"Is this… the palace of the witch Visata?" Anni looked at the simply decorated palace and felt doubtful.
"Who are you?" Vasa eyed the two maids before her with suspicion.
Having managed to bypass the guards at the gate, they must be nobles' envoys. Still, Vasa scrutinised the two women—one tall, one short—with caution.
"It's like this," the maid standing slightly behind spoke first, her voice trembling. 'I am Ziliya, and she is Anni. We were sent by the great witch Niditera, the host of the "Lady Witch" competition, to handle the logistics for the participating witches.' Ziliya finished speaking and then quietly lowered her head.
'The great witch Niditera?' Vash raised her eyebrows.
"Yes! You haven't even heard of her name? She's the chief judge of this 'Lady' event, and…" Aini raised her head and spoke eloquently.
'Enough, enough. You two should go back. I can prepare on my own.' Vasha felt a lingering unease. The fact that the master was human—if that were to get out, the consequences would be unimaginable. Now that there were two outsiders in the palace, keeping the secret would be even harder.
'This isn't something you can just dismiss. Don't you know your place? You're just a servant of the Vistata Witch, yet you dare to disrespectfully defy the decision of the great witch Niditara. Move aside!' Aini pushed Vasa aside with a flourish, dragging the timid Qiliya behind her towards the bedroom.
'Stop! You...' Vasa was furious.
'Don't forget, we've heard that the Great Witch Niditara and the Witch Visata are distant relatives... Even if the Witch Visata were here, she probably wouldn't refuse the Great Witch's kindness.' Aini turned around calmly and said to Vasa.
'I never thought the king would have spent the night in such a humble palace,' Aini said to the silent Qiliya beside her.
'I think... it's not really humble. Perhaps the Witch of Visata prefers simple decorations.'
'I don't think so! I'd rather be a servant to Bia a hundred times over! Everyone knows that this "Lady" is most likely to win, and then the maidservants by her side will also be granted titles...'
'But she's only a desire slave now; none of us know what will happen in the future.' Qiliya looked at the exquisite decorations in the corridor and felt a sense of admiration. She merely brushed off Aini's words with a casual response.
"It doesn't matter! Even though she's a desire slave, the sisters who've been to her palace know that since she was favoured by the king, her palace has become incredibly luxurious. Crystal utensils, goose-down beds… Who wouldn't want to work for her?" Aini looked at the grey abstract painting on the wall with disgust. 'You're talking about the witch Vistata, which is strange. She refused all the precious jewellery and fine clothes that were sent to her before...'
'Speak more softly. It wouldn't be good if outsiders heard you.' Qi Liyia hurriedly covered Aini's mouth. Being short, she struggled to stand on tiptoe.
'Hmph, in terms of appearance and figure, she naturally can't compare to Bia. It's only natural that the king would favour this beautiful woman by his side. It's what everyone wants. What's wrong with me stating the facts? Besides, in this empty palace, apart from you, me, and that clumsy servant, there are no other female slaves. What's there to be afraid of?' " Aini was very dissatisfied. If it weren't for the mission, she wouldn't have come here.
She had originally wanted to mutter a few more words, but when she thought about the purpose of her visit, her mood didn't lighten up. Of course, she couldn't mention the word 'mission' in front of Qiliya.
[How's your decision coming along, Qiliya... ]
[Qiliya! If you don't decide soon, neither of us will survive! Qiliya... Qiliya...]
[No... harming one's own kind is a crime! It's the only capital offence for vampires!]
[Fool! If you don't do this, you'll kill me! Kill me! I don't want to die, I don't want to die!]
[Qi Liyia, I promise. Whether the plan succeeds or not, you won't die because of it. And... that vampire isn't really one of our kind... at most, he's just an outsider. For your own sake, and for your companions, what do you think?]
[Qi Liyia! Qi Liyia!]
[Don't push me... don't push me!]
[Hahaha… I already know your intentions. I won't misjudge you all…]
"Aini?! Aini?! What's wrong with you?" Qi Liyia turned to look at Aini beside her. This young girl with whom she had shared a friendship spanning thousands of years.
"Um… nothing."
"Your dazed expression earlier did worry me. We're already at the door, so you should go and pay your respects." Qi Liyia said hesitantly.
What kind of girl is the witch Visata…? Is she really as strange, flattering, and malicious as people say?
Her jet-black hair and dark eyes, her origins and identity—were they truly as the Great Witch had said at the time… a woman capable of assisting the King in ruling the vampire clan?
She desperately wanted to know.
"Wait!" Below, Vasha's hurried footsteps echoed as she rushed up the stairs, panting heavily as she approached the two.
"How rude! You actually expect the witch to open the door for you lowly servants?" Vasha scolded, trying to regain the upper hand.
"We can't be blamed for that. This huge palace doesn't even have a few servants… The only one here is as crazy as a mad dog!" Aini didn't back down.
