Chapter 56: Entanglement

Say what you will, sometimes Huangwei and Noah’s minds were in sync.

Last night, while discussing a new master for Xiaan, Noah had considered Anna.

The blood bank keeper, always kind to humans, seemed like a good match for Xiaan.

But Noah knew Anna never drank fresh human blood.

Compared to the castle’s centuries-old monsters, Anna wasn’t old.

Yet, after decades as a vampire, she should’ve overcome that mental hurdle.

Instead, she subsisted on the blood bank’s less nourishing stock.

Short-term, it seemed fine.

Over time, her weaknesses showed.

Her combat skills lagged far behind peers.

Her physical strength barely matched a human athlete’s.

Even her vampire healing was weak.

A cut from Suyue’s blade days ago still hadn’t fully healed.

That was the cost of avoiding fresh blood.

But after this, Anna seemed ready… to take that step?

Noah tilted her head, eyeing Anna. “Who convinced you? Huangwei or Luoyao?”

“Oh, both Huangwei and your girlfriend, haha~”

Anna said, “Honestly, I was against it at first. Drinking from a living human felt… cruel. But…”

She glanced at her legs under her skirt, still wrapped in bandages.

The wound, caused by Suyue’s titanium silver dagger, hadn’t healed.

Even overexertion could reopen it.

A titanium silver blade shouldn’t take this long to recover from.

This made Anna realize her kindness was just weakness in Suyue’s eyes.

She wouldn’t abandon her goodwill toward humans.

But she understood: to avoid being toyed with, she had to cross that line.

Become a true vampire.

“I don’t want to drag this frail body around, mocked by vampires and the Blood Hunt Church.”

She smiled brightly, but Noah saw the bitterness beneath.

“So I thought, let’s take the first step. Find a nice human to get to know. Huangwei and Miss Luoyao told me about… oh, right, Xiaan. Is she here? I want to meet her.”

This… really feels like a blind date, Luoyao thought.

“She’s here. Come in,” Luoyao said.

“Great~”

Luoyao led Anna inside.

Huangwei glanced at them but didn’t follow.

Noah raised an eyebrow. “Not coming in?”

“Nah, I’ve got stuff to do.”

“Like what?”

“Making a substitute for your wife’s blood. I haven’t slept much these past few days.” Huangwei pointed at her dark circles, annoyed.

Noah grinned sheepishly. “Haha, thanks, Wei~”

“Don’t get sappy. Do some work with Xiaan later. Even if she’s not thrilled with Anna, don’t let her reject her harshly. It’s Anna’s first time seeking a blood s*ave. She’s super excited.”

“Mhm, got it.”

“Later.”

“Thanks.”

Huangwei shot her a look, smiled, and left without another word.

Noah closed the door.

Turning back, she heard Anna’s voice from the living room.

“So pretty! You’re Xiaan, right?”

“Uh… yeah…”

“I’m Anna, Yelan Anna. Nice to meet you!”

Hmm… the introduction seems to be going well? Noah stepped into the living room.

Luoyao sat on a separate sofa.

Anna and Xiaan were close together.

Anna was eager, while Xiaan seemed spooked, shrinking into the sofa’s corner.

She clutched the pillow she’d used to “guard” against Noah.

Noah wisely joined Luoyao, whispering, “Thought Anna would be awkward. She’s taking to it fast.”

“Yeah, she’s probably been mulling it over for a while.”

Luoyao glanced at Xiaan, softening her tone. “Xiaan, don’t be so nervous. Anna’s never hurt a human. This is her first try at a blood s*ave, so she’s a bit overexcited.”

“Okay… I get it.”

Xiaan swallowed, sneaking a glance at Anna.

This lively little vampire was very close.

Her crimson eyes, unlike others’, seemed duller.

Was it… because she’d never drunk fresh blood?

“Your old master was Xiyue?” Anna asked.

“Yeah. But she brought a new s*ave back last night… said she didn’t need me.”

“Oh~ How long were you her s*ave?”

“About two months.”

“Wow, that’s pretty long…”

Xiaan bit her lip. “If you think I’m… tainted, Anna, you don’t have to force it…”

Anna blinked, startled, quickly explaining, “No, no, that’s not what I meant! Xiyue swaps slaves faster than underwear. Two months is a long time!”

“Is… that so?”

“Yup.”

“Um…”

Suddenly, silence.

The two girls sat, eyes locked, with no new topics.

Noah nudged Luoyao’s arm, whispering, “You’re a lousy matchmaker. Give them something to talk about.”

“Where am I supposed to find topics? This is my first relationship too!”

“What do we talk about? Tell them.”

Luoyao thought, then said seriously, “Our usual chats aren’t exactly… public-friendly, right?”

“…True, maybe it’s too soon for that.”

After some thought, Noah waved a hand. “Since you two seem to like each other’s first impression… Why not go to your own place to chat?”

Anna pouted, huffing, “Senior Noah’s kicking us out, huh?”

“Not at all,” Noah said innocently.

“It’s vampire nature to want privacy with your blood s*ave. You should find a place without others… to get to know your new friend, Anna.”

Noah sounded convincing.

Anna listened intently.

But Luoyao eyed her suspiciously, whispering, “Since when do vampires have that trait? When we’re home, you act like you want the whole neighborhood to know we’re dat—”

“Shh!” Noah clamped a hand over Luoyao’s mouth, smiling at the pair. “Alright, I won’t keep you for dinner. Go to Anna’s and get to know each other.”

Anna nodded, standing. “So… my place first?”

“What do you think?”

The invite was overly formal.

To Xiaan, Anna was the politest vampire she’d met.

Another vampire wouldn’t ask, “What do you think?”

They’d just scoop her up and go.

Xiaan studied Anna’s slightly chubby face.

Her faintly crimson eyes held nervous anticipation.

She seemed to really like Xiaan.

Maybe even feared rejection.

Xiaan gave a self-mocking smile.

What right did she have to refuse anyone now?

Since Luoyao and the others found her a suitable master, she’d go with it.

Surviving in this castle was what mattered.

“Okay, Lady Anna.”

Xiaan didn’t know this choice would change more than her own fate.

It would entangle… others’ futures.

Like…

Luoyao.