Chapter 11: A Toy’s Fury and a Sister’s Visit

“Hahahaha.

Provoked by Julie’s words, Lovelenica was so incensed that she burst into laughter. Discarding the idea of closing the door, she stood at the entrance, ready to confront Julie.

“What does Liliana’s opinion of me have to do with you? And why should I even need her approval?”

“Wh-what? How could you—”

Julie’s eyes widened in shock at Lovelenica’s disrespectful remarks. Usually, such a statement would prompt Lovelenica to comply, or at least not display such a hostile attitude even if she disagreed with certain conditions. What had gotten into her today?

Before Julie could recover from Lovelenica’s sudden outburst, Lovelenica launched another verbal assault.

“Theresa tattling to Liliana? Get your facts straight! Theresa is merely a dog my sister keeps, and you, you’re just a little puppy born from Theresa!”

“You! You—”

“What ‘you’? I am your master’s sister, and you dare speak to me like this!? Know your place! The next time you beg me for a favor, grovel on the ground and bark twice like a dog, and perhaps I’ll grant it. Now get out, you little pup!”

“Slam—”

With that, Lovelenica slammed the door shut, denying Julie any chance to retort, leaving her stranded outside.

Julie, of course, was beyond retort. After Lovelenica’s scathing tirade, she stood at the closed door, sniffling and beginning to sob.

“Boohoo… Mom… That freeloading woman, she… she bullied me…”

Inside her room, Lovelenica immediately regretted her outburst once her anger subsided. Although she was indeed Liliana’s sister, Liliana’s treatment of her yesterday suggested that she regarded Lovelenica as nothing more than a toy.

She felt like one of those squeaky toy chickens children loved to play with, where a squeeze would produce a shriek. Liliana was the child who enjoyed playing with such a toy, finding only amusement in Lovelenica’s cries of anguish.

Lovelenica pondered which held higher status in Liliana’s eyes: a toy or a dog. If dogs were indeed held in higher regard, then Theresa’s whispers about her to Liliana might actually result in punishment for Lovelenica.

‘This feeling of being dependent on others… it’s utterly infuriating…’

If given the choice, Lovelenica would have moved out of the Crimson Family’s mansion, if only to avoid the perpetually sour faces of its inhabitants every day. However, such a move was something Liliana would undoubtedly never sanction.

As a vampire hidden within human society, Lovelenica wouldn’t even be able to satisfy her most basic need for blood without the Crimson Family’s protection and assistance.

Liliana maintained extremely strict requirements regarding the quantity and frequency of Lovelenica’s ‘feeding’: only twice a week, and never exceeding one hundred milliliters per session.

These blood supplies were, of course, provided by the hospitals and orphanages under the Crimson Family’s name. Prolonged abstinence from blood would weaken Lovelenica, yet excessive consumption would grant her too much power, necessitating strict control within a manageable range.

Tonight was Lovelenica’s first feeding session of the week.

However, several hours had passed since dinner, and no one from the Crimson Family had yet brought her the special blood-infused cake or black tea.

Perplexed, Lovelenica emerged from her room and, spotting the head maid in the hallway, inquired.

“Where is my dessert for today?”

“Miss Lovelenica, Lady Theresa specifically instructed that your dessert for tonight be canceled.”

“What!? Why?”

“Lady Theresa stated that this is punishment for your insults towards Miss Julie today.”

‘Is she insane?’

Lovelenica had never imagined Theresa would dare to punish her, let alone cancel her dessert outright. Dissatisfied, she stormed downstairs, intending to confront Theresa. As she descended the stairs, she saw Theresa leisurely sipping black tea in the living room.

The sight of Theresa’s serene demeanor instantly ignited a fury within Lovelenica. Even though she knew the black tea Theresa was drinking certainly contained no blood, Lovelenica still felt as if Theresa had stolen what rightfully belonged to her.

“Hey! Aren’t the regular desserts Liliana’s arrangement? By what right do you cancel mine?”

“Heh.”

Facing the furious Lovelenica, Theresa remained entirely composed. She took a delicate sip of her black tea and spoke coolly.

“Because, this is Lady Liliana’s arrangement.”

‘Tsk…’

Hearing Theresa’s words, Lovelenica was struck speechless. She couldn’t believe Theresa had actually dared to tattle to Liliana.

It seemed now that a toy’s status was even lower than a dog’s.

Noticing Lovelenica’s silence, Theresa continued.

“Liliana heard about your behavior these past two days and permitted me to administer a minor punishment. Today is merely a warning. Should similar incidents occur again in the future, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

“Hmph.”

Without another word, Lovelenica coldly turned her head and ascended the stairs.

****

Back in her room, the more Lovelenica pondered, the more aggrieved she felt. Despite being Liliana’s sister, and despite the lore indicating she possessed powers on par with Liliana’s, why was she being bullied by these ‘livestock’ Liliana kept?

Lovelenica collapsed onto her bed, clutching her pillow fiercely and burying her face in it. A wave of intense fury washed over her, followed by a profound sense of helplessness and injustice, as tears, against her will, streamed from the corners of her eyes.

Although Liliana had transformed her body to be almost human, Lovelenica still didn’t believe human food could truly satiate her.

Twice a week was barely enough to keep Lovelenica from starving; the hunger from her very soul remained perpetually unfulfilled.

These two feeding sessions were the highlight of her week, yet she was now told today’s was canceled, and by Liliana’s order no less. It was akin to being a mere livestock, a fate Lovelenica simply could not accept.

‘No matter! How dare they treat me like this? Tonight, I will hunt! Even if it’s within the Royal City, so be it!’

Lovelenica’s irritation grew, and her scarlet eyes slowly deepened to a crimson hue.

“Knock, knock, knock—”

Just as Lovelenica was about to resolve herself to a hunt that very night, a gentle knocking at her door interrupted her thoughts.

Her eyes instantly reverted to their normal scarlet. She felt a pang of confusion, wondering who would be seeking her out so late.

Lovelenica wiped away her tears before opening the door, unwilling to let any of those Crimson Family bastards witness her vulnerability.

“Who is it?”

“Miss Lovelenica.”

Upon opening the door, Lovelenica found a petite figure standing in the hallway, adorned with short blonde hair tied into twin pigtails.

Her appearance bore a resemblance to Theresa and Julie, clearly indicating she was also a direct descendant of the Crimson Family.

However, her features seemed considerably softer, her small face rosy and plump with baby fat, and her azure eyes gazed up at Lovelenica.

At the very least, Lovelenica found her far more appealing than Theresa or Julie.

This was the Crimson Family’s second young lady, and she held a small cake, a faint smile gracing her delicate features.

“It’s me, Elena.”