Chapter 177

• Sophia’s POV
• The grand ballroom of the vampire realm was breathtaking, every corner gleaming with the kind of elegance that only centuries of tradition could muster. Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting a soft, golden light over the room, while velvet drapes framed the windows, opening up to a view of the moonlit landscape outside. It was overwhelming. The entire place felt like something out of a storybook—ancient, timeless, and impossibly beautiful. And I was in the middle of it, wearing the most extravagant gown I’d ever seen in my life, about to marry the vampire king.
• I glanced at Ian beside me. He looked regal, standing tall in his tailored suit, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. His hand was warm in mine, grounding me amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. The council members sat in their designated places, their expressions neutral, though I could sense their keen observation. They were here in a formal capacity, but their presence meant more than that—it was a sign of support, an acknowledgment of our union and what it meant for the realm. But there was also something unspoken lingering in the air, a tension I couldn’t quite place.