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Chapter 78: Dorothy, I’ll Kill You!

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

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

She turned away, her own eyes welling up.

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

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

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

The bathroom.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity.

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

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

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

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

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

But saying that out loud would ruin everything!

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

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

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

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

*Dorothy, I’ll kill you!*

………………

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

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

But all journeys must end.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A mischievous smile curved Adele’s lips.

*Or perhaps… in mine,* she thought.

Her Linlang was so sweet, so easy to manipulate…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But she didn’t want to wait that long.

So… she would have to resort to other means.

Perhaps… hire a foreign assassin to eliminate Dorothy?

But that was a serious violation of school rules.

“Colluding with foreign races, harming fellow students…”

Linlang hesitated.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But she wouldn’t give up.

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

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

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

But Adele would never intentionally hurt Linlang.

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

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

Even that brief contact almost triggered the curse.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And that’s exactly what happened.

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

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

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

Adele: *What?*

It was a horrifying thought, but… strangely plausible.

Well, plausible for any other innocent girl.

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

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

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

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

The time had come.

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

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

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

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

………………

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

Well, almost everything.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It was so humiliating…

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

“…”

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

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

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

It was enough to make anyone faint.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She would make Dorothy pay for what she had done.

A thousand deaths wouldn’t be enough.

Chapter 76: Adele’s Hidden Talent

Adele found herself in a rather amusing predicament.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Besides, she had made a crucial discovery.

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

It was like having a cheat code!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Take that, Dorothy.*

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

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

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

………………

Monday morning.

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

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

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

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

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

But that would mean giving Dorothy exactly what she wanted.

Adele refused to surrender.

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

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

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

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

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

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

But today was different.

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

Adele gasped, her body instinctively recoiling.

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

It was too late.

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

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

Why…?

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

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

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

But Tang Linlang… took a step back.

Seriously?!

Chapter 75: The Spark Returns to Sharon’s Eyes

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

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

But Dorothy, times had changed!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Celeste, however, remained wide awake.

And someone else was still suffering.

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

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

She stared blankly ahead, her gaze unfocused.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Adele frowned, her mind slowly returning to consciousness.

…Sharon?

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

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

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

She could proceed with her plan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And in that moment, something shifted within Sharon.

The spark returned to her eyes.

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

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

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

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

Would the future change?

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

Chapter 74: Adele, Second to None

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

………………

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Had Celeste been waiting up just to talk to her?

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

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

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

*Hmph.*

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

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

Celeste froze, her breath catching in her throat.

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

“Huh?” Celeste blinked, confused.

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

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

Adele’s expression softened slightly.

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

Adele couldn’t help but giggle.

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

“Woof! Woof woof!”

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

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

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

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

…

Chapter 73: The Path of a Heartbreaker, Blocked

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

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

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

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

Tears mixed with blood, falling silently onto the floor.

*Plop. Plop.*

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

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

Would it be less painful to simply die like this?

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

Sharon wasn’t stupid.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

………………

Adele sank to the floor, her legs trembling.

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

*Perfect.*

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

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

Regret filled her heart.

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

And now she was paying the price.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Besides, she knew why she had defied Dorothy.

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

And in a way… she had succeeded.

The chastity curse was Dorothy’s ultimate compromise.

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

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

Adele hated pain.

*Waaah…*

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

Chapter 72: The Bad Girl’s Chastity Curse

“Dorothy!” Adele cried, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and indignation. “What… what did you do to me?!”

A strange, heart-shaped mark had appeared on her lower abdomen, similar yet distinct from the one she had seen on Celeste.

And Adele could swear that she had never entered into any kind of master-familiar contract with Dorothy!

Examining the mark more closely, she realized that while it resembled a heart, it was far from perfect. Instead of smooth curves, it was jagged and thorny, a tangle of vine-like lines interwoven with a delicate five-petaled flower at its center. It looked… imprisoned, trapped within a cage of thorns.

Dorothy met Adele’s gaze with a cold smile, her silence speaking volumes. Her slender fingers traced the outline of the mark, sending a shiver down Adele’s spine. It tickled, a sensation that Adele desperately wanted to hide from Dorothy. Instead, she forced herself to remain still, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“What did I do to you?” Dorothy purred, her voice a seductive whisper. “Perhaps you should ask yourself what you’ve been doing behind my back. You little flirt. Maybe they’re right…”

“Maybe I should tie you up, lock you away,” she continued, her voice turning cold and sharp.

