Immortal Sorrow: The Vampire Princess

One day, as I walked straight through St. Mark’s Square, the wind caught my long hair—so black it caught a blue sheen—and it spilled like heavy, dark water over my shoulders. The gazes of those around me trailed my every step. I let out a soft sigh. How long had it been? Once the allure of golden-haired, blue-eyed youths faded, the days in Venice grew unbearably dull. I began to long for China. In truth, the root of what I am now began in China. I was once innocent and bright, a precious jewel held in my parents’ palms. I was beautiful, proud, noble, and confident, believing everything in the world would naturally bow at my feet. So, when that man stood before me, the mocking, smiling glint in his eyes instantly ignited my fury. He was a pale, handsome man. His gaze was gloomy, his clothes bizarre, and his every movement carried an irresistible, decadent languor. When he looked at me, there was no amazement—only contemplation. "You are a truly beautiful woman," he observed, looking me up and down. He sighed and shook his head. "What a pity. One day, you too will grow old, weak, and wrinkled." How dare anyone humiliate me like this? His words were not just an offense; they struck right at my deepest fear. I could not tolerate it. I raised my hand and lashed him with my whip. It would take a long time for me to understand just how expensive that single lash would cost me. The whip struck his face. The tip curled and drew blood. But in an instant, the bloody welt vanished without a trace. "A monster!" my attendants cried out in horror. In the panic, someone grabbed my arm. "Princess, we must flee!" I couldn't believe it. I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on him. A monster? Is this what a monster looks like? Across from me, he had already extended his hand. A long, powerful arm, soft as a gentle breeze, barely grazed my guards. They spat blood and collapsed to the ground. The others were terrified out of their minds. They abandoned me and scattered, fleeing for their lives. He reached out again. This time, he was reaching for me. "Don't..." Fear finally gripped me. I struggled desperately to evade his hand. "Please, don't kill me." In the dead of night, he chuckled. His black robes blended perfectly with the shadows. I couldn't see how he moved; I only felt the rush of wind past my ears. We soared into the air, and in his arms, I was paralyzed with terror. He held me like a great bird of prey, darting through narrow alleys, leaping over city walls, with vast forests rushing beneath our feet. How far was I from home? I didn't know. Finally, he set me down in the middle of a graveyard. "Help!" I only managed to scream once before realizing how stupid it was. He couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Please, don't kill me!" I begged again. My life was paved with a glorious future; I had only just tasted its sweetness and had no desire to lose it so soon. He smiled and leaned down to look at me. In the dark, his eyes gleamed. In that moment, he looked like a man. I calmed down a fraction. As long as he seemed human—even a tiny bit—I might survive. "Please let me go, my father is the Magistrate of Xianyang. He will reward you with countless jewels and wealth." He shook his head. He placed his hand on my cheek, stroking it gently. "He can give you countless beauties as well!" I panicked, goosebumps erupting across my skin. "All kinds of beauties, every single one more radiant and beautiful than I am!" "Oh?" He continued to survey me, up and down, as if appraising goods. "I beg you, I swear it, he will!" I couldn't read his intentions. Despair and terror finally broke me, and a sob tore from my throat. "Shh." He gently silenced my weeping, leaned in close, and licked my earlobe. I was even more terrified. He actually had an interest in me? A monster like this—would he eat me? "Come, let me have a good look at you." He spoke softly and reached up to undo my hairpins. Pearls and jade ornaments clattered to the ground, and my long hair tumbled down over my body. "What magnificent hair!" he marveled, lifting a strand with his hand. "Smooth and luminous as the finest silk. I like it very much." Up close, he was actually a beautiful man, with elegant, refined features and a tall, lithe frame. But I was paralyzed by his cold aura and bizarre behavior. I couldn't fathom his thoughts. I opened my mouth, but not a single word came out, as if I were struggling in a midnight nightmare. The surroundings were a desolate, silent graveyard, and a strange man in black was examining me closely. His gaze was no longer that of a man looking at a woman, but a merchant appraising the goods he desired. He untied the sash of my gown, exposing my body. He examined every inch of my skin earnestly, not even sparing my fingernails. Despite my terror, I was powerless to resist. His gaze seemed to possess a magical spell; my body went limp, completely devoid of strength. "Not bad." Finally, he chuckled lowly and nodded in satisfaction. Then, he leaned down and licked me. I was sixteen. I had never been intimate with a man. The closest man to me was my father. Even my fiancé, Jie, had never truly touched my hand. This contact was foreign and forceful. I couldn't struggle. I watched helplessly as he leaned in, his cold lips pressing against my neck. Cold. So incredibly cold. Like jade, utterly devoid of warmth. He had no body heat at all. I gasped for breath, trembling all over, letting him cover my body. I tilted my head back and saw a cold, heartless moon hanging in the distance. He moved slowly, his tongue gliding over my earlobe. Suddenly, he straightened up, and two sharp fangs protruded from his mouth.