I woke up with a start when the door to my room flew open and slammed against the purple wallpaper. With sleepy eyes, I tried to figure out what was going on, but my body was still adjusting to the transformation, and I felt dizzy and weak from lack of sleep.

"You have to stop!" an angry voice ordered from the foot of my bed.

"I don't understand," I mumbled, confused, rubbing my forehead. "Is it already breakfast?"

"No, you fool. It's early morning, and I haven't slept a wink. Your dreams and thoughts about your family are tormenting my mind."

As my eyes adjusted to the dark room, I realized it was Luis standing by my bed in a nightgown, with a desperate expression and tired eyes. "I'm sorry," I mumbled apologetically. "I didn't know. I mean, I can't choose my dreams?"

He sighed at my words and sat on my bed. "They were beautiful, your wife and your child. You seemed content with your life with them." He leaned forward and took my hand in his, stroking the back of it with his thumb. "Anthony has personally dealt with their murderer. He is very keen on following the rules, my brother."

I nodded and studied his face. "So I don't have to meet him again?"

"On the contrary, my dear." He smiled as he spoke. "He is chained in the dungeons. We thought you would want to end his life personally. When you are strong enough."

I inhaled sharply and felt my heart beat faster. "I want to do it now!" I hissed, getting up from the bed, but his hand stopped me, and all I could do was give him a pleading look.

"Oh, don't look at me like that; you make my heart melt." He laughed and took a step closer to me. "Everything has its time and place, young Clockmaker. And now it's time to sleep," he said, guiding me back to bed. "You have an early meeting with Lumiere, right? And you need to be alert and learn everything he can teach you."

"I thought vampires slept during the day?" I asked, sounding like the child I was.

But Luis didn't judge me; he just smiled and stroked my cheek. "The fragile do, but you have the blood of a prince flowing through your body. Daylight will not harm you."

I nodded a few times before lying back down in bed again and watching as he pulled the covers up to my chin. "I can't promise that I won't dream about them again," I whispered, meeting his unnaturally green eyes.

"I know," he said, placing his fingers against my temples. "That's why I will help you sleep a dreamless sleep." Then he left me with a gentle kiss on the forehead, surrounded by darkness in a deep, much-needed slumber.

***

Becoming a vampire had proven to be quite complicated and bewildering. Most of my emotions were numbed, nearly neutralized, but suddenly I could be overwhelmed by something. Ever since I woke up, I had felt alone, like an abandoned child searching for its parents in a bustling market—and I couldn't shake that feeling. After a full breakfast, I followed the butler who had agreed to help me find Lumiere's room. As we walked through the endless corridors, I felt the sensation grow stronger, almost unbearable.

"Good morning." My brother's cheerful voice surprised me as I stepped into the room.

I gave him a brief nod and a faint smile, but I couldn't do more than that because the pain in my chest was becoming too much, like a knife stabbing my muscles again and again. I quickly sank down into one of the chairs. "I-I feel sick," I stammered, hiding my face in my hands to force myself to take a few calming breaths.

It didn't take long before I felt a comforting hand on my back, and Lumiere crouched down in front of me. "Talk to me," he said, asking the nearest maid to fetch a glass of water.

I nodded and did my best to push away the feelings and find my calm again. "I think I'm having a panic attack."

"And why would you have that?" he asked calmly while continuing to stroke my back.

"They've left me," I said, realizing I meant the princes. "I can't feel them anymore."

Lumiere chuckled and took the glass that the maid had brought for me. He handed it to me, and as soon as I took it, he left my side to sit at his desk.

"Yes, they left this morning. But they will be back with you in a few days."

"Why do I feel this way?!" I gasped before taking a few sips of water. The liquid didn't help, and suddenly I longed for my Prince and his precious blood.

"You are newly born, and just like a child, you are comforted by your creator's presence, and your body reacts to his absence. I will teach you how to avoid this."

"My dreams tormented Prince Luis," I told him, meeting his nod.

"Then let's change that as well," he said, walking to a cabinet and taking out a bottle and a glass for me. "This is for you."

I peeked at the red liquid inside the bottle and raised an eyebrow, "Blood?"

"Yes, this is from one of our human guests. Our Lord believes you are ready to taste, and I think it's a good time now. It will numb your suffering from his absence."

Without hesitation, I removed the cork and poured half a glass for myself, sending a questioning glance at my brother, who gestured for me to fill it to the brim.

As soon as I was done, I downed it in one gulp. The taste was very different from the prince's. His was sweeter, and it had made me feel stronger, more powerful. The human blood only made me feel alert and satisfied for the moment.

