NAPE - 114

Side Story 25

“If you easily judge someone based on their utility, it might be Lord Schauer now, but later it could be Namwon, or Isabella, or perhaps... even Doyoon. I absolutely don’t want that. I’d rather give up my position as an enforcer and my family name.”

Bibi realized that what she was saying now was her firm conviction. She never dreamed that she, who had always just followed Doyoon, would come to think this way.

But he was an executioner, and she had taken on the role of an enforcer. Naturally, there were bound to be crossroads in their judgment. His family was accustomed to elimination, while her family’s role was to punish criminals but also offer them a chance for repentance.

“...Give it up?”

“Yes. And I don’t care if they’re pureblood, common, or hybrid. I... I don’t want to distinguish between them.”

Perhaps in the future, if she became more ingrained in this society, her mindset might change. She might sacrifice the few to protect the many, indiscriminately bite servants, or betray others for political gain. But at least not now.

Leaving Doyoon, who was standing somewhat blankly, Bibi hastily fled the shower room.

She had managed to push Doyoon away somehow, but the lingering effects of what had just happened were quite intense. Bibi writhed with a thirst that surged like a landslide. Her teeth ached, wanting to bite into anything. The sensation of being aroused by Doyoon’s scent still lingered throughout her body.

She needed to quickly go to her room and drink a blood pack. But would that be enough? Wouldn’t that awful taste just make her crave Doyoon’s blood even more...? Ah, should she just run back to the shower room and beg for his blood?

“No!”

Bibi slapped both her cheeks with her palms. People passing by stared, but she didn’t care. To be so drawn to a specific blood... her palate was truly terrifying.

She felt like she would run to Doyoon if she stayed in this hotel, so she decided to go out instead. Breathing in the night air and changing her surroundings might calm her down a bit.

________________________________________

Bibi, having exited the hotel, soon had to accept that Namwon had called her a “troublemaker.”

She got into an altercation. It was in an unnamed alley behind a street where Muslims were holding a protest. Bibi swore she had done nothing wrong. She was merely sitting on a discarded chair in front of a smelly garbage can, watching the protestors and police, citizens avoiding them, and thugs enjoying the situation.

The annoying commotion began when five or six tall men entered the alley where Bibi was. Upon making eye contact with Bibi, they chuckled, spewing insults about female genitalia.

At a glance, they looked like bad characters, all wearing tank tops and track pants. It was striking that they had skull-shaped keychains on their pockets. It seemed to be a trend among that group.

Bibi grew curious. Why do humans follow trends? Is it because they’re weak? Without sharp claws, fangs, or strong bodies, forming groups is their survival strategy. Being separated from their comrades means death.

Is that why they imitate strong individuals to avoid being eliminated, and use trivial things to increase their bond and sense of belonging? Is that skull mark on their pockets part of a survival instinct?

Thinking of rough-looking adult men collectively matching keychains was quite amusing. Bibi smirked, her lips curling.

But somehow, misunderstanding her, the smallest of the passing men furrowed his brow like a crumpled can. He pointed at Bibi, claimed she had insulted them, and six thugs spat and approached her.

“Was it obvious I was laughing? My apologies.”

She tried to talk to them, but they simply became irrationally angry. But was it just her imagination? Their angry faces looked incredibly amused. They seemed to be enjoying the thrill of hunting someone weaker than themselves. Bibi didn’t want to cause a commotion. She apologized repeatedly, waiting for them to retreat. But their excitement didn’t subside, and they even tried to lay hands on Bibi.

That was crossing the line.

Bibi leaped up and dealt with them one by one. Of course, she didn’t kill them. Bibi now understood the rules of her world to some extent. Vampires were not to harm humans. Sucking blood without consent and killing were forbidden.

However, a good beating was fine. Breaking bones to incapacitate them or striking pressure points to knock them out wouldn’t incur anyone’s wrath.

“You-you have to kill monsters like that... before you get eaten.”

When Bibi grabbed a tall one and slammed him down, the first human who had fallen looked around nervously with a terrified face. He seemed to have watched too many movies. He was convinced he would be devoured in an instant, like an extra in the opening scene of a horror movie.

“Die! Monster!”

The thug, picking up a glass bottle from the floor, raised it high and charged at Bibi. Just as she moved to block him, a tall man appeared out of nowhere and abruptly blocked her. He caught the glass bottle with his bare hand and simultaneously delivered a strong kick to the opponent’s abdomen.

