It was Jason who greeted Clayton when he returned from the hut.
His natural demeanor showed how many days this routine had been repeating, especially on days like today.
He glanced at the bloodstains on Clayton's shirt and said.
"I've prepared the bathwater."
Before Clayton could realize that blood had stained his clothes, Jason quickly suggested a bath.
Though unable to resist his desires and drinking blood, Jason knew better than anyone that once the act was over, self-loathing would fill Clayton's eyes.
Therefore, Jason, who helped Clayton undress first, quickly tidied up his clothes.
Soon, Clayton, too, headed towards the bathroom to get rid of the blood scent on his body.
"…By the way, Cadison said he saw the Duchess coming out of the forest just now."
At Jason's continued words, he abruptly stopped.
"…Dahlia?"
"Yes. I wonder if she might have seen what happened in the hut..."
"..."
Clayton remained silent at Jason's uneasy report.
'Was it just a hallucination?'
Just moments ago, when he unconsciously lifted his gaze while drinking blood, what he saw was none other than Dahlia.
He was surprised when he saw her face, but it quickly disappeared, so he thought it was just a misperception.
He was usually half out of his mind when drinking blood. But to think it was actually Dahlia.
As Clayton thought about Dahlia, he recalled the scent of her blood from earlier at the restaurant.
'What was that blood scent?'
It was the first time he had ever smelled blood.
The sweet scent that reached his nostrils intoxicated him, and he almost sank his fangs into Dahlia's neck right then and there.
He used his superhuman strength to barely escape the spot, but the thirst for blood that had started showed no signs of fading.
It was a terrible thirst that seemed like it could only be quenched by drinking Dahlia's blood.
But his instincts were telling him that if he drank that blood, he would never be able to go back to how things were before.
So, he desperately got away from the spot and urgently sought the Hertz family, as it was the best he could do.
'How much did she see?'
Did she just think I was with another woman, or did she see me drinking someone's blood?
He tried to recall Dahlia's expression, but due to the blurry window and his dazed mind, nothing came to him.
His gaze, as he tried to remember Dahlia's face, grew a little darker.
Seeing Clayton's expression, Jason hesitantly parted his lips.
"The Duchess could easily misunderstand the situation. So, what if we take this opportunity to tell her the truth...?"
"What?"
He interrupted Jason and replied.
"Are you saying I should tell her that I'm a monster who drinks human blood?"
"...My lord."
Clayton was not unaware of what Jason was worried about.
Late at night, seeing a man and woman together in an isolated hut, it was a situation that could easily be misunderstood.
His relationship with Hertz, one of the long-time vassals of the Duke of Sayer's family, was like that of a crocodile and a crocodile bird.
There were no personal feelings beyond that, just an old contract-like relationship. But Dahlia probably wouldn't see it that way.
As the silence continued, Jason, thinking Clayton agreed with him, added more.
"Eventually, the Duchess will learn the secret of the Sayer family. Even if she finds out earlier, nothing will change."
Jason was right.
It was too great a secret to hide for a lifetime, and since they were already in a contract marriage, nothing would change in their relationship. But...
"Is there really a need to reveal it?"
"Do I have to say it myself?"
"Anyway, I'm the last one to carry the bloodline of the Sayer family."
An old curse passed down through the family.
The curse that his father and grandfather could not escape always bound everything about him.
Though he knew he had no choice but to drink human blood for survival, he often felt disgusted by himself and like a monster.
Sometimes, revealing an unpleasant truth that he wished to deny was not an easy task.
"If Dahlia misunderstands, let her. Like you said, nothing will change anyway."
Clayton's focus was blurry as he spoke these words.
* * *
Since the day they both discovered each other's secrets.
Whenever Lloyd visited the mansion, the two would meet and talk in the forest where they first met, avoiding the eyes of others.
Just like now.
"One day, you should visit our estate. There's a lake called Heightskal, and in the middle of the lake, there's a small island. When I was young, Rose and I would sneak out of the mansion and often play there. I think the Duchess would like it if she saw it."