"Better?" he asked, and I nodded in response. "Good, let's begin."

As the remnants of the blood coursed through my veins, I felt a warm surge of energy, pushing back the shadows of loneliness that had engulfed me. Lumiere watched me closely, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. I could sense the weight of his attention, and it made me both nervous and eager to prove that I was ready for what lay ahead.

"Now, let's focus on your training," Lumiere said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Your abilities will grow, but you must learn to harness them. The first lesson is understanding your senses. Your perception will sharpen as you embrace your new nature."

I nodded, feeling anticipation rise within me. "What do I need to do?"

"Close your eyes," he instructed, and I complied, allowing the world to fade away. "Breathe deeply and listen."

I took a deep breath, letting the air fill my lungs. Slowly, I began to pick up sounds I had never noticed before—the distant rustle of leaves outside, the faint murmur of conversations echoing through the castle, even the quiet rhythm of my own heartbeat. It was as if I had awakened to a world filled with hidden melodies, each note resonating within me.

"Now, focus on distinguishing the different sounds," Lumiere guided. "What do you hear?"

I concentrated, letting the sounds wash over me. I could hear the soft footfalls of a maid in the hallway, the creaking of the old wooden floorboards, and even the distant sound of water flowing from the fountain in the courtyard. Each sound painted a vivid picture in my mind, and I marveled at the clarity of it all.

"Good," Lumiere said, his voice a gentle nudge. "Now, let's explore your sense of smell. This will be crucial for you as a vampire."

I opened my eyes, feeling both excited and apprehensive. "How do I do that?"

"Just like with hearing, focus on the air around you. Breathe in deeply and let the scents reveal themselves."

I inhaled, drawing the air into my lungs. At first, I noticed the faint scent of old wood and dust from the room, but then a more complex bouquet unfurled. I caught the lingering aroma of roses from a nearby garden, mingled with the warmth of polished leather and the faintest hint of something metallic.

"What do you smell?" Lumiere prompted.

"The roses... and something else," I replied, my brow furrowing in concentration. "It's like... iron? No, copper."

"Excellent! That's the blood of the humans we keep as guests," he explained, a hint of pride in his voice. "Your enhanced sense of smell will help you locate food sources and discern emotions from their scents."

As I continued to breathe deeply, I realized I could identify the distinct fragrances of each of the humans residing in the castle. There was a sweet, floral note from the cook, a sharp tang from the guard who often patrolled the grounds, and even a subtle fragrance of fear from someone outside—perhaps a maid passing by, unaware of my newfound abilities.

"This is incredible," I breathed, my heart racing. "It's like a whole new world is opening up to me."

Lumiere smiled, clearly pleased. "Yes, and with this knowledge comes responsibility. You must learn to control your urges. The scents and sounds can be overwhelming, but you can navigate them if you stay grounded."

I nodded, feeling a thrill of power and a flicker of anxiety at the same time. "How do I stay grounded?"

"Focus on a single scent or sound, something familiar that calms you," he suggested. "It could be your own heartbeat or the scent of the roses. When you feel overwhelmed, return to it."

Taking his advice, I centered myself, tuning into the rhythmic thrum of my heart. The steady beat anchored me, and I could feel the tension in my body dissipate. I opened my eyes, now filled with determination.

"Let's continue," I said, eager to learn more. "What's next?"

"Next, we'll practice your control over these senses," Lumiere said, moving toward a small cabinet. He retrieved a blindfold and handed it to me. "Put this on. I'll place various objects around the room, and you will use your senses to identify them."

With the blindfold secured over my eyes, I felt a rush of excitement and fear. The world around me faded to black, but I focused on my breathing, tuning into the sounds and scents that filled the space. As Lumiere moved about, I could hear the soft thuds of him placing items on the table—each sound igniting a spark of curiosity within me. I could smell the faint hints of dust and polish from the furniture, mingled with Lumiere's subtle cologne, grounding me in my surroundings. After a moment, he instructed me to begin. 

"Identify what I've placed in front of you."

I reached out, feeling a cool, smooth surface. It was small and round, and as I inhaled, I detected the scent of citrus. "An orange?" I guessed.

"Correct," Lumiere praised, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

With each object I identified, my confidence grew. I could differentiate between the scents of leather, wood, and even the metallic tang of silverware. It was exhilarating to rely solely on my senses, embracing this new part of my existence. 

As I completed the exercise, I removed the blindfold, and Lumiere clapped his hands. "You have done remarkably well! This is just the beginning, but I can already see the potential within you."

The flutter of pride in my chest felt foreign yet exhilarating. Perhaps I was not just an empty vessel adrift in my new reality.