Inside his grand private office, Count Vladmir sat alone behind his heavy blackwood desk, the fire burning low in the corner fireplace.
The soft scratch of a pen against paper was the only sound in the room as he studied the documents laid neatly before him.
In front of him, glowing faintly with magic, was a file.
Information about Alina Hart.
He had ordered a background check as soon as he heard about a new human teacher entering Little Fang Kindergarten in meeting.
After all, his son…his heir was spending hours under her care.
He had to be sure.
His sharp crimson eyes read through the pages slowly.
Worked multiple part-time jobs.
No criminal records.
Clean background.
Hardworking.
Soft-hearted.
A human raised by hardship, not privilege.
Vladmir's thin lips pressed together thoughtfully.
After a moment, he gave a small, almost invisible nod to himself.
Harmless.
As he leaned back in his chair, deep in thought, the heavy door to his office creaked open softly without a knock.
Lady Isadora entered, her presence as light as the breeze but impossible to ignore.
She was beautiful in a quiet, regal way—her silver-blond hair falling in elegant waves over her shoulders, her eyes a bright, soft blue, filled with gentle warmth, but also hiding a fierce strength underneath.
Her movements were graceful, every step filled with the noble pride of a pure-blooded vampire queen.
She carried a small velvet blanket over one arm, and a faint smile played on her lips.
"He's asleep," she said softly, walking into the room without realizing what Vladmir had been doing.
Vladmir looked up at her, his face softening in a way he allowed only for her.
Without a word, he reached out, silently inviting her closer.
Isadora walked to his side and placed the folded blanket gently on the arm of his chair.
Her hand brushed lightly against his, and for a brief moment, the great coldness that surrounded the castle melted into something warmer.
Vladmir's gaze shifted back to the fire, thinking.
Alina Hart.
A human, yes.
***
Far away from the dark castles and fire-lit palaces, across the endless stretch of silver-blue ocean, hidden from human eyes, was the world of the water folk.
Kelpie's home was not a house built of stone or wood.
It was a palace beneath the ocean, tucked under the waves near a peaceful island, where the sunlight filtered down like golden rivers through the clear blue water.
The walls of the underwater palace were made from glowing coral and polished seashells, strong yet delicate, shaped by their ancient magic. Soft gardens of seaweed floated around it, and schools of tiny golden fish swam lazily by the tall, crystal-like towers.
This was the Kingdom of Tides, the home of Kelpie.
Inside the grand main hall, with floors made of pearl and ceilings high and flowing like water itself, two figures waited.
Lady Maris, Queen of the Water Realm, stood tall and graceful, her long hair flowing like streams of silver and aqua down her back. Her eyes were the color of deep lagoons—calm, endless, and full of secret power. She wore a long dress made of silk that seemed to ripple like the surface of the sea, even though there was no wind underwater.
Beside her stood Lord Corvus, her mate and King of the Tides.
He was tall and strong, with dark blue hair pulled back loosely, and eyes that shining like stormy waves. His face was handsome, carved with sharp lines, and he carried himself like a warrior who had fought many battles to protect the peace of their people. His arms were crossed over his chest, but his face was calm, serious but not cold.
And between them, the great entrance gates of the palace opened slowly.
A group of royal guards swam forward, and in their middle was a small figure.
Kelpie.
He floated gently into the hall, clutching a small shell-shaped bag in one hand, his soft blue hair sticking slightly to his forehead from the long journey home.
His big, royal blue eyes lifted as he saw his parents and a small, shy smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Lady Maris's face immediately softened. She floated forward gracefully, reaching out her arms.
"Welcome home, little tide," she said gently, her voice flowing like music.
Kelpie blinked up at her, hesitated for only a moment and then swam quickly into her arms, pressing his small body against her warm, flowing dress.
Lord Corvus smiled quietly, placing a firm, reassuring hand on his son's back.
Their quiet little wave, finally home.
Lady Maris gently stroked Kelpie's soft hair, smoothing down the messy blue strands still clinging to his forehead. Her touch was light, careful, like she was handling a piece of the ocean itself. She smiled warmly at her son, feeling his small arms wrap quietly around her waist.
Lord Corvus, still standing tall and proud beside them, let his hand rest on Kelpie's back for a few moments longer before giving a small nod to the guards.
"Bring his belongings to his chambers," he ordered calmly.
The guards bowed slightly and swam away with Kelpie's little shell bag, while Lady Maris took her son's hand into hers.
"Come, little tide," she said, her voice full of gentle affection. "You must be tired. Let's get you clean and fed."
Kelpie nodded shyly, his fingers curling lightly around her delicate hand.
Together, they floated through the glowing coral hallways, the soft light of the ocean shimmering against the pearl floors. Schools of bright fish darted past, leaving trails of light behind them like stars falling underwater. Kelp curtains swayed lazily from open windows, and distant songs of whales echoed through the palace, low and comforting.
They reached Kelpie's room, a round chamber made from smooth, glowing shells and soft sand. His bed was carved from a giant clam shell, lined with layers of warm, silky seaweed blankets. Small bubble lanterns floated gently above his bed, casting soft light all around.
Lady Maris led him first to the cleaning pool connected to his room.
Their cleaning system was simple and beautiful.
Kelpie floated into a shallow, warm water pool that shimmered with natural magic. Soft bubbles rose up on their own, carrying away any dirt or tiredness from his small body. Special tiny cleaner fish circled around him politely, nibbling away dust and salt, while the enchanted waters refreshed his clothes and hair without needing scrubbing.
Kelpie relaxed almost immediately, his small eyes closing as he floated peacefully inside the warm water.
Lady Maris and Lord Corvus waited nearby patiently, not rushing him.
When he was done, Lady Maris wrapped him in a soft towel made of kelp fibers, drying him carefully without tugging at his hair. She even combed his wet blue hair neatly with a comb made of mother-of-pearl.
"There," she said warmly, "my little wave looks just like a prince again."
Kelpie blushed a little but said nothing, quietly enjoying the attention.
AN: Kelp fibers are natural, seaweed-based threads used to make eco-friendly materials like fabric or packaging. They're strong, sustainable, and biodegradable.️