The grand halls of the former Imperial Chambers glimmered beneath the morning light as Empress Dowager Seraphina swept through its golden doors, her expression cold and severe. Her anger simmered beneath her graceful stride as she approached the chamber where the Former Imperial Majesty, Emperor Aldric Vaelor, resided.
"Lady Morgan arranged our child's wedding without my permission, and you didn't say anything about that!" she burst out, her voice echoing through the polished marble walls.
The old emperor sighed, looking up from his seat.
"I had no idea she failed to inform you," Emperor Aldric said calmly, trying to ease her fury.
Seraphina's lips curved into a tight, sharp grin.
"Well, now I've informed you," she said with icy composure. "It is my wish to call off this wedding arrangement."
The former emperor furrowed his brows. "Why?"
Seraphina took a deep breath, her eyes dark with foreboding.
"I have heard a lot about that girl, and she is not a suitable person for our son nor for this nation. She will only tear this empire apart if she becomes the Empress of the Crimson Dominion."
Aldric's expression softened slightly.
"I know the lady's father," he replied firmly. "He is a man of honor. I believe she will make a good wife for His Imperial Majesty."
Seraphina stood abruptly, her robes sweeping across the floor like a rising storm.
"I hear you," she said coldly and with a stiff bow, she turned and walked out.
As she stepped into the palace corridor, one of her court ladies approached timidly.
"Your Majesty… are you going to back out now?" the young woman asked carefully.
Seraphina halted, her crimson lips curling into a wicked smile.
"Back out?" she whispered. "I only said 'alright' to keep him calm. That old man has no idea what's happening within this empire…"
Her tone hardened, venom dripping from every word.
"But I won't give up. Even if I have to burn the world itself, I will stop this wedding no matter the cost."
And with that, she turned away, her shadow stretching long and dark down the corridor.
Meanwhile, at Avernelle, far from the golden halls of the palace, the world was nothing but chains and screams.
Most slaves were healed and prepared for sale between two weeks to three months, depending on their appearance, age, or value. Virgins, nobles, or merchants were kept longer. Their fate depended on how rebellious or docile they were, and what the buyers desired.
Each day at the Slave Establishment was a day of pain and submission.
Hazel was one of the new arrivals. After a lady named Julia explained everything in detail, she wept bitterly.
"There's no turning back," Julia warned. "Be obedient to make your training easier unless you want to be killed."
Julia, who was a few years older, sighed.
"I've been here for a while now. My life is already over. Most people here were sold by their families. What about you? Were you sold too?"
Hazel shook her head sadly.
"No. I wasn't sold… I was kidnapped. But I don't even know if my sister had something to do with it."
Julia chuckled dryly.
"Then maybe your family sold you to these men. Because no one gets here without a price."
Hazel clenched her fists.
"Never! Not even Janet. She hates me, but she'd never do something that cruel."
Julia's smirk faded into pity.
"Keep believing that, my dear. Belief is the only thing that doesn't die easily here."
Hazel looked pale.
"I was unwell before they brought me here. I was drenched in the rain… then everything went black."
Before Julia could respond, a bell rang through the corridor. The guards stomped in, unlocking each cell.
"Out! Everyone out!" one of them barked.
Hazel's heart raced as she followed the others. She leaned closer to Julia and whispered,
"I want to escape. Please… can you help me?"
Julia laughed bitterly.
"Escape? Look at these walls—higher than towers, guarded by vampires who can smell fear. If it were possible, I would have been the first to flee."
As they reached the main courtyard, Hazel saw hundreds of slaves—dirty, terrified, wearing nothing but rags.
"Stay obedient," Julia whispered. "If you resist, they'll kill you. And don't ever look at the man they call the Slave's Rat. Just keep your head low."
Then, a thunderous voice echoed through the crowd.
"Strip!"
Gasps rippled through the line. The slaves began removing every piece of clothing, jewelry, and possession. Hazel froze, horror twisting her face.
The Slave Establishment was owned by Lord Severin Valton, a cruel and powerful vampire noble who treated humans like cattle.
Hazel stood trembling.
"Not on earth have I ever done this before, and I never will!" she whispered fiercely.
Julia hissed in panic.
"Hazel, stop! Just obey—please! The guards will kill you!"
But Hazel refused to move.
"I'm about to be married to Mr. Evander! I can't be naked in front of these monsters!"
Julia rolled her eyes in despair.
"This isn't your world anymore, Hazel! This is the slave establishment. Here, you obey or you die!"
The guards noticed Hazel's defiance. One of them barked,
"Hey, strip! Now!"
Hazel lifted her chin, defiant.
"I am not going to strip, you useless punks! Don't touch me ...I'm Mr. Evander's bride, and he's not an ordinary man!"
The guard's eyes darkened with fury as he raised his whip. Julia gasped, stepping back.
But just as the whip was about to strike, a voice thundered across the hall .Cold, powerful, and commanding:
"Stop."
Silence fell. The air turned heavy.
Every guard froze in place.
Julia's eyes widened in horror as her lips trembled.
"By the gods…" she whispered. "It's Lord Severin Valton himself."
Hazel turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat as her gaze met the eyes of the man who ruled this living hell
The cruel vampire lord who sold humans like livestock.
And his gaze… was locked entirely on her.