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

Chapter 42: Going on a Date with Her

—”My sister’s kinks are wild!”*

If you were to ask Adele what was going through her mind at that moment, that sentence would sum it up perfectly!

Yes, she had never truly been hypnotized. From the very beginning, she had been aware that she was dreaming. She should have woken up then and there, but the hypnotic force had been too strong, the pain too intense.

It was a level of mental manipulation that should have been beyond her ability to resist. But then… the pain vanished, replaced by a clarity, a heightened awareness, that she had never experienced before.

She understood. She saw the trap, the manipulation, the carefully constructed illusion… and she decided to play along.

It was one of her few strengths: acting!

It was her only weapon in this dream realm, Sharon’s domain.

Life was a stage, and she was… well, she was going to give it her all.

She had to maintain the facade, to pretend to be under Sharon’s control. If she revealed her awareness, who knew what horrors awaited her? She would be trapped, at Sharon’s mercy, with no escape.

The worst-case scenario… she might be trapped in this dream forever.

Adele wasn’t willing to risk it. She had to be cautious, to play her cards right, to find a way to… escape.

Besides, by pretending to be hypnotized, she could gather information, uncover Sharon’s true intentions, her motivations…

She already had a suspicion, but she preferred to be thorough, to gather evidence before jumping to conclusions. “No investigation, no right to speak,” as the saying went.

She had to enter the tiger’s den… to catch the tiger cub.

Wait… That doesn’t sound right.

She banished those thoughts, pushing them aside, and followed the dream’s script, walking towards her… date.

As she suspected, it was Sharon, the Dream Eater.

Unlike Dorothy and Hermione, Sharon wasn’t imposing, her presence not commanding immediate attention. But she possessed a unique charm, a delicate beauty that was… captivating.

Her silver-gray hair, usually dull and lifeless, shimmered in the dreamlight, its strands like spun silver. Her posture was elegant, her movements graceful, her eyes, a pale gold flecked with shimmering flecks of light, fixed on Adele, their gaze soft, warm, inviting.

She was petite, about the same height as Adele, but the white evening gown she wore, its low neckline and cinched waist accentuating her curves, its long train trailing behind her like a cloud of lace and silk, gave her an aura of… regality.

If she had been holding a bouquet of flowers, Adele would have sworn she was… a bride.

Adele swallowed nervously, her gaze lingering on Sharon’s… cleavage.

Because she realized… that this Sharon, the Sharon standing before her now… was nothing like the Sharon she knew from the real world.

………………

But she was still Sharon. Just… an idealized version, a fantasy conjured up by Sharon’s own desires, her longing for… perfection.

Sharon, in reality, wasn’t this beautiful. She was pretty, yes, but her beauty was hidden beneath layers of self-doubt, of insecurity. She didn’t dress to impress, didn’t bother with makeup or hairstyles. She lacked the confidence, the self-assurance, that came so naturally to the other Sequence Ones.

They were comfortable in their own skin, confident in their power, their beauty, their… everything.

Sharon, despite her status as a Sequence One, had never been able to escape the shadow of her past, the whispers, the judging eyes, the constant reminders of her… inferiority.

Others struggled to break free from their comfort zones. Sharon, on the other hand, clung to hers, to the familiar role of the follower, the sidekick, the… invisible one.

Even though she could have easily been a leader, a dominant force, in any other circle… she chose to remain in the shadows.

Her real body was thin, almost frail, her posture hinting at malnutrition, her chest… well, let’s just say that the cleavage on display in this dream was… a fabrication.

Her silver-gray hair, usually dull and lifeless, resembling more a tangled mess of cobwebs than spun silver, was hidden beneath a long, unkempt fringe that obscured her eyes.

And her demeanor… well, she was withdrawn, timid, her movements hesitant, her gaze flitting nervously around the room, as if she were afraid of… being seen.

She was a shut-in, a recluse who preferred the company of anime, manga, and video games to the complexities of human interaction.

She wasn’t good at socializing, didn’t know how to dress, her usual attire more boyish than feminine: shirts and shorts, overalls, hoodies and sweatpants.

Dresses… well, she wouldn’t be caught dead in a dress. Except… in her dreams.

She rarely left her house, her social interactions limited to the occasional outing with Dorothy, her only real friend.

And she had many houses. The one next door to Adele’s dorm room… it was her current favorite. It was small, cramped, even a little… dirty. But it felt… safe. More so than her spacious, luxurious villas.

And every night… she could drift off to sleep, her dreams filled with… Adele.

Sharon, the Dream Eater, the master of the dream realm… she didn’t dream. It was one of the many sources of her… pain.

But then… she had a dream. The most beautiful, the most precious dream of her life.

And it was called… “Adele.”

………………

Adele, her mind racing, understood now. Sharon had lured her into this dream, had woven this elaborate illusion, this… date, as a way to… well, to spend time with her, to experience a connection that was… impossible in the real world.

She had manipulated Adele’s subconscious, implanted a false memory, a desire for… intimacy.

And Adele… well, she had no choice but to play along.

She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind searching for a way to… escape.

But then… she realized… that she didn’t need to panic.

If Sharon was truly as insecure and withdrawn as the novel had portrayed her… then perhaps… this wouldn’t be so difficult.

She wasn’t cold and aloof like Hermione, nor was she as powerful and unpredictable as Dorothy. And she wasn’t… well, she wasn’t Celeste.

Celeste… she had been surprisingly easy to… tame.

Adele had planned to spend weeks, maybe even months, subtly manipulating her, showering her with a calculated mix of kindness and cruelty, breaking her spirit, making her… dependent.

But Celeste had revealed her trump card, her knowledge of the forbidden art of spiritual contracts. She had willingly surrendered, had offered herself up on a silver platter.

She really is… a good puppy. So eager to please…

The thought of Celeste, her loyalty, her devotion… it calmed Adele’s nerves, eased the tension that had been coiling within her.

She decided to approach this… situation… with the same mindset she had used with Celeste.

She would treat Sharon… like a puppy. A slightly more challenging puppy.

She took a step forward, her gaze meeting Sharon’s, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and… something else. Something that made her want to… smile.

She would walk towards Sharon, stand beside her, and…

…go on a date with her.

Chapter 41: A Dream Date

Adele wasn’t usually one for naps. She cherished every waking moment, every opportunity to savor the joys and pleasures of life. To her, sleep was a waste of precious time.

But this body… it had other ideas. Its need for midday slumber was deeply ingrained, a habit that Adele couldn’t seem to shake off.

She had barely been scrolling through her phone for two minutes when a wave of exhaustion washed over her, her eyelids drooping, her yawns becoming increasingly frequent and uncontrollable.

Perhaps… it was the original Adele’s way of coping with the harsh realities of this world, of escaping the pain, the loneliness, the constant reminders of her… inferiority.

To her, dreams were preferable to reality.

But… I wanted to watch more funny videos… And my favorite author just updated her story…

Ugh… I can’t fight it anymore…

Adele, with a final burst of willpower, set an alarm for 2:15 PM, then let her arms fall to her sides, her phone slipping from her grasp, landing on the bedsheets beside her.

It was a surprisingly… alluring pose.

And then… she was asleep, her mind drifting into the comforting embrace of slumber.

The curtains, half-drawn, cast the room in a soft, dappled light, dividing it into pools of sunshine and shadow. Adele’s upper body lay in shadow, her sleeping face peaceful, innocent, her beauty… breathtaking. Her legs, clad in white cotton socks, stretched out towards the sunlight, her skin glowing with an almost ethereal radiance.

She slept soundly, oblivious to the world around her, the gentle rustle of the curtains, the soft footsteps outside her door… the click of the doorknob turning.

A small figure slipped through the partially open door, her breath quick and shallow, her movements hesitant despite the confidence she usually exuded.

The air shimmered with a subtle, almost imperceptible magic, its presence more felt than seen, a dreamlike haze that enveloped the room.

Adele, inhaling the magic-infused air, her body naturally susceptible to its influence, felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her, her eyelids fluttering, her mind drifting further into the comforting embrace of sleep.

It wasn’t, as she had assumed, simply a matter of habit, the original Adele’s way of escaping reality. It was… something else. Something more… sinister.

It was the work of her roommate, the one who had slipped into her room while she slept, the one who held the power to manipulate dreams, to shape reality… within the realm of slumber.

