Chapter 35: Stained with Her Scent

With the day of the ball fast approaching, Lin Shu was taking her last-minute cramming very seriously.

She didn’t want to disappoint Sefina or put her in a difficult position, and she certainly didn’t want any accidental displays of cowardice to bring trouble to the Drago family.

Lin Shu spent every day buried in social etiquette notes. She had filled small slips of paper with dense columns of “cheat sheets,” pulling them out to glance at them whenever she had a spare moment.

“Reach out, smile, nod… imagine there’s a book balanced on top of my head at all times…”

Lin Shu stood before the full-length mirror, looking at her own face. She used two fingers to push the corners of her lips into the proper position, making her smile look elegant and appropriate.

Would she look more confident this way?

“No doubt about it!” Lin Shu cheered herself on.

***

On the day of the ball, before their departure.

In her room, Lin Shu picked up the gown Sefina had custom-made for her and held it up against her body in front of the mirror.

Whether it was a maid’s uniform or a formal gown, although she wasn’t used to wearing them, Lin Shu understood that they represented the importance placed upon her.

Just as she was about to quickly change and go find Sefina, the door opened.

“Oh, Master, why are you here?”

Lin Shu turned around to see Sefina walking in, holding a box.

Sefina had already changed into a pure white evening gown, her long purple hair pinned up behind her head.

“I have something to give my little cutie ahead of time.” She opened the lid of the box.

Inside was an exquisitely crafted mask, its black and white base accented with gold glitter.

Sefina picked up the mask and held it up to Lin Shu’s face to check the size. “Mhm, I didn’t misjudge the dimensions after all. It fits perfectly.”

“Is this for me?” Lin Shu tilted her head slightly, taking the mask with both hands. “Is the ball a masquerade theme?”

“No,” Sefina said with a smile. “I arranged this specifically. Wear this when you attend the ball this time, little cutie.”

“Why?”

Since it was an important social occasion, wouldn’t it be impolite to wear a mask while speaking with the high-ranking figures inside?

Lin Shu was somewhat puzzled.

“This is the first time you are appearing with me at a formal event, and you’ll be facing demons we haven’t dealt with before,” Sefina explained, setting the box aside. “When they see a human—especially a human familiar—it’s inevitable that they’ll look at you with all sorts of eyes and point fingers. I don’t want to put too much pressure on you.”

“Wearing this mask, you can relax a little. When the time comes, just stay by my side. You can observe and listen to get a feel for the atmosphere first. I’ll handle the rest of the socializing.”

The candlelight in the room reflected off Sefina’s profile, softening her smile.

Lin Shu felt a warmth in her heart, and her anxiety faded significantly.

“But, the Family Head, she said…” Lin Shu started hesitantly.

If she didn’t show her face, she wouldn’t be able to negotiate commissions with others or display herself as the “trademark” belonging to the Drago family.

Sefina pressed her index finger against Lin Shu’s lips, stopping her from finishing her sentence.

“I told you, I won’t let my little cutie become a tool or a bargaining chip.”

“I will keep you by my side, but I won’t let you feel uncomfortable or be forced to do things you’re unwilling to do.”

As she spoke, Sefina gathered a lock of hair from the side of Lin Shu’s face and idly twirled it around her finger.

Lin Shu’s fingers tightened slightly around the mask in her hands.

So Sefina had been persistently resisting the Family Head Cyan’s decision. But why had her expression flickered with a moment of hesitation that night?

She looked up. “Master, even if I wear a mask, it will still be very easy for other demons to identify whether I’m a human or a demon.”

In terms of appearance, humans were quite similar to vampires, but there were differences in scent and pressure.

Sefina’s eyes lit up, and she gave a mischievous smile. “My little cutie has asked the key question.”

“If we’re going to put on a show, of course we have to go all the way.”

She placed both hands on Lin Shu’s shoulders and turned her around.

“What… wait?!”

While Lin Shu was still confused, Sefina hugged her directly from behind.

She lowered her head to lean into the crook of Lin Shu’s neck, taking a deep breath.

Sefina’s hair brushed against the back of Lin Shu’s neck, and a faint floral scent drifted into her nose.

“I plan to put a bit more of a vampire’s scent on you, so…” Before Sefina could finish her sentence, she had already extended her tongue and licked the side of Lin Shu’s neck.

“Eek!!”

The wet, sliding sensation sent goosebumps racing down the back of Lin Shu’s neck.

“Is this really okay?” While Lin Shu was questioning her, Sefina had already grasped her wrist, gently guiding her to lift her arm.

Lin Shu was still wearing her maid’s uniform, and the short-sleeved design left her arms completely exposed.

“Hmm? You’re not repulsed, just curious?” Sefina said with a laugh in her voice. She turned her head, her lips landing on the outer side of Lin Shu’s forearm, kissing her way up the arm bit by bit, licking her occasionally.

The soft and slightly itchy sensation made Lin Shu’s brain go into a muddle, leaving her to passively accept this intimacy.

At that moment, a knock sounded on Lin Shu’s door.

“Lin Shu, it’s almost time for Miss Sefina to leave for the ball.” It was a maid’s voice from outside the door. “The carriage is ready. Are you in your room?”

The maid’s voice was separated by the door; though it was a bit muffled, it was clear enough to hear.

“I’m… ah!”

Just as Lin Shu was about to respond, Sefina suddenly kissed her ear, causing her to cry out in surprise.

She hurriedly covered her mouth, her cheeks burning hot.

There was someone outside the door, yet she had made such a shameful sound!!

Sefina broke into a wicked grin. She lowered her voice and leaned into Lin Shu’s ear. “This place is quite sensitive too…”

The maid outside only thought it was a bit strange. “Are you okay? I couldn’t find the young lady in her room just now. Do you know where she went?”

“She’s still waiting. Aren’t you going to answer her?” Sefina’s alluring voice rang in her ear, her lips brushing against Lin Shu’s auricle again, intentionally making soft kissing sounds.

“I-I don’t know… I’ll… go find her right away.” Lin Shu found it extremely difficult to answer.

As she spoke, Sefina had already opened her mouth to take half of Lin Shu’s ear inside, lightly biting while using her tongue to trace the outer edge.

The wet sounds and kissing noises reached Lin Shu’s ears clearly, making her face feel hot enough to burn.

“Alright then, remember the time.” The maid didn’t press further; after saying her piece, she turned and walked away.

Hearing the footsteps recede, Lin Shu’s tense body slumped, only then realizing her legs felt a bit weak.

Sefina let out a laugh as she released Lin Shu’s ear and said, “It is getting late.”

“Then what about the scent to cover me that Master mentioned?” Lin Shu looked back.

“Ah, actually, a potion works too.” Sefina pulled a small bottle of potion from behind her back. “The effect of this lasts for an entire night, just enough for the ball.”

“Eh?! So you were lying to me just now? Doing that had no effect?”

“I wouldn’t say it had no effect. It’s just that time is pressing. If my little cutie likes it, we can do it again next time~”

“No!”

***

In the end, Sefina and Lin Shu boarded the carriage bound for the ball.

Upon arriving at their destination, Lin Shu was the first to lift the carriage curtain, taking in the scene that met her eyes.

A magnificent palace stood atop a sprawling lawn, and the brilliant lights from the main hall shone through floor-to-ceiling glass windows, illuminating the world outside.

Seeing this sight, Lin Shu felt a sense of trance.

This place was very familiar.

She quickly remembered that this was the place where she had first arrived in this otherworldly realm.

It was also the place where she had first met Lia.