Standing beside the clothing rack Mefia had arranged, Avril quietly turned her head.

With her back to her 'Master', the pressure intensified. A thin sheen of sweat dampened her soft palms.

She glanced sideways at Mefia, then fully turned around.

One hand clutched her skirt hem; the other rested on her collar. She looked frozen, wanting to move but afraid to.

"M-Master."

Her soft, melodious voice sounded. Though just a simple address, the little one's thoughts were easy to read. Mefia nodded.

She knew Avril wanted to ask what to do.

Seeing Avril's obedient demeanor, Mefia felt satisfied.

Noticing her hand on the collar and her uneasy expression since earlier, Mefia finally stepped forward.

"Too tight?"

She tapped the collar lightly. Two crisp metallic clicks echoed. The little Vampire Princess looking up at her nodded slightly.

Avril bit her lower lip. Her tear-filled eyes, like red crystals, held a trace of grievance.

She'd just dropped her eye disguise, not yet restored it, when Mefia harshly punished her slip of the tongue.

Avril had even forgotten about it.

Red often meant danger and fury.

Books Mefia read described vampires' eyes glowing bloody red—eerie and terrifying.

But for Mefia, the silver-haired girl's beautiful red eyes couldn't link to 'danger'.

The poor Vampire Lolita wasn't dangerous at all. She trembled, awaiting her 'Master's' command.

Mefia believed even a fierce vampire, once collared, became a docile Pet.

A thrilling sense of conquest rose in her heart.

As a woman and princess of the Lor Empire, bullying little girls felt natural. Mefia never saw wrong in it.

Yet, toying with a 'ferocious' vampire—especially a Lolita matching her taste—was a first.

Though not her first Slave or victim, Avril gave her a completely different thrill.

"Mm... mm."

Avril nodded quickly. Terrible at hiding emotions, her hopeful gaze fixed on Mefia.

Noticing this, Mefia smiled faintly, tempted to tease her.

But she shook her head inwardly. The punishment had scared Avril badly; a rift seemed to form.

As Master, she could be emotionless. The little one would obey out of fear.

But... that'd be boring, right?

Since childhood, her status meant few defied her.

Maids, Slaves, nobles' children—all obeyed.

It felt good, yet dull.

Especially with this rare Vampire Lolita.

She wouldn't waste her, turning her into a fearful zombie.

Hmm... though that sounded tempting?

"Raising her properly is better."

Winning the Vampire Lolita's heart would satisfy Mefia more than forcing obedience.

The little one's innocence made it seem easy.

Of course... this was just Mefia's thought. Time would tell.

Mefia's soft mutter reached Avril nearby. Not understanding, she merely frowned slightly.

Click. Click.

Avril's collar clicked twice under Mefia's control.

Not opening—it loosened two gear notches internally.

—Disappointment.

Avril felt it. She'd hoped Master would remove the collar.

Even after punishment, even innocent as she was, she knew it unlikely.

Now understanding 'Slave' deeply, Avril stayed silent. But her emotions lay bare before Mefia, transparent as peeled fruit.

Still, breathing eased greatly. The strain faded.

Yet tears still welled in her eyes, full of grievance.

"Undress. Master will bathe you properly."

Mefia ignored the grievance. On collar rules, no negotiation existed.

But the Vampire Lolita didn't move, as if deaf.

"What's wrong?"

"Want Master to help you undress?"

Avril's expression showed reluctance, yet fear choked her refusal.

Mefia wasn't angry, but the little one pursed her lips uncertainly.

Her trembling hands fumbled with skirt ribbons and buttons.

This time, grief overwhelmed her. Though afraid to cry before Mefia, tears slid down her cheeks uncontrollably.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?"

Sigh...

Mefia sighed inwardly, bending to wipe Avril's tears.

Avril moved slowly. Clumsy knots trapped the ribbons; she switched to other buttons.

"Why cry again?"

No maid called, extra patience shown—Avril was Mefia's type, and she couldn't bully a clueless child endlessly.

"Remember the first rule Master taught you?" Mefia's voice turned cool.

—Answer truthfully.

Avril knew little, but her memory was sharp.

Her slender fingers reluctantly worked the dress. Shoulder ribbons loosened, exposing snow-white skin.

In a soft, tearful voice tinged with grievance, she whispered:

"D-Daddy said... a girl's body shouldn't be seen by others."