Chapter 10: I’ve Been Played!

“Mhm! Exactly! And Mother gave me so much homework due by the day after tomorrow! No way I can finish! I’m done with it—can’t do it anyway! It’s all that old geezer Reginald’s fault. If he hadn’t piled on so much alchemy homework, I wouldn’t be in this mess…”

In Chloe’s room, the two sat on the bed’s edge.

It had been a while since Silia’s sudden arrival.

Silia seemed to have endless things to say. From alchemy class to how much she despised her teacher Reginald, from textbooks to the bedtime story Larvia told her last night, she rambled on about everything and nothing.

At first, Chloe listened patiently, but as time dragged on, her mind wandered. Words went in one ear and out the other, with occasional “Mhm,” “Right,” or “That’s how it is” to keep Silia going.

Finally, Silia’s voice quieted down.

Chloe sighed in relief.

“Silia, it’s late. Shouldn’t you head back to sleep?”

“…”

“Silia?”

“…”

Chloe felt a weight on her shoulder.

Turning, she saw Silia’s head resting there.

Her eyes were closed, lips slightly parted, breathing evenly.

“Ugh…”

Chloe was in a bind.

It was 2 a.m. If she carried Silia back to her room and a guard spotted her, it’d be trouble.

The princess was asleep—Chloe couldn’t be rough.

Sneaking through the palace at night with an unconscious princess over her shoulder…

Chloe shook her head, tossing the idea aside.

She wasn’t going back to the reflection room.

‘Guess the princess is staying here tonight.’

Chloe glanced at her bed.

It was a single, but both were petite. They could squeeze in.

Carefully, she lifted Silia, the girl’s pleasant scent enveloping her as she gently placed her on the bed.

After two hours of Silia’s chatter, Chloe felt sleepy too. She turned off the light, slipped in beside Silia, and pulled the covers over them.

Silia’s scent hit her again, and Chloe’s cheeks flushed.

‘The last time I slept with another girl was with my sister when we were kids.’

Two hours earlier, shortly after Larvia punished Silia.

She called for Sheffield to help her change into her nightwear. Then she noticed the half-bottle of pale yellow, slightly milky liquid on the table.

It was the garlic juice Chloe hadn’t used, confiscated when the guards nabbed her.

According to Silia, she’d asked Flora to sneak it in from outside the palace.

“Sigh…”

Garlic wasn’t harmful to vampires, so it wasn’t banned, but no one willingly got near it.

“Sheffield, you can go rest.”

Larvia waved her off.

“Good night, Your Majesty.”

Sheffield curtsied and left.

Once the door closed, Larvia stashed the garlic juice in a drawer and climbed into bed.

As her head hit the pillow, she noticed something odd.

Sniff, sniff…

A faint scent lingered.

After a moment’s thought, she knew who’d left it, a smile curling her lips.

‘Says she doesn’t want it, but her body’s honest.’

‘Of course.’

‘You’ve got my blood in you now.’

‘My dear Chloe Vandro.’

The next morning, Chloe was still dreaming when urgent knocking woke her.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Chloe? Not up yet?”

That voice…

Chloe rubbed her eyes. Opening them, she saw Silia clinging to her like an octopus.

Sheffield?!

‘Sh*t!’

She glanced at the wall clock.

Half an hour late!

‘No! My wages!’

She’d stayed up too late with Silia and overslept.

Panicking about her pay, Chloe’s drowsiness vanished.

Forgetting decorum, she shook Silia.

“Your Highness! Wake up!”

“Ugh…”

Silia groggily opened her eyes. Realizing she was wrapped around Chloe, her cheeks turned red.

“Ahem, sorry, I mistook you for my pillow…”

“It’s fine, but I’ve got work! Silia, turn around so I can change, okay?”

Chloe swapped her nightwear for her maid outfit, then opened the door a crack, slipping out while ensuring no one saw Silia inside.

“Ahem, good morning, Lady Sheffield.”

Before Sheffield could speak, Chloe jumped in:

“Sorry, I couldn’t sleep last night, so I stayed up late and overslept…”

She stuck out her tongue, hoping to cute her way through.

“Hm.” Sheffield’s face remained impassive. “You’re helping in the kitchen today.”

“Okay.”

Chloe didn’t want to be a kitchen hand, but she had no choice.

“Also, after work, come to Room 206—my room. I have some calming potions. If you can’t sleep, take one, then find me tomorrow. I’ll get you something to boost your energy,” Sheffield said coolly.

“Huh? Oh, no need to trouble yourself, Lady Sheffield.”

“It’s no trouble.”

“Alright…”

After a token refusal, Chloe feigned reluctance but was secretly thrilled.

‘Free stuff? No way I’m saying no!’

“By the way, Lady Sheffield, how much is my pay docked for being late?”

“I was just about to mention that.”

“Oh, oh!”

Chloe perked up, listening intently.

“Chloe, what did you do to upset Her Majesty?”

“…Huh?”

Chloe froze.

“What’s wrong?”

“Her Majesty told me this morning your wages for the month are completely docked.”

“What?”

‘Didn’t she say she wouldn’t hold me accountable?’

‘Wait…’

Chloe realized something.

‘Not accountable for that incident…’

‘She’s docking my pay because I yelled at her in the reflection room?’

‘F*ck!’

‘I thought you were above that!’