Chapter 62: Shattered Dreams

Night.

Lin Shu opened her eyes again, her head feeling heavy and groggy.

The lingering aftereffect was definitely from alcohol; the cream cake Lia had given her had been spiked with wine.

Even so, after eating something, her stomach felt a bit better.

Lin Shu lay on the bed, lightly moving her numb limbs.

Thankfully, the cream had neutralized the alcohol somewhat, so she hadn’t completely blacked out. Fragments of their final conversation still lingered in her consciousness.

Lia had said that Seraphina was actually using her. That she wasn’t just a replacement, but a tool.

‘Could it be true?’

The window had been opened at some point, and the night wind blew into the room, carrying a chill. Lin Shu tried to curl her body to ward off the cold, but because her hands were still locked, she couldn’t.

The curtains were tossed by the wind, fluttering in the air.

Moonlight cast a dark shadow toward the large bed. The shadow fell across her body, catching Lin Shu’s attention.

Was someone there?

She turned her head and saw the source of the shadow, her heart leaping into her throat.

“Is it you?” Lin Shu gasped, her voice a low whisper.

Someone climbed in through the window. It was the head of the guards from Drago Manor.

During the attack on Drago, he was the one who had held her back when she wanted to rush out, comforting her by saying it wasn’t her fault.

How had he found this place?

“Shh, Miss Lin Shu, don’t make a sound.” He hurriedly raised his index finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. “I’ve come to get you out.”

Hope ignited in Lin Shu’s heart. She instinctively tried to get up, causing the handcuffs to make a slight clinking sound.

To avoid making too much noise, she immediately stopped moving.

She glanced toward the door, warning the guard that there might be people outside.

“How did you get in?” Lin Shu asked, her voice barely a breath.

The guard approached the bedside, examining the structure of Lin Shu’s handcuffs as he replied.

“After the manor was attacked, we notified the Family Head immediately. She has already returned.”

Lin Shu’s heart tightened.

Seraphina was back? But, knowing she had been kidnapped by Lia, why hadn’t she come herself? Why send a guard instead?

“The Family Head gave me a potion with concealment properties, which allowed me to sneak into Tepes Manor.”

“I’ve circled the place several times. I didn’t expect you to be in Lia’s room.”

The guard tried to pry the handcuffs. “It doesn’t look like it uses a special mechanical lock. Wait a moment, I’ll have you free soon.”

After a few soft clicks, the handcuffs snapped open, followed shortly by the leg irons being released.

The moment all her restraints were removed, Lin Shu scrambled out of bed. Because she hadn’t moved for so long, she stumbled when her feet hit the floor.

Lin Shu quickly steadied herself. “I’m familiar with the layout of Tepes. We can leave through the side gate in the back garden.”

“If Lia hasn’t increased security, there’s a gap during the rotation of the manor patrols. We can slip out then.”

“But once we’re out, how do we get back to Drago Manor?”

“No, we aren’t going back to the manor.” The guard shook his head. “The Family Head ordered me to take you to another place to settle down.”

Eh? Going somewhere else?

Lin Shu stopped abruptly. “Why?”

The guard glanced at Lin Shu and quickly looked away, appearing hesitant to speak.

An ominous feeling crawled into Lin Shu’s heart.

After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly. “The Family Head said that you don’t need to return to Drago anymore.”

Lin Shu doubted her ears. “What?”

The guard lowered his head in silence.

There had to be a specific reason why Seraphina hadn’t come herself, and why he didn’t want to say it.

Was he worried she wouldn’t comply if she knew the truth?

Lin Shu’s heart was in her throat, but she struggled to keep her voice steady. “Tell me. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

The guard sighed. “Miss Lin Shu, you’ve sacrificed a lot for Drago. We’ve all seen it, and we are very grateful to you.”

“I hope you won’t be too sad when you find out…”

He looked up, his eyes filled with apology and sympathy.

“When the Family Head went out this time, she brought back a human girl who looks very much like you.”

It felt as though a bolt of lightning had exploded in Lin Shu’s mind, leaving a ringing in her ears.

‘Looks like me?’

Lin Shu immediately thought of that blurred portrait in the old room, the black-haired human girl.

‘Was the person Seraphina brought back that human maid?’

The guard continued, “You will be settled in a safe place, far away from the conflicts of the demon race. This is for your own good as well.”

Lin Shu felt her lips trembling. She wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

“After you are settled, the Family Head asked me to relay her gratitude to you.”

Gratitude. Gratitude for what she had done during this time?

In the end, it was only worth a word of thanks.

Lin Shu could barely feel her own heartbeat. She wanted to cry, but not a single tear would fall from her eyes.

Lin Shu had always believed that at least some of Seraphina’s tenderness was real. She thought that after living together and facing hardships, Seraphina would have developed feelings for her.

That was why she hadn’t fully believed Lia’s words.

But now she realized that she was wrong.

Lin Shu took a deep breath, trying her best to keep her voice from shaking.

“I’m sorry for wasting time. Let’s go.”

*Click.*

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Lia appeared at the entrance.

She saw the opened shackles at a glance and immediately turned to see the guard and Lin Shu standing by the window. Her eyes widened instantly.

“Guards!!”

The guard leaped onto the windowsill. “Miss Lin Shu, keep up!”

Lin Shu had just taken a single step when a powerful force grabbed her collar.

Lia seized her from behind, yanking her back violently.

Hectic shouting echoed outside the room as several vampire maids rushed in, brandishing weapons.

Lin Shu grabbed the restraint at her neck with both hands and shouted to the guard, “Go! Get to the roof and run toward the northwest!”

The guard grit his teeth and then leaped, disappearing from Lin Shu’s sight. Several maids also vaulted out of the window to pursue him.

‘Is there no chance left… if only I had power…’

Lin Shu struggled to tear off the collar around her neck, but the restraint was tight and wouldn’t come off.

Lia gave a sudden tug, pinning her hard against the wall.

“Let me go!” Lin Shu screamed.

Lia leaned in close, her arms tightly encircling her in an embrace. “I’m sorry, Lin Shu. Don’t leave. Please don’t leave, okay?”

Lin Shu reached out with both hands, desperately trying to push her away.

Lia forcefully grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the wall, the pressure so great that Lin Shu felt as if her bones might break.

Her voice was filled with pleading. “If only you stay, I’ll give you space to move around! I promise!”

“I won’t give up on you. This is your home!”

‘Home…’

Lin Shu stared forward with hollow eyes.

She had originally thought Drago was her home, but Seraphina no longer needed her.

Lin Shu went quiet, letting Lia lean her head against her shoulder.

Seraphina wasn’t coming, and Lia couldn’t be trusted.

Lin Shu slowly closed her eyes and gave up her struggle.

She was so tired.

Nowhere was her home.