“And then? I just fainted from fright. What was I supposed to do?”

“…”

“Oh…”

All that anticipation… for nothing.

“So… it really *was* a vampire behind all this…?”

“A vampire. And a girl,” Granny said.

“Oh, so a *female* vampire,” Liang Lin muttered, stroking her chin.

Liang Di: “…That’s called a *vampire maiden*.”

“Tsk. Another monster.”

“…Are you insulting me?”

“No,” Liang Lin mumbled guiltily, averting her gaze.

Granny patted Liang Lin’s shoulder and pushed herself up with effort. “Sigh… You’re so young. Don’t go out after dark—just to be safe! *Just to be safe!*”

After the warning, Granny left, lamp in hand.

Once she was gone, Liang Lin froze.

“Di… why didn’t you book a room with *two* beds?”

She stared at the single large bed, chin in hand, expression dimming.

“We’re both girls. Sharing a bed isn’t a big deal, is it?”

“H-HUH?! WH-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHY ARE YOU TAKING OFF YOUR CLOTHES?!” Liang Lin bristled, leaping onto the sofa in a panic, finger trembling toward Liang Di. “Undressing right in front of me?! Y-You shameless woman!”

*A woman’s naked body…?* She’d only ever seen her own! Her life was the battlefield—women? Let alone a *bare* one?!

Liang Di’s top was halfway off, fair shoulder exposed. Silvery hair spilled over her skin. She tilted her head under the warm lamplight, a captivating glow clinging to her.

“Oh? So… watching me undress *affects* you?”

Unfazed, Liang Di kept undressing slowly, voice laced with tease.

“Shameless…!” Liang Lin snapped, turning away sharply. “Hurry up and change. Tell me when you’re done.”

Then—warm fingers brushed her neck. Smooth as an eel, sliding gently before an arm coiled around her throat. A soft breath tickled her ear.

“Sister Lin… what’s wrong?”

Liang Lin shuddered. Goosebumps erupted. She clutched her collar tight.

*She’s flirting. Definitely flirting.*

“Stay… *away* from me!”

True to her no-nonsense nature, Liang Lin shoved her. Liang Di stumbled back, lost balance, and tumbled onto the bed.

“Hiss~”

*Great. Just great.*

Liang Di remained half-dressed, smooth thigh bare, delicate toes curling the bedsheets. “Sister Lin~ Forgot to mention… Once I plant the toxin in you? I can *reactivate* it anytime I want~”

*Threatened again?!*

Fuming, Liang Lin slammed the table, snatched her longsword. “Fine! I’ll book another room. I’m *not* sharing space with you!”

Liang Di’s smile froze.

“…Do you hate me that much?” She finished buttoning her top, lips pressed thin.

*Why does it hurt… to be disliked by her?*

Liang Lin let out a bitter laugh. “What do *you* think?”

How could she feel anything but contempt for the woman who forced her, toyed with her, trampled her dignity?

Silence.

As Liang Lin’s hand touched the doorknob—

“Don’t. Move.”

She turned the knob anyway.

Liang Di gritted her teeth.

*Whip!* A tentacle shot out, coiling Liang Lin’s wrist. A violent yank—sharp pain flared. She gasped.

*Snap!*

*Thud!*

Liang Lin crashed to the floor. *Oof…* Ribs screaming. She groaned, brows knotted in pain.

“You… losing it *here*?! This isn’t Lanvendi Manor! Someone’ll hear!”

Liang Di stiffened. *Right. The inn.* She retracted the tentacle silently.

“We stay together. It’s safer. Leave, and I’ll reactivate the toxin the second you step downstairs.” Her voice dropped, emerald eyes glinting coldly. “*You’ll* be the one humiliated.”

“You…!”

*Clang!*

Liang Lin hurled the sword aside. “Fine. I sleep on the chair. *You* take the bed.”

“…As you wish.”

*So angry. So furious. Lungs burning.*

Midnight. Liang Lin tossed on her makeshift chair-bed, chest tight with helpless fire. *How did I end up here? Threatened… and too scared to fight back? Humiliating.*

“Tsk… ugh…”

“Tsk!”

She rolled until exhaustion pulled her under. Unseen in the dark, emerald-green eyes never left her.

*Why… so soft? Like a cloud. Warm. Comforting…* A faint, sweet scent drifted close. She sniffed.

*Hm?*

*Wrong.*

Eyes flew open.

Pre-dawn gloom. She wasn’t on the chair. She was *in bed*, cradled in Liang Di’s arms. Liang Di’s face hovered inches away—lashes visible, breath even.

*Too close…*

Warm tentacles coiled around her. *That’s* why the dream felt like a plush toy. Honestly? Comforting.

*But it’s Liang Di.*

After a quiet beat: “Hey… when did you move me?”

Liang Di’s lashes fluttered—unmoving.

“Di. Let. Go.”

Liang Lin pushed. Her palms met soft, supple warmth. A resilient give.

*…Flesh.*