“What the hell am I doing…?”
Night had fallen. Sista lay exhausted on her bed, muttering to herself.
To kill a human—no, even to kill another vampire—had once been the easiest thing in the world for Sista.
Cruel, vicious, cold, heartless—she had always upheld the most typical image of a vampire princess.
Life within Hailuosen Castle had always been full of schemes and manipulation. Every decision she made was for greater power and interest—never an exception.
But ever since she met Su Ling, she began to change.
Thinking back on today, Sista took a deep breath. Her original intent had been to feign an aversion to blood, to mislead the Count’s spies. But when she saw the worried expression on Su Ling’s face, her heart unexpectedly wavered—for a moment, she even forgot her plan.
That feeling was both unfamiliar and frightening. She didn’t know why she was like this.
Night deepened. Sista gradually drifted into sleep, her breathing becoming steady, blending into the surrounding silence.
Her dream was like a torn night sky, revealing a terrifying scene.
In it, she stood in a palace soaked in blood. Countless bodies lay beneath her feet, the crimson staining every inch of the floor.
Why was she here? Why had she killed all these people? Her hands were drenched in blood, but her heart felt nothing. Step by step, she walked forward, as if searching for something.
At the end of the palace, a small black dog suddenly appeared in her sight.
Its fur was scruffy, but its eyes sparkled with light. It wagged its tail, running happily toward her, as if it were completely unaware of the carnage surrounding it.
A strange emotion welled up in Sista’s heart.
She knelt down, reaching out to pet it.
But the moment her hand touched the soft fur, a dagger inexplicably appeared in her grip—and without warning, it stabbed into the little dog’s body.
“No…”
She collapsed to the ground, clutching her head tightly, as if trying to drive the horror from her mind.
“Why?” she whispered into the darkness, voice trembling and weak. Her eyes were filled with confusion and sorrow. “God… why won’t you let me forget the past… forget that foolish, old self…?”
Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, spilling golden rays across Sista’s room. The warmth filled every corner, casting a soft glow that seemed to momentarily dispel the castle’s chill.
“Ugh…”
Sista jolted awake, the remnants of her nightmare still lingering.
She panted, trying to calm her racing heart. Her gaze shifted, landing on a figure by her bedside—Su Ling, her newly appointed personal maid.
Su Ling stood stiffly, clutching a finely embroidered morning gown. She took a deep breath, trying to appear composed, but her trembling hands betrayed her nerves.
“Your Highness… I-I’ve come to help you dress.”
Her voice was barely audible, shaking despite her efforts to control it.
Sista turned to look at her.
Those eyes again—like rose petals, enchanting and dangerous. Eyes that stirred her heart, just like the little dog in her dream.
Tch.
She hated those eyes. She should hate them.
Sista frowned slightly. Seeing how nervous Su Ling looked—like she might cry at any second—she sighed, her tone laced with sarcasm:
“Are you here to help me dress… or to put on a performance of ‘Trembling Hands’?”
Su Ling’s face flushed bright red. She ducked her head, voice nearly a whisper: “I’m sorry, Your Highness… I’ll adapt quickly.”
Sista snorted.
“Adapt? I hope you’re not implying I need to wait for you to grow. As my personal maid, you should know—every second in this place is precious. I don’t have the luxury to wait for you.”
Su Ling bowed her head even lower. “I truly apologize, Your Highness… I’ll do my best. I promise.”
“Enough. Come here,” Sista’s tone shifted, becoming more relaxed. “Take off my clothes first.”
“Y-Yes…”
Was this really happening?
Su Ling swallowed nervously. Of course she knew what personal maids were supposed to do, but she hadn’t mentally prepared herself for such… close contact.
Her heart pounded louder and louder. But she couldn’t stall any longer.
She carefully reached out, unbuttoning Sista’s nightgown. Her fingers brushed over the vampire’s smooth skin—so delicate it sent shivers through her entire body.
She tried to breathe steadily, but the rising tide of embarrassment nearly suffocated her.
Sista stood quietly, her long eyelashes fluttering gently in the morning light. Her skin glowed faintly, like silk touched by sunlight. It was as if a golden veil had wrapped around her.
Su Ling braced herself and undid the final clasp of the nightdress.
Shhh—
The sound of fabric falling to the floor echoed.
Su Ling couldn’t help but glance up—and froze.
There was no denying it: Sista was stunning.
That slim waist looked like it could break with a gentle touch. Her full chest, half-exposed under the falling gown, seemed even more alluring. Her long legs peeked out from beneath the hem.
Su Ling’s cheeks turned scarlet, her heart racing wildly.
“What are you looking at?”
Sista’s voice was cold, her eyes sharp and piercing.
“I…” Su Ling didn’t dare look up.
“What’s that expression? Shy?”
Sista turned around—completely uncovered—and stepped closer, slowly backing Su Ling into a corner.
“You’ve been staring at my body this whole time. I didn’t expect you’d enjoy it this much.”
“I wasn’t—I didn’t—”
Please… don’t come any closer—
Su Ling’s mind was a mess. She didn’t know what to say. The woman was so close now, Su Ling could barely breathe.
Instinctively, she raised her hands to push her away—only to find them pressing into something soft.
They sank in slightly, springy and warm, almost like a sponge.
“I-I-I’m so sorry!”