Category: The Vampire Eldest Miss Thinks I Like Her

Chapter 127: Exposed

They had gone too far, leaving the bank completely drained of blood. Even the low-quality blood had been purchased. Jasmine understood their mentality. It was free money, a windfall. Why not spend it all?

Besides, with the current situation, who knew if banknotes would even be useful in the future? Spending it all and running away seemed like the best option.

But they were all fools. In recent years, magic stone surveillance devices had become commonplace, even in Adele’s territory. And the clarity of these devices was far superior to anything in Jasmine’s previous world. This world’s technology followed a magical path, not a scientific one, resulting in some strange advancements.

Although magic stones were expensive, they were affordable for most nobles. Even those who didn’t own them had surely seen them. The vampire bank headquarters was riddled with surveillance cameras, and yet not a single vampire had thought to disable them, their actions clearly recorded.

Perhaps they hadn’t gotten used to surveillance yet. Vampires had long lifespans, two thousand years or more. And surveillance technology had only been developed in the past few years. It was understandable that they weren’t taking it seriously yet. But in a year or two, they would surely learn: before doing anything illegal, disable the cameras first.

Adele had come to watch the show, not to become part of it. She sat in the café, observing the chaos unfolding inside the bank. After witnessing the spectacle, she paid her bill and left. Upon returning to her territory, she read the reports in both the official newspaper and the White family’s tabloid.

The punishments for those involved in the bank incident were swift and severe. All the vampires who had dared to defy the Council of Elders’ authority were sentenced to death. But the Council had tasked the Thirteen Clans with executing the vampires in their respective territories.

Adele couldn’t help but laugh when she read this. Because… many of the nobles involved were from the Thirteen Clans themselves. Tasking them with carrying out the punishments was essentially giving them an opportunity to silence their own people. Faced with loyal followers, they might even secretly release them, allowing them to disappear into the lawless zone beyond the Twilight Curtain.

Jasmine later visited Barbara. Seeing the plan progressing smoothly, Barbara was pleased, but she also informed Jasmine, “Our researchers have discovered the counterfeit banknotes. Although they’re almost identical to genuine banknotes, there are slight differences in the ink. They’re planning to report this to the Council of Elders. I managed to delay them, claiming that we need more evidence before reporting, but they’ll find out soon enough.”

Jasmine nodded. “Don’t risk stopping them. It doesn’t matter if they find out. It won’t affect our plan. Let them report it.”

Barbara nodded, indicating that she understood.

After the institute reported the counterfeiting, the bank quickly implemented a series of policies, including invalidating all existing banknotes and exchanging them for new ones. Adele, always “respectful” of the Council of Elders, immediately sent her low-ranking vampire servants to exchange their money.

And she was clever. She mostly used genuine banknotes, with only a small portion being counterfeit. And she didn’t inflate the amount. The low-ranking vampires returned with the new banknotes, but the amount was less than what Adele had sent. They explained nervously, “The bank said some of the banknotes were problematic and confiscated them. They only gave us back the ones that were deemed valid.”

Adele wasn’t surprised. She nodded and dismissed them. The wealth in her territory was vast. She had sent an entire team to transport her money, dozens of crates filled with banknotes. But only twenty crates had been returned.

Adele smiled.

Although she had included some counterfeit banknotes, the proportion wasn’t that high. The amount returned was clearly insufficient, significantly less than what she had sent. There was no way the bank could have produced so many new banknotes in such a short time. They simply didn’t have enough.

Jasmine picked up a new banknote, examining it carefully. The researchers at the institute were truly skilled. They had designed a new layout in such a short time, even using the issue date and serial number as security features. But their actions were only accelerating the collapse of trust.

The old banknotes were now useless, and people had to exchange them for new ones. But there weren’t enough new banknotes, and the bank was even confiscating people’s money. This news, combined with the recent bank incident, would surely erode people’s trust in the new currency. They would wonder: Will these new banknotes also become worthless one day? Will our wealth be diminished again because of the Council of Elders?

The White family’s tabloid also reported on this, Miss White’s writing sharp and critical, although she didn’t directly criticize the Council of Elders, her dissatisfaction was evident.

A sense of anxiety permeated vampire society. This tension persisted for a long time, only easing slightly with the arrival of Blessing Day. Adele packed her bags, preparing to return home for the annual holiday.

Upon arriving at Blake Castle, she noticed something strange about her sister’s expression. She seemed to have something to say but was hesitant to speak. Adele wanted to talk to her, but her father summoned her to his study.

Jasmine, returning to her servant’s quarters, also sensed something amiss.

The head maid, accompanied by several low-ranking vampire maids, surrounded her. Jasmine’s intuition told her that something unexpected had happened, but she couldn’t figure out what it was. So, she maintained her facade as an ordinary human, her voice trembling with fear and helplessness. “Ladies, have I done something wrong?”

For a moment, she suspected that her secret identity had been exposed, but the head maid’s words dispelled this notion. “The patriarch has ordered you to remain in your room,” she said. “You’re not allowed to go anywhere.”

If her secret identity had been exposed, it wouldn’t be the head maid and a few low-ranking vampires confronting her. The patriarch himself would have led the team, coming to apprehend her personally. These low-ranking vampires were no match for her. So… the problem wasn’t with her. It was with Adele.

Jasmine instantly understood.

Honestly, it wasn’t surprising that they had been discovered. Every lord’s territory had informants planted by other clans and the Council of Elders. Even after all these years, Adele hadn’t been able to completely eliminate them from her territory. If they had discovered something and reported it, it was to be expected.

And although Adele had been subtly inciting rebellion among the nobles, anyone paying attention could easily see her hand in it. Moreover, not everyone was trustworthy. Betrayal was always a possibility.

Jasmine sensed Adele’s presence. She was currently in the patriarch’s study.

If it were just her own identity that had been exposed, Jasmine wouldn’t be worried. After all, no one in this world could defeat her in a fight. But Adele was different. She was far weaker than Jasmine, and to the Blake patriarch, she would be no more difficult to deal with than a human. After all, Adele was just a young vampire, not even a hundred years old, while the Blake patriarch was a thousand-year-old geezer.

The logical course of action would be to wait until Adele was imprisoned, then meet with her and discuss their next move. The Blake patriarch was Adele’s father. Even if Adele had done something wrong, he wouldn’t kill her outright.

But Adele was a delicate flower, sheltered and pampered her entire life. The worst hardships she had endured had been because of Jasmine: being injured by the school doctor and being confined by her mother. Jasmine couldn’t bear to see Adele suffer, especially now that they were lovers.

Adele deserved to be cherished, not imprisoned. Jasmine couldn’t bear to see her locked up again. So, she chose to resist.

She took a step forward. The head maid, her face stern, said, “Maid Jasmine, the patriarch has ordered you to remain in your room. You’re not allowed to go anywhere. Are you defying his orders?”

What if I am?

Jasmine stared at the head maid, taking another step forward. The low-ranking vampire maids beside her extended their claws, ready to attack at the head maid’s command. But the head maid hesitated, and the low-ranking vampires, confused, looked at her.

They saw a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead.

Low-ranking vampires had low body temperatures. They rarely sweat. But facing Jasmine, the head maid couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat. She met Jasmine’s gaze, those black eyes that vampires usually found so alluring. They reminded them of the night sky.

But those black eyes were cold, devoid of emotion. Their intensity made the head maid feel an immense pressure. The previous head maid’s parting words echoed in her mind.

She couldn’t remember exactly what the human had said. She was a low-ranking vampire, not a true vampire. Her memory wasn’t that good. She only vaguely remembered the woman saying, Jasmine… she’s not human! She can’t be human!

Everyone at Blake Castle had dismissed her words as the ramblings of a disgruntled former employee, her resentment and bitterness fueling her accusations. But now, gazing into Jasmine’s eyes, the head maid realized: perhaps those words hadn’t been a joke.

“Lady!”

The low-ranking vampire maids beside her whispered urgently, snapping her out of her daze. She gritted her teeth. “Attack!”

Chapter 126: Watching the Show

Since the Council of Elders’ official newspaper had announced that the suspension of high-quality blood exchange would begin at the end of the month, many vampires had flocked to the bank headquarters, eager to exchange their money before the deadline. Adele, accompanied by Jasmine, also joined the crowd. As a lord with a vast territory, it was perfectly normal for her to be concerned about the blood shortage.

But in reality, she was just there to watch the show.

And she had dressed for the occasion. She wore a dark red gown, the skirt adorned with intricate black embroidery that shimmered under the moonlight, exuding an aura of opulence and grandeur. The corset cinched her waist, highlighting her slender figure, while the daring bodice design emphasized her ample bosom.

Jasmine, standing behind her, held a matching lace parasol, delicate lace trim cascading down its edges.

Although carrying a parasol at night was a bit absurd, it was all about aesthetics and elegance. Vampires would surely appreciate the effort. And the maid also had to be elegant. Otherwise, the parasol would look out of place.

Instead of joining the throng of vampires clamoring at the bank’s entrance, Adele sat at a nearby café, sipping coffee, her elegant figure a stark contrast to the chaotic scene unfolding before her. Jasmine stood beside her, holding the parasol, like a beautiful statue.

Adele, the spectator, had become a spectacle herself, her beauty captivating the attention of many. And it wasn’t just male vampires who were demanding blood from the bank staff. Female vampires, their status equal to men, many of them heads of their own families, were also present. It was perfectly normal for them to be concerned about the blood shortage.

Obtaining blood was important, but staying up-to-date on the latest fashion trends was also crucial.

Adele’s elegance caught the eye of not just the other ladies, but also Miss White, who was also there to watch the show. Adele hadn’t expected to see her here. Miss White, accompanied by her maid, who had been given the “White” surname, approached and sat down opposite Adele.

Jasmine sensed a hostile glare from the White maid. They had had a minor disagreement at school, but that had been a long time ago. Jasmine suspected that wasn’t the reason.

There was only one explanation: the White maid was envious of Jasmine’s elegance.

—Hmph, when it comes to being a professional maid, I won’t lose to anyone.

As expected, after glaring at Jasmine, the White maid turned her attention to the parasol, her eyes filled with longing.

