Category: The Delicate Female Lead Only Wants to be Loved by the Villainous Young Ladies

Chapter 82: Save Your Wife

Adele’s worst fears had materialized.

Dorothy and Hermione ascended the platform, one from the left, the other from the right, their synchronized movements causing a ripple of excitement throughout the crowd.

Amidst the murmurs and whispers, they approached the Headmistress, a figure shrouded in a shimmering gold robe, her eyes closed as if in a perpetual slumber, and requested a change of opponents.

The reason for this unprecedented move was obvious.

Dorothy, her expression as haughty as ever, met Hermione’s calm yet defiant gaze.

They had chosen each other.

The Headmistress, Winona, was a Legendary Mage known as the “Stargazer”. Her youthful appearance belied her true age, leading many to mistake her for a mere girl. Her long, flaxen hair, cascading down to the floor, seemed to defy gravity, its ends floating effortlessly above the ground, untouched by dust. Her serene, closed-eyed expression lent her an air of otherworldly detachment, like a princess secluded in an ivory tower.

Her constant companion, a fluffy white griffon chick with soft golden wings, nestled contentedly in her arms, completing the image.

The griffon, a mythical creature resembling a lion with the wings of an eagle, was a symbol of power and majesty, often depicted as a noble steed. Its smaller, more feline cousin, the griffon chick, was said to possess an unparalleled affinity for magic, making it a prized companion for Legendary Mages.

In other words, if you spotted a griffon chick, you could be sure that a Legendary Mage was nearby.

Winona didn’t respond immediately to the students’ request. The griffon chick, sensing the shift in atmosphere, let out a soft chirp and burrowed deeper into her arms.

A gentle smile curved Winona’s lips as she stroked the chick’s feathers.

“Conflict is pointless,” she said, her voice soft yet carrying, as if it echoed directly in the minds of everyone present. “But who can resist a good catfight?”

Dorothy & Hermione: “…”

Although she hadn’t explicitly stated it, it was clear that Winona had granted their request.

She enjoyed watching girls fight. She was a fan of drama.

It seemed that even Legendary Mages weren’t immune to a little bit of mischief.

Rumor had it that many students had been forced to share their snacks with Winona’s griffon chick. The little creature had a voracious appetite, devouring anything in sight, from expensive pastries to savory meat dishes. Students would often return to their dorms, eager to enjoy the treats they had saved for later, only to find their refrigerators empty, a single golden feather or a tuft of white fur the only evidence of the culprit’s identity.

Despite numerous complaints, Winona had never addressed the issue. It was as if she were saying, “Who dares to question my authority?”

Dorothy and Hermione bowed respectfully, acknowledging Winona’s decision. It seemed that even the rebellious Dorothy knew better than to defy a Legendary Mage.

Their battle was scheduled for the middle of the afternoon.

Some worried that their clash would destroy the training ground, unleashing uncontrollable forces. But when they voiced their concerns to Winona, the Stargazer simply replied, “There will be no disaster today.”

Her words, imbued with the weight of prophecy, calmed their fears.

Word of the upcoming battle spread quickly, reaching Adele’s ears in no time.

Adele, unaware of Winona’s prediction, panicked. She had to stop them! She didn’t want Hermione to get hurt!

It seemed that even in Adele’s mind, Hermione was the underdog in this fight.

As for Dorothy… well, Adele wouldn’t mind seeing someone teach her a lesson. But just a small lesson. Adele still believed that Dorothy could be redeemed.

She couldn’t sit still any longer.

“Sharon… I need to go to the bathroom,” she said, her voice trembling.

She had to find Hermione, or Dorothy, and convince one of them to back down.

“Do you… want me to come with you?” Sharon offered hesitantly.

“N-no, it’s fine,” Adele replied quickly, cutting her off.

Sharon’s face fell, but as an introvert, she was skilled at hiding her emotions.

She forced a smile. “Well… come back soon.”

Adele nodded absently and hurried away, following the path Hermione had taken.

At the same moment, on the other side of the audience, the Amaterasu twins observed Adele’s departure. They exchanged a knowing glance, a silent agreement passing between them.

………………

“Hermi—”

Adele called out, her voice breathless from running. But before she could finish Hermione’s name, darkness swallowed her whole.

Hermione, thinking it was her imagination, turned around. Seeing nothing but empty space behind her, she frowned, then shook her head, dismissing the strange sensation.

*Focus on Dorothy,* she thought. *She’s the priority.*

Unbeknownst to her, two figures, one dressed in black, the other in white, were carrying Adele away, one holding her waist, the other her legs. They hurried towards the nearest empty classroom.

“Is it just me, or is Adele getting heavier?” Kuro asked, her brow furrowed.

“Think positive,” Shiro replied. “Maybe she’s not getting fat. Maybe she’s pregnant.”

“???”

Adele, her consciousness slowly returning, groaned inwardly. Their conversation was a testament to her recent good fortune, the abundance of delicious food and high-quality blood she had been enjoying. She was, in every sense of the word, well-nourished.

As for her current predicament… well, she had been knocked unconscious by a Sequence One’s psychic attack. Again.

It was like a vampire version of “Conqueror’s Haki”, incredibly effective against weaker opponents.

But just like last time, when Hermione had knocked her out, she quickly regained consciousness. She just couldn’t let her captors know that.

She would play the role of the “clueless little fool”, answering their questions obediently.

As for the identities of her captors… well, Adele had already figured that out.

The Amaterasu twins. Dorothy’s mischievous little henchwomen.

Adele had no love for these two.

Kuro, the elder twin, was openly malicious, a classic villain who acted on her every whim. Hence the sudden attack.

Shiro, the younger twin, was more insidious, often pretending to be helpful while secretly plotting mischief. She was the mastermind behind most of Kuro’s antics.

And both were incredibly powerful.

Kuro could manipulate gravity, while Shiro could control gravitational pull, even creating tides.

But this was a fictional world, where the laws of physics were… flexible, to say the least.

Taking their abilities literally would be a mistake. If they could truly manipulate fundamental forces, they would be practically invincible.

In the context of the story, Kuro’s gravity manipulation was more like the ability to make things fall down. And Shiro’s gravitational pull was more like the ability to attract things.

They were Ability-type vampires, unlike Dorothy, who was a Familiar-type, and Hermione, who was an Elemental-type.

Adele hadn’t expected to encounter the twins at a time like this. But fate, it seemed, had a twisted sense of humor.

They reached an empty classroom, and the twins, acting simultaneously, tried to open the door. Kuro pulled, Shiro pushed, and the door remained firmly shut.

It seemed that even twins weren’t always in sync.

They exchanged a glare, their minds no doubt filled with colorful insults. A close sibling relationship wasn’t about being polite and agreeable all the time. It was about arguing, making up, and moving on.

Adele, though unable to hear their thoughts, sensed their shared animosity. They would take out their frustration on her.

She was in trouble.

Big trouble.

They deposited her on a table, their movements as casual as if they were arranging a doll. The curtains closed, manipulated by a combination of gravity and gravitational pull. The lights flickered on, illuminating Adele’s pale skin, making her look even more delicate and vulnerable.

Adele’s breath quickened, her eyes wide and unfocused. The twins’ voices, laced with a predatory amusement, echoed in her ears.

“I prefer Adele when she’s obedient,” Shiro said, her voice a soft purr.

Kuro chuckled. “That’s no fun. The best part is hearing them scream,” she said, her voice laced with a sadistic glee. “The struggle, the despair…”

She reached out and stroked Adele’s cheek, her touch cold and unsettling.

Adele shivered involuntarily.

