Astria secured the last end of the bandage, tying it firmly. Her hands lingered on Len's leg for a heartbeat before she slowly lifted her neck, locking her frosty gaze onto Len's eyes.
"Remember one thing always," Astria's voice was very low yet profound. "If you ever get hurt, anywhere... do not go to any vampire. Never."
Len's golden eyes, which were still reading every contour of Astria's face, did not blink even once. He asked in a very calm and flat tone, "You are one of them too. Should I not come to you either?"
Astria's lips seemed to freeze. She had no immediate answer to this innocent yet piercing question. The silence within the room deepened, with only the sound of their breathing filling the air. Astria lowered her gaze, her fingers gripping the bedsheet tightly. The empathy that had been visible moments ago was now retreating behind a rigid wall once more.
After a long silence, Astria spoke in a dry tone without looking at Len, "Yes... do not come near me either."
She stood up with a sudden jerk. The hem of her gown swished across the floor as she strode rapidly toward the washroom located within the chamber. The door of the washroom slammed shut with a heavy 'thud,' making the entire room echo once again.
Len remained seated at the edge of the bed, staring at the white bandage wrapped around his leg. He couldn't quite tell if Astria was warning him to stay away from her, or if she was advising herself to stay away from him.
Len remained at the edge of the bed before suddenly thrusting his body backward, falling into the softness of the mattress. He flipped onto his stomach and pulled a plush pillow toward him. "What is the need for so much anger...
" he muttered, his voice muffled by the cotton of the pillow, "I was only playing outside." He locked the pillow in a tight embrace, burying his face completely within it, as if seeking refuge from the bitter questions of the outside world.
On the other side, within the washroom, the scene was starkly different. Astria stood with her back pressed against the other side of the door. She had covered her face tightly with both hands, as if trying to prevent herself from even feeling. Her lips were pressed so thin they had almost vanished, the tension pulling at the muscles of her face.
As she pried her fingers away from her face, her eyes in the silence of that closed room had turned a terrifying, vibrant red, like glowing embers. That redness wasn't born of hatred, but of a primal, uncontrollable thirst that the scent of Len's fresh blood had awakened within her. Her eyes, which had just been watching Len, were now bearing witness to her true nature in the darkness.
Astria's breath was heavy and ragged. She took a long, trembling breath and let the tension in her body go limp. Her strength was finally giving way. She slid slowly down the length of the door until she sat huddled on the cold floor. The Queen of the grand palace was now behind a closed door, battling the very instincts she had just warned Len to stay away from.
Astria slowly unclenched her fists and regained control over her ragged breathing. She stood up and moved forward with a heavy gait. Drawing aside the silken curtains of the imperial bath, she reached the vast and deep water pool. Without a single moment of hesitation, she descended into the cold ripples.
Soon, Astria's entire frame was submerged within the deep waters. Only her eyes and the upper portion of her forehead remained visible above the surface. She squeezed her burning red eyes shut. The icy chill of the water fought to extinguish the 'fire' racing through her veins—the one ignited by the scent of Len's blood. She remained motionless beneath the water, like a statue carved from stone.
After some time had passed, she slowly lifted her lids. The terrifying crimson in her eyes had begun to fade. Astria raised her body slightly out of the water, smoothing her wet hands over her face.
Len's innocent face and his shimmering golden eyes flickered before her vision once more. She recalled his piercing question— "Should I not come to you either?"
Astria's lips trembled, and a very faint voice resonated within the quiet, steam-filled bath. "That small child..." she said, closing her eyes again, "A vampire... I have never even been affected by the scent of human blood, but his blood..."
She stopped herself there, as if afraid to give voice to the truth that was stirring within her heart.
Astria stepped out of the pool, droplets falling from her heavy gown onto the floor with a hollow resonance. She picked up a dry silk cloth and wrapped it over her wet frame and gown. Soaked and heavy, her royal attire weighed her down as she moved toward the main chamber with weighted steps.
She pushed open the washroom door from the inside. Her first glance fell upon the bed, where Len still lay with his head buried in the pillow. Astria took a deep breath and called out to him, her voice slightly raised, "Len?"
When there was no response or movement from the bed, Astria's steps moved toward the main chamber door. She pulled the heavy wooden doors shut and, with a faint creak, firmly locked them. The sound of the latch clicking resonated clearly through the silence of the room.
Satisfied, she turned toward her massive, carved wardrobe. She pulled out dry garments and, within moments, shed her soaked gown to dress in fresh clothes. As she was neatly tying the fine silk strings of her attire, a sudden movement occurred.
A slight rustle from the bed caught Astria's attention. Len had shifted in his sleep, causing ripples to appear in the velvet sheets. Astria tied the final string of her clothes tightly and walked with very quiet steps to stand right beside the bed.
Len remained in a deep, peaceful slumber. Seeing him so unaware, the terrifying crimson in Astria's eyes had completely calmed, yet the curiosity within her mind still compelled her to lean toward him.