Love Upon the Throne of Eternal Night - 神威x巡音

💜💗💜💗💜 Story 💗💜💗💜💗 Night enveloped the ancient vampire castle. Eternal candles burned throughout the grand hall, their flames swaying gently in the breeze and casting flickering shadows across the towering stone pillars. Heavy curtains concealed every window from the approaching daylight, while beyond the tall windows, the silver moon watched silently over the domain that belonged to the night. At the far end of the hall stood a throne crafted from dark wood and adorned with purple gemstones. Kamui Gakupo sat upon it, holding a report concerning his territories, his expression as composed as ever. He was the master of this castle and the king who ruled over several surrounding vampire domains. Whether it was nobles arriving to pay their respects or disputes requiring his judgment, everyone was expected to abide by the rules of his castle. However, there was one rule that only those closest to him truly understood. The king did not always have to occupy his throne alone. “Gakupo.” A familiar, gentle voice came from the entrance to the hall. Gakupo raised his head and saw Megurine Luka walking toward him. She was his lover and a vampire who had lived for countless years herself. Unlike the nobles who competed for power at banquets and tested one another during council meetings, Luka never needed to prove her standing through such means. Everyone in the castle knew that she was the only person who could approach the king without the slightest hesitation. “What is it?” Gakupo closed the report and extended his hand toward her. “You seem particularly eager to see me today.” Luka walked up to him but did not answer immediately. Instead, she glanced at his outstretched hand before lifting her eyes to meet his. “Am I not allowed to come and see you?” “Of course you are.” A faint smile appeared on Gakupo's lips. “No matter how many times you come, I will never turn you away.” Satisfied with his answer, Luka smiled and took his hand. She stepped closer and settled herself on his lap. Gakupo was clearly accustomed to her affection. He naturally wrapped one arm around her waist while using his other hand to support her arm, allowing her to settle comfortably against him. Luka adjusted her position until she found the most comfortable spot, then rested her head against his shoulder. “Mm. This really is the best place.” “My throne?” “No.” She lifted her head and looked at him with a hint of playful mischief. “Your arms.” Gakupo chuckled softly. “I see. Perhaps I should reconsider the purpose of this throne.” “How would you change it?” “Perhaps I should ask the craftsmen to make the seat wider so you can sit more comfortably.” Luka could not help laughing. “Would you really do that?” “As long as you want it.” His answer came so naturally that having a throne rebuilt for his lover seemed like the most ordinary task in the world. Luka gazed at him for a moment before reaching up to gently pinch his cheek. “You know, Your Majesty, how can you be so easily persuaded by your lover?” “I thought that was one of a king's privileges.” “Since when was that a privilege?” “At least in my castle, it is.” After speaking, Gakupo lowered his head and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. Luka had been about to argue, but the unexpected kiss made her forget what she wanted to say. She blinked, then buried her face against the side of his neck, attempting to conceal the smile tugging at her lips. As a vampire who had lived through countless ages, she was accustomed to all kinds of situations and had never been uncomfortable under anyone's gaze. Gakupo, however, was the one person who could always bring out an expression that only he was allowed to see. “Luka.” “Hmm?” “Is there something you want to tell me today?” She lifted her head and looked at him in confusion. “Why do you ask?” “Because you've been sitting here for quite some time, and you keep looking at me.” “Does a couple need a special reason to sit together?” “No, not at all.” Gakupo answered without hesitation. “However, if you keep looking at me like that, I might start wondering whether there's something about me that deserves such careful examination.” Luka deliberately studied his face. “Perhaps there is.” “Oh? Such as?” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “For example, I want to know when you'll finally put those reports aside and spend some proper time with me.” At last, Gakupo understood. He glanced at the documents resting beside him, then looked at the lover in his arms. Without the slightest hesitation, he placed the report on the table. “Right now.” Luka was momentarily stunned. “Don't you need to finish your work first?” “Those matters can wait until tomorrow.” “But you just said that several lords were waiting for your response today.” “They can afford to wait.” He gently tightened his arm around her, drawing her closer. “But my lover has personally come before the throne to request the king's company. I believe this matter deserves a higher priority.” Luka finally burst into laughter. “When you put it that way, I sound like a spoiled princess.” “Do you dislike that?” “If I'm your princess…” She paused, her eyes softening with affection. “Then I suppose I don't mind.” Gakupo looked at her, warmth filling his purple eyes. They were not young lovers who had only recently met. Throughout their long lives, they had walked through countless nights together and witnessed one another at their most vulnerable and exhausted. Gakupo knew that Luka disliked being treated as someone weak who needed protection, while Luka understood how much responsibility lay hidden beneath Gakupo's seemingly flawless composure. They did not need to express their love at every moment. Sometimes, simply having her sit on his lap while he held her close was enough. “Gakupo.” “I'm listening.” “Do you ever feel that I'm always interrupting your work?” He did not answer