Chapter 23: The Tiramisu Girl

Night slowly descended like a deep curtain, stars twinkling in the sky like forgotten teardrops scattered across the heavens.

Su Ling lay gently on her bed, gazing at the bright moon outside the window. A wave of indescribable calm welled up in her heart. The curtains? She couldn’t be bothered to draw them—let the moonlight spill freely over her face.

Why had Sista taken the doll she made?

She used to think Sista was cold and indifferent, but tonight, the woman’s actions had changed her perception. She realized Sista wasn’t as distant or untouchable as she’d once imagined, or as she’d read in the novels. It seemed that she too had emotions.

Her hand unconsciously reached for her neck, where a faint red mark remained—the trace Sista had left. Every time she touched it, memories of that day surfaced. But now, the wound had already healed.

That woman… really is strange.

Ever since she was chosen as Sista’s personal maid, Su Ling had been pondering one question: Why her? She knew that Phil and Tii were the finest maids in the household—both more beautiful and more competent than she was.

Karsanna and Duli were also diligent and meticulous workers. So why had Sista chosen her?

Su Ling thought back to how she came to the castle. Nothing about it had been particularly special. In this world, she was just a humble village girl. Could it be that Sista chose her for the taste of her blood? But Sista didn’t seem like someone ruled by desire—she always acted so calm and rational.

Or… was it because she had feelings for her?
No, that couldn’t be… right?

Her wild guesses led nowhere.

“Forget it,” she told herself. “Better get some sleep.”
Curling her small body beneath the covers, she closed her eyes and let herself drift off.

Time passed without her noticing. Under Phil’s guidance, Su Ling slowly but steadily learned the etiquette expected of a personal maid. The training went surprisingly smoothly—so smoothly, in fact, that even Su Ling found it hard to believe.

What surprised her most was when the usually strict Saiban suddenly approved the early completion of her training, without any warning or explanation.

“Um… I still don’t understand a lot. Is it really okay to finish now?” she thought.

Before she had time to ponder further, the castle staff were given a new assignment. This would be Su Ling’s first official task as a personal maid.

That day, just as dawn broke and the sky was tinged with pale light, Su Ling was awakened by the sound of Tii’s hurried footsteps.

“Su Ling! Why are you still asleep? We’re going to be late! There’s a big banquet today!”

Su Ling opened her eyes to see Tii’s anxious face and immediately tensed up.

“A banquet? What banquet?” she asked, confused.

“What? Phil didn’t tell you?” Tii replied, exasperated. “Today is the pre-feast of the Lunar Eclipse Festival. Tons of important nobles will be coming to the castle.”

Hearing that, Su Ling’s heart tightened. Lunar Eclipse Festival? She wasn’t familiar with it, but from Tii’s tone, it was clearly a big deal.

She quickly got out of bed, washed up, and changed clothes.

When she stepped out of her room, Tii was already waiting by the door. The two of them headed to the kitchen together, and along the way, Su Ling felt the tense and solemn atmosphere that permeated the castle.

Maids lined both sides of the corridors, their expressions serious—yet in their eyes, there was a trace of anticipation and awe toward the upcoming banquet.

“Um, Tii, what is the Lunar Eclipse Festival?” she asked cautiously, trying to keep pace.

“You don’t know, Su Ling?”

Tii looked shocked, as though it was common knowledge. Su Ling regretted asking so bluntly.

“Uh… yeah.”

“The Lunar Eclipse Festival is an important ritual. Every year, the vampire nobles gain power from it, so it’s a really big deal.”

“Gain power?”

“Yep. The vampires draw strength from the Abyssal Goddess. On the day of the lunar eclipse, the moon turns blood red and then disappears. That’s when the goddess descends, and the vampires perform rituals to gain more power.”

Su Ling nodded, half-understanding, as they reached the bustling kitchen.

“Today’s the day the nobles are coming to Hailuosen Castle for the banquet!” someone shouted. “It’s a rare chance. If we do well, Her Highness might even reward us with silver coins!”

“Getting to see the nobles in person is amazing!”

She looked over and saw Karsanna, eyes full of longing. It seemed she admired the vampires deeply. Not just her—Amane, and everyone else in the kitchen too. They all showed a strange kind of devotion, as if they were real servants of the vampires, even though they all knew they were little more than the vampires’ thralls.

Something about it… felt off.

Su Ling didn’t have time to think. The kitchen was already buzzing with activity. The maids were starting to prepare desserts and drinks for the banquet.

Although Su Ling usually focused on cleaning and tidying, she joined the cooking team. For an event like this, everyone had to help.

Just then, Duli walked over, smiling.
“Su Ling, I heard you’re in charge of making tiramisu?”

Su Ling nodded nervously. She wasn’t very skilled at it, but since the task had fallen to her, she had no choice but to face it head-on.

Noticing her unease, Duli offered, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you. Tiramisu has lots of steps, but if you’re careful, it’ll turn out delicious.”

She began guiding Su Ling through the ingredients and explaining the steps clearly.

With Duli’s help, Su Ling got to work.

First, she dipped the ladyfingers into coffee and layered them in a tray. Then, she carefully piped in the cream and sprinkled cocoa powder on top. She handled each step with extra care, terrified of messing up.

While Su Ling was focused on her task, Tii walked over.

“Su Ling! You—”
She stopped mid-sentence.

Seeing Su Ling and Duli working side by side, Tii looked momentarily surprised, then a little confused.

Since when were those two so close?

Did Su Ling… find someone she liked better than her?

After all, she was the first one to approach Su Ling in this castle.

Tii stared at the two of them, her heart welling with a strange, sour feeling she didn’t quite understand.