"Sure. Be sure to invite me later."
Dahlia responded in a soulless voice.
Not that she had any intention of going there, but on the surface, it was a perfect opportunity for gossip, considering that the Duchess of the government's family would be visiting.
However, Dahlia answered yes, considering that her younger brother, Lloyd, might be disappointed.
"Rather, isn't it dangerous to keep meeting at the mansion? There are a lot of eyes watching."
"Ah... I suppose you're right. Does that mean we won't be able to see each other anymore...?"
Lloyd's shoulders drooped in disappointment, but then Dahlia laughed heartily and responded.
"No? We can meet outside the mansion from now on. Besides the Hertz mansion, is there somewhere I can send letters? Somewhere that won't raise suspicion."
Only then did Lloyd realize Dahlia's intention, and he smiled widely.
"I do! There's a place in the capital where I sometimes stay alone, like a hideout, and the first floor is a bookstore. I'll tell the bookstore owner, so if anything happens, please send the letters there."
Then, he went further and suggested that they create a secret code just for the two of them.
A code that wouldn't cause any problems if the letters were discovered later.
Agreeing to that, Dahlia spent some time discussing the code with Lloyd, then clapped her hands as if she had forgotten something.
"Here, eat this. It's macarons."
Dahlia, who had started speaking casually to Lloyd, took out the macarons wrapped in a handkerchief and handed them to him.
It was the kind of feeling where you want to give something to children for no particular reason. But when Lloyd saw it, he waved his hands awkwardly, looking embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, but I can only accept your kindness. I can't eat anything other than the food given to me. I have to keep my blood pure."
"Eating this one won't make your blood weaken. Don't worry and eat it. If this makes your blood weaken, just think that I fed you something sweet. Now, go ahead."
Before Lloyd could refuse, Dahlia placed the macaron in his mouth.
He chewed the macaron that was almost forced into his mouth and muttered.
"I'm not a child or anything..."
Though he said that, it seemed like he didn't mind Dahlia taking care of him.
Sigh. Poor thing.
Dahlia looked at Lloyd with the gaze of someone watching a younger child.
According to the original story, Lloyd was destined to be drained of his blood by Clayton for many years to come.
Of course, no one knew how the original story would change if she didn't run away, but at least she knew that Clayton wouldn't drink her blood recklessly.
Because the male protagonist hated more than anything the thought of the female protagonist discovering his curse, even more than death itself.
'You'll suffer for a little while longer...'
So, feeling sorry for Lloyd, Dahlia decided to take better care of him.
She would bring him snacks that he had never had much of, and regularly give him foods rich in iron, just in case he might faint from anemia.
At first, Lloyd had felt burdened by her kindness, but now he had gotten used to it and accepted the food without any resistance.
"But how do you feel?"
"What do you mean?"
"That... thing, with the blood-draining."
"Ah."
Lloyd swallowed the macaron in his mouth and rubbed his neck.
"Well, it just stings a little at first, but after that, it's fine. It's like my body gradually becomes sluggish, and then sleepiness hits."
Hey, that's not really okay.
It didn't seem much different from falling asleep in a bathtub while wounded.
Seeing Dahlia's expression darken, Lloyd added reassuringly.
"Unlike my sister, I'm healthy, so it's okay. Don't worry too much."
Lloyd, patting his chest as if he were really fine, made Dahlia feel pity, and she murmured in reply.
"Where's the 'okay'? You're just enduring it, too."
"..."
At those words, Lloyd's eyes dimmed slightly, as if realizing something he hadn't known.
Sigh, how pitiful.
The sight of him like that was so heartbreaking.
Dahlia patted Lloyd's head and comforted him.
"Just hold on a little longer. That thing will be over soon. When you get out of the family and gain your freedom, live doing whatever you want."
"Whatever I want to do."
Lloyd, whispering those words, lowered his head.
His earlobe had turned as red as a ripe apple, but Dahlia didn't notice.