For a moment, Alex was utterly stunned. Lilith — the infamous Crown Princess of the Bloodmoon Empire — was kneeling before him, crimson eyes lowered, her oath still echoing in the room.

'What the hell…? Did she just… submit herself? To me?'

He shook himself free from the daze, his voice sharp and incredulous.

"What the hell are you doing? Taking an oath and all?"

Lilith lifted her gaze, her expression calm, almost serene.

"In the Bloodmoon Empire, the highest class of vampires declare their servitude by taking an oath. That's what I just did."

Alex rubbed his forehead, groaning.

"Sorry, but I don't need a servant. And for that matter, I don't trust you at all. I only want one thing from you."

Lilith tilted her head. "And that is?"

Alex leaned forward, his tone flat.

"You just have to support Charlotte in the upcoming elections."

At that, Lilith's lips curved into a sly smile.

"As you wish, my lord. It's a promise."

A vein bulged on Alex's forehead.

"Don't call me that," he snapped.

He stood up, reaching into his storage ring. Pulling out a sleek bracelet, he slipped it onto his right wrist. Immediately, his silver hair darkened into jet black, and his glowing blue eyes dulled back to their amethyst hue.

With practiced ease, he slid the skeletal mask over his face, hiding every trace of expression. His voice was calm now, detached.

"I'm leaving. Remember what you just promised."

Lilith merely smiled again in response.

That only irritated Alex further. With a sharp motion, he turned and pushed open the office door, stepping out.

The hallway outside was quiet, save for one figure waiting at the door.

Isadora Vale — Lilith's maid and closest companion — stood there holding a white T-shirt in her hands. The fabric was slightly wrinkled from being clutched nervously.

Her cheeks warmed as she spoke.

"If you're done with your meeting with the princess… Mr. Lucifer, could you… please…"

She extended the shirt toward him.

Alex paused. 'So she's been standing here the whole time, waiting for me, huh?'

A small, amused smile tugged at his lips beneath the mask.

"Well as great as I am, I also and will always appreciate my fans," he said lightly, taking the shirt from her hands. With a quick flourish, he signed his name across the fabric.

Isadora's eyes lit up instantly, her lips curving into a bright smile.

"Thank you."

They even snapped a few pictures together — Isadora holding her shirt proudly beside the masked figure. Then, with nothing more to say, Alex gave a lazy wave and walked away down the hall.

Now standing alone outside the clubroom office, Isadora pressed a hand over her chest, her excitement threatening to spill over. She quickly slipped the signed T-shirt into her storage ring, forcing herself to calm down.

Taking a steady breath, she knocked on the office door.

A voice floated out, casual and familiar.

"You don't have to knock, Isa. Just come right in."

She entered quietly, finding Lilith reclining back on the couch.

Lilith's crimson eyes flicked toward her.

"Can you prepare some coffee for me? I'm feeling a bit dizzy."

Isadora bowed slightly. "Of course, your highness."

The sound of boiling water and clinking porcelain filled the room.

"You're curious, aren't you?" Lilith's voice came suddenly, breaking the silence.

Isadora froze, then smiled faintly.

"You don't have to tell me, your highness. It must be something important."

Lilith exhaled a slow sigh, resting her head against the couch.

"You can say that."

She sat upright, her tone sharpening as she added,

"After the coffee, we're going to meet Charlotte."

Isadora glanced back, startled.

"Did she call you again for support?"

Lilith let out a soft laugh.

"No. I just promised someone that I'd support her."

Isadora's eyes flickered in realization.

"Oh… I understand. So this is what you were discussing."

"Yes," Lilith confirmed, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly.

"Then I will do as you wish," Isadora said warmly. "I'll inform all our people who we've decided to back."

"Thanks for the help," Lilith replied softly.

Isadora shook her head with a smile.

"Don't say that. It's my job."

Moments later, Isadora placed a cup of steaming coffee before Lilith.

As Lilith reached for it, Isadora's eyes widened. Around her mistress's wrist was a faint, glowing mark. A symbol — delicate yet ominous — etched of her wrist.

'Is that… the mark of a blood oath? But… what kind of oath was it?'

Lilith noticed her gaze. With a sharp motion, she pulled her sleeve down to cover the mark.

"Let's go," Lilith said briskly, sipping her drink. "The coffee was delicious."

Isadora smiled softly. "It was my pleasure."

Yet her mind lingered on the mark, the curiosity gnawing at her. Still, she held her tongue. She was Lilith's maid — it wasn't her place to pry.

