When Lilith noticed Bloody Mary's slight loss of Sanity, she finally understood the true function of her +1 Terror Level to Smile—to humiliate her enemies.
"So, Aunt Mary, what's your relationship with my mother?"
The bloody writing on the mirror faded away, replaced by three new words: Blood Contracted.
"I see. So you've been staying in my room all this time to protect me?"
The mirror responded again: Yes.
"But my mother was just an ordinary human. How could she possibly form a blood contract with you?" Lilith pressed, her curiosity piqued.
The bloody text shifted: Human, not ordinary.
"What do you mean?" Lilith was stunned.
The mirror replied: **She is human, yet she is ***. A calamity, but also... the source...
Lilith stared intently at the incomprehensible symbols replacing her mother's designation. She recognized every individual stroke and letter, but her brain simply couldn't process the meaning when they came together. Worse, she found herself forgetting each stroke the moment she tried to remember.
Her eyes registered the characters, but her mind refused to grasp them—a sensation so bizarre it sent shivers down her spine.
"Here!" Lilith pointed at the "*****" in frustration. "What does this mean?"
The mirror responded: It is a forbidden word.
You are ordinary; you cannot comprehend the forbidden.
Lilith blinked. "I don't understand."
The mirror's bloody letters appeared once more: What is your mother's name?
"It's…" Lilith's voice faltered as terror crept into her heart. She realized, to her horror, that she couldn't remember her mother's name.
Her name is 'The Great Taboo.'
It is unspeakable by mortals. An entity beyond naming, a being of dread and calamity.
Lilith's heart pounded violently. "What if… what if someone speaks it?"
The mirror's reflection—the distorted, grinning "Lilith"—smiled wider, her face contorting further until it was grotesque beyond description.
Terror. Omen. Catastrophe.
Lilith took a deep breath, piecing it all together. It seemed her mother wasn't the delicate, helpless figure the original owner of this body had believed her to be.
In retrospect, Lilith should've suspected something when the creepy doll coveted her "mother's hair clip." Clearly, her mother wasn't as simple as she appeared.
The romantic story of a noble vampire count falling in love with a mere mortal girl? Far too good to be true.
"So, Aunt Mary, do you know why my stepmother wants to harm me?" Lilith finally voiced her primary concern.
From her knowledge of palace intrigue stories, she guessed that as the legitimate daughter, she must be obstructing her stepmother's plans for her own daughter.
The mirror wrote:
You are half your father's blood and half your mother's.
On your coming-of-age ceremony, you may choose your lineage.
She doesn't want you to become a vampire.
Because vampires never drink vampire blood.
Was it really that simple and brutal? Her stepmother just wanted her blood?
"She's a glutton..."
The mirror's reply was merciless: Your blood is exquisite.
You are half-vampire. While still human, your blood is the ultimate delicacy for vampires.
Lilith clenched her fists. "And if I choose my mother's lineage?"
Then you remain human.
Forever 'food.' Forever 'unsafe.'
"This doesn't make sense! Shouldn't I become some 'forbidden' existence like my mother?"
The mirror explained: Your mother's power lies in 'authority,' not lineage.
Beware. The coming-of-age ceremony will be dangerous.
She will do everything to stop you from becoming a vampire.
Vampire? Did Lilith even care about that?
Well, she did care about not being treated as food anymore…
After a long pause, Lilith finally said, "Alright, I understand. Aunt Mary, do you have any final advice for me?"
The clock chimed, a slow and deliberate rhythm.
Finally, bloody text emerged:
1.The third painting in the corridor always lies.
2.There are no frogs in the castle.
3.Blood belongs only in the goblet.
4.Your coming-of-age ceremony must have exactly 100 guests—no more, no less.
5.If you find something missing from your body, don't panic. Maintain grace and poise.
6.If you encounter any difficulty, seek your father's help. He loves you dearly.
7.Do not trust your father. He will kill you.
Lilith stared blankly at the blood-written advice.
That many warnings? Just how dangerous was she?!
And wasn't the sixth and seventh points blatantly contradictory?
"Um, can you explain this a bit more clearly?" Lilith asked, desperate for clarification.
The mirror answered: I can only see fragments of the future.
"Fantastic! Honestly, your advice just makes me feel like I'm doomed."
The mirror's bloody text intensified: Come into the mirror.
I can grant you three 'Glimpses of the Future.'
During those glimpses, I cannot assist you further.
Remember, you only have three chances.
Then, the mirror's reflection of "Lilith" extended a bloodied, pale hand outward, breaching the surface.
Take it.
[Your Sanity -1]
[Your Sanity -1]
Lilith stared at the bloodstained hand, watching her sanity tick down steadily.
[Ding! New System Quest: "The Essence of Life!" Complete three Future Glimpses to understand the essence of life.]
[The queen who understands the essence of life can build an unbreakable kingdom and command the most loyal soldiers and subjects. Use the three Future Glimpses to survive your coming-of-age ceremony and discover life's essence.]
[Quest Reward: The Witch's Vicious Sorcery.]
[Quest Failure Penalty: … Not important.]
Tears streamed down Lilith's face. She realized if she missed this opportunity, she was as good as dead.
She couldn't help but lament the unfairness of the heavens. Other transmigrators got wall-slams, romantic escapades, and doting love interests.
Why was simply staying alive such a monumental struggle for her?!
At last, Lilith gritted her teeth and grasped the bloodied hand. She felt herself yanked into the mirror, a whirlwind pulling her into darkness before she lost consciousness.
When she opened her eyes, sunlight pierced her vision. She found herself lying on her bed, back in her room.
She sat up abruptly, scanning her lavish surroundings. Everything was in place, except… Nini was gone.
"Was it all… just a dream?" Lilith muttered, rubbing her groggy face.
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking was polite and rhythmic, betraying the impeccable manners of its source.
Lilith got out of bed and opened the door to find a tall, impeccably dressed man with golden curls that grazed his shoulders. His handsome face was cool and detached, devoid of emotion.
She immediately recognized him—her younger brother, Alucardo, a pureblood vampire.
He glanced at her once, blushed furiously, and turned away. "Sister, this is highly improper! It's already 8 a.m., and you've only just woken up!"
"Ah… sorry!"
Bang!
Lilith belatedly realized she was still in her thin nightgown.
"Today is your coming-of-age ceremony," Alucardo said icily from outside the door. "As your brother, though I've been absent for years, I am duty-bound to personally escort you through the ritual. Please be punctual, and do not inconvenience me."
"Y-Yes!" Lilith stammered.
As she hurried to her vanity, her crimson eyes narrowed—there, on the mirror, were new bloody words:
"First Glimpse of the Future."
At that moment, she heard a frog croak from the courtyard outside.