“Huh, that’s no fun,” Kuro grumbled.

“You go first,” Shiro said. “I’ll take my turn when she wakes up~”

Their conversation, so casually cruel, was like a symphony of horror to Adele’s ears.

*They’re both insane!*

She had known they were villains, but their blatant disregard for any pretense of decency was shocking.

*Dorothy! Hermione! Stop fighting! Someone save me!*

 

Chapter 81: Edith’s Secret

As Adele’s gaze fell upon her, Dorothy instinctively withdrew her hand from Edith’s grasp, as if she didn’t want Adele to misunderstand their relationship. It was a strange reaction, considering Dorothy’s immense power and her usual disregard for Adele’s feelings.

Edith’s expression was unreadable as she turned her gaze towards Adele, a strange mix of emotions flickering in her purple eyes.

Adele, uncomfortable under Edith’s scrutiny, decided to give Dorothy a taste of her own medicine. With a haughty sniff, she walked past them and headed towards the audience, her gaze fixed on Sharon.

Sharon, startled by Adele’s sudden appearance, stood up from her seat, a welcoming gesture. But Dorothy’s sharp gaze immediately silenced her.

The silver-haired girl clenched her fists, her body trembling. But she stood her ground, refusing to cower before Dorothy’s silent threat. She would remain standing until Adele reached her side.

“Is that her, the prize that completes your collection?” Edith asked, her voice laced with amusement.

Dorothy simply glanced at her, then turned and walked away without a word.

Edith’s smile remained in place, her posture unchanged, even as Dorothy’s retreating figure disappeared into the crowd. Only when Dorothy was out of sight did her expression cool, a layer of frost settling over her features.

She turned her gaze back towards Adele, who was chatting animatedly with Sharon. Or rather, she was entertaining Sharon, drawing the shy girl out of her shell. Expecting Sharon to initiate conversation was like expecting a rock to sprout wings and fly.

Beside Edith, Vicky, the vice-president of the Black Feather Society and one of Edith’s most trusted Sequence Ones, spoke in a low voice.

“Adele, a first-year half-vampire. Rumored to possess the ability to charm others.”

“…A temptress, then,” Edith murmured, her eyes narrowing.

“If you’re curious, President…”

“No,” Edith interrupted, her voice firm. After a moment, she added, in a voice barely audible, “Not yet, at least.”

………………

While Edith was observing Adele, Adele was observing her, her gaze lingering on Edith and her companion, Vicky, whose attire resembled that of a medieval sorceress.

Edith was undeniably beautiful, with her classic features, her raven hair, and her piercing purple eyes. The black veil she wore constantly only enhanced her allure, adding an air of mystery and intrigue.

What secrets lay hidden beneath that veil? What beauty awaited those who dared to unveil her?

Unfortunately for Edith, Adele already knew the answer.

And knowing the truth made her want to stay as far away from Edith as possible.

Edith’s face, hidden beneath the veil, was indeed lovely, meeting the expectations of those who imagined her to be a breathtaking beauty. But the moment she opened her mouth, the illusion shattered.

Beneath the veil, Edith was… a monster.

Not in the “she’s so ugly, I wish she didn’t have a mouth” kind of way.

But in the “slit-mouthed woman” urban legend kind of way.

Long, jagged scars extended from the corners of her lips to her ears, held together with crude stitches.

The mere thought of it made Adele shudder.

Besides, she had the benefit of hindsight.

In the original story, Adele had fallen for Edith’s charms, seduced by the promise of acceptance and belonging within the Black Feather Society. She had believed that even a low-ranking half-vampire like herself could find respect and recognition among Edith’s followers.

She had accepted Edith’s offer of friendship, had joined the Black Feather Society… and had paid a terrible price.

Edith had subjected her to relentless bullying and abuse, inflicting unspeakable horrors upon her.

By the time Adele had escaped, her initial hope and optimism had turned into a burning hatred for all vampires.

It was a pivotal moment in the story, setting the stage for Adele’s eventual transformation into the Blood Queen, her thirst for revenge consuming her.

Knowing Edith’s true nature, knowing the horrors that awaited her within the Black Feather Society, Adele would never fall for Edith’s lies again.

She would never join the Black Feather Society.

Edith, sensing Adele’s gaze, smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

*As if,* Adele thought, rolling her eyes.

Edith could put on a friendly facade all she wanted, but Adele wouldn’t be fooled.

But then, a thought occurred to Adele.

The reason the protagonist in the original story had been so vulnerable to the Black Feather Society’s bullying was because she was alone, isolated, rejecting any kind of connection with other vampires.

She hadn’t tamed Celeste, hadn’t forged a deep bond with Tang Linlang, hadn’t reconciled with Dorothy, hadn’t earned Hermione’s protection or Sharon’s obsessive devotion.

“Come to think of it… maybe I could actually thrive in the Black Feather Society,” Adele murmured, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

Sharon, her hands folded neatly in her lap, leaned closer, her brow furrowed. “What did you say, Adele?” she asked, having missed Adele’s quiet musing.

“Oh, nothing,” Adele replied, forcing a smile.

Under normal circumstances, she would have taken Sharon’s hand, showering her with sweet nothings. But the curse prevented any such intimacy.

*Damn you, Dorothy.*

Sharon nodded, and at that moment, Hermione entered the training ground.

Adele spotted her immediately, her eyes lighting up. She stood up and waved enthusiastically, hoping to catch Hermione’s attention.

Hermione saw her and smiled, her usually cold features softening with warmth.

Dorothy saw it too, her face darkening with displeasure. Even with the chastity curse in place, Adele was still flirting!

*Adele, why?*

Adele was a master of attracting unwanted attention. She was like a tank in a video game, drawing all the aggro.

The problem was, she wasn’t tanking the damage herself. She was expecting Hermione to bear the brunt of Dorothy’s wrath.

But that was a burden Hermione had already chosen to carry when she decided to challenge Dorothy. So, Adele wasn’t exactly throwing Hermione under the bus.

Besides Dorothy’s annoyance, there were a few others whose emotions were also running high.

Celeste, seated among the Sequence Twos, her gaze fixed on Adele.

Tang Linlang, who had quietly taken a seat behind Adele, her heart pounding.

And further back, two identical girls, their gazes also drawn to Adele.

The Amaterasu twins, staunch members of “Team Dorothy”: Amaterasu Kuro and Tsukimi Shiro.

Despite being identical, they were easy to distinguish. Kuro, the elder sister, was outgoing and boisterous, with black hair and black stockings. Shiro, the younger sister, was quiet and introverted, with silver hair and white stockings.

And both were blessed with ample bosoms, dispelling any “one twin is flat-chested, the other is busty” clichés.

“Look, a lone cupcake~” Kuro said, licking her lips, her eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.

It had been a while since the twins had tormented Adele. Life, even for Sequence Ones, was full of distractions.

And what better way to relieve stress than to pick on a helpless little girl?

Just thinking about Adele’s delicious blood made Kuro’s fangs lengthen, her mouth curving into a cruel smile.

Shiro, the quieter twin, set down her book and glanced at her sister.

“Don’t call me an idiot in your head!” Kuro snapped, her childish outburst strangely endearing.

“Hmph.”

“And don’t you dare think ‘Just block me out then’!”

“We’re twins! We have a psychic connection!”

But their telepathic link could be severed if one of them chose to close her mind. And it also had a limited range.

So, separating the twins, either through physical distance or through strategic maneuvers, was key to defeating them.

Shiro rolled her eyes, her expression a mix of exasperation and affection.

