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The Empress Luna

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The Empress couldn't look at the Vampire King in the eye.

She glanced at her heels as if her feet were more interesting than him.

"You look scrumptious, husband," Luna replied shyly.

He noticed how her face and her pale chest blushed when she continued, "I couldn't wait to get you alone again, but we have obligations to our guests."

"I know my wife." Apollyon nodded in agreement as he held her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing each finger. "We had to discuss something with the Kings regarding the 'accident.'"

Luna's eyes widened in shock when she was reminded what the 'accident' was.

Smirking, Apollyon settled her arms comfortably in his as they walked towards the venue.

"I wonder what Panterra would do if he finally saw you up close, alive and well."

++++

The Vampire King had made sure that day that it was a Coronation she would never forget as the Empress.

Luna realized that Apollyon had overdone himself this time as he had deviated from the original goal she had made for her own Coronation.

In the past, Luna had discussed her plans for the month-long event with him in his private study.

The Vampire King just nodded at everything she said.

Luna wasn't even sure if he had really listened to her.

He had just sat in his posh, comfortable chair which was carved out of wood painted with gold and adorned with gemstones.

Apollyon rested his head to the palm of his hand in a relaxed manner as his blue eyes gazed at her so deeply she had almost drowned in his intense gaze.

He had no other reaction except saying, "Yes, I agree, wife." and then a satisfied smirk.

Luna immediately assumed that her husband didn't care.

Sometimes, he can be very strange.

Luna thought the Vampire King was mocking her, so she squinted at him in annoyance.

She realized that this had been Apollyon's tactic to make her feel disconcerted just for his amusement.

Luna had desired perfection for the Coronation.

It was her duty as the Empress to make the guests from the other Realms be in awe of the Vampire Realm.

It was an Empress' pride as a wife to be good at hosting banquets and parties for her husband's fellow Kings.

She wanted to show them that the Vampire Castle could throw a good Banquet better than any Kingdoms.

Unfortunately, Apollyon didn't follow through with her plans, and it made her smile in amusement instead of being angry and pointing an accusing finger at him.

Luna didn't like it when her husband wouldn't honor his wishes but at this moment, she knew that it was the best decision Apollyon had done.

It was the biggest surprise of a lifetime.

According to her plan, the Empress Coronation was supposed to be a quiet, private endeavor with the six Kings along with the females from the Consortium to entertain them while the maidservants would keep the food and drinks coming.

Everyone, except the Vampire King, the six Kings as their beloved guests, and her, would be exempted from wearing a mask on the ball.

It was supposed to be just an intimate banquet that involved social dancing so that they could get to know one another better.

Before the Archdemon of Gluttony had abducted her in the Dream Realm, Luna was the one in charge of planning and making sure everything went well: from the decorations, to the motif, the masquerade themes, the colors and the overall atmosphere of this Masquerade Ball.

The Vampire King was supposed to announce her as the official Empress formally, introduce her to his peers, followed by the banquet, then, ballroom dancing with their chosen partners, afterward.

It was as simple as that.

But then, Apollyon had decided to change everything.

It wasn't a private endeavor like she had thought.

Luna contemplated running when Apollyon didn't deliver her to the Ballroom.

At first, Luna had assumed that her husband had made a mistake but after pointing it out, her husband had smiled a secret smile at him, shook his head, and shrugged.

The Vampire King didn't want her to ask any questions.

Pausing in her tracks, Luna settled in front of him and blocked his way so that he couldn't move forward.

Luna didn't utter any words and let her body language speak for her.

She narrowed her eyes at Apollyon in suspicion.

"It's a surprise, my beloved." The Vampire King gave her a wide smile that showcased his perfectly shaped fangs.

She couldn't deny that the excitement she had seen in those blue eyes was contagious.

She was almost tempted to smile back at her charming husband, but she stopped herself beforehand and pouted, instead, "What are you planning, Apollyon?"

"You will see when we get there." Raising his hand, Apollyon pinched her cheeks gently, and said, "Ask questions later."

