“Are you feeling unwell?”
Sista slightly furrowed her brow, noticing Su Ling’s hesitant and fearful expression.
“No, I’m fine. Really.”
Su Ling forced herself not to peek, trying to suppress the itchy sensation in her throat. At this crucial moment, if she disrupted Sista’s mood, it would surely make Her Highness unhappy.
Bathed in the gentle, warm lamplight, Sista reached out and gently pulled Su Ling’s arm, as if wanting to comfort her.
Then, she casually brushed aside the fabric covering Su Ling’s arm. The loose sleeve fell, revealing the pale skin of the young girl’s forearm, almost translucent under the light.
Su Ling blushed deeply and averted her gaze. A sharp sting suddenly pressed against her shoulder.
Sista lowered her head; her black hair cascaded onto Su Ling’s chest. Her eyes glimmered with a restrained mix of embarrassment and sharpness.
Her tongue traced the wet trail along Su Ling’s shoulder, winding all the way to her neck. Then, she suddenly opened her mouth, baring sharp, pointed fangs, flashing a faint glow.
“Bite… bite it!”
Su Ling screamed sharply, her body twitching uncontrollably. Instinctively, she struggled to break free from Sista’s grip.
“Heh, so you’re not really fine, huh?” Sista flicked her hair and said, “Since that physiological change last time, your body’s been pretty weak, hasn’t it?”
“That’s true…”
Su Ling hadn’t really noticed the changes in her body, but a few days ago during a meal, Bohm had casually mentioned that her complexion seemed worse.
“Go back and rest.”
“Sista…”
“Next time.”
Sista released Su Ling’s shoulder gently, her voice calm and indifferent.
“Go back? You want me to leave? Or…” Su Ling nervously adjusted her clothes, “Or are you saying…”
“Do I have to repeat myself?” Sista’s tone turned serious. “Human life is fragile. I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
She tidied her black hair neatly, then headed toward the side hall. Judging by her expression, there was no joke about continuing to serve Her Highness.
Su Ling stirred slightly.
Maybe something had changed during the time in the Earth and Disaster Magnetic Ruins.
“I’ll stay in my room a bit longer. Don’t come check on me before I sleep tonight.”
That order had been given; Su Ling knew it was time to go. She changed back into her original evening dress and bowed slightly toward Sista’s retreating figure.
“I’ll stay in my room then. If anything happens, please let me know.”
At the door, she held the handle but hesitated, feeling there were words she wanted to say but couldn’t.
“Her Highness, you always say you don’t want to trouble me… but, thank you. Always.”
Sista’s expression shifted slightly. Without turning around, the flickering lamplight illuminated her dark hair. Those words, meant to be unspoken, lingered at the edge of her throat before she swallowed them down.
“The last of the fragrant tea is still here. Make some yourself. Don’t disturb my rest.”
That was all Sista said to Su Ling.
The fragrant tea was stored in the Storage Room near the Tea Room, accessible through the Side Hall. Su Ling moved quietly through the darkness, holding a tray with a lamp.
She opened the cabinet and took out the tea leaves Sista had placed there earlier.
It was said this tea had the effect of dispelling wind-cold. The last time she caught a cold, she also drank this kind of tea. Though it was so precious, Sista had given her plenty without hesitation.
She wrapped a little in a gauze pouch, carrying the tea leaves as she quietly returned to her room.
The itch in her throat was still nagging, and a slight chill on her back signaled the early signs of fever. Since she hadn’t broken out yet, she hurried to brew some tea.
****
The sound of boiling water bubbled softly. From afar came the voices of two young girls chatting.
“Tii… Bohm, can you stay with me a little longer? I’ve been feeling weak.”
“Of course! No problem at all!”
“Recently, there have been one mission after another. It feels like it will never end,” Bohm’s eyes shone with helplessness toward the heavy workload.
Tii gently patted Bohm’s hand, full of comfort. “Bohm, don’t forget, we’re serving the noble Blood Clan elders. They notice every bit of effort you put in.”
“But…” Bohm still looked a bit downcast.
“You want to prove yourself, right? The Moon Eclipse Rite is an important Blood Clan ceremony. If you perform well, there might be generous rewards.”
Her voice was sincere and encouraging. Bohm’s eyes brightened suddenly, as if a light had sparked inside, illuminating her tired face.
She straightened her back.
“Tii is right. I can’t just give up like this. Being small and timid won’t earn the Blood Clan elders’ favor. I have to change.”
“Yes, show that fighting spirit!”
“Ah, Tii, thank you for talking to me so much… I’m heading back now.”
The footsteps faded away, and the kitchen door was gently pushed open.
Tii stepped in, immediately greeted by a fresh, refined scent of tea. On the table, the brewed tea shimmered enticingly, sending out warm wisps of steam.
She couldn’t help but sigh softly.
“Tii? Good evening.”
Su Ling was stirring the tea leaves with a teaspoon and smiled at her.
“Miss Su Ling as well,” Tii said, entering and sitting beside her. “This tea, is it for Her Highness Nori?”
Su Ling shook her head. “No, it’s for myself. I’ve been feeling a bit off lately. Sista gave me some leaves to brew.”
Tii’s expression softened as she reached out to gently touch Su Ling’s hand, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.
Su Ling quickly explained, “Tii, don’t worry. I remember everything you told me last time. I know the Black Lord of the Blood Clan, but Sista… she’s different from the others in the Blood Clan.”
Earlier in front of Bohm, she had looked calm, but now her expression fell. Tii looked at Su Ling quietly, her gaze piercing as if trying to see through her.
“Tii, listen to me,” Su Ling hurried on. “The blood stains on the carpet in my room… they’re from my period. It has nothing to do with Sista. She’s not the person you think she is. At least, she has never harmed me.”
“Do you really trust her that much?”
Tii’s eyes were filled with both worry and understanding. After Su Ling finished speaking, she finally replied in a low voice, “Su Ling, the boundary between the Blood Clan and humans is clear. Don’t be deceived by a little kindness.”
“No, Tii! I’ll take care of myself. You really don’t need to worry about me.”
These words were never meant to be spoken aloud, but Tii had always been Su Ling’s best and most important friend. Since she trusted Tii so much, she felt she had to be honest.
“Of course, I don’t fully understand Sista either. I can’t be one hundred percent sure she won’t hurt me, but… I feel there’s no need to be so guarded.”
Su Ling withdrew her gaze, her voice firm. “But I also know this: the Blood Clan is the Blood Clan, and humans are humans. The Blood Clan’s world is far more complicated than you imagine.”
Tii’s eyes penetrated deep into Su Ling’s.
“In this world, the only thing I hope is that you don’t lose yourself, don’t become like a trapped beast wandering aimlessly. If you keep being so stubborn, I’ll have to tell you everything.”
“The secrets of this world, and… the truth of the Blood Clan.”