Chapter 65: Mastering the Art of Seduction
So… Jasmine wasn’t exactly popular among the manor servants. They respected her because she was Adele’s maid, obeyed her orders, and even valued her words more than Bella’s. But objectively, they didn’t like her and even avoided interacting with her.
This was evident during mealtimes. The first time she had come to the dining hall with Adele, no one dared to sit at the same table as them. Back then, it was just Jasmine and Adele at the large table. But Adele no longer came to the dining hall. Logically, Jasmine should have made some friends, people she could share a meal with.
But the reality was that even now, Jasmine still ate alone.
However, today was a bit different. The little girl, carrying her tray with unsteady steps, walked over to Jasmine’s table. She placed the tray on the table
She placed the tray on the table and then climbed onto the chair.
To be fair, the little girl was very pretty. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been chosen by Oakham to be presented to a noble. Vampires were superficial. They believed that ugly people also had bad-tasting blood. So, even when choosing servants or blood slaves, they would look for attractive humans.
But the cute and pretty child didn’t evoke any warmth in Jasmine’s heart. She even knew that the little girl didn’t like her.
Jasmine tilted her head and took a spoonful of her soup. Today’s soup was cream of broccoli. Jasmine didn’t really like the taste, but after weeks of bland meals, it was considered a delicacy.
Seeing Jasmine’s silence and indifference as she calmly sipped her soup, the little girl couldn’t hold back anymore. After all, she was young and naturally less composed.
“Miss Jasmine,” she said, “I want to know more about Miss Blake. Can you tell me what kind of person she is and what she likes? And…” she even added a touch of shyness, “When does she usually eat?”
The first two questions were understandable, but Jasmine didn’t quite grasp the last one, “Why do you ask that?”
The little girl’s face flushed red. She seemed embarrassed but still asked, “Because I want to know when I should be ready. Am I still too young? Haven’t I grown up enough yet? When will Miss Blake come to drink my blood? When I’m as old as you, Miss Jasmine?”
Jasmine felt her appetite vanish. She put down her spoon and looked at the little girl with cold eyes. The girl probably didn’t realize how horrifying her question was. What livestock would ever ask a human, “I’m ready now. When are you going to eat me?”
This world was sick, twisted. Jasmine had never felt this strongly about it before.
She took a deep breath and placed her spoon on the table, “Why do you think it’s a good thing for Miss Adele to drink your blood?”
The little girl tilted her head, “Because that’s why Mr. Oakham bought me. I’m meant to be Miss Blake’s blood slave. My physical tests were all good, and the people at the childcare institution said my blood is very delicious. They said I would definitely win the favor of someone important.”
“You won’t be a blood slave.” Jasmine stood up, her hands resting on the table. Although she didn’t think it was good for the little girl to live a carefree and undisciplined life, which was why she had told Bella to assign her work, she also didn’t think it was right for the childcare institution to instill in children the idea that being a blood slave was an honor.
Hearing this, the little girl persisted, “Why not? My blood is delicious. Everyone says so.”
Jasmine felt her stomach churn. She looked at the little girl for a moment, deciding that she needed to have another talk with Bella about the girl’s education. She carried her tray, with only the cream of broccoli soup left, to the designated area.
Then she left the dining hall to find Bella. Bella was still working and would probably only eat after everyone else had finished. This way, she wouldn’t have to queue, saving time. Hearing Jasmine’s request and the shocking reason for it, Bella’s expression remained unchanged.
“She’s right to think that way.”
“?”
Perhaps sensing Jasmine’s surprise and confusion, Bella explained, “If her blood is delicious, it’s an advantage for her. Miss Blake is a kind vampire who treats humans well. Such vampires are rare. If she’s willing to take the little girl in, it would be a good thing for her. At least… it’s better than becoming someone else’s blood slave.”
Jasmine was silent for a moment. Her voice, when she finally spoke, was calm, “But there’s another option: not becoming a blood slave at all.”
Bella also fell silent, “That path is too difficult.”
“No, it will be easier. At least you agree that Adele is different.”
After saying this, Jasmine turned and left without another word. She had initially thought that Adele’s management of this farm would only last until she graduated, but she had to find a way to make Adele stay.
