Chapter 63: You Love Her, Don’t You

Noah wished the spiral staircase to the clock tower had more steps.

More steps meant more time.

A minute or two delay before facing Mother.

She gripped the handrail, her footsteps slow and heavy on the wooden steps.

Her eyes stayed fixed on her shoes.

She hadn’t even seen Mother yet, but she already feared looking up.

In this world, Yelan Noah feared nothing and no one.

Except two women.

First, Luoyao.

Second, Mother.

The first, out of love and adoration.

The second, from a deep-seated, soul-bound reverence.

She didn’t know why Mother returned so suddenly.

Or why she demanded to see her first.

Being summoned so urgently couldn’t mean good news.

Noah could only pray silently that this meeting had nothing to do with Luoyao.

The staircase ended.

The clock tower entrance loomed ahead.

Normally, Noah ignored Huangwei’s advice, racing up the steps, annoying her.

But this time, she hesitated to cross that threshold.

Gulp.

She swallowed, adjusted her composure, and stepped inside with unsteady feet.

“Mother, you’re back.”

Noah half-knelt at the door, head bowed, silver hair spilling forward.

“How’ve you been, daughter?”

Mother’s voice was as cool and magnetic as fifteen years ago.

Always evoking an ice queen’s aura.

Noah sensed the casual small talk, so she replied, “Very well, thank you, Mother. Why did you summon me?”

“Sit here.”

“Yes, Mother.”

With permission, Noah rose slowly, lifting her gaze to the figure by the window.

Moonlight poured in, illuminating the woman’s porcelain-smooth skin.

Her black hair draped like a cape, soft and sleek.

She wore a long black gown, its hem grazing the floor.

Her front revealed slender legs, accentuated by high-heeled boots.

Mother turned, her crimson eyes like flame roses blooming in the night.

Alluring, yet deadly.

Her breathtaking face carried an oppressive beauty.

She was the mother of all vampires in the castle.

Her age, unknowable.

No one knew her origins.

The Blood Hunt Church dared not list her in their records.

The strongest vampire—Yelan.

Noah tensed, not daring to relax even seated.

She hadn’t forgotten the hellish training Mother inflicted to forge her strength.

Of the twenty vampires turned with Noah, all were Mother’s favorites.

Each endured her brutal regimen.

Only Noah survived.

Like raising venomous insects?

No.

Survival of the fittest.

Mother sat across from her, legs crossed.

Her right hand propped her cheek, like a lazy, noble Persian cat.

She smiled playfully at Noah. “How long since we last met, daughter?”

“Fifteen years.”

“Fifteen years, six months,” Yelan corrected.

Noah bit her lip, murmuring, “Mm.”

“You seem nervous.”

“A little.”

Noah admitted honestly.

No vampire dared hide their true feelings from Yelan.

Yelan smiled faintly, pulling two goblets from under the table.

She slid one to Noah.

Then took a clear glass bottle filled with thick, crimson liquid.

Holding the neck, she poured the fragrant blood into Noah’s goblet.

“Ease your nerves, daughter.”

She filled her own goblet.

Palm up, she raised it by the stem, gesturing a toast. “Drink.”

Noah eyed the rich, aromatic blood, her pupils trembling.

As a vampire, she knew quality blood.

This was exquisite.

But she shook her head. “Sorry, Mother, I’m unwell lately. I’m fasting.”

“Sick?”

“Not sure.”

Yelan smiled. “One glass won’t hurt.”

“Mother, I—”

“Drink.”

Noah knew further refusal would test Yelan’s patience.

Biting her lip, she fought her trembling hand.

She lifted the goblet carefully.

And drank it in one go.

Yelan smiled, satisfied. “Still nervous?”

“Not nerv—ugh!”

Before the blood reached her stomach, Noah collapsed, clutching the table.

She vomited it all out.

Her rejection was worsening…

Wiping her mouth, enduring stomach spasms, she struggled to stand.

“Sorry, Mother, I’ll clean it up.”

“No need.”

Vampire vomit wasn’t foul.

Blood is absorbed quickly, so their stomachs don’t hold half-digested food like humans’.

Noah’s vomit was just the unabsorbed blood, carrying only a heavy metallic scent.

“Someone will clean it later. I want to catch up with my dear daughter,” Yelan said.

“Yes, Mother.”

Noah sat back, pressing her stomach to ease the discomfort.

“Are you keeping a blood s*ave lately?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“How long?”

“Not long.” She paused. “About a month.”

Yelan’s red lips parted, revealing sharp fangs.

She smiled. “You never kept blood slaves before. Why the change?”

Her words carried weight.

Noah’s grip tightened on the chair’s armrests.

After a moment, she replied, “I didn’t want to hunt in the grounds. A blood s*ave’s convenient, I—”

“You’re lying.”

Noah’s heart jolted.

Cold sweat slid down her forehead.

Of course, she couldn’t lie to Yelan.

Yelan rose slowly, stepping behind Noah’s chair.

Her hands rested on Noah’s shoulders.

Feeling Mother’s warmth, Noah’s body stiffened.

She barely dared breathe.

She stared at the empty chair ahead, as if Yelan still sat there.

“Sorry, Mother…”

“You never lied before, daughter. Why lie for a blood s*ave?”

Her voice was gentle, but to Noah, it was a devil’s whisper.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Yelan’s hands on her shoulders.

Her long nails were less than five centimeters from Noah’s jugular.

Having her throat slit by Yelan’s hand… it wasn’t unheard of.

Noah closed her eyes, suppressing panic.

“I didn’t mean to deceive you, Mother, I just—”

“You just fell in love with your blood s*ave, didn’t you?”

“No, Mother! I-I…”

“Don’t you love her?”

Her nails inched closer to Noah’s neck.

Before Noah could respond, Yelan continued, “Fine, I believe you, daughter.”

Even then, Noah’s heart stayed on edge.

“Then, if you don’t love her, let her visit my room tomorrow night. Okay?”

“Mother, you… what?”

Yelan lifted her hands, returning to her seat.

“I said, let her spend a few nights with me. Okay?”

Only Yelan would dare provoke Noah like this.

After the Aleng incident, everyone knew Luoyao was Noah’s sore spot.

Now Yelan boldly asked for Luoyao to “spend time” with her.

Every vampire knew what “spend time” meant.

Noah wouldn’t allow it.

“Mother, I’ve marked her. Please don’t make me lose face among my sisters.”

“But you don’t like her. What’s wrong with her spending a few nights with me? No one will know, I promise,” Yelan pressed.

“I…”

“Noah, my sweet daughter, are you rebelling? You’re testing my patience.”

Yelan said, “I won’t harm your precious girl. Just three days. I’ll return her after.”

Her eyes held provocation—and another intent.

As if forcing Noah to admit her love.

“Speak, Noah. Five seconds to decide. Send your blood s*ave to me, or admit you feel more than master-servant for her.”

“Mother, I—”

“Five.”

“…We don’t have that kind of—”

“Four.”

“We’re just closer than most masters and—”

“Three.”

“Mother, don’t force me, please…”

“Two.”

The taut string snapped in an instant.

“One.”

“Forgive my disrespect, Mother.”

Noah stood, cold moonlight at her back.

Some unknown courage let her meet Yelan’s gaze.

She couldn’t admit her love for Luoyao.

Nor could she let Yelan take her.

Only one option remained—

“Mother, I challenge you on the Broken Moon Platform.”