Chapter 27 - Sweet Traces Part 27: The Most Obedient in This Moment

Surely, Lorsey had spiked that glass of wine with something. Filia thought fervently, trying to distract herself as best as she could.After contemplating Lorsey, her mind drifted back to Luciano's words. He said that his wife had a good nature; how could she possibly get angry over something so trivial?Yes, true to Filia's character, she wouldn't genuinely be upset about her husband dancing with another woman.Yet, Filia's obedience was purely an act!Damn Luciano, who would have thought you had the makings of a scoundrel?"Ugh..."The discomfort was overwhelming. After wrestling with her thoughts for what felt like an eternity, Filia still yearned for human blood. The diversions had provided no relief at all. She hugged her knees, burying her face between them, and sobbed softly.Just as she was trembling from the urge and had nearly succumbed to the temptation of running out to bite someone, the storage room door swung open violently.Filia glanced up to find Luciano stepping inside.He locked the door behind him before coming forward and squatting down in front of her."How are you?""Stay away from me, just leave me alone."Near the brink of a breakdown, Filia truly feared that she might pounce on him.Luciano, noting her condition, pieced together some information. It had come to his attention that the Ruby family's research institute was studying substances that could trigger the bloodlust inherent in vampires.Yet, he hadn't anticipated that Lorsey would use it against Athena."It's okay, don't be afraid; just bite me."Luciano began unfastening his military uniform's collar.As he loosened it, he pulled down the collar slightly, exposing his artery."Hmm?"With reddened eyes, Filia gazed at the man who had willingly revealed his neck to her.Though her thirst was unbearable, Luciano was the one she loved most; how could she drink his blood?"No, please, go quickly; I can hold on.""Don't worry; it's just a bite, I won't die from it."Luciano didn't wish to prolong the conversation and, without waiting for her consent, wrapped his arms around her, cradled the back of her head, and pressed her face against his neck.If only he had kept a safe distance, this closeness was suffocating Filia.She opened her mouth a few times but couldn't bring herself to bite him.Noticing her reluctance, Luciano held her tighter."Trust me, it is fine; go ahead and bite."Whether it was the potency of the drug or the softly encouraging tone in which Luciano spoke, Filia could no longer resist. Finally, she opened her mouth.Her small fangs, which had never been revealed before, sank into Luciano's neck."Hmm..."A low moan involuntarily escaped from Luciano's lips—the sensation reminiscent of something he had only known during his courting years.As he listened to Filia's swallowing, Luciano covered his mouth with his hand, forcing himself to swallow back all the excitement surging from within.For Filia, drinking genuine blood for the first time sent her spiraling into dizziness. When she finally released her sharp fangs, the world around her blurred, and she fainted in Luciano's embrace.For a few fleeting seconds, Luciano was dazed, his eyes somewhat unfocused, his mind a haze of light.It took several deep breaths for him to regain composure.Well-versed like vampires, he didn't panic at Filia's faintness. He held her with one arm and gazed down at her."Sigh! You're most obedient at this moment."With eyes filled with tenderness, Luciano wiped the blood from Filia's lips.Though he wished to hold her a bit longer, it was best for her to rest.After re-tightening his collar, Luciano carried Filia into his quarters. He gently laid her on the bed before walking out, lingering reluctantly under David's incredulous gaze."Commander, you and Athena? You two?" David, who staunchly waved the banner of the commander's wife, found it difficult to process the sudden display of such... 'affection' towards another woman."What of it?" Luciano shot David a sidelong glance, his expression darkening."It's just...""Get Lorsey to my office now."Ignoring David further, Luciano entered his office and made an extremely important phone call. As soon as he hung up, Lorsey breezed in, clearly delighted."Lucho, did you call for me?""Lorsey, out of respect for your father, I have been tolerant of your antics, but you dare to pull stunts on my ship? Do you think I have no power over you?"This was the first time Luciano had spoken so much to Lorsey.Instantly, Lorsey adopted an innocent expression."Lucho, what do you mean? I don't quite understand. What scheme are you talking about?""'Lucho' is not what you should call me. You will address me as Commander, Your Excellency." With that, Luciano rose to his feet."In ten minutes, your ship will depart from the Zeus. Furthermore, from this day forth, all ships belonging to the Ruby family will undergo rigorous inspections upon docking with Zeus. You are dismissed."At this, Lorsey dropped her facade. She raised her head, her crimson eyes glaring fiercely at Luciano."Luciano! What are you saying? I love you so much; is this how you treat me? Yes, I may have used the drug on that Athena, but what of it? She's merely a hybrid, a half-blood."Before she could finish her taunts, Luciano's claw-like hand clamped violently around her neck.Had he not retained some rationality, he might have entirely transformed.For now, only one hand had shifted."I'll say this once more: stay away from me. If you insult my wife again, I will ensure that both you and your father kneel before me and beg for forgiveness."With every word meticulously enunciated, Luciano flung Lorsey, now pale from fear, to the ground.Lorsey gasped for air, her mind racing; for a moment, she thought she might be choked to death by Luciano.This was a side of him she had never encountered.In under ten minutes—indeed, even fewer than eight minutes—the crimson ship departed from the Zeus.