It was called Spark Farm, a spark that could ignite a prairie fire. How could she let it fade away like a fleeting firework?
Jasmine knew that her actions might seem incomprehensible to the little girl, who might even blame her. After all, there was an easy path before the little girl. As long as she rode on Adele’s coattails, she could become a favored maid. So why not actively offer herself as Adele’s blood slave?
But things weren’t that simple. First, Adele didn’t drink human blood. That path was completely blocked. And if the little girl did something to offend Adele, even if Adele didn’t punish her considering her age and weakness, she would still dislike her, making her life difficult.
Even if Adele did drink blood, and the little girl’s plan succeeded, becoming Adele’s blood slave and returning to the Blake family with her, would her fate be any better? No, most likely, she would become like the previous head maid, a human who sided with vampires and even felt smug about her situation.
But what had happened to the head maid in the end? And how could the little girl’s fate be any better?
Moreover, even if it were a good path for her, Jasmine still believed it was wrong. To submit to vampires was to throw away one’s dignity as a human, to let them trample on it.
Jasmine hated such people, just as she hated the head maid. They were traitors.
Jasmine returned to Adele’s room. Adele wasn’t in the drawing-room. Jasmine knew she was in her bedroom, so she walked over to the door and knocked softly. “Miss Adele, are you there?”
Adele didn’t answer, seemingly pretending not to be there. But this trick didn’t work on Jasmine. Adele’s scent emanated from the bedroom, and her breathing could be heard through the door. Jasmine lowered her hand and stood outside the door, her voice soft, “Miss Adele, there’s something I want to talk to you about. It’s been bothering me.”
There was a sound from inside. Jasmine watched as the door opened, revealing Adele with her hair slightly disheveled. “What is it?”
Jasmine knew that Adele liked her smile. She wanted Adele to buy this farm and keep the spark alive, so she had to please her a bit. She tugged at the corners of her lips, forcing a smile that wasn’t particularly beautiful. But to Adele, it was a good expression.
At least, judging from Adele’s surprised and blushing face, it was very effective.
“W-what… what is it?! Just say it, don’t just smile… It’s… it’s…” embarrassing.
Adele didn’t finish her sentence. Jasmine gently pushed the door open, took Adele’s hand, and led her to the drawing-room. She first made Adele sit down, then, while Adele fidgeted nervously, Jasmine brewed a cup of black tea for her and sat down beside her.
It was a bit embarrassing. Jasmine hadn’t expected that she would one day resort to using her beauty.
She didn’t think Adele was so smitten by her charm because she liked her. It was most likely because her blood was truly delicious, and Adele mistook her actions as a sign that she was willing to let her drink her blood.
Adele was tempted by delicious food, which was why she was flustered.
If someone were to present Jasmine with a feast of hot pot, spicy noodles, cold dishes, barbecue, roasted meat, and braised pork trotters, she would also be completely focused on the food, oblivious to what the person was saying.
Jasmine softly recounted what had happened at the dining hall. She had barely started, “After you left…” when Adele interrupted, “I was just passing by! Passing by!” She emphasized that she hadn’t deliberately lingered at the dining hall entrance. Jasmine didn’t know what Adele had actually been doing there. After all, Adele was a young girl with many whims. It wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
So, she agreed with Adele, changing her wording, “After you passed by the entrance, the little girl Oakham intended to offer you came to me and said these things…” After Jasmine finished, Adele looked displeased.
She had clearly caught the part about the little girl wanting Adele to drink her blood, and a disgusted expression appeared on her face, “What? Drink her blood? No way.”
—As expected, the little girl’s plan was flawed from the start.
But that wasn’t what Jasmine wanted to talk about. She just wanted Spark Farm to survive, not become another fleeting project that lasted only a few years.
Jasmine twirled a strand of her hair around her finger before letting it go. She decided to be more direct. She sighed, feigning a troubled expression, “Miss Adele, don’t you think it’s sad that she thinks this way? Spark Farm is thriving now. When she grows up, she will have a good life here. But for a child to be born and only dream of being a blood slave for another vampire… it’s truly tragic.”
Adele wasn’t stupid. She frowned and asked directly, “Jasmine, what are you trying to say?”
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