It was the calmness that terrified Adele the most.

There was nothing more frightening than a madman regaining his senses.

Or a normally meek person snapping.

They had “calm madman” covered. What about “meek person snapping”?

A chill ran down Adele’s spine. She glanced nervously at the door across from hers… Sharon’s room.

Silence. As if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

She didn’t dare to speak, her defiance reduced to a glare as Dorothy tilted her chin up with a delicate finger.

Then, the tears came, flowing freely down Adele’s cheeks. If Adele had pursued an acting career, she would have won every award imaginable.

It was her defense mechanism. She might have glared at Dorothy, but she was crying now. They were even.

*Please don’t hurt me anymore…*

Dorothy’s initial anger gave way to a pang of guilt. Adele’s tears were like tiny stones, each one hitting her heart with a dull thud.

She had thought herself invincible, her heart impenetrable.

Until Adele, fragile as a flower petal, drifted into the river of her heart, carried by the current, sinking deeper and deeper.

It hurt. It hurt so much.

Dorothy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She couldn’t bring herself to blame Adele.

“You’re such a scaredy-cat…” she mumbled, her voice softening. “I thought all that reading would have at least taught you the name of this little charm.”

Her fingers danced along the edge of the heart-shaped mark, sending another shiver through Adele.

“It’s a chastity curse,” she explained. “It won’t affect you in any way… as long as you behave. But if you betray me, if you decide to be a bad girl…”

She pressed her fingertip against Adele’s soft stomach, eliciting a gasp. A faint red mark appeared on Adele’s skin.

“But I’m sure you wouldn’t do anything like that, would you, Adele?”

“…”

Adele didn’t answer. Her world had suddenly turned grey.

What was the point of living if she couldn’t flirt with pretty girls?

As its name suggested, the chastity curse was a magical spell that ensured a woman’s fidelity. It was usually inscribed on the lower abdomen, causing excruciating pain during intercourse with anyone other than the caster. In severe cases, it could even be fatal.

At this moment, as Dorothy’s hand rested on Adele’s stomach, the thorny vines of the curse seemed to retreat, like snakes slithering back into their den, revealing the delicate flower at its center. It was as if the curse itself was offering its heart to its master.

Even Adele’s mind felt the subtle influence of the magic. Suddenly, Dorothy seemed incredibly… appealing.

Her legs trembled, and a sweet, intoxicating scent wafted from her skin, a subtle hint of arousal.

Adele, mortified, tried to pull away. To her surprise, Dorothy released her wrists.

“Go on,” Dorothy said, her voice a husky whisper. “Run away.”

Adele didn’t hesitate. She fled upstairs, seeking refuge in her room.

She didn’t care what Dorothy did next. She could go wherever she pleased!

A strange sense of boldness had taken root in Adele’s heart, giving her the courage to defy Dorothy.

It wasn’t that Dorothy wasn’t terrifying. But her actions, her words, spoke of a deeper affection, a genuine concern for Adele’s well-being.

She had chosen to bind Adele with a chastity curse instead of claiming her outright, had even allowed her to pursue other relationships.

For Dorothy, who craved control above all else, this was an unprecedented compromise.

She was willing to change for Adele.

What more proof did she need?

Adele, however, was a master of pushing boundaries. The kinder Dorothy was, the more she dared to test her limits.

She hadn’t learned her lesson yet.

Dorothy’s anger flared as she watched Adele disappear down the hallway. “Stop right there!” she commanded, her voice sharp.

“Eep!”

Despite her brave facade, Adele froze, a pathetic squeak escaping her lips.

Dorothy, her footsteps heavy with anger, climbed the stairs and grabbed Adele by the waist, pinning her against a door.

“What… what are you doing?!” Adele whimpered, her face burning with shame.

But what mortified her the most was the fact that Dorothy had pinned her against… Sharon’s door!

*Oh god, she’s going to find out!*

Adele’s voice was barely a whisper, as if she were afraid of being overheard, afraid of Dorothy discovering Sharon’s presence.

But Dorothy already knew.

Only the oblivious Adele was unaware.

During their argument, a surge of uncontrolled psychic energy had emanated from the room across from Adele’s. And Dorothy recognized that energy signature all too well.

