Lilith clamped her hands over her ears in panic!
Nini hit the ground with a loud thud, letting out a wailing scream. Oddly enough, the piercing cries seemed to drown out the relentless croaking of the frogs, which eventually faded away.
Lilith's chest heaved as she struggled to calm herself. Only then did she notice the teary-eyed little girl on the floor. After a long pause, she said softly, "Thank you, Nini."
But as Lilith looked at her hands, the green, frog-like webbing remained. She rushed to her wardrobe, rummaging through it frantically, until she found a pair of white lace gloves. She slipped them on, wincing as the webbing between her fingers tugged against the delicate fabric.
Outwardly, she now looked normal. But something still felt wrong.
Not stopping there, Lilith turned back to the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of white Lolita stockings.
She slid them on carefully, covering her legs completely.
She had no doubt the strange phenomenon wasn't over. Until she figured out a solution, she needed to conceal her abnormalities from everyone.
With her body hidden beneath layers of elegant fabric, Lilith finally exhaled in relief. For now, she was "safe." But the nagging sense of danger only deepened.
What's happening to me? How do I change back?
Lilith found herself completely at a loss.
Who can help me?
Suddenly, Mary's sixth warning surfaced in her mind:
"If you face any difficulty, seek your father's help. He loves you."
A flicker of hope lit up in Lilith's chest—only to be extinguished when she remembered Mary's seventh warning:
"Do not trust your father. He will kill you."
Pacing back and forth in her heels, Lilith stopped and took a deep breath.
Then don't trust what he says—simple enough.
With her resolve hardened, Lilith strode to the door and threw it open.
"Where are you going, Master?" Nini asked, licking frosting off her fingers. "If you're not eating, I'll finish it all!"
Lilith glanced back, a sly smile curling her lips.
"No, Nini. You can't stay here. You're coming with me."
[Nini's Favorability -10]
Lilith had no intention of leaving behind her "protective charm" Nini's screams seemed to suppress the strange occurrences around her, and Lilith wasn't about to risk losing that protection.
Dragging Nini along, Lilith left the room and made her way to the grand hall.
Inside, servants bustled about, preparing for the ceremony with perfect precision.
"Your Highness," they greeted in unison, bowing as Lilith entered.
Lilith glanced down the central staircase, where ten long tables were arranged, each adorned with ten opulent chairs. Place cards marked with names sat at every seat.
One hundred seats. One hundred guests.
She murmured under her breath, "Exactly one hundred…"
"Has anyone seen my father?" she asked.
"Lord Count is in the first room behind the hall," a maid replied.
"But the Count is in a terrible mood," another warned. "It might not be wise to disturb him, Your Highness."
Lilith frowned. "Why would my father be in a bad mood on my coming-of-age day?"
"The Count is overjoyed by this special occasion," a servant explained. "He's personally overseen every detail of the ceremony. Lord Count loves you dearly, my Princess."
"However, there's been a minor hiccup in the preparations," another servant added hesitantly. "He's upset because he wanted everything to be perfect for you. He can't tolerate even the smallest flaw."
Lilith blinked. "A perfectionist, is he?"
"What went wrong?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
The maids exchanged nervous glances.
"It's a small issue."
"The Count planned to invite exactly one hundred guests, but one of them just informed us they won't be able to attend."
Lilith felt her stomach drop.
Mary's Fourth Warning: Your coming-of-age ceremony must have exactly one hundred guests—no more, no less.
Though she didn't fully understand the significance, Lilith knew this was a bad omen.
"No! I must see my father immediately!"
Ignoring the servants' protests, Lilith strode toward the room at the back of the hall, dragging Nini behind her.
The two maids exchanged wary looks, murmuring about how the Princess's perfectionism rivaled the Count's.
As Lilith reached the door, she heard her father's furious voice from inside.
"Get out! All of you, OUT! I will not tolerate even the slightest imperfection in Lilith's ceremony! You fools understand nothing!"
"Lord Count, if I may…" came the steady voice of the vampire butler. "It's only one missing guest. If you wish, I can find a replacement immediately."
"No use! No use!" Dracula's voice was almost a roar. "I told you, you don't understand what's at stake!"
"And what exactly don't we understand?" a melodious female voice interjected—Lilith's stepmother, Margaret.
"You still love that human woman, don't you? That's why you obsess over Lilith. The more you love her, the more you hate the thought of giving her anything less than perfection!" Margaret's voice was sharp with anger.
"Dracula! I am also your wife! I bore you a daughter! But since you brought Lilith back to the castle six years ago, have you so much as looked at us? If you gave us half the attention you give Lilith, I'd be so happy I'd laugh in my sleep!"
Lilith lowered her head, understanding now that Margaret's attempts to harm her weren't only about coveting her blood—they stemmed from jealousy as well.
So Father really does care for me.
"Get out of here!" Dracula shouted, his voice hoarse with frustration. "I'm warning you—I'm not in the mood. Don't push me, or I'll tear you apart!"
"Let's leave," Margaret hissed.
"Madam, the Count is not himself…" the butler trailed off as footsteps approached the door.
The door swung open, and Lilith found herself face-to-face with Margaret.
"Oh! Princess, you look radiant today—like the very essence of blood itself," the bald butler greeted her with a courteous bow.
"Lilith?" Margaret said, unfurling her fan with a smile. "Congratulations, my dear. After today, you'll officially be a vampire princess."
Lilith curtsied elegantly. "Thank you for your kind words, Aunt."
Margaret's smile sharpened. "You've met Alucardo, I presume?"
"Yes. He will escort me to the ceremony."
"Wonderful. I'll leave you to your preparations, then." With a polite nod, Margaret brushed past Lilith, signaling the end of their conversation.
"Lilith, why are you here?"
Dracula's deep voice called from inside the room. He stood in a high-collared black cape, his handsome face set in an uneasy smile.
"Forgive the intrusion, Father," Lilith began, closing the door behind her. "I… seem to have a problem."
Dracula's expression darkened with concern. "What is it?"
Lilith hesitated, then removed one glove, revealing her green, webbed hand. To her horror, the green discoloration had spread up to her forearm.