...

Avril was sobbing softly when Mefia suddenly pressed an apple into her hand. She felt the warmth of Mefia’s fingers and the coolness of the fruit. Unsure if she could believe it, she slowly lifted her head.

Avril saw Mefia’s face wearing a helpless smile.

Just moments ago, Avril had thought her Master would confiscate her little apple. Now, a trace of joy rose in her heart.

Her sadness finally eased.

But fearing Mefia might change her mind, she gripped the apple tightly with her other hand. Yet she didn’t dare hide it away, holding it out before her instead.

“Thank you…”

“Master.”

Avril’s happiness was simple. Just one casual gesture from Mefia made her resentment vanish instantly—even though she hadn’t dared to speak.

She politely thanked Mefia.

Holding the apple with both hands, Avril noticed the slightly dented corner. Its color looked different from the rest.

But getting it back satisfied her. She didn’t mind such small details.

“Hmm.”

Seeing the little one so pitiful, and hearing her soft, grateful voice, Mefia’s heart softened. Her mood lifted too.

She gently stroked Avril’s head, her silver hair gleaming softly.

Avril didn’t resist her Master’s touch. Having gotten her apple back, she stopped crying.

“You can eat apples?”

Watching Avril clutch the apple tightly—as if afraid Mefia would snatch it away—Mefia smiled helplessly. She also needed to confirm this.

She’d never read about such a trait in any Bloodkin texts.

She only knew Bloodkin needed blood to survive.

“Mm… mm.”

Avril didn’t dare hide the truth. She nodded.

Though she wouldn’t actively please Mefia, the little Vampire Lolita was still incredibly cute. Her unintentional actions remained endearing.

“Hungry?”

Avril had mentioned this before her bath. And now, crying over an apple so long reminded Mefia of it.

Realizing Avril’s trust crisis, Mefia decided to use this chance to change her view.

After all, her ultimate goal was to have Avril willingly share her bed—not just obey out of fear.

If that failed, obedience was a backup option.

But she’d always choose the best if possible.

“Mm…”

Mefia’s gentle question didn’t make Avril happy. Instead, she looked at her fearfully.

Hugging her apple, Avril didn’t know why Mefia asked.

She even worried Mefia might bully her and take the apple again.

She didn’t answer, afraid that saying she was hungry would lead to punishment like before.

The simple little one couldn’t understand why Mefia had punished her earlier.

“...”

Still, not daring to ignore Mefia, Avril hesitantly shook her head. She wasn’t hungry.

Though apples gave little energy, having it made her happy.

Living in constant anxiety, the little one didn’t dare wish for more.

“Sigh…”

Mefia had expected the answer, but Avril’s denial still displeased her.

Not because Avril lied.

But… she didn’t trust her at all.

If she put herself in Avril’s shoes, she wouldn’t trust a Master who’d collared her on day one, shocked her, starved her, and forced her to bathe together.

Yet, Mefia felt displeased.

Simply because she was the ‘Master’.

Deciding to change this, Mefia resolved to be a ‘good Master’ this time.

“I’ll give you blood later.”

She worried about prolonged hunger’s effects.

This was also a chance to build trust.

Besides, Avril was so naive and easy to deceive.

A small kindness might change her attitude.

Though the rules for a Pet couldn’t change, having Avril both obedient and fond of her would be ideal.

“Huh?”

Avril looked up hopefully, thinking she’d misheard.

“R-Really?”

“Master~”

Her voice brimmed with undisguised joy. The little one, unable to hide emotions, asked eagerly to confirm it wasn’t a lie.

The young Vampire Lolita’s feelings were so easily swayed. Even someone she’d distrusted, she now believed because Mefia had returned her apple.

“Of course~”

Seeing Avril happy made Mefia happy too. A smile spread across her lips as she stroked Avril’s head like a pet.

“Mm… mm… mm.”

“Thank you, thank you, Master.”

The Vampire Lolita’s soft voice expressed her gratitude.

With limited words for thanks, Avril’s joy showed plainly. Tears of happiness welled in her eyes.

She’d never been this happy over a little blood. For a moment, she forgot how trustworthy her Master’s words were.

Though she hadn’t tasted the promised blood yet, the Vampire Lolita licked her lips, craving that sweet taste from before.

Seeing Avril happy and trusting her words pleased Mefia.

She silently vowed to keep this promise.

She mustn’t forget.

Otherwise, it would worsen their trust crisis.

“How should you thank me?”

Amused, Mefia decided to tease Avril a little.

But her vague words confused Avril.

Shelley would have understood Mefia’s meaning.

“Huh? I… mm.”

Her joy fading, Avril stared blankly at her Master.

“With a loving kiss for your Master~”

Knowing she had to teach such things, Mefia didn’t expect Avril to figure it out. She guided her instead.

She lightly tapped her own cheek with a pale finger and smiled.

“Here~”

It was simple.

Once explained, Avril understood.

Not knowing Mefia’s deeper intent, she accepted the instruction. After all, she’d done similar things with her parents at home.

Overjoyed, Avril didn’t think deeply. She didn’t grasp the underlying meaning.

Due to their height difference, the little one stepped closer to Mefia—who hadn’t crouched down—and gently tiptoed. Her lips touched her Master’s delicate cheek.

“Mwah~”

“Thank you… Master.”

Hearing Avril’s soft thanks and feeling the light kiss from her little Vampire Lolita, Mefia felt content.

Watching Avril, who seemed unaware of her actions’ deeper implications, Mefia remained calm.

After all, it was only the first day.

There was still time.