A familiar? A human?
The overlap of these two identities surprised Sefina.
She had indeed heard that Lady Liya of the Tepus Family had successfully summoned a familiar. Only powerful members of the Demonic Race were qualified to summon a familiar.
At the time, the news had caused a sensation among the families of the Blood Clan, but Sefina hadn’t paid much attention to it.
She had originally thought it was some kind of rare demonic creature, but she hadn’t expected it to be a human.
But what did that have to do with her?
Her goal this time was to contact other families and broaden her social resources.
Having been silent in the manor for too long, it was time to step out and breathe the outside air again. If she accumulated her strength bit by bit, perhaps the family would have a chance to rise again…
Sefina silently encouraged herself as she lifted her skirt and stepped down from the carriage.
The banquet hall was brightly lit, and members of various families gathered together to raise their glasses and chat.
Sefina took a deep breath and put on an elegant, appropriate smile.
She took the initiative to step forward and walked toward a group of demons who were talking.
“Good evening, excuse me for interrupting. I am Sefina of the Drago Family.”
“Sefina?” One of them raised an eyebrow and looked her up and down.
“Oh, the Drago Family, right? I’ve heard of them, I’ve heard of them.” The person’s tone carried obvious dismissiveness.
“It’s a real pity about your family; there was a time when you were so glorious.”
“But now that you’re licking the boots of the Tepus Family, life must be pretty good, right? Hahahaha!”
The piercing laughter cut into her heart. Sefina suppressed her discomfort and remained smiling. “I wonder if I might get to know you all? Perhaps there will be opportunities for cooperation in the future?”
“Eh, look at what you’re saying. How would we dare snatch away the Tepus Family’s little lackey, right?”
They looked at each other and winked.
“Exactly. Since the Tepus Family is so strong now, shouldn’t you just follow them with peace of mind? Why go through all this trouble?”
“If there’s nothing else, please go somewhere else for now. We still have serious business to discuss.”
The hand Sefina held at her side gradually clenched, her nails digging deep into her palm.
She had misjudged the situation.
Nowadays, the Drago Family had long since lost the value of being befriended in the eyes of others.
Sefina stood alone in the banquet hall, surrounded by the sounds of chatting and laughter. She seemed out of place in this world.
‘Maybe I should still go find someone from the Tepus Family to say hello.’
Sefina was about to turn around.
“Move aside, please move aside!” A maid carrying a steaming teapot hurried past Sefina, urged by a guest.
“Oops!”
She was running too fast and accidentally bumped into Sefina.
Scalding tea splashed out, pouring onto Sefina’s left arm.
A burning, stinging pain immediately shot through her skin, and Sefina frowned.
The noise in the hall quieted down at once, and all eyes turned toward them.
“I’m sorry! I’m truly very sorry!” the maid hurriedly bowed and apologized.
“It’s fine!” someone from that group of demons shouted. “Just tell her you’re from the Tepus Family, and she’ll definitely forgive you!”
Laughter broke out all around.
Sefina endured the pain and asked the maid, “Do you know where Lady Liya is?”
“Ah? Her Ladyship… she’s in the lounge in the back hall, busy receiving important guests.”
“…All right.”
“Are… are you leaving?”
Sefina did not answer. She turned and walked quickly out of the banquet hall.
No family was willing to lend a helping hand. The long-suppressed frustration, combined with the pain in her arm, broke Sefina’s forced composure.
She stopped in an empty corner outside the banquet hall, lifted her sleeve, and blew on the burn.
A hurried set of footsteps ran past, stopping when they reached Sefina.
Sefina looked up and saw her.
It was a black-haired young girl with delicate features and eyes that were a rare shade of gold. A strange mark was stamped in the middle of her forehead.
She was wearing the simplest of cloth clothes and holding a bottle in her arms.
It was the scent of a human.
“Um… are you okay?” the girl asked hesitantly, her gaze falling on Sefina’s arm. “Your arm is very red. Is it a burn?”
Sefina shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
The girl looked around, opened the bottle cap, poured out a few clear ice cubes, and handed them over.
“Apply some ice; it’ll feel a bit better.”
“I’m a member of the Blood Clan. There’s no need for such trouble. This small injury will heal itself soon.”
“But it must still hurt,” the girl insisted, pressing the ice cubes into Sefina’s hand.
Sefina froze for a moment and couldn’t help but smile.
She placed the ice on the burned area, and the cold sensation immediately lessened the stinging pain of the wound.
However, a wave of warmth surged through her heart.
It was somewhat helpless and a little ridiculous that she was actually being cared for by a strange human.
“Why are you carrying this?” Sefina asked.
“I found them in the kitchen. Her Ladyship and the guests wanted chilled wine.”
‘Her Ladyship? Is it Lady Liya? A human, plus that special mark… Is she that familiar?’
Sefina was just about to ask about the girl’s identity.
“I have to go, her Ladyship is waiting.” The girl had already run off.
Sefina had intended to leave early, but she inexplicably wanted to wait a little longer, so she stayed until the end of the banquet.
Perhaps she wanted to see that human familiar again.
After most of the demons had left, Sefina saw that figure again in an inconspicuous corner.
“It’s you.” Seeing Sefina approach, the girl gave a polite greeting. “Is that injury from earlier better?”
“It’s been fine for a long time.” Sefina smiled as she raised her arm, her skin having long since returned to its fair state.
She suddenly remembered that humans did not have self-healing abilities, yet this person had to risk her life following the Blood Clan as a familiar.
What would a human living among the Demonic Race experience?
“Are you… used to living with the Demonic Race yet?” By the time Sefina realized it, the question had already left her mouth.
Seeming to have finally found someone willing to listen to her, the girl began to open up.
“I’m not used to it at all. My body even changed, uh… or rather, I’m not good at adapting to everything here. Everything is different.”
“I’ve already tried very hard to memorize the script of the Demonic Race, but I’m still criticized for being too slow.”
Running into walls everywhere, being misunderstood.
‘Maybe… she’s in a similar situation to me…’ Sefina thought.
“But since I came here, I’ve found a goal. When I think of this goal, I get more and more motivated.” The girl smiled, her eyes sparkling.
She paused for a moment and realized her error, her expression a bit embarrassed. “Sorry, I got excited all on my own.”
Sefina looked at her. The night wind brushed against her long black hair, and her golden eyes were exceptionally dazzling under the moonlight.
Sefina felt her heart skip a few beats.
“Lin Shu!” A sharp female voice came from behind. “Where did you run off to?!”
“Sorry, My Lady, I’m coming right now!” the girl responded loudly. She turned her head and said to Sefina, “I’m leaving first. Thank you for listening to me.”
Lin Shu. Her name was Lin Shu.
Sefina engraved the name in her heart.