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A fter the overwhelming dinner experience, retreating to my room felt like finally exhaling after holding my breath for hours.

“Prince, your bath is ready,” Benedict announced, and I had to stifle a giggle at the sheer absurdity of having someone draw my bath. Back in my old life, I’d been lucky if my apartment’s hot water lasted more than ten minutes.

The whole experience was surprisingly… nice.

Lavender petals floated on steaming water, and the air smelled of jasmine and sandalwood.

Benedict’s gentle efficiency made me feel genuinely cared for, exactly what I’d been dreaming of for so long.

When was the last time someone had helped wash my hair?

Had taken care of me without expecting anything in return?

Later, wrapped in a silk robe, I sat at an ornate vanity while Benedict brushed my hair. The mirror reflected someone both familiar and strange—alabaster skin that seemed to glow, lavender eyes that held otherworldly depth, and the tiniest hint of fangs when I smiled.

A soft knock interrupted my self-examination. Sylvie’s golden curls appeared around the door, followed by her hopeful expression. “Can I come in? For a little cousin chat?”

“Of course!” I said, perhaps too eagerly, but her answering smile was worth it.

Once Benedict finished and left us alone, I settled onto my ridiculously large bed while Sylvie sprawled across the foot of it, somehow managing to look graceful even while lying upside down.

“So.” She grinned. “Are you ready to hear about ECLIPSE?”

“ECLIPSE?”

“Only the hottest new idol group!” Sylvie rolled over, eyes sparkling, pulling out her phone. “Here, let me show you their profile photos. They just dropped them a few minutes ago and I literally can’t breathe—they’re so gorgeous!”

My inner K-pop fan perked up instantly. Back home, I’d spent countless nights streaming music videos, dreaming of seeing my favorite groups live but never having the budget for concerts.

“Okay, so!” Sylvie sat up, clearly delighted to share.

“The leader is Jia—she’s a fox spirit, obviously, since it’s her family’s label.

” She showed me a photo of a stunning girl with rose-gold hair falling in ethereal waves, her fox eyes lined with shimmering gold, looking both fierce and elegant.

“She trained for five years, and her dance breaks are insane.”

“Then we have Aria, their main vocalist.” The next photo showed a vampire with midnight-blue hair styled in a sophisticated bob, her pale skin practically luminescent against her dark styling. “She can hit notes that literally make crystals form in the air. Total vampire princess energy.”

“Mika is their lead dancer.” A graceful kitsune with flowing silver hair and multiple tails appeared on-screen, her amber eyes seeming to glow. “She used to train in traditional Japanese dance before joining the group. When she dances, she leaves actual sparkles in the air.”

“This is Lily, their rapper.” The water nymph in the photo had hair that seemed to shift between teal and aqua, moving like actual waves even in the still image.

Her features were delicate but her expression held a confident smirk.

“Her flow is literally hypnotic—they had to put warnings on their practice videos!”

“And finally, Nina, their maknae .” The last photo showed a leopard shifter with striking lavender hair and spots that appeared like shimmering constellations on her skin.

“She’s the youngest but her power level is off the charts.

During their showcase stage, she’s supposed to do a midair transformation sequence! ”

I leaned closer to the phone, drinking in every detail. Each member looked like they’d stepped out of the most expensive fantasy photo shoot imaginable, their supernatural heritage adding an otherworldly beauty no amount of human styling could achieve.

“Their concept is perfect too,” Sylvie continued, flipping through more photos.

“Their debut song ‘Dark Side of Light’ is all about embracing both light and shadow, finding power in duality. The choreography has actual magical elements—Jia’s foxfire, Aria’s crystal voice, Mika’s spirit lights, Lily’s water dance, and Nina’s star spots all combine in the killing part! ”

I tried not to visibly vibrate with excitement. A supernatural idol group? With actual magic in their performances? This was better than any K-pop concert I’d dreamed of attending.

We spent the next hour discussing potential outfits for the showcase, practicing fan chants, and watching pre-debut teasers on Sylvie’s phone. The production value was insane— ECLIPSE’s practice room probably cost more than my old company’s entire marketing budget.

“Oh shoot, it’s late!” Sylvie jumped up, checking her phone. “I have Advanced Transformation first period tomorrow. Can’t fall asleep in class again—Ms. J literally turns students into alarm clocks if they doze off.”