'Annie, you've gone too far! Apologise to this lady immediately.'
'Hmph!'
Neither of them was willing to back down. Annie didn't want to lose face on their first meeting, lest she be bullied in the future.
Vasha, who was usually friendly with others, couldn't bring herself to lower her guard against these two girls who had suddenly barged in.
"Vasha, what's going on?" It was Ivina who opened the door. She was resting when she heard the commotion outside and noticed that Vasha, who was usually by her side, was not there, which made her feel uneasy.
Qiliya looked at the girl in front of her in surprise, panicking.
It was a delicate beauty that could evoke pity in anyone. Her jet-black hair contrasted with her fair skin, and her eyes, as clear as water, now looked at her with fatigue and confusion.
Her silk beige nightgown clung tightly to her body, unintentionally revealing curves that stirred men's desires.
It was this pure, alluring, youthful yet undeniably feminine beauty that filled the admirer's eyes with such contradiction.
This was a beauty unlike any vampire girl...
Was it because she was of a different race?
"I'm sorry, Master! It's all my fault for not handling the situation properly. Please go rest." " Vasha hurriedly apologised, glaring fiercely at Aini. One hand supported Ivina, the other propping open the heavy double doors.
'You help the witch Vissata inside to rest; we'll close the door.' Qiliya withdrew her admiring gaze and lowered her head.
"Who gave you permission to come in? I've already said that one person is enough here!" Vasha shouted at Qiliya.
"The master hasn't spoken yet. How dare you give us orders in such a loud voice?" Aini rushed over to support Ivina on the other side, speaking softly. Her tone immediately changed.
"It's okay. If you're here to help, I don't mind having a few more friends. " Ivina said softly.
'This...' Vasa was at a loss for words.
'Did you hear that? Va-sa, si-si.' Aini's chubby face broke into a smile.
Vasa was still unwilling to accept it and wanted to say something, but she was at a loss for words.
Friends... Only Qiliya was there, silently repeating Ivina's words in her mouth.
"Is this dagger okay? Master, hold it in your hand and see if it's too heavy. If it is, Vasa can find a lighter one." In the messy pile of weapons, Vasa's small body was buried inside, struggling to find the equipment needed for the competition, completely ignoring Ani and Qi Liyia standing beside her.
Ivina nodded quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed, saying nothing.
She had no magic and no strength greater than other vampires, yet she had sworn an oath on that invitation. Now, she couldn't even explain to herself what belief or strength had driven her to make such a dangerous decision.
She knew that winning this time would be as difficult as finding a ray of sunlight in this dark and desolate vampire realm... but she still mustered the courage without hesitation, and in doing so, she felt a sense of relief.
"Master, as long as the document hasn't been handed over to the king yet, you still have the option to change your mind. Why not send Vasha to catch up with the spirit messenger now?" Vasha spoke enthusiastically, hoping that Ivina's decision was merely a whim.
'I'm afraid it's too late. Given the spirit messenger's speed, the document should already be in the king's hands by now.' Ani finally stopped her leisurely observation and added promptly.
'If Sister Vasha can't handle the massive preparations alone... Qiliya can help.' She couldn't stand seeing Ani act so indifferent. After all, no matter what, the Vistata witch was now their master, and they had to serve her diligently.
'Thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary!' " Vasha deliberately put on a cold, distant expression. Though she knew this girl named Qiliya wasn't as annoying as the other one, she still wanted to keep her distance.
'I think... you could share the workload. That way, it'll be easier. I'm worried you might get too tired, Vasha...' Ivina spoke with concern, glancing at Qiliya standing beside her and smiling.
"Yes, Vasa-san." The next moment, Aini was more proactive than anyone else. She casually picked up a heavy longsword by her side and spoke respectfully to Ivina.
"Master, this one is good! It's easy to hit the opponent's heart with it!"
"…" Ivina remained silent, her brows tightly furrowed as she looked out at the night sky.
'I think it's easy to stab your chest! Big-breasted sister~' Vasa snatched the sword from Anni's hand and added a mocking remark. Seeing Anni's face turn pale with anger, she felt a surge of joy.
She knew, of course, that the master was participating in the "Lady Knight" competition not to seek revenge or take anyone's life.
Not for fame, fortune, or honour, then what else could it be for… But why go to such lengths? She truly couldn't understand the love between men and women.
Watching the three of them busy at work yet still unable to reach a conclusion, Ivina sighed helplessly, stood up, and pointed at the dagger on the ground with a sapphire blade. "This one."
For someone who couldn't fight, what difference did any weapon or battle robe make?
Aini and Qiliya exchanged glances, their moods vastly different.
On the blood-red thick blanket, the metal handle of the dagger shone with an ancient luster.
It emitted a faint, peacock-blue sigh.