*Who wants to be psychically linked to an idiot like you?*

But despite their bickering, the twins were close, their bond unbreakable. And they shared the same opinion about Adele.

A single glance was all it took for them to reach a silent agreement.

*After school, we feast.*

“But Kuro,” Shiro asked mentally, their conversation taking place entirely within their minds.

“What?”

“Have you heard about Dorothy and Hermione fighting over the cupcake?”

“That’s ridiculous. She’s just food.”

“Hmm… perhaps.”

But a flicker of doubt lingered in Shiro’s eyes.

Chapter 80: The Vampire Kiss of Fealty

Adele was unaware of the brewing conflict between Hermione and Dorothy. She simply had a feeling, a gut instinct, that Dorothy’s “surprise” involved Hermione.

It would explain Hermione’s unexpected visit on Friday night, her uncharacteristic behavior. Something major must have happened, or was about to happen, to make Hermione act so out of character.

And her abrupt departure the next morning… it all pointed to a single conclusion.

Hermione, the Ice Queen, and Dorothy, the Vampire Princess, were about to clash.

But to confirm her suspicions, Adele needed to go to the training ground.

She abandoned her messy desk, her textbooks left open, and hurried out of the classroom, her pink eyes filled with anxiety.

Even in her haste, she was a vision of grace, her slender legs carrying her swiftly down the hallway, her blue skirt swirling around her.

Tang Linlang followed Adele to the door, her hand reaching out as if to stop her, to ask what was wrong, to offer her assistance…

But she hesitated, perhaps sensing the urgency in Adele’s movements, and let her go, her hand falling to her side.

She wished Adele would run towards her with the same fervor…

………………

The primary function of Chromwell Academy was to *filter*.

Like a sieve, it separated the strong from the weak, the loyal from the rebellious, guiding each student towards their rightful place within the vampire hierarchy.

It was the unspoken purpose of most vampire academies.

And the ranking battles were a particularly effective method of identifying the most promising individuals. They were held regularly for second and third-year students, while the first-years observed from the sidelines.

The fourth-years, having already matured and chosen their paths, were exempt from this brutal assessment.

It was a chance to prove oneself, to earn recognition, to secure valuable resources. Some students relished the opportunity, eager to make a name for themselves, to defy expectations, to overcome the limitations of their bloodlines and conquer those of higher rank.

There had been instances where lower-ranking vampires had triumphed over their superiors, shocking the audience and earning the admiration of their peers.

The academy seemed to encourage such upsets. It was a very human concept, after all: anyone could rise to the top, regardless of their origins. Unlike the vampires, who clung to their rigid bloodline hierarchy.

But more often than not, the ranking battles simply reinforced the existing power structure, the higher-ranking vampires crushing their inferiors without mercy.

At the training ground, the Student Council and the Black Feather Society maintained a clear division, each organization responsible for overseeing their designated areas. But at the boundary between their territories, the animosity between the two factions was palpable.

On one side, the Student Council, representing the humans. On the other, the Black Feather Society, representing the vampires.

It was a rivalry that had plagued the academy for years, a headache for the administration. But if harnessed correctly, it could also be a powerful motivator, pushing both organizations to excel.

Today, unfortunately, the Student Council president was absent. As a third-year student, she was more interested in missions than in petty squabbles for rank. She was a woman of action, a no-nonsense leader who inspired her followers with her unwavering determination.

Under her influence, the Student Council had developed a reputation for efficiency and ruthlessness.

The Black Feather Society, led by the enigmatic Lady Edith, was known for its cunning and brutality.

At this moment, Lady Edith sat perched on a raised platform, her gaze cold and calculating as she surveyed the “ants” below. It was teatime, and a selection of delicate pastries and a steaming cup of Darjeeling tea were arranged before her on a silver tray.

Lady Edith was known as the “Black Veil Lady” due to the black veil she wore constantly, covering the lower half of her face, leaving only her piercing purple eyes visible.

Some whispered that her beauty rivaled that of Hermione and Dorothy, while others claimed she was a hideous monster, her face disfigured beyond recognition.

But Lady Edith didn’t care about rumors. She let people talk. Just as she would let them bleed if they dared to speak ill of her behind her back.

Freedom of speech had its limits.

Today, however, Lady Edith’s mood was unusually bright. The woman she loathed, the one who had humiliated her, was nowhere to be seen.

And she had heard a particularly interesting rumor.

Dorothy and Hermione, once friends, were now enemies.

Could anything be more entertaining?

Lady Edith had canceled all her other engagements to witness this spectacle.

Besides, regardless of who won, it would weaken one of the academy’s major factions.

Currently, there were three main power blocs within the academy. The Student Council, led by Li Tumi, comprised mostly of human elites, with a few token vampires.

Then there was the Black Feather Society, Lady Edith’s domain.

And finally… well, it wasn’t exactly an organization, more like a loose alliance of Sequence Ones led by Dorothy. Hermione, the Amaterasu twins, the one who had dropped out… and, oh yes, Sharon.

Lady Edith often forgot about Sharon. The girl was so weak, so insignificant. She would obey anyone who gave her an order, even fetching water for the Sequence Threes. It was a waste of her noble bloodline, really.

Sharon was already seated in the audience, far from the action. Lady Edith spotted her, and Sharon, as if sensing her gaze, immediately lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the floor.

She was dressed in a simple white shirt and pants, her pale skin almost translucent, her slender frame looking fragile and easily breakable. Her messy silver-grey hair obscured her eyes, making her look like a frightened creature, peeking out from behind a curtain of silver.

Lady Edith’s lips curved into a smile, hidden behind her black veil.

But her attention was quickly drawn to a more captivating figure.

Dorothy, the Vampire Princess, resplendent in a crimson and black gothic gown, a black lace choker adorning her slender neck.

She held a bouquet of blue roses, their fragrance intoxicating, her boots clicking against the floor with each graceful step, a rhythm that echoed in the hearts of those around her, quickening their pulse.

She seemed annoyed by her early arrival, her pink lips pouting slightly. But no one would dare to call the princess “cute”, even though it was the most fitting description.

Lady Edith despised humans, which was why she had made the Black Feather Society exclusive to vampires. But her feelings towards Dorothy were more complex.

Dorothy’s royal status meant that she would never bow to anyone. Lady Edith, despite her desire to recruit talented individuals, would never be able to sway Dorothy to join her organization. It would be a pointless endeavor, a surefire way to undermine her own authority.

Dorothy was a force of nature, a power Lady Edith could never control.

Some even claimed that Dorothy, even alone, was a force to be reckoned with, a third faction within the academy.

Hermione, the twins… they were merely ornaments, enhancing Dorothy’s already formidable power.

Many believed that Hermione, with her mastery of elemental magic, would prevail in this conflict.

But Lady Edith had a different opinion. She was certain that Dorothy would win, or at the very least, wouldn’t lose.

She set down her teacup, her lips curving into a smile. She descended the platform, her movements graceful and fluid, and approached Dorothy, bowing respectfully.

Dorothy extended her hand, her expression impassive.

Lady Edith took it, her touch reverent, and pressed a kiss to Dorothy’s pinky finger, a gesture of fealty.

The vampire kiss of fealty. The location of the kiss carried specific meaning. A kiss on the ring finger, for example, symbolized a romantic relationship.

Rumor had it that the human tradition of wearing wedding rings on the ring finger originated from this ancient vampire custom.

“Congratulations on your victory,” Lady Edith said, her voice laced with amusement.

Dorothy, however, ignored her. Her gaze was fixed on the entrance to the training ground.

A girl stood there, panting slightly, her cheeks flushed, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

Adele.

