Shadows Unveiled.

The air was thick with tension as the hall stood in stark contrast to the earlier revelry. The wild celebrations had transformed into a scene of unsettling stillness. The king and queen's presence loomed, their expressions a mix of suspicion and concern as Seraphina's revelations echoed in the air.

Vladimir's sister, Elena, and his younger brother, Nikolas, had joined the hall with a sense of jubilation, unaware of the turmoil that had transpired. Elena, the eldest among the siblings, carried herself with an air of grace, while Nikolas, the youngest son, exuded an air of recklessness that set him apart.

The discovery of the missing girl, her lifeless form discovered by a guard, cast a somber pall over the scene. The air was charged with a heaviness that none could ignore, a reminder of the darkness that lingered just beyond their world of privilege.

Elena's gaze flickered to her parents, her voice tinged with worry as she addressed them. "Mother, Father, what has happened here?"

The queen's gaze was grave, her voice measured as she explained the situation. "A human girl is dead, drained of life."

Nikolas, whose curiosity often led him into perilous situations, leaned in with a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Drained by a vampire, I presume?"

The king's gaze hardened as he regarded his son, a sense of frustration underlying his words. "Yes, Nikolas. But this is not a matter for amusement."

Vladimir's presence was a steady force in the room, he features a mask of restraint. "The girl was drained by one of us," he acknowledged, his voice laced with a mixture of responsibility and gravity.

Elena's eyes widened, her disbelief evident. "One of us? Vladimir, who could have done such a thing?"

Vladimir's gaze shifted to Seraphina, a subtle acknowledgment of the truth that lay in her words. "Seraphina believes the culprit to be someone within our midst."

Nikolas's expression shifted from curiosity to intrigue, his gaze fixed on Seraphina. "And who does Seraphina suspect?"

The room fell into a heavy silence as the king and queen exchanged a knowing glance. The king's voice was deliberate, his words a challenge to Seraphina's accusations. "Tell us, Seraphina. Who is it that you suspect?"

Seraphina's gaze met the monarch's, a mixture of fear and determination in her eyes. "It's Lysandra."

The revelation hung in the air, a veil of shock and disbelief descending upon the room. Elena's eyes widened, her voice a mixture of incredulity and concern. "Lysandra? Our sister? How can you even suggest such a thing?"

Seraphina's voice quivered, her explanation hesitant yet unwavering. "I saw her on the balcony, drinking blood. She was with Prince Vladimir."

Nikolas's eyes sparkled with mischief, his voice tinged with amusement as he addressed his siblings. "Drinking blood, Lysandra? Our sweet sister?"

Vladimir's gaze darkened, his voice commanding as he addressed his younger brother. "Nikolas, this is not a matter for jest."

Elena's gaze shifted from Seraphina to her parents, her voice filled with urgency as she sought understanding. "Mother, Father, can this be true?"

The queen's expression was solemn, her gaze steady as she regarded Lysandra's brother and sister. "We cannot jump to conclusions without evidence. But we must investigate."

The hall was charged with tension as Seraphina's accusation hung heavy in the air. The revelation that Lysandra had consumed blood, even if not fatally, cast a shadow of doubt upon the princess. As Seraphina's eyes met Lysandra's, a mixture of fear and disbelief colored their gaze.

The king's voice was stern, his expression unyielding as he addressed his daughter. "Lysandra, did you drink Seraphina's blood?"

Lysandra's eyes met her father's, her voice steady as she responded. "Yes, Father, I did."

The queen's gaze was sharp, her words laced with anger. "Why would you do such a thing? What were your intentions?"

Lysandra's shoulders tensed, her gaze shifting between her parents and Seraphina. "I saw the way Seraphina looked at Vladimir. I sensed her attraction to him. I wanted to teach her a lesson, to show her that he was mine."

Elena's voice was incredulous, her disbelief evident. "By drinking her blood? Lysandra, you could have killed her!"

Lysandra's gaze remained unflinching, her voice resolute as she explained herself. "I didn't want to kill her. I only wanted to make her understand that she can't have what's mine."

The king and queen's fury was palpable, their expressions reflecting a mixture of anger and disappointment. The king's voice was a low growl as he addressed his daughter's reckless actions. "You endangered a human life, Lysandra. Your jealousy could have had dire consequences."

Elena's gaze shifted to her brother, her voice full of accusation. "Vladimir, did you have any part in this? Did you know what Lysandra was planning?"

Vladimir's response was swift and sincere, his gaze unwavering. "No, Elena. I had no knowledge of her intentions. I love Lysandra, and I have no interest in anyone else."

The king's gaze bore into his son's, his voice demanding the truth. "Did you notice the seduction, Vladimir?"

Vladimir's answer was filled with sincerity and a touch of exasperation. "I only knew jealousy, Father. I love Lysandra."

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of the situation settling over them all. Seraphina's heart raced as Vladimir's words echoed in the air. She had underestimated the bond between him and Lysandra, and the realization left her speechless.

The king's voice was cold and final as he addressed Seraphina. "You sought to sow discord within our family. Your heart is not pure, and we shall take appropriate action."

The queen's voice was equally firm as she continued. "As punishment, you shall undergo the Blood Pact."

Seraphina's eyes widened, her heart pounding as she heard those words. The Blood Pact was a ritual steeped in ancient tradition, a test of endurance and loyalty. The room seemed to close in around her as she stretched her trembling hand towards the king, her gaze locked on his eyes.

The king drank from her offered hand, followed by the queen who drank from her other hand. Elena, her voice a mix of concern and compassion, stepped forward to drink from her chest. Vladimir drank from her neck, a mixture of emotions evident in his gaze. Lysandra, her expression unreadable, drank from her neck as well. Nikolas's gaze held a hint of curiosity as he drank from her shoulder, his lips lingering longer than the others.

Seraphina's body wavered, her strength waning with each drop of blood taken from her. As Nikolas's lips pressed against her skin, a wave of dizziness overcame her, and she crumbled to the ground. The shock on their faces was palpable as they realized she was still breathing, her body battered but not broken.

The king nodded in approval, his voice a mixture of respect and acknowledgment. "She has survived the Blood Pact."

One of the guards stepped forward to assist Seraphina, carrying her to a room where she would rest and recover. As the room fell into silence once more, the ramifications of their actions and intentions loomed heavy, leaving them to grapple with the choices they had made and the consequences they had set in motion.