"Hmm..."

Shelley nodded slightly.

Just as she was about to ask, Lorin gave her the answer outright.

Relief washed over her, mingled with surprise.

The revelation was staggering.

This petite, timid-looking girl before her was actually a vampire.

Having served Mefia for years, Shelley knew vampire legends well enough.

"This..."

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t reconcile the monstrous vampire tales in her mind with this adorable lolita before her eyes.

Yet the chill in her palm felt undeniably real.

"Really... your hands are so cold."

Beyond the temperature, Avril looked exactly like a beautiful human girl to Shelley—

no elven ears, no beastkin traits.

"Hmm? Avril?"

"From now on... we’re friends, okay~?"

The cheerful Catfolk girl Shelley pushed her lingering doubts aside. After a brief pause, her smile returned.

"Friends...?"

"Mm."

"I understand."

Avril blinked slowly, processing the words. A faint smile touched her delicate, porcelain-pale cheeks.

She’d never had friends.

Though her father had explained the word, she’d never met humans—or even other Bloodkin.

"I don’t know why..."

"...but Avril seems to lack basic common sense."

"Maybe Bloodkin grow slower than humans?"

Since Avril’s conversation with Mefia had been private, Lorin could only guess about her upbringing or Bloodkin customs.

"So... you might need to teach her many things."

Lorin’s voice softened with helplessness.

*Doesn’t Master feel a pang of guilt tormenting this innocent Vampire Lolita?*

Though whether Mefia felt guilt was none of her concern.

"I understand."

"I’ll teach her well."

After this quiet confirmation—and feeling Avril’s unnatural chill firsthand—Shelley realized this wouldn’t be simple.

"Oh, and..."

Lorin cut herself off. Realizing this wasn’t for Avril’s ears, she gently released the girl’s hand.

She pulled Shelley a few steps away—not hiding, just creating distance.

Leaning close, she whispered:

"She’s very hungry right now. But... don’t give her blood."

"Master already knows."

"Why she’s withholding it? I don’t know."

"...".

Shelley’s brows furrowed slightly at the explanation.

"But—"

Their hushed voices didn’t carry. Avril only watched them with wide, confused eyes, too innocent to eavesdrop.

"I know what you’re thinking."

"But I can’t interfere. I’m just a Maid."

"You know Master’s temper. Provoking her over small things isn’t worth it."

"I only want Avril to suffer less."

Worried Shelley might misunderstand, Lorin babbled—then chuckled at her own words.

"Heh... I sound ridiculous, don’t I?"

"Like I’m one of the villains bullying you."

She teased freely, slotting Mefia squarely into the "villain" category.

As Mefia’s personal maid, she knew her limits. Jokes were safe; overstepping wasn’t.

"Don’t say that, Lorin Sister. I understand."

Shelley knew Lorin was right—but unease still prickled under her skin.

"After Master finishes with Princess Lucy, I’ll remind her."

"Mm."

Shelley nodded, her earlier cheer dimmed.

She’d lived in Mefia’s manor for years. Though generally kind to her, Shelley understood the weight of "Slave" and "Master" far better than Avril ever could.

"I should go now."

"Take good care of her."

Lorin adored this sweet child—sisterly affection, not Mefia’s... *bed-warming* intentions.

Duty called: she needed to check on Mefia and the Second Princess.

"No problem."

"Leave it to me."

"I’ll teach her what’s needed. To please Master."

Though this girl would share Mefia’s attention, Shelley felt no jealousy—only quiet resentment that her Master would starve her.

*But blood is a vampire’s food... Is that why?*

She dismissed the thought instantly.

Watching Lorin leave, Shelley approached Avril.

"Your name’s Avril, right?"

"What a lovely name."

"Call me Shelley Sister from now on."

She crouched slightly, bringing her eyes level with the small girl’s.

"We’ll be together every day."

As a Lor Empire Princess, Mefia couldn’t always stay. Their time together would far exceed hers with their Master.

For Shelley—who’d never had a true friend—this was a gift.

A cute Vampire Princess, no less.

"Mm."

"...Shelley Sister."

Avril repeated the name slowly, testing the unfamiliar warmth of it.

"Mm! Can I call you Wei’er, little sister?"

"Mm."

The Bloodkin lolita, who’d never known friendship or naming customs, simply nodded.

"Good. Rest for a bit, Wei’er?"

Shelley gently took Avril’s cool, small hand to guide her to a seat.

But the silver-haired girl didn’t move.

Her gaze...

fixed on Shelley’s neck.