Chapter 104: Ten Rings for Five Silver
Miss Adele was fuming. Hearing Jasmine’s words, she was extremely unhappy. “Jasmine, how could you be like this?!”
Adele was fuming, but Jasmine remained expressionless, offering no explanation. However, having spent so much time with her, Adele knew that behind that stoic facade was a mischievous mind, probably enjoying her frustration. Adele ignored Jasmine and headed straight to the bathroom to wash up and go to bed.
While Adele was getting ready for bed, Jasmine brewed her a cup of tea with sugar cubes. After Adele finished washing up, Jasmine dried her hair and left the room after Adele had her tea. As she stepped out, a maid informed her that the head maid was looking for her. It turned out that Blake Castle had also implemented the three-shift system, but the humans still didn’t have the nine-to-five, five-day work week. Damn those vampires! Trying to make us work 996!(9am to 9pm, six days a week)
The head maid was easy to talk to, explaining that there were day and night shifts and asking Jasmine which one she preferred. If it were up to her, Jasmine would definitely choose the day shift. There were no annoying vampires during the day, the head maid couldn’t supervise them constantly, and slacking off and basking in the sun was the best!
However, if she chose the day shift, the already upset Miss Adele would be even more furious, and it wouldn’t be easy to appease her. So, after five seconds of hesitation, Jasmine chose the night shift.
The head maid was surprised by her choice. “You’re the first human maid to choose the night shift.” Well, duh! What human would want to work at night? In her previous life, night shifts were a nightmare. Working night shifts for too long could mess with your brain.
The head maid didn’t assign her too many tasks. After all, Jasmine was now considered Adele’s personal maid, and her duties should be assigned by Adele. Moreover, Adele was often away, and soon, she would be returning to school, taking Jasmine with her. So, even if the head maid assigned her tasks, Jasmine wouldn’t be able to do them for long.
However, Blessing Day was approaching, and there would be a lot of work during this period. Jasmine would be needed.
Her task was the same as last year: cleaning a section of the corridor. After receiving her assignment, she returned to her room, preparing to rest.
Adele returned very late that night. Jasmine worked quickly, and three days later, Blessing Day arrived. Adele, like last year, donned an elaborate gown and, with the help of the Lady’s maids, had her hair styled in an intricate updo. Compared to last year, there was a slight change in her hairstyle. She was wearing a red gemstone tiara. She looks like a queen, Jasmine thought.
After Adele was dressed, she dismissed the Lady’s maids. Before she could speak, Jasmine pulled her aside, towards the window. Bright moonlight streamed in, the night breeze gently billowing the white curtains. Jasmine pulled the curtains closed and kissed Adele.
Adele was still slightly upset about Jasmine’s “I won’t tell you” remark from a few days ago, but she wouldn’t refuse a kiss from Jasmine. As Jasmine leaned in, Adele instinctively closed her eyes. She smelled Jasmine’s clean fragrance and felt the warmth of her lips.
Adele’s lips were sweeter than usual, perhaps because of the lipstick she was wearing. This world didn’t have the advanced chemical industry of Jasmine’s previous life. Cosmetics were more natural. The lipstick was made from pressed flower petals, giving it a floral scent and a slightly sweet, honey-like taste.
Jasmine kissed her lightly for a moment, then ended the kiss. But Adele wasn’t satisfied. She stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Jasmine’s waist, and kissed her again. Adele had gone from being completely inexperienced to a skilled kisser. Her movements were urgent and passionate. Despite her cold lips, her entire being radiated warmth.
After a while, they finally parted. There was a smudge of lipstick on Jasmine’s lips. Adele giggled. “Jasmine, my lipstick is gone.” Indeed, it had all transferred to Jasmine’s lips. Adele’s lips were bare.
Fortunately, despite her eagerness, Adele’s hair and makeup were still intact. Jasmine looked at Adele’s lips, now bare but still alluring, and said, “I’ll reapply it for you.”
After reapplying the lipstick, Adele was ready to attend the Blessing Day ceremony. She told Jasmine, “Wait for me here. We’ll go to the village later.”
Jasmine agreed. She waited in the room for a while, bored out of her mind, staring at the full moon. Finally, she heard footsteps and the Second Miss’s voice. Adele couldn’t shake off her little shadow, Jasmine thought. Sure enough, Adele opened the door, her younger sister trailing behind her.
