Chapter 4: Almost Fooled

In a panic, Chloe stumbled back, tripping over the coffin’s edge and crashing into it with a thud.

The red cloth that had lined the coffin was now in Larvia’s hands, leaving the stone bottom cold and hard.

Caught off guard, Chloe’s rear hit the icy surface, making her wince and rub her backside.

Even so, she kept one hand firmly covering her chest, her eyes locked on Larvia’s smirking face.

“Well, well~ Didn’t expect little Chloe to accept her new identity so quickly.”

“Accept my identity?” Chloe frowned, confused. “What identity?”

“Your new identity as a girl, obviously.”

“N-No way! Don’t slander me like that!”

Chloe curled into a ball, glaring at Larvia, who was slowly approaching with a grin.

“I’m not making this up. Your behavior right now? Totally a girl’s.”

“Huh?”

Chloe froze.

“Look, if you were still a boy, why would you care about being seen naked?”

Larvia smiled, crouching in front of Chloe and gently grabbing her wrist, the one covering her chest.

“You weren’t just a boy—you were the Sword Saint. Shouldn’t you be proudly showing off your chiseled physique to women?”

“Ugh…”

Chloe blinked her crimson eyes, tilting her head.

Larvia had a point. She’d been in similar situations before—countless times, even.

As the Sword Saint, battles were constant.

After fights, during healing, she’d strip down without a second thought, even in front of a group of church nuns, letting them tend her wounds.

But now, Chloe found herself holding back.

“Right?”

Larvia whispered in her ear.

Her soft voice seemed to carry a strange power, making Chloe’s grip on her chest loosen slightly.

Sensing her hesitation, Larvia tightened her hold on Chloe’s wrist.

Just as she was about to pull Chloe’s hand away, Chloe snapped out of it, her body tensing. She glared at Larvia and yanked her hand free.

“Almost fell for it!”

‘Doesn’t matter what she says—just keep arguing back!’

‘I can’t let her lead me around!’

“Fine…”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Larvia’s eyes.

‘This kid’s the same as on the battlefield. Always catches on at the last second, ruining my fun.’

“So, tell me, are you a boy or a girl?”

“I…”

Chloe was stumped.

She’d planned to oppose Larvia at every turn, but the question was thrown back at her.

‘I can’t keep covering up like this—it makes me look timid, not like a man.’

‘But I can’t just let go either…’

‘Doesn’t that mean I’m admitting I’m a girl?’

Her head spun, her eyes swirling like mosquito coils.

“Ugh… that’s not important!”

Snapping back, Chloe dodged the topic entirely.

“Give me the clothes!”

She shouted, snatching the neatly folded maid outfit from Larvia’s hands.

“Now get out!” She shook out the clothes, holding them in front of herself. “Or at least turn around! Just don’t look!”

“…Heh.”

A smirk crept onto Larvia’s face.

“What’s so funny?”

“Looks like little Chloe’s eager to become a maid.”

“…”

💢

‘I can’t engage with her.’

Chloe took a deep breath, ignoring Larvia’s words.

‘If I keep responding, who knows what else she’ll say.’

“…”

Chloe glared, her eyes urging Larvia to turn around.

Larvia shrugged, turned her back, and waited as the sound of rustling fabric filled the air.

“Done. I’m changed.”

Larvia turned, her eyes lighting up.

The girl stood by the coffin, white hair cascading over the maid outfit’s shoulders, her slender legs wrapped in white stockings.

Vampire women were similar—white hair, red eyes, petite frames—but there were slight differences. Larvia had grabbed an average-sized outfit, yet it fit Chloe perfectly.

She circled Chloe twice, her gaze scanning every detail.

Under Larvia’s stare, Chloe’s cheeks flushed. She crossed her arms nervously.

“How long are you gonna stare? Let’s go.”

Larvia shrugged and headed out of the hall. Chloe hurried after her.

Pushing open the door, the palace’s sprawling corridors left Chloe dizzy. She stuck close to Larvia, terrified of getting lost.

On the first floor, a wall clock showed it was 10 p.m. in vampire time—10 a.m. in the human world.

Most people had retired for the day, leaving only a few guards on duty.

“This is your room.”

On the second floor, Larvia led Chloe to a door, pulling a key from her pocket and handing it over.

“It’s late. Rest for now. The room has a private bathroom. Don’t wander outside at night unless necessary.”

With that, Larvia turned and left.

Chloe opened the door and stepped inside.

The room was small but fully furnished, with a large floor-to-ceiling window.

It was a far cry from the rundown rentals she’d lived in before her swordsmanship talent was discovered.

She pulled the curtain aside, and bright sunlight hit her face.

She stumbled back, yanking the curtain shut.

As a vampire now, sunlight was unbearable.

It wasn’t just blinding—it left her feeling weak.

Chloe kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the single bed.

‘Am I really a vampire now?’

Lying on her back, the thought hit her.

She shook her head.

‘No. If I accept vampire habits, I’m done for.’

‘I can’t give in that easily.’

She recalled Larvia’s parting words.

‘No way! I’m doing the opposite of what she says!’

With that, Chloe slid off the bed and slipped her shoes back on.