Chapter 241

She seemed to hear Belith mentioning what Lady Ailellek had seen and heard when she went to the 【Tower of Radiance】 for negotiations.

“Anyway, my aunt said the negotiations couldn’t really be called smooth. Our Demon Clan has never gotten along with those higher races to begin with. Even if an agreement was reached, it only meant that our short-term interests aligned. As for the sanctions against the Holy Theocracy of Coreia, who knew what kind of effect they would actually have? But… that’s not important. There’s something I’m quite concerned about. Royal Sister, Royal Sister?”

“Ah? What is it? Stop calling me. I’m still not done being angry.”

“Royal Sister, don’t be mad… I’ll tell you in advance next time.”

“In advance? You’re being quite polite, aren’t you.”

“In advance about what?” Xiarette threw out the question when she heard that.

Although she blinked her azure eyes, clearly full of curiosity, wanting to get a definite answer was obviously unrealistic.

Sheffy lowered her elbow and sat properly.

She changed the subject and no longer mentioned any of the real details of that matter.

“It definitely meant something related to state affairs. Just giving a heads-up beforehand, that’s all. Xiarette, don’t ask. Anyway, just don’t learn from her.”

“Learn… I definitely couldn’t learn that. I never understood political matters since I was young. And the Wright Family doesn’t need to interfere too much in national affairs. I can’t understand what you’re talking about anyway.”

“It’s better that you don’t understand. I’d be worried if you did.”

“Hm?”

When Belith said the fireworks performance had begun, not everyone looked up at the sky.

For example, Timani.

She often spaced out. Just now, she had been distracted again.

She reacted half a beat too late and didn’t manage to raise her head in time. But when she turned, she saw a strange scene before her.

She hadn’t clearly seen what had just happened. After all, Belith was wearing a black hood and had her back to Timani. From Timani’s angle, she only knew that after Princess Belith said, “The fireworks performance has begun,” she suddenly leaned very close to Sheffy, extremely close, and said something to her.

And after she “said” it, Sheffy’s state became especially strange—absent-minded.

“What’s going on…? I’ve already asked several times. You two suddenly got so close just now, so was it—ah!”

“Are you the only one with a mouth? Are you the only one with rich vocabulary? Can’t you use your mouth more for eating? Must you use it just for talking?!”

“I was just asking?! Sheffy! That’s the third time you’ve hit me with a doughnut!”

“I hit you three times because you opened your mouth three times. Things shouldn’t exceed three—why don’t you ever learn!”

Timani’s forehead was already bright red. That was from the doughnuts Sheffy had suddenly thrown at her, swift as the wind.

—She had hit the exact same spot three times.

Wasn’t Timani just trying to ask whether some sudden incident had caused Sheffy to space out? If there was, Timani could help too!

After being hit several times, Timani stopped asking for trouble.

She picked up the few doughnuts that had fallen beside her and, without speaking, put her mouth to use by chewing food instead.

She felt a little wronged.

Sheffy snorted irritably and, seeing that she had quieted down, didn’t continue the punishment.

She turned her head to look at the purple eyes beneath Belith’s black cloak.

“So what was it you said you were concerned about? Did Aunt encounter any other difficulties during the negotiations? That shouldn’t be the case. Didn’t she already bring the physical evidence from 【Sky Vault】 with her? What else could they argue about? I never expected the higher races to truly sanction the Holy Theocracy of Coreia anyway. Without the Holy Theocracy of Coreia, what would they use to keep the Demon Clan in check? Ridiculous. They’re just too prideful and going through the motions. If anyone’s going to really pressure the Holy Theocracy of Coreia, it’ll have to be us.”

“It’s not about the negotiations. Rather… heh, Royal Sister, about what comes next, please don’t conceal anything, alright?”

“Conceal? No, what would I have to conceal? I didn’t even go to the negotiations. How could it possibly involve me?”

“Yes, of course. After all, Aunt said that at the negotiating table, she saw a particularly cute girl.”

“So? There are plenty of cute girls in the world. For example, you’re one of the cutest. Whoever Aunt ran into has nothing to do with me, does it?”

“!”

Belith had originally been in an aggressive verbal pursuit, but Sheffy’s sudden, unintentional remark made Belith’s heart pound wildly, and her cheeks instantly turned burning hot.

Fortunately, she was wearing a hood. Otherwise, that comical change would have been completely exposed.

Royal Sister… you’re not allowed to be this sly, you know?

You were always like this. When they played chess as children, she would let Belith win—despite clearly possessing superb skills, she deliberately feigned disadvantage in the match. Just when Belith thought she was about to win, Sheffy would launch a final counterattack at the endgame!

Belith still remembered countless times covering her face and crying at the chessboard, while Sheffy laughed loudly.

But…

Even through the hood, anyone could feel the rapidly rising pressure around Belith, making it hard to breathe.

“The matter of Aunt seeing a cute girl during the negotiations indeed has nothing to do with Royal Sister. However, this ‘cute girl’ claimed to be an old acquaintance of yours… Royal Sister, do you have anything you wish to argue—cough, I mean, explain?”

