Meanwhile, Hestia’s face already showed clear impatience.

Her thoughts had long drifted to Mirena waiting outside.

—She hoped Nana would stay put after she left, not moving an inch.

“May I ask, do you have any objections to our strategy?”

“Huh?”

Hearing this, Hestia wore a startled expression.

She’d been spacing out, missing everything said.

Her sharp retort startled the speaker.

“Um… did you not hear the plan? Or are you unwell? Perhaps we should reschedule…”

“No need. Just proceed as discussed. I’ll rely on you all…”

Anxious, Hestia cut it short, stood abruptly, and strode toward the door.

“Wait, Your Highness—the meeting isn’t over! Where are you rushing?”

The woman approaching slowly was none other than Dolyn Croft.

She owned this pet shop and had just been named the seventeenth Prince among vampire nobles.

Vampires were fiercely independent, especially nobles.

If held elsewhere, they’d refuse outright.

Yet only two nobles were absent here—all because Dolyn had “invited” them.

Among nobles, Dolyn was called a monster.

Her intimidation rivaled Hestia’s.

That’s why she’d been made Prince.

When Dolyn reached her, Hestia replied politely.

“I’m unwell today. I wish to skip this meeting. My apologies if this displeases you…”

“No apology needed. But stepping out now won’t show you who you seek, Lord Hestia…”

Hestia stepped closer, voice low.

“What’s your goal?”

“No goal. I merely helped Mirena escape—told her the side door’s location and unlocked it.”

“Impossible! Mirena would never run!”

“By my judgment, you haven’t treated her well. Where’s your confidence? Open the door—see if your precious child remains.”

“You…”

Hestia’s eyes instantly glowed with killing intent.

Nearby nobles sensed her fury.

They turned toward the room.

Hestia had Dolyn by the throat, lifting her high.

“L-Lord Hestia!? What are you doing?”

“Even you shouldn’t use violence on Dolyn’s turf—it’s unwise.”

Nobles saw Dolyn suspended.

Those nearby rushed to calm Hestia.

This was Dolyn’s territory.

Her allies surrounded them.

Open violence put Hestia at great risk.

—Had Dolyn planned this?

Nobles gathered but dared not touch Dolyn.

They only urged restraint.

Dolyn’s bodyguards encircled Hestia.

Dolyn waved them off casually.

“This is between Lord Hestia and me. Stand down.”

“What’s your goal?” Hestia pressed, unsatisfied.

“Haha, can’t fool you. Truth is, I want your pet. ‘Borrow’ her for a few days—I’d be thrilled.”

“Refused. She’s mine. I won’t let you drink her blood or force breeding.”

“No breeding. Just playtime. Is that so hard?”

Nobles did exchange pets.

Hestia’s reply was firm.

“No! No one touches her but me…”

“Then check if she’s still there…”

“…”

Hestia gritted her teeth.

Rage surged as she hurled Dolyn into the wall.

Dolyn crashed through, shattering a huge hole.

Pinned under rubble, Dolyn groaned in pain.

“Ow… damn it. Messing with that Lord always backfires…”

Hestia ignored her, flung the door open.

Outside—

Mirena’s spot was empty.

Not a shadow remained.

Blood Aura flooded Hestia’s mind.

She vanished, reappearing before Dolyn in a blur.

Blood-red eyes glared down at the trapped noble.

“Where is Mirena?”

“Oh dear, Empress. Who called you a cold-blooded creature? See—you have a weakness. And it’s…”

Flames erupted from Hestia’s hand, searing Dolyn’s cheek silent.

“Heh. So attached to your pet? Go find her. But will you succeed?” Dolyn mocked, wreathed in fire.

Hestia could kill her easily.

But now—find Mirena first.

She couldn’t lose her.

Hestia sprinted for the exit.

—Nana, Nana.

Each thought made her chest ache like bursting.

Her speed outpaced the guards.

At the stairs, a familiar figure stood.

Hestia slowed to a stop.

“Nana?”

“Master? Meeting over? Time to go home?”

“…”

Hestia stared, stunned disbelief in her eyes.

—Not a trick? She stayed?

Before Mirena finished, Hestia lunged, crushing her in a tight embrace.

She held Mirena’s petite frame close.

Hestia inhaled the faint Blood Fragrance from her skin.

Scent alone wasn’t proof.

So—

“W-wait, Master, what—mph!?”

Hestia shoved her shoulder clothes aside.

She bit hard into the exposed flesh.

“M-Master!?”

It didn’t hurt—

but being fed on here was unbearably embarrassing.