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I gazed out at the world beyond the window, seeing it as if for the first time. Everything appeared sharper, more vibrant, as though the colors had deepened and the light had become more intense. The view was instantly familiar—the central fountain and the lush garden of the Palace. But this perspective was new to me. When I lived in the east wing, I hadn’t been able to see this. That could only mean one thing: I had been moved to the main building.

The realization was bittersweet. I had to die to get here.

I let the sunlight wash over me, waiting for any discomfort—an itch, a burn, a sting. But nothing happened. My skin remained cool and untouched. Curious, I lifted my hands for a closer look.

Pale. Flawless. Almost ethereal.

Excitement stirred within me. Needing to see more, I rushed to the mirror standing in the corner of the chamber. My breath caught the moment my reflection came into focus.

I was still me, yet... changed. Every feature had become more defined, more striking. My black hair shimmered with a raven-like luster, catching the sunlight and turning it into a soft, silken glow. My green eyes—always a defining feature—now gleamed like polished emeralds, framed by dark lashes that seemed longer, thicker. My skin, smooth as pearl, created a stark contrast against the vivid green of my irises, making them seem impossibly deep. Dressed in a white silk nightgown, barefoot, I should have looked ghostly. Instead, I looked radiant.

A quiet chuckle escaped me as I shook my head, scolding myself for the vanity of admiration. And yet, I couldn’t stop staring.

But the mirror only revealed what had changed on the surface. What else had shifted within me?

Was I faster? Stronger? More agile?

It didn’t take long to notice—my senses had sharpened, effortlessly attuning to the world around me. My vision could pick out the finest details with uncanny precision. I could hear sounds so faint they should have been imperceptible—or, if I wished, I could block them out entirely. And my sense of smell...

"Hadrian..." His name left my lips in a whisper.

I could feel him. He was standing in the corridor, lingering just beyond my door. Hesitant. Uncertain.

My heartbeat—different now, foreign yet familiar—quickened.

I wanted to run to him, wrap myself around him, drown in the safety of his embrace. But fear gripped me just as tightly. What if he no longer wanted me? My scent must have changed. What if it repelled him? I was no longer capable of strengthening him—what if I had lost the allure I once held? What if he looked at me now and saw a stranger?

Despite the whirlwind of doubt, my hand moved to the door.

I opened it.

But he was gone.

The only trace of him was the sound of his footsteps, fading as he descended the stairs.

I nearly chased after him—but then I felt another presence.

"You came to inspect me, Caspian?" I asked without turning around.

A slight flinch. Silence. Then, a look of surprise when I finally faced him.

I could see the questions swirling in his eyes. He had expected... what? Fear? Confusion? The truth was, I felt neither. So far, this transformation had given me nothing to mourn.

"You woke up faster than I expected," he said, forcing a nervous smile as he gestured toward my room.

Smirking, I stepped inside, leaving the door wide open for him to follow. The moment he did, his gaze flickered around the sunlit chamber before settling back on me. His mouth parted slightly, his expression unreadable.

"You are a fucking miracle," he muttered, his gaze sweeping over me.

A chuckle slipped from my lips. He was flustered. That reaction alone made me wonder—what had he expected? What did he think I would become?

"Do I look strange?" I asked, locking my eyes onto his.

He shook his head, almost too quickly. "No... you look..." He exhaled, as if struggling to find the right word. "Hot."

Laughter bubbled out of me, light and unexpected. Maybe—just maybe—Hadrian would feel the same.

Caspian studied me, his expression growing thoughtful. "You don’t look like a commoner," he mused, stepping closer.

I arched a brow. "Then what do I look like?"

His voice dropped, almost reverent.

"You look like a pureblood."

I grasped his hand and narrowed my eyes. "Is this about me not being allergic to the sun?"

Caspian nodded fervently before blurting, "You don’t feel an urge to drink blood, do you?"

"No."

His brows furrowed in disbelief. "But you should. You’ve been unconscious for three days. A newborn vampire’s first instinct is to seek blood. They would kill for it. Only purebloods have the self-control to last days without feeding."

I hesitated before offering an awkward smile. "Is it... bad that I don’t feel the need to drink blood?"

Caspian let out a snort. "It’s like you were born to be one of us. Hadrian is going to lose his mind when he sees you."

My gaze dropped as I muttered, "I don’t think he’s too eager to see me..."

Caspian arched a brow. "Are you serious? He didn’t eat or sleep for three days, waiting for you to wake up. He’s convinced you’ll never forgive him for turning you. But you seem surprisingly calm about it."

A nervous chuckle slipped past my lips. How was I supposed to tell him that I had somehow left my body, overheard his conversation with Hadrian, and felt every agonizing moment of my transformation?

I had lived among supernatural beings my entire life, but what I experienced was far from normal. I was certain Caspian would agree.

Scratching my head and avoiding his sharp gaze, I said, "Well, I knew I was dying. And when I woke up, still breathing—well, sort of—I figured I must have turned."

Thankfully, he didn’t dwell on my words. Instead, after another round of checking my pulse, my temperature, my reflexes—and calling me a ‘living wonder’ for what felt like the millionth time—Caspian finally granted me permission to leave my chambers.

"You do realize where you are, don’t you?" he asked, pausing at the doorway.

"In the main palace?" I chuckled nervously, uncertain of what he meant.

His lips curved into an amused grin. "You were given Selene’s chamber."

A chill raced down my spine as my gaze flickered toward the bed I had been lying in.

"But don’t worry," he reassured me, patting my shoulder. "After Selene fled the palace, King Hadrian ordered everything she ever touched to be burned. The entire room was refurbished—just for you."

With that, he left, but my stomach churned with unease. Butterflies swarmed in my chest, but whether it was anticipation or dread, I couldn’t tell. If I was in the Queen’s chamber… that meant Hadrian’s room was right next to mine.

I couldn’t wait any longer.

Rushing to my door, I flung it open and crossed the corridor in an instant. My fist knocked against Hadrian’s door before I could think twice. I could sense him inside.

Holding my breath, I waited. Every nerve in my body thrummed with anticipation. I might not have craved blood, but I craved him. I needed him—his touch, his warmth. I couldn’t bear another moment without it.

The door swung open.

Hadrian stood before me, his eyes locked onto mine in silence. He looked exhausted, restless, like he had been carrying a burden too heavy to bear. My gaze searched his face, desperate to find some sign that he still wanted me—that he accepted this new version of me. But his expression was unreadable, his stare blank.

The waiting was unbearable.

In a reckless move, I threw my arms around his neck and crashed my lips against his. I kissed him with everything I had—every fear, every longing, every ounce of love.

And then, he kissed me back.

A split second later, Hadrian seized control of the kiss, his tongue delving into my mouth in deep, languid strokes. His fingers tangled in my hair, tilting my head just right so he could kiss me harder, deeper, more desperately. When he finally pulled away, his arms wrapped around me, holding me as if he would never let go.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured against my ear, his breath warm against my skin.

A lump formed in my throat. "I thought… I thought you wouldn’t want me anymore," I admitted, burying my face in his chest. "You wanted me for my blood… and I’m no longer human."

Hadrian stiffened, then gently cupped my face, tilting my chin up so I had no choice but to meet his eyes.

"I never wanted you only for your blood," he said, his voice firm, unwavering. "You were the most irreplaceable human I ever knew. And now, you’re becoming something even greater—the most incredible queen the vampire race has ever had. My Queen."