"..."

Though only Shelley and Avril were in the library—not Mefia, not even a single Maid nearby—

Shelley still instinctively glanced toward the door.

"Shh~"

Making a hushing gesture, a trace of worry lingered on Shelley’s small face.

"Don’t say such things carelessly, Avril."

"Especially never in front of Master, okay~"

"Never say you don’t want to be Master’s Pet or anything like that."

Shelley didn’t know Avril had been punished yesterday for telling Mefia similar things.

But she understood the consequences of daring to say them.

It might not be torture, but punishment was inevitable.

A harsh beating, electric shocks from the Collar, being locked in a dark room, or food deprivation—no good outcome awaited!

Worry crept in. The innocent Avril might not grasp Mefia’s nature, but Shelley did.

Thanks to always playing the obedient Pet in Mefia’s eyes, Shelley hadn’t been punished in years.

"Silly girl, did you hear me~"

Unable to help herself, Shelley set down her book.

She’d been sitting across from Avril but now walked over.

Slightly furrowing her delicate brows, she gently pinched the little one’s soft cheeks.

Frustration mixed with helplessness—she had to make this rule stick in Avril’s heart.

Her jade-like fingers met Avril’s beautiful blue eyes.

"Mm... uh."

"I know..."

Though Sister Shelley didn’t seem angry, Avril sensed the seriousness.

Half her tender face pinched into a little bun, she stammered, words slurring.

"Good. As long as you know."

Slightly relieved, Shelley loosened her grip.

But then, almost addicted, she rubbed Avril’s cool, adorable cheeks.

Usually, it was Master who teased her—she rarely got to play with others.

She always offered herself willingly to Mefia, never resisting.

Shelley had long wanted to try this. A faint blush spread on her face as she bit her lip, happy.

No wonder Master loved pinching her cheeks, rubbing her ears, grabbing her little tail—it felt this good.

"Th-then why does Master want Avril to be a Pet?"

"Avril is Bloodkin..."

The little one asked in confusion, the book on the table open to the Bloodkin page.

"Of course because Avril is cute."

Shelley answered without hesitation—no need to lie.

For Mefia, that was the only reason.

A cute Vampire Lolita with a near-dreamlike face—even among beautiful Catfolk girls, Avril was rare.

"Cute..."

She felt shy. No one but her father had ever praised her.

But Avril’s thoughts jumped erratically. Her next words startled Shelley again.

"Th-then, if... if Avril becomes not cute, will Master let Avril go home?"

"..."

The library was silent.

Shelley met Avril’s innocent, inquisitive eyes. A chill ran down her spine; she shivered.

"Didn’t you understand what I just told you?"

Even good-natured Shelley felt anxious now—not angry, but truly worried.

She knew her fate. Avril didn’t.

They all called Mefia "Master," like Lorin.

But the reality was worlds apart.

Shelley dared not speak ill of Mefia. Before becoming her Slave, she’d heard human gossip:

Some noble had tortured a newly bought little slave to death.

As a gentle, easily trainable Catfolk, Shelley had quickly become Mefia’s obedient Pet.

She’d avoided hurting Avril with words—but now, she had to be clear.

"I..."

Avril realized she’d misspoken. Nervously, she stared at Shelley, small hands clenched into fists.

"Do you know what this Collar is for?"

Both wore delicate collars around their fair necks—custom-made by Mefia.

Stronger, more functional, and more compact than ordinary ones.

Shelley gently touched Avril’s Collar. Honestly, she hated using this method—she didn’t want to hurt the adorable Vampire Lolita.

"..."

Fear flashed in Avril’s eyes. Yesterday’s electric shock punishment wasn’t a pleasant memory.

She’d endured it twice: once trying to escape the slave trader, once beside Mefia for speaking wrongly.

"It restricts magic manipulation."

"Once worn, you can’t cast even half a spell."

"Catfolk or other enslaved races might cultivate magic—even the powerful ones."

"But this blocks your magic flow. At best, you control a trace—never enough for spells."

"After all, a Pet must pose no threat to the Master."

Avril listened blankly, eyes downcast. She understood.

From day one, she’d felt her magic vanish.

"It delivers electric shocks, triggered by Master’s magic."

"Just by injecting their magic, Master controls it like a wireless switch."

"It can also tighten at will... causing suffocation."

Shelley knew the Collar well. She listed its functions slowly.

"Don’t try to break it. I don’t know the material."

"But it’s not easily shattered steel."

"And ours are custom-made. I’ve asked Master..."

As a Pet in Mefia’s Fortress for years, Shelley had always wondered about this unremovable Collar.

Long ago, after happy nights in Mefia’s arms, she’d coaxed out some answers.

Mefia only revealed part of it.

Speaking softly to Avril, Shelley understood her situation far better than the little Bloodkin did.