— — — — — —
"???"
Was that her stomach growling?
Hearing that, Liana Caruana's eye twitched. She almost couldn't stop herself from glancing at Avrora.
This... wasn't what she expected at all.
This was supposed to be the Fourth Primogenitor? Really?
From just a few simple words, Liana couldn't sense even the slightest bit of the authority or presence that should come with being one of the world's most powerful vampires.
Something felt off.
"Did I dig up the wrong coffin...?"
Liana couldn't help but question herself. But at the same time that vampire aura—undeniably strong.
And her appearance... identical to the other test subjects.
There was no mistaking it.
This was the Fourth Primogenitor.
Still, why did she seem so different?
Even Endou couldn't help but mutter, "This is the Fourth Primogenitor? She's just a kid."
Standing to the side, Yukina wasn't sure what to say either.
But honestly, the Fourth Primogenitor was kind of adorable.
"Lord Lynn will probably make her part of his Familia," she thought silently.
If someone had told her before that they were planning to turn one of the Four Primogenitors into their follower, she'd have thought they were either insane or incredibly stupid.
Even now, anyone saying that out loud would probably be laughed out of the room.
After all, Primogenitors are basically the Vampire equivalent of Devil Kings. Joining a devil's Peerage? No thanks.
But.. Lynn was different.
She hadn't been in his Familia for long, but even just these past few days had completely changed her perspective.
So now?
If Lynn said he was going to make the Fourth Primogenitor one of his own. Yukina wouldn't even be surprised.
---
Meanwhile—
Liana Caruana finally shook off her doubts and convinced herself.
Sure, it was strange for a Primogenitor to be hungry. But hey, having an appetite was normal, right?
Especially when someone had been asleep for who knows how long. It made sense they'd wake up starving.
Her expression shifted several times before finally settling into calm.
"Your Excellency, I'll prepare food for you immediately!"
As a proper subordinate, there was no need to ask questions. All she needed to do was fulfill the request.
She had just started to get up when—
"No need."
"?"
Liana blinked, stunned.
Avrora's voice... something about it changed.
It was still the same tone, but colder—like a sudden frost sweeping through the entire underground tomb.
An invisible pressure pressed down on her chest like an icy vice.
What... what was this? A bloodline-level pressure!?
Her heart clenched.
"Y-Your Excellency...?"
Liana dropped to her knees, voice trembling.
The timid look on Avrora's face vanished. In its place was a cold, haughty indifference.
Her eyes slowly shifted to the vacant-eyed Nagisa Akatsuki. Her deep blue irises suddenly flared scarlet.
A slow, amused smile curled on her lips.
"That shrine maiden over there... looks delicious."
"!!!"
Gajou's eyes widened in alarm.
The Fourth Primogenitor had locked onto Nagisa!
This was bad.
His brow twitched. His heart raced.
A cold sweat broke across his forehead.
What now?
Gajou felt a wave of panic.
He instinctively turned to Lynn.
If he was willing to help...
But Gajou didn't know anything about Lynn's personality—or what would convince him to step in.
Tch!
He bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to focus and search for a way out.
...
Across the room—
Liana snapped her gaze back to Avrora's now ice-cold expression, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
Nagisa?
She turned and saw the empty look in the girl's eyes. Her heart ached.
Liana opened her mouth, wanting to say something—anything to stop this.
But— Avrora lowered her gaze. Her chilling eyes stabbed into Liana like daggers of frost.
Liana gasped. Her mind blanked. The words she wanted to speak caught in her throat, stuck and unable to come out.
Avrora frowned.
"Well? Why haven't you offered the shrine maiden to me yet?"
Her voice dropped into an arctic hiss.
"Don't tell me you expect me to get her myself?"
Whoosh—
A cold wind swept through the tomb like a deathly whisper, freezing the very air.
Gulp.
Kojou swallowed hard. His legs trembled without thinking.
This is it... I might die.
But—He didn't move.
Feet rooted to the ground, fists clenched, he stood protectively in front of Nagisa.
At this point, blaming his father, Gajou was the last thing on his mind.
He only had one thought: I won't let anything happen to Nagisa.
His eyes blazed with determination, even though fear gripped him.
He stared Avrora down, trying to intimidate her—though he was the one trembling.
Avrora barely even glanced at him.
"Looks like the world's forgotten to fear me after all these years of slumber."
She was clearly annoyed.
She was the Fourth Primogenitor—and yet not one person had obeyed her command.
Liana's heart dropped.
She had originally hoped to follow the Fourth Primogenitor and revive her family's fading legacy.
But now?
What good is a follower who disobeys?
No, Her Excellency wouldn't want someone like that.
And yet—Could she really attack an innocent person?
No.
Especially not when Nagisa had only gotten dragged into this mess trying to help her.
That made it even harder to accept.
What should she do?
Liana's body wavered slightly, on the verge of collapsing.
It felt like everything she'd worked for—everything she'd planned—was falling apart before it even began.
Her eyes dimmed.
"...Hmph."
Avrora let out a cold snort, but the scent coming from Nagisa was so mouthwatering that she held back her punishment.
Her crimson eyes locked onto the girl like a predator. She instinctively licked her lips, breathing just a little faster.
That blood... It had to be delicious.
She'd been in forced slumber for so long—of course she was cranky.
But waking up to such a tempting offering?
Yeah, that definitely took the edge off her mood.
Step by step, she began moving toward Nagisa.
Then—A large hand gently pressed down on her head.
". . . ?"
A question mark practically popped up over her head.
She blinked, confused.
Who?
Who would dare touch the head of the great Fourth Primogenitor?
She whipped around, eyes glittering with frost.
And saw Lynn's calm face.
"Avrora… Try to be a good girl."
He smiled slightly.
.
.
.