The dimly lit corridor stretched out, cast in the faint glow of hexagonal crimson sconces fighting against the surrounding darkness. Vlad stood with his arms crossed, looking down at Liliette. The light behind him cast a soft glow around his figure, forming a halo. The sight momentarily washed away her sense of shame.
His dark hair, slicked back perfectly, framed a face with striking features that seemed to absorb the shadows around him. His eyes, sharp and intense like the tip of a blade, held a magnetic allure. From her vantage point on the floor, his tall, imposing stature seemed even more magnificent. The only imperfection in his appearance was a faint crease on the red ceremonial cloak draped over his left shoulder. His black uniform and polished boots enhanced his ironclad presence, immaculate to a fault. In stark contrast, Liliette’s dress, once elegant like a night sky strewn with stars, was now dusted with dirt. A flush of heat crept from her neck to her scalp.
