Whether it was the palace guard layout or external movements, Mirena couldn’t control them to her satisfaction.

As she pondered this, Mirena jumped straight off the bed.

She dashed to the windowsill and peered down below.

Numerous Vampire guards patrolled the grounds.

Day and night, Vampire guards took shifts on duty below.

Especially at night, Vampires moved swiftly and grew more sensitive to scents.

Escaping through the main gate after dark was nearly impossible.

So, her only chance was morning.

Morning, then blast a hole beside the castle.

That way, she could flee through a side exit.

But the bigger issue was how to reach the lowest floor.

Honestly, her movements were restricted.

Guards heavily guarded every staircase.

Plus, Hestia had ordered them to send her back to her room on sight.

Mirena felt utterly helpless.

It was like being imprisoned, watched by so many guards.

She felt like a high-profile criminal.

—Could she jump from the window? Like a fire drill, tear bed sheets into strips.

Then leap down?

Impossible. This was a fifth-floor castle with no ledges to land on.

A more critical problem: she was already homeless.

She’d revealed her hideout to Hestia.

If she escaped, that hideout would be the first place searched.

So, if she fled, she needed to leave the city entirely in one go.

Within the city, Hestia had too many spies.

One wanted notice, and she’d be dragged back within five minutes for harsh discipline.

Yet, she had no clue how to exit the city.

She refused to be caught and thrown into the Dark Cell again.

Just hearing "Dark Cell" made her knees weak.

She never wanted to be locked in that place again.

Worse, if caught, she’d be under stricter watch.

Then, escape would be even harder.

So, without a perfect plan, she’d never attempt flight.

This didn’t mean she wouldn’t escape—just that she’d do it strategically.

She wasn’t a fool wasting effort.

Escape was a must, but she needed more allies first.

Truthfully, compared to other Blood Slaves, Hestia treated her decently—

Only occasionally drinking her blood.

Otherwise, she just locked Mirena in the Dark Cell.

Hestia never physically abused her.

That surprised Mirena greatly.

She’d once asked why Hestia was so kind.

Hestia replied coldly: "I want fresher, sweeter blood."

Perhaps that was why she avoided torture.

But could Mirena trust that?

Mirena leaned on the windowsill, gazing into the darkness, craving freedom.

She longed to shed her Blood Slave identity and flee this place.

It was Mirena’s dream.

She stared at the distant shadows—

So focused she didn’t hear the door open behind her.

"What are you doing, Nana…?"

The voice startled Mirena, making her tumble to the floor.

She rubbed her sore bottom.

"N-nothing…"

"Hmph~ Don’t think your master doesn’t know your thoughts. I can read minds, Nana. You’re planning to escape, aren’t you?"

"W-well, no! I was just admiring the view. The city’s night scenery is beautiful, that’s all…"

Mirena’s voice faded to a whisper.

She couldn’t meet Hestia’s crimson eyes.

"Keep lying. Why stop? I’m listening. Go on…"

Hestia stood nearby, propping her head, watching Mirena’s panic.

"T-there’s nothing more…"

Mirena bowed her head, her voice resigned.

—She truly had no excuse left.

Her mistake was not noticing the open door.

Hestia smiled, grabbing the chain on Mirena’s Collar.

The Collar choked Mirena as Hestia hurled her onto the bed.

—How monstrous was her strength? To throw her so far.

It was almost teleportation speed.

"Cough… cough… it hurts…"

Mirena gasped for air, her neck aching from the Collar.

If Hestia wanted her dead, it’d be effortless—no weapon needed.

With that strength, she could tear Mirena in half instantly.

Yet, she didn’t.

"Letting you die now would be boring, wouldn’t it?"

As Mirena thought this, Hestia’s icy voice cut through.

When had she—

Hestia was already on top of her.

That impossible speed again.

While Mirena reeled, Hestia crawled toward the mark on her thigh.

"That spot!? No—"

Mirena’s eyes widened in realization.

The butterfly-shaped mark on her inner thigh.

But Hestia wouldn’t accept refusal.

She pinned Mirena down with her soft body, immobilizing her.

—How absurdly strong was she?

"I’m starting…"

Hestia warned coldly.

Then, fangs bared, she bit into Mirena’s butterfly mark.

"It hurts!?"

Only pain. Blood gushed into Hestia’s mouth.

Mirena struggled, pushing against Hestia’s weight.

But Hestia bit harder, violently sucking blood from her veins.

Mirena felt pure, bone-deep terror.