The throne room was filled with activity, calculated chatter and measured laughter.
Dressed in exquisite attire–made predominantly in red, white and black–beings with unnatural pale skin and crimson eyes that made one question if they were truly humans, were frolicking with one another.
The cup in their hands filled with dense crimson liquid that gave off an iron smell was definitely none other than blood, allowing one to connect these people's race as that of vampires.
Each of them stem from high status families filled with a rich history, and some of them were military members, the several military medals they donned serving as evidence.
Event though all of the vampires here were important, some were clearly more important than others.
All over the throne room small groups were formed, and at the center of these groups was where the more important figures were located.
In the corner of the room, a group of 8 vampires, dressed more elegant than all the others, were standing in complete stillness, none of them speaking a word.
Only the occasional sip from the glass could be heard.
One could see the occasional glance from the other groups being cast their way, but none of them had the courage or status to speak to these 8 figures.
These 8 people were similar in status, so neither of them was sucking up to one another. Instead, they were waiting for one of them to make the first move and then their battle of words would ensue.
"Welll, well, well," a smooth, gentle voice–undeniably feminine–broke the icy stillness, "it's been a long time since all of us have last gathered like this."
The woman was beautiful. Long black hair, unnatural pale skin, glowing crimson eyes and sporting a tight red dress that accentuated her abundant features.
The moment she uttered her words, all the chatter in throne room fell silent, vampires from every corner activated their enhanced hearing to eavesdrop in on the conversation of these 8 figures.
"It is as you say, Rubiette." One male vampire chimed in. "Almost five decades now. And none of you died, unfortunately."
"The only reason none of you died is because real vampires like me are leading the troops on the battlefield to protect spineless cowards like you. While all you do is sit in your stuffy office, signing papers." A grizzled vampire with military medals on his chest spat.
"Can it with insults, Reginald." A woman in short black hair said. "And a few skirmishes with a few stray pups and demons can hardly be called a battlefield."
"'Skirmishes'?" Reginald mocked. "That's what we would've called it, if only these 'stray pups and demons' were not worshipping a new god."
Reginald's words shocked everyone present in the throne, their reaction drawing a surge of laughter from him.
"You didn't know?" He asked in disbelief. "You're telling me... that you are aware that there have been repeated 'skirmishes' with the 'stray pups and demons' for over an extended period of time–which is thirty fucking years–and none of you found that suspicious?
None of you thought there might possibly be more to the story?"
Hearing the lack of response from his 7 group mates, Reginald's mind lagged for a moment, struggling to get over the absurdity of the situation.
Another round of boisterous laughter erupted from his throat.
"Hahaha, you stupid fucks!" He roared in laughter. "I think the theme for today's ball is to replace some incompetent Grand Dukes."
All the other Grand Dukes were seething.
Reginald getting the better of them was already a hit to their pride, but him humiliating them in front all the other vampires were something they wouldn't stand for.
That's why their nails elongated, fangs sharpened, and their entire bodies radiated a crimson aura that thickened the smell of blood and made a heavy weight press down on all in the throne room.
They were never really going to attack, as doing such will be viewed as undermining the authority of the emperor. It was only to show the other vampires that they are still Royal Rank.
Their play was cut short when the heavy obsidian doors of the throne room swung open, trumpets sounded and the arrival of the emperor was announced.
"The Emperor of the Vampire Continent. Head of the Dracul Family, Sir Magnus Dracul, has arrived."
Immediately all vampires present in the throne room got into their respective positions–from highest rank, down to lowest–made a path through the crowd for Magnus to walk through, and went down on one knee, kneeling in reverence.
The Emperor stepped into the throne room and his mere presence caused the air to stifle and several vampires to have sweat running down their forwards.
Sporting a silver form-fitting suit, a white shirt, black tie, black gloves with sharp points at the nails, with silver shoes.
The sound of his footsteps echoed across the expansive throne room. He paid no mind to the kneeling masses and kept strudding to the throne.
The throne itself was a marvel of craftsmanship.
Made from indestructible metal. It had several deadly points that pointed to the roof on the backrest.
In the middle of the backrest ran a strip of red light, and several crimson gems were placed on the throne, giving off a faint glow.
Magnus didn't sit when he reached the throne, instead he turned his attention to the kneeling vampires and scanned through them for a moment.
Once confirmed that everyone was present, he broke the silence.
"At ease."
They did as told and broke out of their kneeling form, but none of them moved, none of them spoke, some even held their breath.
