"Thank you."

"Sister Lorin~"

Avril held a tiny cup in both hands—the very teacup Mefia had pointed to moments ago.

A delicate porcelain cup adorned with golden filigree and painted patterns.

Its shallow rim couldn’t hold much liquid.

Mefia hadn’t planned to let Avril eat her fill.

Lorin, bound to obey Mefia’s wishes, had filled it to the brim anyway.

She brought it over on a tray.

Watching the beaming Vampire Lolita—who didn’t rush to taste the long-missed blood but thanked her first—Lorin felt a pang of sympathy for how well-behaved the little one was.

She could do nothing but hope Avril would accept this unchangeable fate.

Sometimes, being Master’s little Pet wasn’t so bad.

At least Mefia wouldn’t abandon her. Obedient Pets were left alone, never abused.

Basic rights meant nothing in the Lor Empire, where Slaves had no humanity.

Nobles freely controlled Slave lives and deaths—it was their norm.

Though both called Mefia "Master," a Maid’s status was worlds apart from a Slave’s.

Maids were Lor Empire citizens, protected by its laws.

Ordinary humans couldn’t legally be enslaved there.

Most enslaved were outsiders or non-humans like beastkin.

"No need to thank me."

Lorin patted Avril’s head—the kid was too adorable to resist.

But duties came first.

Bringing Avril and Mefia closer would benefit them both.

"If you must thank someone, thank Master."

"It was her gift to you~"

Lorin couldn’t steal credit. As Mefia’s Maid, training Avril was her duty—even if it sounded harsh.

"Mm…"

The little one nodded, accepting Lorin’s words.

But she stayed silent.

"Go ahead and drink~"

Lorin lingered, curious about Bloodkin.

She’d never seen one before.

Blood smelled foul to her. She’d never tasted it but knew it was awful.

How Bloodkin perceived it? A mystery.

"Mm."

Avril lifted the cup, sipping daintily like a lady—just as her father taught.

Lorin had bought the blood from a slave trader.

Following Mefia’s orders, she’d taken little.

She’d even chosen blood from slave girls, unsure if it mattered.

Her yuri-inclined Master might reject male blood.

Lorin knew Mefia well—she’d anticipated this without being told.

This approach was foolproof.

Only vampires and rare alchemists used blood. Slave traders rarely sold it.

No real loss—slaves were still sold after bleeding. Their consent? Unnecessary.

Mefia’s small request split between two posed no danger.

Glug glug~

Watching the Vampire Lolita’s throat bob gently, Lorin asked curiously, "Is it good?"

Avril had gulped most of the cup before pausing.

She licked crimson from her lips. Her pretty blue eyes deepened to vivid red, as if dyed.

Drinking blood nullified magic’s disguise—natural red pupils only grew redder.

"Mmm~"

Yet her scarlet eyes contrasted with her adorable face and soft voice.

Nodding to Lorin, Avril gazed wistfully at the last drops in the cup.

"It’s sweet. Really tasty."

For Avril, only blood and apples had ever tasted good.

She couldn’t stop sipping daintily.

After answering, she lifted the cup again, savoring the sweet blood.

This was the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted—never hungry under her father’s care.

"Hehe~"

Lorin watched her drink happily. Racial differences were clear, even if incomprehensible.

"What energy can a little blood provide?"

"Bloodkin are truly amazing."

Avril’s "sweet" claim felt false. The energy from blood was harder to grasp.

But it didn’t matter. Reality stood before her.

Lorin wasn’t a scholar—no need to dissect it. She’d just marvel at creation’s wonder.

"Ahm…"

While Lorin pondered, Avril drained the cup completely.

Noble teacups were small and delicate—even brimming, it held little.

Lorin had brought only the filled cup, fearing she’d soften if she brought more.

Predictably, days of hunger made this drop insufficient.

The little one held the empty cup, gazing at her silently.

Lorin understood: she wanted more.

"It’s late. Rest now~"

Lorin took the tray, dodging the topic. She’d never mention blood unless Avril asked.

"Mm…"

Too shy to ask, Avril handed back the cup obediently.

Not full, but hunger eased—far better than apples.

"Rest well."

"Tomorrow, I’ll show you the other rooms."

Flustered, Lorin hurried to the door, half-closing it before adding, "Mefia’s mansion is huge—three floors. You’ve seen little."

"Mm."

Avril, unaware Lorin fled to avoid more requests, nodded.

"Mm."

She sat on the bed, pulling a bruised apple from her bulging pocket. A trace of a smile touched her lips.

Hunger gone, the on-edge Vampire Princess finally relaxed.

Tucked under blankets, hugging her apple, Avril tried to obey and sleep early.

She closed her eyes…