My name is Astraea.
How did I get here?
I have asked myself that question so many times that, sometimes, I wonder if there was ever a moment when my life could have gone differently.
How bad could things really become? Being far away from my family, trapped in a marriage with a man who no longer loves me, and knowing that my life is, in many ways, in his hands simply because he is the king of this kingdom.
I remember standing in a room so large that my footsteps disappeared into it, while golden walls reflected a life that should have been perfect, yet felt like a cage built just for me.
Everything around me was beautiful in the way that only things built by people with too much money and too much power could be beautiful. And yet I had never felt more trapped.
A man was standing only a few feet away. My husband. The king. The way he looked at me… not with love, not with warmth, but with control. However, there was a time when everything was different. There was a time when he looked at me with so much love, like I was the only thing that mattered in this entire kingdom. There was a time when I still believed in love, in freedom, in choices.
I remember looking at him and wondering how something that was so beautiful could become a cage.
But that was not where my story began. Because there had been a time before the palace.
Before the crown.
Before the lies.
Before the vampires.
There had been a time when I was simply Astraea—a young woman who wanted more from life. I wanted a life that was mine. I wanted love, freedom, and adventure.
I need to take you back to the very beginning.
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Before everything changed, I was just a normal young woman who wanted more from life than the ordinary path that had been set in front of me. But somewhere deep inside me, I had always thought that ordinary was not enough. I knew that there was something else waiting for me. Something bigger, but I could not name it.
I just had no idea that searching for it would eventually destroy the life I knew. At the time, all I knew was that I needed a change.
So I started looking.
Jobs.
Opportunities.
Cities.
Countries.
Anything that could give me a reason to begin again.
Then I found Zephyrium. At first, it sounded almost too perfect to be real. A kingdom unlike anything I had ever seen. A place that almost felt unreal. A kingdom known for its beauty, its power, and the perfection of its royal family, a vampire family that ruled with strength, elegance, and a reputation that made people trust them without question.
The streets were perfect. Luxury apartments stood beside breathtaking gardens, elegant restaurants, galleries, and businesses that seemed to exist for people who had never had to worry about money.
The royal family members: Everything about them seemed perfect.
- King Geralt Parzalovitch: 480-year-old pure-blood vampire, very powerful, respected and loved by people. He rules with calm authority, but there is something beneath that calm, something sharp and dangerous that only reveals itself when he is pushed too far, and those who have seen that side of him never forget it, because a patient king who finally loses control is far more terrifying than one who is always angry. He is married to Queen Anastasia for several hundred years. The mother of his children. He treats her as the queen she truly is. We can see how much he loves her. Their love is visible to everyone and makes them highly appreciated among the people.
- The Queen Anastasia Parzalovitch: 444 years old pure blood vampire. Spouse of King Geralt and mother of Prince Nathaniel, Prince Arthur, and Princess Isabella. She is a very loved and respected queen, just like the king. She has a lot of influence over him. After all, behind every great man, there is an even greater woman! While she loves her family more than anything, she does not let love make her weak, especially when it comes to her children because she understands something they are still learning, that being part of the royal family is not only a privilege, it is a responsibility that can destroy them if they are not strong enough. With her daughter, she is even more demanding, because she knows exactly what the world expects from a princess, and she refuses to let Isabella grow into someone fragile in a world that devours the fragile first.
- Prince Nathaniel Parzalovitch: 25-year-old pure-blood vampire. He is extremely powerful and possesses gifts that no one else has. He is the kind of man people admire before they even understand why. Everything about him seems effortless, the power, the confidence, the way he moves through the world as if nothing and no one could ever truly reach him, which makes people want to try anyway. He has everything most people spend their lives chasing, a title, wealth beyond imagination(money, thousands of cars and jets), influence that stretches far beyond the kingdom, as well as the most beautiful women in his kingdom who fall for him faster than he ever falls for them, which is never. He realizes quite early the attraction women have toward him and uses it however he pleases. He was beautiful enough to make people stare and powerful enough to make them regret staring for too long. He does not believe in love since his wife Sophia left. Women are nothing more than another luxury at his disposal. Unlike others of his kind, his vampire age is the same as his human age. At 25, he enjoys life. He looks like something pure, something almost angelic but despite his angelic appearance, do not forget: the devil was once an angel before ruling the underworld. He is a young man one should never tempt, at the risk of getting burned.
- His wife Sofia (princess): 24 years old. She left him while pregnant. According to what I had read, she had disappeared. She had left him while pregnant. The story surrounding her disappearance was unclear, and the royal family had never publicly discussed it in detail.
- Prince Arthur: 13 years old. Twin of Princess Isabella. They are inseparable, not just as siblings, but as allies in a world that will one day expect them to stand alone, and maybe that is why he holds onto her so tightly now, because somewhere deep down, he already knows that things will not always be this simple. He is chaos wrapped in charm, the kind of child who turns every serious moment into something lighter without even trying, which is both a relief and a problem in a family where everything is supposed to matter.
