After sitting in the café for a while, the two of them left.

Stepping out, Hestia immediately looped her arm through Mirena’s wrist and steered her down a different street.

Both wore veils to conceal their identities.

To onlookers, they didn’t resemble master and pet.

They looked like the closest of friends.

“W-Where… where to next, Master…?”

After what had just happened, Mirena found it hard to speak to Hestia.

“I know a wonderful place I’d like you to see with me…”

Hestia strolled down the street as if taking a leisurely walk, dragging Mirena along.

Mirena’s face was etched with unease.

If Hestia called it a “wonderful place,” it was certainly anything but.

Yet Mirena had no right to refuse. She was merely Hestia’s pet.

—When her master chose a destination, she had to follow.

—When her master gave an order, she had to obey.

After days as a pet, Mirena understood this perfectly.

She never wanted to enter that Dark Cell again.

The Dark Cell had become a shadow haunting her heart.

Just being in a cramped space for minutes at night now filled her with deep dread.

Whenever Hestia threatened to lock her in the Dark Cell, Mirena had no choice but to obey.

She’d learned this well:

Defiance meant unbearable punishment.

Being a docile pet was her only path forward.

Honestly, standing on this street crowded with few vampires, Mirena wanted to wrench her wrist free and flee into the distance.

But then she remembered Hestia’s cheat-like physical abilities.

Even with her own Agility stat at 9999, she couldn’t escape her.

Back then, that 9999 Agility could’ve let her leap straight over the city walls.

But she couldn’t abandon her mother.

That was why she’d wandered this town with Hestia,

until her time ran out and she was captured, utterly drained.

Soon, they stood before a shop.

Its entrance bustled with vampires jostling to get in.

Every vampire exiting the shop led an Elf on a leash.

“Th-This is…?”

Mirena stared at the sign above the door, written in vampire script: *Pet Shop*.

A deep fear gripped her.

“Mm, you’ll see once we go in together…”

Hestia grabbed the Collar around Mirena’s neck and bypassed the queue, striding to the front.

Mirena shuddered again at the tug on her Collar—such a hateful sensation.

“Could you let us enter first?”

“No. Rules are rules. No cutting in line.”

Two burly guards flanking the door glared sternly at them.

—*Veiled and suspicious. Definitely here to cause trouble.*

*Daring to disrupt the Prince’s shop? They must not value their lives.*

*Time to teach them a lesson.*

Hestia pulled a gleaming badge from her dress pocket and held it up.

Her voice turned icy as she addressed the guards again.

“And now? May I enter?”

“We said no—”

The guard’s words died as his eyes fell on the badge.

—The golden emblem’s intricate design made him blanch.

“Y-You are…?”

The startled guard yanked his partner aside.

The older guard, recognizing the token instantly, bowed his head in apology.

“My deepest apologies… He’s new. Your reservation wasn’t relayed to him. And you’ve arrived early—most nobles haven’t yet.”

“It’s fine. I’m not petty. Just let us in.”

Hestia didn’t even glance at them.

Her hand gently stroked Mirena’s cerulean hair, watching her pet’s flustered reaction.

“Right away! Kerl, hold the line. I’ll escort these two inside…”

“Y-Yes…”

The vampire named Kerl still looked dazed as he watched Hestia lead Mirena inside.

—*So that’s our…*

*Such a small frame. She doesn’t look powerful at all.*

*But…*

*You can’t judge by appearances.*

*Immense strength might hide within that tiny body—*

*It’s possible.*

Inside, muffled sobs and cries made Mirena flinch. She shrank behind Hestia.

Down a long, dim corridor, Mirena saw Elves locked in cages.

—*This is where they imprison my kin.*

*A transfer station selling them to high-ranking nobles.*

*Just like the auction house.*

*Only the auction house dealt in higher-grade Elves.*

*The Elves sold here were even more pitiful than Nym, born in the “Production Facility.”*

Why had Hestia brought her here?

Fear coiled in Mirena’s chest.

Then Hestia removed her hood and veil.

Mirena’s terrified eyes met her master’s.

Hestia also unveiled herself, revealing her doll-like face.

—*Is she going to sell me—?*

“Relax. Your master won’t sell you. I’ll always be your master. I’d never part with you.”

Mirena’s voice trembled as she sought confirmation.

“R-Really? You truly won’t sell me?”

“Of course not. My sweet Nana—so adorable, your blood so delicious. How could I ever let you go? I brought you here to show them what a proper pet looks like. To stop them from foisting inferior stock on me—”

*So this gathering is a competition to show off the best pets!?*

*No, no—I’m not a pet!*

Mirena’s thoughts churned wildly.

Unaware that Hestia’s mind-reading skill caught every frantic thought.

—*This little one’s mind is so lively.*

Hestia had expected a lifeless pet from the Production Facility—Elves there always had dead eyes.

She’d assumed Mirena would be the same.

But this one was… entertaining.

Never boring, even after a whole day at her side.

An Elf who eased her boredom *and* provided delicious blood.

—*Truly a treasure.*

Those three hundred million gold coins were well spent.

A perfectly obedient Blood Slave would be dull.

But Mirena—

Resisting inwardly yet forced to obey.

—*That’s the kind of Blood Slave that suits me.*

Hestia Alia.

Her visit here served another crucial purpose beyond showing off Mirena.

They were ushered into a hall.

A purple-haired woman sat waiting, an empty-eyed brunette Elf leashed beside her.

Spotting Hestia, the woman rose gracefully, tugging the Elf’s Collar chain.

Her violet eyes flashed cruelly the moment she saw Mirena.

“Long time no see, Lady Hestia. Is this your Blood Slave? Truly lovely. I heard you paid three hundred million gold for her?”

She reached to touch Mirena.

Mirena flinched and hid behind Hestia.

“That’s none of your concern. Don’t touch her.”

Hestia shielded Mirena, her voice glacial.

Their eyes locked—a spark of tension crackling between them.

*Their relationship is… complicated,* Mirena thought nervously.

She felt deep fear toward the purple-haired woman.

One look at her pet explained why—

The Elf’s once-fair skin was laced with whip marks.

Scars covered every inch except her face.

—*This… this is worse than Hestia.*

*She’s a pure sadist.*

Mirena had always feared those who enjoyed torturing pets.

Instinctively, she pressed closer to Hestia for protection.