The Dream Eater: Sharon.

She, too, was a Sequence One, a vampire of immense power and privilege. But she was also… an enigma. A shadow. Her presence in the academy was… unremarkable. She was known primarily as… Dorothy’s lackey.

Her power was subtle, her demeanor unassuming. She was quiet, deferential, almost… invisible. Especially in Dorothy’s presence.

The other Sequence Ones looked down on her, dismissed her as a weakling, a sycophant. They barely acknowledged her existence, their indifference a constant reminder of her… inferiority.

Only Sharon knew… the truth.

Most high-ranking vampires had silver hair, a symbol of their pure bloodline, their noble heritage. But Sharon’s hair was a strange mix of silver and gray, its dullness a constant reminder of her… tainted blood.

Rumors swirled about her mother, whispers of a lowborn succubus, a creature of darkness and seduction.

But regardless of the truth, one fact remained: Sharon, like Adele, was a half-blood. And… an illegitimate child.

She had never known her father’s love, had always been an outsider in her own family, ostracized, ridiculed, her existence a source of… shame.

She had grown up surrounded by whispers, by judging eyes, her spirit slowly eroding, her confidence shattered.

Adele was brave, strong. She had never sought refuge in dreams, had never allowed the harsh realities of this world to break her.

The one who truly craved escape, the one who sought solace in the realm of slumber… it was Sharon.

………………

Sharon, her heart pounding in her chest, her breathing ragged, pressed her back against the door, her movements careful, silent. She closed the door, sealing them within, creating a space… just for them.

Her gaze, from the moment she had entered the room, had been fixed on Adele’s face, her eyes tracing the delicate contours of her features, her lips curving into a soft, wistful smile.

Emotions, a torrent of longing and… something else, swirled within her, threatening to overwhelm her.

She had done this before. Many times. But each time… it felt… different. More intense. More… real?

Adele… My… Adele…

She whispered the name, her heart aching with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes.

She crossed the room, her steps silent, her movements graceful, and knelt beside the bed, her gaze never leaving Adele’s face. She reached out, her fingers gently caressing Adele’s hand, her touch lingering, her cheek brushing against Adele’s palm.

Her short, silver-gray hair fell across Adele’s arm, a stark contrast to the smooth, flawless skin beneath.

She knew every line, every crease, of Adele’s palm, her touch a silent expression of… worship? Obsession?

Her gaze softened, her eyelids drooping, her body swaying slightly as she succumbed to… the allure of Adele’s presence, the intoxicating scent of her blood, the hypnotic rhythm of her breathing…

She rested her head against Adele’s hand, her breath mingling with Adele’s, her body relaxing, her mind… awakening.

For Sharon, the Dream Eater… this was… reality.

………………

April. Spring. Peach blossoms raining down, painting the world in shades of pink and white.

Adele, strolling through the familiar yet… different scenery of the academy, her heart filled with a vague sense of unease, was on her way to meet a friend.

It seemed… normal. Ordinary.

But something was… off.

I’m Adele… that much I know. But… where am I?

What am I doing here?

A fleeting thought, a whisper of “meeting a friend,” drifted through her mind, but it wasn’t enough to quell the growing sense of… wrongness.

The scenery was familiar, but the peach blossoms… they were out of place. The academy, in reality, was shrouded in the colors of autumn, the leaves turning brown and gold, the air crisp and cool.

Wait… reality?

Could this be… a dream?

There was a saying: “Once you realize you’re dreaming, you wake up.”

Adele tried to wake up, to break free from the dream’s hold.

But as she focused her mind, a sharp, piercing pain shot through her head, as if something was… resisting her, forcing her to… stay.

And it worked. The power, the sheer force of the… suggestion, was overwhelming.

Adele’s consciousness, her awareness of the dream, faded, her eyes losing their focus, becoming blank, her lips curving into a vacant smile.

She was a puppet, her movements controlled by an unseen force, walking along a path strewn with peach blossoms, her destination… predetermined.

She was going to meet a friend. A very important friend.

More than just a friend, actually.

A lover. A soulmate. A childhood sweetheart. A classmate. A first love. A… everything.

Because… that was what Sharon had implanted in her mind, a suggestion so powerful, so deeply ingrained, that Adele’s subconscious had accepted it as… reality.

And she would act accordingly, her actions, her emotions, guided by this… false memory.

But it would feel… real. Because within a dream, actions were driven by the subconscious, by instinct, by… suggestion.

Adele had become a puppet, her strings controlled by an unseen hand.

The Dream Eater: Sharon.

The master of this realm.

Within a dream… she was all-powerful.

Adele, her movements stiff and unnatural, reached her destination: a beautiful garden, a riot of colors and scents, a paradise… within a dream.

And there, amidst the flowers, stood Sharon, dressed in a flowing white gown, her silver-gray hair adorned with delicate blossoms, her eyes sparkling with a joy so intense that it bordered on… pain.

She turned, her gaze meeting Adele’s, a radiant smile illuminating her face.

“Adele, you’re here,” she said, her voice soft and welcoming.

“I’ve been waiting for you. You’re late, you know. This was supposed to be… a special occasion. But… it’s okay. I understand…”

She trailed off, the unspoken words, the truth she couldn’t bring herself to voice, catching in her throat.

She shook her head, her smile fading, her voice taking on a wistful tone.

“I missed you,” she said. “Did you… miss me?”

And Adele, her voice a dreamy whisper, her eyes glazed with a manufactured affection, gave her the answer she craved.

“…Yes.”

Chapter 40: The Mysterious Roommate

Adele had never understood the appeal of shopping. All that walking, all that browsing, all that… decision-making. It was exhausting.

But now… she understood. Completely.

The reason she hadn’t enjoyed shopping before… was because she had been poor!

And now… well, she still wasn’t exactly rich, but she had a personal ATM in the form of Celeste.

As the heir to a vast fortune, Celeste’s wealth was beyond Adele’s comprehension. The amount she had spent today… it was probably just a drop in the bucket for Celeste.

And as long as Adele was happy… Celeste was happy.

Celeste, who had also never found shopping particularly enjoyable, her every need and desire easily fulfilled, now found herself swept up in Adele’s enthusiasm, her own enjoyment stemming from… Adele’s joy.

It turned out that the best kind of shopping… wasn’t for yourself. It was for someone you loved, someone you wanted to spoil, someone whose smile… made your own heart soar.

It was a win-win situation.

Since they had arranged for everything to be delivered to Adele’s new house, they left the store empty-handed, their hearts filled with a shared sense of… satisfaction.

Bliss… pure bliss~

Adele was even willing to overlook Celeste’s occasional lapses in… propriety. Like the way she had taken Adele’s hand, her fingers intertwining with Adele’s, their touch lingering, their warmth a silent expression of… something more.

She would consider it… a reward.

Adele’s hand, small and delicate, curled into Celeste’s palm, her fingers like a tiny rabbit seeking warmth and comfort.

But as they approached the academy, their time together drawing to a close, they had to part ways.

They exchanged contact information, their promises to stay in touch a silent acknowledgment of the… complications of their relationship.

Celeste, noticing Adele’s outdated phone, her brow furrowed with concern, muttered, “I forgot to buy you a phone…”

Adele, glancing around to make sure they were alone, stood on her tiptoes, her hand reaching up to gently touch the spot where she had pinched Celeste earlier, her touch apologetic.

“It’s okay,” she said, her voice soft and reassuring. “I didn’t think of it either.”

“You can buy me one next time~ The latest iPhone, okay?”

Adele was a greedy little thing. But Celeste found her greed… endearing. To be needed, to be able to fulfill Adele’s desires… it filled her with a warmth that spread through her limbs, a joy that chased away the shadows.

“I will,” she said, her voice firm, her gaze unwavering. “Anything you want… I’ll get it for you.”

Adele’s eyes narrowed, a mischievous glint in their depths. You think I’m greedy now? Just wait… You have no idea what I’m truly capable of.

And what I truly desire… well, you can’t give me that.

But she indulged Celeste, her voice taking on a cloying sweetness, her words a playful tease.

“You’re the best, Celeste~” she purred, her touch lingering on Celeste’s arm.

“Be a good girl, okay?”

Celeste’s eyes, glazed with adoration, met Adele’s, her surrender complete.

Adele, satisfied, withdrew her hand.

