Chapter 11: Name

“It’s about time we gave you a new name.”

After a bout of chaos, Claire suddenly dropped the suggestion.

Lin Luo froze—then shook her head vigorously.

“A new name? What for? I think mine is perfectly fine.”

Claire gave the small silver-haired girl a light smack on the head, her tone filled with exasperation.

“You’re part of the Lin family now. Why would you keep a human name?”

Dressed in a cute white nightgown, Lin Luo stood there with her arms akimbo, eyes wide and full of indignation.

“No way!”

She shouted, her voice shrill and unyielding.

But Claire acted like she hadn’t heard a thing.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she began mentally sorting through possible names, muttering as she brainstormed.

“If only Mother were here… she’d definitely come up with the perfect one.”

Claire murmured wistfully, ignoring the little vampire’s continued protests like they were background noise.

Lin Luo grew frantic, eyes locked on Claire as she yelled, “Claire! Are you even listening to me?!”

She was both furious and helpless, a storm of emotions roiling inside her.

She rushed over, grabbed Claire’s arms, and began shaking them furiously.

Each time she shook, her twin ponytails—woven from her silver hair—swung wildly through the air.

“Damn it!”

Seeing how determined Claire was to rename her, Lin Luo stopped resisting.

She had no say in this situation—none at all.

And it was all her own fault.

She’d stabbed Claire twice, and now, not only had the dragon disappeared, even her name was at risk.

But just then, a spark of clarity flashed in Lin Luo’s mind.

“How about… Lin Luo?”

If Claire gave her some ridiculously long name, she really wouldn’t know what to do.

Sure, a long name might make it harder for enemies to chant curses during combat…

But still, she didn’t want to lose her original name. Since her surname was Lin anyway, why not just reverse it?

Claire paused, considering the suggestion.

But Lin Luo’s tear-filled, pleading eyes were boring into her, making it impossible to focus.

Lin Luo gritted her teeth.

Stay calm.

Stay flexible.

Her bottom line was the most adaptable in the universe!

“Mooommy~ Please~?”

Claire blinked.

Then she sighed, a smile tugging at her lips as she pulled Lin Luo into a hug and gently stroked her head.

“Alright, alright. We’ll go with your name.”

Lin Luo’s cutesy act was too much for her to resist.

And now, for the first time, Claire finally understood how her own mother had felt when she’d acted spoiled as a child.

It was… absolutely wonderful.

All this just for a name… I’ll endure.

Lin Luo pressed her lips together, forcing down the urge to push Claire away.

Although—admittedly—Claire’s arms were really comfortable… No!

What was she thinking?!

Stay calm… just stay calm…

And then, just like that, Lin Luo fell asleep in Claire’s embrace.

“Eh?”

Claire blinked in surprise.

She’d wanted to see how long her daughter could last before squirming away, but the little thing had dozed off almost instantly.

Well… she had overestimated her.

She glanced toward the window, lifting her gaze to the sky outside.

Twilight had fallen.

The western sky looked as if someone had spilled a tray of burning pigments—fiery and vivid—while the east grew dark with rich ink, deep and endless.

Where the crimson and the darkness met, they formed a breathtaking divide—a masterpiece painted by nature itself, stunning in its contrast and harmony.

“Good night…”

Claire gently kissed Lin Luo’s cheek, then picked her up and carried her toward the bedroom.

Even if Lin Luo clung to her like an octopus, Claire still couldn’t resist sticking close to her daughter.

Even if that stubborn girl refused to admit she was her daughter—and still fantasized about “something” returning to the way it was.

Claire chuckled to herself, shaking her head.

She still didn’t get why Lin Luo was so hung up on this issue.

According to the intel network, that rogue mage from the Northern Continent had quite a history—flings with a church saintess, a princess, a knight…

Unless… he had died a virgin?

And now, after finally getting a second chance at life… he was reborn as her daughter?

A sudden glint sparked in Claire’s eyes.

It all made sense now.

Heh.

She stifled her laughter and forced the absurd thoughts from her head.

Whatever Lin Luo used to be didn’t matter anymore.

She had only one identity now—Claire’s daughter.

Still… with contact between the main continent and the northern lands growing more frequent, what would happen if they came knocking?

***

“Claire, if you promise not to take me to the Blood Realm, I’ll tell you where the Blood Clan’s sacred treasure is hidden!”

Lin Luo pulled out her trump card again, trying to tempt Claire.

She was convinced no bloodkin could resist the allure of that treasure.

Even as a former human, she found it almost irresistible.

“Stop bringing up that treasure already. No matter what deal you offer, I’m taking you back to the Blood Realm.”

Claire rejected her flatly.

After all, now that Lin Luo was her daughter, the treasure—whether Lin Luo’s or hers—made no difference.

Also… Claire had absolutely no idea what that sacred treasure even was.

“Let’s go!”

Claire barked, already having scrubbed every corner of Lin Luo’s room.

Someone had to clean—Lin Luo was far too lazy to do it herself.

Under Claire’s relentless persuasion—and “tactical pressure”—Lin Luo finally gave in, albeit reluctantly, and changed into a brand-new gothic short dress.

The design was intricate.

The main color was a rich, elegant crimson, accented with white embellishments that lent the outfit a sense of purity and grace.

Her soft silver hair was woven into neat, bouncy twin tails, the ends swaying lightly.

Two small bat-shaped hair clips sat perfectly in place.

White over-the-knee stockings hugged her slender legs, and her black leather shoes shimmered subtly under the light, their embossed details and metal studs adding a sharp, refined edge to the ensemble.

“Claire, you’d better watch your back!”

Lin Luo growled, cheeks flushed.

If her old clothes still fit, she never would’ve worn this.

Especially with how short that skirt was—it gave her zero sense of security.

Every step had to be taken with the utmost caution.

“So cute!”

Claire, of course, ignored her completely.

She whipped out her phone and began snapping photos non-stop.

Something turned red—maybe it was her cheeks, maybe her rage…

“Claire!!!”