The night was as dark as ink, deep and distant. Looking up, three waning moons hung high in the sky. Silver light poured down, spreading across a pitch-black ancient castle.
Inside the castle, a girl in white cloth stood in the courtyard.
Her long, cold gray hair looked as if shrouded in a frosty mist. Her doll-like face was perfectly sculpted and emotionless.
Her gray eyes resembled dusty glass, and her hair draped over the sides of her neck. Her body was paper-thin, joints as slender as puppet strings.
Pale silk wrapped around her protruding collarbones, cold and hollow.
She took out a golden-patterned bowl, some strange fruits, and red leaves.
Then she drew a silver dagger from her waist and rolled up her sleeves. Bandages were wrapped around her arm.
She unwrapped them, revealing wounds crisscrossed from the blade.
Without hesitation, she cut her wrist with the dagger.
Blood flowed.
She angled her arm over the cup, letting the blood drip in until it was half full, then stopped.
She crushed half the fruit into the blood, then added a few drops of water from the red leaf’s tip.
Swirling the mixture gently, she dipped a fingertip in and tasted it.
She closed her eyes, as if savoring the sweetness of the blood.
Soon after, she opened them again, speaking around her finger, voice muffled: “Mmm… not sweet enough.”
From her pocket, she took out a small pouch of sugar and sprinkled a little into the blood.
She dipped her finger again for another taste.
Yes, that was the right flavor now.
Looking at the wound still bleeding on her wrist, Bai frowned slightly.
She closed her eyes and murmured something under her breath.
Her other hand began to glow a soft green, the light spreading over the wound.
Before long, the bleeding stopped, though a terrible scar remained, like all the others on her wrist.
She picked up the cup of fresh blood and walked toward the top floor of the castle.
There, at the end of a long, dark-red corridor, was the master’s room.
She was walking steadily when suddenly two soft, massive objects hugged her from behind.
A pair of pale hands covered her eyes, and a gentle, silky voice rang out like flowing silk: “Hehe, guess who I am?”
There were only three people in the whole castle, she could guess with her toes who it was.
Besides, only one person in the castle had such an overwhelming… presence.
“Lady Aiersha, please don’t tease Bai. I almost spilled the master’s blood,”
Bai said flatly, her tone unchanging.
“Really now, little Bai’s so cute, why are you always so cold to your big sister?” came a voice that was part scold, part pout.
That lingering, soothing tone always reminded Bai of a sister she had before she became a blood servant.
Light returned to her eyes, but when Bai turned to look, the world-class pair in front of her blocked it again.
What had covered her eyes?
Bai blinked twice and took a quiet step back, only then could she see the woman’s face.
Aiersha was smiling gently, her long silver hair falling to her waist.
She wore a classic maid outfit, her ample thighs looking soft and inviting.
Her eyes crinkled into slits as she smiled.
As far as Bai could remember, Lady Aiersha had always worn that floaty, gentle smile.
She was one of the only three residents in the castle, and the only maid.
But “maid” was a title in name only.
Taking care of the master’s daily needs, offering fresh blood, cleaning the castle, tending the gardens outside, those were all Bai’s jobs.
This useless maid was always trying to get close to her, never doing anything proper all day.
Ever since she came here, Bai had been busier than she was five years ago when she was just an ordinary slave.
And that silver hair, among blood clans, it was a noble trait.
A proud noble serving as a maid?
It didn’t add up.
Bai had long suspected that Aiersha was more likely a personal bodyguard in disguise.
“Lady Aiersha, has the master woken up?”
“Hmm, probably not up yet.”
Aiersha tilted her head slightly, tapping her lips with her finger as if in thought.
“Then I’ll wait by the door until the master wakes.”
“But little Bai, why are you here so early today? Doesn’t the master usually feed at noon? You’ve been bleeding for several days in a row. If you don’t rest properly, your body won’t be able to handle it, you know?”
“Because today marks the fifth year since the master took Bai in.”
Of course, Bai didn’t say that out loud.