“Alright, I’m going back to my dorm,” she said, turning towards the academy gates.

“You… you can go wherever you need to go,” she added, her voice turning cool and detached, her demeanor shifting effortlessly from playful to commanding. She was a natural at this… dominance thing.

“Just remember… whenever I call, you answer. No matter what.”

“…Yes, Master.”

Adele, with a final wave, turned and walked away, her steps light and carefree, her heart filled with a sense of… triumph?

Celeste stood there, watching her go, her golden hair swaying gently in the breeze, her blue eyes shining with a light that was both possessive and… worshipful.

She lingered for a long time, reluctant to break the spell, to return to a world… without Adele.

………………

With a few hours to spare before her afternoon classes, Adele decided to visit her dorm room.

Cromwell Academy, thanks to its vast wealth and sprawling campus, provided every student with their own private room, a luxury that was unheard of in most universities. The higher-ranking students even had their own private apartments, complete with gyms, swimming pools… The possibilities were endless.

As for Hermione and Dorothy… well, they lived like royalty, their every whim indulged, their every desire fulfilled.

It was enough to make Adele… a little envious.

This world might exist within a novel, but it’s still so… unfair.

She shook her head, banishing those thoughts, those unwelcome reminders of the harsh realities of this world.

She reached the dormitory area, a picturesque cluster of small, identical villas nestled amidst a sprawling green lawn. The villas were arranged in neat rows, their uniformity a testament to the academy’s obsession with order and control.

Adele, following the directions on her key – “C Block, Building A, Room 201” – easily located her villa.

She unlocked the door and stepped inside.

The first floor consisted of a living room, a dining area, a kitchen, and a bathroom. It was a surprisingly spacious layout, especially for a student dormitory.

The second floor housed two bedrooms, their doors facing each other, each room assigned to a different student. It was a luxurious setup, far more comfortable than the cramped dorms she had endured in her previous life.

Cromwell Academy, despite its focus on the arcane, marketed itself as an international university, attracting students from all over the world. But even with its luxurious accommodations, there were still complaints, whispers of discontent among the student body.

They wanted better dorms, better blood… Their greed, their sense of entitlement, was… remarkable.

Adele, though technically a vampire herself, couldn’t help but agree. She was, after all, more human than vampire.

If the original Adele had been torn between two worlds, then this Adele… well, she was a human soul inhabiting a vampire’s body. Her instincts, her values, her perspective… they were all… human.

She tiptoed through the villa, her movements silent, her gaze wary. She didn’t want to disturb her roommate, a mysterious figure she had rarely encountered.

She was small and slender, her movements as graceful and silent as a cat’s.

Her roommate… well, Adele’s only impression of her was that she was… reclusive. The novel hadn’t provided any details about her, her role in the story seemingly insignificant. Adele, while reading the novel, had assumed it was a Chekhov’s Gun*, a subtle detail that would eventually become relevant, perhaps even play a crucial role in the plot.

(Translator’s note: The term “Chekhov’s Gun” is a metaphor derived from the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s advice on storytelling. It refers to the idea that every element introduced in a narrative should have a purpose and contribute to the plot’s development. If an object or detail is mentioned, it should be used later in the story to avoid misleading or confusing the audience.)

After all, roommates… they were a breeding ground for drama.

But nothing had happened. Her roommate had remained a background character, her presence barely acknowledged.

Adele had finally concluded that… she was just a plot device, a way to justify Adele’s shared living arrangements. The author had probably decided that a lowly Sequence Five like Adele didn’t deserve a private villa. But to cram her into a four-person or six-person dorm room, like in a typical university… well, that would have required too much effort, too much character development.

So, he had created a nameless, faceless roommate, a convenient excuse to keep Adele’s living situation… uncomfortable.

A Sequence Five should suffer like a Sequence Five.

Adele rolled her eyes, mentally cursing the author for his… creativity.

She grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen, then climbed the stairs to her bedroom, her movements still cautious, her gaze flitting around the hallway, searching for any sign of her elusive roommate.

She closed her bedroom door, the soft click a reassuring sound, and collapsed onto her bed, the soft mattress and fluffy pillows a welcome respite from the day’s adventures.

And then… she pulled out her phone.

Wait… I thought you were going to take a nap?

But it was a common affliction in the modern world: the inability to resist the allure of the smartphone. You tell yourself you’re going to sleep, but then… you pick up your phone, and the next thing you know, an hour, maybe even two, have vanished, swallowed by the endless scroll of social media, the addictive pull of games, the hypnotic allure of… whatever it was you were doing.

And when you finally put your phone down, your eyelids drooping with exhaustion, you can barely remember what you just spent the past two hours doing.

Smartphones… they’re insidious, aren’t they? Devouring our time, our memories…

Smartphone: Are you going to scroll or not?

Adele: Scroll!

Meanwhile, outside Adele’s door…

The door to Room 202 creaked open, revealing a pair of eyes, their gaze wary, their expression a mixture of longing and… something else. Something that made Adele’s heart skip a beat.

Why is Adele home so late today?

Chapter 39: I Like You Too, You Know

Delicious food wasn’t always expensive, but expensive food… was usually delicious!

Especially in a fancy restaurant like this!

Adele, ensconced in the privacy of a luxurious VIP room, indulged in the exquisite cuisine before her, savoring every bite with unrestrained gusto. No need for pretense, no need for table manners, no need to maintain the image of the refined, elegant lady she usually projected in public.

She was free to be herself, her appetite unrestrained, her enjoyment unfiltered.

Celeste, watching her, her heart melting with a fondness that surprised even her, couldn’t help but smile. In her memories, Adele had always been a delicate flower, a pristine lotus blooming amidst the mud and grime of her circumstances. Even in the most unfavorable environments, she had maintained her grace, her composure, her elegance.

But the Adele before her now… well, she was far from elegant. But perhaps… perhaps it was a case of “beauty being in the eye of the beholder.”

Because the more Celeste watched her, the more she adored her, the more she was captivated by her natural charm, her unfiltered joy.

She forgot her own hunger, her food untouched, her gaze fixed on Adele, her heart overflowing with a warmth that chased away the shadows.

Adele, tearing into a succulent piece of beef, looked up at Celeste, her brow furrowed with concern.

“Why aren’t you eating?” she asked, her voice laced with a playful impatience. “Hurry up and finish your food.”

“I want to go shopping. I need new clothes, new shoes, new… everything.”

“And if we don’t hurry, we’ll be late for class. I want to go back to my dorm and take a nap.”

When they were alone, Adele could order Celeste around as she pleased. And Celeste, her mind and body bound by the magic crest, had no desire to resist. She embraced her servitude, her every thought, her every action, now devoted to fulfilling Adele’s desires.

Celeste, accustomed to using cutlery, her movements usually precise and elegant, reached for her silver knife and fork, intending to savor her meal, to appreciate the subtle flavors, the delicate textures…

But then, something shifted within her. She abandoned the cutlery, her hands reaching for the steak, her fingers sinking into the warm, juicy flesh. She took a bite, tearing into it with a ferocity that surprised even her.

It felt… liberating. Exhilarating.

It was something she would never have done before, not in public, not in front of… anyone.

But with Adele… with her Master… it was… allowed.

Adele, watching her, her eyes widening in surprise, couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Interesting,” she murmured, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Maybe I should get you a… dog bowl next time~”

“…Thank you, Master,” Celeste said, her cheeks flushing, her heart pounding with a mixture of shame and… pleasure?

Adele’s smile widened, her gaze lingering on Celeste’s face, her fingers tapping a playful rhythm against the tablecloth.

They finished their meal, Celeste’s appetite returning as she mirrored Adele’s unrestrained enthusiasm, her enjoyment amplified by the knowledge that… she was pleasing her Master.

Celeste excused herself to use the restroom, and when she returned, she found Adele standing in front of the self-serve ice cream machine, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

She had two waffle cones in hand, and as she pressed the button, a swirl of soft-serve ice cream flowed into the cones.

Adele, mimicking the techniques she had seen countless times at bubble tea shops, expertly twirled the cones, creating perfect swirls of strawberry and dark chocolate ice cream.

“Here,” she said, handing Celeste the dark chocolate cone.

Celeste’s heart melted, a wave of gratitude washing over her. She wanted to thank Adele, but she remembered her role, the facade she had to maintain in public.

