In truth, Sista’s premonition was not wrong Su Ling’s heart had long been in turmoil.
But she could not show it.
She had hesitated countless times over whether to voice this issue. This unclear, vaguely threatening relationship had been a constant burden on her mind.
“If it were anyone else, I’d let it go,” Sista said each word with force, “… but I don’t want to hear this kind of thing from you. How many times have I told you, you’re just a Blood Slave I play with and will abandon. You must truly hate me deep down, right? So what’s the point of saying all this now?”
“I am indeed afraid of you,” Su Ling said without trying to hide her feelings. She had resolved to speak her mind clearly, “but I don’t hate you that much.”
“Because I’ve slowly come to understand what’s really in your heart.”
If Princess Moria disguised her cruelty beneath gentle words and manners, then Sista hid her confusion behind seemingly cold and harsh speech.
The forbidden notes she had found in the archives—clearly unfavorable to the Blood Clan—as well as the hesitant looks Su Ling gave each time she was made to “serve,” had been pondered over many times. Finally, Su Ling was able to piece together a clearer understanding.
Before her stood the Princess, whose heart was entirely at odds with her words.
Sista repeatedly forced herself to act according to the Blood Clan’s rules—to deprive Su Ling, to bully her. Yet whenever Su Ling’s face betrayed unwillingness, Sista would soften.
She had long used biting language to conceal her true self, simply to prevent anyone from seeing the wavering inside her.
“You… what kind of enlightenment did you have to speak like that?”
Sista looked at her coldly.
Su Ling said nothing, but her gaze did not waver.
“You…” Sista finally sighed helplessly, “Forget it. It’s my fault. I lost my composure and showed weakness in front of you.”
Su Ling listened quietly.
Sista walked to the window and looked out at the sky, clearing after the rain. She held out a hand to catch the water dripping from the eaves, her gaze following the falling drops.
“You came to me because you wanted answers, didn’t you?” she suddenly said. “But before that, I have a question for you. What do you think is the difference between the Blood Clan and humans?”
Su Ling shook her head.
Servants were generally forbidden to speak casually about the Blood Clan’s affairs. Of course, there were occasional transgressions, but this rule kept Blood Clan-related information scarce among them.
This was why, even after being in this world so long, Su Ling only had a superficial understanding of the Blood Clan’s habits.
“They are vastly different, yet extremely similar,” Sista continued, “The Blood Clan doesn’t need to survive on human blood. Sucking blood is merely a way to please themselves, gain power, and slow aging. Whether in organs or appearance, the Blood Clan is mostly the same as humans.”
“The difference lies in their incredibly low birthrate and longer lifespan. Their stamina, senses, and healing ability far surpass humans, which means their mortality rate is also quite low.”
“Because they don’t easily die, the Blood Clan never values life like humans do. Instead of living, conquest is the family’s true theme—satisfying inner desires by robbing others, filling the vast stretch of their lives. This is the essence of the Blood Clan.”
“But it’s not entirely like that…”
Su Ling raised her head and glanced at Sista. She knew the girl before her was special. That was why she dared speak these words today.
“Perhaps. Conversely, there are humans who delight in oppressing and bullying others,” a cool breeze blew, ruffling Sista’s black hair.
“In this Kingdom of Ansels, where the Blood Clan rules, some people admire the Blood Clan, some despise them.”
“But whether admiration or hatred, most accept the relationship of ruling and being ruled, superiority and subjugation. Even humans who want to overthrow the Blood Clan only want to dominate other humans and races.”
Then she finally turned toward Su Ling. A ray of sunlight caught her head, outlining her hair’s silhouette.
“You are different from them.”
“The day you were first sent to the castle, you made me not want to kill you. It surprised me greatly. Blood Slaves go through rigorous ideological selection, chosen from thousands. It’s impossible for one to say such words to the Blood Clan.”
“Your expression was like someone encountering this world for the first time. I was intrigued, so I kept you.”
That was the real reason.
Su Ling secretly bit her lip; she had never thought of this before. She had always assumed Sista took an interest in her because of her appearance in this world or was simply attracted to her body, which had made her mistakenly believe her beauty had saved her life.
“Nobles have always treated me oddly because I don’t use Blood Slaves, which makes me very unhappy. Meeting you was perfect—I want those nobles to know that I am capable of using Blood Slaves.”
Recalling that moment, Sista’s corners of her mouth curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
“After getting to know you properly, I realized you truly are different from others.”
“I can tell you grew up in a completely different environment from mine.”
“You bear no mark of the relationship between predator and prey. Even now, though you submit to me, you have never consciously considered yourself beneath me. Not only that, I see no desire in you to dominate others.”
Su Ling’s heart silently made a sharp sound.
She thought she had observed the other carefully enough, but she hadn’t expected that Sista had been watching her all along.
Although unaware of her transmigration, Sista’s keen insight into Su Ling’s background through their brief interactions was remarkable. No wonder Princess Moria had long harbored resentment toward Sista.
“…A long, long time ago, before the Kingdom of Ansels was established, the Borecanstan Empire had scholars with these ideas. But now, the land beneath our feet has long changed rulers. Everything about that empire has become ancient history in books.”
Regret flickered in Sista’s eyes, though it conflicted with her current stance.
Su Ling suddenly recalled that many notes in Sista’s journal had mentioned the history of Borecanstan.
“By the way, what kind of environment did you grow up in? I sent people to investigate your village, but unfortunately found nothing,” Sista abruptly changed the subject.
“Well…” Su Ling finally felt she had to explain. Flustered, she gestured hurriedly, “My father didn’t teach me much, but… I usually read a lot of other books, so…”
“Books? What were their names?” Sista asked, puzzled.
“But… but I’ve already lost them!”
In any case, she would just bluff her way through.
“I see. Never mind, it’s not important,” Sista didn’t press further. She returned to Su Ling’s side. “You asked why I treat you this way? I’ve thought about it a long time… I think this is the answer.”
“I’m drawn to the kind of aura you carry something that doesn’t fit in with this world. It’s absurd.”
She gave a self-mocking smile.
“Perhaps it’s that I don’t want to hurt you, or I fear you’d be sad? I won’t deny it, I do have some special feelings for you, which is why I tell you these things.”
“But I always remember who I am the Princess of Ansels, a pure-blooded Blood Clan member. Don’t delude yourself into thinking our relationship will change.”
At this, Sista’s expression gradually grew cold.
“Even if I have irrational thoughts deep down, I will still play my role well and live according to the Blood Clan’s rules. No one… I won’t let anyone think I’m a weak princess.”
In an instant, she looked back, standing proudly the black-haired girl before Su Ling’s eyes radiated the icy coldness of old. Beautiful, yet exuding an indescribable pressure.
Her crimson pupils and the sharp fangs slightly revealed at her lips were exactly the same as the cruel and ruthless Blood Clan Princess Su Ling had first met.