Even she found it laughable, celebrating the five-year anniversary of becoming a blood slave?
No matter how you looked at it, it didn’t sound like something worth celebrating.
Five years ago today, Bai had been captured by slave traders.
After a failed escape attempt, she was beaten nearly to death.
Just when she thought it was all over, a blood clan member appeared.
With a mere wave of her hand, she reduced the entire slave camp to ashes, leaving only Bai alive, for one simple reason: Bai’s blood was sweet enough.
“I’ll give you two choices, human: either I drain you dry right now, or you become my blood slave and serve me for all eternity.”
That’s how arrogantly she had spoken.
Naturally, Bai chose the latter, not just to survive, but also because of the awe-inspiring figure that crushed her enemies underfoot.
That night, the blood clan member descended like a divine flame of black fire, searing a reverent tremble into Bai’s young soul.
And when they first arrived at the castle, the master had made a promise, if Bai served as her blood slave for five years, she would make Bai her retainer, just like Aiersha the maid.
So even if it meant becoming a blood clan, or even a non-human monster, Bai didn’t mind.
Because by then, she would no longer be an outsider, she would be the same kind as Aiersha and the master.
It wasn’t that Bai hated being human, nor that she longed to become a blood clan.
She was simply afraid, afraid the master would despise her for being human.
Besides, she had already been a blood slave for five years.
Five years of blood had repaid the debt of being saved.
Five years of growth had planted a longing in Bai’s heart, for freedom, and for home, to find her sister.
Yet she also wanted to keep serving the master she admired.
This contradiction left her torn.
So if the master was willing to make her a retainer, Bai would let go of all hesitation, and devote her life to serving her.
If only the master was willing…
“Bai just wanted to get up a little earlier today, because the Twilight Roses outside are about to bloom, and I wanted to see what color they are this year.”
Bai offered a clumsy excuse.
Twilight Roses were a type of flower that grew in the blood clan’s domain, blooming in a different color every year, dazzling and beautiful.
Five years ago, the master had said she liked flowers, so Bai had planted many Twilight Roses in the garden outside and cared for them with devotion ever since.
Aiersha’s smile deepened, her crimson eyes watching Bai with amusement, as if she’d already seen through everything.
She slowly leaned closer to Bai’s face and asked, “So, what color are the roses this year?”
“Uh…”
Bai’s body trembled slightly.
Guiltily, she turned her head to avoid those red eyes and stammered, “B-Blue.”
“Hehe, wrong answer. This year’s roses… are the color of little Bai.”
Aiersha chuckled, pulling out a flamboyant white rose from behind her and gently tucking it into Bai’s hair.
Bai raised her hand and softly touched the flower atop her head.
Her lips curved just slightly, at last, an expression flickered across her face.
“Mm… Thank you, Lady Aiersha.”
Aiersha brushed aside Bai’s hanging hair and smiled as she said, “That’s more like it. Little Bai is cutest when she smiles. I’m sure the master will love your smile too.”
“Do you think… the master will really like me?”
“Of course. Go on, little Bai. The master should be waking up soon.”
Aiersha patted Bai’s head gently.
“Mm.”
At the end of the corridor, Bai stood before a refined wooden door, bowl and dish in hand, waiting quietly.
Staring at the blood in the bowl, calm and mirror-like, Bai felt something was missing.
She reached up, plucked a petal from the flower in her hair, and let it drift gently onto the surface of the blood.
“There, that’s better,” she said, satisfied.
Before long, there was movement from inside the room.
Bai called out respectfully, “Lady Yalbera, it’s time to wake up. I’ve prepared your blood meal.”
No response came, but the wooden door creaked open on its own.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
Stepping into the room, she was met by a wave of deep red tones and an air of antique elegance.
The walls were covered in dark crimson silk wallpaper with delicate patterns, and a brass chandelier on the ceiling cast soft, dappled light that draped the room in a hazy glow.
One side of the room featured a large floor-to-ceiling window, beyond which the quiet garden lay faintly visible.