After quick hugs and promises to continue our ECLIPSE discussion tomorrow, I found myself alone in my prince bed, staring at the gauzy canopy above.

Everything felt simultaneously too real and not real enough.

The silk sheets against my skin, the lingering scent of jasmine from my bath, the memory of Sylvie’s easy affection—it was all so vivid.

Yet part of me couldn’t help wondering if I’d wake up tomorrow to Mochi walking across my face, demanding breakfast. If I’d find myself back at my cramped desk, staring at that endless Beyond Beauty presentation while Ms. Rodriguez loomed over my shoulder.

Please , I thought as sleep began to pull at me. Please let me stay here a little longer .

My last conscious thought was of ECLIPSE’s teaser melody mixing with the remembered scent of rich musk and amber, citrus and sunshine, warm spice and bergamot…

I woke up slowly, expecting to hear Mochi’s demanding meows and my ancient radiator’s rattling. Instead, silk sheets whispered against my skin, and the most amazing view of New Vale’s skyline greeted me through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Still here. Still a vampire prince.

Instead of the usual panic about deadlines and presentations, I found myself smiling.

I stretched luxuriously in my prince bed—because really, what else could you call something with actual silk curtains?

—watching the morning sun paint the city in shades of gold.

The Whitlock Tower offered a view that would have cost millions in my old world—skyscrapers glittering like crystal formations, morning fog curling between them like dragon’s breath.

Yesterday had been spent exploring the tower itself, discovering its countless luxurious secrets.

Today, though… maybe I could see the city properly?

Sylvie and Hunter might be willing to play tour guide after school.

I could already imagine Sylvie’s excitement at the prospect of showing me her favorite spots.

That’s when it hit me—a scent like warm spice and bergamot. Ryker. My fangs ached instantly, extending without my permission.

No , I told myself firmly. Bad vampire prince. No biting adopted brothers .

He must have been walking past my room. I should stay put. Should definitely not follow that intoxicating scent like some sort of… scent-tracking vampire prince.

My body, apparently, had other ideas.

Before I could stop myself, I was at my door, poking my head out into the hallway. The scent pulled at me like a physical thing, leading me down corridors. I should turn around. Should go back to my room and get a nice, safe bag of blood with one of those cute heart-patterned straws.

Instead, I ended up in the kitchen. And there was Ryker, looking unfairly attractive in casual clothes, leaning against the counter with a coffee mug in hand as he gazed out at the city. Morning light played across his features, highlighting cheekbones that belonged in an art gallery.

I swallowed hard. His pulse called to me like a siren song, each beat a temptation I wasn’t prepared to resist. The steady rhythm of his heart seemed to sync with my own, creating a harmony that made my fangs throb.

Nope. No. Absolutely not . I turned to flee?—

And suddenly I was floating.

Actually floating, like gravity had decided to take a coffee break along with Ryker. Before I could process what was happening, I was flying across the kitchen, straight toward him.

Ryker turned, eyes widening as I crashed into his chest. The impact sent me bouncing backward, but his arms shot out, catching me by the waist and pulling me close before I could fall.

“I’m so sorry!” I squeaked, horrifically aware of how his warm scent enveloped me, how strong his hands felt at my waist, how his pulse jumped beneath his skin.

“I can’t seem to control this floating thing and gravity just sort of…

took a vacation? Without asking? Which seems very unprofessional of it, really, and?—”

I was babbling. I was absolutely babbling while pressed against my unfairly attractive adopted brother’s chest, my fangs probably visible and my face probably resembling a tomato.

“You know,” Ryker said, amusement coloring his quiet voice, “most people just say ‘good morning.’”

My legs, acting entirely on their own, wrapped around his waist. My ankles crossed behind his back, effectively turning me into a vampire-prince pretzel. My body had apparently decided that basic dignity was optional this morning.

“Good morning?” I offered weakly, my face now inches from his. “I’d bow, but I seem to be experiencing technical difficulties with… everything. Seriously, who designed these vampire settings? There should be a user manual. Or at least a helpful tutorial.”

His chest rumbled with silent laughter, and oh —he was solid. Like ‘definitely spends hours training’ solid. My thighs tightened involuntarily around his waist, and I felt every muscle shift as he adjusted his hold.

“Technical difficulties?” One eyebrow rose perfectly, because apparently the Whitlocks had mastered that art.