52

“An abandoned monastery located in the Agar Pen and Spawcis Vale Nature Reserve. There’s a rumor that a man named ‘Jack’ who turned his back on the world has been living in the forest there for several hundred years.”

“That’s not far from Long Melford.”

“But looking for the creator of the lineage records. What’s your purpose?”

At Isabel’s question, Doyoon glanced at Bibi. Bibi was still holding her breath.

“I saw the lineage records of the families in Korea. The back pages were missing.”

“You don’t know which part is missing?”

Doyoon didn’t answer and just shrugged. Of course, there was a family he could guess. The family of the traitor that Bibi remembered. But he couldn’t rashly say it. If it were to become known in the vampire world, even by chance… Bibi would be in danger of execution.

Therefore, he judged that it was safer to meet the creator, hear the story of the remaining parts, and ask about the situation at that time.

“I’m curious why you’re doing this, but I also feel like I know.”

Isabel laughed as she flicked off the ash. She stared at the blurry view outside the window for a moment, lost in thought, then suddenly clapped her hands and jumped up.

“Well! Doyoon has achieved his main goal, so now I should choose the wine we’ll drink at the formal dinner.”

Startled by the sudden movement, Bibi jumped and almost dropped the teacup she was holding. Lukewarm tea spilled and dampened her lap.

“As it happens, Richard caught a large fish at the Paxus artificial fishing pond yesterday. We were originally planning to eat beef liver, but I should just have them bring that out.”

“I think I’ll need a change of clothes too.”

Doyoon said, looking at Bibi’s thoroughly wet lap. The black tea, full of milk and sugar, would definitely become sticky if it dried like this.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you one of my dresses.”

“Thank you, Isabel.”

There was no use of the term ‘mother’ between Doyoon and Isabel. They called each other by their chosen names like friends, showing trust and familiarity. It was like… friendly allies. The feeling of family… she wasn’t sure. Was this how the vampire world was originally? Or were these two special?

In any case, Doyoon’s mother didn’t resemble him much externally. But their personalities were similar. Isabel wasn’t particularly lively, but she was moderately sociable and would unhesitatingly make deals with others, even if they were her son, for her desired purpose.

That didn’t mean she lacked affection for her own blood. Although Bibi couldn’t see clearly because of the veil, her gaze definitely held warmth and affection. Bibi wondered what Doyoon’s father was like… she looked forward to dinner.

“Come this way, and we’ll get you changed right away.”

A new maid approached, speaking in a sweet voice and smiling with her eyes. Get her changed? Bibi frowned and shook her head.

“I can dress myself.”

“Oh, then….”

“Just bring the clothes here. Everyone else, please leave.”

At Doyoon’s command, the maid obediently nodded. Was it just her imagination, or did she look disappointed? As Bibi looked at him questioningly, he picked up the newspaper he had been reading earlier and explained.

“It’s best if you’re not alone with the people who work in this house, if possible. They’ll try to seduce you into letting them suck your blood. Like sirens.”

Bibi stared silently at Doyoon as he read the text. This was his mother and father’s house. Doyoon had lived here, or at least visited often. So, the vampire maids must have a history of trying to seduce him.

Had Doyoon drunk other people’s blood? Had he licked the neck of another vampire besides her? She was very curious, but she didn’t ask. Just thinking about it made her feel terrible.

The maid brought new clothes. Bibi took them with a stiff expression, almost snatching them. She tried not to look at the woman’s gentle smile.

As soon as the drawing-room door closed and she was left alone with Doyoon, Bibi reached behind her and pulled the zipper down. The black dress fell to the floor with a soft thud. She stepped out of it completely, like shedding a pupa’s skin. Before putting on the new clothes, Bibi grabbed a wet towel from the table in her underwear and carefully wiped her sticky knees.

She hadn’t heard the sound of newspaper pages turning for some time. Turning her head back, she saw Doyoon’s face, half-hidden by the newspaper. His eyes, made darker by the light behind him, were fixed on Bibi. Bibi swallowed. Even though it was partially obscured, she knew that look. It was the look of hunger. The eyes of a predator who has found its target before starting the hunt, contemplating how to sink its teeth in.