She had arrived just in time.

And she had witnessed the exchange between Lady Edith and Dorothy, her eyes widening in surprise.

Chapter 79: Celeste’s Thigh Garter

Noontime slipped away as quickly as it had arrived.

Adele woke up in her soft bed, stretching languidly with a contented sigh. “Mmm…” she murmured, the sheer comfort almost bringing tears to her eyes.

Sharon hadn’t visited her dreams, nor had she returned to the apartment.

But Adele wasn’t concerned with the whereabouts of the Sequence Ones. She had her own problems to deal with.

She stumbled downstairs, her throat parched. A glass of water, however, did little to quench her thirst.

“…”

She opened the mini-fridge, a standard feature in all vampire dorms, and pulled out a blood pack. It was a low-quality one, intended for Sequence Fives like herself, the bottom of the barrel.

Adele frowned at the murky liquid sloshing around inside the translucent pouch. With a haughty sniff, she tossed it back into the fridge.

Then, she grabbed her phone and sent a message to Celeste.

Adele: *Bring me a better quality blood pack when you come to school this afternoon. Fresh, if possible.*

By now, Adele had fully embraced her vampire identity. Blood was a necessity, a vital part of her existence. Half-vampires might be more tolerant of thirst than purebloods, but they couldn’t survive without it.

Celeste’s response was immediate, her voice eager and breathless.

Celeste: *Of course, Adele! Anything else you need?*

Adele: *Anything else? Hmm… wear a thigh garter. Gotta boost my attack speed.*

Celeste: *…*

Confused but determined to please her master, Celeste hurried over to her closet, searching for a thigh garter. If she couldn’t find one, she would simply buy one on her way to school.

Adele’s wishes were her commands.

………………

Outside the classroom, a lone figure stood in the hallway, her delicate features framed by a cascade of blue silk, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink, her beauty enhanced by the warm sunlight streaming through the windows.

She was waiting for someone. It was obvious.

When a voluptuous girl with long, golden hair finally arrived, panting slightly from her hurried pace, the blue-clad girl’s face lit up with a smile. But the smile quickly faded, replaced by a playful frown.

“You’re late, silly dog,” she chided.

Celeste simply grinned, her heart filled with a secret joy. She had caught the fleeting glimpse of genuine happiness in her master’s eyes before Adele had schooled her features into a more neutral expression.

Without offering any excuses for her tardiness, Celeste presented Adele with a blood pack, chilled to perfection in her car’s mini-fridge.

Adele’s gaze, however, was drawn to the black thigh garter adorning Celeste’s leg, just above her knee, a tantalizing glimpse of her smooth, pale skin beneath the sheer black stockings.

She hummed in approval, taking the blood pack from Celeste and draining it in a few long gulps.

Then, her brow furrowed, and she looked at Celeste with surprise. If she had been paying closer attention, she would have noticed the slight pallor of Celeste’s complexion from the start.

“Celeste, is this your…?”

Celeste simply smiled shyly, her silence speaking volumes.

Adele’s gaze softened, and she reached out, stroking Celeste’s hair.

“Good girl.”

It was clear that Celeste had sacrificed her own blood to fulfill Adele’s request for freshness. It was a selfless act, one that placed an additional burden on Celeste’s already weakened body.

Adele remembered tasting Celeste’s “deliciousness” just a few days ago.

But for Celeste, her own discomfort was irrelevant. As long as she could please her master, her heart was content.

And strangely enough, the chastity curse didn’t activate when Adele touched Celeste’s hair.

It wasn’t that the curse had malfunctioned. Adele realized that her touch had been purely affectionate, devoid of any lustful intent.

The chastity curse, true to its name, only reacted to physical contact that was fueled by desire.

To test her theory, Adele let her gaze drift lower, towards the thigh garter. The moment her eyes landed on it, a jolt of pain shot through her lower abdomen, traveling down her legs like an electric shock.

“Eep!” she yelped, jerking her hand back, her shoulders trembling.

“Master!” Celeste cried, her concern overriding her usual caution. She had forgotten to address Adele formally.

Thankfully, they were alone in the hallway.

But even if Adele punished her later for her slip-up, Celeste wouldn’t regret it.

“Don’t… don’t come any closer,” Adele said, her voice breathless. “I’m fine.”

She clutched her chest, her heart pounding, her breathing ragged. She was anything but fine.

But she couldn’t let Celeste know about the curse. She didn’t want Celeste, who had finally given up on her rivalry with Hermione, to start a new one with Dorothy.

All her efforts would be wasted.

Besides, Celeste… was her precious dog. She would be heartbroken.

“…I’m going back to class,” Adele said, forcing a smile. “I’ll talk to you later, Celeste.”

“Master…”

“We talked about this. That’s for private… Ugh!”

Adele stomped her foot, pretending to be annoyed, and hurried back to her classroom.

Celeste was truly a handful. But punishing her… it felt wrong.

Who else in this world was as devoted to her as Celeste?

Back in the classroom, Adele was immediately greeted by Tang Linlang’s concerned gaze. Was it Adele’s imagination, or had Linlang been crying? Her eyes were red-rimmed, but her expression was resolute.

Adele offered a cheerful greeting, and Linlang’s mood visibly improved.

Adele had finished the blood pack in the hallway. She didn’t want to reveal her “vampire” side to Tang Linlang. Besides, deep down, she still considered herself more human than vampire.

As she settled back into her seat, the bell rang, signaling the start of the next class.

And it was during that class that the homeroom teacher made a surprise announcement. The rest of the day would be dedicated to observing the “ranking battles” at the training ground.

The ranking battles were a major event for upperclassmen, a way to assess their abilities, to determine their place within the hierarchy, and to allocate resources accordingly.

Adele frowned. She remembered Dorothy’s request, her insistence that Adele meet her at the training ground. And the strange smile that had played on Dorothy’s lips…

A sense of foreboding settled over Adele.

Chapter 78: Dorothy, I’ll Kill You!

“There must be a way,” Linlang said fiercely, her voice trembling with emotion. “I swear, I’ll find a way to break this curse! And no matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side, Adele. Always.”

Adele offered a weak smile, grateful for Linlang’s unwavering support. But Linlang could see the pain behind the facade, the effort it took for Adele to maintain her composure.

She turned away, her own eyes welling up.

Just then, Adele’s voice, soft and hesitant, broke the silence.

“Um… Linlang, I need to use the bathroom. Could you… turn around?”

Linlang, still reeling from Adele’s revelations, only now remembered where they were.

The bathroom.

And what people did in bathrooms… well, it was obvious!

But Adele hadn’t asked her to leave, only to turn around.

Linlang’s heart pounded as she obeyed, her mind a jumbled mess.

Adele, however, couldn’t resist a mischievous grin. She lifted the toilet seat, carefully placing a layer of tissue paper on either side. Then, slowly, deliberately, she began to remove her skirt. Her movements were graceful, languid, imbued with an unexpected sensuality.

The rustling of fabric against skin sent shivers down Linlang’s spine. Her shoulders trembled, and the soft sound of running water, like a gentle stream cascading over rocks, only intensified the heat building within her. Her head felt light, her thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind.

Adele’s presence was the only anchor she had left.

Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity.

Finally, Adele finished her business and approached Linlang from behind, her hand gently tugging on the hem of Linlang’s skirt.

“Linlang,” she whispered, her voice soft and vulnerable, with a hint of a whine. “I’m… done. Shall we go back to class?”

Linlang snapped out of her daze, her first instinct to cover her nose. She could feel a warmth spreading through her nostrils, the telltale sign of an impending nosebleed.