Sharon… it was her.

Hermione was one thing. But her own trusted follower, living with Adele behind her back… who knew what they were up to?

They were all defying her!

Dorothy had never been so insulted.

And so, she would punish Sharon. She would break her spirit.

Right here, right now, with the girl she loved, she would make Sharon listen to Adele’s sweet, helpless cries.

If it rekindled the spark of rebellion Dorothy had glimpsed in Sharon’s eyes all those years ago… well, Dorothy would welcome the challenge.

Perhaps Sharon’s betrayal was something she had secretly desired all along.

Dorothy licked her lips, her crimson eyes darkening.

Adele trembled in her grasp, a helpless lamb caught in the lioness’s gaze.

Chapter 71: Become My Possession, Adele

Adele had always fantasized about dominating Dorothy, about making the proud princess submit to her desires.

But did she have the ability?

Could Adele, the “bottom” in all her relationships, actually top someone?

It seemed impossible… and yet, at this very moment, the unthinkable was happening.

Dorothy, the highest-ranking Sequence One, the princess of the vampire race, was lost in a haze of passion, her body melting beneath Adele’s touch.

Like a traveler who had crossed a vast desert, parched and desperate for water, Dorothy drank deeply from Adele’s offered lips, her fangs grazing the delicate skin, drawing blood. Their bodies were pressed together, so close that Adele could hear both her own racing heart and the frantic beating of Dorothy’s.

Adele took full advantage of the situation, knowing that once Dorothy regained her senses, there would be hell to pay.

Dorothy’s physique was the most youthful Adele had ever seen. She lacked Hermione’s and Celeste’s statuesque figures and commanding presence. Her dominance stemmed from a deeper, more primal place, a chilling aura that emanated from her very soul.

But she wasn’t petite and delicate like Sharon or Adele either. She possessed a perfect balance, a youthful charm that hovered between the innocence of a child and the allure of a woman.

Sharon’s demeanor was timid, her body frail. Adele, on the other hand, exuded a captivating blend of innocence and sensuality. Her features and figure were youthful, but not weak. She was slender and graceful, her curves perfectly placed.

Despite her seemingly flat chest in the academy uniform, Adele’s hidden assets would become apparent at the upcoming ball, when she would don a glamorous evening gown. Her cleavage, both ample and alluring, would be on full display.

And her pert little bottom… well, that was a sight to behold.

Thankfully, it wasn’t summer yet. Otherwise, Adele in her tight shorts would be the most breathtaking scenery on campus. Just imagining giving that round, peachy bottom a playful pat, sending shivers down her spine, was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Dorothy was slightly taller than Adele, a vision of youthful perfection. A true princess, worthy of her royal bloodline.

Normally, Adele would have been content to admire Dorothy from afar. But at this moment, she felt like she was about to pass out from blood loss!

Hermione had been considerate, holding back last night, focusing on building intimacy and savoring the moment. Dorothy, however, was insatiable, her hunger a force of nature.

Adele had offered her blood willingly, to help Dorothy regain control, to replenish her strength after her encounters with Celeste and Sharon.

But that didn’t mean she wanted to be drained dry by two Sequence Ones in a row!

The only consolation was that Dorothy’s madness seemed to be receding with each kiss, each drop of blood she consumed. Her initial roughness, the almost-violent way she had kissed Adele, had softened, replaced by a gentle exploration, a true appreciation for the art of kissing.

The furrow in Adele’s brow, a testament to the pain she had been enduring, slowly relaxed.

Time lost all meaning as they sank deeper into the embrace.

Dorothy’s eyes fluttered open, clear and innocent, like a newborn gazing upon the world for the first time. Then, color seeped back into them, a kaleidoscope of emotions, complex and layered.

At first, she seemed to look through Adele, her gaze unfocused. But slowly, Adele came into focus, her image solidifying in Dorothy’s eyes.

Dorothy’s gaze softened, a flicker of vulnerability replacing the usual coldness. Her grip on Adele’s wrists loosened, a silent surrender.

But the moment was fleeting.

Dorothy’s mind cleared, and the full realization of what had transpired, of Adele’s audacity, crashed over her.

“Mmm… ow! That hurts!” Adele cried out as Dorothy’s grip tightened, her fingers digging into Adele’s wrists.