- Princess Isabella: Twin of Prince Arthur. She is everything people expect a princess to be when they still believe in softness, in grace, in quiet strength that does not need to be loud to be powerful, and at first glance, she seems like the gentlest member of the family, calm, reserved, careful in the way she speaks and moves, as if she already understands the weight of the crown she might one day carry. Her brothers protect her constantly, especially from things she does not even see yet, because they understand the dangers of the world far better than she does, and they would rather carry that weight for her than let it reach her too soon.
The kingdom of Zephyrium is a beautiful place with an extravagant palace, large garden, luxury apartments, and restaurants. The environment is clean, new, and polished. It is the best place to live for everyone. Everything I learned made me fall in love with it before I had even seen it. It seemed like the perfect place to build a new life—a kingdom where opportunity, beauty, and ambition could exist side by side. More than anything, I hoped I would have the chance to call it home soon.
Days turned into nights as I searched for jobs, sending applications everywhere, refusing to give up even when nothing came back. I sent applications until I stopped counting. Most received no response, some rejected me. But I did not stop because for the first time in a long time, I had something to hope for. Then, one afternoon, my phone rang. I answered without expecting anything. And heard the words I had been waiting for. I had been accepted.
I am going to Zephyrium. Everything happened quickly after that. Packing, documents, flights, apartment hunting.
I found a beautiful two-bedroom apartment with two balconies and a beautiful view. Everything is perfect. I signed the papers before I could change my mind.
Three days later, I am sitting on a plane. I rest my forehead against the window and watch the clouds drift beneath me.
For the first time in years, I feel something I had hope. The feeling that perhaps my life is finally beginning.
When I arrived, Zephyrium was even more impressive than I had imagined. The city stretched endlessly around me. The roads were very clean, and the buildings were big and tall. Luxury cars moved smoothly through the streets.
People walked past cafes and restaurants, dressed as if elegance were simply part of everyday life.
I stood there with my luggage, trying to take everything in, when a voice pulled me back.
“Hello.”
I turn.
A man stands a few feet away, smiling politely.
“Hello,” I reply
“You’re Astraea, right?” he said
“Yes,” I answer.
He held out his hand.
“I’m Adrian. I’m here to pick you up.”
“Oh. Thank you so much for coming.” I said.
“My pleasure,” Adrian said.
His gaze moved toward my luggage.
Adrian: “Can I?”
I nodded.
“Yes, please.”
He took my suitcases and we walked toward the car.
Adrian opened the door for me.
Adrian: After you.”
I smiled.
Me: “Thank you.”
Adrian seemed to be a really nice guy. Not the fake-nice. But actually nice. The drive to my apartment was quiet, but not uncomfortable.
I watched Zephyrium through the window while Adrian pointed out different parts of the city.
Adrian: “That building over there is one of the oldest in the city.”
Me: “Really?”
Adrian: “Yes. It’s been there for centuries.”
I looked at it again.
Me: “Everything here looks so new.”
Adrian: That’s because the royal family spends an unreasonable amount of money maintaining the city.”
I laughed.
Me: “I believe that.”
He smiled.
Adrian: Wait until you see the palace.”
I turned toward him.
Me: You’ve been inside?
Adrian: “Many times.”
Me: What’s it like?”
He glanced at me through the mirror.
Adrian: “Beautiful.”
He paused.
“Intimidating.”
I smiled.
Me: “That’s not exactly reassuring.”
Adrian: “It wasn’t meant to be.”
I laughed again.
For the first time since leaving home, I felt relaxed. A few minutes later, Adrian looked at me through the mirror.
Adrian: “We’re here.”
I looked outside and smiled. This is my new apartment.
Me: “Thank you so much, Adrian.”
Adrian: You’re welcome.”
He handed me a small card.
Adrian:”My number. Call me if you need anything.
“I will.”
He smiled: “Welcome to Zephyrium, Astraea.”
I stepped out of the car. For a moment, I stood there staring at my new home.
My new city.
My new life.
I had no idea how much those words were about to mean.
I took a long shower, unpacked only what I needed, and fell asleep almost immediately.
I was exhausted.
6:00 am.
For a few seconds after opening my eyes, I simply lay there staring at the ceiling, convinced I had been dreaming.
But I wasn’t.
This is my new life. I am really in the kingdom of Zephyrium. I got out of bed with more energy than I had felt in weeks. Today was my first day. Everything had to be perfect.
Beyond the glass, I could see elegant towers reaching toward the sky, rooftops sparkling beneath the sun, and banners bearing the royal crest dancing gently in the wind.
The city looked almost enchanted. As if it had been pulled straight from the pages of a fairy tale.
A place where legends were born.
I quickly showered, got dressed, completed my morning routine, and grabbed a light breakfast before checking the time.
I picked up my phone.
“Let’s do this.”
My first meeting was with Dr. Alaric Saltzman.
The person who would decide whether I was right for the position.
My meeting with Dr. Alaric Saltzman was less than an hour away.
There was only one problem.
I had absolutely no idea how to get there.
I smiled to myself before taking out my phone and calling the only person I knew in the entire kingdom.
Adrian answered almost immediately.
