CHAPTER 57
**SOPHIA**
Not here, not now.
My throat tightens with the reality of being so close, yet so far from the one I love most.
I try to mask my anguish, blinking rapidly to hold back the tears that threaten to spill over.
In a moment of searching for relief, my gaze shifts to the other side of the hall.
That’s when I see Adam. He stands as firm and imposing as always, but there is something in his expression that betrays him.
He, too, is tense, as if the weight of this moment is pressing down on his shoulders just as it presses on mine.
Our eyes meet for a brief instant, and even though we cannot exchange words, I know he feels the same discomfort that I do.
The prince begins to speak, his deep, controlled voice echoing through the hall, commanding the attention of everyone present. He speaks of his duties as the new king, promising a new era of leadership.
His words are measured, calculated, and I keep my head bowed, feeling my heart race. I do not dare to look up, afraid that my emotions will be revealed.
But through my lashes, I observe the humans around me and see the fear on their faces. Their eyes are downcast, their hands restless, as if they are expecting the worst.
I lift my head for a brief moment, and that’s when our eyes meet again.
The prince is watching me, and his gaze seems to pierce straight into my soul.
I swallow hard, unable to look away as he continues speaking. His words, however, catch me by surprise.
"My reign will be different from my father's. We will be a stronger kingdom. I will create more laws so that everything will be in harmony between humans and vampires.", he says, his voice firm and unwavering.
I frown, confused.
Is the prince really promising something positive for the humans?
He speaks with conviction, but something inside me hesitates to fully believe it. My gaze drifts again to the humans in the crowd, and I can see the same shock reflected on their faces.
They didn’t expect this promise. No one did.
The prince continues.
"In a few days, we will organize measures so that humans living in the nearby villages can have more work to support their families and receive more in return for their efforts."
The murmur of surprise from the vampires around the hall is almost palpable.
No one seems to understand where this sudden concern for the humans came from.
I am surprised, too.
The prince’s father, the previous king, was cruel, a tyrant, and never made any effort to improve the lives of humans. This declaration is a complete break from the past, and the surrounding reactions range from shock to distrust.
However, the prince doesn’t seem to care about the vampires' opinions.
He remains firm, looking ahead with determination. His eyes briefly pass over me once more, but before I can figure out what he is really thinking, the words of the man holding the crown interrupt my thoughts.
"Prince of the Night, with this crown, we elevate you to the throne of shadows, so you may reign over immortals and mortals with unshakable authority, and may darkness follow your steps as long as blood is your legacy."
A chill runs down my spine, and I feel my skin prickle at those words.
The ceremony is solemn and heavy, and the weight of what is about to happen hits me hard. The prince kneels before the elder, and the hall plunges into a deathly silence. Everyone is focused on the moment he finally receives the crown on his head.
I let out a sigh when he rose, the crown now gleaming on his head.
The prince turns, opening his eyes with a dark, determined glint, and walks toward the throne, sitting down with a presence that commands both respect and fear in equal measure.
Seconds later, the hall erupts in applause. Everyone begins to bow their heads in reverence to the new king, while the guards raise their swords in a gesture of honor.
Adam is among them, his posture impeccable as he lifts his sword. The echo of voices filling the hall is almost deafening
"Eternal life to the king! Eternal life to the king!"
The words, repeated in unison by the surrounding vampires, resound like an oath of unconditional loyalty. Everyone seems to take part in this acclamation, and I feel isolated in the midst of it all.
Amid the applause, I turn my head and once again meet the prince’s gaze. His red eyes are fixed on me, and the look he gives me is intense and piercing.
For a moment, I feel as if he can see straight inside me, as if he is trying to decipher my thoughts and my emotions.
I wonder what he is thinking and what this ceremony really means to him. The words he said earlier still echo in my mind, and the surprise and shock haven’t left me yet.
Does he truly intend to keep those promises? Does he want a kingdom where humans and vampires can live in harmony? Or is this just a trick, something temporary to maintain control?
Whatever it is, I can’t shake the feeling that something bigger is at stake.
The prince’s gaze remains on me for another moment before shifting away, and I feel the weight of the future fall heavily on my shoulders. There is no turning back now.
The new reign has begun.
The coronation of the new king finally comes to an end, but the air is still thick, heavy with the solemnity of the moment.
I remain by the throne, feeling each second drag on.
People begin to approach him slowly, one by one, kneeling before him to swear loyalty.
Humans and vampires, all with expressions of reluctance, bow to the new authority.
Every word of loyalty sounds distant to me, muffled by the quick beats of my own heart. It’s as if I’m here and, at the same time, far away, watching everything from the outside.
The king, now crowned, responds to each one with firmness, accepting their oaths with an impassive expression.
His red eyes, as impenetrable as the blood running through his veins, reveal nothing.
I turn my head, my eyes meeting his for a brief moment, and that’s when I realize: I’m trembling. I try to hide it, but it’s no use; he notices as well.
"You’re trembling, Sophia.", his voice is low, as if it’s a secret just for us.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.