immediately. Instead, he gently took her hand. “Why would you think that?” “Because every time I come to see you, you put everything aside.” “That's because I want to.” “But…” “Luka, listen to me.” His voice remained gentle, though a note of seriousness entered it. “I certainly have responsibilities that must be fulfilled and many matters I cannot simply abandon. But that doesn't mean I must devote every single moment to them.” He looked into her eyes, his fingertips gently brushing the back of her hand. “I became the ruler of this kingdom to protect everything I treasure. You are not a burden outside my responsibilities. You are the person with whom I wish to share this long life.” Luka listened quietly. She had only intended to tease him and ask him to spend a little more time with her. She had not expected him to answer so earnestly. “So you never need to apologize for wanting to see me.” Gakupo lowered his head slightly until their foreheads touched. “If you want to come and see me, then come. If you want to sit here, then sit here. This place has always belonged to you, too.” Luka's eyes trembled slightly. “You know something? Sometimes, I really hate you.” “Oh?” He raised an eyebrow, seeming genuinely interested in the accusation. “What have I done to deserve such displeasure?” “Because you always know how to say things that leave me unable to argue.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice filled with affectionate complaint. “And you know perfectly well that this is the side of you I love most.” “Then should I continue maintaining this particular virtue?” “You'd better not even think about changing!” Gakupo laughed. “As you command, my dearest Majesty.” “Who's the Majesty here?” “The person sitting on the king's lap.” Luka froze for a moment before laughing and giving his shoulder a gentle slap. “You're really being wicked today.” “I am merely stating the facts.” “Then allow me to state a fact as well.” She leaned closer and kissed his cheek. “My king is adorable today.” This time, it was Gakupo's turn to be momentarily stunned. Luka looked at him triumphantly, as though she had finally managed to win a round. “What is it, Your Majesty? Have you run out of words? I thought you were very good at talking.” “I am simply considering something.” “Considering what?” “Whether I should cancel all my meetings for tonight.” Luka's eyes widened. “Why?” “Because I've suddenly realized that there is something far more important I need to attend to tonight.” “What is it?” Gakupo did not answer. Instead, he gently cupped her face and placed a tender kiss on her lips. The kiss was unhurried, yet Luka instinctively closed her eyes. She leaned into him and returned his affection. When they finally parted, she rested her forehead against his and smiled contentedly. “I see.” Her voice was so soft that only he could hear it. “Is this the king's most important duty tonight?” “Yes.” Gakupo replied with complete seriousness. “And it is a duty that will require a considerable amount of time.” “Then His Majesty had better work hard.” Luka smiled and settled comfortably into his arms again. Gakupo made sure she was securely nestled against him before reaching for a soft blanket nearby and draping it over them. She intertwined her fingers with his, holding his hand a little tighter, as though she could communicate every unspoken feeling simply by remaining connected to him. Outside the grand hall, the night wind swept past the castle's towering spires. The distant footsteps of the night guards echoed through the corridors. The servants continued their duties, and the documents awaiting the king's approval remained undisturbed on the table. None of it interrupted the couple on the throne. “Gakupo.” “Yes?” “Hold me a little tighter.” He asked no questions. He simply wrapped his arms around her more firmly. Luka closed her eyes with satisfaction. “I don't want to return to my room tonight.” “Then you don't have to.” “What if I fall asleep?” “I'll stay with you.” “What if dawn approaches?” “I'll take you back to our room and rest with you.” She opened one eye and secretly studied his expression. “You won't sneak back here to handle your paperwork while I'm asleep, will you?” Gakupo fell silent for a brief moment. Luka immediately sat upright. “You really were thinking about it!” “I was merely considering how to make tomorrow's work more efficient.” “No!” She wrapped her arms around his neck again, securing herself firmly in his embrace. “Tonight, you're not allowed to go anywhere.” Looking at the lover in his arms, who could be capricious at times yet always managed to stir his heart so effortlessly, Gakupo finally raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Very well, my queen.” “That's more like it.” Luka settled back against him and rested her cheek against his chest. Gakupo lowered his head and placed another gentle kiss in her hair. To other vampires, this throne symbolized power, authority, and an unquestionable right to rule. To Gakupo, however, it held another meaning. It was the place where, amid the demands of his royal duties, he could draw the person he treasured most into his arms, listen to her playful complaints, tease her affectionately, and reveal the gentlest side of himself without reservation. As for Luka, she had never cared whether she sat upon a throne. What she truly loved was knowing that no matter how many lords waited for an audience or how many matters demanded his attention, whenever she approached him and softly called his name, he would lift his head, offer her the smile that belonged only to her, and open his arms. Because in this castle, where the night never seemed to end, Gakupo was the king whom every vampire respected and feared. But in Luka's presence, he was simply the lover who was willing to hold her on his lap and spend the long hours of the night by her side. And she would always be the person he was willing to cherish for all eternity.