Who wouldn’t want it? It was Jasmine’s design, a product of her modern knowledge and the maids’ craftsmanship. And it wasn’t mass-produced. Due to the materials and the intricate handwork involved, each parasol was unique. If you wanted one, you had to pay a hefty price.

Miss White, however, wasn’t interested in clothes or parasols. She had also been the top student at the academy, consistently ranked first in her year. Many had lamented that she and Adele hadn’t been in the same year, so they couldn’t compare their abilities directly.

They each had their own supporters, who believed that Miss White/Miss Blake would surely be the most successful.

Such discussions had only subsided after their graduation. Adele had become a rising star in social circles, a respected lord, while Miss White, due to her ranking, hadn’t been eligible to inherit her family’s leadership, remaining unmarried until recently, her engagement finally announced.

The difference in their paths was clear. In vampire society, where strength was revered, only the powerful earned respect. Everyone believed that Adele was now the more successful one.

But Miss White didn’t agree. She had never felt inferior to Adele. She asked, “Miss Blake, are you here to withdraw blood?”

“I imagine everyone here is,” Adele replied.

Miss White ordered a cup of coffee, and her maid immediately added a sugar cube, which Adele could tell was of high quality. Miss White, hearing Adele’s answer, hummed noncommittally. She stirred her coffee, waiting for the sugar cube to dissolve before speaking.

“But I don’t think that’s the case for you, Adele. You don’t seem worried at all.”

She had switched from “Miss Blake” to “Adele,” clearly trying to establish a closer relationship, paving the way for the next topic. Adele smiled. “What are your thoughts, Miss White?”

“Perhaps you’re like me, simply here to watch the show.”

Adele didn’t respond directly, instead asking, “Are you here to watch the show, Miss White? How amusing.” She hadn’t confirmed or denied her own intentions, simply deflecting Miss White’s probing. Miss White chuckled, knowing that Adele was cautious. So, she decided to offer a piece of information, hoping to gain Adele’s trust.

“To be honest, I’m the one who wrote the article on the front page of our family’s newspaper.”

This surprised both Adele and Jasmine. Based on the writing style, they had assumed the author was a mature male vampire, not a young lady around Adele’s age.

“I wouldn’t have guessed it was you, Miss White. After all, some of the language…” Adele hesitated, unsure if she should voice her criticism.

“Too vulgar?” Miss White admitted it readily. “I had to be careful, so I deliberately changed my writing style. But Adele, I have a question.”

“Please, ask away.”

“Every time I’m trying to decide what to write about, someone anonymously sends a detailed account of the incident to our newspaper. It’s always so timely. Do you have any idea who it might be?”

“Who knows?”

Adele took a sip of her tea, refusing to admit to anything without evidence. Those accounts were actually delivered by Jasmine, based on information gathered by Adele’s informants. But she would never admit to this. She wasn’t stupid.

And she was sure that Miss White had no proof. She trusted Jasmine’s abilities. No one could detect Jasmine’s movements. After all, Jasmine was the most powerful being in this world.

Adele maintained her perfect facade, her smile impeccable. Miss White, after observing her for a while, realized that she wouldn’t get anything out of her. She chatted with Adele for a few more minutes, then she turned to leave, but before she did, she said, “Adele, I’m on your side now.”

After Miss White was gone, Adele’s smile faded. “As expected of a writer,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “Such keen observation skills.” Jasmine, maintaining her professional demeanor as a maid, pretended not to have heard anything. Then Adele continued, “Unfortunately, she can’t see my true intentions.”

Sometimes, Jasmine thought Adele was a bit too dramatic, with her exaggerated words and actions. Those gestures and lines wouldn’t be out of place in an anime.

Jasmine felt that she had to step up her game. Otherwise, Adele might surpass her in chuunibyou levels. So, she said softly, “As you wish.”

Adele whirled around, her eyes wide with surprise. Jasmine’s expression remained neutral, but she raised an eyebrow at Adele, her meaning clear: See? I can be just as dramatic.

Adele, annoyed, turned away and continued sipping her coffee.

Honestly, coffee was terrible. Jasmine couldn’t imagine what coffee with blood would taste like. It was probably as repulsive as tofu with mayonnaise, a culinary abomination that would make Jasmine cringe.

Jasmine pondered Miss White’s words. She suspected that Miss White was suspicious, but she probably only believed that Adele wanted to overthrow the Council of Elders. Miss White’s departing figure had seemed excited. Perhaps she believed that toppling the Council of Elders was an impossible feat.

But Adele’s ambitions were greater.

She didn’t just want to overthrow the Council of Elders. She wanted to overthrow the entire vampire regime and create a world of peace.

Whether Miss White’s declaration was genuine or not didn’t matter to Adele. What mattered was that she could be used. That was enough.

While they had been chatting, the situation at the bank’s entrance had escalated. Many nobles were blocked from entering, and as high-ranking nobles, they were proud and arrogant. How could they tolerate being denied entry?

It quickly turned into a physical confrontation.

Jasmine watched closely. Initially, it had just been the security team blocking the entrance, preventing the vampires from entering. The vampires in the front row, pushed by those behind them, had inadvertently moved forward. The security team, assuming they were trying to force their way in, had drawn their weapons.

Vampires were still in the era of cold weapons. Their weapons were the swords they wore at their waists. In their minds, only low-ranking vampires needed such things. After all, their claws were their most powerful weapons. As the security team drew their swords, a fight was imminent.

Someone in the crowd, hidden among the vampires, launched a magic attack, flames engulfing a low-ranking vampire. Then, in the ensuing chaos, the vampires surged forward, overwhelming the security team and entering the bank. This was the headquarters of the vampire bank. Besides the low-ranking vampire guards, there were also noble vampires stationed here.

But they were outnumbered by the angry mob of nobles. The vampire guards were quickly subdued, and the nobles, their chests puffed out, marched inside, demanding blood from the bank staff. Facing a mob that had just defeated their superiors, the low-ranking vampire employees didn’t dare to resist. They could only comply.

But soon, facing the nobles waving their money, the bank’s blood reserves were depleted. The vampires, unwilling to leave empty-handed, but with no blood left to withdraw, were furious.

To vent their anger, they trashed the bank.

Chapter 125: The System Crumbles

After those gold-digging vampires with their ulterior motives had left, the vampires who were on good terms with Adele gathered around her. Adele was a rising star in social circles, a trendsetter, and the clothes and cosmetics produced in her territory were highly sought after by nobles of all ranks.

At the White family’s party, the topic of the recent article in their tabloid naturally came up. Someone asked Adele, “Miss Blake, what are your thoughts on this matter?”

Adele was intelligent. She never revealed her true feelings, simply offering a diplomatic response. “That vampire was blinded by his sudden wealth. If only he had used a more appropriate method to purchase blood.”

Her words silenced those who had been eager to gossip. Adele then changed the subject, “Is blood really that expensive these days? I’ve always used the blood produced at my own farms, so I’m not very familiar with the market prices.”

Naturally, there were helpful young ladies willing to answer her question. “You don’t need to buy blood because the quality of the blood produced in your territory is so good, right? But blood prices have been rising in recent years. A few months ago, the bank even implemented a more refined grading system, making high-quality blood even more expensive.”

“Is that so?” Adele feigned ignorance. “The purchase price has been decreasing recently. I thought the selling price would have decreased as well.”

“No, it’s because the selling price has decreased while the purchase price has increased that many nobles are struggling to afford the tribute payments…”

Seeing the conversation heading towards a sensitive topic, Adele, swirling her wine glass, interjected, “Perhaps it’s simply a matter of supply and demand. High-quality blood deserves a high price.”

Her words, “supply and demand,” instead of ending the discussion, only fueled it. The conversation shifted to, “Has the supply of high-quality blood decreased? Is that why it’s becoming more expensive?”

“But the amount of high-quality blood we offer as tribute hasn’t changed.”

“Then where is all that blood going?”

No one answered the last question, because they all knew the answer: the blood was going to the Council of Elders, to their esteemed elders. And there was another pressing question: did the bank even have enough blood in reserve? Blood was essential for vampires. If more blood was being given to the Council of Elders, then naturally, less would be available for them.

They had sold their blood to the bank, exchanging it for money, believing that they could simply buy it back when they needed it. But now it seemed that the bank didn’t have much blood left. They decided… to go to the bank and buy some as soon as they returned. Otherwise, it would all be gone, and what would they drink then?

Adele’s subtle manipulations had played a significant role in steering the conversation in this direction. But she hadn’t done anything overtly provocative. Her words and tone suggested that she was on the Council of Elders’ side.

She had even interrupted others several times when they tried to criticize the Council.

People now thought of her as: Ah, Miss Blake. A true model noble.

The party ended, and Adele, having achieved her goal, gracefully retreated. Upon returning to Spark Farm, she was still excited. “Well? How did I do?” Facing Adele’s request for praise, Jasmine readily obliged. “You did great, Adele.”

And now it was time for Adele’s reward. Jasmine was generous, indulging Adele’s every whim, except for the blood-drinking part, which Adele found to be incredibly stingy. Adele wanted kisses, so Jasmine kissed her until she was dazed. Adele wanted pleasure, so they spent two or three days tangled in bed.

Adele still wanted to drink blood. She pleaded, her voice pitiful, “Jasmine, I only drink your blood. If you don’t let me drink, I’ll starve to death. Artificial blood isn’t enough. I can only tolerate your blood.”

It was true, but Jasmine, being mischievous, couldn’t resist teasing her. “That’s not entirely true.”

“?”

“I remember that time when I was eating spicy blood curd, you also tried a piece. Although your mouth went numb afterwards, you still swallowed it.” Jasmine had a good memory. She hadn’t forgotten that incident.

Hearing this, Adele froze. She had indeed eaten a blood clot. But! But that didn’t count! And it had only happened once!

Jasmine looked at her, her expression saying, “You’re not pure anymore, Adele.” This made Adele blush furiously. She climbed on top of Jasmine, pounding her fists against Jasmine’s chest. Although Adele’s punches were harmless to Jasmine, she still instinctively protected her chest.

“Jasmine, what are you doing?”

“Nothing,” Jasmine mumbled.

