Chapter 8: Silia

Chloe trailed behind Larvia, glaring at her puffed-up cheeks, eager to hear what kind of explanation she’d get.

She was led to Larvia’s room.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

With that, Larvia left.

“Tch.”

Once Larvia was gone, Chloe crossed her arms, annoyed.

‘Seriously, I was just following orders. What’s it got to do with me?’

‘I thought I’d be stuck in that cell all night again.’

‘Since you got me out quick this time, I’ll hear you out.’

After last night’s ordeal, Chloe was determined not to mess up again.

But she never imagined that just following orders would land her in trouble.

In that cramped cell, with nothing to pass the time and unable to sleep, the boredom was torture. She never wanted to go back.

While Larvia was gone, Chloe started to feel restless.

‘Might as well take a look around her room.’

‘I’m supposed to beat her someday. I rarely get a chance to be here, so I should gather some intel while I can.’

Chloe hopped off the chair and began inspecting the room.

After a thorough search, she found nothing of value. Just the half-empty bottle of garlic juice and ordinary household items.

Disappointed, Chloe flopped onto the large double bed, rolling around.

‘Of course Larvia expected me to snoop. She must’ve hidden anything important beforehand.’

Chloe burrowed into the blankets, lying on the pillow, rubbing her stomach.

She’d meant to grab food from the ancestor’s altar but got caught up in this mess instead.

‘So hungry…’

‘But Larvia’s bed is pretty comfy.’

‘This huge bed’s perfect for rolling around. Way better than my tiny single bed.’

Thinking this, Chloe buried her face in the pillow, nuzzling it.

Sniff, sniff—

For some reason, the bed smelled amazing.

Just then, a click-clack came from the door.

Chloe kicked off the covers, hastily tidied the bed, and returned to the chair.

“Ahem…”

She cleared her throat, acting like she hadn’t done anything.

“Little Chloe…” Larvia walked in. “Was it her who told you to do it?”

Larvia stepped aside, revealing a girl hiding behind her.

The girl wore a white dress, twin tails, and kept her head down, avoiding Chloe’s gaze.

“…Huh?” Chloe rubbed her eyes. “Why are there two Majesties?”

“Hm… There’s a third one to your left.”

“What?”

Chloe turned and saw her reflection in a mirror.

To her shock, she couldn’t immediately tell the three of them apart.

“Alright. You two haven’t met, have you? Let me introduce.”

Larvia pointed to the girl.

“This is Silia, the only royal princess of the vampires and my daughter.”

“Your… daughter?”

“Yep.”

Chloe stared at Silia, stunned.

‘So, the kid I roughed up five years ago is standing right in front of me.’

A wave of awkwardness hit her.

‘Good thing Larvia hasn’t told her about my old identity.’

‘Otherwise, like Larvia said, she’d be too scared to come near me.’

‘I mean, I turned a rebellious princess who loved sneaking out into a shut-in. No way she’d just stand here like this, right?’

“Alright, Silia, apologize to little Chloe.”

“Um… sorry.” Silia scratched her head, giving an embarrassed smile. “Mother told me about you. When I saw you mistook me for her today, I thought it’d be fun to prank her…”

“But I didn’t want garlic smell on me, so I asked you to do it. I didn’t expect you’d get caught. My nose is really sharp, so even days later, I could still smell the garlic…”

“No, no, it’s fine! Even if I knew you were the princess, I’d have followed your orders.”

Chloe waved her hands frantically.

She was just a maid—how could she defy a princess?

Plus, pranking Larvia? She’d jump at the chance.

“I’ll always obey Your Highness’s commands!”

Chloe said, sneaking a side-eye at Larvia.

Half a second later, she felt a pinch on her lower back, making her wince.

“For real?”

Silia’s eyes lit up.

“Then can you do my homework? Big Sis Chloe passed the maid exam, so you must be super smart!”

“Silia, take responsibility for your own work.”

“…Hehe, just kidding.”

Silia gave a sheepish grin.

‘Was that really a joke?’

Chloe was speechless.

Silia’s reaction didn’t seem like she was kidding.

“But if you have trouble with studies, Chloe can help tutor you.”

Larvia smiled subtly.

Chloe’s face darkened.

‘Tutor? I don’t know anything about studying!’

Coming from humble roots, she’d only risen thanks to her discovered swordsmanship talent. She’d never been to school.

Her younger sister, though, had benefited from her success and studied in the imperial capital.

But in front of Silia, Chloe couldn’t admit that. She forced herself to say:

“Y-Yeah, Your Highness, if you ever need help, just come to me. I’ll do my best.”

“Heh…”

Larvia chuckled softly, then turned serious.

“Now, about today’s incident.”

She looked at Chloe.

“Little Chloe, since you acted on Silia’s orders, I won’t hold you responsible.”

Chloe nodded eagerly.

Larvia turned to Silia.

“Silia, you’ve been too idle lately. Still behind on homework? Finish last weekend’s by the day after tomorrow.”

Silia’s face fell.

“Any objections?”

“None!” Chloe blurted out.

“N-No… objections…”

“Good.” Larvia nodded. “And that coffee, Silia? Drink it yourself.”

“…What?”

Silia froze.

“M-Mother, can I—”

“No.”

“F-Fine… ugh…”

Tearing up, Silia raised the coffee cup.

Closing her eyes, she chugged it like a martyr.

Chloe silently admired her.

‘What a savage.’

“Little Chloe, if there’s nothing else, go rest.”

With permission, Chloe bolted from Larvia’s room.

Back in her own, she finally exhaled.

Larvia was intimidating when serious.

‘But how do I cover that lie? What if Silia actually asks me for help?’

Chloe turned off the light, changed into her nightwear, and slipped into bed, mulling it over.

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice time passing until the door creaked, opening a sliver.

“Who?!”