119:
Bertram only felt that the carriage ride was very bumpy. They were clearly on a flat road, but sometimes it would still jolt.
“Maybe it’s because the road is uneven after the rain…”
When they got off the carriage at the manor, Bertram also noticed something.
“Lady Shirley’s mood has improved, and that knight is gone…”
Although he was confused, he didn’t say anything and silently prepared the luncheon.
Returning to the room, Shelley stretched. He was just about to speak when he heard the sound of the door opening.
Lilith walked in, wiping her mouth, and glared at him.
“It’s okay. You’ll get used to it.”
You’ll be begging me later. Begging me… to be a person?
Lying comfortably on the lounge chair, Shelley closed his eyes and thought about his next move.
Looking at Shelley with a resentful gaze, Lilith hesitated for a moment. She also lay down on the lounge chair, curled up, and leaned against Shelley.
“She really is like a little animal…”
Gently stroking Lilith’s soft hair, Shelley’s mind gradually drifted.
“Some people will definitely take the risk.”
“Tomorrow, on the battlefield, there will definitely be some unwilling people who will cause trouble.”
“But what you don’t know is…”
“I’m hoping you’ll cause trouble.”
…
Billy, Herrington, and a few other nobles were secretly gathered in a secret room.
“What do you all think?”
Slamming his fist on the table, Herrington roared in anger, “Of course we can’t let them have it back! Why should we?”
“They were the ones who brought the battle here! And now they want to take the spoils too!”
“There’s no such good thing in the world!”
A group of people were all emotional, angrily denouncing Shirley’s actions. They quickly decided on the warriors to be sent out tomorrow, and then they each quietly left through the secret passage.
Just as he entered the secret passage, Herrington’s angry face changed, becoming calm and numb. His skin looked dark in the light, and his originally burly body seemed a bit thinner.
“I can’t let them ruin the master’s preparations.”
“They must die.”
…
Lydia looked at her teacher, who was reading a book on the bed, and for some reason, she thought of Shelley.
“Is it that lazy look? Or that gentle feeling?”
She didn’t understand, but Lydia knew she wasn’t the only one thinking about Shelley.
“Your Majesty, Teacher has been standing by the bed looking south recently.”
“And she’s been wearing that pink diamond earring.”
“It was probably a gift from Shelley.”
How nice…
“Lydia? Have you finished your studies for today?”
Pulled back from her thoughts by Nadia’s question, Lydia nodded obediently.
Nadia looked at her gentle nod and said with a smile, “Then let me ask you a question…”
“How much do you know about vampires, a type of undead creature?”
After thinking seriously for a moment, Lydia counted on her fingers and said, “They are the most famous outliers among the undead.”
“They like to call themselves the Kindred.”
“Vampires, awakened from the endless night, crave the life they have lost and quench their thirst with the blood of the living.”
“Vampires loathe sunlight. Mere contact with it is enough to make them burn.”
“Vampires do not cast shadows or reflections, so they try to keep a low profile among the living, staying in dark places away from polished surfaces.”
“Vampires like to mingle with the nobility, hiding themselves as families with ancient histories, and they also like to collect various antiques and works of art.”
“They usually live in dark, ancient castles, or use cemeteries as their base.”
“And…”
At this point, Lydia faltered, she tried hard to count on her fingers.
“Um, and…”
“That’s very good. I’m very satisfied.”
Closing the book in her hand, Nadia gently stroked her disciple’s hair and prompted, “What happens to someone who is attacked by a vampire?”
Once reminded, Lydia remembered. She said quickly, “Ah! Thank you, Teacher.”
“Hmm… most victims of a vampire’s attack become vampire spawn.”
“They become greedy creatures filled with a craving for blood, and at the same time, they are controlled by their vampire creator.”
“If a vampire allows its spawn to drink its own blood, the spawn will also become a true vampire, no longer under the creator’s control.”
“Of course, only a very few vampires do this. Usually, a vampire spawn can only regain its freedom when its creator dies.”
…
It was not until night that Shelley finally received a message from Elena from the palace.
“…Things are more complicated than I thought.”
Sensing the confusion and bewilderment in Elena’s words, Shelley sighed softly.
Shaking his head, he said to the fully-equipped Lilith beside him, “Everything will proceed as planned. You must be careful.”
“I’m going to the palace today. You must be very careful on your own.”
Without question, years as an assassin had given Lilith the habit of obeying orders. She just nodded silently and was about to leave the room. But she didn’t expect her hand to be grabbed. She turned back to look at Shelley in confusion.
What? Aren’t I supposed to be on a mission?
“Lilith.”
Looking at Lilith’s confused eyes seriously, Shelley emphasized again, “You are not a tool in my hands.”
“A tool can be replaced if it’s broken, but you can’t.”
“So, abandon that ‘mission-must-be-completed-at-all-costs’ mentality.”
He said, enunciating each word, “You must understand one thing.”
“Your existence is far more important than these missions.”
[I never thought you would say that to her.]
[A different kind of emotion is rising in Lilith’s heart.]
[She’s a little touched.]
[Lilith Conquest Progress: 48%]
[Just a little more!]
[Quick!]
[Quickly pa—]
“Stop, stop!”
Hugging the moved Lilith and giving her a gentle kiss, he then patted her on the back and let her go.
Shelley began to complain to the noisy data in his mind, “You can’t be so hasty.”
“It’s called playing hard to get.”
“Who would say one second that they’re not after your body, and then the next second, pounce on you impatiently…”
Wouldn’t that be exposing myself?
[But…]
“Just a little more. I’m not in a hurry.”
She can’t run away. And… I still have to go see a stubborn little girl. I can’t let her get stuck in a rut. It could be fatal.
After instructing the people outside the door not to disturb him, Shelley spread his wings and flew out the window.
…
Sitting on the bed, Elena had been looking down ever since she sent the letter.
“What on earth happened?”
Knock, knock.
“Elena, it’s Uncle Kerry.”
“Are you available right now?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
The confusion in her eyes was swept away. Elena sat up straight.
She said calmly, “Please, speak.”
I have many questions too.