Heavy crimson curtains embroidered with gold bordered the windows, matching the room’s palette.
The carpet, too, was dark red, intricately embroidered, plush and silent underfoot.
At the center of the room was a massive red bed, its four corners draped with sheer white curtains that billowed like mist in the breeze.
On the dark red bedding lay a stunning girl in a lazy sprawl.
Her name was Yalbera Astrid, one of the Six True Ancestors of the ancient blood clan, and Bai’s master.
Apparently disturbed by Bai’s arrival, Yalbera shifted with annoyance, her long, slender legs stretching across the bed, her delicate ankles exposed.
“Mm…”
She let out a few hoarse, ear-scratching moans as she lazily turned over.
Bai glanced down at the heap of discarded clothes strewn across the carpet and sighed helplessly.
She picked them up one by one, folding them neatly and placing them on the bed.
Yalbera finally sat up, stretching her limbs.
Her golden curls spilled around her like a cascade of sunlight.
She casually extended one pale arm and muttered, “Dress me.”
“Yes.”
Bai picked up the clothes and skillfully dressed the blonde girl.
The elegant dress was quickly put on, followed by the long black over-knee boots.
Once she got off the bed and sat before the vanity, Bai began gently brushing her golden hair.
Through the mirror, Yalbera noticed the flower in Bai’s hair.
Her lips parted, as if to say something, but she held it back.
After a moment, she asked instead, “Why are you here so early today?”
“The Twilight Roses bloomed. I wanted to see what color they were this year,” Bai replied.
“What color?” Yalbera asked offhandedly.
“This year… it’s Bai’s color.”
Yalbera frowned, displeased.
“Why is it that ugly white again? Tell Aiersha to burn those flowers. I’m tired of looking at them. Why did I ever plant those roses in the garden to begin with?”
Bai’s hand paused briefly in her brushing, but quickly resumed. In a soft voice, she replied, “…Understood. Bai will take care of it.”
Her other hand quietly reached up and plucked the white rose from her hair, crushing it completely in her palm.
The petals were ground to pulp between her fingers, and even the thorns piercing into her skin went unnoticed.
Only after she finished braiding Yalbera’s twin golden ponytails did Bai pick up the cup of blood, now almost cold, and brought it before her.
“Master, your blood meal for today.”
Yalbera didn’t say much. She lifted the teacup and took a sip.
The next moment, she frowned, her voice turning icy. “Your blood is getting worse and worse.”
Bai’s hands clenched tightly. She lowered her head.
“I’m sorry… I’ll try to…”
“How many times have you said ‘next time’ already?”
Yalbera cut her off coldly.
“As my blood slave, you should feel honored. Not everyone gets the chance to serve a True Ancestor. You should devote yourself entirely to me, to pleasing me, not serve me this inferior, disgusting blood. Otherwise…”
She crossed her legs, her tone still indifferent.
“I’ll have no choice but to find another blood slave to replace you.”
“Bai will do her best.”
“Hmph. You’d better. My patience isn’t infinite,” Yalbera said arrogantly, flipping her curls.
Bai’s hands turned white from how tightly she was clenching them.
She took a deep breath and asked urgently, “Master, do you still remember, five years ago…..”
“This afternoon, one of my fellow True Ancestors is visiting. Don’t forget to prepare more blood,” Yalbera interrupted again.
“But I’ve already given blood several times these past few days…”
Over the past few days, Bai had done everything she could to make her blood more to Yalbera’s taste, leaving no time to let her body recover.
If she prepared two more servings tonight, her body might not hold out.
“Giving blood a few more times is no big deal. You’re a blood slave. Your duty is to provide blood. Don’t ask unnecessary questions.” Yalbera’s tone was frigid.
“…Bai understands.”
“Right, what were you trying to say just now?”
Bai’s hands, clenched white, slowly loosened. Her gray hair fell forward, covering her face, her expression hidden from view. After a long silence, she replied with just one line.
“It’s nothing.”
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