All of them waiting for Magnus to speak. They didn't wait long.
"The Empire is facing turbulent times, my subjects." Magnus began. "As you've heard, we have 'stray pups and demons' on our doorstep, and 7 of our so called 'Grand Dukes' are unaware of the external dangers that threatens our home."
Magnus shot the dukes a fierce glance. The seven in question bowed their heads in shame and fear.
"But I didn't gather you all here to talk about the incompetence of the Dukes.
The true reason I had you come here is, because even though we are standing on the brink of war, even though the capital is overcrowded, even though the minions of the corrupt God has deeply infiltrated our ranks, even though the masses are starving, and even though we are being suppressed by other races, we still have cause for celebration."
Magnus could see the confusion on the faces of the gathered vampires, but he didn't pay them any mind as their confusion will be cleared soon.
"Yes, my people. It is as I say. About a decade ago, a spark–or rather, two sparks–of hope have appeared in our midst.
And these bright little sparks have brought great joy and love into my heart, which I'm sure will have the same affect on you, as you are but an extension of myself.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce these sparks that have appeared into my life, onto you, and I expect that you will treat them with the necessary love and respect deserving of their station."
The big obsidian doors swung open again, and two figures stepped forward–Julian in his black suit and Isadora in her white dress–walking hand-in-hand.
"These are my children, my offspring, my legacy, the ones that will carry the vampires to their former glory.
Your Prince and Princess, Julian and Isadora Dracul."
Julian and Isadora walked passed the crowd with their heads held high.
Isadora refrained from looking at the crowd, afraid that seeing them will allow her nerves to get the best of her.
Julian scanned through the crowed with a cold gaze, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Meanwhile the crowd was still frozen in shock and confusion, still processing the words Magnus just spoke.
"Kneel." Magnus' aura erupted, breaking the crowd out of their trance who immediately went down on one knee despite the confusion that was still swirling in their hearts.
Magnus stepped down from the raised dais and made his way over to his kids and embraced them in a tight hug.
"I missed you." He said, his words only audible to Julian and Isadora.
"I missed you too, Father." Isadora said, reciprocating the hug.
"You've gotten soft, old man." Julian said, though he was returning the hug, as subtly as possible.
"Hahaha, as cheeky as always." Magnus said with a genuine smile, one the two of them haven't seen him do in what felt like forever.
Magnus broke the hug, and signaled to one of the guards at the entrance, and shortly after, Mila and Nala entered, both carrying something on small red cushions.
Upon reaching the three of them, Mila and Nala went down on one knee and raised the cushions above their head, presenting them to Magnus.
"Isadora Aurelia Dracul," Magnus voice echoed across the throne room, taking the object off of the cushion Mila was holding.
In his hand was a thin tiara, silver in color, adorned with several scarlet gems all over it. In the middle was a the bigger scarlet gem, glowing faintly. On each side of the gem, was a dragon.
It was absolutely beautiful and perfect for Isadora.
"My first born," Isadora was so entranced by the tiara that she didn't even hear Magnus' words. "My precious, the spitting image of her mother.
This tiara was made with you in mind: silver for your purity, dragons for your strong resolve, and scarlet gems for your crimson glow.
When you wear this tiara; do it pride, with grace, and with the reminder that you present an entire race, at all times.
I officially crown you: Isadora Aurelia Dracul, Princess of the Vampire Empire." Magnus placed the tiara on the head of a bowing Isadora.
Isadora was momentarily enveloped with red energy that spread from her head down to her heel in the blink of an eye, before it vanished.
The light on the gem of her tiara also faded.
The crown on Nala's cushion was no way inferior to that of Isadora's.
Completely black in color, seven spikes, each spike held a small gem in the middle of it. But the first spike had a bigger gem than all the others, and it had a smaller one too.
"Julian Valerius Dracul," Magnus took the crown off Mila's pillow, "my son, my blood, the one that will take the mantle from me and will bring it heights never before seen on this continent or this world.
Fragile at birth, escaping deaths grasp. But you didn't just survive, you prospered, you persevered and you grew up into a fine young man.
You will surely liberate this Empire, as you have liberated yourself.
I hereby crown you: Julian Valerius Dracul, Crown Prince of the Vampire Empire." Magnus placed the crown on Julian's head. "You, along with your sister, will bring us to salvation."
The same red energy appeared over Julian's frame too, before disappearing.