As Laurent walked back to the palace, he couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and weakness that had settled in his chest. He was a vampire lord, feared and respected by all, and yet he had allowed himself to be swayed by the charms of a mysterious woman.
"What is wrong with you, Laurent?" he scolded himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "You are a conqueror, a ruler, a monster. You do not fall prey to the whims of a mere mortal."
But despite his self-rebuke, Laurent couldn't deny the way he felt. He was drawn to Lady Natalia, and he couldn't explain why. It was as if she had cast a spell on him, one that he couldn't break free from.
As he entered the palace, Laurent was greeted by his wife, Lady Ophelia. She was a beautiful woman, with long, raven-black hair and piercing green eyes. But Laurent couldn't help but feel a pang of disinterest as he looked at her.