"Hey, little one, wanna come with me?"

"I promise I’ll keep you full and happy every day~"

"In every sense~"

Lucy’s words weren’t hard to grasp—especially for Mefia, who knew her sister all too well. To her ears, it was pure filth.

But Avril didn’t understand.

For someone starving for days, the promise of a full belly was already a huge temptation.

Clueless about Lucy’s meaning and unsure how to respond, Avril blurted out instinctively:

"R-Really…?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Mefia yanked Avril back.

Mefia was getting angry but held her patience.

Gently, she turned Avril’s tear-streaked face to look directly at her own.

She spoke slowly and deliberately:

"I. Just. Told. You. Not. To. Speak!"

"...".

Though her tone wasn’t loud, Avril clearly sensed the anger beneath it.

Just moments ago on the stairs, Mefia had ordered her not to speak.

Now, not only had she disobeyed—she’d done something that displeased Mefia.

Though the real culprit was her sister Lucy.

But as a Pet, how could she even think of leaving after a few sweet words?

Terrified and pale, Avril stood silently beside Mefia, her body trembling slightly, unable to utter a word.

Because her Master had forbidden her to speak.

Hiding behind Mefia, she stole a glance at Lucy—who still held her little apple—then quickly looked away as if afraid.

Feeling utterly wronged, Avril silently shed tears.

"Oh?"

"Sister, you’re so strict."

"You’ve even made Avril cry?"

Though Lucy was fanning the flames, she had zero awareness of it.

"If it were me, I’d protect such a cute little thing properly."

"I’d never let her suffer even a hint of injustice."

"Unlike you, Sister, who only knows how to bully her."

"Isn’t that right, little cutie?"

Grinning cheekily as if speaking directly to Avril, she bent down to look at her.

Though she couldn’t get close to the adorable Vampire Lolita because of her sister.

And she knew she couldn’t take Avril today—but teasing was still fun.

"Hah! Like hell."

"A while back, you raped a commoner girl. Where is she now?"

Knowing exactly what her sister was like, Mefia retorted without holding back.

"Huh? Sister, really—don’t put it so harshly."

"We were in love back then."

Twirling a strand of her golden hair, Lucy showed no discomfort at the words.

"Is that ‘mutual love’ where you deny it after the deed?"

Mefia sneered.

"We parted amicably," Lucy explained with a tilted head and a smile.

"Shameless. I’ll give you that."

Mefia let out a heavy sigh, her worldview shattered yet again.

"Hmm?"

"I got my pleasure. She paid off her gambler father’s debts in one go."

"We each got what we wanted."

"Win-win."

"Isn’t that right?"

Still smiling as she explained, unlike Mefia, Lucy truly believed she’d done nothing wrong.

Having slept with many girls, she didn’t give a damn about such trivial matters.

Like slices of bread eaten daily—who counts how many they’ve had?

But compared to her sister bringing up her past, Lucy cared more about the adorable Vampire Lolita before her—and the Catfolk girl Shelley hidden by Mefia.

Though even she didn’t know if she’d discard them after getting bored.

"Speaking of which, Sister, won’t you consider it?"

"Exchange conditions with me."

"After all, it’s just a dispensable Pet."

"If I give up my claim to the throne, no one will compete with you~"

Still not giving up, Lucy pressed on.

"You can leave now."

Fed up with arguing, Mefia dismissed her again, not even bothering to look at her.

She didn’t believe a word her sister said.

Though the throne was Mefia’s ultimate goal, paying a price to make Lucy step down would be worth it.

But she didn’t trust Lucy’s words.

Fickle as she was, Lucy would do as she pleased later.

Besides… even if possible, the price could never be her two Pets.

"Really not considering it?"

"Even if… the Emperor finds out?"

Lucy said with a clear threat.

Snapping to attention, Mefia looked at her with cold eyes:

"This is my bottom line."

"I advise you not to do that."

"Otherwise, even if I give up the throne, I’ll make sure Father and the citizens of the Imperial Capital know what you’ve done."

Threat.

Anyone can do it.

Mefia had compromised earlier because showing Avril wouldn’t cost her anything.

But if Lucy dared to actually take her, that would cross Mefia’s unforgivable line.

If that happened, it would be all or nothing.

Mefia wasn’t someone who took things lying down.

In fact, with her impulsive temper, she was more likely than the self-serving, rational Lucy to do something both would regret.

"Alright, alright."

"I was just saying."

Seeing Mefia’s stance, Lucy had no recourse.

She couldn’t tear apart their relationship over Avril—no one would come out looking good.

In fact, compared to her ‘honest pervert’ sister who kept Pets in her mansion, Lucy was the one with a trail of broken hearts.

Not achieving her goal, Lucy wasn’t discouraged. She hadn’t expected a few words to make her sister give up the adorable Vampire Lolita.

"Well, if nothing else, I’ll take my leave, Sister."

"Sister, you must treat your little Pet well."

"Such a cute thing, not even allowed to eat her fill—it’s pitiful~"

As if genuinely worried about Avril, Lucy couldn’t resist getting under Mefia’s skin.

Reluctantly tearing her gaze from Avril, she placed the apple on the table and headed for the parlor door.

Passing Mefia, seeing Avril still silently sobbing, she smiled and called out:

"Hey, little one, see you next time~"

"If Sister bullies you, come find me anytime~"

Then, without waiting for Mefia to respond, she walked out on her own.

Her words held not a shred of truth.

As Mefia’s Pet, wearing a Collar Mefia could control remotely, how could Avril possibly go anywhere of her own will?

Saying those things was purely to annoy Mefia.