“Hmm,” she said, her voice cool and nonchalant. “You remembered that I like dark chocolate.”

“Tell me, what reward do you want?”

Adele raised an eyebrow, a playful smile touching her lips. Reward? Shouldn’t I be the one offering rewards?

But she understood. She knew what Celeste wanted, what she craved.

“I want that new bag from LU,” she said, her voice taking on a cloying sweetness, her words a playful demand. “Buy it for me, Celeste~”

To the other patrons in the restaurant, it was a familiar scene: a wealthy heiress and her… kept woman. They might have looked good together, but the power dynamic was… unmistakable.

They averted their gazes, their thoughts a mixture of pity and disapproval. That poor girl… what a waste…

As for Celeste, they wouldn’t dare to judge her. Not openly.

Celeste’s wounds, still pulsing with icy blue magic, were a silent warning. But ordinary humans, those who couldn’t perceive magic, were oblivious to the threat.

Adele looped her arm through Celeste’s, her touch possessive, her smile triumphant. Celeste’s heart skipped a beat, her body responding to Adele’s touch with a warmth that spread through her limbs, a tingling sensation that made her… weak.

But she maintained her composure, her expression cool and detached, playing the role of the experienced sugar mama, the one who held all the power.

Until… Adele pinched her butt.

“Ow…!”

It was a sharp, stinging pinch that made her gasp, her cheeks burning with a mixture of pain and embarrassment. She almost lost her composure, her carefully constructed facade crumbling.

Adele, her voice a playful reprimand, leaned in close, her lips brushing against Celeste’s ear.

“Don’t overdo it,” she whispered. “That expression… it’s not convincing.”

“You’re making me look like a… gold digger.”

“I like money, Celeste,” she added, her voice softening. “But I like you too, you know.”

Celeste’s heart skipped a beat, tears welling up in her eyes.

It was a casual statement, a throwaway line that Adele probably hadn’t even meant… seriously.

And “like”… well, it could mean anything.

Liking an object. Liking a pet.

But regardless of its meaning, Adele’s words struck a chord within Celeste, filling her with a warmth that spread through her limbs, a joy so intense that it bordered on pain.

The pink magic crest on her abdomen deepened in color, its glow intensifying, Adele’s casual affection solidifying Celeste’s unconditional devotion.

………………

Being rich… it’s amazing!

Adele, strolling through the luxury department store with Celeste by her side, her every whim indulged, her every desire fulfilled, was living the dream. Bags, dresses, shoes, cosmetics… anything that caught her eye was immediately added to her growing collection, her purchases whisked away by attentive staff to be delivered to her dorm room.

She was single-handedly boosting the store’s sales for the month!

Her only concern now was… would her dorm room, which was spacious but not exactly palatial, be able to accommodate all her new acquisitions?

As if reading her mind, Celeste, her voice calm and reassuring, offered a solution.

“I’ll get you a house,” she said. “Nothing too big, just… around 150 square meters. Enough to store your… things.”

Adele winced internally. 150 square meters… and you call that “not too big?” Are you trying to make me feel bad?

“It’s in that luxury complex near the academy,” Celeste continued, oblivious to Adele’s internal turmoil. “You know, the one called… Royal Garden Estates?”

“I’ll have it transferred to your name. And I’ll have your things delivered there.”

“You can stay in the dorm if you want, or… you can move in.”

“You could even… stay at my place…” She trailed off, her voice softening, her carefully constructed facade crumbling for a moment, her true feelings slipping through.

Adele coughed, a subtle reminder of… their roles, their public personas.

Celeste, her cheeks flushing, quickly regained her composure, her expression turning cool and detached.

The saleswoman, listening to their conversation, her eyes wide with envy, couldn’t help but wonder… what had that adorable girl done to deserve such… extravagant affection?

Adele, playing her role to perfection, her voice a cloying whine, leaned against Celeste, her touch possessive.

“Celeste… you’re so good to me~” she purred, her words a calculated blend of gratitude and… something else. Something that made Celeste’s heart skip a beat, her body responding with a warmth that spread through her limbs, a tingling sensation that made her… weak.

It’s like… Cupid’s arrow just pierced her heart…

Chapter 38: Adele, Let Me Take Care of You!

Adele crouched down, her movements fluid and graceful, her knees and legs pressed together, her skirt smoothing over her thighs. She had grown accustomed to this body, to its inherent elegance.

She looked at Celeste, kneeling on the floor before her, her heart filled with a strange mix of pity and… amusement?

She reached out, her fingers gently stroking Celeste’s golden hair, its softness, its silkiness, a stark contrast to the rough scars that marred her skin.

Celeste, feeling Adele’s touch, the warmth of her hand against her scalp, finally broke. The tension that had been coiling within her, the fear, the guilt, the shame… it all came pouring out.

Tears streamed down her face, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs.

It’s okay… She hasn’t abandoned me…

It’s okay…

“So… that’s how you feel,” Adele said, her voice soft, almost melancholic, as she listened to Celeste’s tearful confession.

And then, she chuckled, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

“Well, it’s true, isn’t it? I’m all you have left.”

“And you have no choice but to… look at me. Understand?”

Adele was a pragmatist. She readily accepted anything that benefited her, that strengthened her position in this world. It was a survival instinct, a way to navigate the treacherous waters of this magic-infused society.

It also made her… increasingly ruthless.

But as the weakest vampire, a half-blood with no real power or influence… what choice did she have? To be naive, to be trusting, in this world… it was a recipe for disaster.

The world wasn’t black and white. It was a delicate shade of gray.

“…Yes, Master,” Celeste whispered, her voice hoarse, her surrender complete.

She shuffled forward, her hands and knees pressing against the cold floor, her movements awkward, uncertain. She wanted to please her Master, but she didn’t know how.

So, she did what she had seen other familiars do. She leaned forward, her pink tongue darting out, aiming for Adele’s shoe.

Adele giggled, her hand shooting out to cup Celeste’s face, her fingers gently wiping away the tears that streamed down her cheeks.

“Hey, what are you doing?” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “I didn’t tell you to lick my shoes!”

“You’re such a… naughty puppy.”

“Your tongue… it’s not meant for that, silly.”

Celeste, mesmerized by Adele’s laughter, her touch, her words… she simply stared, her mind blank, her heart overflowing with a warmth that chased away the shadows.

Adele, her laughter fading, her gaze softening, stood up, turning towards the door.

“Get up, Celeste,” she said, her voice regaining its authority. “You will walk beside me, head held high, your pride restored. Be the confident, powerful girl you used to be.”

“And if the situation calls for it… you can be… dominant,” she added, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You can insult me, belittle me… treat me like a lowly Sequence Five. Just… remember to come to me for your punishment… when we’re alone~”

Her last words, delivered with a chilling calm, sent a shiver down Celeste’s spine, a thrill that mingled with the fear and adoration that now consumed her.

Adele pushed the door open, stepping out into the hallway, the bright sunlight and gentle breeze a welcome contrast to the sterile, antiseptic air of the infirmary. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling, the warmth of the sun against her skin.

A new chapter was beginning. The era of the Blood Empress.

And it all started… with the taming of Celeste.

Heh… It’s fun to indulge in a little chuunibyou every now and then~

Celeste, rising to her feet, her cheeks flushed, her eyes fixed on Adele’s retreating figure, couldn’t shake the feeling that… something had changed. Something within her, something… fundamental.

………………

Meanwhile, in another part of the academy…

Tang Linlang, despite being in class, her mind couldn’t help but drift to Adele, to the infirmary, to… what might be happening behind those closed doors.

Her pen hovered over her notebook, its tip digging into the paper, leaving a dark blotch of ink. Her gaze drifted towards the window, towards the vibrant green trees swaying in the gentle breeze, her heart heavy with a nameless longing.

Dong!

The academy bell, its melody both familiar and unwelcome, jolted her back to reality, shattering her daydreams.

Class was finally over!

And thankfully, the professor, a stern-looking woman with a no-nonsense attitude, was the type who valued punctuality. Even though they were only halfway through the lesson, she simply closed her textbook and announced, “We’ll continue this next class. Dismissed.”

A wave of relieved sighs and excited chatter filled the room as the students gathered their belongings and rushed out the door, eager to escape the confines of the classroom. The professor, her expression unreadable, followed them, her thoughts unknown.

