Chapter 33: Midnight Confrontation and a Peculiar Request

“Lovelenica! Why are you only just returning now!” Theresa’s voice sliced through the air the moment Lovelenica stepped through the door. The elder woman sat poised in the living room, her gaze fixed on Lovelenica with ill intent.

Lovelenica unhurriedly closed the door behind her. She had already reverted from her diminutive form, having first detoured to her newly rented villa to change clothes, a task that had consumed precious time.

“Oh, are you so desperate for my return just because I’m a little late? I never realized you cared for me so deeply.”

“You—” Theresa choked on Lovelenica’s caustic remarks, but quickly regained her composure, resuming her admonishment.

“I hear you bullied Julie again? Was yesterday’s lesson not enough for you?”

“Didn’t your third daughter constantly pester me to bully others? I merely refused. How does that translate to me bullying her?”

Theresa’s brow furrowed in displeasure at Lovelenica’s reply.

“You live off the Crimson Family’s generosity. Isn’t it your duty to look after the younger generation?”

“‘Live off your generosity?’” A surge of inexplicable fury ignited within Lovelenica. “The only reason your Crimson Family still stands is thanks to the fortune Lady Sister bestowed upon you. Providing for my every need—food, clothing, shelter—isn’t that simply your obligation? And you failed to provide dessert last night, didn’t you? Is this truly how Lady Sister wishes for me to be treated?”

“Hmph, precisely!” Theresa snorted coldly, continuing her verbal sparring. “I have reported all your actions over the past two days to Lady Liliana. The cancellation of your meal yesterday was also Lady Liliana’s explicit instruction.”

“Tch…” Lovelenica yearned to unleash a torrent of curses upon Liliana right there in front of Theresa. Yet, the thought that Theresa would undoubtedly relay every single word to Liliana made her swallow her resentment. Given Liliana’s temperament, hearing such an insult would surely lead to further torment through curses.

Seeing Lovelenica offer no rebuttal, Theresa pressed her advantage.

“Naturally, your harassment of Julie today, and your late return, will also be reported to Lady Liliana.”

“Do as you please. If you truly possess the courage, then come and kill me.” With that, Lovelenica ascended the staircase without hesitation, not sparing Theresa another glance.

Even with a thousand times their current audacity, the Crimson Family dared not harm Lovelenica. Her presence here was to fulfill Lady Liliana’s mission. Should Lovelenica perish, the mission would fail, and the Crimson Family would face inescapable repercussions.

****

Upon reaching the second floor, Lovelenica bypassed her own room. Instead, she scanned the corridor, and only after confirming the absence of any maids, did she continue her ascent to the third floor.

Having reached the third floor, Lovelenica crept stealthily along the corridor, hugging the wall, terrified of being discovered. She arrived at a room door and gave a soft knock.

Moments later, faint footsteps approached from within. “Who is it…” The door creaked open gently, revealing Elena. This was, in fact, Elena’s room. She stood clad in a delicate silk nightgown, her face a mask of surprise as she beheld Lovelenica.

“Eh? Miss Lovelenica?”

“Let me in, quickly.” Without a word, Lovelenica gently pushed Elena by the shoulder, stepping into the room, then promptly closed the door behind them.

Elena was utterly bewildered by Lovelenica’s flustered appearance, having never anticipated her visiting her room in the dead of night. ‘Could this be… a midnight rendezvous?’ ‘It seems my weekly dedication to personally making desserts for Miss Lovelenica has finally yielded its reward. My painstaking efforts were not in vain.’

“Lo, Miss Lovelenica… are, are you…”

“Ah, I apologize. Did I push you too hard just now? Your face seems a little flushed. Oh, right, I came to ask if you have anything to eat?”

“Eat?” Elena paused, then her eyes widened in understanding of what Lovelenica meant by “eat.” A typical person seeking food late at night would head straight for the kitchen. But Miss Lovelenica, being a blood kin, had come to *her* room for sustenance. The answer was glaringly obvious.

“I see…” Elena gently pulled down half of her nightgown, exposing a slender, pale shoulder.

Lovelenica had been in such a rush to enter that it wasn’t until Elena revealed her shoulder that she noticed the delicate silk nightgown. A wave of embarrassment washed over her, and she was about to apologize when Elena gracefully tilted her head back, displaying her pristine swan-like neck and elegant collarbone. A primal stir instantly surged through Lovelenica’s veins. The battle in the Demon Hunter Guild earlier had required her to use her flesh animation ability, leaving her somewhat depleted. Now, witnessing this tantalizing sight, Lovelenica’s instincts screamed at her to pounce, to pierce Elena’s soft skin with her fangs and gorge herself on that sweet, fresh blood.

‘No, that’s not right!’ Realizing her thoughts were veering into improper territory, Lovelenica quickly shook her head. She grabbed the half of Elena’s nightgown that had been pulled down and pulled it back up.

“No, don’t do that… I wasn’t suggesting I’d directly feed from you.”

“Eh? Is, is that so?” A hint of disappointment played across Elena’s features, hearing that Lovelenica had no such intention.

Lovelenica’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly at Elena’s crestfallen expression. ‘What is with the Crimson Family’s second daughter? People in the Arcadia Kingdom hold blood kin and fantasy species in utter disdain, and the Crimson Family even treats their mistress’s own sister—me, that is—with an air of hostility. Why is Elena the only one who’s different?’ ‘Initially, when Elena secretly brought me food, I thought she was simply pitying me, or perhaps showing me favoritism because of Liliana. But now, Elena actually *wants* me to drink her blood. This is highly unusual.’

“Cough, cough. I was wondering if you had any blood bags I could drink. I wasn’t looking to feed from you directly…” Lovelenica coughed awkwardly twice, then clarified the true purpose of her visit.

“Alright… However, I don’t have any spare blood bags here. All the blood bags in the house are personally transported by Mother, and they only arrive the day before you need to feed, so I don’t have any extra.” “But… if you truly desire it, I could satisfy you myself. My blood is your favorite B-type…”

“No, no, no, absolutely not!” Hearing Elena’s rather alarming suggestion, Lovelenica quickly waved her hands in refusal. “S-since there aren’t any, I’ll head back now! Thank you for your trouble!” With that, Lovelenica hastily slipped out of Elena’s room.

‘Why do I feel like this girl is better suited to be sent to Liliana as a personal blood bank!’