"Pfffffft—!"
La Folia's revelation sent shockwaves through the room. Everyone was floored, jaws dropping in unison.
This was gossip on a whole new level—absurd, outrageous, and, somehow, completely real.
Kanon, at the center of it all, looked like her brain had short-circuited. Her mouth hung open, eyes wide with disbelief. How did she suddenly end up with a niece who was older than she was? For a moment, she felt like she might faint.
Natsuki, ever the connoisseur of drama, rolled her eyes with undisguised contempt. "Honestly. That old and still can't keep it in his pants? Men—absolutely hopeless. Someone should just cut it off and be done with it."
Her gaze swept over to Shuo, lingering with pointed meaning.
Shuo, catching the look, instinctively squeezed his knees together and shot her a wounded glare. "Oi, Natsuki-chan, what's with that look? I'm a model of restraint, you know! Sure, I have a few more women than average, but I treat them all with love and care—including you, by the way!"
He struck his best "good man" pose, as if waiting for applause.
The girls—Asagi, Nagisa, Yukina, and the rest—just gave him a collective look of pure disdain.
You? Restraint? Not even worth arguing.
"Ahem… so, La Folia, what are your plans now?" Shuo coughed, desperate to change the subject and escape the wave of scorn.
La Folia paused, then spoke with gentle formality. "Actually, grandmother harbors no ill will toward Aunt Kanon. I came here hoping to bring her back to the Ardeal Kingdom—to restore her rightful status."
She turned to Kanon, her voice softening. "So, Kanon… would you like to reclaim your title as princess and live in the kingdom?"
Before Kanon could answer, Shuo interjected, unable to help himself. "Uh, how about you two just call each other sisters? The whole 'aunt' and 'niece' thing is giving me a headache."
That broke the tension—everyone laughed, the absurdity finally sinking in.
La Folia smiled. "Very well. Kanon it is."
Kanon returned her smile, her gentle eyes shining. "Big sister, I'm really not interested in being a princess. I want to stay on Itogami Island."
She looked at Shuo, her voice trembling with sincerity. "Nangong-senpai saved me—he gave me a second chance at life. I want to stay by his side. Always. Forever."
"Forever, huh?" La Folia repeated, thoughtful.
She squeezed Kanon's hand, her smile warm and genuine. "If that's your wish, then I won't force you. With Shuo-kun by your side, I know you'll be safe. I hope you find your happiness, Kanon. You deserve it."
Kanon blushed, sneaking a shy glance at Shuo, her hand trembling in La Folia's grasp.
The other girls watched the scene unfold, a mix of jealousy and amusement flickering in their eyes. But no one said a word—Kanon was simply too sweet, too gentle, too kind to resent.
Just as the mood softened, Shuo's expression shifted. His gaze flicked toward the castle's entrance, voice suddenly cold. "Tch. Looks like someone's got a death wish—coming here to cause trouble."
He strode outside, the girls following close behind.
Outside, a serpentine familiar, scales aglow with blue light, glared at them with icy intelligence.
Yukina stepped forward, spear at the ready, positioning herself protectively in front of Shuo. Her eyes never left the beast.
Natsuki, weaving spatial magic, scanned the area for the summoner—but found nothing.
The snake familiar hissed, tail lashing. The very air seemed to crack under the pressure.
Shuo yanked Yukina back and snapped his fingers.
A bolt of blue lightning, thick as a tree trunk, split the night. The serpent was obliterated in a single, blinding flash—reduced to ash before anyone could blink.
In the spot where the familiar vanished, a black envelope drifted to the ground.
Shuo caught it midair, eyes narrowing as he read the contents. A slow, dangerous smile crept across his lips.
"Nangong-senpai, what does it say?" Yukina asked, cheeks pink as Shuo squeezed her hand.
He chuckled. "Some vampire named Dimitrie Vatler wants to invite us to a banquet in three days. Bold of him, considering he just tried to pick a fight."
"Dimitrie Vatler?!" Natsuki, La Folia, Avrora, and even Dimitrie's namesake all reacted with surprise.
Vatler—a duke from the 'Forgotten War King's' domain, owner of the luxury cruise ship Oceanus Grave. Once just a minor noble, he'd devoured two Elder-class vampires to become the 'closest to a True Ancestor.' His power was infamous, his ambitions even more so.
He'd helped the Black Death Emperor faction fight Nalakuvera, and had once publicly pursued Avrora—the Fourth Primogenitor herself. Now, it seemed, his attention was on Nagisa. But everyone knew what he really wanted: the blood of the Fourth Primogenitor.
Shuo's eyes went cold. "That insect still dares covet my Avrora and Nagisa? When we attend his little banquet, I'll grind him to dust."
Nagisa beamed and planted a kiss on Shuo's cheek. Even Avrora couldn't hide her delighted smile.
"But, Nangong-senpai, we've never been to a banquet before! And we don't even have dresses!" Yukina fretted, her excitement tinged with worry.
Shuo waved it off. "We'll go shopping tomorrow. Everyone gets to pick out something nice. And Natsuki-chan, you're coming too—no arguments."
Natsuki sniffed. "Not a chance. I'm not going to the banquet, so why would I buy a dress?"
Shuo grinned, eyes glinting with mischief. "If you don't come, I'll buy you a doll dress and drag you there myself. Your choice."
Natsuki sputtered, face darkening as she imagined the scene. Knowing Shuo, he'd absolutely follow through.
She glared at him, but said nothing more.
Satisfied, Shuo nodded. The group headed back inside, spirits high.
But as everyone settled in, Shuo quietly called Kanon to his room—under the pretense of checking for lingering effects from her angelic transformation.
The other girls watched Kanon go, their eyes filled with envy and resignation. They knew exactly what was about to happen.
Kanon's face was crimson as she slipped into Shuo's room, heart pounding.
That night, sleep eluded the rest of the girls. They tossed, they turned, they grumbled about Shuo's shamelessness—but deep down, they couldn't help but feel a little jealous of Kanon's happiness.
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]