Bibi put down the wet towel. And with a calm expression, she slowly slipped into the dress the maid had left. The slightly navy-tinged, loose-fitting dress had buttons instead of a zipper. She reached behind her to try and fasten them herself, but it wasn’t easy at all. Was this why the maid had offered to help?

The newspaper rustled and was placed on the table. Doyoon, who had gotten up from the sofa, approached Bibi. With those hungry eyes. Bibi swallowed and looked up at him.

“Turn around.”

He gave a short command. Bibi followed his words without a sound. Doyoon’s gaze pierced through the opened clothing. He quietly stared at Bibi’s smooth spine and the buttocks wrapped in soft silk underwear beneath, then slowly moved his fingers, fastening the buttons one by one from bottom to top.

Finally, he took the care to pull all of Bibi’s hair that had gotten inside her clothes out. His gaze lingered on Bibi’s slender, white nape, briefly attaching itself before falling away.

As night fell, the interior of the mansion became even dimmer. A dinner banquet was prepared in the red-carpeted banquet hall. A large fish steak was placed on the table, accompanied by a white wine sauce and grilled vegetables. Since the bones had all been removed, the tender flesh could be easily enjoyed using only a fork.

The food was delicious, and the wine that Isabel poured was excellent, but Bibi was more interested in the people sitting across from her than the food. It was Isabel’s face, now without a hat, and Doyoon’s father sitting next to her.

Doyoon’s father, Richard, was a 400-year-old vampire, 300 years younger than Isabel. Outwardly, he looked very much like Doyoon, with hair that appeared light brown under the bright light, clear eyes, and a cynical expression.

However, his personality was very different. He was quite shy and reserved. He gave Bibi a small smile and greeting, then stayed close to Isabel, quietly listening to the conversation during the banquet.

Doyoon, like Isabel, called his father by his name. The atmosphere between them, like with Isabel, was friendly, like allies.

The conversation among the three mainly revolved around the weather in the Long Melford region, the farming of the residents, the fish often caught in the fishing grounds, and the Tudor family, who had a strong influence in this area. Bibi ate the trifle that was served for dessert and observed the atmosphere.

“Are you perhaps uncomfortable?”

Doyoon leaned over and whispered to Bibi. Throughout the banquet, he checked on Bibi’s condition from time to time.

“No. I think they like me.”

Bibi felt that way from Isabel’s smiles directed at her and Richard’s warm expression as he asked if the food suited her taste.

“That’s good. I’m glad the people I like are getting along.”

When they were halfway through dessert, a servant walked up to the table. He wore a black mask, so his face wasn’t visible, but what was noteworthy was the double-edged sword in his hand. As River placed four empty wine glasses on the table, the servant cut his own wrist and began to fill the glasses.

Unlike Bibi, who was slightly surprised, the others were very nonchalant. River handed the wine glasses filled with warm blood to Isabel and Richard first, then placed them in front of Doyoon and Bibi as well. The vampire who had drawn the blood bowed with a pale face and left the banquet hall.

“To the return of Henry.”

Isabel raised her glass and offered a toast. Richard clinked his glass against hers in response. The two of them took long sips of the blood with pleased expressions.

“…….”

Bibi looked at the blood placed in front of her with a reluctant expression. Doyoon’s blood tasted the best to her. She didn’t want to drink anyone else’s at all.

“You don’t have to drink it.”

“I won’t.”

Bibi pushed her portion of the blood aside. Then, River, who was standing nearby, picked up the glass and gulped it down. When Bibi looked up in surprise, he wiped his mouth and grinned.

“It’s a kind of rule among vampires not to leave blood behind. Especially the blood left by masters and guests. I drink it before it coagulates so it’s not wasted.”

Looking at River’s blood-stained fangs, Bibi belatedly nodded. As if it were a familiar occurrence, Doyoon pushed his own glass towards River as well.

“You should probably drink it. This will be much better than a blood pack.”

Isabel said casually with eyes that seemed to see through everything. Hearing those words, Doyoon stared intently at the blood for a while, then pulled it back towards himself.