Angus stood in the back garden, leisurely pruning the branches and leaves, acutely aware of the little one's unwavering gaze on his back, impossible to ignore.
Angus, a man who had been cold and numb for many years, felt a tingling warmth in the overcast garden. He carefully trimmed a rose bush, then used the scissors in his hand to cut the most delicate bud.
The velvety crimson texture, fresh, exquisite, and about to bloom—it reminded him of the little countess. Angus held the thorny rose stem, lowering his gaze to observe it for a moment, then decided it wasn't quite right.
If the little countess were a flower in the garden, he wouldn't have the heart to cut her. What would he do then?
Angus looked over at Jiang Yan, who was nearly asleep, a distant smile playing on his lips. He thought to himself, she would undoubtedly be treated like precious gold and jade, nurtured day and night.
If she felt bored, he'd capture humans to sing for her. If she liked sunlight, he'd cut down the ancient trees that blocked it... Oh. Angus had unconsciously let his imagination run wild, actually fantasizing about the joy of tending to a little rose.
However, a sweet voice startled him from his reverie.
The little countess, roused from her slumber by his earlier gaze, perked up and caught sight of the rose in his hand. She called out to him, reaching for the flower.
Angus twirled the rose stem between his fingers and stepped towards the little countess.
Just as he approached her, offering the rose, a Blood Servant rushed in, shattering the moment.
As it was a matter Jiang Yan had specifically instructed, the Blood Servant whispered directly into her ear: "My lady, the person you requested has arrived."
Jiang Yan abruptly withdrew her hand reaching for the rose. Without a word of farewell, she turned and left.
The Blood Servant followed, continuing to report on the progress of the completed task: "As per your orders, we guided her deep into the forest as soon as the human appeared. Now, our people have her trapped..."
The slender figure faded from Angus's sight as she walked away.
He remained frozen in the position of offering the flower, repeatedly replaying the Blood Servant's words in his mind: The person you requested has arrived. The person you requested has arrived. The person you requested has arrived...
A person? A requested person?
After a long moment, Angus lowered his hand, his deep blue eyes dark and turbulent, like a storm brewing over an endless sea.
With his pale, slender fingers, he gently caressed and pressed the unopened rose petals, his fingertips gradually staining with the vibrant juices. The color held a peculiar allure.
Did she cherish humans or him? There was no need to choose anymore; he wouldn't accept any other answer.
In the back garden, the Blood Servants cowered, heads bowed low. They couldn't understand why this small human brought by the countess exuded such an overwhelming aura.
That ancient, terrifying power...
Jiang Yan had the girl brought back to the castle, bound and questioned in the ground floor hall.
She was a young woman with a high ponytail, bright eyes, and a pretty face, wearing a long-sleeved pink tracksuit. It was clear she had come prepared to enter vampire territory, unlike the accidental trespasser from the original plot.
However, Jiang Yan was already well aware of the system's nature and couldn't be bothered to fuss over it.
Zheng Xiaojie had witnessed many unforgettable sights on her journey: swarms of black bats, eerie graveyards, an exquisite and grand castle, and now, before her eyes, a stunningly beautiful girl.
Zheng Xiaojie remained obediently restrained by two Blood Servants, not daring to make the slightest move. She only stared at Jiang Yan with a subtle, inexplicable expression.
In fact, when Jiang Yan looked her way, Zheng Xiaojie's face would flush, and she'd avert her gaze...
Jiang Yan found this strange. She lazily reclined in the luxurious chair the Blood Servants had brought, arrogantly tilting her chin, and asked, "Why have you come to the Vampire Clan?"
As Zheng Xiaojie's gaze returned, she caught sight of the slender white neck, and below it, two adorable, snow-white collarbones... Zheng Xiaojie felt as if she'd been scalded, inwardly crying out, "Oh my god, how can vampires be so beautiful? This beauty is going to be the death of me!"
However, her reaction led Jiang Yan to mistakenly believe she was being uncooperative with the interrogation.
Jiang Yan slammed her hand on the armrest and raised her voice, demanding, "Speak! What exactly are you doing in the Vampire Clan? Are you trying to steal vampire treasures, or study our terrain to gain an unfair advantage in the war between vampires and humans?!"
Zheng Xiaojie's body trembled, finally realizing that her presence posed a threat to the vampire beauty. She hurriedly clarified, "You've got it all wrong, beautiful! I'm one of the good guys!"
Jiang Yan narrowed her eyes as Zheng Xiaojie continued nervously, stumbling over her words, "I-I-I came here for course credits! I chose to major in Vampire History at university because I'm so fascinated by the subject! I truly admire vampire culture, but our professor assigned us a project..."
"I had no choice but to come here and take this risk..."
Jiang Yan: ………