“Sheffy?! I think flirting around is very bad! Extremely bad! It should absolutely be forbidden!” Xiarette, who had remained calm the whole time, suddenly burst out with a seamless warning quote, her face nearly pressing against Sheffy’s nose.

“Don’t jump to conclusions?! I’m just as confused, alright?!”

This was simply ridiculous!

Everyone’s gaze turned in unison toward Sheffy. Amid the noisy and lively atmosphere of the night market, Sheffy’s mood felt icy cold, forming a sharp contrast.

Can you not suspect me over every little thing? I don’t know anything!

Xiarette and Belith were one thing, but Livra and the Fire Lizard—why were they joining in the fun too? What did this have to do with them!

This was probably what people meant by onlookers enjoying the drama and fanning the flames just to make things worse.

Sheffy patted her thigh hard, urging the sea of her memories to churn faster.

Under the pressure, she spoke weakly. She still wanted more information before making a judgment.

“Wait… the person you’re talking about—what race is she? What’s her name? I don’t remember having any old flame who could attend the 【Tower of Radiance Conference】.”

“Not remembering anyone who could attend, meaning Royal Sister does have old flames who couldn’t attend the 【Tower of Radiance Conference】?”

“I don’t either! Since when did you learn to take words out of context like that?! Wuwu, I’m so pitiful. I suddenly realized I don’t have any old flames at all.”

As a princess who had grown up in the Demon King’s Castle, rarely going out and always surrounded by attention, Sheffy suddenly felt a trace of desolation.

Since Sheffy had asked, Belith provided more specific details.

“The Third Progenitor of the Vampire Clan, the ruler of the second-largest territory in the Blood Domain, 【Darkmoon Clear Region】, Flo Yarl. Does Royal Sister have any impression of her? She claimed to be ‘well acquainted’ with you.”

When saying the words “well acquainted,” Belith deliberately emphasized her tone, but to Sheffy, it sounded like sarcasm.

What, was this an interrogation?!

Sheffy was just about to bravely counterattack, but the oppressive aura from everyone made her shrink her neck and sit back down.

Interlacing her fingers, Sheffy carefully searched her memory.

“The… the Vampire Clan’s Progenitor? I don’t know her? Flo… that name sounds like… some kind of bird?”

“No, it’s a Vampire name.”

“Uh… could you describe her appearance? I’ll try to think. If I can’t remember, don’t blame me. I really have no clue.”

Under Xiarette’s inexplicably anxious gaze, her fists clenched tightly, Belith recalled the intelligence her aunt had brought back.

“As for specifics… Aunt didn’t say much. The information she provided said she was about the same height as me, with cherry-colored hair.”

“Cherry-colored hair… Flo… Vampire…”

“She also always looked like she hadn’t woken up. During the meeting, she kept sleeping.”

“Always looks half-asleep… hm…?!”

Sheffy’s black ahoge suddenly sprang upright with a flick!

“Royal Sister remembered something?”

“Yes! When you mentioned Vampire or Flo, I definitely didn’t remember. But if you say someone who’s always half-asleep, who could even fall asleep while walking and trip over—there’s only that one person! Isn’t she that anorexic girl? She actually became the Vampire Clan’s Third Progenitor?!”

“Ano… anorexic? She doesn’t like eating?”

“She hates drinking blood. Even though she’s a vampire, she detests bloodsucking, so she’s lethargic all day. Now that I think about it, her name really was Flo? Hahaha, it’s been so many years since I last saw her! Does she still walk around with dark circles under her eyes? How nostalgic. She’s been promoted, huh! Uh… why are you all looking at me like that?”

I seemed to be feeling more than one source of pressure!

73. Shame (4K)

Speaking required skill and artistry. If certain words were likely to get one sanctioned, then they simply shouldn’t be said.

For example, phrases like “how nostalgic” or “I remember that girl”—those kinds of expressions had to be avoided at all costs.

Fine then. So whether she felt nostalgic or not, whether she remembered her or not, it was wrong either way?!

This time, Sheffy had learned to be clever. She chose her words with extreme caution, practically transforming into a great writer and master diplomat.

“Yes, from a diplomatic standpoint, if we’re going with the Fire Lizard to the Northern Flaming Lands, we’ll definitely have to pass through the Blood Domain. If it’s on the way, we could… cough, if it’s on the way, we could conduct some diplomatic outreach and engage in friendly communication and negotiations with the Third Progenitor. That would be beneficial to the relations between our two nations—”

“Stop, Sheffy. Cut it out. Aren’t you just saying that if you pass through the Blood Domain, you want to meet an old friend? Why make it sound so roundabout? There’s nothing improper between you two anyway.”

“Didn’t you already know that?! If you’d said it like that earlier, would I have needed to phrase it like this?! And now you’re even mocking me!”

Xiarette’s words made Sheffy’s cheeks puff out in anger, while the black-haired dumpling merely waved her hand casually, looking entirely unconcerned.

“Alright, alright. If you don’t like hearing about her, then I won’t talk about it. I wasn’t that close with her anyway. I just thought that if there was a chance, maybe old friends could meet. There wasn’t any other meaning behind it. But the way you all made it sound, it’s like I committed some unforgivable crime. Do I look like some flower-stealing bandit? Honestly. Why don’t you just lock me in a cage, add a few more locks, and throw away the keys—make sure I never find them.”