Thankfully, she regained control before her imagination could run wild.

But she couldn’t help but think: *Who’s the one who’s really “done” here?*

But saying that out loud would ruin everything!

“Y-yes, of course,” she stammered, nodding quickly.

She felt Adele’s fingers clinging to her skirt, and her heart ached for the girl.

If it weren’t for Dorothy, for the cruel curse she had inflicted… Adele would be holding her hand, snuggling against her, perhaps even inviting her over to her house on a sunny afternoon…

All those thoughts, all those frustrated desires, coalesced into a single, burning rage.

*Dorothy, I’ll kill you!*

………………

Adele looked adorable, clinging to Linlang’s skirt like a lost puppy. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes, fixed on Linlang’s retreating figure, held a mixture of emotions.

Linlang deliberately slowed her pace, savoring the moment, wishing it could last forever.

But all journeys must end.

They arrived back at the classroom, and a wave of disappointment washed over Linlang as Adele released her grip on her skirt, their paths diverging.

Even though she was back in her own seat, Linlang felt like a part of her was missing, a piece of her heart left behind with Adele.

She couldn’t focus on the remaining classes, her mind replaying every moment she had spent with Adele.

Adele, however, listened attentively. She had discovered that the more she resisted something, the longer it seemed to drag on. But if she immersed herself in it, like in her classes, time seemed to fly by.

The lessons passed quickly, and Adele absorbed the knowledge with ease. It was a win-win situation.

Linlang, however, remained distracted, her chin resting on her hand, her gaze distant, her thoughts far away. The teacher called her out several times, but she barely registered it.

Only when the bell rang, signaling the end of class, did she snap out of her daze. Her eyes immediately sought out Adele, who was already packing up her things.

Linlang scrambled to gather her own belongings and hurried over to Adele’s side, her heart pounding.

“Adele,” she blurted out, her voice barely a whisper. “Can I… can I treat you to lunch? At that fancy Western restaurant outside the school? I… my family is rich now.”

Adele couldn’t help but smile at Linlang’s awkward yet endearing invitation. It seemed Linlang was still bothered by the fact that Celeste had treated Adele to a fancy meal.

But Adele quickly masked her amusement, her expression turning soft and understanding.

“Congratulations, Linlang!” she said sincerely. “But for lunch… we don’t need to go anywhere fancy. I think… it’s not about the food, but the company. Even a simple bowl of instant noodles would be delicious… if I’m sharing it with you.”

She paused, then added, “As long as it’s not pickled cabbage flavor.”

Linlang, though confused by the last part, nodded eagerly. She understood the message Adele was trying to convey.

If Adele was willing to eat instant noodles with her, but insisted on a fancy restaurant with Celeste… well, the difference in their status, in their level of intimacy, was clear, wasn’t it?

In the end, Linlang, despite her lack of social graces, didn’t actually take Adele to eat instant noodles.

They ended up at the fancy Western restaurant, after all.

Linlang, despite being the one treating Adele, was far more nervous and flustered than her guest. Thankfully, Adele was there to guide her through the intricacies of Western dining etiquette, preventing any major faux pas.

The server’s expression, however, was priceless when Linlang, the seemingly unassuming girl, pulled out her credit card to pay the bill.

It was a small victory, but a satisfying one nonetheless.

After lunch, Adele walked Linlang back to her new apartment before heading home herself. The Tang family’s ancestral home was undergoing renovations, and the government, eager to prevent any further delays, had demolished the entire street, leaving only the ancestral shrine intact.

The compensation for the demolition had been generous, turning Linlang’s father into one of the wealthiest men in the city. But he was a simple man, content with his life, uninterested in material possessions. It was clear that the money would ultimately end up in Linlang’s hands.

A mischievous smile curved Adele’s lips.

*Or perhaps… in mine,* she thought.

Her Linlang was so sweet, so easy to manipulate…

As they parted ways, Adele, risking the wrath of the chastity curse, leaned in and kissed Linlang’s cheek.

A jolt of pain shot through her lower abdomen, but she ignored it, forcing a smile.

“Don’t… don’t cry, Linlang. I’m fine,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Really… I’m fine.”

Linlang’s eyes overflowed with tears. Adele looked so pure, so innocent, like an angel descended from heaven.

She wanted to hug Adele, to hold her tight, to merge their bodies into one, never to be separated again.

But fate, it seemed, was determined to keep them apart.

Linlang, tongue-tied and awkward, couldn’t find the words to comfort Adele. She watched Adele walk away, her figure disappearing into the distance, her heart aching.

As she turned to leave, a dangerous glint flickered in her eyes.

“Theoretically,” she murmured, her voice cold and hard, “if the caster dies… the curse is broken, right?”

She lacked the power to carry out her threat, not yet. But in the future, with the Tang family’s assassination techniques and the power of the Gu Realm at her disposal… it wasn’t entirely impossible.

But she didn’t want to wait that long.

So… she would have to resort to other means.

Perhaps… hire a foreign assassin to eliminate Dorothy?

But that was a serious violation of school rules.

“Colluding with foreign races, harming fellow students…”

Linlang hesitated.

But the image of Adele’s pain, the memory of her heartbroken expression, fueled her resolve.

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, drawing blood.

Chapter 77: Dorothy, You’re Dead to Me!

The chastity curse had finally reared its ugly head, disrupting Adele’s life in a way she hadn’t anticipated.

It was a harsh reminder that she couldn’t hide behind a screen or within the confines of a dream forever. Reality was where she lived, and reality demanded interaction, intimacy, connection.

She couldn’t afford to hurt those she cared about.

The thought of causing pain to someone she loved… it was unbearable.

Adele’s lips tightened, and her eyes welled up as she recalled Linlang’s instinctive step back.

But she wouldn’t give up.

She took another step towards Tang Linlang, her heart pounding.

Tang Linlang’s heart ached, a storm of emotions swirling within her. But seeing Adele’s heartbroken expression, her own pain seemed to fade into insignificance. Even the sharp, stabbing sensation in her chest, the feeling of her heart breaking, became bearable.

She stood frozen, waiting for Adele to approach, bracing herself for whatever came next. Comfort or rejection, she would accept it.

But Adele would never intentionally hurt Linlang.

She wanted to hug her, to reassure her, but the curse held her back, a constant threat.

Instead, she reached out and gently caressed Tang Linlang’s cheek, her touch lingering for a fleeting moment before she withdrew her hand.

Even that brief contact almost triggered the curse.

“Linlang, there’s… something wrong with me,” Adele said, her voice trembling. “Please don’t misunderstand. I’m trying to fix it. But… for now, we can’t be as close as we used to be…”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she turned away, unable to meet Tang Linlang’s gaze.

Her cryptic explanation only fueled Tang Linlang’s curiosity. But seeing Adele’s distress, she knew better than to press for answers.

Despite the unease gnawing at her heart, she followed Adele into the classroom.

The morning passed quickly, leaving little time for explanations. Adele had opted for the “playing the victim” card, hoping to pique Tang Linlang’s curiosity and distract her from the pain of rejection.

Linlang would understand. She would make excuses for Adele, worry about her well-being.

Adele was a good judge of character. She had no doubt that Linlang would come around.

And when the time was right, when Linlang’s heart was completely devoted to Adele… that’s when she would reveal the truth.

Tang Linlang was an ally, a valuable one. She would remain by Adele’s side, offering unwavering support, throughout this entire ordeal.

Why hide anything from her? Wouldn’t it be more fun to rebel against Dorothy’s tyranny together?

And that’s exactly what happened.