The Second Miss wasn’t quiet. On the contrary, she was quite loud, chattering incessantly as she followed Adele. “Unbelievable! You were gone for so long! Do you know how worried I was? And you even hypnotized Mother! Weren’t you worried about her?!”
Adele turned to face her sister. “If you say one more word, I won’t take you out.”
The Second Miss immediately shut up, but her eyes were still filled with suspicion, as if asking: You’re not going to abandon me again, are you?
If she had asked, the answer would have been: Of course, you’ll be abandoned. Last year, before they were together, Adele had already found her younger sister to be an annoying third wheel. Now that they were lovers, the Second Miss was an even bigger third wheel. How could Adele possibly take her along?
But telling her that would only lead to more whining and complaining.
Seeing her sister silenced, Adele changed out of her elaborate gown, opting for more practical clothes. Then she excitedly extended her hand towards Jasmine. Jasmine knew she wanted a princess carry.
Ever since Jasmine had revealed her true identity, it had always been her carrying Adele around. This had bruised Adele’s ego, as she considered herself to be quite strong. But with the Second Miss present, Jasmine couldn’t reveal her true self. She had to maintain her facade as a weak and pitiful maid.
Jasmine didn’t mind. A true top wouldn’t feel threatened by her girlfriend’s desire to be dominant. So, she didn’t resist Adele’s princess carry. Just like last year, Adele lifted her into her arms, while the Second Miss… nestled comfortably in Jasmine’s embrace.
Adele was stronger than last year, her speed much faster. They arrived at the village before the other maids. So, Adele didn’t even have to disappear. The moment they saw the Second Miss, the maids surrounded her. “Second Miss, how could you come here? We told you last year…”
“Wait! I came with Adele this time!” The Second Miss protested, but then she saw that her sister had already walked away with her maid, ignoring her completely. She reached out towards Adele, “Adele!”
As they strolled through the village, the Second Miss’s wails echoed in the background. Honestly, Jasmine felt a bit sorry for her. Being constantly rejected by her own sister… it was quite tragic. And this wasn’t just a one-time occurrence. She had probably been rejected countless times throughout her life.
But Jasmine soon forgot about the Second Miss. Her attention was completely focused on Adele. The village had organized several activities this year. The floating lanterns were still being sold, but by a different vendor, a younger man. Jasmine asked casually, “Where’s the previous vendor?”
The lantern vendor pointed to the side. Jasmine looked over and saw the previous vendor running a ring toss game. And to prevent the low-ranking vampires, with their sharp eyes and agility, from winning too easily, the rings for vampires were different from those for humans.
The vampires’ rings were smaller and lighter, making them much harder to control. Some low-ranking vampires protested, “We’re paying the same price! Why do humans get bigger rings?”
The vendor chuckled. “How could I let esteemed vampires use the same rings as lowly humans? I wouldn’t want your hands to be tainted by their scent. Besides, you are all so powerful. I believe only this challenging ring toss game is worthy of your skills.”
Jasmine approached the stall and asked about the price. The vendor smiled. “Ten rings for five silver coins.”
—What a rip-off!
Jasmine wanted to curse. This woman! Every year, she comes up with new ways to swindle me out of my money! Adele, however, was intrigued. She generously paid ten silver coins and received twenty rings. The vendor, being discriminatory, gave Jasmine large, heavy rings that were easier to control. Adele’s rings, on the other hand, were tiny, barely the size of bracelets, and incredibly light…
Adele, oblivious to this, asked Jasmine, “Which one do you want?”
There wasn’t anything valuable on the stall, mostly handmade trinkets and two identical straw bracelets. The most expensive item was probably the floating lantern from the neighboring stall.
Jasmine thought for a moment. “Those two bracelets and the lantern.”
Adele agreed.
She had ten rings, so she wasn’t in a hurry. She used the first two to test her aim. The rings were so light that it was difficult to control their trajectory. She either threw them too far, or they bounced off the target due to their lightness.
But after five attempts, she had figured out how to control the rings. She threw with confidence, and the ring landed perfectly on one of the bracelets Jasmine had chosen. The other two items were also easily acquired.
The vendor’s expression turned awkward. Ring toss games don’t work in a high-fantasy world! Jasmine thought.
Leave a Reply