As Nova's ughter gradually subsided, Lucius studied him with an expression that had transformed completely from his earlier rage. The fury that had sent shock waves through the vampire world mere moments ago had dissolved entirely, repced by something far more human.

  "Are you hungry?" Lucius asked, the question so disarmingly simple that it seemed out of pce coming from the being who had just demonstrated power capable of bringing an entire species to its knees.

  Nova's ughter faded into a small smile as he nodded, seemingly unaware of how this ordinary exchange contrasted with the extraordinary circumstances surrounding them.

  Lucius turned toward the doorway where court officials still hovered uncertainly. "Prepare a food meal for two in the private dining chamber," he instructed, his voice calm and measured. "Not blood. Food."

  The simple request nded with the impact of a decration of war. Court officials exchanged stunned gnces, the emphasis on "food" not lost on any of them. Vampires consumed blood—this was fundamental to their nature, an immutable w of their existence. The implication that the Vampire King himself would eat food alongside Nova challenged the most basic understanding of what it meant to be a vampire.

  "Now," Lucius added when no one moved, his tone pleasant but with an edge that prompted immediate action.

  As the officials scattered to fulfill the order, Lucius gestured toward the door. "Shall we? My private chambers are not suited for dining."

  They walked together through corridors where servants and officials pressed themselves against walls, their eyes downcast yet stealing gnces at this unprecedented pairing—the Vampire King and the hybrid who had somehow caused more transformation in their unchanging society in a single day than had occurred in centuries.

  The private dining chamber was intimate but elegant, clearly designed for diplomatic meetings rather than regur use. Nova took in the space with curious eyes as Lucius positioned himself at the head of the small table, indicating for Nova to take the seat at his right.

  "This room sees little use," Lucius commented, noticing Nova's observation. "Diplomatic meals are typically conducted in the Grand Hall, where the proper hierarchies can be maintained through seating arrangements." A subtle smile touched his lips. "Considerably less comfortable, but appropriately intimidating."

  Servants entered carrying trays, their movements hesitant despite obvious training. They pced settings before both Lucius and Nova, the tremor in their hands betraying their discomfort at witnessing something they had been taught was impossible.

  The scent of freshly prepared food filled the room—roasted meats, vegetables seasoned with herbs, freshly baked bread. For Nova, who had spent centuries receiving only the minimal sustenance required to keep him alive, the array was overwhelming. For the servants, the shocking element was not the food itself, which they regurly prepared for human resources and visiting dignitaries, but that it was being served to their king.

  As the servants withdrew, whispering urgently to those waiting in the corridor, Lucius gestured toward the meal with casual ease. "Please," he said simply, "eat."

  Nova needed no further encouragement, reaching for a piece of bread with evident appreciation. Lucius selected his own portion with the practiced grace of someone who had dined this way countless times—an action that sent a visible ripple of shock through the servants who hadn't yet managed to exit.

  Word spread through the pace with supernatural speed. By the time Lucius took his first bite, officials were gathering in the corridor outside, inventing reasons to pass by the open door, desperate to confirm with their own eyes what they had been told could not possibly be true: their Vampire King was consuming human food.

  Yet Lucius appeared completely unconcerned about revealing this aspect of himself, continuing his meal as if there were nothing extraordinary about a vampire enjoying roasted meat instead of blood. The profound bombshell he had just dropped seemed incidental to him compared to ensuring Nova was properly fed.

  For Nova, the meal was simply a welcome pleasure after centuries of deprivation—unaware that his quiet enjoyment of food alongside Lucius represented yet another shattering of vampire society's fundamental beliefs.

  As they ate in companionable quiet, a connection established itself between them that transcended the chaos erupting throughout the pace—a shared need that made the immortal king and the former captive momentarily equal in the simple, human act of breaking bread together.