Dian was taken aback. Her cold expression wavered for a bit, but she still did what she was told without a complaint. She wasn't embarrassed about Arthur seeing her body because she was used to being helped by him patching up her wounds.
She was already used to being seen by him, but the thing is, her body wasn't that pleasant to look at right now since she received more beating than usual. She doesn't want Arthur to see something unsightly.
While undressing, Dian was thinking that something was strange about Arthur, but she couldn't quite figure what it was. It's like the one in front of her was a different person. 'His eyes look colder' she thought as her worry for Arthur intensified.
If there is anyone Arthur trusts in this world, then it would be her who had been with him through his darkest times. He doesn't wear that fake personality of his when they are alone. It was also the case for Dian. In this world they only have each other 'He probably feels guilty' she thought as she looked at her bruised body.
Dian dropped her maid skirt on the floor and then stopped when she only had her pair of underwear on. She didn't dare to take everything off after all she still had some reservations. Although Arthur had seen her body before he hadn't seen everything. And knowing Arthur, he probably wouldn't ask her to take everything off.
Dian blushed in embarrassment. A huge contrast to the cold personality she was used to giving everybody but Arthur.
"You don't have to worry about me, Young Mas-"
"Take everything off." Arthur urged.
"Eh?" Dian was caught off guard as she processed what she heard. "Young Master?"
"Just do it." He followed after seeing that Dian was hesitating. His tone was cold and commanding.
With some effort, Dian continued to take everything off. She squirmed in embarrassment as she tried to hide her private parts with her hands. But it wasn't over since she was ordered to do a quick spin and after a bit of hesitation, she managed to do it.
Arthur was only focused on the fresh lash marks and puncture wounds on her back, chest, and thighs. 'She was probably punished again because of me'.
He sighed as he suppressed his rage. 'The things we have endured. We will return it to them soon enough' he thought.
Arthur remembered that Dian's main task was to make sure he didn't kick the bucket too soon. She was tasked with taking care of Arthur until he was eighteen, after that she will be transferred. She doesn't know the reason behind it but Arthur knew.
Dian had been by his side throughout his years of suffering, and she never complained one bit.
Arthur remembered Dian's life story. A story that's very different yet at the same time, not that different from his own. She was a commoner sold by her parents claiming that she had a rare ability. The family took her in but got bored of her immediately after she failed awakening. Later it was revealed that she was unable to tap into and use the magical force that surrounds everything in this world called "Aera".
She was just like Arthur, abandoned and uncared for. Dian had the same cursed physique after all. A physique that was scorned by the world. The Mortal Physique. A person with such physiques will never be able to achieve anything great. They are considered to be an inferior class compared to those who can wield and use Aera. The Elite Families especially condemned anyone with such physiques. They would treat them no more than a slave. Aera users dominated this world since they can achieve God-like power, so those who aren't blessed with the ability to connect with Aera were labeled as an inferior class called Mortals, thus the name Mortal Physique.
Arthur unceremoniously caressed the puncture wounds on Dian's thighs. She flinched in pain but didn't utter any complaint, only a small gasp.
"Do you trust me, Dian?" Arthur asked as he looked her straight in the eyes. His eyes were clear and calm, certain of her reply.
"I do."
Arthur smiled as a warm feeling envelops his heart. 'How long has it been since I felt this?' He pondered as memories of the future flashed in his mind. He was always running and hiding. He adopted different identities to preserve his life. He lived on the street scrapping trash in order to survive. He was there at the peak of prosperity, and he was there when everything came to ruin. He was there- he was alone.
Snapping out of memory lane, Arthur once again looked at Dian. He was going to do something cruel to her, something she might hate him for but he had to do it. To achieve greater power in this lifetime and to keep her safe and alive.
Seeing the conflict in his eyes Dian patted his head. She doesn't know why he was making such an expression but no matter what the problem might be, she will be there. She doesn't know why but she felt like Arthur was struggling with something. The world had been cruel and unforgiving for us and if only for a little 'I want to be your light as you have been mine'
"It's alright Young Master. I don't know why you asked that question earlier but no matter what you're thinking about, this maid will be at your service."
Dian performed a formal bow like a professional maid and that simple gesture made all the hesitation in Arthur vanish.