“Are you all right... Oh, Bibi, is that you?”

The man, who was turning to check her condition, suddenly called her name. Bibi’s eyes widened as she looked at the face of the person who had unnecessarily helped her. Oh, this man who strongly resembles Doyoon is...

“Richard?”

To meet a vampire she knew on the streets of London. It was an amazing coincidence. A sense of gladness welled up at seeing a familiar face after so long.

“I thought these homeless guys were going to hurt a human woman, so I intervened.”

“They failed to harm me.”

“Haha, to pick a fight with a vampire, how unlucky of them.”

Like old friends, the two shook hands and greeted each other. Bibi’s hand, retreating, suddenly stiffened.

“...Blood.”

“Hm?”

“Richard, you’re bleeding.”

Bibi took Richard’s right hand and lifted it. A drop of blood had formed on the tip of his index finger. He must have been cut while blocking the glass bottle the thug was swinging.

“This much will heal quickly.”

Richard smiled, assuring her not to worry. Bibi blinked, her gaze fixed on the dark red drop of blood. She had always known Richard and Doyoon resembled each other, but she never dreamed their blood would smell similar. A cool yet sweet scent stimulated Bibi’s sense of smell. Her mouth watered involuntarily, like Pavlov’s dog.

“What are you doing, Bibi?”

Richard’s bewildered voice echoed in her ear. Bibi tried to say she was thinking, but the words flowing from her throat became garbled in her mouth, preventing her from speaking. She couldn’t help but slur her words while biting something. Bibi belatedly realized she was biting Richard’s hand.

“Ah... Sorry!”

She apologized and quickly regained her composure, pulling back, but not before tasting a few drops of blood with her tongue. Compared to the similar scent to Doyoon’s, the taste was distinctly different. Ah, more importantly, she had promised Doyoon not to give or taste other vampires’ blood... This was a big problem.

“Are you hungry? Would you like some iron supplements? They’re quite well-made and should be enough to quench your thirst.”

Richard, despite his blood being sucked without permission, showed no displeasure and asked with concern.

“No... it’s not because of thirst, well, it is because of thirst, but... it’s different from being hungry...”

“So you haven’t been able to drink Henry’s blood. Did you two fight?”

Richard, guessing something, keenly observed Bibi’s complexion.

“No. Not a fight... just a difference of opinion.”

“A difference of opinion, huh...”

“Um, I should go now.”

Even a few drops of his father’s blood, not Doyoon’s, weighed heavily on her mind. Even if they were currently at odds, breaking a promise brought on guilt. Bibi wanted to return to the hotel quickly.

“Bibi, wait a moment.”

Richard called out to Bibi, who was about to leave the alley.

“Why?”

“You called Isabella because of Lord Schauer, didn’t you?”

Bibi sighed gloomily. She had bravely asked for help, but Isabella had coldly refused, saying that Henry had taken over the matter and there was nothing she could do.

“Yes. But I didn’t get any results.”

“Shall I let you talk to him?”

“...Lord Schauer?”

Bibi’s mouth fell open stupidly at the unexpected offer. She looked directly into his eyes to discern if he was joking or not.

Richard’s expression wasn’t heavy, but it wasn’t light either. He wore a kind yet serious smile. Only then did Bibi realize that this meeting was no coincidence. He had come to find her.

________________________________________

Bibi, having moved to Richard’s quarters, didn’t even have time for a cup of tea. She urged him to let her meet Lord Schauer quickly. Richard nodded, brought out a laptop, and opened it. He told Bibi to sit on the sofa and look at the screen.

“Why look at the screen? Weren’t you going to let me meet Lord Schauer?”

“To be precise, I said I’d let you ‘talk’ to him. Entering the place of detention at this time would mean becoming a political target, you see? We have to go through a detour.”

When Bibi made a dissatisfied face, Richard gently told her to be grateful that she could even video call with a criminal imprisoned by the Elder Council.

As the thoughtful and kind Richard adopted a slightly stern expression, she grew even more nervous. It was always the quiet waves that were scarier. Bibi guessed that Richard must have been the one who disciplined young Doyoon.

Static, crackle.

After a long wait, the dark laptop screen lit up. The face she had so longed to see appeared. Bibi cried out as if she were about to weep.

“Lord Schauer!”