“You two… when did you get so close?”
“Hm?”
Duli blinked, puzzled, as she looked at Tii.
“Just asking, don’t take it seriously.” Tii quickly waved her hand, forcing a smile.
“Tii, are you okay?” Su Ling, unconvinced, looked at Tii’s face, feeling a bit uneasy inside.
Tii shook her head. “Nothing… I just wanted to say, I’m really happy to see you getting along with everyone so well.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she lowered her head and hurried off toward the back kitchen, carrying a basket of bread in her arms.
She didn’t want Su Ling to see the look on her face—at least not now.
The Lunar Eclipse Festival was divided into two parts: the pre-feast and the ritual. Today was the day of the pre-feast, while the actual ritual usually took place a month later.
As night fell, the banquet hall of the Hailuosen Castle sparkled brightly. Lanterns were lit, casting brilliance throughout the space.
The hall was filled with the aroma of delicacies. Maids bustled about, setting out desserts and drinks in anticipation of the guests’ arrival.
The castle had grown lively. Nobles arrived one after another, their land-dragon carriages stopping at the manor gates as servants respectfully welcomed them.
Standing by the kitchen window, Su Ling watched from a distance as the aristocrats in their elegant garments entered. It was her first time seeing so many bloodkin.
…It looked extremely formal.
Standing beside a row of neatly arranged wine glasses, Su Ling’s gaze was drawn to the crimson liquid inside.
Each of those glasses was filled with blood. The rich color was striking, but to Su Ling, it was unsettling—even a little chilling.
That blood, all of it, cost the lives of eight blood slaves.
Su Ling had only learned later that, aside from Sista, most bloodkin would drain their blood slaves dry—seldom leaving any alive.
Though she had done her best to adapt to life here, every time she saw those glasses brimming with blood, a suffocating feeling welled up inside her.
Just then, Head Maid Karsanna approached, her eyes serious as she said to Su Ling, “Su Ling, have you memorized all the etiquette Phil taught you?”
“Mm, I think I won’t mess up…”
“Good,” Karsanna nodded. “There’s one final instruction: once the banquet begins, as Her Highness’s personal maid, you’ll be serving behind her during the meal.”
“Okay.”
Su Ling felt a tightening in her chest—she knew this was a test.
“Relax. With Phil and me guiding you, you’ll be fine.”
With that, Karsanna glanced meaningfully at Phil, who stood not far off.
“Uh…”
“Well? Spit it out, Phil. What are you waiting for?” Karsanna urged.
Phil looked oddly fidgety, glancing around nervously. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, she locked eyes with the old butler, Seban—his sharp gaze radiating pressure.
Taking a deep breath, Phil furrowed her brow, clearly having taken a long time to work up her courage. At last, she walked up to Su Ling and whispered, “Su… Su Ling, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”
Her voice was awkward, clearly uncomfortable.
“Even though Her Highness really likes your blood, she’s very picky about the blood served at banquets,” Phil continued. “She doesn’t like the mixed blood of multiple slaves—it tastes too muddled, she says.”
Su Ling blinked in surprise. This was the first time she’d heard of Sista having any dietary quirks. Even Tii had never mentioned it. Why was Phil telling her now?
“So, when the blood is served later, you’ll need to add a bit of rose spice to it—to mask the raw stench.”
Phil spoke as she handed a small pouch of spices into Su Ling’s hands.
“Alright… I understand.”
Spices? Was this a last-minute decision?
Looking at the small pouch of fragrant powder, Su Ling blinked. Something about it felt off. But since the order came down from Seban, she had no right to refuse.
By now, the castle was brilliantly lit, and the banquet hall was lavishly decorated. Soon enough, guests took their seats.
“Ahem.”
A single cough echoed, bringing the room to silence.
“On this eve of the Lunar Eclipse Festival’s pre-feast, we gather as one to celebrate. May our kind flourish forevermore,” declared a tall, richly dressed elder from the end of the long table.
Su Ling’s breath caught in her throat. From Tii’s descriptions, she immediately recognized him—Sista Anderson’s father: King Steyat Anderson, ruler of the bloodkin.
He was slightly overweight, with pale skin that bore few wrinkles. His face was round and full, and his eyes gleamed like twin rubies. He wore a voluminous black robe, its collar and cuffs trimmed with silver that shimmered coldly under the lights.
Seated beside him in a luxurious crimson gown was his wife, Clis—Sista’s stepmother.
“Then, let the blood flow freely, my friends!” the king said in a deep voice as he ended his brief speech.
Servants began filing in with tall wine glasses filled with blood. Su Ling shivered, clutching the pouch of rose spice hidden in her sleeve.