Chapter 15: An Unsettling Welcome to Avros Castle

The carriage sped along the muddy road, flanked by a lush, verdant jungle. Chloe was engrossed in a book detailing the kingdom’s history, while beside her, Alice, wrapped in a golden-red robe, slept soundly. Alice leaned naturally against Chloe’s shoulder, murmuring endearments like ‘darling’ and ‘sweetheart’ in her sleep, causing a blush to creep up Chloe’s neck.

“We’re back!” Lady Xina exclaimed, leaning excitedly out of the window. Her dark hair streamed behind her in the wind as she brushed her hand against the tree leaves, producing a soft rustle. Sunlight dappled her face, filtering through her fingers.

Chloe gazed at Lady Xina, who was behaving much like a child, and a smile unconsciously bloomed on her face. For a fleeting moment, she imagined her own younger sister waving to her.

Chloe leaned closer to Lady Xina, peering out the window. The verdant trees obscured her view, while birds circled through the forest, soaring towards the azure sky.

Having spent half her life in the city, Chloe had never harbored much affection for the countryside. She was accustomed to the city’s affluence, its vibrant bustle, and its conveniences. Yet now, compared to the chaotic mix of the Royal Capital, she found herself preferring the serene, pleasant rural landscape.

‘I should have bought a small country house long ago,’ she mused, ‘to plant vegetables and raise fish with my sister, living a leisurely life. Wouldn’t that be far happier than being amidst the city’s towering buildings?’

Turning her head, Chloe glanced forward, her pleasant mood instantly dissolving into terror. A thick tree branch loomed ahead; if Lady Xina were to collide with it, it would surely leave a bloody gash across her beautiful face.

“Hey, watch out!” Chloe quickly pulled Lady Xina back into the carriage. Due to her excessive force, the wooden roof sharply struck Chloe’s head.

“Ouch!” Chloe cried out in pain, feeling stars explode behind her eyes.

“Little Chloe, are you hurt?” Lady Xina asked, her face contorted in a worried frown. She vigorously ruffled Chloe’s silver hair—it was clear she was attempting to comfortingly pat Chloe’s head.

“No, no, I’m fine,” Chloe replied, a vein throbbing on her forehead. She gently removed Lady Xina’s overly enthusiastic arm. ‘Norria, please take your Lady away!’

Without Norria, Chloe truly experienced the challenge of dealing with Lady Xina. Despite being an eighteen-year-old adult—an age considered mature enough for marriage in this world, where one could marry at twelve—Lady Xina’s behavior and speech were as childish as a toddler’s. ‘No,’ Chloe thought, trying to be optimistic, ‘at least she knows how to dress herself, eat, and use the restroom independently. Yes, Lady Xina still holds promise.’

“Ugh, what’s all the racket so early in the morning?” Alice grumbled, rubbing her drowsy eyes. Her golden-red robe had slipped down, revealing a glimpse of her fair skin. From Chloe’s vantage point, Alice’s well-developed figure was subtly discernible.

Chloe’s face flushed; she felt a distinct urge to nosebleed. ‘It seems even after becoming a girl, I still retain some male desires,’ she mused internally.

“Esteemed Elders, Lady Xina, what has happened?!” Xiao Nuoqi exclaimed, pulling aside the curtain. Upon witnessing the rather risqué scene, he promptly drew the curtain back.

“Alice, your robe has slipped,” Lady Xina kindly pointed out.

Alice said nothing, merely tightening her robe with calm deliberation, then settling back into her seat with the same composure. Finally, with an unnerving calm, she lifted Chloe’s chin with her finger.

“What did you see?” Alice’s emerald eyes gazed benignly at Chloe.

“N-nothing, I saw absolutely nothing,” Chloe stammered, waving her hands dismissively, her face fixed in an awkward yet polite smile.

“Just kidding. It’s not like we haven’t been ‘frankly acquainted’ before,” Alice quipped, brushing some dust from her robe before crossing her legs and turning her head away.

“Alice, you’re not angry, are you?” Lady Xina asked tentatively.

“I’m hardly one to get upset over such trivialities. More importantly, have we arrived?”

No sooner had she spoken than Xiao Nuoqi let out a long sigh, and the carriage gradually slowed. Dust kicked up by the horses’ hooves settled upon the roadside flora, staining them. Xiao Nuoqi dismounted, taking hold of the reins.

“We’re here!” Xiao Nuoqi called out to the carriage.

Lady Xina was the first to leap from the carriage, spreading her arms wide to embrace the sunlight of Avros.

Chloe stretched languidly, putting away her book and preparing to alight. Just then, Alice suddenly grasped her arm.

“Have you seriously considered my proposition?” she inquired, her lips parting.

Chloe nodded. “I have,” she replied, “but I believe… it’s not yet necessary to deploy that trump card.”