She went limp, the pain overwhelming. She pulled back, gasping for air, trying to free her hands from Dorothy’s grasp.

But Dorothy, fully awake now, wasn’t about to let her go.

Their positions reversed, and Adele found herself back in her usual submissive role, pinned to the floor, her wrists held captive above her head.

“…”

So this was what they meant by “the punishment is worse than the crime”…

She had saved Dorothy from succumbing to madness, but at what cost?

Well, to be fair, she was probably going to end up in this position regardless of Dorothy’s mental state.

At least she had managed to top Dorothy for a few glorious moments. Small victories.

Dorothy’s breath was hot and ragged against Adele’s skin, sending shivers down her spine. Her mind was in turmoil. She knew Adele had acted out of concern, trying to help her. But her pride, her sense of dominance, wouldn’t allow her to simply ignore what had happened.

She was a princess, a queen, born to rule. Submission was not in her nature.

She needed an explanation, a way to save face.

“Adele…” she said, her voice strained. “I’ll give you one chance. Beg for my forgiveness.”

Adele, however, had nothing to apologize for. Especially after their earlier argument.

She closed her eyes, turning her face away, refusing to acknowledge Dorothy’s presence.

“Adele… I hate it when you’re stubborn!” Dorothy growled, her patience wearing thin.

With a sudden rip, Adele felt her shirt being torn open, the cold air hitting her exposed stomach.

“Wh-what are you doing?!” she cried, her eyes flying open, fear gripping her heart.

Dorothy’s eyes blazed crimson, a predatory smile curving her lips. “Granting your wish,” she purred, her voice a seductive whisper. “I’m going to make you my possession, Adele~”

Chapter 70: Death Beneath the Peony Skirt

Rewind five minutes.

Adele had just opened the door to welcome Dorothy. But instead of a warm greeting, Dorothy had opted for a more… intimate approach.

She nuzzled Adele’s neck, her fangs grazing the delicate skin, inhaling deeply.

The scent of books. Adele had been reading today.

Dorothy wasn’t fond of reading herself, but she found the image of Adele lost in a book strangely appealing. It had a certain… intellectual charm.

But there was another scent, a faint, fresh scent that couldn’t be ignored.

Hermione. A woman Dorothy was starting to despise.

They used to be friends, able to converse freely and share their thoughts. But that was no longer the case.

As Dorothy had said, “She’s become an annoyance.”

Dorothy also noticed the lack of any bite marks on Adele’s neck. Had Hermione, that woman, recently licked Adele’s wounds with such tenderness and affection?

Dorothy’s gaze turned icy, sending a shiver down Adele’s spine.

“Dorothy…” Adele whimpered, pleading with her to stop.

“When?” Dorothy asked, her voice sharp.

“Wh-what…?” Adele stammered, her eyes darting around nervously.

It was clear to Dorothy that Adele was hiding something.

“Are you going to lie to me, Adele?” she pressed, her voice hardening.

Adele took a deep breath, the cold air stinging her lungs. She couldn’t withstand Dorothy’s intense scrutiny.

“Hermione… she was here yesterday,” she admitted reluctantly. “She was… thirsty. So I… I let her…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Dorothy’s arms were around her, crushing her in a tight embrace. Adele gasped for air, struggling in vain against Dorothy’s powerful grip.

To an outsider, it might have looked like a passionate reunion between two lovers who had been apart for too long.

But Adele felt like she was suffocating.

“I don’t want to share you anymore,” Dorothy whispered, her voice a mixture of possessiveness and desperation. “Don’t disobey me, Adele.”

She was struggling to maintain control, to keep her powers and emotions in check. Dark, destructive thoughts flickered at the edges of her mind, urging her to obliterate everything in her path until she found… satisfaction. Or perhaps, oblivion.

“What do you mean, ‘disobey’?” Adele retorted, her voice surprisingly steady despite the situation.

Even now, facing Dorothy’s wrath, she refused to cower.

“You want me to go back to being the way I was before? Is that what’s best for you?” she asked, her voice laced with bitterness. “What was the point of our conversation then? You were the one who pushed me towards them, Dorothy. Hermione, Sharon…”

“You created this situation,” she continued, her voice rising. “And I was willing to accept it, to submit to your whims. But I won’t let you erase everything with a wave of your hand, as if nothing ever happened! Things have changed, Dorothy. You can’t just pretend it never happened. The bullets have already been fired, leaving wounds that can’t be healed. Just like… my body… bears the marks of Hermione.”