------

Meanwhile, Alex stood before another building — the Archery Clubroom. His skeletal mask gleamed under the light.

'One down. One more to go.'

Pushing open the door, he stepped inside.

Almost immediately, several elven students looked up from their practice, their sharp gazes analyzing the masked stranger with curiosity.

Alex smirked beneath the mask.

'Of course. Here they come.'

As soon as the elves saw Alex's masked face and realized he wasn't an elf, three of them stepped in front of him.

One of them sneered.

"One more human, huh? You people are bothering our princess a lot these days. She's already said no a hundred times."

Alex tilted his head slightly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"So you already know that I haven't come here to join your shitty little club, huh?"

The three elves stiffened, their faces twisting in anger.

One spat out with disdain.

"What do you monkeys know about the art of archery and magic? As a low-born human, you should be glad to even stand in the presence of a superior race."

Alex's eyes darkened beneath the mask.

'And this is exactly why I didn't want to come here in the first place.'

He exhaled slowly, his voice cold and clipped.

"Look, I don't have time for this. Just tell me where your princess is. I have something to discuss with her. It's already been decided by her father that we have to go on a mission soon. So move."

At his words, the three elves froze. The moment he mentioned the Elven King, they sucked in sharp breaths, their bravado melting instantly. Cold sweat trickled down their temples.

"You should have started with that, human…" one of them muttered nervously.

"Follow us," another said quickly.

Alex sighed as he followed them, calming his irritation.

'And Alyssa actually expects me to go on a mission in an elven country? When their behavior is already this rotten inside Zenith Academy? Great… just great.'

They soon reached the open archery grounds — a wide, sunlit field where enchanted targets danced and zipped through the air.

At the center of it all stood Elaria, her blond hair flowing like silk, her posture flawless as she drew her bow. She wore a fitted white tunic with golden linings, paired with sleek dark-green leggings and silver vambraces that glimmered faintly with runic enchantments. A quiver of arrows hung lightly at her hip, though she barely seemed to need more than one at a time.

Alex slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing as he watched.

Elaria released her arrow — the string sang, and the shaft split into three glowing streaks mid-air. In a blink, all three struck different moving targets at once, shattering them into shards of light. The field echoed with the faint hum of residual magic.

Even Alex couldn't help but raise a brow.

'Her aim really is something else…'

But his admiration was fleeting. Because just a little distance away stood Ethan and Seraphina, both trying — and failing — to get her attention.

Elaria ignored them completely, loosing another flawless shot.

The elf guide smirked.

"See what I told you? You humans just keep pestering our princess for things she doesn't want to do."

Alex didn't reply. He simply stepped past them, walking closer to Elaria.

As he approached, voices carried to his ears.

Ethan's tone was edged with frustration.

"Why are you being like this? You're also a first-year. If Lucas wins, he won't make things easy for elves or vampires. He believes in human superiority just like you elves do for your own race."

Elaria scoffed but gave no reply, loosing another arrow that shattered four targets at once.

Seraphina's voice was firm, pleading.

"Yes, but on the other hand, Charlotte is nothing like her brother. She believes in equality, in treating everyone fairly. Supporting her will mean balance, Elaria."

Finally, Elaria lowered her bow and turned toward them, her eyes glinting with disdain.

"Tell me, why should I support another princess by making her president? Isn't it the same as admitting she's better than me? When she is nowhere near me."

Seraphina pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing.

"Seriously… did you hear anything we just said? Or are you only worried about proving you're superior to everyone else?"

Elaria tilted her head, almost innocently.

"And is that wrong?"

Seraphina groaned, throwing her hands up.

"I'm done. I can't get through to her."

Ethan clenched his jaw, glaring at Elaria. Then his eyes flicked to the bow in her hands, and an idea sparked.

"Elaria," he said firmly. "What if I challenge you to an archery duel? If I win, you'll support Charlotte. If you win, we'll never pester you again."

An arrogant smile slowly spread across Elaria's face, her ember eyes flashing.

"Do you even realize what you're asking for? Challenging me for archery are you sane or all that fame has gotten to your head…?"

Ethan smirked. "Yes. What's the matter? Are you scared?"

Her mouth twitched, her pride pricked.

"Scared? I acc—"

But before she could finish, another voice cut through the air. Calm, deep, yet sharp enough to silence the entire field.

"Well, well… an interesting duel is about to happen. Do you mind if I participate too?"

Everyone turned.

Elaria's eyes widened instantly, recognition flashing across her face.

"Lucifer Morningstar… so you've finally come. My family just informed me you would arrive."

------

A/N:

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