“She has changed…”
“But… what was she like before… the old Sylvie?”
In the freezing darkness, Cassia’s body—long deprived of feeding—finally approached its limit. After Klal stripped her of her power, her constitution had greatly weakened, now requiring regular sustenance and sleep like a human.
Though she stubbornly clung to her pride, insisting to herself that Sylvie’s absence was a welcome peace, her body honestly waited three full days and nights—without sleep or rest—just to confirm at the first sound of footsteps whether it was that familiar figure.
Finally, exhaustion overwhelmed her consciousness like a tidal wave. Her eyelids drooped heavily, the light in her crimson eyes gradually fading.
In the last moment before losing awareness, she seemed to see those emerald eyes again, carrying the concern she dared not admit, as she sank into the abyss of dreams…
The appearance of the former… “Sylvie”…
——————
Tap… tap… tap…
Rustle… rustle… rustle…
Vines and dense green vegetation overgrew and claimed the ruins of human cities. Once-neat, straight streets were cracked and chaotic, upheaved by thick trunks.
Skyscrapers that once pierced the clouds had either collapsed one by one or leaned precariously against other ruined buildings, threatening to topple at any moment.
On these silent streets, two figures walked—one ahead, one behind.
The silver-haired vampire woman in front strode with aloof grace, her heels echoing crisply on the cracked asphalt.
Cassia’s crimson gown was torn in many places. A deep sword gash on her shoulder, visible to the bone, along with gunshot wounds, still oozed blood. Her silver hair was disheveled, stained with dark red—her disheveled state suggesting she had just emerged from fierce combat.
A few steps behind her, a petite figure in an oversized cloak struggled to keep pace.
The cloak—far too large for a child’s frame—dragged on the ground, rustling with each hurried step. Bare feet padded over streets littered with debris, producing a series of faint sounds.
Whenever Cassia inadvertently quickened her pace, the small figure had to trot a few steps to close the gap, yet always maintained just the right following distance… neither daring to draw too close and annoy the vampire ahead, nor willing to fall too far behind and lose her only reliance.
Finally, as if unable to bear the eerie silence any longer, Cassia abruptly stopped and turned, her crimson eyes sweeping coldly behind her.
“…How long do you plan to follow?”
The cloaked figure froze stiffly, slender small hands nervously clutching the overly long sleeves.
After a moment of silence, the hood dipped slightly. A timid, immature, yet unfamiliar voice emerged from the shadows.
“Alice… is… Master’s pet…”
“Pets… have to… follow their master…”
Cassia narrowed her eyes, about to speak, when a sudden twinge from her shoulder wound made her frown involuntarily.
That subtle movement did not escape the eyes that had been secretly watching her.
The small figure hesitated, then cautiously stepped forward. From an inner pocket of the cloak, she pulled out a relatively clean strip of cloth and stood on tiptoes, trying to bandage the wound.
“Who permitted you to touch me?” Cassia said coldly, yet she did not immediately push away the trembling little hand.
Alice’s small hand paused briefly, then resolutely continued. On tiptoes, she carefully cleaned Cassia’s shoulder wound. Though her bandaging was clumsy, it was exceptionally gentle.
“Done…” she murmured softly, stepping back and lowering her head again.
Cassia glanced at the neat bandage on her shoulder. A barely perceptible flicker passed through her crimson eyes. She turned and continued forward, tossing icy words over her shoulder.
“Suit yourself.”
…
Soon, cold rain poured down upon this wasteland.
Cassia stopped, tilting her head to watch dense rain cascade from the black sky into the small space enclosed by buildings on both sides.
She subtly glanced sideways at the small cloaked figure behind her, shivering slightly.
“…”
She let out a soft sigh, then walked toward the overhang of a collapsed stone ledge on one side.
“Master… aren’t… we going anymore?” Alice asked.
Without turning, Cassia tossed a few words back.
“Wait for the rain to stop.”
“…Okay.”
The collapsed ledge formed a natural shelter, blocking out the external chill.
Cassia leaned against the wall, crimson eyes quietly watching the curtain-like rain. Her bloodstained, icy profile appeared unusually softened in the hazy mist.
Alice sat obediently a short distance away, her red eyes occasionally stealing glances at the vampire beside her. Confirming Cassia had no objection, she began inching closer like a cautious kitten.
First, she quietly closed the gap by a few centimeters, pausing to observe Cassia’s reaction.
Seeing the other still gazing at the rain, she carefully scooted nearer again, the oversized cloak rustling faintly on the rough ground.
Until finally, she was only an arm’s length from Cassia, clearly feeling the faint cold fragrance emanating from her.
Satisfied, Alice curled up, gently resting her chin on her knees and secretly admiring Cassia’s profile outlined by the rain’s light.
Pitter-patter…
Tranquility spread in the girl’s pure intent and gaze. Only the soft sound of falling rain filled her ears, adding a touch of comfort to the peace.
Alice watched for a long, long time—until, unknowingly, the corners of her mouth curved into a smile of longing.
Her eyes brimmed with yearning called “attachment”…
Until she noticed the wound on Cassia’s cheek, still dripping blood.
An instinctive desire welled up in the girl. She asked tentatively.
“Master… can Alice… help treat your wound again…”
Her gentle voice was nearly inaudible amid the rain, yet it clearly reached Cassia’s ears.
She did not respond, only a slight flicker in her crimson eyes as she continued staring at the distant rain curtain.
But to Alice, that silence was permission.
Joy bloomed on the girl’s face. She gently rose and carefully moved behind Cassia, her movements soft.
When her gaze fell on the seeping wound on Cassia’s neck, a hint of longing flashed in those red eyes.
She slowly removed the cloak’s hood, revealing moonlight-like silver hair and a delicate small face.
“Excuse me…”
Alice whispered softly, leaning close to Cassia’s neck. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head slightly, her pink tongue gently touching the bloodstains on Cassia’s cheek.
Then, tenderly licking them away.
When that warm sensation brushed her cheek, Cassia’s body involuntarily trembled, her brows furrowing slightly.
Alice’s movements were gentle and focused—truly like a kitten, carefully lapping at the blood around the wound.
The action was tender, affectionate, yet strangely comforting.
This clueless idiot… does she really think this will heal the wound?
The hand Cassia initially raised to push her away ultimately dropped powerlessly. Days of exhaustion and injury had unusually loosened her guard.
In the end, she allowed this little pet to “treat” her in such an intimate way.
After meticulously cleaning the cheek wound, Alice’s gaze shifted to Cassia’s neck, where a thin slash stood out starkly against pale skin, dark red blood vivid.
She hesitated briefly, then leaned closer again. Her pink tongue cautiously touched the neck injury.
Alice’s licking was light and slow. Her warm breath brushed the neck, contrasting oddly with the rainy chill.
That licking seemed to soothe the wound, as if confirming their mutual existence…
The misty rain veiled the scene in a hazy shroud.
Cassia’s consciousness grew fuzzy amid fatigue and comfort, her crimson eyes half-lidded on the edge of wakefulness and sleep.
The weariness accumulated from days of battle surged like a tide, unusually stripping away her defenses.
And just then, Alice made a bold move.
Carefully, she wrapped her arms around Cassia’s body, gently pressing her cheek against her back.
“Master’s body…” she murmured in a breathy whisper, words faint in the rain.
“So warm… ‘So safe’.”
The girl’s murmur accompanied Cassia’s last thread of awareness.
As they both sank into slumber…
——————