Perhaps she had simply given up on them, on these Sequence Five students, their potential so limited, their futures so bleak.

It was a common sentiment among teachers. Faced with exceptional students, those with the potential to achieve greatness, they poured their hearts and souls into nurturing their talents, guiding them towards a brighter future.

But faced with mediocrity, with apathy, with those who had already given up on themselves… what was the point?

It was like playing a gacha game. If you pulled an SSR, a rare and powerful character, you would invest time and resources into developing their skills, maximizing their potential.

But if all you got were R cards… well, even the most dedicated player eventually lost interest.

Of course, there were those who played for the aesthetics, the “waifu over meta” crowd who valued character design over raw power. But in the real world, if a teacher prioritized their personal preferences over their students’ potential… well, that was probably grounds for disciplinary action.

The moment the professor left the room, Tang Linlang grabbed her bag and bolted out the door, ignoring the curious gazes of her classmates, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and… anxiety.

She had to see Adele, to make sure she was okay.

But as she approached the infirmary, she saw Adele… with another girl.

A tall, golden-haired girl, also wearing a first-year uniform, but clearly not a Sequence Five. Her aura, her posture, her every movement… they spoke of power, of privilege.

Linlang’s jaw dropped, her steps faltering as she watched them walk together, their shoulders brushing, their laughter echoing through the hallway.

Adele, noticing Linlang, turned, a playful smile touching her lips. She stood on her tiptoes, her lips brushing against the golden-haired girl’s ear, her words a soft whisper that only the other girl could hear.

The height difference… it was almost… cute?

The golden-haired girl nodded, her expression softening, and Adele, satisfied, turned back to Linlang, her smile widening.

For a moment, it seemed like… Adele was the dominant one, the one in control.

But then, something shifted. The golden-haired girl’s posture straightened, her movements becoming more fluid, more graceful, her aura radiating an almost tangible power. And as she walked beside Adele, their roles seemed to reverse. Adele, despite her beauty, her charm, now seemed like… the follower.

The golden-haired girl even… put her arm around Adele’s shoulders!

Linlang stared, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Even Adele hadn’t expected this. She had simply told Celeste to relax, to be herself, to… embrace her former persona.

And Celeste… well, she was a natural.

Adele’s gaze, as she looked at Celeste, was filled with a mixture of amusement and… something else. Something that made Celeste’s heart race, her cheeks flush.

She was about to apologize, to explain that she hadn’t meant to… take it this far, when Adele chuckled, her voice soft yet firm.

“It’s fine,” she said. “In fact… it’s perfect.”

“Keep it up,” she added, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You can even… hold me.”

“Just remember to come to me for your punishment… when we’re alone~”

Celeste, her breath catching in her throat, nodded, her voice barely a whisper.

“Yes… Master.”

She focused on maintaining her performance, on embodying the role Adele had assigned her, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and… fear?

Neither of them noticed the small figure trailing behind them, her eyes wide with a mixture of hurt and disbelief.

Linlang couldn’t believe it. Adele… with that… that woman…

She refused to believe that Adele was the type of girl who would… sell herself, who would abandon her principles for… money? Power?

But as she followed them, her heart sinking with every step, she saw them enter a restaurant, a fancy, expensive-looking place that was clearly beyond her means.

She watched as Adele, her arm linked with the golden-haired girl’s, walked through the doors, their laughter echoing behind them, the doorman bowing obsequiously as they passed.

Linlang swayed slightly, her vision blurring, her heart aching with a pain that was both physical and emotional.

She didn’t blame Adele. Perhaps she was just trying to make a better life for herself, to escape the poverty, the hardship… She had done nothing wrong.

Linlang blamed herself. She was the one who was poor, the one who couldn’t offer Adele a comfortable life, a life free of worry and hardship.

She clenched her fists, then released them, her shoulders slumping with defeat. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over.

From that moment on, she vowed to do more than just become a powerful vampire hunter, a worthy companion for Adele.

She would become rich. Filthy rich.

She would replace that golden-haired woman. She would become Adele’s… sugar mama?

Linlang: Adele… I can…

Linlang: I can take care of you too! Let me take care of you!

Adele: Σ( ° △ °|||) What is this strange competitive spirit…?

Adele: Oh dear… The vampire hunter has become a bounty hunter!

Chapter 37: You’re All I Have Left

Celeste might or might not have fallen asleep. Adele, however, slept soundly, her dreams filled with images of fluffy puppies and mountains of gold.

It wasn’t until the nurse, her cheerful voice carrying through the thin curtain, gently knocked on the door, reminding them that it was time to leave, that Adele finally stirred.

“It’s time for me to go home, girls,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “You’re welcome to stay and rest, but… it’s almost lunchtime. Don’t you have other places to be?”

Adele, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, sat up, her gaze settling on Celeste, who was already scrambling to her feet, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright with a mixture of panic and… something else.

“Thank you for your care, ma’am,” Celeste said, her voice a little too eager. “We’ll be leaving… shortly.”

“Alright, dears,” the nurse said, her tone indulgent. “Just remember to lock the door on your way out.”

She seemed remarkably trusting, leaving them alone with access to all sorts of potions and medications, some of them quite valuable. She wasn’t worried about them… borrowing a few?

Well, Celeste was wealthy. She didn’t need to steal.

The only potential culprit was… Adele.

But then again…

Nurse: Adele is so adorable! I’d forgive her even if she stole everything! Heehee~

In a way, Adele was a lesbian’s dream come true. Her beauty, her scent, her blood… they were irresistible.

The door clicked shut, and the nurse, humming a cheerful tune, left for the day, her thoughts already drifting to lunch.

Celeste and Adele straightened their clothes, their movements a synchronized dance of awkwardness and anticipation.

The academy bell hadn’t rung yet, which meant… classes were still in session. Was it really okay for the nurse to leave early?

Adele wondered briefly, but then… she shrugged. It wasn’t her problem.

“Come on, Celeste,” she said, her gaze settling on Celeste, who was standing beside her, her posture stiff, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, as if she were trying to contain… something.

Even though Celeste was taller, her gaze now downcast, her once-proud demeanor replaced by a submissive humility, the power dynamic had shifted. Adele, the lowly Sequence Five, was now the one in control.

She looked at Celeste, her eyes narrowed, a hint of amusement touching her lips as she surveyed her… possession.

She hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. But she was adaptable, a quick learner. It was a necessary skill for survival in this world.

She didn’t need to consciously imitate or pretend. She simply… became the master, her demeanor shifting effortlessly, her gaze commanding, her voice imbued with an authority that belied her lowly status.

It was as if she had always been a princess, a born ruler.

“Yes… Master,” Celeste whispered, her body trembling with a mixture of excitement and… something else. Something that made Adele’s heart skip a beat.

Celeste hadn’t slept. She had spent the entire time gazing at Adele’s sleeping face, her heart aching with a longing so intense that it bordered on pain.

Adele, in sleep, was an angel, her features serene, her expression peaceful, her beauty… breathtaking.

It was a transgression, a violation of the unspoken rules that governed the relationship between a master and their familiar. But Celeste couldn’t help herself.

She was consumed by guilt, by shame, by a desperate need for… punishment?

Adele nodded, acknowledging Celeste’s obedience, her use of the term “Master.” She turned and walked towards the door, Celeste trailing behind her like a… well, like a dog.

But as they reached the door, Adele paused, turning to face Celeste, her gaze intense, searching.

Celeste froze, her body stiffening, her mind racing. What expression should she wear? What should she do?

Adele, her brow furrowing, her voice taking on a slightly sharper edge, asked, “Celeste… are you asking to be punished?”

The magic crest on Celeste’s abdomen flared to life, sending a jolt of heat through her body. She panicked, her heart pounding, her mind racing.

What… What did I do wrong?

“N-No… Master… I… I didn’t…” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

But before she could finish, a wave of… something washed over her, an irresistible force that compelled her to drop to her knees, her shoulders trembling, her head bowed.

Her beautiful golden hair, no longer a symbol of pride, cascaded down her back, pooling on the floor around her, her posture a testament to her… humility? Submission?

“Please… punish me, Master,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Right or wrong, intentional or unintentional… if she had displeased her Master, if she had caused Adele even the slightest bit of… discomfort… then she deserved to be punished.

