From the time Avril could remember, her diet had consisted solely of blood and apples.

Of course, apples were merely a treat—never meant to be eaten constantly.

Why? There might have been deeper reasons, but Avril didn’t know. Her father had never explained.

She’d never cared to wonder. Her parents always brought her blood. Hunger had never driven her to test other foods. Her parents rarely brought fruits beyond apples—only occasionally to teach her their names.

"This orange fruit is a tangerine."

"This magenta one is dragon fruit."

Her father had shown her such fruits, though none ever belonged on her menu.

"This... doesn’t taste good."

Nearly every fruit Avril had sneakily tasted ended up spat out.

Utterly inedible.

"We can’t eat these," her father had said, chuckling softly. But as long as she recognized them and knew they weren’t for her, that was enough.

"I see."

Though Shelley hadn’t known the reason, she nodded. At least now she knew one fruit Avril could eat.

*Munch.*

Biting into the sweet apple, Avril showed zero interest in the other fruits on Shelley’s tray—not even a glance.

...

Shelley watched the little one eat in silence, her lips curling slightly upward. She savored this moment of quiet.

*Should I warn her not to let Master find out?*

Would feeding the child upset Mefia? Shelley wasn’t sure. After all... Mefia likely didn’t know this Vampire Lolita could eat apples.

She stayed silent.

The child was happy now. Interrupting would only worry her.

And hadn’t she just insisted Avril eat?

*Hm?*

Halfway through her apple, Avril suddenly looked up at Shelley.

Noticing the second red apple resting on her own skirt, she hesitated for a moment, then reached for it.

She held it out to Shelley, who sat quietly beside her.

"Shelley Sister..."

"You eat too."

She’d just remembered: she’d been so hungry earlier, she’d completely forgotten to share.

Only now did she realize she’d been eating alone.

Having tasted true hunger for the first time in her life—and knowing how awful it felt—Avril wanted to share her only two apples.

Even though... Shelley had given them to her.

Avril’s thoughts were simple.

She liked apples, so Shelley must like them too.

She was hungry, so Shelley must be hungry too.

The silver-haired Vampire Princess was pure-hearted. Shelley had been kind to her. Naturally, she wanted to care for Shelley too.

"For me?"

Shelley blinked, surprised the child would offer to share.

One small apple wouldn’t fill anyone’s stomach.

Avril had been starving for days. Even for Shelley, it was barely a snack.

Not nearly enough.

"Mm."

Avril nodded, smiling faintly at Shelley’s puzzled expression.

Like sharing a precious toy with a friend.

Shelley felt touched—and a pang of heartache.

"No, you keep it."

She longed to stroke Avril’s silky silver hair. Warmth bloomed in her chest.

It had been so long since she’d felt this kind of warmth.

Like when her own family had cared for her.

But those memories had faded.

Now, only her bond with Mefia remained.

"Huh...?"

Seeing Avril’s confused look, Shelley gently pushed the apple back.

Only two apples remained in her room’s fruit bowl. Knowing Avril couldn’t eat other fruits, Shelley intended to give both to her.

But to honor Avril’s kindness, she peeled a tangerine from the tray instead.

"I can eat other things."

She popped a segment into her mouth. Tangy-sweet.

"I’m Catfolk. Like humans, I can eat... fruits besides apples."

She phrased it carefully, not wanting Avril to feel sad that she couldn’t enjoy all fruits.

"Is that... good?"

"I’ve tried it."

"Bitter. Couldn’t swallow it."

Avril tilted her head, curious. She’d never seen anyone eat a tangerine. Her parents never had.

"Mm. A little sour, a little sweet. It’s... pleasant."

"Sour?"

Avril frowned, unfamiliar with the word. She knew "sweet"—blood was sweet, apples were sweet.

"Mm."

Shelley realized: as a Bloodkin who only drank blood and ate apples, Avril might not grasp "sour."

"It’s a taste... less pleasant than sweet."

"Oh..."

Avril nodded slowly, eyes drifting back to her apple. She was curious about Shelley’s tangerine—but if it wasn’t as good as apples...

And she’d tried one before. Couldn’t keep it down.

She took another quiet bite. Sweetness spread across her face, lighting up her smile.

At least Shelley could eat other fruits. That was a relief.

The small apple vanished quickly.

Since Shelley didn’t ask for the second one, the red apple resting on Avril’s white dress slipped back into her palm.

She stared at it, hesitating.

*Want to eat it.*

*But want to save it.*

"What’s wrong?"

"Not eating it?"

Shelley finished her tangerine, watching Avril gaze at the apple.

One apple couldn’t satisfy hunger. It wouldn’t even create fullness.

Unless...

"I’ll... save it."

"Eat it when I’m hungry again."

Though still hungry, Avril had learned caution.

These past days of starvation had scarred her.

"No need. Eat it if you want. I’ll bring more tomorrow."

Shelley smiled gently, but her words didn’t sway the child.

Avril kept the apple.

Yet she couldn’t let go—clutching it tightly to her chest, reluctant to part with it even for a moment.