Chapter 69: Possession
Adele knew that one day she would marry a man and have children. It was inevitable, a responsibility she couldn’t shirk as a member of the Blake family. Marriage and childbirth were unavoidable topics for vampires due to their low fertility rate, a constant worry for the Council of Elders.
At the current rate, perhaps in ten thousand years, the thirteen clans might become endangered species.
That was why her parents had always told her, from a young age, that she would definitely marry and have children. Adele had never resisted this; she acknowledged it as her duty. But for her mother to actually push the matter forward, telling her that they would choose her fiancé and that she would marry him after graduation… Perhaps it was too sudden. Adele couldn’t process it all at once.
Jasmine’s image flashed in her mind. That girl had always loved her, harboring pure and innocent feelings, following her faithfully, swallowing her own sorrows. If she knew about Adele’s fiancé, she would be heartbroken, wouldn’t she? Could Adele still keep Jasmine by her side then?
No, that would be too cruel.
To make Jasmine watch her being affectionate with her fiancé… Jasmine would be devastated. Adele couldn’t bear to trample on someone’s feelings like that.
At that moment, she wanted to tell her mother that there was no rush. She was only nineteen, after all. Could she wait a hundred or two hundred years, until Jasmine died naturally… and then choose a fiancé? At least, at least don’t let Jasmine witness her being with someone else.
But when Adele looked up, she saw the unwavering determination in her mother’s eyes.
Adele wanted to say something, but no words came out. She lowered her head. The Blake Lady knew that her beloved daughter would be obedient. She was a responsible vampire. The Blake family had nurtured her for so many years, and now it was time for her to fulfill her duty. She wouldn’t shy away from her responsibilities.
The Blake Lady was in a good mood. She even started discussing some of the potential fiancés she had in mind.
“Adele, do you know the youngest son of the Green family?” The Greens were also one of the thirteen clans, ranking somewhere in the middle. They were a decent match for the Blake family. Adele had heard of the person her mother was talking about. She swallowed hard, “I know, but isn’t he… a bit too young?”
The youngest son of the Green family was very young, only eight years old this year, just two years older than Adele’s younger sister. He was completely out of the question for Adele. After all… he was too young. To be engaged to a child… she wasn’t a pervert.
“Young?” The Lady repeated the question, confused. Honestly, she didn’t think the Green child was young at all. He was only eleven years younger than Adele, which was considered the same age group for vampires. But it seemed that Adele didn’t like the idea of a younger fiancé, so the Lady suggested another candidate, “Then what about the second son of the White family?”
Adele only knew Miss White, who was a year above her at school. She was the third daughter of the White family. The second son must be her elder brother. Adele shook her head and said honestly, “I don’t know him well. He’s a complete stranger to me.”
The Lady smiled, “That’s not a problem. I can introduce you. The second son of the White family is fifty-six this year. He’s a very handsome young man.” Perhaps due to spending too much time with humans recently, Adele’s concept of age was a bit skewed. Hearing fifty-six, she imagined an old man.
Fifty-six for a human… that was too old.
But the Lady was very satisfied with both potential candidates, especially the second son of the White family. The Whites were the most powerful clan among the thirteen in the past thousand years. Countless families wanted to be related to them. Even their third daughter had caught everyone’s attention. During social gatherings, several noble ladies had expressed their desire to have their sons marry her.
If only she had a son… The Lady might have had some ulterior motives. But she had a daughter, which was just as good. She could propose a marriage between Adele and the second son of the White family. Besides, fifty-six was still young for a vampire. He was practically a child. In vampire society, an age difference of a hundred years was considered normal.
Adele seemed picky, but the Lady didn’t mind. Adele had always been a picky vampire. She was even ridiculously picky about blood, let alone her future husband. Even if she didn’t end up marrying the White boy, it didn’t matter. Adele was talented and beautiful. As long as she appeared at the ball, countless noblemen would be vying for her attention.
