Since returning from the dungeon, Ivina had been sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, staring straight ahead, as still as a lifeless statue. Vasha asked her a few concerned questions, but she didn't respond.
Tired and unwilling to tell anyone, she curled up and lay in the corner of the large bed, wanting only to forget everything that had happened. But nightmares seemed to have befriended her, reappearing in her shallow sleep.
[Ivina, do you want to see what that gentle man you speak of did to me?]
[No, I don't want to know! Let me go...]
[Look here, look at my body! Even I find it disgusting! The punishment that should have been inflicted on you is now being inflicted on me tenfold, a hundredfold! And you... you can easily become a blood witch and stand side by side with him as if it were natural! Don't you feel ashamed and humiliated?!]
[It's not what you think, I… ] Suddenly, Xia Sang's hateful face vanished. She looked around and found herself back at the pool. But this time, her feet were exposed, soaking in the icy water. The coldness from her feet couldn't compare to the terror in her heart. She didn't understand this chaotic emotion. Leaning against the stone statue in the center of the pool, she squinted her eyes, trying to see the man who was speaking to her.
[Marry me, even if...]
Her body was roughly dragged into the icy water, and she didn't hear the rest of what he said. It was as if she had been doused with cold water; Ivina woke up with a start from her pillow.
It's so cold... Her feet could still feel the temperature of the icy water from before.
"Mistress, would you like a cup of strong tea?"
"I'm fine! I'm fine..." Ivena stared straight ahead, clearly still in a daze.
Vasha couldn't stand it anymore. She respectfully arranged the shoes by the bed, helped Ivena get dressed, and then hurriedly led her toward the windowsill.
"Master, look!" Vasha dragged the sleepy Ivina over and pointed proudly at a pot of plants on the left side of the window.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she was clearly still pondering that bizarre dream. But soon, her dark eyes widened, "How could there be vegetation here?"
"Hehe... It seems this little thing can cheer up my master, so I'll spare its life for now!" Vasa smiled brightly, playfully muttering to herself as she looked at the wilted plant.
This time, Ivina was amused. "Plants don't have the concept of 'sparing their lives,' do they? I thought the only living plants here were red roses, but I didn't expect there to be such a cute little thing..." Unconsciously, her mood also improved.
"I suppose the master's former race didn't have 'blood flowers' as animals! Actually, they're bloodsuckers... For example, the 'man-eating flowers' in the human world are descendants of blood flowers!" As she spoke, Vasha pulled out a small red bottle from her waist, opened it, and carefully dripped the bright red liquid onto the withered bud of the Blood Flower.
Blood Flower... She had heard about it from Si.
[Her beauty is meant to attract others' attention, and the cracked earth below her roots is meant to evoke sympathy. And her purpose is to drain others' blood and cause their deaths. Would you still feel sorry for it then?"
Yes, she would.
Because this flower, despised and scorned by others, was so similar to her. Because of her outsider appearance and her shameful identity, she was suspected by everyone.
If she couldn't gain others' understanding, then all that was left was self-pity.
Thinking this, Ivina smiled and reached out her hand toward the flower petal that was gradually regaining its luster and beauty.
But suddenly, her slender fingers were fiercely grasped by the flower bud. The next second, the delicate stem swelled horribly with blood, and the wilted flower center finally raised its head.
Vasha stared blankly at the blood flowing from Ivina's fingertips, momentarily losing her ability to react.
Ivina abruptly withdrew her finger, the crimson blood flowing from it vivid and jarring. Yet she couldn't help but feel a hint of relief.
At least, no matter what, she would never become a vampire—the embodiment of evil.