Although the Sistine Manor was a vampire residence, it was far from dark and eerie. Lights illuminated every corner, casting a warm glow throughout the grand estate.
It wasn't the damp, sinister lair one might expect from a vampire dwelling. Instead, plush, springy carpets covered the floors, lending the place an air of aristocratic luxury. If no one had told Penelope that this was the home of vampires, she might have mistaken it for an English noble's castle.
Dressed in her small boots and draped in her witch's robes, Penelope had cast a Disillusionment Charm upon herself and was carefully making her way through the corridors.
Just as Nolan had said, it seemed that every vampire of status in the British Isles had gathered at Sistine Manor in recent days. Along her path, Penelope saw many pale-skinned vampires indulging in their revelries. Their pleasures were rather simple: drinking the blood of young women while engaging in spirited conversations. They spoke of historical events from centuries past as if they had witnessed them firsthand just yesterday, laughing uproariously as they reminisced.
Notably, the vampires who visited the manor all seemed to bring their own companions—fresh, young Muggle women. These women served as living blood reserves, ensuring their vampire masters' appetites were satisfied. After all, no one dared to touch the livestock bred within the Von Draugr Manor.
Penelope clutched her chest, taking deep, steadying breaths as she cautiously descended a staircase. Not long ago, she had barely managed to avoid detection by ten housemaids who were supposed to be sweeping the floors with their enchanted broomsticks but were, in fact, slacking off. Then, just as she thought she was safe, a sudden scurry of rats darted out from the shadows, nearly giving her a heart attack.
"Merlin's beard…!" she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with frustration. "Doesn't this cursed manor have a single cat to deal with these filthy vermin?"
As if answering her call, a large black cat suddenly leaped down from the upper floor.
The feline was… enormous. Compared to the kitten Penelope kept at home, this one was at least three times heavier. Yet, despite its considerable size, it landed gracefully, swaying its hips in an exaggerated, almost theatrical manner as it strolled across the carpet.
—What in Merlin's name is this cat doing?
Penelope watched in bewilderment as the rats she had seen earlier returned, each carrying an assortment of peculiar items in their tiny mouths. Like loyal subjects offering tribute, they placed their treasures before the black cat. And, in the most unceremonious fashion, the cat began sifting through the pile with its paws, occasionally grabbing a bit of cheese or a fishbone to nibble on.
—It's… collecting protection fees?!
Penelope felt a chill crawl up her spine. No doubt about it—this was no ordinary cat. It belonged to vampires, and of course, it was just as sinister as its masters.
At that moment, a beautiful woman in a maid's dress suddenly burst into the room, her tone sharp with disapproval.
"Miss Nancy, are you at it again—?!"
"Uh-oh!"
The black cat spoke. It actually spoke!
Before the maid could take another step, the cat snatched up a dried fish in its mouth and bolted, vanishing with the swarm of rats.
"Don't look for me, Theresa!" the cat's voice rang out as it fled. "It's hard enough being a house cat these days!"
Penelope stood there, utterly dumbfounded. The sight of the black cat darting off with the rodents was so absurdly fitting that she didn't even know how to react.
The maid, whose name appeared to be Theresa, sighed heavily as she surveyed the mess left behind. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she called out, "Ligeitoli, where are you?"
"I'm not slacking off!" Another maid, holding a broomstick, popped out of nowhere. She immediately began sweeping frantically in an attempt to look busy. "I've been cleaning for the past two hours, Theresa!"
"Ligeitoli…" Theresa crossed her arms, her expression dark. "I've been thinking—Shafa has been very busy lately. Maybe I should assign her a deputy…"
"Nooo!" Ligeitoli dropped to her knees in despair, grabbing at Theresa's skirts in exaggerated protest. "The manor is warm and safe! I don't want to be sent out to that awful wilderness, running around with those terrifying creatures!"
Then, in a sudden shift, she grinned mischievously, flattering Theresa with a honeyed tone. "Besides, if I leave, who will you boss around? And, more importantly, who will ensure that His Highness has fresh blood to drink every night? You know he likes mine best, don't you?"
"Ligeitoli… I thought you used to be a proud Auror," Theresa said with a sigh.
"Auror?" Ligeitoli blinked innocently, clutching her broomstick as if it were a lifeline. She shook her head so quickly it was as if she had never even heard of the word. "My true calling has always been to be a maid!"
"…Fine," Theresa relented, shaking her head. She turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, she glanced back and warned, "No slacking off. I have to drive out to pick up Lady Stephanie. I expect this place to be spotless by the time I return."
"Got it—!" Ligeitoli dragged out her reply in a singsong voice. Then, as soon as Theresa was out the door, she pulled out a wand from who-knows-where and lazily waved it toward the floor.
"Scourgify!"
—Right. Of course. Not a single normal person in this entire manor.
Penelope had to resist the urge to roll her eyes.
Still, she discreetly followed Theresa. She knew that the maid could drive—after all, Theresa had been the one who brought her to Randall Gorge in the first place. Now, she seemed to be heading out again.
If Penelope could sneak into the trunk of the car before Theresa noticed, she might just have a chance to escape.
But would it really be that easy?
"…Good afternoon, Miss Yulisa. Successful hunt?"
As Theresa made her way through the first-floor corridor, she encountered a woman whom Penelope had never seen before.
The newcomer was a young girl with long braids draped over her shoulders and a hunting rifle slung across her back. She had strong, chiseled features—classic German beauty. Carrying a few freshly caught rabbits in one hand, with a plump chicken tied to the end of her rifle, she smiled at Theresa.
"Not bad," Yulisa replied. "The ladies in the underground chambers will be having an extra meal tonight."
"Much appreciated, Miss Yulisa," Theresa said with a small bow. "Among all of Lord Von Draugr's death-bound kin, only you remember to bring food for the guests."
"I just miss the taste of real food," Yulisa admitted, hoisting the rifle a little higher to show off her catch. "Watching them eat those steaming hot meals… it's almost as if I can taste the chicken myself."
"That sounds… unfortunate."
"Hah! You think I'm complaining?" Yulisa laughed, shaking her head. "I'm not, Theresa. This life isn't bad at all. At least now, I feel safe. Maybe I'm not exactly happy, but I'm not miserable either. That's good enough for me."
With that, Yulisa Heckler strode off toward the kitchens, her light, confident steps brimming with an air of freedom.
~~~----------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / HPdreamer