She turned away, her cheeks burning with shame. Since Dorothy had already discovered her secret rendezvous with Hermione, Adele decided to shift the blame.

It was Dorothy’s fault! Adele was blameless, as always!

And while she was at it, why not provoke Dorothy a little? See how she reacted, how deeply she cared.

After spending so much time with the Sequence Ones and Twos, Adele’s fear of Dorothy, though still present, had lost its paralyzing grip.

Dorothy’s arms loosened slightly, and a wave of dizziness washed over her. Adele’s words had hit her harder than she expected.

Hermione’s marks… on Adele’s body?

Her pink hair trembled, a strange greenish tinge appearing for a fleeting moment.

As the dizziness subsided, rage filled Dorothy’s heart. She shoved Adele, sending her crashing to the floor.

Adele squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the impact.

*This is it. I went too far!*

She was probably going to be punished severely now.

But the expected pain didn’t come.

Instead, she felt a gentle hand cradling her head, another supporting her back.

She opened her eyes to find Dorothy hovering over her, her expression a mixture of anger and concern.

Even in her rage, Dorothy had instinctively protected Adele from harm.

Dorothy’s feelings for her… they were real.

A pang of guilt flickered in Adele’s heart, but she quickly suppressed it, focusing on maintaining her act.

She whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes. But even in her apparent weakness, a spark of defiance remained in her gaze.

It was that spark that tormented Dorothy the most.

“Adele, why…?” she whispered, her voice cracking with pain.

And so began the scene that had made Nightingale, the human observer, avert her gaze.

Adele turned away, a single tear rolling down her flushed cheek. “Why? You ask me why? Who should I ask?” she choked out, her voice thick with emotion.

“You were the one who turned me into this, Dorothy,” she continued, her voice gaining strength. “I finally accepted it, built new relationships with Hermione and Sharon, became their friend. And now, with a single word, you want to destroy everything I’ve worked for, chain me to your side, and make me your exclusive possession?”

“What did I do to deserve such disrespect?”

Tears streamed down her face, and she bit her lip so hard that it drew blood. The light in her eyes seemed to dim, and she closed them, shaking her head slowly.

“Fine… do whatever you want,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m just a toy to you, after all…”

She tilted her head back, exposing her delicate neck, her eyes still closed. Like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

But Dorothy, clutching her head, let out a cry of pain, her body trembling.

Adele’s despair… was it directed at her? Was Adele truly disappointed in her?

She stumbled back, bumping into the wall, oblivious to the pain.

“No… no!” she screamed, her voice raw with agony. It was as if another being was trying to claw its way out from within her.

*Don’t let it happen, Dorothy! Adele will die… everyone will die!*

This wasn’t what Adele had hoped for. She stared at Dorothy in horror, her own fear momentarily eclipsing her carefully crafted act.

What the hell was happening? Why was Dorothy losing control?

Of course, Adele wasn’t exactly in a position to question anyone’s sanity right now. She was the one who had instigated this entire mess, after all.

Her intention had been to force Dorothy’s hand, to make her acknowledge and accept Adele’s relationships with Hermione and Sharon. Otherwise, Adele would be trapped, Dorothy’s sole possession, her wings clipped.

Hermione would never stand for it. She would try to rescue Adele, and Celeste, loyal as ever, would undoubtedly follow. Even Sharon, timid as she was, might find the courage to defy Dorothy.

But they were no match for Dorothy. It would be a massacre.

That wasn’t the future Adele had envisioned.

So she had taken a gamble, hoping to persuade Dorothy through sheer force of will.

But it was clear now that her plan had backfired spectacularly.

The priority now was to calm Dorothy down before she completely lost control.

Had Dorothy ever lost control before?

Yes.

During a mission.

The author hadn’t provided any details. After all, the story was told from Adele’s perspective, and the other “villainesses” were merely side characters, their actions often glossed over.

But the little information the author had provided about that mission, that incident, that… disaster… was enough to make Adele’s blood run cold.

—”Everyone died. Witches, foreign races, humans, vampires… everyone involved in that mission perished. Except for Dorothy. She stood amidst the rubble, untouched, as if she were an angel descended from heaven.”