‘While she often resorted to such morally dubious tactics in games, this was reality, and there was no telling what dire consequences might ensue. Chloe preferred to achieve her goals through steady, measured steps.’

“Very well, I respect your decision.”

Chloe slowly descended from the carriage, marveling at the majestic castle before her. Though rock might be considered one of the world’s most unassuming materials, when meticulously crafted, even the simplest substance could radiate dazzling brilliance.

The castle before them was precisely such an example, clad in a grey mantle, standing proudly upon the rolling hills. Towering walls separated it from the outside world, within which five spires rose, each bearing a white banner emblazoned with an eye at its center—likely Lady Xina’s family crest. It occupied a vast expanse, encircled by multiple moats, its sole connection to the outside being a wooden drawbridge.

“Look, everyone, this is my home!” Lady Xina announced, pointing to the castle, her face beaming with a wide smile.

Chloe had constructed countless castles in games, yet this was her first time witnessing a true one firsthand. It was entirely unlike the dilapidated ruins or cinematic models she was familiar with. The moats, she noted, seemed to bear traces of undried blood, a sight that, oddly enough, piqued Chloe’s appetite.

“Oh,” Alice yawned, her expression perfectly blank. “How grand. So, we’ll be residing here from now on?”

“Yes, I’ll have Lucia prepare your rooms!” Lady Xina declared, placing her hands on her hips. “Leave everything to me! I’ll make sure you get the rooms with the best lighting!”

Chloe shielded her eyes from the fierce sun overhead. ‘Good lighting, I can do without,’ she thought. ‘While she wouldn’t be burned alive by the sun, she still harbored an instinctive aversion to its rays.’

“Lucia? Is she your housekeeper?” Alice inquired.

“Yes, Lucia has served my father for many years. She’s an important member of our family! When he was ill, Lucia often helped him preside over meetings.”

“A housekeeper wields such significant power?” Alice raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

“Father trusts her implicitly, entrusting her with everything,” Lady Xina stated.

“Sounds less like a housekeeper and more like a mistress,” Alice whispered into Chloe’s ear. Chloe merely shook her head helplessly, unwilling to pry too deeply into Lady Xina’s family affairs.

Xiao Nuoqi stood by the moat, loudly announcing Lady Xina’s return. Shortly thereafter, the castle gates swung open, and a beautiful young woman emerged. She carried a floral parasol, appearing to be in her mid-teens, her pale pink hair cascading to her waist, complemented by mature makeup.

Behind her trailed dozens of respectful servants. They crossed the drawbridge, with the servants proceeding directly to the carriage to unload luggage, while the young woman, her face alight with eagerness, turned her gaze towards Lady Xina.

“Lady Xina, you’ve finally returned.”

“Thank you all so much for standing by me until the very end,” Lady Xina said sincerely.

“We swore an oath of loyalty to you and your father; it is merely our duty. Moreover, just a few days ago, Count Cliff’s offensive abruptly ceased. It seems your decision to seek the Prince’s arbitration in the Royal Capital was indeed correct.”

“Hah, what a Count Cliff,” Alice scoffed, almost laughing aloud.

“And who might they be?” Lucia asked, looking at Alice—or, more precisely, at her golden-red robe. Before her gaze shifted, there was a noticeable delay of a second or two.

“This is Duchess Alice, a new friend I’ve made. I believe she’s also some kind of Elder?”

“Your acquaintances are truly extensive. And is this lady also an Elder?” Lucia then turned her attention to Chloe, tilting her parasol. Their crimson eyes met instantly.

‘Kindred,’ Chloe thought.

Chloe’s mind was instantly consumed by immense doubt. Those crimson eyes, that unmistakable scent—undoubtedly, she was a vampire! No wonder she carried a parasol upon her arrival. But what was a vampire doing here?

“This is Chloe, also an Elder, but she has absolutely no elder airs about her~” Lady Xina said, patting Chloe’s head. Though Chloe wanted to resist, her height disadvantage left her powerless.

“Are you implying I *do* have elder airs?” Alice retorted testily, striding directly into the castle. “It’s been ages since I’ve slept on a soft bed. Please, prepare our rooms quickly.”

“Lucia, hurry and prepare the best rooms for them!” Lady Xina instructed. “Preferably large rooms with windows!”

“As you command,” Lucia replied, extending her right hand. “Please, follow me.”

Chloe kept a keen eye on Lucia, but the woman merely maintained a polite smile, showing no other reaction to Chloe’s scrutiny.

“Elder Chloe, is there something on my face? Why do you keep staring at me?”

“N-nothing, nothing at all. Please, just take us to our rooms.”

‘Vampires are a race that thrives in shadows, committing all manner of evil deeds to sate their thirst for human blood. I must be extremely vigilant around her,’ Chloe thought. ‘What, am I a vampire myself?’ Chloe mused. ‘No, I’m not a bad vampire; I’m a good vampire who only drinks horse blood!’