They had been lovers for so long. Adele had developed the ability to read Jasmine’s poker face. She understood Jasmine’s meaning now. Her gaze fell on Jasmine’s chest, and Jasmine instinctively puffed it out.

Adele chuckled. “Don’t worry, Jasmine. My punches won’t make your chest cave in!”

“!”

They continued to tease each other for a while. They weren’t in a hurry. After all, things took time to develop. Toppling the Council of Elders’ rule required a long-term strategy. But they didn’t have to wait too long. Vampires were notoriously impatient creatures.

Although they had long lifespans, they weren’t good at waiting. This was evident in their actions. For example, they were eager to arrange engagements for their daughters as soon as they reached adulthood. They seemed to want to get everything done quickly, then they could relax, like hamsters who had gathered enough food for winter, settling into their nests.

Or perhaps it was because they had been traumatized by famines in ancient times, their genes still carrying the instinct to hoard resources.

Anyway, the headquarters of the vampire bank was, unsurprisingly, flooded with requests for blood. And these vampires, mostly high-ranking nobles, weren’t polite. They simply threw money at the bank staff, demanding blood. The bank employees in rural areas were human, but at the headquarters and other important locations, they were low-ranking vampires.

These employees had no power to resist the nobles. They could only accept the money and hand over the blood. But a problem arose. The blood reserves in rural areas were quickly depleted, forcing the nobles to travel to the headquarters. But the headquarters also had limited reserves. To be precise, the amount of money in circulation far exceeded the amount of blood stored in the bank.

Adele and Jasmine had played a significant role in this. Because those nobles weren’t just carrying genuine banknotes. They also had large amounts of counterfeit money. Based on the amount of currency the bank’s research institute issued annually, there should have been enough blood to meet the demand. But with the counterfeit banknotes added to the equation, it was far from enough.

Unable to obtain blood, the frustrated nobles, abandoning their usual decorum, gathered outside the bank, refusing to leave until their demands were met. Adele’s informants reported that several nobles from Blake territory were among them.

Adele knew that they wouldn’t have dared to do this without her father’s tacit approval.

The bank’s security team tried to disperse the crowd, but these nobles were accustomed to getting their way, and the security team was mostly composed of low-ranking vampires, with only the leader being a noble. In a confrontation, the security team would be the ones who suffered.

The nobles, shedding their usual elegance, rolled up their sleeves and fought the security team. They had reverted to their primal instincts, relying on brute force. It was understandable. Vampire society was a hierarchy based on power. And vampires were essentially beasts, merely disguised as civilized beings.

Because there were so many nobles involved, the Council of Elders couldn’t punish them all. Instead, they appeased them, providing each noble with the blood they requested. This reassured those who had been worried about the bank’s dwindling blood reserves. But the article published in the next month’s newspaper made them panic.

It stated that the bank would be suspending the exchange of high-quality blood at the end of the month due to a system upgrade. This confirmed the nobles’ suspicions: the bank had run out of blood. And where had all that blood gone? Into the mouths of the Council of Elders, of course.

To be honest, the Council of Elders did consume a portion of the high-quality blood, but the main reason for the shortage was the abundance of counterfeit banknotes. And until now, they hadn’t realized that a significant portion of the money they had received was fake.

Besides the official newspaper, there was also the White family’s tabloid, which was much more entertaining than the Council of Elders’ dry and formal publication. The writing style was engaging and witty, with the vampires’ signature sarcastic tone. The bank’s inability to provide blood had clearly angered the author, who even wrote: If the bank has no blood to offer, then where did the blood we sold them go? If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have sold the blood from my farms.

His words resonated with many nobles. Initially, they had been reluctant to sell their blood. Vampires were greedy and selfish. How could they possibly give up their life force so easily? But the barter system was inefficient, hindering the development of vampire society. After thousands of years, they were still living like their ancestors.

It was only after the introduction of the banking system that vampire society had made significant progress. But this progress was built on trust, on the belief that the worthless paper they held could be exchanged for blood when needed.

And now, that trust was crumbling.

Adele and Jasmine didn’t have to do much. They simply had to wait and watch as the system collapsed.

Chapter 124: Growing Dissatisfaction

The newspaper was established by the Council of Elders, and subscriptions were mandatory for all nobles. Adele was no exception. She had to purchase a copy every month. But as the newspaper’s profits grew, other companies followed suit, with the White family being the most enthusiastic.

As expected of the White family, consistently ranked first among the Thirteen Clans for a thousand years. They were quick to capitalize on any opportunity to make money. And their tabloid was published twice a month, its content always sensational. Most importantly, it was the same price as the Council of Elders’ newspaper: ten silver coins per month.

To gather more information, Adele subscribed to various newspapers, including the White family’s tabloid. Of course, her most important source of information was her own network of informants.

The article in this month’s tabloid made Adele smile. She sat in her study, the newspaper spread out on her desk, even inviting Jasmine to read it with her.

Jasmine, curious, leaned closer, perching on the armrest of Adele’s chair, her eyes scanning the article. The White family’s tabloid had dedicated an entire page to this story, written in a humorous tone. The author was clearly a vampire, a high-ranking one at that.

The story was simple: a minor noble, through some stroke of luck, had acquired a large sum of money. He had gone to his local bank to exchange it for high-quality blood, but the bank had told him that they didn’t have any in stock. So, he had booked a private cabin on an airship, traveling to the regional headquarters of the bank.

He had demanded the best blood, but when the bank presented him with their selection, he had been dissatisfied. He wanted human blood. After much back and forth, the bank had finally produced what he wanted, but the price had been exorbitant. He had spent almost all of his money to purchase a single 300-milliliter bottle of blood.

Afterwards, he had complained loudly outside the bank, even making disrespectful remarks about the Council of Elders, resulting in his arrest and punishment. The blood he had just purchased was confiscated. In the end, he had gained nothing, losing both his money and the blood, and even incurring a hefty fine.

The author had written about the minor noble’s nouveau riche behavior in a mocking tone, but it was a true story. Adele’s informants had confirmed it. But even with the humorous writing style, Adele could see the underlying message.

The author’s words revealed his own feelings: his longing for wealth, his frustration at being unable to afford a bottle of blood despite having so much money, his anger at having it all confiscated. Both Adele and Jasmine could sense it clearly.

Others would also notice: since when had a 300-milliliter bottle of high-quality human blood become so expensive? The fact that the minor noble could afford a private cabin on an airship meant that he wasn’t poor, and yet he had only been able to purchase a single bottle.

And 300 milliliters… how many vampires could that even satisfy? They were nobles! Why should they have to grovel like beggars, grateful for scraps, when they couldn’t even afford blood after finally acquiring some wealth?

After reading the newspaper, Adele accepted Miss White’s invitation to a party. Miss White was Adele’s senior from the academy. They had met a few times, but Adele didn’t remember her very well. Her brother, however, had left a more lasting impression, almost becoming Adele’s fiancé.

Thankfully, Jasmine had eliminated him.

Adele wasn’t attending the party to reminisce with Miss White or to mourn her brother. She simply wanted to see firsthand how the public opinion was shifting. Social gatherings, especially those of nobles, were always the fastest way to spread information.

And most importantly, she could also promote her own products. After attending Miss Golden’s engagement party, Adele’s territory had received numerous orders for clothes and cosmetics. This trip would surely be just as profitable.

Adele, in high spirits, donned casual clothes, grabbed her suitcase, and set off with Jasmine. This time, she didn’t arrive a week early, as she had done for Miss Golden’s engagement party. After all, she wasn’t particularly close to Miss White. Arriving a day early was sufficient.

Many familiar faces were present. Because this was a private party hosted by Miss White, only people of their generation were invited. Their parents weren’t present. Miss Golden and her fiancé were also there. She greeted Adele, explaining, “It seems they’re looking for a suitable husband for Miss White.”

Adele nodded, indicating that she understood. She had already guessed as much. Miss White was marrying into another family, so there was no need to rush the process. Now that the abilities of this generation had become clear, it was time to find a husband for her.

Adele changed the subject. “Speaking of which, I heard you’ve started managing the Golden family’s farms.”

Miss Golden’s enthusiasm waned. “Yes, but it’s not like you. You have your own territory. I can only work within the confines of my family, under the shadow of my ancestors.” Adele, her tone suggestive, said, “I wish money would fall from the sky.”

Miss Golden understood her meaning. She chuckled. “I wish money would fall from the sky every day. I would eat it all up, leaving no crumbs behind.”

Adele smiled. “Likewise.”

Jasmine, of course, hadn’t neglected Golden territory. She was sure that the Golden patriarch had also confiscated a large amount of counterfeit banknotes. But they hadn’t figured out the source of the money yet, so they were probably worried. But regardless of their concerns, they would still use it. After all, it was free money.

Miss Golden’s words confirmed that the Golden family hadn’t reported this to the Council of Elders. Everyone thought the same way: it would be foolish not to use free money.

Adele changed the subject again, bringing up the article in the White family’s tabloid. Miss Golden hummed in agreement. “That nouveau riche… he must have been hit on the head by a money-filled pie. He forgot his place, daring to ask for high-quality blood.”

“But blood is so expensive these days. Even after being blessed by a money pie, he couldn’t afford it.” Adele took a sip of her black tea, continuing the conversation. The young Green boy, clueless, looked at them blankly.

Hearing Adele’s words, he finally chimed in. “It’s true. It’s so expensive. Even our family has been buying less blood than before.”

Miss Golden and Adele exchanged glances. Another fool.

Miss Golden patted her fiancé’s head, her tone playful. “Then I’ll have to find a way to make more money. Otherwise, when you graduate and we get married, I won’t be able to afford your blood.”

The young Green boy, hating to be treated like a child, pushed her hand away. “Don’t treat me like a kid! I know what’s going on! It’s the Council of Elders who lowered the…” He stopped abruptly, silenced by Miss Golden’s sharp glare. “We don’t speak ill of the Council of Elders.” She glanced at Adele, seeing her neutral expression, and relaxed slightly.

After a few more meaningless exchanges, Miss Golden and her fiancé excused themselves.

After they left, Jasmine cleared their cups, pouring herself a cup of black tea, without sugar. Adele, her expression amused, said, “It seems not just the Blake and Golden families, but even the Green family has complaints about the Council of Elders.”