He closed his eyes and when he opened them, gone were the clear and calm eyes. It was now replaced with a reddened one, one that looked at Dian with savagery and malice.
Seeing the abrupt change, Dian felt chills down her spine and before she could ask what was happening, Arthur caught her. He hugged her tightly and caressed the fresh wounds on her thighs.
Arthur then dug deep into her skin causing blood to flow… Arthur watched Dian's expression the whole time. Her shocked and pained expressions made him excited. Dian was also looking at the young man in front of her. A wide smile and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he used his fingers to dig deeper into her flesh. Her heart thumped crazily at that sight. This isn't the first time she was inflicted with pain, but this was different… she believed that she had lost her sense of fear and pain, but it seems she was wrong.
Arthur took his fingers out… and licked the blood off of them while looking at Dian's expression. The maid shook while looking at the obscene act. She managed to open her mouth "Y-Young Master w-what are you-?" she couldn't control her emotions anymore.
"Hmm? I'm licking your blood." Arthur smiled and answered matter of factly. "You taste divine Dian, truly exquisite."
He then pulled Dian closer once more. He looked at the red liquid flowing on her thighs and with an intoxicated look, he hugged her once more. His cheeks were smeared with the blood, but he didn't mind.
"Hehehe blood. Blood… red hot blood." he chuckled like a psychopath. Dian was caught off guard once more. 'Is he possessed?!' She thought. She couldn't utter any words since she didn't know what to say, everything was so out of the blue.
"Don't worry Dian. This blood! This blood only belongs to me hehe. I won't let anyone spill them anymore." Arthur said with his bloody tongue out like a lunatic.
Arthur then licked her bloodied wounds before sucking the blood directly from them. His teeth sunk in soon after as he bit her flesh to draw out more blood.
"Ugh…" Dian groaned in pain as she felt her body weaken. She wanted to resist but there was a mysterious pressure keeping her in place. "Pleas- y-young maste-" She begged but strangely, strength seemed to be sucked out of her body. Dian became deathly pale as if she lost half her blood.
Arthur removed his bloody mouth from her thighs. He slowly stood while his lips grazed Dian's skin. After standing he hugged her waist and pulled her neck down as she was a bit taller than him. Arthur then positioned his mouth near her ears. With half-closed eyes, she listened to Arthur's enchanting words. Words laid with venomous power.
"It's alright… don't struggle anymore. It'll be over soon." After saying those words, he forcefully bit Dian's neck. He hugged her body tightly with his thin frame and surprisingly he managed to hold her up. Dian moaned in pain for the last time before losing consciousness.
Like a thirsty leech, Arthur sucked Dian's blood until he was satisfied. And after the last mouthful, he let go of Dian's body. His eyes were glued to it as it fell unmoving on the floor.
"Haaa.." a long breath escaped his mouth. He clenched his fist and moved his joints.
*crack *crack *crack
He cracked his neck, shoulders, chest, and back. He concentrated and began to feel his body which was now evolving at a rapid pace. His blood pressure was off the roof, it made his body hot.
"Argh!" He kneeled as an unbearable pain coursed through his very being. His body broke and reconstructed with unbearable pain.
Twenty minutes later he got up. He was still thin and pale but he now exudes a strong aura. "Ahhh… it's good to be back," he uttered blissfully as he spread his arms out.
He could move his body better now. There seems to be a huge amount of power flowing on every fiber of his muscles.
Arthur performed basic stretching and some combat routines. A lifetime of battle experience was utilized at that moment. Every punch and kick he made produced a snapping sound like a whip. It took approximately a few minutes before he got a good feel of his capabilities.
After checking out his mobility and agility he proceeded to test his strength. He lifted his whole bed single-handedly. His strength was surprising for someone with his stature. After gently putting the bed down he observed his feature in the mirror. He looked very different from how he looked before. His mouth was bloody, his eyes were that of a demonic creature, his iris turned red and his ears pointy. His teeth became jagged which resemble that of a beast. And his nails grew longer like a small dagger.
"Half Awakened Primordial Vampire Physique with a core ability Blood Dominion! Not bad!" Arthur exclaimed as a dark aura exuded from his body.