Avril was asleep.

Perhaps due to exhaustion and her hunger vanishing after drinking blood, she finally had a peaceful sleep for the first time in days.

The insecure Vampire Lolita pulled the blanket over half her head, curling up with her hands clasped over her chest.

Similarly, Avril woke early, just as the sun rose on the horizon in the dim dawn light.

"Mmm~"

From under the soft, warm blanket, the petite silver-haired lolita peeked her little head out, opening her eyes dazedly, still groggy.

But soon, she realized this wasn't home—it was Mefia's mansion. Her beautiful red eyes drooped with disappointment.

With nothing to do.

Avril didn't know what to do.

After hesitating on the bed for a moment, she wanted to open the door.

The petite Vampire Lolita placed her small hand on the silver doorknob but pulled it back, as if afraid to turn it.

"If I go out..."

Where to?

She swallowed the rest. Avril wasn't a very decisive person.

Especially in such a completely unfamiliar environment.

Letting go of the doorknob, Avril stepped back two paces.

"..."

In the end, she chose not to go out. Lorin had only told her to rest well.

It was still early.

Even the diligent maids might have just woken up, so naturally, no one disturbed her.

The room remained dark because of the tightly drawn double-layered blackout curtains.

Lorin was thoughtful. Considering Avril's nature as a Bloodkin who might fear light, she had drawn them tightly last night.

Avril did dislike sunlight a bit.

But right now, she still wanted to open the curtains.

The unfamiliar, oppressive environment made her uncomfortable. Though she didn't understand why, Avril quietly walked to the window.

She gently pulled back the curtains.

A sliver of light came from the horizon. Since it was only morning, Avril didn't feel uncomfortable. Instead, the open view from the third floor comforted her.

The view was great.

She could clearly see the courtyard scenes: the clothesline, water basin, flower beds...

She also saw two maids busy with something unknown.

And the distant scenery outside the mansion.

Unfamiliar.

Avril's home was deep in the Fairy Forest, far from cities. She had never seen the bustling Imperial Capital.

Disappointment.

A cup of blood could make the momentarily happy Vampire Lolita sleep sweetly.

But suddenly remembering could also make Avril feel disappointed.

This place was nice—bigger and prettier than her home.

Yet, she felt no sense of belonging at all.

I really want... to go home.

Wrinkling her little nose, Avril gazed at Mefia's courtyard and the blurry distant buildings.

With one hand gently holding the curtain, the little one spaced out.

She couldn't leave. She couldn't even mention wanting to leave in front of Mefia. After hesitating by the window, Avril pulled the curtains shut again.

The sun was gradually rising.

She disliked sunlight.

Cupping her hands around the collar on her neck, she tried hard to channel magic.

But except for a tiny bit not enough for even a speck of magic, she couldn't channel any more.

"Creak~"

The room door opened. Avril, who had been quietly alone for a long time after waking, turned to see the first person she met that day.

"Shelley Sister!~"

A bit surprised.

Though Shelley was someone she had just met yesterday, she was also the one who made Avril feel most secure.

"Mm."

A bit awkwardly tugging at her blue hair, Shelley walked up.

It was already morning.

Considering Bloodkin don't need breakfast, Shelley and Lorin hadn't come to call her.

Mefia had left early for her own affairs.

"Avril, look what I brought for you?"

Coming to Avril, Shelley wore a faint smile as she took a red apple from her pocket.

After learning last night that Mefia had given Avril blood, Shelley felt relieved. But this morning, still thinking Avril hadn't eaten, she specially asked Lorin for an apple.

Since it was morning, the household fruits hadn't been restocked yet, so there were no more.

"Hmm... an apple."

"Mmm..."

As if remembering something, Avril recalled she also had one.

She felt her pockets but couldn't find it.

Hurriedly lifting the blanket, she found the small apple from last night under it, already chipped at one corner.

"You haven't eaten it yet?"

Shelley saw that despite being clearly starving, Avril had kept the small apple she gave her, even hiding it under the blanket. She couldn't help but smile.

She patted Avril's little head.

"If you don't eat it soon, it'll go bad~"

"This one's for you too."

Shelley also noticed the apple Avril held showed signs of browning. Not knowing what happened last night, she thought it might have been past its prime when she gave it.

"Mmm..."

Looking at the apple Shelley handed her, Avril hesitated a bit.

"Eat up. I've already had breakfast."

"You Bloodkin can't eat human food anyway."

If not for this, Shelley would have invited Avril to breakfast.

But if she did and Mefia refused to give Avril more blood, it would turn into them eating while Avril watched—seemingly hurtful.

"Mm."

Nodding, Avril took a gentle bite of the apple she had held all day.

She trusted Shelley Sister's words.

"I'll put the apple on the table. No need to carry it."

"It's heavy."

In the pocket, it felt like it was pulling down.

"Later, I'll take you to see the other rooms."

Watching Avril chew the apple slowly, Shelley said with a smile.

It was Lorin's request, but Shelley thought she should introduce Avril anyway.

After all, as Mefia's little pet, she had no right to leave the mansion.

She could only move within this small area.

But fortunately, in Shelley's view, Mefia's mansion was large, offering decent space.

Though it sounded like self-comforting.

Shelley had long been accustomed to life as a pet and felt nothing about it.

But unlike her, Avril didn't like it.

So, understanding this, Shelley avoided mentioning things that might upset Avril.

"Okay."

The adorable Vampire Lolita nodded gently, feeling a bit reassured.