Any punishment, no matter how severe, was preferable to… disappointing Adele.

She had to be obedient. Completely, unconditionally obedient…

But Adele, looking at Celeste, at her pathetic, groveling form, her once-proud demeanor replaced by a submissive humility, felt a surge of… annoyance.

“You haven’t even realized your mistake, have you?” she said, her voice laced with a delicate disapproval. “You’re just… digging yourself deeper.”

“Celeste… do you even… see me as your Master?”

Celeste’s body trembled, her mind reeling. She couldn’t understand. All she could think about was… atonement. How could she earn Adele’s forgiveness? What had she done wrong?

Adele sighed, her patience wearing thin. Celeste was clearly a lost cause, her mind so fixated on seeking forgiveness that she couldn’t even comprehend the nature of her transgression.

So, Adele, with a weary sigh, decided to spell it out for her.

“You know that performing a spiritual contract without permission is a serious offense, right?” she said, her voice taking on a sharper edge. “It’s grounds for expulsion.”

“And look at you,” she continued, her gaze sweeping over Celeste’s kneeling form, her voice dripping with disdain. “Groveling, pathetic, completely devoid of self-respect!”

“If you walk out of here like this, everyone will know what we did,” she said, her voice laced with a chilling calm. “Have you even considered… the consequences? What will happen to me… because of you?”

“…W-What… What should I do, Master?” Celeste whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

“It’s simple,” Adele said, her gaze softening slightly. She reached up, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her movements graceful, almost… regal.

“You’re a Sequence Two, and I’m a Sequence Five,” she said, her voice regaining its warmth. “We’re… friends. But you’re the dominant one, the one in control. And I’m… well, I’m just your… little follower.”

“Let’s… stick to that script, okay?” she added, her voice taking on a playful lilt. “Whenever we’re together… you have to play your role.”

“After all… it’s who you used to be.”

And then, her expression softening, her voice losing its playful edge, she asked, “Celeste… do you regret… what happened in the infirmary today? Do you wish… you could go back, be the confident, powerful girl you used to be?”

“There are ways to break a spiritual contract, you know. If you…”

“No!” Celeste interrupted, her voice firm despite the tremor in her chest. She couldn’t let Adele finish that sentence. The thought of breaking the bond, of returning to her former life… it filled her with a terror that overshadowed even the fear of punishment.

She had felt so powerless, so utterly lost, when she had faced Hermione’s wrath, when she had endured her family’s punishment, her body bearing the marks of their… disappointment.

She had wanted to disappear, to fade away, to escape the pain, the humiliation.

But something had stopped her. Something had kept her going, had dragged her back to the academy, had forced her to endure the whispers, the mockery, the pitying looks.

It was Adele. The way she had protected her that day, the way she had shown her kindness, even offered her… friendship.

In that moment, Celeste had realized that in her seemingly perfect life, the only thing that truly mattered, the only thing that had brought her any real joy… was Adele.

“Only when I’m with you, Adele… do I feel… alive,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Like… I’m finally… myself.”

“Please, Adele… don’t abandon me.”

“I’ll be good. I’ll do anything you ask.”

“You’re… all I have left…”

Chapter 36: Everything I Have… Belongs to You

It wasn’t a question that required an answer. The answer was already there, in the way Celeste’s throat tightened, in the way the word escaped her lips, a breathless gasp of… surrender.

“Yes… Master.”

“It… It would be my honor.”

“Don’t be silly,” Adele said, a playful smile touching her lips. “You’re a Sequence Two, and I’m… well, I’m just a Sequence Five. It’s almost… laughable.”

She lay down beside Celeste, the narrow bed barely big enough for the two of them. They were pressed close together, their bodies touching from shoulder to hip, their warmth a comforting contrast to the cool sheets.

Celeste’s heart pounded in her chest, a painful rhythm that reminded her… that she was alive. And happy.

Adele, realizing that she couldn’t dissuade Celeste from using the term “Master,” sighed.

“Just… call me Adele when we’re in public, okay?” she said, her voice softening. “Let’s… pretend we’re friends.”

“You can call me ‘Master’… when we’re alone.”

“…Yes, Master.”

Adele didn’t need to ask. She could have simply ordered Celeste to obey. The magic crest would have ensured her compliance, twisting her thoughts, her desires, until even the most abhorrent command became… desirable.

But Celeste knew… that her obedience wasn’t forced. It was a choice, a willing surrender.

And she knew… that Adele hadn’t intended to claim her as a familiar, to become her master. It had been Celeste’s decision, her desperate attempt to find solace, to anchor herself to something… someone… who wouldn’t abandon her.

Adele, unaware of Celeste’s true intentions, had trusted her, had shared her magic, her very essence, with her. It had been a reckless act, a display of trust that Celeste could have easily exploited.

Even now… Adele was playing along, humoring her, offering comfort to a broken soul.

Celeste knew… that deep down, Adele didn’t want to be her master. She craved equality, a connection built on mutual respect, not on dominance and submission. She would never treat Celeste like a… dog.

Her words, her commands, her demands for obedience… they were all an act, a way to indulge Celeste’s fantasies, to make the game feel… real.

After all, hadn’t she said, “Let’s pretend we’re friends”?

Someone who truly desired power, who enjoyed wielding it over others… they wouldn’t say such a thing.

In Celeste’s eyes, Adele had become a saint, a beacon of light in a world shrouded in darkness. And she… she was Adele’s first convert, her chosen disciple.

The more she thought about it, the more her love for Adele intensified, a burning flame that consumed her doubts, her fears, her insecurities.

To be Adele’s dog… It’s a dream come true…

The magic crest pulsed with a wicked pink light, a testament to her devotion, her surrender.

………………

Celeste gazed at Adele, her eyes filled with adoration, their faces inches apart. Adele, meeting her gaze, reached out, her arm wrapping around Celeste’s waist, pulling her closer.

“The bed is a little small,” she murmured, her voice soft and apologetic. “We might fall off… Is it okay if I… hold you?”

Even though she was now Celeste’s master, bound to her by a magic crest that ensured her absolute obedience, Adele continued to play the role of the damsel in distress, the delicate flower in need of protection.

It was a wise strategy. After all, villains who revealed their true colors too soon often met… untimely ends.

And Celeste… well, she was more than capable of turning the tables, of reclaiming her power.

Adele’s magic was weak, insignificant compared to Celeste’s. Her control over Celeste stemmed from Celeste’s own willingness to submit, her desire to be… controlled.

Normally, it was the master’s magic, their powerful essence, that slowly corrupted the familiar’s mind, twisting their thoughts, their desires, until they became nothing more than an extension of their master’s will. And if a familiar dared to disobey… well, the master could easily crush their magic circuits, turning them into a powerless cripple, or even… ending their life.

But in this case… it was Celeste’s own will, her own desires, that were driving this… transformation.

Self-inflicted brainwashing… it was the most potent kind.

As for Adele’s ability to damage Celeste’s magic circuits… well, it was like trying to demolish a bridge with a firecracker. She could use up every firecracker in the world, and it wouldn’t make a dent.

Other masters wielded magic like bombs, like landmines, like… nuclear weapons.

Adele… she had a firecracker.

The difference was… significant.

So, anyone who thought Adele would become arrogant, complacent, after becoming Celeste’s master… well, they were sorely mistaken.

Adele was well aware of her limitations.

Besides, Celeste… she was already so obedient, so… eager to please.

Her face, flushed with a delicate blush, was so adorable, so tempting… Adele couldn’t resist teasing her, testing the boundaries of her control.

Her hand, as if guided by an invisible force, drifted down to Celeste’s abdomen, her fingers tracing the outline of the magic crest through the thin fabric of her shirt.

A beautiful heart, encasing a burning flame, its heat controlled by Adele’s will.

Celeste’s breath hitched, her body trembling beneath Adele’s touch.

Celeste, the one who held all the power, the one who should be in control… she was now the vulnerable one, the one who had surrendered, who had given up her freedom, her will… everything.

“You’re a fire manipulator,” Adele murmured, her voice a seductive whisper. “Shouldn’t you be… Hermione’s natural enemy?”

In reality, there was no inherent conflict between ice and fire. It all depended on the strength of the manipulator, the intensity of their magic. Fire could melt ice, but ice could also extinguish flames.

But Adele wanted to… provoke a reaction.

