The silent Castle, Aiersha lay on the bed where Bai once slept, clutching the white blanket tightly as she greedily inhaled its scent, her cheeks flushed with excitement and ambiguity.
A knock sounded at the door, neither hurried nor slow.
Aiersha frowned, a hint of displeasure on her face.
Who’s interrupting my good moment at this time?
Reluctantly, she left the Room, walked downstairs, and came to the door, tidying her slightly disheveled clothes.
When she opened the door, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure, forcing a polite maid’s smile.
“If you could notify me before your arrival, I could prepare a more thoughtful service for you, Master Lilith.”
At the door, Lilith still wore her black leather bustier and shorts, a lopsided smile on her face as she teased, “Heh, you know I don’t like all that unnecessary fuss. Long time no see, Aiersha. You’re still as gentle and fake as ever.”
Aiersha paid no mind to Lilith’s sarcasm, returning the smile.
“Aiersha will take it as a compliment from you. If I’m not mistaken, it’s been a hundred years since your last visit.”
“I just came to see how that Yarabella is doing.”
Lilith grinned.
“Yarabella-sama… Her mood has been a bit unstable lately.”
“Unstable?”
“Yes… Very unstable, hehe.”
Aiersha laughed twice, an odd, special emotion in her voice.
Was it schadenfreude and mockery?
Lilith glanced at her oddly, feeling a chill from the false face.
Aiersha stepped aside, bowing slightly and extending her arm toward the house.
“I must apologize for making Master Lilith stand at the door. Please come inside.”
Lilith didn’t say much more.
The more she talked with this woman, the more uncomfortable she felt. She followed Aiersha into the Castle.
The interior was as dim as always, but something different caught her attention.
“Is it dirtier here than before?”
She reached out and touched a faintly glowing bronze lamp on the wall.
A layer of dust coated her fingertip—it seemed no one had cleaned it for a long time.
“The Castle’s upkeep was once handled by someone, but that child is no longer here.”
Aiersha walked ahead, leading Lilith further inside.
“That shouldn’t be. Yarabella is the most particular and prideful among us. How could she allow her Castle to get so dirty?”
Lilith said in surprise.
Yarabella’s standards were famously strict—this proud person demanded high standards of everyone and everything around her.
Aiersha gave another barely noticeable smile.
“That’s why I said Yarabella-sama’s mood is ‘not very stable’.”
Lilith’s discomfort grew.
She felt something restless, squirming in the Castle.
The feeling intensified as she followed Aiersha to the door of Yarabella’s Bedroom.
“Please wait a moment.”
Aiersha said, stepping to the door and knocking gently.
“Yarabella-sama, Master Lilith has come to see you.”
There was no response from within.
Or rather, Aiersha already knew she wouldn’t get one. Her expression showed no confusion as she turned to Lilith.
“It seems Yarabella-sama does not wish to see—”
A loud crash interrupted her words as Lilith kicked the door open.
“Hey! Yarabella! What are you doing in there?!”
She shouted boldly.
Aiersha paused, then wisely withdrew.
Let the two of them handle it.
Lilith strode into the Room.
The space was pitch black, the curtains tightly drawn, shutting out the moonlight. Even for the light-averse Vampire, this was extreme.
“Yarabella?”
Lilith looked around.
The Room was a mess—no, more like a disaster.
Fine clothing was strewn across the carpet, the makeup mirror shattered into pieces, and white petals of unknown origin scattered everywhere.
On the disheveled bed at the far end, a familiar figure was curled up.
Half her face was visible, crimson eyes glowing eerily in the darkness.
A strange, thick, frenzied emotion emanated from her, spreading not just through the Room but the entire Castle.
This was the source of the restless disturbance.
Seeing this, Lilith froze.
She couldn’t believe the proud, arrogant Yarabella she knew could end up like this.
Even with her boldness, she dared not do anything reckless.
“What are you here for… I didn’t permit you to enter.”
A low voice echoed, chilling to the bone.
“I just missed you and came to see. Guess I picked a bad time.”
Lilith forced her usual smile, casually sitting on an overturned chair.
“Get out…”
Yarabella said coldly.
“Heh, don’t be so quick to chase me out. It’s been a hundred years. I have lots of questions for you… Like, your current situation…”
Lilith rested her head on her hand, curiosity in her voice.
But before she could finish, Yarabella’s eyes narrowed sharply.
As if a sensitive topic had been touched, her fragile emotions shattered.
“I told you to get out!”
She roared.
Bloodflame erupted in her hand, a fierce red blaze surging past Lilith’s face.
Boom!
Flames soared, lighting up the Room.
For a moment, Lilith could clearly see her.
Once the elegant, noble, untouchable True Ancestor—now so wretched.
The meticulous golden twin tails were in disarray, the iconic Dark Red Gown torn, its hem ripped to reveal the damaged Lace Underskirt beneath.
Her pale face was marked by agitation and madness.
But most terrifying were her eyes—the former composed, lazy dignity replaced by a wild, hungry glare.
Lilith stood frozen.
She couldn’t believe her eyes.
The disheveled, deranged, miserable—almost pitiful—woman before her was once the unbearably arrogant Yarabella…