The Blake and Golden families were both weak, ranked last and second to last, but the Green family was more powerful, ranked somewhere in the middle of the Thirteen Clans. Adding the White family, whose newspaper had published the article, that made four clans who were clearly dissatisfied with the Council of Elders.

Adele didn’t believe that the remaining clans were completely loyal. If they were, the Council of Elders would have taken action by now. The banks would have implemented new policies to address the situation. But so far, the Council had been silent.

Their informants, their eyes and ears, were choosing to remain deaf and blind.

Jasmine sighed. “When you sit in a position of power for too long, you tend to ignore the ambitions and grievances of those below you.” Yes, the Council of Elders had ruled over all vampires for far too long. These complaints weren’t new. Being constantly oppressed for thousands of years… even if they eventually joined the Council of Elders, becoming new elders themselves, the memories of their oppression wouldn’t fade.

And once they became elders, they would simply perpetuate the cycle, oppressing their former families. They might claim to represent their families, but the moment they joined the Council of Elders, they severed ties with their families, siding with the Thirteen Clans.

And vampires weren’t exactly known for their political maneuvering or palace intrigue. The Council of Elders hadn’t bothered to maintain a balance of power among the clans. The White family was powerful, while the Blake family was weak. The scales had been tipped for a long time. Surely the weaker clans desired to rise in the ranks.

Not only were the Thirteen Clans and the Council of Elders not united, but there were also divisions within the Thirteen Clans themselves.

At the ball, Adele declined all dance invitations. Even when male vampires approached her, she refused. Adele Blake, the heiress of the Blake family, young, beautiful, talented, and powerful… this was common knowledge. And her ability to amass wealth in recent years was undeniable. Even those who knew they were unworthy of being her fiancé still hoped to become her lover, hoping to benefit from her success.

But to Adele, they were all repulsive.

If it weren’t for her plan to stir up trouble, she wouldn’t have attended this ball. She had a lover, the most beautiful and captivating woman in the world, far superior to these pathetic men.

Chapter 123: The Flood Begins

Their goal was singular: to shatter the trust in the vampire banking system. Sooner or later, the amount of money in circulation would far exceed the Council of Elders’ plans, leading to currency devaluation and economic collapse.

The fact that the heads of the Thirteen Clans were hesitant to report this matter to the Council of Elders was a victory for Jasmine and Adele. Because… the clan heads also desired wealth. No one in this world acted solely for the benefit of others. Even the most loyal clan heads were motivated by their own ambitions, aiming to join the Council of Elders and gain more power. But this didn’t mean they would reject a windfall.

As Adele had mentioned at Miss Golden’s engagement party, money was becoming harder to earn these days. This wasn’t just true for Adele, but for the Thirteen Clans as well. They had to pay even more tribute to the Council of Elders than other nobles.

So, did they not desire wealth? Of course they did. And that meant they would accept Jasmine’s gift: money.

While Jasmine was gathering information in the Blake patriarch’s study, Adele was having dinner with her parents and sister. She was still drinking artificial blood, but with the increasing amount of money she contributed to the family each year, no one paid attention to what she was actually consuming.

The Blake patriarch had also gotten into the habit of discussing current events with Adele.

“Adele, have you read this month’s newspaper?”

In recent years, the Council of Elders’ institute had developed a newspaper, published monthly, costing ten silver coins per issue, with mandatory subscriptions. This was a negligible expense for wealthy families like the Blakes, but ten silver coins per month, 120 silver coins per year… that was a significant sum for minor nobles.

They could hire another human servant with that money, but they had to save it to buy this seemingly useless newspaper.

Although the newspaper was actually quite useful. It contained information about recent price fluctuations, major events, and decrees issued by the Council of Elders. For the Thirteen Clans and high-ranking nobles, it was an essential tool, allowing them to adjust their plans accordingly.

“Of course I’ve read it,” Adele replied, taking a sip of her black tea. The Second Miss was struggling with her steak. The Blake patriarch, hearing Adele’s answer, nodded approvingly. “What are your thoughts?”

Adele put down her cup. She didn’t elaborate, simply saying, “The will of the Elders is paramount.” It was a diplomatic answer. The Blake patriarch’s expression was unreadable. He simply said, “Come to my study later.”

“Yes, Father.”

Adele knew what her father wanted to discuss. It was probably about the recent decrease in the blood purchase price. Actually, it wasn’t a true decrease in price. The institute had suggested to the Council of Elders that they should implement a more refined blood grading system, preventing low-quality blood from being mixed with high-quality blood.

This was a good suggestion for the Council of Elders, so they had quickly implemented it. But for most vampires, it wasn’t good news. They had to add more steps to their blood extraction process, separating the blood into different grades, and the price of high-quality blood had decreased due to the new grading system.

This was partly due to Adele and Jasmine’s efforts. The blood produced at Adele’s farms was of exceptional quality. Although she wasn’t selling human blood, but animal blood, livestock matured much faster than humans. They didn’t have complex emotions, and all they needed was food, water, and sunlight to thrive. Humans, however, had their own thoughts and feelings. Being imprisoned and having their blood extracted… it was a miserable existence. And their negative emotions affected the quality of their blood.

But vampires couldn’t treat humans like livestock, providing them with a comfortable life, free from worries. Who would do the work then? Surely not the low-ranking vampires and nobles themselves.

So, the quality of human blood was naturally inferior to that of livestock. But human blood was irreplaceable. Even if the quality wasn’t as good, they still had to buy it, because it provided the most power. And most importantly, the best human blood was hoarded by the nobles. The blood of their pampered blood slaves was surely superior to that of livestock. Take Jasmine, for example. Adele believed that there was no better-tasting blood in the entire world.

But this high-quality human blood would never enter the market.

And vampires were arrogant. They would rather drink inferior human blood than high-quality animal blood. This resulted in a situation where they couldn’t afford to buy the best blood, and the price of what they could afford had decreased. It was a dilemma. In the long run, this new grading system would benefit vampires, but right now, it was the worst possible timing.

Especially since those who couldn’t previously afford high-quality blood had suddenly acquired a lot of money. How could they resist the temptation to indulge in something they had always craved? Soon, the banks would be flooded with vampires eager to purchase the best blood.

This suggestion had come from Barbara.

She had used her methods, working with Jasmine and her team, to further their plans.

But the Blake patriarch was still unaware of what was to come. He was simply frustrated by the decrease in the blood purchase price. After dinner, Adele went to her father’s study.

He offered her a seat, and she sat down on the guest sofa. The Blake patriarch sat opposite her. After exchanging pleasantries, he brought up the topic of the newspaper and the rising cost of living. They were alone in the room, the current head of the family and the future head. To the Blake patriarch, Adele was trustworthy, so he didn’t bother hiding his frustration.

As a proud noble, he tugged at his high collar, as if it were constricting his breathing. Then he sighed. “The amount of money and blood we have to offer as tribute is increasing, but the bank’s purchase price is decreasing. Adele, can you still manage?”

He sounded like a concerned father, but Adele knew that he was simply hoping to get more money from her. She smiled. “I’m doing alright, Father. Are the family’s finances not looking good this year?”

Even the Blake patriarch found it difficult to admit this in front of his daughter, but Adele was right. She had built a highly profitable territory. If she decided to leave the family and develop her territory independently, she might even become the founder of a fourteenth clan.

The thought angered him. If it weren’t for the Council of Elders’ damned banking system, how could his daughter have achieved such success? In the past, power and lineage had been paramount. Money hadn’t mattered.

But in recent years, the concept of money had become increasingly important among nobles. They competed in everything: clothes, jewelry, and even cosmetics. Even men who had married into other families were comparing their cosmetics.

The Blake patriarch couldn’t comprehend this obsession.

But regardless of his personal feelings, facing the increasing tribute demands and the declining family income, he had to swallow his pride. He was an old-fashioned, thousand-year-old vampire, completely out of touch with the younger generation’s preferences. And vampires, in general, were clueless about such things. It was easy for them to be swayed by trends.

His daughter, on the other hand, was thriving.

He finally admitted, “Yes, our income this year isn’t ideal.” Seeing Adele’s feigned surprise, he quickly added, “It’s all the Council of Elders’ fault. They adjusted the prices. Otherwise…”

He stopped, realizing that he had said too much. But his resentment towards the Council of Elders was evident, and Adele was pleased. “It’s alright, Father. We’re family. We’re in this together. No matter how much you need, I’ll cover it.”

Hearing this, the Blake patriarch was touched. “Adele, my dear daughter, I knew you were destined for greatness.”

Adele accepted his praise. When she returned to her room, Jasmine was waiting for her. They exchanged information, and Adele was delighted.

“I never thought my father would thank me.”

They were the masterminds behind this scheme, and yet the Blake patriarch was thanking her. It was quite ironic. Jasmine chuckled. “Adele, do you think your father will turn over that suitcase of money to the Council of Elders?”

Adele shook her head. “No way.”

He was already resentful towards the Council of Elders, and the Blake family was currently facing financial difficulties. Faced with a sudden windfall, how could he possibly hand it over to the Council? He would definitely keep it for himself.

The Blake patriarch’s actions were a reflection of what the other clan heads would do. They wouldn’t turn over the money either. After all, vampires were selfish creatures, even the heads of the Thirteen Clans.

Of course, once they joined the Council of Elders, their perspective might change. They might believe that all money should be given to them. But they weren’t elders yet, were they? And what difference did it make? Everyone was ultimately motivated by self-interest.

After Blessing Day, Adele and Jasmine returned to their territory. They didn’t relax their efforts, continuing to produce counterfeit banknotes and monitoring the situation at the banks. As expected, when the first snow fell in the north, the latest issue of the White family’s newspaper arrived, containing a bombshell revelation.

Chapter 122: Spicy Blood Curd Strikes Back

Jasmine hadn’t forgotten about Adele touching her ears. Even if it was her wife, she couldn’t let it slide. She was a grudge-holder. She deliberately ate the spicy blood curd with gusto, while Adele, looking at the blood clots, was lost in thought: Why is Jasmine eating blood? And it’s fully cooked. It smells strange.

Seeing Jasmine enjoying it so much, Adele hesitated. “Jasmine, is it good?”

