"You look so much like a friend of mine."
"Is that so?" Mu Qingyun looked up at him, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Sino looked into her eyes and extended his hand in a traditional European gesture. "I wonder if I have the honor of asking this lovely lady for a dance?"
Meeting his gaze, she lifted her chin slightly. "It would be my pleasure."
Taking her hand gently, Sino leaned down to kiss it before leading her to the center of the ballroom.
"I do not know how to dance," she said, lifting her eyes to meet his with a slight, playful smile.
"That's all right. Just follow my lead," he replied softly, one hand holding hers while the other rested at her waist. With a light but steady touch, he guided her as the music began.
There are two kinds of blood slaves. The first is the unacknowledged, the lowest of the low—anyone can bully them, feed on them at will. The second kind is officially recognized by their master, always at their side. These slaves hold a much higher status, and unless someone outranks their master, no one dares show them disrespect.
"Well, well. Isn't that the slave of Prince Ancestor? How is she dancing with Duke Sino?" Prince Lester sneered openly, turning to look at Yin with a mocking grin.
Yin glanced casually toward the dancing pair and smiled indifferently. "She can dance with whomever she likes. You seem more concerned about it than I am."
Lester had hoped to irritate Yin, but the reaction was far from what he expected.
"Tch. Bestow eternal life on a slave only for someone else to steal her first dance? Tsk, tsk. Looks like Duke Sino does not think much of our Prince Ancestor," Prince Brauer chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.
Yin did not care if he was being underestimated—but someone taking what was his? That, he could not tolerate.
He downed his drink in one gulp, strode over quickly, and yanked Mu Qingyun by the arm, pulling her back into his embrace.
"My blood slave, from now on, your first dance can only be with me."
"…"
Stumbling from the sudden pull, Mu Qingyun frowned. She had finally started to enjoy herself, but his interruption ruined the mood entirely.
"What is it? You look pleased dancing with someone else, but scowl when it's me?"
"Maybe you just don't understand the concept of manners," she retorted, raising her head to look at him, impatience flickering in her eyes.
"The impolite one is him—for taking my slave without my permission."
Sino stood to the side, glancing between the two. The music was still playing, and without a partner, he looked somewhat awkward. He considered intervening, but it was not fear of Yin that held him back—it was concern that Yin might lash out at the girl in retaliation.
"Master, let us go. We have things to attend to," Yi Beixuan stepped forward just in time, offering a polite bow.
"Mm." Sino nodded and turned to leave with him.
Mu Qingyun watched them go, her brow furrowing slightly. Yi Beixuan was Su's friend. If he had been turned into a vampire too, perhaps she could help him escape as well.
"Do not get distracted when dancing with your master," Yin said calmly, tightening his hold on her waist, bringing her back to focus.
She had to find a way to connect with Yi Beixuan.
…
Outside the ballroom, Yi Beixuan exhaled sharply. "Brother, are you insane? Why did you dance with that girl?"
"She looks familiar. I feel like I have seen her somewhere before," Sino replied, glancing sideways at him. "Don't you think she looks familiar?"
"Not really. I don't recall seeing her before." Yi Beixuan shook his head. "But she was definitely turned into a vampire. Maybe we can help her escape too."
"Yes. There's still time to reverse the first embrace. Try to find a way to talk to her. I think she was forced into this." Sino frowned slightly.
Yi Beixuan nodded. "All right, I understand."
Their figures gradually disappeared down the hallway.
Back inside the ballroom, Yin clearly had not anticipated Mu Qingyun's lack of dancing skills. Unlike Sino, he offered no guidance, so his shoes were repeatedly stepped on.
"My blood slave, do you have some sort of issue with your master?" Yin asked calmly, suppressing the irritation rising within him.
"I do not know how to dance," she said, looking down at his now-scuffed shoes and shrugging innocently. "Your pace is too fast for me."
"…Fine."
Yin responded simply and slowed his steps. With one hand supporting her waist, he began to match her movements instead.
"Pfft, look at that—our dear Prince Ancestor can't even dance,"
"Seriously. People say he's the top Dracula prince, but really, he just has some skill and a nasty temper. Always acting like he's better than everyone else."
Prince Lester and Prince Brauer kept their eyes on Yin, eagerly picking at every mistake to mock him among their circle.
The other nobles, lacking the same rank, dared not speak against Yin. All they could do was chuckle awkwardly, faces stiff with unease.
Though they spoke quietly, Yin heard them clearly. A smile crept onto his lips as he leaned close to Mu Qingyun and whispered into her ear, "I'll give you the antidote. Now, throw a fireball at them."
"What if I accidentally burn them to death?" she asked lazily, casting a disdainful glance toward the cluster of gossiping vampires.
So even among vampires, there are busybodies.
"It does not matter. Whatever happens, I will take the blame. Go ahead and do it," he said, pressing a small pill into her palm.
Confident, are we?
She lowered her gaze, casually slipping the pill into her mouth. It melted instantly, and within moments, her strength and energy surged back.
A red glow flickered in her right hand. She shot a cold glare at the gossipers, then pointed her finger—flames erupted behind them without warning.
At first, no one noticed. They were still chatting and laughing.
"Ahhh—!"
A sudden scream rang out as the fire caught someone's sleeve. Vampires fear fire deeply. The scream sent the others into panic. Chaos erupted, with everyone scattering in fear.
A dignified ball turned into total pandemonium.
Mu Qingyun had planned to take advantage of the chaos to slip away—but Yin tightened his grip around her waist.
"Finish this dance."
"Hmph. Aren't you afraid I will burn your castle to the ground?" she sneered, hurling fireballs into every corner of the hall.
"You would not," Yin replied with an amused smile, spinning her smoothly. "Keep up. If you step on me again, I might have to chain you up next time—to keep you from hurting your master."