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Chapter 14: "He Just Sees Me as a Toy."
Pilea was fast asleep when a strange dream began to unfold.
She found herself as a little girl in a warm, ordinary home. Everything felt soft and familiar — the faint scent of bread, the sound of birds outside. She could feel her small hands and legs, her world towering around her.
As she wandered down the hallway, she paused near a closed door.
"Oh, that's right. I should be going now," said a voice from inside.
"You're already leaving?" another voice replied, soft and calm — a woman's voice filled with warmth and sadness.
The door opened. Pilea's little eyes widened. She saw her mother, her father… and a stranger. The woman was tall and graceful, with impossibly long, silky blonde hair that shimmered as it rested over her shoulders. She looked like she belonged in another world entirely.
"Pilea," the woman said gently, her voice warm, like she'd known her for years.
"Huh? Do you… know me?" Pilea asked, blinking up at her.
The lady smiled faintly but didn't reply.
"Sister, who are you? Do we know each other?"
Her smile deepened, tender yet filled with mystery. "Of course, we know each other. I am your—"
Pilea leaned closer. "Sister? I didn't hear you clearly. Say it again!"
But the world faded before she could.
Her eyes shot open.
She was back in her room, gasping softly. Sweat dampened her forehead as her heart thudded in confusion.
"What's going on…? Who was that woman?"
She pressed a hand against her chest, trying to calm down. "That dream… it felt so real."
After a long sigh, she got out of bed and prepared for school, still feeling uneasy.
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That evening, the classroom was quiet. All the other students had gone home. Pilea was packing her books into her bag when a student appeared at the door.
"Student Pilea," he said politely. "You've received a phone call from the communication team. Please come right away."
Pilea frowned. "A call? For me?"
He nodded and left.
Pilea's curiosity grew as she walked through the silent hallway. "Who would call me? Nobody even knows this number…"
She entered the communication room. A teacher directed her to the telephone.
She lifted the receiver. "Hello, this is Pilea."
"I'm the doctor in charge of Sam," said a voice on the line.
Her grip tightened instantly. Just hearing her brother's name made her blood run cold.
"The patient's condition has suddenly worsened," the doctor continued gravely. "He's in critical condition."
Pilea froze. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart.
"What…?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
"Miss Pilea, you need to hurry to the hospital."
The phone slipped slightly in her trembling hand before she slammed it back down. Without thinking, she ran — out of the classroom, down the hall, through the front doors.
"Sam, please… hang on. I'm coming," she whispered breathlessly. "You'll be fine, I promise."
But when she reached the school gate, four male students blocked her path.
"Stop there!" one of them ordered firmly. "No one is allowed to leave the campus today. It's not a designated outing day."
Pilea's chest heaved. "Please, I have something urgent! My brother—he's in the hospital, in critical condition! Let me go!"
"Sorry," the leader said coldly. "Rules are rules. No exceptions."
Her frustration was boiling. "I'll report my leave first thing tomorrow! Please!"
But they didn't move.
Her eyes blurred with tears. "Why now…?"
"Pilea?" a voice called.
She turned around. It was the Student Council President. Relief flooded her face.
"I got a call from the hospital," she explained quickly. "My brother—he's dying!"
He frowned slightly and glanced toward the guards. "The headmaster's orders were strict. No student leaves campus under any circumstance."
Pilea's heart sank.
He paused for a moment, then spoke quietly. "However… there's one way."
She looked at him hopefully. "What way?"
"A nobility badge," he said. "It can serve as a special pass."
Her eyes widened. "A nobility badge? But… that's something only vampires have."
He nodded. "Yes. Androsen has one."
Her breath caught. "Androsen…"
"You're staying in his mansion," he reminded her softly. "If you can borrow it — or quietly take it — you can leave."
"I can't steal from Androsen!" she said quickly, shaking her head. "I'd rather ask him."
He sighed. "And do you really think he'll give it to you? The nobility badge represents a family's honor. He won't hand that over easily."
Pilea's voice lowered. "Still… he's helped me before. Maybe this time too…"
He cut her off gently. "If he refuses, you might not get another chance."
She stared at him quietly. "But… why are you helping me?"
He hesitated. "Because I was once weak," he said softly. "I couldn't protect my friend — she was bullied by vampires… and she died right before my eyes."
Pilea could see the pain behind his calm expression. Her heart ached for him.
"I'm sorry for making you remember that," she said gently.
He shook his head. "What matters now is saving your brother. Androsen's busy preparing for a family cocktail party tonight. He won't be watching you closely — this might be your only chance."
Pilea nodded, though her heart was still heavy. "Thank you for telling me."
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The mansion wasn't far from the academy. The path through the woods was quiet, almost haunting under the pale moonlight. Soon, the grand gates came into view.
Androsen was outside, dressed elegantly as a maid handed him his coat. It was clear he was preparing to leave. His aura was as dark and commanding as ever, his expression unreadable yet mesmerizing.
Pilea's heartbeat quickened. He's leaving — I have to ask him now.
She hurried forward. "Androsen—"
He turned slightly, his crimson eyes landing on her. "What is it?"
Pilea's voice faltered under his piercing gaze. "I… I wanted to ask—"
"It's rare to see you so proactive," he said with a faint smirk, his tone unusually calm — maybe even amused.
He stepped closer, lifting her chin with his finger. The closeness made her chest tighten. His breath was faintly cold against her skin.
"Remember," he said softly, "when you call my name, you add sir. Or…"
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "You can call me master."
Pilea bit her lip, her thoughts bitter. Sure enough, he just sees me as a toy. Something he can play with when he's bored.
Still, she tried. "I'm worried about my little brother…"
Androsen's expression shifted slightly. "Your brother? What about him?"
She hesitated, unsure if she should tell him the truth. "He's… he's still in the hospital."
"Then there's nothing to worry about," Androsen said casually, slipping his hands into his pockets. "He'll be fine."
Her chest tightened painfully. He doesn't even care…
"But I—" she started.
"Young master," the maid interrupted. "We'll be late if we don't leave soon."
Androsen turned toward the waiting car. "Make sure to practice your dancing for the event," he said flatly. "And don't leave the mansion."
He didn't wait for a response. The car door closed, and the vehicle rolled down the long road until it disappeared from sight.
Pilea stood there, her hands trembling slightly.
"I couldn't even ask…" she whispered. "I can't afford to mess this up."
Her expression hardened. "I'll just have to find another way."
She straightened her uniform, took a deep breath, and stepped into the mansion.
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