Chatting with Avril, Lorin shared essential tips for getting along with Mefia.

Though the rules sounded utterly one-sided and unfair—conditions no one would accept—Avril had to agree.

Lorin didn’t know what hardships Avril had endured. She couldn’t ignore that Avril was simply a Vampire Lolita.

Still, learning early meant fewer hardships later.

After all, Lorin knew Mefia’s nature well.

This spoiled young mistress always expected others to accommodate her—never the other way around.

“There’s another sister in the basement,” Lorin added. “A Catfolk girl.”

“She’s gentle. You must build a good relationship with her.”

“She’ll teach you more things~”

Avril nodded at everything Lorin said. Her obedient manner brought Lorin a trace of comfort.

In the Lor Empire princess’s mansion, being a Slave meant obedience.

Freedom wasn’t guaranteed.

But it spared you some suffering.

Punishing Slaves rested on Mefia’s whim alone. As a Maid, Lorin couldn’t interfere.

“Shelley, come out for a moment?”

Seeing the empty living room, Lorin called softly.

They were old acquaintances.

Shelley, the Catfolk girl, had been bought by Mefia from the underground market five years ago.

Well… Mefia called her a “Pet,” not a Slave.

For reasons unknown, Mefia preferred “Pet” over “Slave.”

But she wasn’t indiscriminate.

Mefia was picky.

Years ago, a frail little girl had joined “Mefia’s Secret Garden,” but she passed away two years prior due to illness.

Now, Shelley was Mefia’s only kept Pet.

Well, until this young Vampire arrived.

“Coming.”

A light, girlish voice echoed from the inner room. Shelley, the blue-haired Catfolk beauty, stepped out slowly.

Though a Slave to Mefia, Lorin held no ill will toward her.

In fact, relations between Maids and Slaves in Mefia’s mansion were decent.

Of course, aside from Maids handling household duties, Mefia rarely kept Pets. She didn’t need laborers like other nobles or merchants.

Raised in luxury, Slaves were merely “Pets” to her.

Not the kind needing litter boxes!

But warm-bed companions!

Besides Elves and Bloodkin, Catfolk produced many lovely girls—gentle and easy to train.

That’s why Catfolk neared extinction near the Lor Empire.

“Hmm? Sister Lorin, what is it?”

As Shelley’s soft voice sounded, Avril stood beside Lorin, stealing glances at her.

Unfamiliar and inexperienced with people, Avril felt nervous. She barely scanned Shelley’s clothes before focusing intently on her face.

The girl wore a black casual dress. Its sleeves were slightly long, covering half her hands.

Beneath the skirt, she had black over-knee socks and low-heeled Mary Janes.

Her hair was pale blue, matching her beautiful ice-blue eyes.

Slightly taller than Avril, her face held no smile—just curiosity and confusion.

Her pink lips parted slightly, revealing a cute white fang. A faint natural blush colored her cheeks. The dress’s thin straps left tempting patches of pale skin exposed.

But what caught Avril’s attention most… were the two fluffy black ears atop her head, and the black tail swaying gently behind her.

The black-and-blue color scheme, paired with just enough exposed skin, felt natural. It blended innocence and allure with a hint of mischievous charm.

Shelley was stunningly pretty.

No wonder she was the sole resident of Mefia’s Secret Garden.

“She’s…”

Shelley’s gaze lingered on Avril. While Avril studied her, Shelley did the same.

Silver hair, blue eyes, a white dress—a human-looking Lolita.

Strikingly beautiful.

Spotting the Collar around Avril’s neck, Shelley understood instantly.

“Master’s new Pet?” she asked with a wry smile, turning to Lorin for confirmation.

The Collar and the girl’s beauty left no other explanation.

After all, her Master was a total flirt.

“Yes,” Lorin replied.

“She came from a merchant caravan yesterday, transferred directly to Master.”

As Mefia’s Maid, Lorin knew the details.

“Master has business elsewhere, so she’ll stay with you for now.”

“If anything comes up, use the communication crystal downstairs to call me.”

“Also…”

“She’s new and doesn’t know much. I hope you’ll teach her.”

As Mefia’s Pet, Avril didn’t need many skills. She could roam designated areas freely. But she must learn basic ways to please her Master…

“Mm-hmm.”

“No problem.”

“I get lonely alone anyway.”

“I’ll teach her well.”

Shelley agreed readily, offering Avril a warm, genuine smile.

She stepped closer and extended her hand slightly.

“I’m Shelley.”

“Nice to meet you~”

The blue-haired Catfolk girl beamed—truly cheerful despite her Slave status.

“Uh…”

“Thank you.”

Avril, in contrast, seemed stiff. Unsure how to respond, she just stood there blankly.

“This is when you shake hands~”

Lorin, sensing the little one’s confusion, gently patted Avril’s head. She took Avril’s hand and placed it softly on Shelley’s.

Their small hands met lightly.

“Then you learn to introduce yourself.”

Lorin spoke the words for her.

“Her name is Avril.”

Before Shelley could react, Lorin added, “Feel the different warmth in her palm?”

“She’s a Vampire, by the way~”