Adele spent the morning moping at her desk, her despondent mood casting a shadow over Tang Linlang’s own spirits.

Linlang’s imagination ran wild, conjuring up all sorts of scenarios.

The worst one? “Adele had been brutally assaulted last night, leaving her traumatized and unable to tolerate any kind of physical intimacy.”

Adele: *What?*

It was a horrifying thought, but… strangely plausible.

Well, plausible for any other innocent girl.

But Adele… she wouldn’t be this broken if Dorothy had simply had her way with her.

The chastity curse, however, was a different story. It was an insult, a violation of her freedom, a barrier preventing her from getting close to her beloved “wives”.

The second class ended, much to Tang Linlang’s relief. She dug her nails into her palms, trying to quell her anxiety as she approached Adele, who was slumped over her desk, her head resting on her arms.

Adele wasn’t asleep. She heard Linlang’s footsteps approaching, a bittersweet smile curving her lips.

The time had come.

It was time to play the role of the innocent victim, the poor little bunny bullied by the school’s biggest baddie, Dorothy.

And Linlang would believe her. She would accept Adele, flaws and all.

Tang Linlang stood beside Adele’s desk for a long moment, her heart pounding. Finally, she spoke.

“Adele…” she began hesitantly. “Do you… want to go to the bathroom?”

………………

The break between the second and third classes was always long, giving Adele ample time to tell Tang Linlang everything.

Well, almost everything.

Who would reveal information that could potentially harm them? Adele certainly wouldn’t.

Tang Linlang’s face hardened as Adele recounted Dorothy’s actions, her voice trembling with indignation. Her hatred for vampires, with the notable exception of Adele, reached new heights.

Most people considered Adele a vampire. But there were a few who insisted that she was human.

As for Adele… she would embrace whichever identity suited her best at any given moment.

They were in a secluded bathroom stall, their voices hushed.

Adele sat on the closed toilet seat, her cheeks burning with shame as she slowly lifted her shirt, revealing the heart-shaped curse mark on her lower abdomen.

In that moment, she understood how Celeste must have felt…

It was so humiliating…

But Tang Linlang’s reaction was far more dramatic than Adele had anticipated. Her vision blurred, and she had to grab the stall door to keep herself from collapsing.

“…”

Adele felt a pang of guilt. Linlang was taking this way too hard.

But then, she tried to see things from Linlang’s perspective.

It was like witnessing the aftermath of a brutal assault, the perpetrator leaving behind a permanent mark on her beloved, a symbol of ownership…

It was enough to make anyone faint.

“Adele…” Linlang whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She was on the verge of tears, but she fought to maintain her composure, focusing on comforting Adele.

“Does it… hurt? Can I… do anything to help?”

Despite her own distress, her first instinct was to care for Adele.

Adele’s lips trembled, but she shook her head, her eyes filled with despair.

“Linlang… thank you,” she whispered. “But… there’s nothing we can do. Because of this curse… I can’t even hold hands with the girl I love…”

A confession, delivered in a moment of vulnerability, like a beacon of hope piercing through the darkness.

Adele didn’t reveal the identity of the girl she loved, but Linlang already knew.

From this day forward, she would dedicate herself to avenging Adele, to climbing to the pinnacle of power.

She would make Dorothy pay for what she had done.

A thousand deaths wouldn’t be enough.

Chapter 76: Adele’s Hidden Talent

Adele found herself in a rather amusing predicament.

Sharon, bless her heart, only sought comfort and affection in the dream realm. In reality, she remained oblivious to Adele’s nighttime shenanigans, allowing Adele to maintain their normal, platonic relationship.

Meanwhile, within the dreamscape, Adele reveled in Sharon’s soft, fragrant embrace, her mind racing.

Perhaps one day, Sharon would realize that Adele retained her consciousness even within the dream. Would Sharon feel betrayed, hurt by the deception? Or would she… prefer to remain blissfully ignorant?

Adele’s eyes narrowed. She needed to plan for the future.

But honestly, Sharon wasn’t much of a concern. So what if Adele was deceiving her in her dreams? Sharon was the one invading Adele’s mind, after all.

And wasn’t Adele being a good girlfriend? Offering comfort, affection, even the occasional cuddle… What more could Sharon ask for?

Adele was a shameless heartbreaker, but she had no qualms about her actions.

Besides, she had made a crucial discovery.

Whenever Sharon entered her dreams, Adele remained conscious. She could use that time, where time flowed at half the speed of reality, to do whatever she pleased, without sacrificing any sleep.

It was like having a cheat code!

It reminded Adele of those classic web novels where the protagonist had access to a secret training ground or a magical artifact that allowed them to cultivate at an accelerated pace. While everyone else trained for a day, the protagonist could train for ten, their progress surpassing everyone else’s.

Combined with the protagonist’s innate talent, it was a recipe for dramatic last-minute breakthroughs and stunning victories against seemingly insurmountable odds.

It was a cliché, but it was a satisfying one.

Adele couldn’t help but imagine a future where she faced a critical situation, a challenge that required a significant boost in power. With Sharon’s help, she could gain twice the training time, honing her skills, mastering new techniques…

Hooking up with Sharon was like acquiring a personal cheat code.

Adele’s patience with Sharon grew, her affection deepening. After all, she was Sharon’s “lover” in the dream realm. It was her duty to be attentive and caring.

As for who was topping whom… well, that was a discussion for another time.

Hopefully, Sharon would never figure out how to use her dream-walking abilities for anything more nefarious. Otherwise, Adele wasn’t sure how she would react. Would she maintain her “top” status, or would she succumb to the allure of being a “bottom for love”?

Adele sighed. Sometimes, being too popular was a curse.

But one thing was certain: the chastity curse didn’t seem to affect her in the dream realm. She had been cuddling with Sharon, stroking her hair, caressing her face… and the curse hadn’t reacted at all.

*Take that, Dorothy.*

Even the most cunning plans had flaws. And Dorothy, despite her intelligence, was far from infallible.

In just one night, Adele had discovered two ways to get close to girls without triggering the curse.

Either Dorothy’s magic was outdated, or Adele was simply… exceptionally talented in certain areas.

………………

Monday morning.

Adele woke up feeling refreshed and energized. She stretched languidly, her thin sleep shirt riding up, revealing a sliver of her pale, slender waist.

As she made her way downstairs to the bathroom, she paused outside Sharon’s door, her gaze lingering.

It was the second day of her coexistence with the chastity curse.

*You won’t break me,* she thought, her determination hardening. Adele was a free spirit, and she refused to be controlled.

There were two ways to break the curse. Either find a mage more powerful than Dorothy, a risky proposition, or… abstain from any kind of intimacy, hoping that the curse would weaken over time.

But that would mean giving Dorothy exactly what she wanted.

Adele refused to surrender.

After a quick breakfast, she set off for her classes, her mood dampened by the prospect of meeting Dorothy at the training room later that afternoon.

Just then, Tang Linlang, also on her way to school, spotted Adele from afar. She hurried over, her face lighting up with a smile.

Tang Linlang had undergone a transformation. She was more confident, more outgoing. Wealth and privilege had a way of empowering people.

Adele, lost in her thoughts, didn’t notice Tang Linlang approaching. She wasn’t prepared for the enthusiastic hug that followed.

Or perhaps it wasn’t that unusual. Girls were often physically affectionate with each other, after all. Some even enjoyed groping each other’s breasts.

Normally, Adele would have been surprised, then delighted, by Tang Linlang’s sudden hug. She would have returned the embrace and engaged in a friendly conversation.

But today was different.

