't stop thinking about him.

Eventually, exhaustion overcame me, and I drifted into a restless sleep beneath the moonlit sky.