The Blake Lady knew she couldn’t push Adele too hard, so she said, “Adele, I’m not asking you to decide now. I just want you to know that they will all be at the castle next week. You can observe them up close and choose the one you like best. Remember, you’re the future head of the Blake family. You deserve the best, whoever he may be.”
Adele lowered her head, indicating that she understood.
She left her mother’s room and returned to her own, collapsing onto the bed in a daze. She didn’t want to get engaged, to have a fiancé, let alone get married.
Because that meant… she would have to send Jasmine away. She didn’t want to be a cruel vampire, to trample on Jasmine’s feelings. The best solution was to sever their ties and let Jasmine have peace.
Adele buried her face in a pillow for a long time, then sat up on the bed, hugging the pillow tightly. Moonlight streamed through the window, bathing her in its soft glow.
If she had to send Jasmine away, she would send her to the village near the castle. That way, she could still visit her when she missed her, secretly, hidden from view, just for a glimpse. She could give Jasmine a happy life, watch her move on, find a more suitable partner, a human man who was more compatible with her.
They would get married, have children, and Jasmine would grow old gracefully, leaving this world peacefully when her time came. And she, Adele, would forever protect Jasmine and her descendants, ensuring their safety under the Blake family’s care.
With her thousand-year lifespan, Adele could do it.
But would Jasmine be hurt? She loved Adele so much. What if she never forgot, what if she lived with regrets?
Jasmine had repeatedly asked her why she thought she liked her. Wasn’t it obvious?
Jasmine thought she was hiding it well, but only Adele knew how obvious her feelings were. She sat there, hugging the pillow, her expression unreadable, her face flushed, lost in thought.
Jasmine’s feelings were truly obvious. Firstly, her personality was too straightforward. She was cold to everyone, like a block of ice, seemingly indifferent to others. Even with the second miss or the Lady, she treated them the same way. But with Adele, she was different. She would show different expressions, even smiling at Adele many times.
Secondly, Jasmine would show weakness in front of her. Adele had always known that Jasmine was a strong person, weak but resilient, always offering words of wisdom. Someone as strong as her wouldn’t willingly show weakness in front of others. But with Adele, it was different. She would show her vulnerability, letting Adele know that she needed protection.
Finally, Jasmine had willingly served Adele for so many years. Adele believed that with Jasmine’s abilities, she could have worked in the village if she wanted to. Many servants who worked for vampires didn’t consider working in the village to be a good thing. Working for vampires, especially for high-ranking nobles, was much easier.
But Jasmine didn’t like vampires. Adele’s senses were sharp. She could easily pick up on Jasmine’s thoughts and knew that she truly disliked vampires. Jasmine suppressed her aversion and stayed at Blake Castle, treating Adele differently from everyone else. Didn’t this prove that Adele was special in her eyes?
In other words – Jasmine was deeply in love with her!
Adele was certain of this, and it troubled her. How could she reject Jasmine without hurting her? Adele pondered for a long time, but in the end, she realized she didn’t know how to even begin. She didn’t want Jasmine to leave her side. She didn’t even want to tell her about the ball.
If Jasmine knew that the purpose of the ball was to find a fiancé for Adele, how heartbroken would she be? Would she… would she leave? This thought suddenly popped into Adele’s mind. Logic told her that it would be a good thing if Jasmine left. It meant she wouldn’t have to do anything cruel. But her emotions screamed: No! How could she let Jasmine leave her side?!
Once this thought took root in her mind, it drowned out all other voices. The pillow slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor. Adele’s expression was pained. Sending Jasmine to the village, letting her marry a human man and have children, keeping her distance but occasionally stealing glances…
All those seemingly noble thoughts couldn’t compete with the words that kept echoing in her mind: Why?! Why should Jasmine leave? She’s mine! From the moment we met, she’s been mine. I absolutely, absolutely cannot let her leave my side.
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