The moment Tang Linlang’s soft body pressed against Adele’s back, a jolt of pain, like an electric shock, shot through her lower abdomen, spreading throughout her body.

Adele gasped, her body instinctively recoiling.

Before the shock of the curse’s punishment could fade, she pushed Tang Linlang away, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and regret.

It was too late.

Tang Linlang stumbled back, her face ashen. She stared at Adele, her eyes wide with disbelief and hurt.

Adele… was she afraid of her? Did she hate her?

Why…?

Questions swirled in Tang Linlang’s mind, each one a fresh wound to her heart.

“…Linlang,” Adele said, her voice trembling. The aftershocks of the curse still lingered.

She took a step towards Tang Linlang, wanting to explain, to apologize.

But Tang Linlang… took a step back.

Seriously?!

Chapter 75: The Spark Returns to Sharon’s Eyes

Dorothy would never have imagined that Adele could be so cunning.

Logically, the chastity curse would only activate upon physical intimacy. The threat of excruciating pain, like a slap on the wrist for every stolen candy, was supposed to deter Adele from straying.

But Dorothy, times had changed!

If physical contact was off-limits, then Adele would simply… not touch. A little virtual voyeurism, a feast for the eyes, would suffice to satisfy her rebellious urges.

The more Dorothy tried to control her, the more Adele wanted to defy her.

And for this particular act of rebellion, Celeste, her loyal dog, was the perfect accomplice.

Sharon was too pitiful to be dragged into this. Hermione was too… noble. And Adele couldn’t bear to shatter the pure, innocent image she had cultivated in Tang Linlang’s mind.

And so, under the cover of night, the two girls engaged in a series of increasingly scandalous acts, their hushed whispers and giggles filling the air.

By the time the video call ended, Celeste was clutching her pillow, her eyes squeezed shut, her cheeks still flushed. She had obeyed Adele’s every command, every instruction, even those that had made her blush crimson with shame.

But what surprised Celeste the most was how… exhilarating it had felt. Her body, now bound to Adele as her loyal familiar, responded with a fervor that bordered on intoxication.

There had been moments of hesitation, of fear, but one look at Adele’s satisfied, flushed face was enough to banish all doubts. Celeste was content to be a puppet in her master’s hands, her every move controlled by Adele’s whims.

As the night deepened, Adele drifted off to sleep, a contented smile gracing her lips.

Celeste, however, remained wide awake.

And someone else was still suffering.

In the room next door, Sharon sat huddled on the floor behind the door, her silver-grey hair framing her pale face, her golden eyes dull and lifeless. Like a piece of gold buried in dust, its value hidden from view.

The clock ticked steadily downstairs, each tick a hammer blow to Sharon’s heart.

She stared blankly ahead, her gaze unfocused.

She was a shell of her former self, a walking corpse.

If Dorothy had seen her now, she would have been even more disappointed.

Why didn’t Sharon fight back? Even Adele, the weakest of them all, had more courage. Was Sharon, a Sequence One, truly inferior to a mere half-vampire?

Perhaps Dorothy, more than anyone else, wanted Sharon to rekindle her rebellious spirit. She had been at the top for so long, she had almost forgotten the thrill of being challenged.

Hermione’s cold defiance, her harsh words… they had angered Dorothy, yes, but they had also excited her.

If life was a game, then the games that excited Dorothy the most were those where she had to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds, to defeat powerful bosses with limited resources. She would have been a huge fan of the Souls series.

In fact, she was a bit of a gaming addict. The constraints of modern society, the rules that bound even someone as powerful as her, frustrated her. Until she reached a level where she could challenge the True Ancestors, she had to find other outlets for her thirst for challenge.

If Adele wanted Dorothy to leave her alone, she might want to consider using her knowledge of the future to her advantage. Perhaps she could recreate those challenging games, the ones that had captivated Dorothy in her previous life.

Or she could simply leak the ideas to a talented game developer.

The goal? To torment Dorothy within the virtual world, to make her suffer!

And maybe add a rule where Dorothy had to bark like a dog every time she died.

Adele drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with images of her stepping on Dorothy’s face with her white-stockinged foot, crushing the princess’s arrogant smirk.

But the dream shifted, fading into a blank, white void.

Adele frowned, her mind slowly returning to consciousness.

…Sharon?

Thankfully, Sharon wasn’t in the mood for dream-peeping. Otherwise, Adele’s carefully cultivated image would have been shattered.

No one’s “white moonlight” would be a cruel, domineering girl who enjoyed stepping on people’s faces and putting them in collars.

Adele’s heart skipped a beat. But when she spotted Sharon, huddled in the distance, her figure small and forlorn, she realized that Sharon hadn’t invaded her dreams.

She could proceed with her plan.

Taking a deep breath, Adele calmed her nerves. She reminded herself of her role in this dreamscape.

She was Sharon’s closest friend, her… lover.

And as Sharon’s lover, seeing her in such a state of distress… well, Adele knew exactly what to do.

With a gentle smile, her pink eyes filled with concern, she approached Sharon and embraced her from behind, showering her neck with soft kisses. There was no lust in her touch, only a desire to comfort Sharon, to soothe her pain.

Sharon had managed to hold back her tears when she was alone. But now, enveloped in Adele’s warmth, her heart soothed by Adele’s pure, loving energy… the tears came unbidden, flowing freely down her cheeks.

She sobbed, a torrent of pent-up emotions finally released after years of silent suffering.

Even Adele was moved by Sharon’s vulnerability. Her embrace tightened, her kisses becoming more fervent, her every touch filled with genuine affection.

Finally, exhausted from crying, Sharon leaned against Adele, her sobs subsiding into quiet sniffles. She looked so fragile, so utterly broken.

Adele stroked her hair, whispering soothing words, kissing her forehead.

And in that moment, something shifted within Sharon.

The spark returned to her eyes.

Alone, she had been too strong, too proud, to even consider defying Dorothy.

But in Adele’s arms, even in her weakness, she found a newfound courage, a reckless determination.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, she would fly towards the sun, even if it meant burning to ashes.

She would rescue Adele from Dorothy’s clutches, even if it meant sacrificing herself.

Would the future change?

Or would it, fueled by Adele’s actions, arrive even sooner?

Chapter 74: Adele, Second to None

Dorothy, having asserted her dominance, released Adele. She wiped her lips, as if savoring a delicious treat, and descended the stairs with an air of haughty grace.

Adele, still weak and shaky, remained on the floor, leaning against Sharon’s door. She glared at Dorothy’s retreating figure, her teeth gritted, then forced a smile as Dorothy glanced back at her.

It wasn’t a particularly convincing smile. Dorothy wasn’t stupid. She knew Adele was seething with resentment, her forced pleasantries a mere facade.

But there was something strangely alluring about Adele’s reluctant submission, her forced smile hiding a simmering rebellion. It made Dorothy want to drag her back into the room and ravage her all over again.

As if sensing Dorothy’s dark thoughts, Adele’s smile vanished, her gaze dropping to the floor.

“By the way,” Dorothy said casually, stopping at the bottom of the stairs. “Are you free tomorrow afternoon? Come to the training room. I have a little surprise for you.”

“…I have classes,” Adele replied, her tone noncommittal.

Dorothy’s gaze sharpened, as if she could see through Adele’s clothes, stripping her bare. It was an unsettling feeling.

“I’ll… I’ll try to make it,” Adele mumbled, her voice barely a whisper.

Dorothy nodded. *Much better,* she thought. She should have put Adele in her place sooner. The girl clearly responded better to a firm hand.

Her parting glance, however, made Adele feel like an insignificant insect.