It must have been a beautiful sight.

But Adele knew that if that scene ever played out again, she wouldn’t be around to witness it.

She had to stop Dorothy, and fast.

She had caused this mess, and she would fix it.

She couldn’t rely on Sharon. The girl would probably just make things worse.

If Sharon came rushing to her rescue, driven by misplaced concern… it would be the end for all of them.

Dorothy stumbled back, clutching her head, her voice a pained whisper. “Adele… Adele…”

“I’m… I’m here,” Adele said, her voice trembling.

“I’m here, Dorothy!”

She gathered all her courage and embraced Dorothy, holding her tight. She couldn’t help but notice how soft and delicate Dorothy felt in her arms, a strange warmth spreading through her.

Dorothy seemed to calm down slightly in her embrace, but it wasn’t enough. She didn’t seem to hear Adele’s pleas.

No matter how many endearments Adele whispered, how many titles she bestowed upon her…

“My princess…”

“My Dorothy…”

“My wife…”

“My wings…”

“My… dog?”

…Dorothy remained unresponsive.

But if a hug had worked… then there was only one thing left to do.

In a swift motion, Adele reversed their positions, pinning Dorothy to the floor. She bit down on her lip, drawing blood.

It hurt like hell, but she had no other choice.

Then, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against Dorothy’s, pouring all her desperation into the kiss.

She wasn’t optimistic about its effectiveness.

If this didn’t work…

Well, she would have to go all the way.

Even if it meant dying at Dorothy’s hands, at least she would die a romantic death…

Chapter 69: Adele, Why…?

Sharon carefully tucked the pink sticky note between the pages of her favorite book. It would have been more practical to pin it up on her bedpost or desk, like many people did with photos of their loved ones, a source of comfort and inspiration during difficult times.

But Sharon, introverted as she was, couldn’t bring herself to do that. She preferred to suffer in silence, her feelings hidden from view, even from those she cared about most.

Her love was a quiet, powerful force.

That day, she spent her time as usual, curled up with a book, enjoying the comforting presence of Adele, even if it was just through a shared wall. To Sharon, being in the same apartment, even in separate rooms, was enough.

Suddenly, the sharp sound of the doorbell shattered the peaceful silence, sending a jolt of anxiety through Sharon. She clenched her fists, then released them, a wave of helplessness washing over her.

Was it… Hermione again?

How greedy could she be?

Was she going to… spend the night with Adele again? Do… *those things* with her?

Sharon’s imagination, as usual, was far more vivid and cruel than reality. It was a source of both pain and pleasure.

In truth, Hermione’s feelings for Adele were far deeper and more respectful than Sharon could comprehend. Perhaps she was waiting for the right moment, the perfect time, to consummate their relationship.

In other words, nothing had happened between Hermione and Adele the previous night.

But in Sharon’s mind, a helpless Adele had been subjected to Hermione’s desires all night long… And yet, despite her exhaustion, Adele had still managed to find the strength to make breakfast for her, a gesture of kindness that both warmed and tormented Sharon’s heart.

Would Adele repeat the same mistake tonight?

Sharon’s thoughts spiraled, her imagination painting a vivid, agonizing picture.

Adele, on the other hand, didn’t overthink things. She heard the doorbell, got up from her desk, and headed downstairs.

Maybe it was just a food delivery Hermione had ordered for her. She did have Adele’s address, after all.

Although Adele hadn’t finished the leftovers from last night, she was planning on having them for a late-night snack. But if Hermione had ordered more food, well, she wouldn’t complain.

However, when she opened the door, even the ever-optimistic Adele couldn’t help but freeze, her smile fading.

Her pink eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came out.

The silence, however, was short-lived.

Adele might have been speechless, but the beautiful girl standing before her, dressed in a flowing gown like a princess gracing a humble dwelling, was anything but.

With a mischievous glint in her crimson eyes, she stepped forward and planted a delicate kiss on Adele’s cheek.

“Adele, I’m here to play~” she purred, her voice a seductive whisper.

“Pri- Princess…!” Adele stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

There was only one person Adele would address as “Princess”.

Dorothy.

Dorothy, however, didn’t appreciate the formality. She took the opportunity to nibble playfully on Adele’s earlobe, eliciting a soft gasp from the startled girl.

