Mirena sat on the bed, waiting for Hestia.

Rather, this was her only sliver of freedom left each day.

She had to use this time to seriously plan her escape.

Once Mirena entered Hestia’s line of sight, Hestia could sense every flicker of her thoughts.

Hestia watched over her twenty-four hours a day—even while sleeping.

One night, Mirena had tried to break free from Hestia’s tight embrace.

But no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn’t pry open those clinging arms.

Escaping Hestia was simply impossible.

If this continued, what should she do?

Become this Vampire’s Blood Slave and spend her life in this castle?

—Impossible.

If it came to that, what meaning would her life hold?

Caged.

Fed without working.

This life sounded easy—just wagging her tail like a pet to keep it going.

—How could that be good!?

Clenching her fists, Mirena thought: What she wanted wasn’t this.

She longed to see the outside world, to experience thrilling adventures.

This was the true otherworldly adventure, right!?

Yet no matter how much she begged Hestia, she’d never take her out.

After all, Hestia was the Vampire Queen.

Her actions decided the Blood Clan’s survival.

So Mirena would have to—

“Haa…”

Mirena leaned silently against the bed, gazing out the window.

She emptied her mind.

Simply feeling the cool, comfortable breeze drifting in.

It carried the scent of green grass.

She couldn’t help but be intoxicated by it.

A fragrance city dwellers could never know.

As she stood from the chair, a sharp pain shot through her back.

—Ouch.

Every night, Hestia hugged her like a pillow—no wonder it hurt.

But this was probably her fate.

Stuck with a master who slept so terribly.

Still, Hestia was kind to her.

Aside from daily blood-draining, constant confinement in the castle, threats of the Dark Cell, her captured mother she couldn’t visit…

Well, aside from these, Master was good.

—Nothing else, right?

Probably?

Still, so boring. Hadn’t Master returned yet?

She needed to act.

Waiting like this meant death.

Mirena pulled a small pin from her pocket and slid it into her Collar.

Tiny as it was, it had a huge purpose.

—It could jam the Collar next time it opened.

Once jammed, Hestia wouldn’t notice it was unlocked.

Just push the pin’s spot, and the Collar would come off.

This item was her creation: the Anti-Lock Silver Needle.

Mirena had set it on the Collar.

She only needed to wait for Hestia’s next unlock—

Then she could remove it smoothly.

This alone meant thirty percent of her plan succeeded.

Thinking of her lost abilities returning, a bitter smile crossed her face.

Just then, Hestia pushed open the door.

Her first sight: Mirena grinning foolishly by the window.

“What’s wrong, Nana? Something fun?”

“M-Master!?”

Hestia’s face suddenly loomed before her.

Mirena jumped up, startled.

She’d been lost in daydreams, unaware Hestia entered.

“Nana, share it with Master. Make her happy too?”

Mirena’s heart pounded—had she been seen?

—If Master saw it, it’d be bad.

“What would be bad for Master to see?”

“N-Nothing! Just… my back hurts…”

“Your back?”

“Y-Yes! From falling out of bed—no, not Master’s fault! I just fell…”

Hestia watched her terrible lie, a faint smile curling her lips.

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Exactly! My back hurts terribly…”

“That won’t do. A master must care for her pet’s health. Take off your top.”

“Take off my top!?”

Mirena froze in shock.

“Eh?! EH?! EH?! EH?! EH?! EH?!?!”