Adrian: Good morning, Astraea.
Me: Good morning. I hope I’m not bothering you.
Adrian laughed softly.
Adrian: Not at all. What’s wrong?
Me: I have my meeting with Dr. Alaric today... but I have absolutely no idea where his office is.
Adrian laughed softly: Already lost?
“I’ve been here one day.”
Adrian: Fair enough. That’s all?
Me: Unfortunately.
Adrian: I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes.
Relief washed over me.
Me: Really?
Adrian: Of course. Consider it your official welcome to Zephyrium.
I couldn’t help smiling.
Me: Thank you, Adrian.
Adrian: See you soon.
Exactly thirty minutes later, a sleek black car stopped outside my building.
Adrian stepped out with the same warm smile I had met yesterday.
Adrian: Ready for your first day?
Me: As ready as I’ll ever be.
He opened the door for me.
Adrian: Then let’s make it a memorable one.
The drive through Zephyrium was breathtaking.
The city looked even more beautiful in the morning. Elegant bridges crossed crystal-blue rivers, cafés overflowed with flowers, musicians played in lively squares, and every street looked impossibly clean, as if the kingdom itself refused to allow imperfections to exist.
Everything about Zephyrium felt... expensive.
Not only in wealth.
But in history.
Every building looked as though it had witnessed centuries of kings, queens, victories, and secrets.
Fifteen minutes later, Adrian stopped in front of an enormous glass building.
He smiled.
Adrian: We’re here.
I looked up.
The building was magnificent.
Modern architecture blended with ancient stone carvings, creating something that somehow belonged to both the future and the past.
My excitement immediately returned.
Me: Thank you, Adrian.
Adrian: I’ll come back later. Good luck.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside.
A receptionist greeted me with a warm smile.
Receptionist: Good morning. How may I help you?
Me: Good morning. I’m here to meet Dr. Alaric Saltzman.
She typed something into her computer before looking back at me.
Receptionist: Astraea?
Me: Yes.
Receptionist: Wonderful. Dr. Saltzman is expecting you. Please follow me.
She led me through several quiet corridors before stopping outside a large wooden door.
Receptionist: He’ll be with you shortly.
Only a minute later, the door opened.
A tall man with kind eyes and silver-streaked hair smiled warmly. He looked nothing like the intimidating executive I had imagined.
He looked...normal.
Calm.
Intelligent.
Dr. Alaric: Ms. Astraea.
Me: Dr. Saltzman. It’s an honor to meet you.
He gestured toward the office.
Dr. Alaric: Please, come in.
The conversation lasted nearly an hour.
Alaric explained everything patiently, making what had seemed overwhelming feel surprisingly simple. He spoke with the calm confidence of someone who had spent decades guiding others.
An hour later, I walked out of his office knowing exactly what my new position required.
And, surprisingly, I wasn’t nervous.
Alaric had been patient.
Clear.
Almost strangely welcoming.
By the time I left his office, I felt far more confident than when I had entered.
I truly felt like I belonged.
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As I stepped outside, Adrian was already waiting.
“How did it go?”
I smiled.
“I think I got the job.”
He grinned.
“I knew you would.”
Adrian insisted on showing me more of the kingdom.
“Where are we going now?”
He thought for a moment.
“How about the museum?”
We wandered through lively streets filled with musicians, artists, cafés, and markets unlike anything I had ever seen.
Eventually we stopped in front of the Royal Museum.
The first thing I saw was a massive portrait stretching across the entrance hall.
The Royal Family.
King Geralt stood proudly beside Queen Anastasia, and together they looked every bit the rulers people spoke about with admiration.
Power.
Grace.
Authority.
They carried all three effortlessly.
My gaze shifted to the man standing beside them.
Prince Nathaniel Parzalovitch.
Even in a painting, he commanded attention.
There was something almost unreal about him. Long golden hair, piercing blue eyes, and the kind of presence that made him seem less like a prince... and more like someone legends would be written about.
Beside him stood Princess Sofia.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
The perfect royal couple.
Or at least...
That was how the portrait wanted the world to see them.
My attention then moved to the twins.
Prince Arthur looked like trouble wrapped in charm, while Princess Isabella radiated quiet kindness.
I found myself smiling.
Somehow...
Without ever meeting them, they already felt familiar.
After lunch, Adrian showed me even more of the city until exhaustion finally caught up with me.
He laughed when he noticed.
Adrian: You look like you’re about to fall asleep.
Me: I think my feet have officially given up.
He smiled.
Adrian: Stay here. I’ll grab dinner for us.
Me: You’re a lifesaver.
As Adrian disappeared into the crowd, something in a nearby shop window caught my eye.
A beautiful blue dress. It looked like the night sky stitched into silk. And blue is my favorite color.
Without thinking, I walked quickly to enter the shop but as I was walking, I pushed someone.
My attention stayed fixed on the dress.
Which was exactly why...
I never saw the man walking toward me.
A few seconds later, the person grabbed my arm and turned me. This is how we met. And when Everything changed.
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Thank you for being part of this journey.
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