"Hurry up and strip in front of your master?"

—Strip? Like hell I will!

Mirena was now in an incredibly embarrassing position.

Hestia’s deep crimson eyes gazed intently at her.

She felt increasingly uneasy inside.

"Um... Master, p-please don’t do this..."

"Why not? Managing a pet is a master’s duty. Why shouldn’t I?"

—Gulp. What do you mean, ‘duty’? You just want to see it, don’t you!?

Overwhelmed with shame, Mirena didn’t know what to do.

Yet under Hestia’s stern and seemingly righteous threat,

Mirena obediently stripped off her clothes.

Forcing down her shyness, she lay face down on the large bed,

exposing her back to Hestia.

"P-please, Master!"

In the morning, as usual, Mirena woke up pinned beneath Hestia.

Every day, she was trapped under her like this.

Mirena felt sore all over, her back aching badly.

She sat up and looked at Hestia, still fast asleep.

Mirena let out a deep sigh.

—While she’s asleep, I should hurry to the bathroom.

Since there was no private toilet in this room,

Mirena had to use the one at the far end of the corridor.

After finishing, she walked back to her room.

Her mind kept churning.

—I can’t let her watch me forever. Even in the bathroom?

That would be way too embarrassing.

As she placed her hand on the doorknob and pushed the door open,

the first thing she saw was Luce standing to the side,

her face icy cold.

Seeing Luce, Mirena already knew what awaited her.

After fully opening the door, Hestia stood nearby, arms crossed,

glaring sternly at Mirena.

Caught under their gazes, Mirena felt flustered.

A bitter smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

—I want to get away with this.

"Um... what’s going on? Why so many people suddenly in the room...?"

"Hey, Nana, Master wants to know where you just went."

"Just now? I only went to the bathroom. What’s wrong?"

"Did you forget what Master said yesterday?"

"N-no... I didn’t forget. Every move must be under Master’s watch, right?"

Hestia, in pajamas, wasn’t as imposing as usual,

but her tone stayed cold as she walked up to Mirena.

"Oh? I didn’t expect you to remember..."

"But can you spare me for bathroom breaks, Master?

I really don’t want to do that in front of you..."

—It’s not that I can’t. Being watched by such a cute girl while peeing.

Logically, I should be the lucky one.

But I just can’t do something so embarrassing in front of her.

"No. Whether toilet or bath, it happens under Master’s eyes. Understood?"

—Gulp...

—How can she do this?

Mirena was relieved Hestia had been busy last night;

otherwise, yesterday’s secret would’ve been exposed.

But I still have dignity. Even as a pet Blood Slave,

I won’t blindly obey every command.

Mirena clenched her tiny fists, ready to rebel.

She was the princess of the Elvenfolk; no more childish compromises.

Just as she opened her mouth to protest,

Hestia’s crimson eyes glared fiercely at her.

That fierce gaze sent a shiver of fear through Mirena.

Indeed, Hestia had long read Mirena’s mind with her ability.

—I didn’t expect rebellion now. This little pet is fun.

I love bullying someone like her.

"For this, no breakfast or lunch today. Next time,

you know what Master will do, right?"

Mirena clearly knew, so she kept her lips shut.

By noon, Mirena stood beside Hestia.

Her stomach growled loudly.

Meanwhile, Hestia elegantly ate cake with knife and fork.

Mirena could only watch from the side,

secretly swallowing her saliva.

—Exploiter. Extractor. Robber. Demon.

She silently cursed Hestia, wanting her to hear it—

a rebellion to prove she wasn’t just an obedient doll.

"Nana—"

"Master, what is it?"

"Are you hungry?"

Mirena turned her head away, refusing to engage.

"Isn’t it obvious just by looking?"

"Then, want some? Master’s cake..."

"Would you be that kind?"

"Of course. Sit on Master’s lap like usual,

and I’ll feed you properly..."

Mirena stared conflictedly at her skirt-covered lap.

—I just insulted her. Then sit happily on her lap for cake?

No way it’ll be harmonious—! This is pure revenge—!

Mirena Barlit, don’t fall for it!

She shook her head vigorously, refusing.

Hestia’s smile widened.

"Is that so? What a pity, Nana. You’ve missed lunch..."

"You’ll definitely take revenge, right?"

"How could you think that? Is Master so petty?

Besides, I hate lifeless Blood Slaves who only obey.

Reading your thoughts is actually quite fun..."

—

Mirena suddenly recalled. Since escaping that place,

those Elves—all had dead fish-like eyes.

She’d never understood why—

"Master, may I ask something? After becoming a Blood Slave,

doesn’t a vampire virus invade the blood?

Once it spreads, the slave obeys the Blood Master blindly.

But why am I fine?"

Mirena voiced her deepest question.

In that instant, the air froze.

Mirena nervously stared at Hestia.

"Nana, how do you know this?"

"My mother told me. Bitten Elves get infected within a day,

turning into mindless zombies for their Blood Master..."

"Is that so? Well... true for low-level vampires.

Your master is noble blood. I choose whether to implant the virus."

"So... you didn’t implant it in me?"

"Of course not. Nana is Master’s favorite pet.

Why control a pet with a virus? A thoughtless pet is boring."

"R-right..."

Mirena had been so tense, fearing delayed infection.

Relief washed over her—Master simply hadn’t implanted it.

"Also, Nana, hurry up and sit on Master’s lap.

I’ll feed you cake by hand..."

"Eh? N-no, that’s not necessary..."

Mirena paled in shock, waving her little hands frantically.

Yet she insisted on standing aside.

"What’s the big deal? Isn’t it natural for a master to feed their pet?"