Adele was so much fun.

Unlike Sharon, who, despite her initial intrigue, had turned out to be utterly boring.

In the beginning, Dorothy had been fascinated by Sharon. She had found her weakness, her fragility, her victim complex, oddly appealing.

She had caught a glimpse of something dark and dangerous lurking beneath Sharon’s meek exterior, a fleeting moment of raw ambition, a desire to disrupt the established order, to burn the world down.

It was intriguing to see such grand aspirations in someone so seemingly insignificant.

But as Dorothy got to know Sharon better, she realized that the girl was, in fact, a complete waste of space. Her entire existence seemed to revolve around seeking validation from others, a pathetic joke.

And yet, despite her disdain, Dorothy had kept Sharon around. Perhaps she had a soft spot for lost causes after all.

Adele, however, was too preoccupied with her own anxiety to care about Dorothy’s hidden depths. Even if Dorothy was secretly a kind soul, she was still a lion, and Adele was a mere kitten. A swipe of her tiny claws wouldn’t even faze Dorothy. But a gentle pat from the lioness could crush her.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Dorothy asked, tilting her head.

“Of course, come in,” Adele said quickly, realizing that Dorothy didn’t appreciate the formal address.

Although their encounter on the rooftop had been brief, it had cleared the air between them, dispelling the misunderstandings and resentment that had been building up. They could now interact with each other normally.

Or at least, on the surface.

Adele was still terrified of her. She couldn’t help it.

She stepped aside, gesturing for Dorothy to enter.

Technically, Adele should have consulted her roommate before inviting a “friend” over. But even if it hadn’t been Sharon, Adele doubted anyone would dare to object to the presence of someone like Dorothy, or Hermione for that matter.

Dorothy smiled, accepting Adele’s hand and intertwining their fingers. Even Adele couldn’t resist the captivating aura that surrounded the princess, her mind momentarily blank. When she came to her senses, her hand was firmly clasped in Dorothy’s.

Adele’s cheeks burned. What was happening? Wasn’t Dorothy supposed to be the “crazy” one? Why was she so good at flirting?

Dorothy’s touch was possessive yet gentle, leaving Adele with the distinct feeling that there was no escape.

“What brings you here… Dorothy?” Adele asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Since Dorothy had made it clear she didn’t like being addressed formally, Adele opted for a more casual, intimate approach.

She closed the door behind Dorothy, ensuring their privacy. Not that the dorm manager would dare to question Dorothy, even if she had seen her.

Dorothy seemed pleased by Adele’s informality. She gazed into Adele’s eyes, her expression sincere.

“You weren’t contacting me, so I came to see you,” she said simply.

It was basically the equivalent of “I missed you”.

But Adele wasn’t exactly feeling touched.

More like… terrified.

“I’ve been busy… with schoolwork and exams,” she lied, her heart pounding.

*Busy* was the perfect excuse.

Adele could already envision a future where she would be enjoying a romantic evening with Hermione, or perhaps someone else, when Dorothy would suddenly call, demanding to know her whereabouts.

And Adele, trapped between a rock and a hard place, would lie through her teeth, whispering sweet nothings into the phone while trying to stifle her moans.

“I’m… mmm… I’m out jogging…”

Such a deceitful little minx. It was tempting to lock her up and punish her thoroughly.

Dorothy, however, wasn’t satisfied with Adele’s vague answer. She leaned closer, her crimson eyes boring into Adele’s.

Adele, caught off guard, instinctively stepped back. Her evasive maneuver only fueled Dorothy’s suspicions.

Had Adele been up to something behind her back?

The thought of sharing Adele with anyone else was unbearable. Dorothy’s possessive instincts roared to life.

“Don’t move,” she commanded, her voice low and husky.

Despite the lack of any overt use of her powers, Adele’s body, conditioned by years of being bullied, obeyed instinctively. She stood frozen, like a timid rabbit caught in the headlights.

Dorothy’s face was inches from Adele’s neck now. Her fangs lengthened, her crimson eyes darkening.

The sweet, intoxicating scent of Adele’s blood was almost too much to bear. Dorothy’s instincts screamed at her to sink her fangs into that delicate skin.

But she resisted.

She remembered what Adele had said on the rooftop.