Adele wanted to clarify something: she was *not* a manipulative little tease who preyed on the weak and cowered before the strong!

………………

Once the tingling sensation, strangely pleasant despite the circumstances, had subsided, Adele managed to pull herself up, using Sharon’s door for support. She glanced at the closed door, her heart heavy.

There was no sound coming from within, but as with a dormant volcano, there was no telling when it might erupt.

Adele sighed. She suspected that Dorothy’s actions had been a deliberate attempt to intimidate Sharon, using Adele as a pawn.

And the worst part was, Adele was probably a pretty effective pawn…

*Just you wait, Dorothy,* Adele thought, her fists clenching. *I’ll get you back for this.*

She entered her room, closing the door gently behind her.

The first thing she did was grab her pillow, using it as a stand-in for Dorothy, pummeling it with her fists, squeezing it, even straddling it and grinding against it, imagining she was riding Dorothy, her hands gripping Dorothy’s pink pigtails like handlebars.

“Call me Daddy, you bitch!” she growled. “I’m gonna dominate you!”

After a while, her anger subsided, replaced by a wave of embarrassment. She pulled out her phone, hoping to distract herself.

Her gaze landed on a message from Celeste. It was full of sweet nothings, mundane details about her day, nothing special. But as Adele read through it, a warm feeling spread through her chest. She couldn’t help but smile, imagining Celeste’s radiant smile, her unwavering devotion.

“Silly dog,” she murmured, shaking her head.

She typed out a quick reply, not expecting an immediate response. It was late, after all. Most people would be asleep by now.

But a second later, her phone buzzed with a notification.

A message from Celeste, full of emojis and excited ramblings.

Had Celeste been waiting up just to talk to her?

Whether or not that was the case, Celeste’s presence lifted Adele’s spirits. She sent Celeste a video call request.

A few seconds later, Celeste answered, her face lighting up with surprise and delight. The background revealed that she was at the apartment Adele had given her, lying in the very bed they had shared that night.

Adele’s eyes narrowed. Was her little dog yearning for her master’s scent?

*Hmph.*

Celeste, meanwhile, was like a curious puppy, her eyes darting around Adele’s room, taking in every detail. She had never been inside Adele’s dorm before, and her curiosity was evident.

She got so caught up in her observations that she forgot about Adele for a moment. When she finally looked back at the screen, Adele was staring at her, her pink eyes wide and slightly accusatory.

Celeste froze, her breath catching in her throat.

“Bark like a dog,” Adele commanded, her voice flat.

“Huh?” Celeste blinked, confused.

But Adele’s expression remained stern, her youthful features somehow managing to be both adorable and intimidating.

Hesitantly, Celeste let out a soft, “Woof…?”

Adele’s expression softened slightly.

Encouraged, Celeste barked louder. “Woof! Woof woof!”

Adele couldn’t help but giggle.

Celeste, mistaking it for amusement, barked even louder, her tongue lolling out, her entire body wagging with enthusiasm, even though she lacked a tail.

“Woof! Woof woof!”

“Good girl,” Adele said, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “I’ll give you a bone later.”

“Thank you, Master!” Celeste exclaimed, her tail wagging even harder, despite its non-existence. She wasn’t sure what a “bone” entailed, but she was excited nonetheless.

Then, Adele’s next words wiped the smile off her face.

“By the way, Celeste… take off your skirt.”

…

Chapter 73: The Path of a Heartbreaker, Blocked

The commotion outside Sharon’s door continued for what felt like an eternity.

Adele tried to stifle her moans, but they escaped through her fingers, a stark contrast to the triumphant laughter, the sounds of kissing, the teasing whispers coming from the girl behind her.

This symphony of suffering, like a monstrous beast gnawing at her soul, tore Sharon’s heart to shreds.

The frail, silver-haired girl sat huddled on the floor inside her room, biting her lip so hard she drew blood, her face buried in her trembling arms.

Tears mixed with blood, falling silently onto the floor.

*Plop. Plop.*

Numbness slowly enveloped her, erasing the pain, the passage of time.

A bone-chilling cold seeped into her very being, threatening to freeze her heart solid.

Would it be less painful to simply die like this?

Sharon’s life revolved around two people, besides her parents: Dorothy and Adele. And as time went on, they had become even more important to her than her own family.

Sharon wasn’t stupid.

Her longing for her father’s approval had been a futile pursuit, a desperate attempt to fill the void in her heart, to feel loved. But as she grew older, she realized that familial bonds meant little in the vampire world, where strength was the only currency that mattered. She had let go of that yearning.

As for her mother… Sharon hadn’t seen her since she had been brought back to the vampire world. Her face was fading from memory, erased by time.

Dorothy, however, had been the first ray of light in Sharon’s bleak existence. She had rescued Sharon from a life of neglect and loneliness, offering her a level of respect and kindness she had never dreamed of.

Even though Sharon knew it was just a whim, a passing fancy for the princess, she was eternally grateful. She had nothing to offer in return, her own life devoid of any meaning or purpose. But if she could pave the way for Dorothy’s future, she would gladly sacrifice herself.

Sharon didn’t understand the human saying “A scholar dies for his confidant”. Dorothy wasn’t her confidant. But she had given Sharon a new life.

From that moment on, Sharon had lived not just for herself, but for Dorothy.

If Adele hadn’t appeared, her bright smile like a shooting star catching Dorothy’s eye and igniting a spark in Sharon’s own heart… Sharon would still be Dorothy’s loyal follower, her devotion unwavering.

But the sounds coming from behind the door, each moan a dagger to her heart, were shattering her carefully constructed world.

For a fleeting moment, a moment Sharon herself might not have even registered, her usually timid, watery eyes turned dark and cold, a terrifying glint flickering in their depths.

………………

Adele sank to the floor, her legs trembling.

Dorothy adjusted her dress, her tongue darting out to lick a smear of blood from her lips. She smiled, a satisfied purr rumbling in her chest.

*Perfect.*

“Meh, average,” she said aloud, her voice a playful taunt.

Adele’s fists clenched. She wanted to punch Dorothy, to wipe that smug smile off her face. But her body felt weak and heavy, her anger reduced to a pathetic tremor.

Regret filled her heart.

Why had she antagonized Dorothy? A few sweet words, a bit of flattery… that’s all it would have taken. But no, she had to push Dorothy’s buttons, challenge her authority…

And now she was paying the price.

Drained dry, literally, in front of Sharon’s door.

In vampire culture, exchanging blood was considered a more intimate act than sex. So, among vampires, the most devastating insult wasn’t “She’s easy,” but “Her blood is so sweet!”

So, while Dorothy hadn’t physically violated Adele, she had claimed her in a way that was perhaps even more satisfying.

Adele could only hope that Sharon hadn’t heard anything. She had tried her best to stifle her moans, to keep her voice down.

The silence from Sharon’s room offered a sliver of hope. Perhaps Sharon was already asleep.

Adele truly didn’t want to inflict this kind of emotional torture on the poor girl.

Besides, she knew why she had defied Dorothy.

It was for Hermione, for Celeste, for the chance to continue her relationships with them. She had pushed Dorothy’s boundaries, testing her limits, hoping to force her hand.

And in a way… she had succeeded.

The chastity curse was Dorothy’s ultimate compromise.

It meant that Adele was allowed to have normal, platonic relationships with other girls. But any attempt to engage in anything more intimate, to offer her blood or to receive it, would result in excruciating pain.

And if Adele dared to stray, the curse would punish her in Dorothy’s stead.

Adele hated pain.

*Waaah…*

Her path to becoming a true heartbreaker had hit a major roadblock.