VOL.1- Crafting a Ru

THE MONARCH'S GAZE

"Will you drink his blood, my lord, or shall I put him on display?" Heise inquired, his voice tinged with humorous malice as he pointed at the glass coffin.

Lord Dekaris Zharqasti avoided looking at the sleeping figure. Instead, he removed his glove with deliberate slowness, his fingers gleaming in the dim light. "I'm about to quench my thirst with a less magical drink," he replied, his tone as smooth as silk.

In one swift motion, he dug his nail into the cameraman's jugular vein. The man's breathing stopped, his hands went to his throat, and he dropped to the ground, his blood drenching the grass like a fountain. A simple mental directive caused the blood to rise from the cameraman's throat and flow into Lord Dekaris's wine glass.

"Then let me summon our important guest," Heise said, watching his lord sip the blood with an almost reverent calm.

"Let him come," Lord Dekaris replied, his wine-red eyes glinting as he lowered the goblet.

The air around them moved as Heise's silk fan clicked. Time moved from evening to night. A magical portal arose beneath the stars, and a man emerged from the whirling abyss of mist and shadow.

He was tall and heavy-set. His dark hair was brushed back. He wore a mask that reflected dusk's blue and black. This mask enhanced his penetrating eyes, which appeared to see through everything. The black suit with silver embellishments fitted perfectly to his strong frame. He carried himself with the grace of someone who knew his own strength; each step was deliberate and measured.

The man's gaze traversed the lawn, briefly focusing on the cameraman's corpse before falling on the glass coffin. His breath hitched slightly as he saw the young man inside.

"Is this him?" the guest asked, his voice low and velvety, betraying a flicker of interest.

"Yes, he is our star," Heise replied with a sly smile. "The most wicked soul in the universe, or so they say. Isn't he beautiful?"

Stepping closer to the coffin, the guest's eyes traced the features of the sleeping figure, highlighting the soft curve of his lips, the delicate arch of his brows, and the way his dark hair framed his face like a piece of art. He reached out, his fingers hovering just above the glass as though afraid to touch.

"He's... breathtaking," the guest whispered, his voice barely audible.

With a smirk, Lord Dekaris swirled the blood in his goblet, cautioning, "Your Excellency, he may appear innocent, but he's far from it."

"I am aware of his bad reputation," the guest stated, inhaling deeply before adding, "but I believe it's a bit overblown."

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, my Majesty," Lord Dekaris sighed, a wicked smirk hidden beneath his hat.

His majesty's gaze remained fixed on the young man, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. He leaned closer, his breath fogging the glass.

"What name should I call him?" He asked, his voice soft, almost reverent.

"You'll find out soon enough," Heise said, his grin widening. "But first, let's see if he lives up to his reputation." He opened the coffin and took the silk fabric that lightly covered the nakedness of the young man.

The monarch straightened, and his gaze lingered on the stunning curves of the sleeping young man's body for a minute. "And what role do I play in this little game of yours?"

Lord Dekaris set his goblet down, his wine-red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Your Majesty, you are the wildcard. The one who might just tip the scales in his favor... or seal his fate."

The monarch's lips curled into a faint smile, his gaze flicking back to the sleeping figure. "Then I suppose I'll have to get to know him better."

"Take heed, your Highness!" Heise let out a soft, playful chuckle. "He might just capture more than your attention."

"I'm aware."

The night hushed as the important guest stood before the glass coffin. His keen eyes, framed by the dusk-blue mask, focused on the sleeping figure within. The young man's beauty was undeniable—gorgeous, a piece of art, almost etheral—and it triggered something deep within the guest that he hadn't felt in years.

As the tension in the air increased, the game became more intriguing. The stakes have shifted beyond mere survival or power. They discussed desire, connection, and the perilous attraction of the unknown.

And in the shadows, where secrets and emotions entwined, the question persisted:

Who would die first: the hunter, the hunted, or the heart?

Author's Note: Hello, my sweetie reader~ I couldn’t resist tweaking the early chapters again. The action was fun, but it left me craving something... steamier. So, I’ve turned down the action and turned up the chemistry. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Dive in and enjoy~!