"Wait, does that mean I like Teo?"
I thought of the boy I met three years ago. The boy looked so dirty and skinny. He ate grass in the forest voraciously, regardless of his surroundings.
The corners of my lips curled at the thought of what had happened three years ago. It was a bizarre encounter for both of us. Since then, every time I went to practice, I would take the time to give him my lunch box. At first, I just felt pity for him, but over time we became good friends. Since he was the only one who looked at me regardless of my status, even when I said I was the daughter of the Gretchen family that ran this territory, he didn't care at all.
Teo is my only friend. Even Nia, who is with me and is my personal maid, I can't consider a real friend. She only takes care of me because of her job. There are times when I tell her to call me by my name only. She thinks it's too presumptuous for her to call me by my name.
'Noble families are too rigid. I'm not close to my father either. He always lectured and scolded me whenever he called me to his office. Don't you even have any affection for me? Only mother who has been so good to me, 'I mumbled in my mind.
Without realizing it, I had arrived where Teo usually was. I saw Teo, who was sleeping under the tree. His sleeping face was so peaceful. His black hair was blowing in the wind. If only he wore nice clothes, I'm sure he looked like he wouldn't lose to a young master from a noble family.
"Here you sleep peacefully, while I keep thinking about what happened yesterday because of you. So the restlessness I had been feeling all this time was in vain. Aaah!! I feel wronged here, you know! "
I growled in annoyance and touched his cheek with my finger. But there was no reaction at all from him, so I gave up continuing that and couldn't help but sigh in annoyance. I saw something beside him, and there was a slight smell of blood. It was a dead rabbit.
'Is he hunting? It's strange. When I train around here, it's rare to encounter any animals. And also, with his thin body, can he even hunt rabbits? '
I was curious to see Teo. He leaned his head on the tree and exposed his neck. I gulped seeing that, getting closer to his neck, I opened my mouth and bit his neck. Very good blood ran down my mouth, it tasted even better than yesterday.
'What is this? Why does his blood taste better? '
-----
--PoV Teo--
I felt something suck my neck. It tasted like something soft and slimy. I also smelled a sweet smell like roses. I slowly opened my eyes. Above me was Rachel straddling me, her head is on the left side of my neck. Our bodies were very close and almost stuck to each other.
'Hah? What happens when I fall asleep?'
I'm confused by the current situation. Rachel sucked my blood for a while before she stopped and pulled her head back. We looked into each other's eyes. There was a trace of blood on her lips. But Rachel seemed to be semi-conscious, her eyes also glowed red, and her pupils turned vertical. This usually happens when she is hungry or when she is showing her emotions.
"Rachel? Do you want to suck my blood again? "
Rachel nodded absentmindedly. She brought her head to my neck, sucking my blood again. I felt her teeth pierce the skin of my neck, and the intense suction made me furrow my brows slightly. I think it was a few minutes or so before she pushed me away and looked down.
"Rachel?"
"Teo, err I… it's not what it seems…" Rachel looked panicked when she saw me with a blush on her face.
"What are you worried about? If you want to suck my blood, you can do it. I am your blood bag. If you don't suck my blood, it's not fair after all this time that you always bring food for me," I smiled.
Rachel fell silent at my words. She looked left and right, not knowing what to say. My hand touched her lips and wiped the remnants of blood there. Rachel's face was getting redder. She moved away from me and gave me the lunch box she brought.
"Th-this is today's lunch. I'll be back now. " After saying that, Rachel turned to leave.
"Wait, isn't this too soon? I still want to chat with you. " I held her hand.
Rachel stopped there and turned to me. Her cheeks were a little red when she saw my hand holding hers.
"A-Alright, could you take your hand off first? "
I nodded smiling, and let go of her hand. Rachel breathed easily and then sat under a tree. I followed her and sat beside her.
"So what do you want to talk about?"
Rachel didn't look at me even though she asked. I think it was because she was still embarrassed.
"Rachel, my mother said we would be leaving this village in four days," I told her.
Rachel opened her eyes and looked directly at me. She made a surprised and confused expression, but it seemed she couldn't accept this.
"Where are you going? Is it because of crop failure in the village? "
"That's right, it's because of the continuous crop failure in the village. We can't just stay here, and where are we going. My mother didn't tell me where it was, "I said, looking ahead.
Rachel's face stiffened at hearing Teo. She looked down, with various thoughts in her head. She would also be entering the academy next month, and she wouldn't be able to train here anymore. So even if Teo stayed here, they wouldn't be able to see each other in the next month.
Her heart felt a little pain and discomfort, thinking they would never be able to meet again. She didn't know if they would even be able to meet again later, much less with her being a noble's daughter. Their chances of seeing each other again are slim.
'Why do you have to go now? Can't you be here for at least another month?'
Rachel wanted so badly to say that, but she couldn't. She couldn't tell Teo to stay because of her selfishness. They had suffered all this time. She didn't want to lose the only friend she had, but she also knows Teo's condition until now.
"Don't worry, Rachel, we might see each other later."
I smiled reassuringly at her, who looked gloomy. Indeed, we will meet again later, because I will be taken to the Alfons family. But for our meeting later, I'm sure it won't be easy for her.
Rachel raised her head to look at me. She nodded with a small smile, even though her face looked doubtful at my words.
"Okay, because soon I will leave this village. For the next four days, you can suck my blood as you please. How about it? " I tried to improve her mood.
Hearing my words, Rachel seemed to be affected. Her cheeks were a little red, and her breathing was ragged.
"That's right! because you are my blood bag. It wouldn't be fair if I didn't suck your blood, especially since my blood bag is about to leave my side. I have to make the best of it," Rachel smirked.
"Of course Rachel, you can suck my blood all you want. How about now? Do you still want to suck my blood? " I showed her my neck.
Rachel was affected, staring at that neck with a hungry look. She wanted to drink the delicious blood that was served to her. But she restrained herself from sucking it now. Because she remembered earlier, she sucked very strongly. Blood took time to produce, she couldn't suck it anymore now.
"No, for today it is enough with the blood. I want to practice for a while there."
Rachel pointed towards a meadow with rarely seen trees. I nodded to her. Rachel smiled confidently and started her training. As for me, I opened the lunch box she brought and ate it while watching Rachel practice.
------
--PoV Rachel--
I slashed my sword in midair and did the training moves I usually do. But I felt something different from my usual practice. My speed increased, my attack made a tearing sound through the air, and I felt my power overflow throughout my body. In fact, I didn't feel tired at all after practicing for an hour.
This makes me very confused. What happened to make my abilities increase so rapidly? The only blood I drink is Teo's blood and yesterday's rare animals.
"Teo's blood? Impossible,"
I stopped and turned to Theo. He waved his hand at me while smiling. I can't believe Teo's blood made such a change in me. I want to confirm it again by trying the skill I have and seeing how strong it is.
[Blood Bullet]
When I pointed my palm at a tree, many blood balls of grape size appeared. It shot very quickly, piercing the tree. As a result of my attack, the tree had holes in its trunk. Soon, the tree was brittle and fell. I heard that tree being corroded with my blood.