"Oceanus Grave... what an awful name," Akira muttered as he parked his black Ferrari Enzo in the guest-only parking area designated for those invited to the event aboard the Oceanus Grave.
"Well, Snake Charmer's taste has been terrible for a long time now," Natsuki commented quietly as Akira stopped the car and they both stepped out together.
Natsuki looked different from her usual appearance. She was no longer the petite loli teacher—she had now taken on the form of her adult self, just as she had appeared in the Prison Barrier in the original anime.
She wore a shimmering black evening gown that hugged her mature body with deadly elegance, as if it had been crafted specifically for her—tight at the waist, highlighting her slender figure with a mesmerizing feminine grace, then gradually flaring at the hips, perfectly sculpted to her curves as if her body had been painted by the gods themselves. The neckline was daring yet tasteful, revealing the soft lines of her collarbone and the taut swell of her chest without vulgarity, surrounded by a dark silky fabric that sparkled with every movement—like tiny stars residing along her curves.
Her back was exposed down to the midline, her pale ivory skin gleaming softly under the lights, while the gown draped elegantly over her spine, leaving behind a lingering trace of chill and desire. Though her legs weren't fully visible, her graceful stride in high black heels offered a fleeting glimpse of her left thigh through the side slit—skin smooth and tight, as if it still carried the chill of the void.
Her long black hair was left flowing freely down her back, the strands gliding over her bare skin like a luxurious night curtain. Her half-lidded eyes glinted with a cold blue hue and a hidden shyness, surveying the crowd from above without uttering a word. Each glance she cast carried layers of meaning—a subtle contempt, refined boredom, and perhaps... an unspoken invitation no one dared to accept.
A faint scent of oud and vanilla lingered around her, impossible to grasp but present in the air like a memory one couldn't forget. In her hand, she still held that black umbrella, but this time it wasn't a weapon—it was a royal accessory, fit for the Queen of Shadows.
At that moment, Natsuki wasn't merely a sorceress... she was the embodiment of untouchable femininity—femininity that had matured in silence and decided, in just one night... to be seen.
But she wasn't alone. Walking beside her was an incredibly handsome man of average height, yet his presence was overwhelming, filling the space around him with an aura difficult to describe. His athletic body was sculpted like an Assyrian statue—muscular without exaggeration, each detail flawless as if molded by the gods themselves. His shoulders were broad with confidence, his chest upright like a sacred shield that would never bend, and every step he took didn't just carry weight—it carried a silent declaration of absolute dominion.
His short blond hair, messily yet harmoniously styled, gleamed with the color of raw gold—it didn't reflect light; it radiated it. His strands didn't follow the wind, they seemed to command it instead. But his eyes… they were another story—two crimson embers glowing with royal coldness. There was no anger in them, only a quiet disdain—the gaze of someone who knew the world itself was worthless before his greatness, and knew that you knew it too.
He wore a simple black suit, though it was clear it was made from the finest materials, paired with a red tie that matched the color of his eyes. This man... was none other than Akira.
The two stepped out of the car and walked side by side, Natsuki gently intertwining her fingers with his, giving them the appearance of a loving couple as they made their way toward the Oceanus Grave.
The air was heavy with the scent of the sea and fine wine, subtly laced with classical music drifting from the heart of the massive ship. Oceanus Grave was more than just a ship—it was a floating palace, guarded by soft lights and mirrored reflections, where the powerful and elite gathered beneath a veil of elegance and pretense. Yet Akira alone knew the truth... that this was merely another stage for chaos to unfold.
Their steps along the dark-carpeted walkway were light yet deliberate, their footfalls barely audible—and still, all heads turned toward them, as if the earth itself had gone silent to announce the arrival of a king and his queen.
The men looked at Natsuki with silent awe. Some recognized her, others mistook her for a woman of another class—not a sorceress, but the embodiment of the word enchantment, when mind and body merge in the form of a woman. She held onto Akira's arm with poised ease—not with artificial sweetness, but with the calm of someone who knew exactly where she belonged.
As for the women, their eyes were drawn to Akira the way light strikes a sword resting in a velvet sheath. His serene charm, his undeniable presence that didn't seek acknowledgment yet commanded it, and the way he walked without glancing at anyone, made many bite their lips in silence—as if they had seen something forbidden to gaze upon, yet impossible to look away from.
"Shouldn't Snake Charmer come greet you now? Since he invited you as a Lost Warlord's Noble Descendant, right?" Natsuki whispered softly, leaning slightly toward him, her lips barely moving.
"Right. A Lost Warlord's Noble Descendant is supposed to greet me with respect—since I am The Fourth Primogenitor," Akira nodded slightly at her words, the etiquette among Vampires clear—"But it seems the other party is waiting for us on the upper deck. Looks like he doesn't want to cause a commotion among the other guests."
"Seems that way. Even the Frivolous Master of Serpents can't mess around in front of this many ambassadors and politicians without consequence," Natsuki smirked mockingly as she walked with Akira toward the ship's upper deck, where the presence of Dimitrie Vatler was already unmistakable in both of their senses.
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Sorry for the absence the past two days, but I didn't feel like writing or uploading.
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