Vasha stood there motionless, staring at the blood dripping from Ivina's fingertips. After a moment, she finally reacted. 'M-Master, Vasha will go get some tissues. Right now... right now...'
Ivina smiled faintly, glancing at Vasha, who was standing nearby in extreme fear. She knew what Vasha was wondering.
"I am human. This red blood undeniably reveals my true identity. Since that is the case, there is no need to call me a witch or master anymore. For a vampire, I am unworthy… am I not?"
The blood gradually darkened, and the bloodstain solidified on Ivina's pale wrist.
"You are my master. From the first time I addressed you with respect, Vasha has never wavered. Because being with you, for some reason, feels so close and reassuring…" Vasha smiled. "You don't know, do you? Vasha was also human thousands of years ago, but human life is too short. At the brink of death, I chose to be embraced. Looking back now, I was so foolish then. A human's few decades are brief, yet there is still the possibility of pursuing happiness. But for a vampire... there is only endless waiting and loneliness." Vasha sighed sadly, revealing a rare glimpse of sorrow.
Ivina stared blankly at Vasha before her, her nose stinging.
"I'm sorry, my servant has been presumptuous..."
"I'm glad you can share such things with me. After all, I also want to understand Vasha!" Ivina took a deep breath, relieved. This was the kind of communication she had been seeking.
"Then, Vasha, tell me about your childhood!" A broad smile returned to her face, and Vasha's pale green eyes twinkled in their round sockets. "Vasha grew up with the king. Back then, we were both innocent children… We picked roses together with an incredibly cute little boy, practised spells together, and even sneaked off to look at the crystal ball in the Van'er Palace. Through that shimmering sphere, we could see the faces of many vampire nobles… But one day, that little boy never appeared again. Later, I found out that he was actually the noble Duke Dandel. When I saw him again, I dared not look him in the eye, and of course, he didn't remember me... That little boy had become so bold and handsome." Vasha's eyes sparkled, her face radiating happiness.
'What happened later...' It turned out that Luo also had such a pure and innocent childhood...
"Later… later… I'm sorry, Master, Vasha is confused and can't remember clearly. I only remember that after Duke Dandel was crowned, he became so cold-hearted. No, wait, Duke Dandel has always been the ruler of the Blood Clan, so this is strange… No, no, Vasha will try again…"
'It's okay, after all, it's been a long time...' She no longer tried to understand him. Every time, she was the one struggling alone, only to end up physically and mentally exhausted.
'Ah! I remember now! Vash's fish brain almost messed things up!'
Ivina shook her head. She should have gotten used to having such a jumpy young girl by her side.
'According to the calendar, it's time for the "Lady" to restart again.' Vasha exclaimed excitedly, the topic drifting far off course.
'The Lady?'
"Hmm, it's actually an ancient tale. Legend has it that there once was a vampire maiden who, dissatisfied with male-dominated rule, She fiercely launched a rebellion to defend her dignity and honour, rejecting the advances of numerous counts, and eventually petitioned the ruler for the 'Lady' season. Based on the moon's orbital path, an agreement was set at the point farthest from the sun. Every thousand or ten thousand years during the 'Lady' season, brave and wise women are given the opportunity to be granted a title, regardless of their background or lineage. "Then, did the ruler… agree?" Ivina asked cautiously.
"Of course. According to legend, the ruler admired the woman's courage and defied public opinion to approve this absurd proposal. But the condition was that the woman must win the competition."
"So the girl won the tournament…"
"No… she died, her heart pierced by a sword, with no hope of survival…" Vasha pouted, speaking bitterly. "Though her heart had stopped beating, she still clutched her weapon tightly in her hand, her eyes, devoid of life, remained unwavering. The ruler watched her die before his eyes, powerless to intervene. He knew this battle was filled with noble intrigue. From the moment the young woman gripped her cherished weapon, her body had gone numb. Deprived of her combat ability, she had essentially been sent to her death... When he embraced her lifeless, stiff body, his heart was filled with shame. He issued an edict from his throne, decreeing that the title of "Lady Knight" would never be abolished, to forever commemorate this young woman he had come to deeply love. "That ruler was truly slow-witted…" Ivina smiled helplessly, a tear silently sliding down her cheek.
"Though that may be true, the title of 'Lady Knight' has indeed continued uninterrupted ever since. However, it is said that each successive holder has resorted to every cunning and ruthless means…" Within that sealed space, assassination, death curses, and poison were employed. In the final showdown, the loser declared defeat through death."
'This goes against the young woman's original intent, doesn't it? She had intended to elevate the status of women, yet it devolved into mutual slaughter...' Ivina lowered her eyelids in sorrow, clenching her fists tightly.
"It's merely hearsay, after all. It has been exactly another full year since the last season. The invitation will be sent soon. Since the master is already on guard, it's best to refuse." Vasha regretted it, knowing that the master was human, she shouldn't have reported this matter. But fortunately, the master isn't the type to compete, so they definitely won't participate.
Thinking this way, Vasha felt relieved.
"Help me prepare. I… want to try it." Ivina hesitated, hesitant.
"Absolutely not! It's too dangerous!"
"I must try it. Even if it's all up to my own luck…"
Even if it's a blind last attempt, she really wants to know.
Will he, like the girl in the legend, give her the same gentle embrace?