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Sophia’s POV

Stepping outside the castle walls for the first time felt like stepping into another world. I had been to the vampire realm so many times before, but I had never truly seen it. Every visit had been filled with tension, political maneuvering, and danger. But now, with the council meeting behind us, I could finally take a breath and see what this place had to offer.

Ian had insisted on coming with me, of course. He was always protective, especially now with everything going on, but I had managed to convince him that I needed some space. Just for a little while. I wasn’t entirely alone though—two guards shadowed me, keeping a respectful distance, as I walked down the winding cobblestone streets.

The city was… beautiful. I hadn’t expected that. For some reason, I had always associated the vampire realm with darkness, shadows, and cold stone, but what I saw now was entirely different. The streets were lined with tall, elegant buildings, their stone facades gleaming in the dim light that filtered down through the perpetual twilight sky. It wasn’t dark here, not like I had imagined. Instead, the sky was a soft, dusky purple, casting everything in an otherworldly glow.

As I walked, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. There was a strange beauty here, a beauty that I had never noticed before. The city was alive with energy, with people—vampires—moving about their daily lives, going about their business. It was like any other city in the human world, but with an edge of something… more.

I passed a small market square, where vendors were selling everything from fresh fruit to strange trinkets that glittered in the fading light. The air was filled with the hum of conversation, the clink of coins, and the rustling of fabric. It felt so normal, so human, and yet there was something undeniably magical about it all.

I stopped at one of the stalls, drawn to a display of delicate jewelry. The vendor, an older woman with silver hair pulled back in a tight bun, smiled at me as I approached.

“Something catch your eye, dear?” she asked, her voice warm and friendly.

I smiled back, my fingers brushing over a delicate silver necklace. “It’s beautiful,” I said softly, admiring the intricate design.

The woman nodded. “Handcrafted by my son,” she said proudly. “He’s been working with silver for years now. Each piece is unique.”

I hesitated for a moment before reaching into my pocket for a few dollars. I didn’t really need a necklace, but something about the idea of taking a piece of this world with me felt… right.

As I slipped the necklace into my bag, I continued down the street, my eyes wide as I took in the sights. The buildings grew taller as I approached the city’s center, their architecture more intricate and grand. I passed a large fountain, its waters sparkling as they cascaded down into a crystal-clear pool below. Vampires milled about, some sitting on the stone benches, others walking hand-in-hand through the square.

For the first time since I had arrived in the vampire realm, I felt like I belonged. Not just because of Ian or the council’s acceptance of me, but because this place… it was breathtaking. There was a life here, a vibrancy that I had never given it credit for. And the people—despite all the politics and danger that surrounded them—lived their lives just like anyone else.

I found myself wandering toward the edge of the city, where the buildings thinned out, and the cobblestone streets gave way to a sprawling park. The air was cooler here, fresher, and I could see the outline of the forest in the distance. The park was quiet, with only a few scattered figures moving along the paths, and I took a deep breath as I stepped onto the grass.

The greenery here was different fro” what I was used to in the human world. The trees were taller, their leaves a deep, almost iridescent green, and the flowers that dotted the landscape were vibrant shades of blue, purple, and red. It was as if the colors were richer here, more intense, like everything was heightened.

I wandered through the park, my steps slow and deliberate as I took it all in. For so long, I had only seen the dark side of the vampire realm—the danger, the intrigue, the constant threat of attack. But now, for the first time, I saw its beauty. And it was magnificent.

As I reached a small clearing, I sat down on a bench and let myself relax. The weight of everything—the council, the pregnancy, the looming threats—it all felt distant for a moment. Here, in this quiet place, I could breathe. I could forget, just for a little while, about the world that was waiting for me back at the castle.

I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, but eventually, I heard footsteps behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Ian’s presence was unmistakable, even from a distance.

“You’ve been gone a while,” he said softly, coming to sit beside me.

I smiled at him, feeling a warmth spread through me as I looked at his familiar face. “I needed some air.”

He nodded, his eyes scanning the park, taking in the beauty that I had been admiring. “It’s different when you see it like this, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s beautiful.”

Ian turned to look at me, his expression softening. “I’m glad you’re seeing it this way. I’ve always wanted to show you the other side of this place—the part that’s not about politics or power struggles. The part that’s just… life.”

I leaned my head against his shoulder, feeling the tension in my body ease. “I’m starting to understand why you love it here.”

He smiled, his arm wrapping around me as he pulled me closer. “There’s a lot to love. It’s not perfect, but it’s home.”

I nodded, understanding more now than I ever had before. The vampire realm was more than just a kingdom ruled by ancient vampires and council politics. It was a living, breathing place, full of people—vampires—who lived their lives, who loved, who laughed, and who experienced beauty just like anyone else.

For the first time, I felt like maybe I could be a part of that. Maybe, despite everything, I could belong here.

“I want to explore more,” I said quietly, lifting my head to look at Ian. “I want to see everything.”

He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “We have time, Sophia. You’ll see it all.”

I smiled, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t just surviving—I was living. And as I sat there with Ian, surrounded by the beauty of the vampire realm, I couldn’t help but hope for the future.