Adele had never tasted anyone else’s blood besides Jasmine’s. But humans didn’t drink blood. If even a human who didn’t drink blood could find this dish so delicious, perhaps… she could try it too?

Jasmine, noticing Adele’s interest, maintained her stoic expression, her inner mischief bubbling to the surface. She nodded subtly, as if confirming the deliciousness of the blood clots.

Adele’s curiosity grew, but Jasmine pretended not to notice. As a tsundere, Adele couldn’t possibly say, “Give me a bowl of spicy blood curd too.” So, she discreetly tugged at Jasmine’s clothes under the table, trying to get her attention.

The dining hall was mostly empty. Otherwise, Adele wouldn’t have even hinted at it. The night shift workers hadn’t started their meal break yet. After the researchers had optimized the farm’s work schedule, the mealtimes had also been adjusted. Only Jasmine, as Adele’s personal maid, disregarded the schedule, following Adele’s routine. That was why the cook had prepared her meal in advance.

Thankfully, there weren’t many people around, allowing Jasmine to indulge in a little mischief. After Adele had tugged at her clothes several times, Jasmine finally turned to look at her. “Miss, would you like to try some?”

Adele nodded. “Yes.”

Jasmine sighed theatrically, as if she couldn’t refuse her mistress’s request. She picked up a blood clot with her fork and held it out to Adele. Adele, wanting to maintain her dignity, looked around cautiously, making sure no one was watching, then she opened her mouth and swallowed the blood clot.

The next moment, her expression contorted in agony.

Vampires couldn’t taste food, but blood was an exception. Even black tea was tasteless to vampires unless it was infused with blood sugar cubes. Only then could they savor its flavor. But the taste might be different from what humans experienced.

After all, humans didn’t know what blood-infused black tea tasted like. Jasmine imagined it to be quite unpleasant, knowing that blood had a metallic taste. And the blood of pigs, cows, and sheep must be pungent and gamey. How could it possibly taste good in tea?

But right now, Adele was clearly experiencing the spiciness of the blood curd. Her face was contorted in pain, her eyes watering. Like a startled cat, she jumped up, attracting everyone’s attention. But Adele, ignoring their stares, grabbed Jasmine’s hand and dragged her away.

Jasmine let herself be dragged away, her gaze lingering on the abandoned bowl of spicy blood curd. Even with her expressionless face, everyone could read her thoughts: My spicy blood curd…

Adele led her to a secluded corner, then pressed her against the wall. Her crimson eyes were fixed on Jasmine, but Jasmine couldn’t help but find her… adorable.

Adele was clearly overwhelmed by the spiciness, her face flushed, her eyes brimming with tears. She looked so pitiful. In front of others, she had managed to maintain a semblance of composure, but now, in private, she could no longer hold back. She gasped, trying to cool her burning tongue, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Jasmine couldn’t help but chuckle. Adele glared at her, her eyes wide. “Jasmine! You’re laughing! What should I do?!”

She stuck out her tongue, fanning it with her hand, as if that would help.

The proper solution was to drink water or something soothing, like soy milk. But there was nowhere to find such things at the moment.

Jasmine remembered a scene from a movie she had watched in her previous life, where the female lead had done the same thing, her intention being: to get the male lead to kiss her. Of course, Adele didn’t have that intention, but Jasmine could use the same method to soothe her burning tongue.

She leaned in, capturing Adele’s tongue with her own, silencing her. A kiss wouldn’t alleviate the spiciness, but Jasmine had other methods. Her tongue gently grazed Adele’s fangs, and a moment later, a trickle of sweet blood flowed into her mouth.

Jasmine was stingy. She only gave her a little. But that little bit was incredibly sweet, washing away the burning sensation in Adele’s throat. Adele, being a mischievous child, once tasted the sweet nectar, craved more.

But Jasmine refused.

Their tongues tangled for a while, then Jasmine finally released her.

“Still spicy?”

After all these years, Adele’s blood intoxication hadn’t improved. She was now dazed, her face flushed. This blush was different from the redness caused by the spiciness. The spiciness had made her entire face flush, as if she were about to burst into flames. But the blood intoxication blush resembled shyness, a delicate pink tinge on her cheeks, making her look even more adorable.

“Not spicy anymore…” Adele, in her intoxicated state, was honest and obedient, answering all of Jasmine’s questions. Seeing that she was no longer suffering, Jasmine leaned in and kissed her eyelid. Adele had been on the verge of tears, her crimson eyes shimmering with moisture. She had looked so pitiful.

As Jasmine kissed her, Adele, emboldened, wanted more. She reversed their positions, pinning Jasmine against the wall and kissing her. But her fangs, pressing against Jasmine’s tongue, couldn’t pierce her skin. It was a stark contrast to the previous incident, where the slightest touch had drawn blood.

Adele understood. Damn Jasmine! So stingy!

She recovered from her blood intoxication and stormed off, still annoyed. Jasmine sighed. She had lost both her spicy blood curd and some of her precious blood, and Adele, instead of being grateful, was still angry.

In the following days, the institute worked tirelessly, producing counterfeit banknotes to further their plans. Adele also started distributing the fake money. She summoned the vampire traitor, engaging in a large transaction, then, when it was time to pay, she used the counterfeit banknotes.

The vampire traitor, without even checking, happily accepted the money and left, unaware that he had just received fake money. Jasmine was sure that he would quickly spend it. She had also used the Hunter’s Association to distribute some of the counterfeit banknotes, posting high-paying bounty missions to put money into the hands of otherworldly beings.

Moreover, Adele and Jasmine had employed a more unconventional method. Jasmine, carrying a large suitcase, would discreetly deliver it to the rooms of minor nobles during the day, when no one was watching. These minor nobles were called “minor” for a reason: they were poor. Finding a suitcase full of money, they wouldn’t turn it over to the bank or try to find the owner. They would keep it, praising the Moon Goddess for her blessing, and then spend it discreetly.

Without exception.

Jasmine was once again reminded of vampires’ selfishness and greed. They didn’t question the source of the money, or whether it might bring them harm. They simply believed that once money was in their hands, it was theirs to keep.

Initially, they had been hesitant to spend it, but after realizing that no one was looking for the missing money, they had started spending it freely. A few months later, even Adele, while conducting business, received counterfeit banknotes.

Although others couldn’t tell the difference between real and fake, Adele, examining the ink, knew that these banknotes had originated from her institute.

This was good news. It meant that the counterfeit banknotes were circulating in the market. Jasmine, without fanfare, distributed another large batch. Then, when Adele returned to the castle for Blessing Day, she saw some interesting information on her father’s desk.

In short: the sudden appearance of large amounts of money from unknown sources had attracted the attention of the Thirteen Clans. They had discovered that even low-ranking vampires on their farms had received this money, and eventually, these banknotes had ended up in the hands of the clan heads.

These banknotes hadn’t been voluntarily offered. They had been confiscated by vampires sent by the clan heads to inspect the farms. Jasmine even saw the suitcase she had personally delivered. It was much lighter than before. The farm owner had spent some of it, but the inspecting vampires had surely pocketed a significant portion as well.

The Blake patriarch was now facing a dilemma: should he report this to the Council of Elders?

He wasn’t sure what to make of this situation. He hadn’t even considered the possibility of counterfeiting. Come to think of it, no one would suspect such a thing. Because it made no sense. Why would anyone counterfeit banknotes? In Jasmine’s previous world, counterfeiters did it for profit, to acquire more money and goods. But Adele and Jasmine, besides the initial payment to the vampire traitor, hadn’t used any of the counterfeit banknotes themselves. They had distributed them all.

What benefit did this bring them? Outsiders couldn’t possibly comprehend their motives.

Because they had never encountered counterfeiting, and they couldn’t understand the purpose behind it, the Blake patriarch was completely clueless.

Jasmine put down the documents and left his study. It didn’t matter if the Council of Elders found out. This was a conspiracy in plain sight. Producing counterfeit banknotes was costly, and as long as they were identical to genuine banknotes, who could tell the difference, besides Adele’s institute? As long as Adele didn’t foolishly reveal the truth, these banknotes were as good as real.

Chapter 121: Evil Intentions

Jasmine’s ears were truly her weakness. The moment Adele’s fingers touched them, goosebumps erupted on her skin. She couldn’t help but cry out, “Adele!”

Adele giggled. “Oh my, it seems ears are Jasmine’s weakness too.” Jasmine, fuming, refused to even dry Adele’s hair. She washed up, bundled herself in her blankets, and went to bed.

Adele was a master of acting spoiled. Seeing Jasmine’s reaction, she climbed onto the bed, straddling Jasmine, and hugged her tightly. “Oh Jasmine, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have touched your ears. But you’re leaving soon. Just let me touch them one last time.” She had just finished showering, her hair still dripping water, the droplets landing on Jasmine’s face and neck.

Jasmine was even more annoyed. “Adele! You’re getting the bed wet!” Didn’t she realize who had to clean the room, make the bed, and change the sheets every day? It was Jasmine! Adele only had Jasmine as a maid. Adele felt guilty, but she continued to act spoiled.

After Jasmine finally calmed down, Adele leaned in and kissed her ear, watching as her cheeks and ears turned bright red.

—See? It’s not just me who gets flustered.

They cuddled and teased each other for a while, then Jasmine finally got out of bed and dried Adele’s hair. As dawn approached, Jasmine coaxed Adele to sleep and then dozed off herself. When the sun rose, she quietly slipped out of the manor, careful not to wake Adele.

She was indeed fast. A round trip in a day was no problem for her. Even with only two or three hours of sleep, she was still full of energy. When she arrived at the city where the institute was located, Barbara hadn’t even started work yet. Compared to her previous visit, the city’s security had been significantly enhanced. Even the patrol teams were larger.

But this was no problem for Jasmine. She easily found Barbara, who seemed to have just woken up and was getting ready for breakfast. She looked much more tired than before. Seeing Jasmine, she was startled. “Why are you here?”

Jasmine told her honestly, “The young girl who came with me was worried about you. She asked me to check on you.”

Barbara’s expression softened. “Is that so?”

Jasmine nodded, then asked, “So, what’s the situation?”