She… hated being forced, hated being treated like an object. But she didn’t hate Dorothy. In fact, she wanted to be closer to her.

And Dorothy had hurt her.

*Don’t make the same mistake again, Dorothy.*

She took a deep breath, forcing her cravings down. As a Sequence One, she possessed a level of self-control far beyond that of ordinary vampires. Anything less would be unbecoming of her rank.

A vampire who acted solely on instinct, devoid of any restraint, was nothing more than a savage beast.

Dorothy contented herself with taking a deep sniff, her keen senses analyzing the scent clinging to Adele’s skin.

“Hermione’s scent,” she murmured, her voice cold. “The faint smell of the sea.”

“I didn’t used to mind her. But now… she’s an annoyance.”

Her voice, though devoid of any elemental magic, sent a chill down Adele’s spine.

It was no wonder people said to never mess with a Familiar-type vampire.

Their powers were subtle, insidious, and often unpredictable. Unlike Strength-type vampires, whose power was straightforward and physical, or Elemental and Ability-type vampires, whose powers could be countered once their nature was understood…

The word most often used to describe Familiar-type vampires was “eerie”.

Their powers were drawn from otherworldly entities, beings not of this world. And some of them… well, they became eerie themselves.

Prone to madness, to losing control, to succumbing to corruption. Some even sacrificed themselves to summon powerful creatures from other realms.

The twelve True Ancestors of the vampire race, beings who possessed near immortality, were not all still alive. Only seven were known to be active. No, six. Tang Linlang’s family, along with other elite vampire hunter families, had orchestrated an attack that had left one of the True Ancestors grievously wounded, still recovering from her injuries.

Incidentally, that True Ancestor’s descendant was the current president of Chromwell Academy’s Black Feather Society, a Sequence One who harbored a deep hatred for humans.

As for the remaining five True Ancestors, three were missing, one was in a deep slumber, and the last one… was confirmed dead.

Rumor had it that she had sacrificed herself to summon a powerful being from another realm. Whether it had caused any major disasters was unknown. Both human and vampire authorities had kept the incident under wraps.

The point was, Familiar-type vampires were terrifying. And Dorothy, the apex predator of the current generation, was one of them. Her potential was truly frightening.

In fact, Dorothy was under constant surveillance whenever she was at the academy. Hermione, however, wasn’t considered a threat significant enough to warrant such attention. That spoke volumes about Dorothy’s power.

Outside Adele’s apartment, a faint breeze rustled the leaves of a nearby tree. Seemingly empty air shimmered for a moment, and a transparent figure materialized.

A woman with short, black hair, dressed in a skintight black suit. A human with supernatural abilities.

She observed the scene inside, her gaze sharp and calculating, pinpointing Dorothy and Adele’s location.

“Reporting in,” she said into a hidden earpiece. “No unusual activity detected.”

“Affirmative. She’s meeting with… a vampire.”

The woman knew that Adele was a half-vampire, but like the vampires who refused to acknowledge her human heritage, most humans didn’t consider her one of their own.

“Meeting her little girlfriend, perhaps?” a playful voice crackled through the earpiece. “So the rumors about the vampires’ open attitude towards love and affection are true.”

“Keep observing,” a more serious voice commanded. “Report everything. Every detail.”

The woman in the black suit, however, was less than thrilled about her assignment.

“Even… their preferred positions?” she asked, her voice flat.

“…”

“…”

Silence met her question.

So… Dorothy and her little girlfriend were already at *that* stage?

A cough broke the silence.

“Nightingale,” the more serious voice said. “That’s enough for tonight. Let’s respect the princess’s privacy.”

If the vampires found out that humans were spying on their princess, monitoring her every move, even her intimate moments… well, it would be a diplomatic nightmare. Besides, it was simply undignified.

“Understood,” Nightingale replied.

And just like that, she vanished, melting back into the shadows. The wind was the only witness to her departure.

Meanwhile, inside Adele’s apartment, the situation had escalated quickly.

Adele had said something, something that had angered Dorothy.

And now, she was pinned to the floor, her hair a tangled mess, Dorothy looming over her.

Adele looked defeated, her resistance broken. But there was a spark of defiance in her tear-filled eyes, a refusal to submit completely.

Dorothy, however, was at her limit. Her eyes blazed crimson.

“Adele,” she hissed, her voice dangerously low. “Why…?”