Chapter 61

When Werner fell, I lost my reason and started to rampage uncontrollably. Even though I’m only half, vampire blood flows within me. And not just any vampire blood—it’s the blood of the queen of vampires, my mother.

My sclera turned black, and fangs grew in. My strength became incomparably stronger than before, and wings of blood sprouted from my back—the rampage of a vampire. Naturally, my anger was directed at Airi, that wench who is Camellia and Werner’s disciple.

If they hadn’t come, today could have been the second-best day of my life. The first, of course, would have been the wedding day following the engagement. But because they barged in, everything was ruined. And on top of that, Werner collapsed. It’s all because of that damn girl, Airi.

Just before my sword reached Airi’s neck, she let out a short sigh and quietly chanted a spell. It became a race—whether my sword would strike Airi’s neck first, or her spell would hit me first.

But my mother used blood magic to seal Airi’s mouth, and my father blocked my sword with one arm.

“You kids are getting carried away just because the adults are playing with you a little… You brats who haven’t even dried the blood from your heads yet.”

“Don’t think we’ll humor you like Werner did until the end. Before I really lose my temper.”

Airi raised both arms and declared surrender. I couldn’t accept it—how could this pest, who only brings harm to Werner’s life, interfere again and then try to brush it off with such an attitude?

“The leader’s daughter sure is quick to assess the situation. I’ll let it slide this time, but there won’t be a next.”

My mother, seemingly pleased with Airi’s attitude, released her restraints. But that only ended the matter between my mother and Airi—it didn’t resolve the conflict between me and her.

“Come here! I’ll kill you!”

Airi sighed and started looking at me with pity.

“Why don’t you cool your head a bit? Getting all worked up suddenly… Men don’t really like that, you know?”

I couldn’t hold back my anger and charged at her. Normally, I could have brushed off such provocation. But the vampire blood starting to rampage within me wouldn’t tolerate such taunts.

“Right now, this mouth of yours…!”

Even as I charged, Airi didn’t take any defensive stance and just kept her hands raised. I didn’t understand why, but I didn’t want to understand. Just as I was about to strike her without hesitation, a heavy impact hit my forehead.

The one who delivered that blow was the queen of vampires, Melissa—my mother.

“Our princess… Do you think your mother is a joke?”

“Mother, please step aside… I can’t control this power right now… It’s hard to hold back…”

“Sigh… This is why brats are troublesome.”

My mother sighed and started patting my father’s back.

“It seems we need to discipline her a bit more extravagantly, so you take the youngest and head back to the mansion first.”

“You should control your strength too. She’s had enough excitement for today.”

“Got it. You, the leader’s daughter, and Camellia, hurry up and follow. If you get caught up in this, I won’t take responsibility.”

My father, carrying Werner, Airi, and Camellia, tried to leave, ignoring me.

“Stop right there!”

“Why don’t you give it a rest, our princess?”

I ignored my mother’s words and chased after them to cut off Airi’s breath, but my mother created a spear out of blood and threw it at me.

I barely dodged it, but I almost got impaled.

“Our princess has never been hit by her mother before, so she’s lost all fear~ That’s how it is~.”

“Step aside, Mother. Before I really start fighting.”

“Tsk, tsk… Even the way you bluff is so childish, our daughter.”

I had no choice but to knock my mother unconscious with the flat of my sword. I gripped my sword and charged at her, but a sharp slap struck my cheek. I was sent flying into the wall, and since I hadn’t raised any guard, I tasted blood in my mouth.

“This mother has always been on your side, so you thought I was easy, huh~? Right?”

“Cough…”

“Our princess needs to get hit by her mother a bit.”

I had no choice. I thought I’d at least graze a vital spot before cutting off Airi’s breath.

As I raised my sword and charged at my mother, she placed her hand on my forehead and said this:

“Daughter… Do you know what it means to be the queen of vampires?”

And then, with just a finger, she pushed me, and I was slammed into a giant statue. As my consciousness faded, my mother lifted me up and said:

“If even a drop of vampire blood flows in your body, you can’t properly use your strength against me. That’s what it means to be the queen. So don’t even dream of defying me, not even in your dreams.”

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I was thirsty. I had been confined to my room for days now, as punishment for defying my mother.

From time to time, my mother would bring me food and water, but it still wasn’t enough.

I was swallowing my saliva, trying to endure the thirst. Suddenly, there was a knock, and the door opened. I was a bit happy, thinking it might be my mother with food and water.

But the person who entered was hundreds of times more welcome than that. Though he looked younger and smaller than when I first met him, it was unmistakably Werner from his childhood.

“Lord Werner…?”

Werner approached me with a worried expression.

“Lady Glacia, are you alright…?”

Honestly, every muscle in my body was screaming. The price of ramping up vampire blood is heavy—once you go berserk, you can’t move for days due to muscle pain.

“I heard you ramped up your vampire blood.”

“When you collapsed, I lost my reason…”

My voice cracked without me realizing it. I guess I hadn’t drunk water for too long, and my throat was parched. I was mortified to show such a disgraceful side in front of Werner.

“Ahem… I’m sorry, my throat…”

“Haha, it seems Sister Melissa punished you by doing this on purpose.”

I tried to undo the restraints, but the restraints made by my mother’s blood magic weren’t easy to break. Especially since my mother is the queen of vampires, her power is even more effective against those like me, who have vampire blood flowing in their veins.

“I can’t release you from your restraints with my authority… But at least I can quench your thirst.”

“Huh…?”

Werner closed his eyes for a moment, clasped his hands, and began to chant a spell.

“Pure water, gather in my hands.”

Then, clear water began to pool in young Werner’s hands. His magic was always fascinating to watch.

“You even created a spell like this…?”

“Actually, a friend developed this spell. Here, your throat must be dry, so stop talking and drink.”

The water held in his small hands wasn’t much, but it was enough to quench my thirst. The water was sweet and warm.

“Would you like some more?”

“No… This is enough.”

After a moment of hesitation, Werner spoke up.

“Sorry to bring this up suddenly… But I think I need to go to the capital.”

“The capital…? Why would you need to go there?”

From what I remember, Werner despised the capital. He was sick of the rotten nobles and their authoritarianism there.

“…There’s a reason I must go.”

I couldn’t understand. I had worked so hard to prevent him from being treated like that again. If Werner became my husband, no one would dare look down on him.

But now, he was willingly walking back into that den of trash.

“What reason could possibly make you want to return there?”

“I can’t tell you the details.”

“Then how valuable is this reason… that you would leave here for it?”

“It’s as precious as my life.”

If there was a reason for him to return to that trash heap he so despised…

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“Huh…?”

If it’s a place he must go, I would follow him even into hell.

“I’d be grateful if you came with me… But what about the duties you’re handling…?”

“Most of my duties can be handled from the capital through letters or communication.”

After all, the reason I worked so hard to inherit the title was entirely for Werner. Without him… this title means nothing.

“Haha… I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Suddenly, Werner kissed my forehead. I couldn’t see myself in a mirror, but I’m sure my cheeks turned red.

“Then I’ll wait until Sister Melissa’s punishment period is over.”