Chapter 10: Shattered

Aiwei had no idea how she made it through that stretch of hallway; she only knew that somehow, she was no longer herself.

Aiwei felt as if her entire being was floating in midair, her eyes hollow and unfocused as she stared at the ground, as though her consciousness had been stripped away.

By the time she came to her senses, she had already put her discarded clothes back on.

She touched her burning face, her mind replaying everything she had just done.

She had really followed Fuluoxi’s instructions—not because she’d been forced, but because she had done it herself…

Aiwei felt like her limits were being pushed lower and lower.

From the very start, kneeling on the ground and crawling like a dog to Fuluoxi’s feet, calling Fuluoxi “Master”.

To now, where she could crawl and bark like a dog at the same time, truly becoming the other’s pet.

Right now, Aiwei was lost, her mind a blank, as if her memories had been erased.

Maybe her actions just now had been too much of a shock.

Aiwei felt herself starting to forget what she had just done.

But… at least only Fuluoxi had seen it, and she hadn’t been taken outside…

Aiwei comforted herself in her heart.

But just then, the rope around her neck suddenly tightened, and Aiwei stumbled a few steps from the force, looking at Fuluoxi in confusion.

Wait… wasn’t it over?

Aiwei’s eyes were filled with confusion, doubt, and a faint disbelief.

She was afraid—terrified that Fuluoxi would go back on her word.

She probably… wouldn’t, right?

Fuluoxi had already promised her, she wouldn’t go back on it… right…

With a pleading look, carrying a sliver of hope, Aiwei gazed at Fuluoxi.

But the words that came from Fuluoxi’s mouth shattered that last bit of hope.

“Let’s go. We’re going to the meeting.” Fuluoxi tugged the rope as she spoke to Aiwei.

Aiwei stood frozen, mumbling,

“I… I already did everything you said…”

“Didn’t you promise me… as long as I did it, you wouldn’t take me there…?”

Fuluoxi nodded noncommittally, “I did promise you.”

“It’s just that now I’ve changed my mind.”

“Is there a problem?” Fuluoxi sounded as if she were really asking Aiwei, but the indifference in her eyes made everything clear.

“……”

Aiwei’s body trembled; she didn’t know what she should do.

She should have realized it, should have known from the very beginning.

Her life was entirely in Fuluoxi’s hands, their statuses completely unequal.

From start to finish, she had never been able to decide anything for herself—everything was in the other’s hands. Even if she wanted to end her own life, it was probably just wishful thinking.

And yet, even in this situation, she was still hoping Fuluoxi would keep her promise…

What did she mean to Fuluoxi?

A toy, a moving, interesting morsel of food—nothing more.

How could the Vampire Clan possibly care about the thoughts of a pet, a meal, or keep any promise made to food?

To Fuluoxi, she was nothing, and yet she had actually believed she could communicate with her as an equal.

Aiwei felt truly foolish, and suddenly, she laughed.

She didn’t even know why she was laughing, but she laughed anyway, tears slipping uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes, though she didn’t wipe them away.

She crouched on the ground, hugging herself.

Laughing, and crying at the same time.

Fuluoxi frowned slightly, about to say something, when the door to the room was suddenly knocked.

Before Fuluoxi could speak, someone pushed the door open and walked in.

It was a woman, dressed in an elegant, classical gown, her wavy violet hair cascading down to her waist. Every movement, every expression seemed to captivate the soul.

The most striking feature was the tear-shaped beauty mark at the corner of her eye, adding even more allure to her already mature face.

The woman covered her mouth, looking at the rope in Fuluoxi’s hand and at Aiwei, who was being led by it, her expression comically exaggerated.

“Wow, Fuluoxi, you’ve gotten kinkier and kinkier lately. Is it because you’re under too much pressure?”

“But then again, it makes sense. The pressure of being Chairwoman of the Council is huge. Not only do you have to manage the upper ranks of the Vampire Clan, but you also have to maintain stability among the others.”

“With your abilities, it must be really hard to handle all that, tsk tsk tsk.”

Her tone was extremely exaggerated, as if she’d just stumbled upon something novel.

“If you ask me, I might as well suggest to the Elders that you be Vice-Chair, and I’ll be Chairwoman instead.”

“My stress tolerance is pretty good, you know. I definitely wouldn’t end up bullying some little Blood Slave just because I was stressed out.”

“Oh dear, sorry, I accidentally said what I was thinking. I’m just a straightforward person, you know.”

“Fuluoxi, you’re not angry, are you?”

Her expressions were wildly exaggerated; in just a few lines, Fuluoxi saw pain, sympathy, surprise, and apology flash across her face.

Fuluoxi’s expression remained ice-cold, though a hint of murderous intent flickered in her eyes.

“Emilia, are you going to get out on your own, or do I have to take you apart and throw you out?”

“Aiya, don’t be so fierce. If you’re always so scary, no one will want you in the future.” Emilia waved her hand and walked out the door.

Before she left, she glanced back at Fuluoxi and Aiwei at Fuluoxi’s feet.

“If you ever don’t want this little Blood Slave anymore, you can throw her to me. I’m quite interested in this little thing.”

“I heard she’s the Hero from the Violet Empire, right?”

Bang—

The next moment, a blood-red spear flew toward Emilia, but she was quick, slamming the door shut.

The blood-red spear pierced the wooden door, then slowly dissipated into a mist of blood, returning to Fuluoxi’s side.

Outside the door, Emilia’s annoying voice rang out again:

“Almost forgot—business. The meeting’s about to start, and you’re the last one we’re waiting for. But being late doesn’t really matter, since those Envoys from the Violet Empire can’t complain anyway.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to put in a good word for you with the Elders.”

“Get lost!”

Emilia finally left, and Fuluoxi turned her attention back to Aiwei.

At some point, Aiwei had obediently knelt on the floor, her entire demeanor radiating submission and docility.

“Master, we can leave now.” Aiwei lowered her head, her voice soft as she spoke to Fuluoxi.

Fuluoxi was a little surprised by Aiwei’s change, but she didn’t dwell on the reason for it.

After all, whatever Aiwei thought made no difference.

From the moment she’d been marked with the Slave Brand, Aiwei’s life no longer belonged to herself.

But if Aiwei could understand that on her own and behave, it would save Fuluoxi the trouble of having to use the Slave Brand to force her.

Compared to that rigid, forced control, Fuluoxi much preferred seeing her unwilling yet compelled to submit.

Only that kind of obedience was truly interesting and thrilling to her.

Fuluoxi tugged the rope, “Let’s go.”