Flames blazed in every direction. Even the two high-ranking vampire princes were fleeing like the others, escaping in different directions.Though they still carried themselves with noble grace, despite their retreat, there was no denying the disarray of their departure.
The music continued to play. Amidst the chaos, Yin led Mu Qingyun through the fire, the two of them dancing slowly, their steps deliberate and graceful. Behind them, a crowd of vampires ran in panic.The scene was eerily beautiful—an unsettling contrast between elegance and turmoil, heavy with atmosphere.
"Do you not think they are all quite dull?" Yin's voice whispered by her ear."They're all vampires of the Dracula bloodline, yet they constantly fight for dominance. Instead of upholding the ancient ways, they mimic humans—scheming and plotting like petty politicians."
After a pause, he let out a soft laugh."Vampires were meant to live in seclusion, away from the world. But humans? You people seek to wipe us out entirely. Tell me, are your kind not disgusting?"
"If seclusion is your principle, then why do you slaughter innocent humans?"Mu Qingyun looked up at him, a cold smirk playing on her lips.
"Our food is blood. And yours, human blood, is far more delicious than that of any other species," Yin tilted his head slightly."You must understand—it was you who forced us into this corner, threatening our very survival."
"You seem to know quite a lot," she replied, raising an eyebrow, her eyes full of disdain.
"If your kind had not started by butchering humans, how would humanity have discovered your existence in the first place?If you had not killed, humans would never have known you fed on blood, nor would they have tried to suppress your kind.There is conflict between us, yes—but in that case, both sides must bear responsibility. So why place all the blame on humans?"
"You speak very well," Yin's eyes darkened with frost,"But not a single word you say is one I care to hear."
Mu Qingyun raised her brows nonchalantly."If you want to hear what pleases you, bring me Qingsu. I will say whatever you want then."
So it all came back to that.
Yin said nothing. Just then, the music stopped. He let go of her hand."You started this fire—then put it out. Clean up afterward too. The servants have all been frightened off. Once you're done, return to your room."
With that, he walked off. At the doorway, he turned back to glance coldly at her."You humans are smart, are you not? I trust you can find your way back. Don't wander. If anything happens to you, it is no longer my concern."
Mu Qingyun: ...
He just left?
That was abrupt.
Besides, he was the one who told her to start the fire. Now he was blaming it all on her? Absolutely ridiculous.
Grumbling to herself, she stretched out a hand and gathered the flames, then looked around at the mess. With a long sigh, she grabbed a broom from the corner and began to clean up.
A Sleepless Night
Early the next morning, Mu Qingyun angrily threw down the broom. Just as she was about to return and finally rest, Yin strolled in through the grand doors.
Glancing at the broom in her hands, he mocked her without hesitation."There's a cleaning robot, you know. Why insist on using a broom?"
Mu Qingyun: ?
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Besides, there was no trace of any cleaning robot in this entire banquet hall—just that beat-up broom in the corner!
"How was I to know you were so stupid?" Yin smiled, eyes gleaming. "Seiro."
"I am here," came a mechanical voice.
Moments later, a small round robot scuttled out from some obscure corner. It made a loop around the room, found nothing left to clean, and silently retreated again.
Oh right. She remembered now. The original owner of this body had something called a voice-command system.
"But it's fine," Yin said lazily. "Vampires are active at night and rest during the day. You cannot go outside anyway."
He gave her a once-over. "Go rest."
Mu Qingyun looked up and noticed he now held a black umbrella.
"Where are you going?"
"A blood slave has no right to question their master. Just shut your mouth and rest," Yin replied coolly.
As he left, Mu Qingyun stretched her sore arms.If vampires rested during the day, then she needed to make use of this window of time.
Even if she had no ties to royalty in this life, her previous sense of duty still burned within her.She could not just sit by and do nothing.She had to find a way to make these vampires pay—to stop more innocent girls from falling into their hands.
Back in her room, she opened the wardrobe and chose a loose black hoodie, changing out of the troublesome outfit she wore.
Much better.
She tugged the hood low over her head, covering her face, and stepped out.
It was daytime, and although the castle was sealed tightly with curtains, not a single vampire could be seen wandering about.
She walked slowly, eyes scanning each door she passed. But there was no way to tell whose room was whose.
Then, by coincidence, she turned a corner—and saw the backs of two familiar figures.
Xino and Yi Beixuan.
Well, it was not a direct encounter. She simply caught sight of them from behind. The two were walking through the castle, seemingly searching for something.
…How convenient.
She lowered her gaze and buried her face deeper into the hoodie, intending to wait until they passed.
But the moment she thought of Yi Beixuan, her brows furrowed.
No—she had to follow them.After all, that man was Yi Beixuan.
She tiptoed after them, carefully keeping her distance while observing what the two were doing.
"...""You noticed too?" Xino raised a brow, glancing out of the corner of his eye.
"Hmm. That one's been following us the whole time," Yi Beixuan frowned.They were just inspecting the layout of the castle—why did they have a tail?
"Good question," Xino replied casually. "I would like to know too."
Yi Beixuan had glanced back several times, but the figure behind them was cloaked in black, the hoodie pulled low over her face. He could not see who it was.
"What should we do?"
"Let it go for now. We will walk around a bit more. Eventually we will learn whose blood slave this one belongs to," Xino said with a furrowed brow.It was too soon for someone to have uncovered their plan.
"Hmm." Yi Beixuan nodded.
Then, without warning, Xino looked up and grabbed Yi Beixuan's sleeve."Come with me."
"Huh?"
Before Yi Beixuan could react, he was already being dragged away.
Mu Qingyun's heart skipped a beat as their silhouettes disappeared around the corner. Clearly—they had noticed her.
She frowned and quickened her pace, her mind already racing through possible strategies.
But at the end of the corridor, she stopped in her tracks again.
Xino and Yi Beixuan were waiting for her around the corner, staring coldly in her direction.