And Celeste, her mind clouded by her newfound devotion, took the bait.

“…I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice thick with shame. “My bloodline is weak, my magic… unrefined. And my circuits…”

She couldn’t help but apologize.

“Well, that’s unfortunate,” Adele said, her voice laced with a playful mock-disappointment. She looked at Celeste, her gaze softening, her expression almost… fond.

“But it’s okay,” she added, her voice regaining its warmth. “Even if you’re useless, Celeste… I still like you~”

“After all, who else would care about a useless girl like you?”

Her words, though seemingly cruel, were delivered with a playful lilt, a teasing tone that made Celeste’s heart flutter with a strange mixture of shame and… gratitude?

“It’s… It’s true,” she murmured, her gaze dropping to the bedsheets.

“Only you care about me, Master,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I… I have no one else but you…”

And in that moment, the shame, the humiliation, was overshadowed by a wave of… relief? Belonging?

Adele, her useless, pathetic self… she cared. She had accepted Celeste, had offered her friendship, had chosen to… be with her.

To be Adele’s dog… It’s a dream come true…

Adele, watching Celeste’s eyes well up with tears, her gratitude so intense that it was almost… comical, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of… something.

These girls are so easy to manipulate…

Guilt? Maybe a little. But not much.

After all… Celeste had tried to hurt her, hadn’t she?

It was… atonement.

Adele closed her eyes, a wave of contentment washing over her. Even with Hermione, she had always felt a certain level of… anxiety. But now… she felt completely at ease.

Perhaps it was because… she liked dogs.

Dogs were loyal. They wouldn’t betray you, no matter how weak you were, no matter how easily they could overpower you.

Cats… well, they were a different story. She would need to be stronger, more confident, before she could even consider taming a cat.

As for wolves, foxes…

I’m so greedy…

Her thoughts drifted, her eyelids growing heavy. The nurse had excused her from class, and Celeste, as a Sequence Two, could skip class without any consequences.

So…

“Celeste… let’s take a nap,” she murmured, her voice soft and sleepy. “We can have lunch when we wake up. You’re rich, right? I want something… expensive~”

She snuggled closer to Celeste, her arms wrapping around her neck, her words a playful demand.

Celeste’s cheeks burned, her voice a stammering mess.

“Y-Yes… Master… I have… money. Please… spend it as you wish. Everything I have… belongs to you…”

So, she had gained not only a loyal dog, but a bottomless wallet as well.

A puppy-shaped piggy bank?

Adele smiled, her eyelids finally fluttering closed as she drifted off to sleep.

She was, in many ways, a terrible person.

But Celeste, gazing at her sleeping face, her heart beating in time with Adele’s gentle breaths… she didn’t care.

Every beat was a symphony of love.

Chapter 35: Only I Won’t Abandon You

Adele loved porcelain, jade, anything smooth and pristine. In a way, everyone harbored a touch of the dragon, a desire to hoard beautiful treasures. But broken things held no appeal.

Celeste, once dazzlingly beautiful, now resembled a shattered vase, a cracked gem, her radiance dimmed by the scars that marred her skin.

Adele disliked this. Not necessarily out of some overflowing well of compassion. She simply preferred her possessions to be… intact. A broken dog, after all, wasn’t much use.

This wasn’t to say she was heartless. Celeste simply hadn’t fully proven her worth, her devotion.

It was still too soon for Adele to feel genuine sympathy, let alone affection, for someone who had tried to hurt her, even if that person had since paid the price.

However, Celeste’s actions had undeniably softened Adele’s heart.

She’s so foolish… To surrender her power, her freedom, to a powerless Sequence Five like Adele… it was a gesture that touched a chord within her, sparking a genuine concern for the other girl, a warmth that wasn’t just an act.

“Does it hurt? Just bear with it a little longer…” she said, her voice soft and soothing. “The nurse said this potion works quickly, and it won’t leave any scars.”

She dabbed a cotton swab, soaked in a strange-smelling potion, onto Celeste’s wounds, her touch gentle, her movements precise. She was grateful that the nurse hadn’t revealed the ingredients or the process involved in creating this arcane concoction.

Sometimes, ignorance was bliss. It was like enjoying a delicious dish, only to be completely repulsed once you discovered what it was actually made of.

Adele had decided that she would never inquire about the ingredients of any potion she had to consume in the future. As long as it worked, she would simply swallow it and be done with it.

Celeste, however, vaguely remembered that the key ingredient in this potion was the saliva of some kind of fire ant that feasted on decaying flesh. Which explained the burning, stinging sensation that accompanied its application, and why, despite its effectiveness in treating scars, it wasn’t a popular choice, leaving the infirmary with a surplus of the stuff.

But Celeste endured the pain, finding a strange… pleasure in it?

She wasn’t a masochist, not really. But if it was for Adele… perhaps she could learn to enjoy a little pain.

Everyone needed something to live for. And in her darkest hour, when she had been at her most vulnerable, it had been Adele who had reached out to her, offering comfort, forgiveness… even friendship?

“I… I’ll… I’ll be strong, Adele… Master,” she whispered, her voice trembling with a mixture of pain and… something else. Something that sounded suspiciously like… joy?

Adele nodded, her expression becoming distant, her gaze cool and detached as she focused on her task. For a moment, she had forgotten to maintain her facade, to project the image of the sweet, innocent Adele.

But even if Celeste eventually realized that she was being manipulated, that her devotion was being exploited… would it even matter? By then, she would be so deeply entrenched, so utterly devoted, that nothing else would matter except… being near Adele.

Celeste, blinded by her adoration, saw only Adele’s attentiveness, her focus, her… care.

Adele, realizing that she had slipped, quickly donned her mask, her expression softening, her voice regaining its warmth as she continued her ministrations.

Time seemed to stand still as she meticulously treated Celeste’s wounds, her touch lingering, her gaze gentle.

By the time she was finished, Celeste’s legs, her knees, her wrists, her neck… they were all covered in the pungent-smelling potion, its scent clinging to her skin, a constant reminder of Adele’s touch.

Celeste felt a pang of guilt. She was… making her Master endure her… stench.

And Adele was the one who was sick, the one who should be resting. Yet, here she was, tending to Celeste’s wounds, her own discomfort forgotten.

Overwhelmed by these thoughts, Celeste tried to sit up.

“Celeste? What are you doing? I told you to rest.”

Adele’s voice was soft, but there was an underlying firmness to it, a subtle shift in their dynamic that spoke of… ownership?

She was starting to understand the true extent of her power, the absolute control she now wielded over Celeste’s mind and body.

Celeste, unable to resist the command, her heart fluttering at the subtle change in Adele’s tone, lay back down, her gaze fixed on Adele’s face, her body trembling with a mixture of anticipation and… something else. Something she couldn’t quite name.

Adele, her gaze softening, reached out, her fingers tracing the last remaining scar on Celeste’s face, the one on her cheek, the mark of Hermione’s punishment.

The icy blue magic didn’t harm Adele’s fingers. But as it pulsed beneath her touch, Celeste winced, a flicker of pain crossing her face.

“Hermione really went overboard, didn’t she?” Adele murmured, her thoughts drifting to… unpleasant possibilities. “Maybe I should…”

“No! Please, Master… don’t confront Hermione!” Celeste blurted out, her voice thick with panic. “If it means… if it means you have to… to beg her… I’d rather live with this scar forever.”

“Don’t worry about me,” she added, her voice softening. “It’ll fade in a few days. A week, at most.”

Adele’s gaze hardened, her eyes turning icy, silencing Celeste’s pleas.

But then… her expression softened, a flicker of her former warmth returning to her eyes.

She couldn’t change too quickly, too drastically. Celeste needed time to adjust, to accept her new reality.

“But you promised… to obey me,” she said, her voice soft yet firm. “To be my dog.”

“Do you really… accept me as your Master?”

She trailed her fingers down Celeste’s cheek, her touch lingering on the sensitive skin of her neck, then slowly moving lower, towards the mark on her abdomen…

Celeste trembled, her eyes welling up with tears. The magic crest, responding to Adele’s touch, her words, flared to life, sending waves of pain through her body. She felt a bone-chilling cold, followed by a searing heat, as if she were being consumed by flames.

But the worst part… was the emptiness, the feeling of… abandonment.

A familiar’s world revolved around their master. If their master abandoned them…

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry!” she cried, her voice breaking.