“Royal Sister, don’t be angry… I know I was wrong. I really shouldn’t have been so sen—”

“But I’d just escape on my own anyway. You wouldn’t be able to lock me up.”

“……”

Some feelings of guilt couldn’t even be maintained for a few minutes.

For example, when facing Sheffy, it was hard to sustain any sense of self-reproach.

She was far too exasperating. The only thing she inspired was the urge to pin her down and punish her properly.

However… Belith knew she truly ought to reflect on herself. She shouldn’t be so sensitive. Royal Sister also needed a normal social circle. Just as she had said, although Royal Sister had picked Xiarette like a “wild flower,” that didn’t prove she was some wildflower-plundering bandit.

Being once bitten by a snake and fearing ropes for ten years was not a healthy mindset. Letting one bad experience stop all future actions was even worse. That would only restrict Royal Sister’s freedom, and that was not what Belith wished for.

After clarifying this to herself,

Belith took the initiative to bring the topic up again, using it as a gesture to help Sheffy calm down.

“Ahaha… If it’s just ordinary friends, then there’s no problem. That’s really not what I meant… Um, Royal Sister, you mentioned earlier that she doesn’t drink blood. I remember that vampires become irritable if they don’t drink blood, and if they go without it for too long, they fall ill. It’s not just mental lethargy—there could even be danger to their lives. Her kind of ‘anorexia’ sounds rather serious?”

“Hmph.”

“Uu… Royal Sister, Belith really knows she was wrong. Don’t ignore me, please…”

Belith leaned closer and acted coquettishly, hugging Sheffy’s arm and gently shaking it. Sheffy narrowed her left eye and observed her younger sister. Originally, she had planned to ignore her a little longer to vent her frustration, but before long, she found herself softening.

Belith wasn’t joking. Because of their past dynamic, she genuinely feared from the bottom of her heart that Sheffy would ignore her, distance herself, abandon her. She was afraid of losing her.

What could she do? She was the older sister. If she didn’t dote on her, who would?

“Sigh… Just don’t do that next time. I was joking with you all too.”

When Sheffy began telling her story, everyone leaned closer to her, listening as she spoke.

“I’ll think about it… Indeed, for vampires, drinking blood isn’t just about satisfying hunger. Replenishing mental strength is even more important. But Flo is different. She carries the bloodline of the Vampire Progenitor—the branch descended from the most ancient vampire. She still needs blood to replenish her mental strength, but it isn’t necessary to sustain her life. She once told me that she tried pouring blood into a cup and forcing herself to drink it. After just a sip, she started vomiting nonstop. There was no helping it, so she could only use ketchup as a substitute. The effect wasn’t great. I even recommended doughnuts to her! I don’t know what her condition is like now, but back then, it was just like I said earlier—she could fall asleep while walking and wouldn’t even wake up after smacking her chin against a rock!”

Belith listened and nodded repeatedly.

She didn’t actually know much about that period. When Flo Yarl had come to the Demon King’s Castle with the Vampire diplomatic delegation, Belith had still been very young. Her memories weren’t clear, and to avoid the possibility of the young princess saying something inappropriate and causing a diplomatic incident, the Demon King hadn’t allowed Belith to meet Flo at the time. So Belith could be said to have almost no impression of her.

“The bloodline of the Progenitor…” Timani, who understood the higher races, naturally knew what that meant. “Then her status among the vampires must be quite high. I’ve heard that those of the Progenitor’s bloodline can even walk under the sun for short periods. Now that she’s become the Third Progenitor, she should be even more powerful. Sheffy, you really do know quite a few major figures.”

“Major figures… uh, sorry, I honestly can’t imagine what that blockhead looks like as a big shot now.”

Livra pushed the plate of doughnuts toward Sheffy, her large eyes sparkling. She loved listening to stories the most.

“A reunion with an old friend… that does sound wonderful! But if she said she wanted to meet Miss Shaya, why can’t she?”

“Because of the vampires’ rules.” Timani shrugged and began explaining their regulations. As she spoke, she seemed to think of the similarly strict structure within the Fire Dragon Clan. “The seven great territories of the vampires balance each other, and there are internal conflicts. If a Progenitor who rules a territory leaves without the approval of the Vampire Council of Elders, once discovered, her territory could very likely be attacked or harassed by other vampires. It’s not as simple as just leaving whenever she wants.”

“Ah…? They fight even within the same family? Oh right… that’s true. I remember reading that vampires often have civil wars, but I didn’t realize it was this serious—like they’d start fighting at any moment.”

“That’s how vampires are. Territory and population are their most precious resources. After all, their people rely on ‘blood’ to survive. They’ve never been a united front.”

“That really is troublesome… sigh, not even being able to meet an old friend. Miss Flo is quite pitiful.”

Livra nodded sympathetically. At this stage, she had been studying the history of human nations and the Demon Clan, and she didn’t know much about the higher races yet. But through this, she realized that even transcendent powerhouses shared common conflicts.

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