"Hmm..."
Avril looked at Shelley with surprise. This time, she didn’t press further.
A trace of confusion lingered on her small face. Clearly, she couldn’t grasp why a Catfolk girl would have such a strange trait.
Avril didn’t realize Shelley’s slightly evasive expression came from a lie. She felt nothing but mild oddness.
...
Seeing the little one drop the question, Shelley finally let out a breath of relief.
After all, that last remark was pure fabrication.
"Well, let’s not stand here," Shelley said. "Come sit in my room awhile?"
They’d lingered too long after Avril brought up her Collar and Shelley explained.
"Okay."
The Vampire Lolita’s soft voice was pleasant. Without pretense, Shelley took Avril’s small hand and led her away.
It was called Shelley’s room.
But truly, it was just a temporary lodging Mefia had given her.
The basement hid things Mefia preferred others not know.
Though well-decorated, Shelley rarely stayed here.
After all, small Slaves were meant to warm the bed. If Shelley slept here, what would amuse Mefia at night?
So, while a few rooms existed, most stood empty.
Shelley’s room wore a fresh, light blue style—calm yet not cold. Lavish royal furnishings offset the cool tones.
Mefia had arranged it. For small things like decor, she might not refuse Shelley’s wishes.
But Shelley never asked over trivialities.
...
The Vampire Lolita, hand held by Shelley, glanced around curiously.
Just curiosity.
To Avril, Shelley—the newly met Catfolk older sister—felt safer than Mefia or Lorin.
Her nerves, tight since yesterday, relaxed slightly.
Rarely, her words flowed easier:
"Sister’s room... is beautiful."
Her voice was soft. Unaccustomed to praise, Avril spoke awkwardly.
The room was lovely. Yet...
It paled beside Mefia’s chamber she’d seen earlier.
Size, decor, furniture—no comparison.
But Avril had never complimented that room where she’d stayed longer.
"Is that so?" Shelley replied. "True, but I don’t live here often."
Though Mefia chose the style, Shelley kept it tidy.
As a Slave, pleasing her Master was her main duty. Little else mattered.
So even when staying here, she kept everything spotless.
Items were neatly sorted; floors, tables, walls gleamed dust-free.
"Huh?"
"You don’t live here often?"
Unaware of the basement’s purpose, Avril tilted her head. She gazed at the kind Catfolk sister she’d just met.
"That’s right," Shelley explained earnestly. "Even when Master’s away, we stay upstairs like the Maid sister earlier."
"We only come here occasionally. Say, when guests visit."
Nobles keeping Slaves or Pets was normal—but discretion mattered.
This basement ensured safety.
Mefia could show off her adorable Pets if she wished.
Or lock them away. Guests might tour the mansion and never find them.
"Oh~"
Dazedly, Avril nodded.
Innocent as she was, she couldn’t grasp noble complexities or Mefia’s deeper reasons.
"Sit and rest?" Shelley led her to the bed, voice gentle.
Avril’s hand felt icy. Without that unnatural chill—so unlike humans or Catfolk—Shelley would never believe this girl was Bloodkin.
...
Shelley licked her slightly dry lips. Usually quick with words, she now had nothing to say to Avril.
She stared blankly, recalling Lorin’s earlier words:
‘She must be starving by now, right?’
Master likely withheld blood for "training." Shelley didn’t know what prolonged deprivation did to Bloodkin.
Helpless, she silently hoped it was just hunger—no worse effects.
She remembered her own childhood capture by slavers. Similar hunger.
Silence hung heavy. Shelley didn’t speak; Avril stayed quiet.
The air turned eerily still.
"Avril..."
Shelley broke the quiet—but noticed the little Bloodkin sister staring fixedly at her desk.
She hadn’t even heard Shelley.
"Avril? What’s wrong?"
Avril snapped back at the sound. "Hmm... nothing."
As if interrupted, the silver-haired Vampire Lolita’s gaze dropped slowly. She shook her head gently.
Yet she licked her lips again, eyes drifting back to the same spot.
"What are you looking at?"
Following Avril’s stare, Shelley’s eyes settled on the fruit bowl on her desk.
Bananas, apples, oranges, grapes filled it.
...
Slightly startled, Shelley carried the bowl over. Doubt tinged her voice. "This?"
"Mm."
Avril’s confirmation sparked Shelley’s curiosity. "Do you want fruit?"
"Can Bloodkin eat human food?"
Catfolk girls, aside from ears and tails, shared human physiology. They ate nearly anything.
But Bloodkin...
Shelley thought they only replenished through blood.
If they could eat human food, why drink blood at all?
"Apples..." Avril murmured, gaze locked on a bright red slice in the bowl. "I can eat them."