Luna sighed a good-natured sigh. "Alright, husband."

Perhaps she could do that.

+++

The Vampire King had brought her to the second floor of the Vampire's Castle on the Eastern Balcony.

For what reason?

Luna had no idea.

There was no time to ask when Apollyon had dragged her to the balustrade, and her eyes had widened.

Stunned, she froze in her place as she clutched the railings tight.

It was one of the most memorable moments of her lifetime.

It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.

Luna had covered her mouth with one hand in shock, joyful tears streaming down her face.

It wasn't a discrete Coronation at all like what she had mapped out.

She had seen a huge statue higher than the second floor of their balcony, almost reaching the third floor.

The large statue which was carved out of marble had looked eerily similar to her.

"Oh my Goddess, Apollyon." The Empress couldn't even glance at her husband when she asked because she couldn't remove her gaze from Apollyon's tribute.

"Is that statue…?" Luna hesitated as her throat went dry, trailing off.

She straightened her spine as she tried to regain composure. "Did you hire hundreds of sculptures just to create this in such a short time?"

"I don't want to make an assumption right away or you would take me as vain but is that statue—" Rubbing her eyes, Luna blinked at the ginormous sculpture a couple of times, making sure she wasn't hallucinating. "Is that really me?"

As Luna watched the whole scene from the Vampire Castle's balcony, there were thousands of people below glancing up at her expectantly with bright smiles on their faces as they murmured to themselves.

One child who had settled her tiny legs on his father's shoulders pointed at her and yelled in a giddy voice, "Look, papa. Purdy pwincess."

"Attention, all citizens of the Vampire Realm and the other Kings' envoys who have gathered in this joyous festivity…." Apollyon's voice abruptly boomed throughout the crowd.

They turned eerily silent without being told what to do.

Everybody in the audience had watched the two of them with rapt attention.

It made her want to flee from these thousands of strangers watching her.

It had made her extremely unconscious that she wished she had worn her mask.

Apollyon had broken her out of her musings when he circled one arm around his waist. "Please help me welcome the new Empress of the Vampire Realm."

There were beautiful women in beautiful yellow gowns, wearing silk gloves of the same color and large feather hats.

Their arms and chests were layered with white frills, showing her cleavage at the same time.

The crowd—people of ages, races, different backgrounds and cultures, different realms—cheered as loud as they could in this joyful celebration as one beautiful fairy flew around the people above them, blowing their trumpets.

The other fairies were tasked to rain flower petals and drizzles of scented rose and lavender water over the audience.

People opened their arms towards the sky as if they were receiving the fairies' blessing.

Everybody had lifted their clenched fists pointed towards Luna and the Vampire King as a way of showing their loyalty, happiness, and support.

Luna pressed her hand to her heart as she gestured a two-finger salute to the crowd in return.

Some gentleman had thrown hats and roses in Luna's direction as if they were showing her their gifts and offerings.

Shy Luna was annoyed at Apollyon in the first place for exposing her to a lot of people without warning, but now, it didn't even faze her.

She was so deep in her gratitude.

Luna had tapped a loose fist against her heart as she mouthed 'thank you' to everyone who might see.

It was such a wonderful sight to see them so animated and lively.

She clasped Apollyon's forearms to say, "Thank you, husband."

"You made me so happy today," Luna swore her eyes were soft and filled with an inner happy glow. "Ecstatic. Joyful."

She hugged him and showed her affections without holding back," I love you."

Apollyon looked at her like she had suddenly grown two heads.

The Vampire King moved closer and murmured in her ear, "Well, that was quick for you to tell me you love me back."

Embarrassed for her sudden slip-up, Luna's voice trembled as it was filled with emotion. "You are not happy with it?"

There was an uncomfortable warmth in her face when she asked in stark disappointment, "Should I take it back?"

"Nay." The Vampire gave her a genuine smile, lighting up his handsome face.

He held her hand and squeezed it longer than necessary. "I would kill the Archdemon of Gluttony before you could take that statement back."