Barbara sighed and explained. After Jasmine had taken the researchers away, the vampires in the city had noticed something was amiss. They had quickly identified the missing individuals and had focused their investigation on Barbara’s maid. Jasmine, being a woman of her word, had taken the maid with her, ensuring her safety. She had given her some money and entrusted her to the Human Resistance Army outpost.

Among the missing researchers, the maid stood out, understandably attracting the vampires’ attention. They had questioned Barbara, since it was her maid who had disappeared, and most importantly, Barbara herself was still present. They had even used hypnosis on her. The good news was that both Jasmine and Barbara knew that hypnosis was ineffective against individuals with strong willpower.

And Barbara happened to have a very strong will. She had not only resisted the vampire’s hypnosis, but she had also pretended to be under his control, feeding him false information. Jasmine couldn’t help but think, Vampires are too confident in their hypnosis. They never expect anyone to resist it. They knew, of course, that hypnosis sometimes failed against otherworldly beings and even fellow vampires, but they attributed this to their magical resistance. Otherworldly beings and vampires can use magic. They have magical defenses, so they’re not easily hypnotized.

But humans? Those weak, insignificant creatures? How could they possibly resist their hypnosis?

Their arrogance, coupled with their contempt for humans, had made them vulnerable to Jasmine and Barbara’s acting skills.

Barbara continued, “They’ve cleared me of suspicion, but they’re still investigating the institute. And because some of the missing people were involved in the banking system, they’re already planning to change the security codes.” The security codes didn’t matter. Jasmine and her team hadn’t planned to sneak into the vault and steal the money anyway.

Seeing Jasmine’s confident expression, Barbara didn’t press the issue.

She handed Jasmine the information she had gathered. “They’ve tightened security recently. It’s difficult for me to deliver information as you instructed. You’re lucky you came. Take these documents with you. The researchers will know what to do with them.”

“Thank you.” Jasmine expressed her gratitude sincerely. Before leaving, she said, “Take care.”

Barbara smiled at her. “I will. I want to see the day when humans are free.”

That day won’t be too far away.

Jasmine turned and left. She returned to the manor at noon, taking the documents to the institute first. The young girl was delighted to receive them. Jasmine said, “Barbara is fine.”

The girl nodded vigorously. “I know!”

She held up the documents for Jasmine to see. “From the information she provided, I knew she must be alright!” Seeing the girl’s happiness, Jasmine’s mood also improved.

When she returned to Adele’s suite, the curtains were tightly drawn, blocking all sunlight. Jasmine, going from the bright midday sun to complete darkness, found it difficult to adjust. Her pupils dilated and constricted before finally adapting.

She moved silently, approaching Adele’s bedroom, even opening the door with the utmost care. She washed up quickly, changed into her nightgown, and lifted the corner of the blanket, preparing to slip into bed. Then she saw Adele’s ear twitch, her body moving towards Jasmine.

Adele wasn’t fully awake. She had smelled Jasmine’s scent and sensed her presence in her sleep. She instinctively moved closer, seeking Jasmine’s warmth. Jasmine, still holding the blanket, settled onto the bed and caught Adele in her arms as she rolled towards her.

“Adele,” she whispered softly.

Adele mumbled incoherently, her arms reaching out to hug Jasmine back. They embraced, their bodies pressed together, leaving no space between them.

After a while, Adele’s breathing deepened, her sleep becoming more peaceful. Jasmine was still awake. She waited until Adele was soundly asleep before gently patting her back. Jasmine wasn’t tired. With her enhanced body, she could stay awake for a month without feeling fatigued. But with Adele sleeping soundly beside her, her eyelids grew heavy.

They both slept deeply.

When Adele woke up, yawning, Jasmine was gone. For a moment, she thought Jasmine hadn’t returned on time, but then she smelled the scent of black tea and Jasmine, realizing that Jasmine was back.

And the bed beside her was messy, the sheets tangled, a clear sign that someone had been sleeping there recently. Jasmine must have stayed and slept with me today, she thought, a smile appearing on her face. She got out of bed, washed up, got dressed, and went to the drawing-room.

Jasmine was stirring a sugar cube in a cup of tea, waiting for it to dissolve. Adele sat down on the sofa, picked up the cup, and took a sip. After finishing her tea, she went to the dining hall with Jasmine. Jasmine also needed to eat. Even though she could go for long periods without food, as a foodie, she wouldn’t miss a meal.

As they walked, many maids stopped to greet Adele. Honestly, Adele had very few maids, and most of them were human. As a powerful individual who sympathized with the weak, she naturally chose maids who were vulnerable. Otherworldly beings and low-ranking vampires were all rejected, placed in positions more suitable for their abilities.

Of course, some otherworldly beings had complained. Adele had given them a chance to prove themselves by fighting her maids one-on-one. When they had defeated the maids, believing they had earned the right to be maids, they had seen Adele’s maid, her eyes filled with tears, looking at Adele pitifully.

Adele had said, “You’re so strong. Why are you trying to take their jobs?” Her words had silenced them. Because she was right. And her tone, “You’re so strong,” had been ambiguous, as if she was praising them, but not entirely convinced. Perhaps I should reconsider.

As a result, all of Adele’s maids were human.

But she didn’t have many maids, because she mostly stayed at the manor on Spark Farm, rarely visiting her other properties, leaving only a few maids to maintain them. For a lord with such a large territory, she had surprisingly few servants.

Back to the matter at hand, seeing Adele and Jasmine going to the dining hall together had become a common sight. After so many years, even those who had initially found it strange had gotten used to it. Jasmine approached the serving window, examining the dishes.

Over the years, Jasmine had made some contributions, not only helping the maids create milk tea, but also encouraging the cooks to experiment with dishes from her previous world. Although the flavors weren’t quite right, they were passable.

At least they were better than apple pie and cheesecake, which Jasmine found to be quite bland.

Today’s menu included spicy blood curd, a dish that only Jasmine enjoyed… The cook had clearly made it especially for her. Jasmine didn’t hesitate. She took a large portion, along with several slices of bread.

Bread and spicy blood curd was an unusual combination, but there didn’t seem to be a tradition of eating rice in this world, and Jasmine didn’t know how to make it. She was a simple person. Having food to eat was good enough.

Seeing Adele sitting beside her, looking curiously at the spicy blood curd, Jasmine’s eyes gleamed mischievously. Time for revenge for touching my ears!

Chapter 120: Jasmine’s Little Weakness

This topic was a surefire conversation starter. It was a fact that blood was becoming more expensive to buy, while the purchase price hadn’t increased much. And other goods had also become more expensive, such as precious metals. Although precious metals weren’t as valuable in vampire society as they were in Jasmine’s previous world, not considered a true form of currency, they were still highly sought after for adornment.

Castle renovations, personal attire, and even the recent trend of cosmetics all required significant expenditures. Spending more and earning less… it was no wonder that nobles were concerned about this issue. As long as the concept of “money” existed, everyone was a slave to it.

Adele listened quietly to the conversations around her, her wine glass untouched. Gradually, someone brought up the Council of Elders. “All that money… it’s all going into the Council’s pockets…” He stopped abruptly, silenced by a hushed “Shh” from a nearby vampire. He realized his mistake and quickly shut up.

It didn’t matter. Adele had achieved her goal. She chuckled softly, placing her wine glass on a nearby table, then she excused herself to chat with her parents. After a brief conversation, she went out to the balcony. This was Miss Golden’s engagement party, and Adele was her cousin and former classmate. She couldn’t just leave abruptly, but no one would fault her for seeking a quiet place to relax.

Adele felt that she had successfully planted a seed of doubt. As long as someone had voiced it, these thoughts would linger in others’ minds. The Council of Elders held the highest authority in vampire society, and vampires had lived under their rule for centuries. It was impossible for nobles to have no resentment towards those who held power over them.

Moreover, the Council of Elders controlled the most profitable businesses. Farms had to pay taxes to the Council, the banks generated even more wealth for them, and even the airships were under their control. When times were good, nobles would accept this as the natural order. But when times were tough, they would question the Council’s purpose, accusing them of exploitation.

Of course, they wouldn’t dare to voice these thoughts openly, but their growing resentment towards the Council would eventually contribute to its downfall. Under normal circumstances, the Council of Elders wouldn’t be concerned about such whispers. They would dismiss them as insignificant. After all, they were the most powerful beings in this world, and the thirteen clans that supported them were loyal and strong.

But Adele was different. She had Jasmine, her trump card. Adele wasn’t rushing to overthrow the Council of Elders. Not only was she worried about what hidden weapons they might possess, but she also knew that eliminating the Council wasn’t enough. They had to be eradicated at the root. Simply killing the current members wouldn’t solve the problem. As long as the structure remained, a new Council of Elders would eventually emerge, ruling over all vampires.

Only by making everyone understand that the Council of Elders, an institution built on exploitation, was inherently wrong, could they truly be eliminated.

Adele had taken the first step towards undermining the Council’s authority. Nobles wouldn’t just question where their money was going. They would also suspect that the high-quality blood they sold to the bank was ending up in the Council’s hands. Otherwise, why couldn’t even the Thirteen Clans obtain the best blood?

They sold their finest blood, but when they needed to buy it, they could only obtain inferior quality. And come to think of it… did the bank even have high-quality blood in stock? Or was it… all a lie?

Such thoughts would spread among the nobles. And when the counterfeit banknotes entered circulation, their anger towards the Council of Elders would intensify.

Adele sat on the balcony, enjoying the cool breeze. After a while, a figure appeared beside her. Adele’s eyes widened. “Jasmine! This is too dangerous…” She kept her voice low, but Jasmine didn’t seem concerned. She shook her head, her voice even softer. “It’s fine. No one will see us.”

She pulled the heavy curtains closed, then sat down beside Adele. Adele was leaning against the railing, while Jasmine sat on the ledge, her head tilted back, gazing at the moon with Adele. Although Adele was worried about Jasmine being discovered, she couldn’t help but scoot closer to her.

The night air was chilly, and Adele leaned against Jasmine, seeking her warmth.

The atmosphere was perfect, but then Jasmine, with her mischievous nature, gently touched Adele’s ear, making her shiver and glare at her. Then she heard Jasmine say, “So vampire ears really are sensitive.”

“!”

