Lilith stepped out of her room, dressed in an elegant ivory Gothic gown that flowed seamlessly with her snow-white hair. Her blood-red eyes gleamed like rubies, perfectly complemented by the crimson crescent moon hair clip atop her head. She was the epitome of beauty—ethereal and haunting.
As she opened the door, the sound of frogs croaking outside grew louder.
Mary's Second Warning: There are no frogs in the castle.
Alucardo, cold and impassive as ever, raised his arm slightly, indicating for Lilith to take it.
Lilith rested her hand on his arm and asked, "There are no frogs in our castle, right?"
Alucardo frowned. "Of course not. Vampires despise frogs."
"Then why are there so many croaking outside?"
Alucardo glanced toward the window and then looked back at Lilith, his expression tinged with unease.
"I don't hear anything."
His piercing gaze lingered on Lilith's crimson eyes, which seemed unusually intense, before he shook his head. "Sister, locking yourself in your room every day isn't good for your mental health. Once your coming-of-age ceremony is over, it'll be better if you become a vampire."
Lilith, irritated by his cold attitude, countered, "Look down on humans, do you? Don't forget—you're a child of humans, too."
Alucardo's face darkened. "Am I?"
"Do you want to deny it?"
He laughed, but the sound was hollow and bitter. "If I am a child of humans, then why, when our mother left the castle, did she only take you with her? Was I not her child as well?"
"Think about it," Lilith replied, tapping her chin. "Vampires have a very low birth rate. The species mostly relies on turning humans to propagate. Since you're Father's only heir by blood, of course, he wouldn't let Mother take you away."
"Then why did Mother insist on leaving?" Alucardo's voice was sharp. "Couldn't she have stayed… for her son?"
Lilith paused, unsure how to answer.
Alucardo's smile grew cold. "Let me tell you why. Mother left because she believed she was like you. And I was not."
"Perhaps she even despised the vampire child she gave birth to…" His words dripped with bitterness and resentment.
"Poor little brother," Lilith said softly. "It seems you've had a rough time all these years."
"You're mistaken, my beautiful sister. My life has been fine. Despite having a human mother, my
bloodline is purer than anyone else's. No one dares disrespect me, not even behind my back."
Alucardo straightened, his icy demeanor intact, though he seemed to force a faint smile.
"But I've said too much, dear sister. Let me clarify something: while I address you as 'sister,' in my heart, I have never regarded you as family. I hope you understand that clearly."
Lilith blinked, her blood-red eyes showing a flicker of realization, before nodding slightly.
So, he wasn't really her brother.
Not someone she could rely on.
After a moment, Alucardo gestured forward. "Through this corridor is the banquet hall. Your coming-of-age ceremony will take place at noon. In the meantime, I'll escort you to an antechamber where you can prepare. Your breakfast is also waiting there."
"How thoughtful, dear brother."
Alucardo snorted coldly.
Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!
The sound of frogs croaking echoed again, prompting Lilith to glance back. Beneath the towering Gothic arched window stood a large pot of blood-red flowers, their petals glistening unnaturally.
The flowers seemed to sense her gaze. Slowly, they turned toward her.
The central blossom opened, revealing countless tiny eyes clustered together. In the center of the eyes, a horrifying mouth split open, lined with razor-sharp teeth.
"Good day, Princess. Are you looking at me?" the monstrous flower asked, its voice a chilling rasp.
"Is there something I can do for you?"
[Your Sanity -1]
Lilith gave the flower a kind smile. "Thank you. I was just admiring how beautiful you are."
[Bloodblight Flower's Sanity -0.1]
The flower froze, seemingly unsettled.
Lilith turned away and walked down the corridor, her crimson gaze scanning the paintings on the walls as she silently counted.
One, two, three…
She stopped before the third painting—a grotesque portrait of a goblin with green skin, a crooked nose, a sly grin, and a face full of wrinkles.
[Portrait: The Shrewd Goblin]
"What are you doing?" Alucardo asked, his tone curious but edged with suspicion.
Lilith crossed her arms, staring at the goblin in the painting. "How rude of this goblin not to bow to me, the princess."
Alucardo's expression grew darker as he stared at her, baffled.
"It's just a painting. It can't talk to you."
"Sister," Alucardo said, his voice low and threatening, "you seem… rather unusual today."
Lilith felt a chill under his piercing gaze.
Dark World Survival Rule #1: You are always safe in a vampire castle. If you feel unsafe, ask yourself if you've lost your nobility and grace.
This rule could also mean: losing one's composure or elegance marked one as "abnormal."
And in the Dark World, "abnormal" was synonymous with "unsafe."
Her behavior—talking nonsense about a painting—was neither noble nor graceful. Worse, it was "abnormal."
Lilith forced a smile, masking her unease. "I was just joking, little brother. You really have no sense of humor."
Alucardo's icy demeanor softened slightly. He raised his arm again. "Let me take you to the antechamber."
Lilith placed her pale hand on his arm, biting her lip to keep calm.
Damn it! Why did it feel like Alucardo wanted to kill her just moments ago?
Why was being "abnormal" so dangerous?
And what was up with that painting?!
Mary's First Warning: The third painting in the corridor always lies.
But the goblin in the painting hadn't even spoken!
Finally, Alucardo opened the door to the antechamber.
The room was luxurious and bright, filled with elegant furniture, exquisite clothes and accessories, and a table laden with food. By the table sat Nini—the terrifying doll with the jagged smile—her mouth stuffed with cake as she hugged a teddy bear.
When Nini noticed Lilith, she grinned. "Master! You're here! I've been helping you by eating your cake!"
Lilith's cheek twitched. "How… thoughtful of you."
"Is she your blood-contracted servant?" Alucardo asked, his tone unreadable.
"Yes," Lilith replied, lifting Nini by her collar.
"Impressive," Alucardo said coolly, turning to leave. "I'll return before the ceremony begins. Enjoy yourselves."
"Of course," Lilith replied gracefully, holding Nini in one hand and smoothing her skirt with the other.
"Master, let me go! I'm still hungry!" Nini shrieked, her sharp teeth snapping as she flailed her tiny hands.
[Nini's Favorability -1]
[Nini's Favorability -1]
Lilith sighed, glancing at the feast, now thoroughly ruined by Nini's gnashing teeth.
She clenched her fists in frustration—only to freeze.
Her hand had turned green.
She opened her palm and gasped. Thin, web-like membranes stretched between her fingers—like a frog's!
Ribbit. Ribbit. Ribbit.
The deafening croaks grew louder, filling her ears, drowning her thoughts.
[Your Sanity -10]