“…”

“What’s wrong?”

From Shelley’s perspective, Avril seemed to be staring at her face. But when the little one slowly reached out and gently touched the collar around Shelley’s neck, she froze.

“The collar…”

Avril’s voice dipped low, her beautiful blue eyes downcast.

Right.

It was nearly identical to the black collar Avril wore.

Avril had noticed it long ago.

She just hadn’t mentioned it until now.

Shelley, also Mefia’s pet, had worn her collar obediently all these years—though she’d never truly accepted it.

“Oh, this?”

“Mm…”

“It’s fine. Doesn’t bother me. I’m used to it~”

“Really, it’s nothing.”

Releasing Avril’s hand, Shelley awkwardly rubbed the black collar at her throat, forcing a light laugh. But her gaze drifted, and the hand hidden behind her back twisted—thumb and forefinger rubbing anxiously together. She watched Avril’s expression, afraid her unease would show.

“…”

Even to herself, the words sounded hollow.

She *was* used to it.

That part wasn’t a lie.

Her tension didn’t come from being Mefia’s slave.

It came from sensing Avril’s sorrow.

After all…

What child who’d once been free would ever want to become someone’s slave? Someone’s *pet*?

Shelley didn’t know Avril’s past, but her own memories still haunted her.

Maybe she’d never go back.

But she could never forget…

“…”

The air turned unnaturally still.

Two girls who’d just met had already killed the conversation.

Yet Shelley’s worry proved unfounded.

Avril wasn’t sharp enough to catch her forced tone.

But *Shelley* panicked.

She’d never meant to hurt anyone—yet her clumsy comfort now felt all wrong.

This child had just been captured. She wasn’t resigned. She was grieving.

And Shelley had said she was *used to it*?

*Idiot…*

She cursed herself silently, watching Avril’s puzzled frown.

“Used… to it?”

The Vampire Lolita tilted her head, brow furrowed, repeating the words softly.

Then she lowered her gaze, lifting both hands to adjust the collar Mefia had loosened just slightly.

(It wasn’t tight anymore—but it was still there.)

“If you get used to it…”

Avril’s whisper rose again as she looked up at Shelley.

Her voice and eyes held fragile hope.

“…can you go home then?”

“I… I miss my dad…”

“…”

Silence.

The basement was utterly quiet.

Without their voices, Shelley could almost hear Avril’s heartbeat.

Meeting the girl’s innocent stare, Shelley’s throat tightened. Her nails dug into her palms. Her toes curled inside her black thigh-highs and Mary Janes.

Breathing felt heavy.

If anyone else had asked this, Shelley would’ve assumed mockery—a slave daring to dream of freedom. She’d have ignored it.

But this pure-hearted child…

She hadn’t realized how “silly” her question was.

Shelley’s chest ached.

Yet what could she do?

She was only Mefia’s pet too.

*“Everything belongs to the Master. Pets have no choices.”*

That truth was too heavy for this silver-haired Lolita’s shoulders.

Shelley had been younger than Avril when slavers took her.

That was why she’d learned early: survival meant pleasing Mefia.

Years had passed. She *was* “used to it.”

But Avril’s innocent words left her speechless.

She saw her younger self in those wide blue eyes.

“I…”

“I don’t know.”

All her usual charm—her skill at soothing masters and maids alike—vanished. She had no answer.

“…”

Avril’s head drooped at the reply.

She’d been punished once for similar words and knew better than to repeat them.

But she’d blurted this to Shelley anyway.

Simply because they wore matching “slave collars.”

To Avril, this stranger was now the most trustworthy person she knew.

“I… I understand.”

Avril lifted her chin, patting her own collar gently.

“Then…”

“Does it stop hurting when you get used to it?”

She looked at Shelley, reinterpreting her words with childlike hope.

“I’ll try to get used to it.”

The collar chafed terribly—she’d even begged Mefia to remove it earlier.

“…”

Shelley’s lips parted, dry and trembling.

She couldn’t lie to those trusting eyes.

“Yes…”

Her voice shrank to a whisper, barely audible even in the quiet basement.

“Mm.”

Hearing confirmation from someone who shared her fate, Avril’s lips curved into a small, sweet smile.

It was the best news she’d had in days.

Watching that innocent joy, Shelley felt no warmth.

Instead, Avril’s soft words shattered her carefully built composure.

Crystalline tears spilled down her cheeks.

The Vampire Lolita flinched, startled and confused.

Why was the cat-eared big sister crying when she’d just been smiling?

The pale Vampire Princess shuffled closer, reaching up with her sleeve to wipe Shelley’s tears.

“Shelley Sister…”

“Why are you crying?”