Chapter 25: Dorothy’s Compromise
—”Does being with me make you that unhappy?”
For a moment, Dorothy’s vulnerable words pierced through Adele’s heart. That vulnerability, that fragility… it was something that shouldn’t exist in someone like Dorothy, a Sequence One, a vampire princess who wielded immense power.
It was a sight that would have shocked anyone who knew her. No one would ever dare associate the word “vulnerable” with the mighty Princess Dorothy.
But for Adele, standing so close, hearing the tremor in her voice, feeling the slight tremble in her embrace… it was impossible to ignore.
It made her wonder if she had misjudged Dorothy all along.
Perhaps she was just a child who had never grown up, a spoiled, impulsive girl who hurt others without realizing it, her actions driven by a naive, self-centered worldview.
After all, the world, to someone like her, was just a giant playground, a place where she could indulge her every whim, destroy anything that displeased her, and easily obtain anything she desired… except for Adele.
Adele was the one thing she couldn’t control, the one thing she couldn’t simply break or discard in a fit of childish rage.
She couldn’t bring herself to…
Because on some level, she understood that life was precious, that unlike a building or a car, it couldn’t be easily replaced.
And Dorothy’s words… the more Adele thought about them, the more they unsettled her. It was as if she had stumbled upon a shocking secret.
Could it be… that Dorothy had misinterpreted Adele’s feelings, that she had been trying to please her all along? That her decision to share Adele with the other Sequence Ones had been an act of… kindness?
Because she had assumed that Adele would be unhappy, even miserable, if she were forced to spend all her time with her.
If she doesn’t like being with me… then I’ll let her be with others… It was a simple, almost childish logic, devoid of nuance or compromise.
Perhaps she had genuinely fallen for Adele, been smitten by her at first sight. And in her own way, she had been trying to accommodate her, to give her what she thought she wanted.
But Dorothy had never learned to consider the feelings of others. As a vampire princess, she had always gotten her way, never having to worry about consequences, never having to consider the impact of her actions. She simply acted on her impulses, her whims dictating her every move.
But how had her actions been perceived by Adele? By the original Adele, that is?
With utter humiliation.
To be treated like a blood bag, a mere source of sustenance… and to be shared with others, like some kind of communal snack… it was a fate worse than death for someone like Adele, a girl who had grown up in the modern world, who had been raised on ideals of equality and respect.
It was an insult she could never forgive.
And that, in essence, was the crux of the conflict, the unbreachable chasm that had set the stage for the tragic ending of the novel.
I’m starting to understand… Adele thought, a mixture of amusement and exasperation bubbling up within her.
She could empathize with both sides, understand the motivations behind their actions, the misunderstandings that had fueled their animosity.
But they were both trapped within their own perspectives, unable to see the bigger picture, unable to break free from the cycle of hurt and resentment they had created.
It would take an outside force, a neutral observer, to unravel the truth, to bridge the gap between them.
And Adele… well, she was that observer. She could see both sides of the story, understand their pain, their fears, their desires.
But she was also a participant, caught in the crossfire.
It was an irony that wasn’t lost on her.
While she couldn’t be sure if her assessment of Dorothy was accurate, she had no other choice but to proceed with caution, to test the waters, to see how far she could push her luck.
So, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax, to slow her racing heart.
Don’t panic. You need to think clearly.
And I really need to use the restroom! I was about to go when Dorothy showed up!
Still… she was grateful for Dorothy’s intervention. If it hadn’t been for her, she and Linlang would have been at the mercy of that Sequence Three vampire.
And after this little display of power, she suspected she wouldn’t have to deal with as many bullies in the future. That poor Sequence Three vampire, with her mangled familiar… she had served as a cautionary tale.
No one would dare to underestimate Dorothy’s protectiveness again.
“Dorothy,” Adele said, her voice soft yet steady. “What made you think that I would be unhappy… being with you?”
When you’re not in a position of power, the best strategy is to deflect, to turn the question back on your opponent, to search for weaknesses in their answers.
Dorothy’s crimson eyes widened slightly, her brow furrowing as she searched her memories.
She thought about Adele, the way she had been so cold, so distant, back when she had first brought her to the academy. The way her eyes had seemed dull, lifeless, devoid of the spark that had initially captivated Dorothy.
She had showered Adele with gifts, shared her favorite toys, but Adele had rejected them all, her indifference a constant reminder of Dorothy’s failure to win her affection.
Why… Why wouldn’t she accept me?
I just wanted to play with her… Why did she have to be so mean?
Frustrated and hurt, Dorothy had lashed out, her actions only pushing Adele further away, deepening the chasm between them.
It was a vicious cycle. Adele hated Dorothy, Dorothy acted out in retaliation, Adele’s fear and resentment grew, and the cycle continued.
But in the end, Adele, being the protagonist, had persevered. She had endured Dorothy’s cruelty, her torment, and eventually… she had broken her.
Dorothy had compromised. For the first time in her life, she had yielded to another’s will. And not just anyone, but a lowly Sequence Five half-blood.
She had thought it was a grand gesture, a sacrifice that would finally win Adele’s affection. But she had been wrong.
Her compromise had only pushed Adele further into the abyss.
Because her solution… had been to introduce Adele to her friends.
It was as if, presented with countless ways to bridge the gap between them, she had chosen the worst possible option.
But she hadn’t meant to humiliate Adele. She had simply thought that if Adele didn’t enjoy spending time with her… then she would change.
The idea of a vampire princess, a being of immense power and privilege, changing herself for a lowly Sequence Five… it was unthinkable.
But what Dorothy had perceived as a change, a way to make Adele happy, had only served to make her life even more miserable.
Dorothy felt more at ease when she was with her friends. Their presence soothed the chaotic, destructive urges that simmered beneath the surface. So, she had assumed, quite naturally, that Adele would feel the same. That being surrounded by Dorothy’s friends would make her happy, or at least, less resistant to Dorothy’s advances.
But she had failed to consider the vast gulf that separated Adele from her friends, the rigid hierarchy that governed vampire society.
Amaterasu Kuro: Befriend a filthy Sequence Five? Dorothy’s lost her mind!
Tsukimi Shiro: Indeed, sister… But let’s not speak ill of the Princess in her presence.
Amaterasu Kuro: Of course not! Do you think I’m stupid? Who would dare to provoke that monster…
Amaterasu Kuro: Still… I’m curious. What kind of power could a Sequence Five possibly possess to captivate Dorothy so completely? This should be… entertaining.
Tsukimi Shiro: Deliciously entertaining.
Sharon: ……
Hermione: How utterly tedious.
Those were the thoughts of Dorothy’s friends.
And Dorothy, oblivious to their true intentions, had delivered Adele right into their hands.
The consequences… were inevitable.
By the time Dorothy saw Adele again, the coldness in her eyes had been replaced by a burning rage, a fiery hatred that threatened to consume her.
…