Adele knew that Jasmine had seen Miss Golden touch the young Green boy’s ear earlier. Now she had a mischievous idea and was testing it out on Adele. Adele, annoyed, retaliated, touching Jasmine’s ear. Jasmine’s ears felt completely different from hers.

Vampire ears were long and pointed, like the ears of elves in the anime Jasmine had watched in her previous life. But Jasmine was sure that they felt different, even though she had never touched an elf’s ear. Because elves probably didn’t have cold ears like vampires. Adele’s ears were long and pointed, but they were cold, and the cartilage felt strange… almost pleasant to touch.

But human ears were different. Jasmine’s ears were short and rounder, warmer than Adele’s. Actually, ears were usually colder than other parts of the body, and the texture was also different. Adele, after touching Jasmine’s ear, found it strange. But vampire ears were even stranger, so she couldn’t really criticize Jasmine.

However, after touching Jasmine’s ear, Adele noticed her reaction. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and goosebumps had appeared on the back of her neck. She turned her head away, clearly embarrassed. Seeing this, Adele leaned in closer, her weight pressing against Jasmine, who had to brace herself against the railing to keep from falling.

“Stop touching…” She kept her voice low, afraid of being overheard, her voice soft and slightly breathless. Usually, it was Adele who blushed under Jasmine’s touch, but now Jasmine’s flustered state intrigued Adele. “No,” she said, her voice playful.

Then, in a blink of an eye, Jasmine was gone. The curtains on the other side of the balcony rustled. Adele turned and saw a vampire she recognized. He hadn’t expected anyone to be here. “Ah, Miss Blake. I didn’t realize this balcony was occupied.”

Adele tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her pointed ear twitching. “It’s alright. I was just leaving.” She was in a good mood, her voice cheerful. She had discovered a little weakness of Jasmine’s, and she was delighted.

The other vampire simply thought, It seems the Blake and Golden families truly have a good relationship. Even though Miss Golden snatched her intended fiancé, Miss Blake doesn’t seem bothered at all. She’s even in such a good mood at Miss Golden’s engagement party.

The day after Miss Golden’s engagement party, Adele immediately departed. She couldn’t wait to return to the farm and see the counterfeit banknotes the institute had produced. During Adele’s week-long absence, the institute had created a large batch of fake money, neatly stacked in wooden crates, the scent of ink still lingering in the air.

Adele took out a banknote, examining it carefully. Vampires had excellent eyesight and memory. If the counterfeit banknotes were even slightly flawed, they would be easily detected. But to Adele’s discerning eye, the banknote in her hand was indistinguishable from a genuine one. This was to be expected. After all, both the counterfeit and genuine banknotes were produced using the same technology, even the same machines.

Jasmine, curious, also picked up a banknote to examine. The young researcher approached them, her hands on her hips, her expression proud. “Well? Can you tell the difference?”

Adele nodded, and Jasmine also praised the girl’s skills. “Besides the ink smelling fresh, it’s identical to a real banknote.” The girl chuckled. “Of course! Because we also made the real banknotes!”

Now that the counterfeit banknotes were ready, the next step was to distribute them. This task wasn’t the girl’s responsibility. After everyone had examined the banknotes, she discreetly pulled Jasmine aside. Adele’s ears twitched. She was curious.

The girl’s voice was soft, but Adele could hear her clearly.

“Dawn Lady, could you… check on Barbara? We’re all worried about her. So many people have disappeared… I’m afraid those vampires might hurt her…” Her voice was gentle and hesitant, her face close to Jasmine’s, afraid of being overheard. Jasmine could smell the ink on her clothes.

Jasmine didn’t hesitate. She nodded. “I’ll go to the institute tomorrow and check on her. If she’s in danger, I’ll bring her back.”

Reassured by Jasmine’s promise, the girl visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Sister,” she whispered.

When Jasmine returned to Adele, she told her about this. This trip wouldn’t take long. Jasmine would be back before Adele woke up. So, Adele didn’t insist on going with her. She simply said, “Come back soon.”

Jasmine nodded. “You know how fast I am. I’ll be back in no time.” But Adele seemed sad. She whispered that she didn’t want Jasmine to leave, even while she was sleeping. Jasmine’s heart melted. She was about to comfort Adele when she felt Adele’s hand touch her ear, gently pinching her earlobe.

“Adele!”

Chapter 119: Stirring the Waters

The vampire lady continued applying powder to Miss Golden’s face, using a puff. This line of cosmetics was produced by one of Adele’s companies, and its products were highly sought after by nobles for both their quality and price. Of course, “good price” in this context meant “exorbitantly expensive.” Nobles valued exclusivity, and high prices were a symbol of their status.

They didn’t find Adele’s pricing unreasonable. On the contrary, they believed that such prices were befitting of their stature.

The products were also undeniably effective. Nobles weren’t foolish enough to pay exorbitant prices for useless items. They only spent money on things of true value.

The vampire lady, hearing Miss Golden’s question, wasn’t surprised. She had been so focused on her task that she hadn’t even noticed the arrival of the Blake heiress, let alone her maid. But since her current client had asked, she simply offered a plausible explanation.

“Is that so? I’ve heard that some humans retain a youthful appearance. They’re quite popular among nobles, and their blood is said to be more delicious. I believe they’re called ‘baby-faced’? Perhaps that maid is simply one of those humans.”

“Is that so?”

Miss Golden was still skeptical, but there seemed to be no other explanation. After all, that maid was definitely human. Of this, Miss Golden was certain.

Adele had been at Golden Castle for a week. Many guests had arrived during this time, including some of her former classmates, who, after greeting Miss Golden, would also visit Adele. Adele was starting to feel restless. She preferred to be back at her farm, checking on the progress of the counterfeit banknotes, rather than attending social events, forcing a smile and making small talk with vampires.

The researchers at the institute were truly talented. Besides working on the counterfeiting operation, they were also improving the firearms and refining the farm’s work system, making it more efficient and practical. Adele’s workload had decreased significantly thanks to these talented individuals.

At this rate, she would be able to retire with Jasmine in less than twenty years.

Although Adele was a workaholic, she knew that Jasmine valued leisure. She didn’t want to be stuck working while Jasmine was enjoying retirement. And Jasmine’s absence during her recent trip had proven that Adele couldn’t focus on work without her. So, retiring together was the best option.

As Adele anxiously awaited the end of her social obligations, the engagement party finally arrived. The Blake Lady, knowing Adele’s temperament, had expected her to bring only Jasmine as a maid. But Jasmine wasn’t skilled at styling hair or makeup, so she had sent her own maids to help Adele dress and prepare for the event.

Tonight’s focus was on Miss Golden and the young Green boy, so Adele couldn’t outshine them. But as the future head of the Blake family and a current lord, she couldn’t appear too casual either. Her attire had to reflect her status.

Adele’s gown had been brought from her farm. It was a rich reddish-brown color, with a metallic corset cinching her waist, the hem of the skirt adorned with layers of dark gold embroidery and delicate feathers, a feather embellishment also dangling from her waist. The design was bold, but undeniably beautiful and imposing.

It was Jasmine’s design. She had always enjoyed playing dress-up games in her previous life, and the gowns in this world were mostly gothic in style. As the most sought-after newly appointed lord, Adele needed something different to stand out in social circles.

Even the Blake Lady was impressed by Adele’s gown. It was simple, elegant, beautiful, and authoritative, emphasizing Adele’s figure more than the current fashion trends. The Blake Lady was tempted. She even raised her feather fan, covering half her face, and whispered to Adele, “Your seamstress is quite talented. Have her come to the castle and make me a few dresses.”

“Mother, just give me your measurements. I’ll have someone deliver the dresses to you.”

The Blake Lady felt slightly offended, but she agreed. The gown was truly stunning.

For her hair, Adele kept it simple, her hair swept to one side, adorned with a few reddish-brown flowers tucked behind her ear. With her makeup done using her company’s products, Adele looked absolutely radiant. If it weren’t for the task ahead, Jasmine would have kissed her, savoring her lipstick.

After getting ready, Adele winked at Jasmine and left with the Blake Lady’s maids. It was time for the party.

Adele hadn’t endured this week of socializing at Golden Castle solely for Miss Golden’s sake. She had a more important goal: to subtly plant seeds of doubt among the nobles, making them worry about the bank’s blood reserves.

Blood was essential for vampires, more important than anything else. Their power came from blood. It was their sustenance, their life force. If they didn’t trust the Council of Elders and the banking system that had been in place for a thousand years, they wouldn’t sell their blood to the bank in exchange for paper money.

If the banknotes issued by the bank could no longer be exchanged for blood, if the equation between paper and blood collapsed, the entire banking system would crumble. And the Council of Elders’ authority and credibility would be severely damaged.

Adele’s task was to lay the groundwork. She wouldn’t blatantly claim that money might soon be worthless, unable to buy blood. That would be foolish. She would simply raise a subtle question, a seed of doubt that would eventually grow into a storm.

The party began. Miss Golden, arm in arm with the young Green boy, entered the ballroom, their graceful dance captivating the guests. The young Green boy had matured, now a handsome young man. But he was still shorter than Miss Golden, who was tall and slender, her black gown and high heels adding to her imposing presence. He was overshadowed by her in both stature and aura.

But no one found it strange. After all, he was marrying into the Golden family.

After the dance ended, Miss Golden and the young Green boy made their rounds, greeting the guests. They soon arrived at Adele’s side. Seeing that Adele’s hands were empty, Miss Golden asked a servant to bring her a glass of wine. The warm red liquid swirled in the glass, clearly infused with blood. Adele accepted the glass, but she didn’t drink, simply holding it as she chatted with Miss Golden.

The young Green boy noticed. Vampires held grudges. He was probably still resentful that Adele had rejected him years ago. He was the young master of the Green family, a noble of the Thirteen Clans. Countless vampire ladies would have been happy to marry him. And at that first ball, his mother had even hinted that both future heads of the Thirteen Clans were interested in him. He had been so proud. But contrary to his mother’s claims, neither of them had shown any interest in him. They had both wanted to escape.

He had even cried secretly, only to be discovered by Miss Golden, who had listened patiently to his complaints. She had hesitated, then finally confessed, “I don’t like your hair color.” And yet, here they were, engaged to be married.

