Chapter 2

I stood before my vanity, the blood-ruby ring in my hand. For five hundred years, it had never left my finger.

Augustine had said it was forged from his heart’s blood, one of a kind.

But now, Lucy wore its twin.

I clenched my fist, and the ring shattered. The crimson shards cut into my palm, my own blood dripping between my fingers. The pain was grounding.

I then took out the scroll of our Mating pact and, without hesitation, ripped it to shreds.

I placed the ring fragments and torn parchment into an elegant ebony box. On top, I placed a label I’d written myself: A Parting Gift.

"Haley? My love, I'm home!"

Augustine's voice, full of its usual warmth and affection, drifted up from downstairs.

I quickly tucked the box into a corner and composed my expression.

A few minutes later, he pushed open the study door, holding a lavish velvet box. He was still devastatingly handsome in the moonlight.

"My love, I have a special surprise for you." He walked toward me and slowly opened the box.

Inside lay a gem the size of a dove's egg, glowing with a soft, silvery light. It was perfectly clear, yet seemed to shimmer with a mysterious power.

"The Tear of the Moon," he said, his voice laced with pride. "A legendary jewel said to hold immense healing power. It took me three whole months to secure it from an ancient family in Northern Europe."

He knelt on one knee, his posture reverent and full of love. "I want to lay all the world's treasures at your feet, my queen. You deserve nothing but the best."

Such beautiful words. Such a loving gesture.

If I hadn’t caught the faint red smudge on his wrist—a stain that looked damningly like lipstick—I might have actually been moved.

Disgusting.

"It's beautiful. Thank you," I managed, forcing a small smile as I took the gem.

Augustine stood, seeming to notice my mood. "What's wrong? You don't seem happy."

"It's nothing."

His eyes fell on the ebony box in the corner. "What's this?"

He reached for it curiously.

"You can't have it yet," I said, pulling the box back. "You'll get it in seven days, along with my second gift."

"Seven days?" Augustine paused, then his eyes lit up in realization. "Gods, I almost forgot! Your birthday is in seven days!"

He was instantly animated. "I'll send out the orders at once! We'll prepare the grandest celebration, invite all the noble houses, and—"

In five hundred years, he had never forgotten my birthday.

It seemed that human blood slave was taking up a lot of his energy.

"Wait," I interrupted. "This year, I want to plan the party myself."

He looked at me, puzzled. "Why? I always—"

"Because I want us to have a truly 'memorable' birthday," I said, emphasizing the word. "Trust me, it will be a night no one will ever forget."

He didn't question it. Instead, a fond smile spread across his face. "Of course. Anything you want. As long as you're happy."

Just then, his phone rang.

"Lord Augustine," a subordinate's respectful voice came through the speaker. "Have you forgotten tonight's arrangement? You and the lady were scheduled to attend the masquerade at the Rose Manor, to recreate your first meeting…"

Augustine slapped his forehead. "Right! How could I forget our tradition!"

He looked at me, guilt-ridden. "I'm so sorry, my love. I've been so swamped lately, it completely slipped my mind. Shall we go now?"

The Rose Manor.

The place we first met. A sacred spot we visited every anniversary.

We were so innocent then, so in love.

Augustine always used to plan for it weeks in advance. Now he needed his underlings to remind him.

How ironic.

Half an hour later, we arrived at the Rose Manor. The owner, a respected elder Prince, greeted us personally.

"Augustine, Haley. Seeing you two always reminds me of my own youth," the elder Prince said with a kind smile. "Five hundred years, and your love is as sweet as ever."

Augustine gallantly removed my cloak, his touch as gentle as if he were handling a priceless work of art.

He then poured me a glass of blood-wine and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

The perfect, doting husband.

"Look at you two," the elder Prince sighed. "It's truly something to envy. By the way, have you two considered siring an heir?"