Chapter 22: Actually Asleep?

Faced with Larvia’s sudden probing question, Chloe was at a loss for words.

“Uh, well…”

Her lips moved, but after stammering for a while, she couldn’t squeeze out a single word.

“What’s wrong? Is there some secret you can’t share?”

Larvia barely suppressed a mischievous grin.

“Ugh… I’m just scared, okay! Stop asking so much, I’m scared! How can I talk about something like that…?”

Running out of excuses, Chloe resorted to acting petulant, pretending her silence was due to embarrassment.

“Alright, alright…”

Larvia smiled, going along with it, then pulled the blanket over them both.

Chloe squeezed her eyes shut, not daring to look at Larvia.

Just then, she felt Larvia’s arm wrap around her.

“Huh?”

She yelped, opening her eyes to see Larvia’s puzzled face.

“What’s up?”

“N-Nothing, just… surprised when you hugged me…”

“Didn’t you say you were scared? Being in my arms—could anything be safer?” Larvia smirked. “Or did you forget how you lost that day?”

“You…” Chloe swallowed her urge to snap, turning it into a pouty whine. “Meanie, bringing that up again.”

“So, having felt my strength, you know how safe you are now, right?”

Chloe didn’t argue.

Larvia’s power was terrifying.

At her peak, Chloe had barely reached the sixth tier, among the strongest humans.

Yet Larvia had crushed her with a single kick.

That meant Larvia was at least seventh tier or higher.

Thinking about it, Chloe felt even more depressed.

‘How do you even fight that?’

“Alright, it’s late. Time to sleep.”

Larvia urged, closing her eyes first.

Seeing this, Chloe shut her eyes too.

But soon, she couldn’t resist peeking.

Thanks to vampire night vision and their close proximity, even in the dark, Chloe could see Larvia’s face clearly.

‘Hm…’

She studied Larvia’s features, silently admiring them.

Long lashes framed her eyes, her slightly upturned nose moved with steady breaths, and her cherry lips parted slightly with each soft exhale.

No denying it—though Larvia was ruthless, her looks were flawless.

Her beauty rivaled Chloe’s transformed self and Silia, who looked so similar to her.

‘Is she asleep now?’

Chloe watched for a while, seeing no signs of stirring.

‘Should I grab the garlic juice now?’

She weighed her options but decided against it.

They’d just lain down. Larvia might not be fully asleep—or not asleep at all, waiting for Chloe to drift off so she could tease her!

‘Not bad, Chloe, seeing through this wicked woman’s scheme so easily!’

She couldn’t slip up now.

She’d wait until midnight, when Larvia was surely asleep, to act.

‘No way I’m sleeping with her again. I have to seize this chance I got by sacrificing my dignity!’

Chloe closed her eyes, curling up in Larvia’s arms, quietly waiting.

“Zzz… zzz…”

Larvia’s steady breathing filled her ears, warm breath brushing her face, making Chloe feel oddly at peace.

She didn’t know why.

‘I’m in my enemy’s embrace!’

In the intimate atmosphere, Chloe’s mind grew hazy as she waited.

Unknowingly, her arms wrapped around Larvia’s waist.

“Zzz… zzz…”

Larvia opened her eyes.

She’d been awake the whole time, just pretending to sleep.

She knew what Chloe was up to.

But even she hadn’t expected the other “pretender” to actually fall asleep.

‘Really asleep… or not?’

Even Larvia, who’d predicted Chloe’s plan, was unsure now.

She poked Chloe’s cheek.

Poke, poke—

“Zzz… zzz…”

Poke, poke again—

“Zzz… zzz…”

“…”

‘Probably really asleep.’

Larvia had considered this possibility but thought it unlikely, so she hadn’t dwelled on it.

‘This kid’s dumber than I thought.’

Since that was the case, things were about to get more fun.

A sly smile curved Larvia’s lips as her next plan took shape.

But when had Chloe actively hugged her?

Falling asleep was one thing, but this was completely unexpected.

Larvia didn’t mind.

Chloe was her daughter, after all. What mother disliked cuddling with her daughter?

That said, it was getting hot.

Wrapped in blankets and pressed together so long, Larvia was starting to sweat.

She shifted slightly, scooting back half a body’s length to put some distance between them.

That felt better.

But seconds later, to her surprise, Chloe scooted closer.

“…”

Larvia moved back again.

Chloe followed.

Now, Larvia, originally in the middle of the bed, was pushed to the edge. One more move, and she’d fall off.

‘Not asleep after all?’

“Little Chloe?” she whispered.

“Mmm… Mommy… hehe…”

Larvia flinched.

Realizing it was just Chloe’s sleep-talking, she relaxed.

‘Thought she caught me already. That’d ruin the fun.’

From her investigations, Larvia knew Chloe had lost her parents young.

She must’ve mistaken Larvia for her mother in her dream.

Larvia gently stroked Chloe’s head.

“Little Chloe, time to get up.”

“Ugh…”

“Little—Chloe—!”

A vigorous shake woke Chloe from her slumber.

Opening her eyes to Larvia’s face, she snapped awake.

‘I…’

‘I really fell asleep?!’