But that was a story for another time. The Blake heiress’s slight had to be avenged! Seeing that Adele wasn’t drinking, he said snidely, “Miss Blake, does the wine not suit your taste? I heard that the blood produced in your territory is of exceptional quality. No wonder you look down on the Golden family…”

Adele’s expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn’t been offended. Because she knew that Miss Golden wouldn’t let it slide. Miss Golden glanced at her fiancé, then reached out and pinched his ear. Ears were one of the most sensitive parts of a vampire’s body. The young Green boy immediately shut up, glaring at Miss Golden.

Miss Golden ignored him, turning to Adele. “I apologize for his rudeness. I haven’t taught him proper manners.”

“It’s alright.”

The two future heads of the Thirteen Clans maintained their composure. Miss Golden took the young Green boy away to greet other guests. After they left, a young lady who was close to Adele approached, seeing her swirling the wine in her glass. “Miss Blake, aren’t you going to try it? The quality is quite good this time.”

She wasn’t referring to the wine itself. Whether the wine tasted good or not was irrelevant to vampires. What mattered was the quality of the blood. Would they even serve wine without blood at a gathering of the Thirteen Clans? Would they dare to use low-quality blood at such an event?

The wine provided by the Golden family must contain a significant amount of high-quality blood. But Adele simply chuckled, her expression haughty. “Is that so? But I find that the quality of blood has declined recently.” Her words resonated with the young lady beside her. “Yes, high-quality blood is so expensive these days. It’s getting more and more expensive.”

This was actually understandable. The young researcher at the institute had explained to Adele that as time passed, the purchasing power of banknotes would gradually decrease, leading to inflation. But at the same time, the amount of money nobles earned would increase. Although the value of money had decreased, they had more of it to spend. However, most vampires didn’t understand economics. To them, it simply meant that blood was becoming more expensive.

“But the bank’s purchase price hasn’t increased much.”

Adele sighed, her expression conveying the worries of a farm owner. Her words were overheard by other vampires nearby, who exchanged glances and joined the discussion.

Chapter 118: Regarding Human Maids

Following the Second Miss’s words, Adele and Jasmine both turned their attention to the maid standing behind her. She was the same age as the Second Miss, fifteen years old, and had blossomed into a striking young woman. Her soft, dark brown hair was neatly styled, cascading over her shoulders, giving her a sweet and innocent appearance.

Her clothes were clean, but a black ribbon was tied around her neck, faintly emitting the scent of blood. It was obvious that the Second Miss had bitten her. Besides that, the maid looked healthy and well-fed, her cheeks rosy and plump. It was clear that the Second Miss had taken good care of her little maid.

Hearing her mistress’s words, the maid blushed and shyly hid behind the Second Miss. But the Second Miss, with her assertive personality, pulled her forward, wanting her sister to see how well she had raised her maid, how she had protected her from harm.

Adele examined her carefully, then said, “Hmm, not bad.”

“What do you mean ‘not bad’? I’ve been very dedicated! I haven’t let anyone bully her! Even when the low-ranking vampire maids tried to make her do chores, I scolded them!”

Jasmine could easily imagine the scene. The low-ranking vampire maids, seeing the young maid, had probably tried to make her do tasks that were inappropriate for her age, using any excuse to boss her around.

Jasmine had experienced this herself in the past. She hadn’t minded, because those tasks were nothing to her. She had even helped the other human maids with their chores. Although Jasmine was a master of slacking off, seeing those young girls burdened with so much work had made her, an adult at heart, feel sorry for them.

The Second Miss’s maid had probably faced similar situations, but without Jasmine to protect her, she had been vulnerable. And that was when the Second Miss had stepped in, probably with her hands on her hips, scolding anyone who tried to make her maid work.

The Second Miss was different from Adele. She was more headstrong and impulsive. Even if the head maid had tried to intervene, reminding her of the rules, the Second Miss would have simply ignored her, refusing to listen.

She was like a miniature tyrant.

The Second Miss was clearly dissatisfied with Adele’s “not bad” assessment. Adele, however, chuckled coldly, crossing her legs, her posture regal, her chin held high. “Based on the scent emanating from your maid’s neck, ‘not bad’ is a generous assessment. You knew we were coming to Golden Castle, a place filled with vampires, and yet you still bit her neck recently. What if a vampire stronger than you is attracted by her scent and wants to drink her blood? What will you do?”

—That’s a ridiculous argument.

Jasmine, standing behind the sofa, glanced at Adele discreetly. The Second Miss was still a member of the Blake family, one of the Thirteen Clans. And this was Miss Golden’s engagement party. If such an incident occurred, it would offend two of the Thirteen Clans. Would anyone bold enough to do that even be invited to Golden Castle?

Adele had presented a hypothetical scenario that was highly unlikely to occur, but the Second Miss was actually pondering it, her eyes widening with anxiety as she realized she couldn’t answer the question. She tried to sound confident. “Th-then I can’t just leave her at home! She’ll be bullied by the other maids if I’m not there!”

“Hmph, that’s your fault.” Adele pointed out the flaw in her logic. “You’ve been so protective of her that you’ve made her a target. The other maids resent her. That’s why they bully her when you’re not around. If you had handled it properly, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Look at Jasmine. When we were at the castle, I knew how to protect her without isolating her. She wasn’t bullied, and she made friends.” Adele gestured towards Jasmine, who could only nod in agreement.

Honestly, the only reason she hadn’t been bullied was because of her cheat abilities. And as for being targeted, the previous head maid had constantly tried to make her life difficult, although Adele had eventually dealt with her.

Adele was right. The Second Miss’s excessive protection had only made her maid a target. And in three years, the Second Miss would be going to school. If her maid was so sheltered that she couldn’t do anything, the Second Miss would have to bring other maids with her, leaving her precious maid vulnerable at home.

So, Jasmine sided with Adele, even adding a sarcastic remark, “Your maid must be struggling. Thanks to you, everyone around her is an enemy. And she’s a maid who can’t do anything. How pathetic.”

“You!”

The Second Miss, being contradicted by a mere maid, felt her pride wounded. She wanted to scold Jasmine, but Jasmine was Adele’s maid, her favorite maid. Scolding her in front of Adele would be disrespectful. And most importantly, she saw the admiration in her own maid’s eyes as she looked at Jasmine.

The Second Miss was stunned, her expression bewildered, her voice almost pleading, “Do… do you want to work?”

The maid hesitated, then answered, “Yes, Second Miss. I want to learn. You’ll be going to school soon. If I can’t do anything, you won’t take me with you.”

“Nonsense! I’ll take you with me even if you can’t do anything!”

Adele, amused, rested her chin on her hand, observing her younger sister. “Then who will do those tasks at school? Laundry, cleaning, brewing tea… she can’t do any of those things. Who will you rely on?”

The Second Miss immediately answered, “I will!”

Adele chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re completely helpless. At home, you need several maids just to help you bathe. And you think you can handle everything on your own at school? You’re not going there to play. You’ll have a heavy workload. How will you manage to clean your room and do your laundry after studying all day? And the low-ranking vampire maids at school are different from those at home. They won’t listen to you.”

After being lectured by Adele and Jasmine, the Second Miss finally relented. “Fine… fine. I’ll make her start learning when we get back.” After chatting for a while longer, the Second Miss and her maid excused themselves. Adele and Jasmine also retired to their rooms, but they didn’t sleep in the same bed, as they usually did. They went to their separate rooms.

Vampires were very perceptive. If Jasmine didn’t leave her scent in the servant’s quarters, the low-ranking vampire maids who cleaned the rooms would notice and report it to their masters. Adele and Jasmine weren’t ready to reveal their relationship publicly. After all, in the vampires’ worldview, such a relationship was taboo.

Because… who would fall in love with their own food? To vampires, even their most beloved blood slaves were just pets. How could they possibly develop romantic feelings for a human? Adele was an anomaly. And she needed to maintain her reputation if she wanted to continue her business and accumulate wealth.

Making money wasn’t shameful.

The next evening, Adele visited her parents and the Golden family, including the patriarch and his wife. Later, she went to see Miss Golden, who was trying on her wedding gown. The traditional vampire wedding attire was black with red trim, adorned with silver and gold accents. Miss Golden’s gown was stunning. She was the future head of the Golden family, not marrying into another clan. Her status was higher than the young Green boy’s, so the black gown wasn’t meant to emphasize her beauty, but to project an aura of authority.

Although vampire society was traditional and backward, a classic example of feudalism, they had achieved true gender equality. Jasmine genuinely admired this aspect of their culture.

Through the mirror, Miss Golden saw Adele and immediately lifted her head, only to be gently pushed down by the vampire who was styling her hair. “Miss Golden, please lower your head. It’s difficult for me to braid your hair if you keep lifting it.”

“…”

Adele chuckled softly. She approached Miss Golden, looking at her reflection in the mirror. “Congratulations on your engagement,” she said.

Miss Golden hummed in response, her gaze shifting to Jasmine through the mirror. She wanted to ask why Adele was still accompanied by the same human maid after all these years. Adele… she truly dotes on this human. They exchanged a few pleasantries, but seeing that Miss Golden was busy, Adele and Jasmine excused themselves.

After they left, Miss Golden, looking at her reflection in the mirror, suddenly remembered something, her expression puzzled. That human maid, Adele’s maid… why doesn’t she seem to have aged? When they had first met, both Adele and Jasmine had been eighteen, their faces youthful. But so many years had passed. Her own fiancé was starting school next year. That maid should be twenty-five or twenty-six years old now, surely more mature than when she was eighteen.

Vampires were different. After reaching adulthood at eighteen, they entered a prolonged period of slow growth, only resuming their development after reaching a thousand years old, and only showing signs of aging after two thousand years. And powerful vampires could even maintain their youthful appearance indefinitely, achieving immortality.

Humans, however, were different. Their lives were short, and their bodies aged quickly. Miss Golden hadn’t paid much attention earlier, but now that she thought about it, it was strange. Adele and Jasmine looked like they were the same age.

This realization furrowed her brow. The vampire styling her hair couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Golden, is something troubling you? Please don’t frown.”

“That human maid, the one Adele brought… isn’t she a bit too young? She should be twenty-six or twenty-seven years old now, right?”