Chapter 26 - Sweet Traces Part 26: Madame Resentful?

In front of many high-ranking individuals, Filia extended the bag of star candy in her palm towards Luciano.Luciano watched her, his gaze deepening gradually."Why is the neckline of this dress so low? Both shoulders are exposed! Isn't it cold?" Luciano furrowed his brow. Firstly, he accepted the bag of candy, placing it in his pocket before taking a step forward."Captain Athena, would you care to grace me with a dance?""Hmm?"Filia, wanting to slip away after completing her task, or failing that, find a quiet corner for a bit of solitude and a drink, was puzzled by the request for a dance."Um, I'm not very adept at dancing.""I'll teach you."Not giving Filia a chance to refuse, Luciano took the lead.Filia found herself almost embraced by him as they entered the dance floor."Here, place your hand here, and this hand goes to me."Though she knew how to dance, she feigned ignorance just to rebuff him from earlier."Commander, I truly don't know how, I'm afraid of stepping on you.""It's okay, you're so clever. Learn for a bit, and you'll grasp it."Surprisingly, Luciano's tone towards Athena was remarkably gentle.Not only was his tone gentle, but his movements were as well, which made Filia suddenly feel extremely uncomfortable."Commander, you're usually so cold; why the change in demeanor today?""Hmm? Cold? Is that the impression I have given you?" Luciano's lips curled slightly as the hand around Filia's waist tightened ever so slightly."Isn't it? Also, have you ever invited female subordinates to dance before?""No, you're the first." With that, Luciano lowered his head. Though he couldn't see her expression, he could observe her long eyelashes, seemingly somewhat unhappy, drooping slightly.Upon hearing this, Filia felt even worse. She bit her lip and choked up as she spoke further."Commander, Madame Resentful, would she not become upset if she knew you were dancing with other women?""Simply dancing, doing nothing more. Besides, my wife has a good nature; how could she be angry over such a trivial matter?"Finally, unable to tolerate more, Filia stopped her movements, removed her hand from Luciano's broad shoulder, and turned to walk away.Luciano stood still, watching her departure. Was she feeling jealous? Her jealousy was truly adorable.Smiling wryly, Luciano also left the dance floor, yet his gaze lingered on her all the while.Witnessing all this, Cole hurried over to Filia."Athena, did you offend the commander? The way he's looking at you seems off.""In what way? How is he looking at me?" Filia picked up a glass of wine and drank it with irritation."It's like, it's hard to describe... he's gazing at you like you're his prey as if he wants to devour you in one bite."As he spoke, Cole recalled the commander's predatory gaze when he had transformed into a wolf, sendingshivers down his spine."Hmph! I am a hedgehog, a porcupine, a sea urchin. Eat me? Couldn't pierce me!" Rolling her eyes dramatically, Filia downed another glass of wine.Before she could finish her drink, Lorsey unexpectedly walked over to her."You, are you Athena, right?"Seeing Lorsey, Cole immediately stood up out of respect, but Filia remained seated, chin lifted, staring at Lorsey."Yes, what's the matter?""Well, just a half-blood, why so haughty? You only stand out due to your association with our bloodline.Shouldn't you kneel and kiss my feet upon seeing me?"This remark amused Filia."Sis, are you unwell? If you are, go get treatment. Don't waste your therapy time!""You hybrid, how dare you insult me! What are you, exactly?" Lorsey's eyes turned red in an instant.Already in a bad mood, Filia stood up, leaning on the table."Who are you insulting? Looking for trouble?""Athena."Seeing Filia getting agitated, Cole quickly grabbed her arm."Let go, stop pulling me."Just as Filia tried to free herself from Cole's grasp, Lorsey splashed a glass of red wine on Filia's face.Caught off guard, Filia didn't react in time, and some of the wine splashed into her mouth.It tasted sweet with a hint of iron, a strange flavor."What is this?"Filia glared at Lothsi, who smirked and coldly laughed."Just wine, why so tense?"After saying this, Lorsey turned and left.Unable to contain her anger, Filia attempted to reach out and stop Lorsey, but as she raised her hand, she felt a sudden dizziness.Cole quickly caught her."Athena? What's wrong?""I'm... not feeling well, I..."Suddenly, Filia felt her senses sharpening; she could hear Cole's heartbeat. Turning her head, she could even see the pulsing red blood in Cole's artery. She swallowed hard, suddenly craving blood.In a panic, Filia grabbed a nearby bag of blood plasma and began drinking.Strangely, she finished the entire bag, but the bloodlust inside her did not recede. She desired real blood — warm, flowing human blood.No, it's not right; feeding on human blood is a crime.Gritting her teeth, Filia pushed away from Cole, staggering towards the door.At this moment, her only thought was to hide herself before she lost control.From a distance, Luciano witnessed all that had just unfolded. Speaking a few words to David in a low voice, he swiftly left the banquet hall from another direction.As Filia's condition worsened, in the corridor, she couldn't see the faces of the people passing by—only the arteries on their necks.Covering her mouth, Filia felt she couldn't make it back to her quarters. Unable to concentrate, she couldn't even activate the teleportation gate.Just as she nearly lost control, she spotted a storage room for cleaning supplies.Fortunately, the door to the storage room was unlocked. Filia pushed it open, entered, and slid down the wall to sit on the floor.