Princess Elissa lives in a world of glitter and court intrigue, but behind the opulent palace walls lie secrets that are not spoken of aloud. When strange attacks begin to plague the kingdom and rumors of a blood-drinking creature appear in the shadows, Elissa sets out in search of answers. Her path leads her to the Forbidden Library, where she encounters a mysterious stranger who knows more than he is telling. His name is Raphael. He is a vampire. To find out the truth, Elissa makes a deal with him: one night in his world in exchange for answers. But the deeper she delves into the dark secrets, the more difficult it becomes to understand who is the hunter and who is the hunted in this story. And yet, every morning, after a night full of secrets, Elissa returns to the only place where she can find peace – the old church on the hill. There she is met by Pastor Gabriel – a calm, wise man whose eyes seem to see into souls. He tells her that darkness always tries to seduce the light, that danger is closer than she thinks. But why does Elissa feel like the pastor knows more about vampires than he should? Why does his presence inspire not only peace, but also anxiety? Now Elissa is caught between two worlds – between light and darkness, day and night, between the enigmatic pastor and the fatal vampire. But the longer she searches for the truth, the more she begins to suspect that the most terrible monster is hiding not in the shadows… but somewhere very close.
Chapter 1. Morning
Deep green eyes locked onto me. His sharp fangs and the heat of his breath scorched my skin. His hands wandered over my innocent body, making every cell within me shudder.
—
My
princess…
–
a
masculine
voice
murmured.
I lay before him in nothing but a silk nightgown. Shame, desire, and curiosity flooded my body. Then, suddenly—a sharp pain pierced my neck. Something hot trickled down my skin, and blood stained the sheets. Everything faded to darkness…
—
Princess, it's time to wake up! The morning liturgy is about to begin! We have a new pastor
today,
princess,
as
the
previous
one
has
fallen
ill,
–
a
maid’s
voice
rang
out
as
she drew back the curtains.
My attendants had already entered the room, their hands holding fabrics so light and soft they seemed to be the very breath of the kingdom itself. Today was a special day—I was to present myself before the court in my finest attire.
—
Princess,
we
are
ready,
–
one
of
them
murmured,
bowing
her
head.
I allowed them to remove my linen nightgown, its fabric still damp with sleep. It pooled at my feet as they dressed me in the first layer—a thin, almost weightless chemise that shimmered in the dim morning light. It was so soft that I wanted to wrap myself in it entirely, but I knew—this gown was only the beginning. It was a second skin, a protective layer before the heavier fabrics would settle upon me.
Next, my attendants carefully laced me into a corset, pulling the strings tight until my breath deepened. It sculpted my form, emphasizing my waist and hips, but more than anything, it was a symbol of status. Made of velvet and embroidered with golden thread, it encased my body like a rigid statue, concealing the fragility within. I accepted this, for in this corset, I was a princess.
Then came the most crucial piece. The gown, woven from silver fabric with a delicate sheen, glimmered like a night sky strewn with stars. Proud and nearly regal, it featured a high collar and sleeves that reached my wrists. As the fabric brushed against my skin, I realized it was not merely beautiful—it spoke of power, of reverence. Every movement would be accompanied by a soft rustle, as if I, myself, carried the sound of grandeur.