“You’ll always be my Master, Adele,” she said, her voice regaining its strength, her words a desperate plea. “I’ll… I’ll know my place…”

“I’m… I’m just a dog at your feet, Adele!” she sobbed. “I’ll lick your shoes, clean the dirt from beneath your fingernails… anything! Just… please… don’t abandon me…”

The magic crest, amplifying her emotions, her desperation, forced the words from her lips, a torrent of devotion and self-abasement.

Adele, watching Celeste crumble before her, her once-proud demeanor replaced by a pathetic desperation, felt a surge of… satisfaction? Power?

She couldn’t deny the thrill, the sense of… ownership.

Her pink eyes sparkled with a dangerous light, her lips curving into a predatory smile.

She reached out, her fingers gently stroking Celeste’s golden hair, her touch both a reward and a reminder of… who was in control.

And under Adele’s touch, Celeste’s fear subsided, replaced by a sense of… peace. A security she had never known before. It was as if, in that moment, she could escape the world, her worries, her pain… everything.

She was lost in Adele’s touch, her voice, her words weaving a spell of comfort, of belonging.

“As long as you’re obedient, Celeste…” Adele murmured, her voice a seductive whisper.

“I’ll never abandon you.”

“Others might mock you, belittle you, insult you…”

“But I won’t. Never.”

“So please, Celeste… don’t worry about what others think.”

“Your eyes… they should only see me. Your thoughts… they should only be of me. Of what I need, of what you can do for me.”

“There’s no room for anyone else… understand?”

Chapter 34: Healing the Heart

Celeste wanted so badly to be Adele’s dog. But Adele said she preferred cats. Celeste cried.

Celeste knew why she cried, even though she was neither a dog nor a cat. Because she was a rat. A dirty, sewer-dwelling rat.

But now, Celeste was finally Adele’s dog. Her heart overflowed with joy, tears streaming down her face.

………………

…Her dog?

Adele froze, her mind reeling.

Celeste, misinterpreting Adele’s silence, assumed that the kind-hearted Adele was simply struggling to accept the situation. She was so pure, so innocent…

But this was Celeste’s choice, her penance, her way to atone for her sins. She hoped Adele would forgive her for her impulsiveness, her… selfishness.

But Adele wasn’t angry. She was… confused.

Because this… this wasn’t exactly what she had planned.

Well, it was close. Just… a little too fast?

Yes, way too fast.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered this possibility. In fact, from the very beginning, she had been grooming Celeste, subtly manipulating her guilt and vulnerability, nudging her towards becoming her… loyal companion.

So, Celeste’s assessment of Adele as “pure and innocent”… well, it wasn’t exactly accurate.

She liked golden retrievers. Samoyeds were cute too, those fluffy white bundles of joy. But Celeste, with her golden hair and athletic build… she was definitely a golden retriever.

There was a saying: “A golden retriever is a demon before one year old, an angel after.” It meant that golden retrievers matured slowly, their puppyhood a long and often destructive period. But once they reached adulthood, they became loyal, loving companions.

It was an apt description of Celeste.

She had almost become a demon. But now… she had matured, hadn’t she? She was docile, obedient, like a big, goofy puppy.

Adele had assumed it would take time, patience, and a lot of subtle manipulation to achieve this… transformation. To convince Celeste to willingly wear the leash, to accept the collar, to become her… well, let’s just say “devoted follower.”

But now… it had happened so easily, so unexpectedly, that she was… unprepared.

Celeste, mistaking Adele’s shock for reluctance, for a refusal to treat her like an animal, felt a surge of determination. She had to prove herself worthy, to earn Adele’s… acceptance.

“You… You can give me any order,” she said, her voice trembling with a mixture of excitement and fear. “You can… punish me. Adele… no… Master… please… try it.”

“Celeste, don’t call me that,” Adele said, her cheeks flushing. “Besides, I… I don’t know what to do.”

Wow, she’s not even trying to hide it anymore.

“Then… may I continue calling you… Adele?” Celeste asked, her voice barely a whisper.

She had witnessed other vampires with familiars, their bonds sealed with spiritual contracts. The familiars were often collared, forced to crawl, to grovel… To address their masters by their first names… it was unheard of. Unless… they were especially favored.

Celeste knew how a familiar should behave, how they should serve their masters. But she also knew… that Adele was different. She was a rare gem, a treasure that deserved to be cherished.

Even if Celeste’s presence might tarnish her, might stain her purity… she was willing to accept her.

“Of course, Celeste,” Adele said, her voice soft yet firm. “You can always call me Adele.”

It was a simple statement, a small concession, but it filled Celeste with a warmth, a gratitude, that she had never experienced before.

She was starting to understand what it meant to be a familiar, to be bound to another soul, to have your very being intertwined with theirs.

The magic crest, amplifying even the smallest gestures of kindness, the slightest touch, transformed them into acts of immense significance, showering her with a sense of… belonging?

It was like… Stockholm Syndrome. No matter how cruelly a master treated their familiar, the slightest act of kindness, the smallest crumb of affection, could trigger a wave of… love? Devotion? Obsession?

It was the power of the magic crest.

But Celeste preferred to believe that her feelings were genuine, that they weren’t simply a result of magical manipulation. Her heart belonged to Adele. It always had.

She opened her mouth, and as she spoke Adele’s name, she felt a thrill course through her, a surge of… joy?

“Adele… Master.”

She couldn’t help but add the honorific, the ingrained subservience of a familiar overriding her desire to please Adele.

She saw the confusion, the curiosity, in Adele’s beautiful pink eyes, and she felt a need to explain, to educate.

“It’s a spiritual contract, Adele,” she said, her voice regaining its strength. “An evolution of the First Embrace, a way for vampires to… control their familiars.”

“Familiars…”

Adele knew the word. It was a polite term for… slaves.

But ever since the truce between humans and vampires, the practice of using the First Embrace or magic crests to create familiars had become… taboo. At least, in public. Who knew what those vampire nobles, those powerful figures who had infiltrated human society, were doing behind closed doors? They had wealth, influence, and a network of loyal followers.

But it was an unspoken rule that such practices were to remain hidden. If exposed, both master and familiar would face severe consequences.

And within the academy… well, it was strictly forbidden.

Besides, this type of familiar was different from the “familiars” summoned by those vampires with the ability to form pacts with otherworldly entities. Those creatures, those powerful beings from other dimensions, were more accurately referred to as “servants.” But vampires, being arrogant creatures, preferred the term “familiar,” extending it to encompass those with the ability to summon them.

“So… I can really… give you any order?” Adele asked, her voice hesitant.

“Yes, Adele…” Celeste said, her body trembling with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

“Then… lie down on the bed,” Adele said, her voice gaining confidence. “And no matter what I do… don’t make a sound.”

“!?”

Celeste’s mind went blank, her body reacting instinctively, her breath catching in her throat, her chest heaving.

Adele, her gaze fixed on Celeste, a mischievous glint in her eyes, stepped off the bed, slipping on her shoes.

“Stay here,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”

Celeste, confused but trusting, obeyed, her heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and… fear?

Adele returned a few minutes later, carrying a small bag filled with… things. Celeste couldn’t see what they were, but the anticipation, the excitement, the fear… it was almost unbearable.

She closed her eyes, surrendering to Adele’s will, her body relaxing, preparing for… whatever was to come.

Pain or pleasure… it didn’t matter.

But Adele… she was kind, gentle. Surely, she wouldn’t…

“Hiss…!”

A sharp, stinging sensation, like a thousand tiny ants biting into her flesh, shot through her body, making her arch her back, her toes curling.

“Hold still, Celeste,” Adele said, her voice firm yet soothing.

She hadn’t realized that her words, her every command, were now imbued with a magical compulsion, an irresistible force that Celeste, thanks to the magic crest, couldn’t disobey.

Celeste, biting back a moan, opened her eyes, her gaze searching Adele’s face, her heart aching with a mixture of confusion and… hurt?

But then, she saw Adele, her slender figure hovering over her, her expression focused, her touch gentle as she applied a soothing balm to the wounds on Celeste’s legs.

The hurt vanished, replaced by a warmth that spread through her body, a wave of gratitude so intense that it brought tears to her eyes.

Adele… was healing her. Not just her physical wounds, but her heart as well.