But a part of me kept doubting that maybe I should follow his words. After all, Seren didn’t disappear because there were no vampires or Shahar.

Pontos was beautiful but also a dangerous place shrouded in secrets.

Above all, he was the Crown Prince, and I was his subject. If Pinion sincerely ordered me, I had no choice but to obey.

Suppressing the anxiety and worry that seemed about to burst from my chest, I returned to my bedroom for now.

“I might have to leave this place tomorrow. The Crown Prince is trying to send me back.”

Shahar was the only one I could confide in about this frustration.

“Do you not want to go back?”

“Of course not. How could I be at ease if I just go back like this? Shahar, you’ve seen it too. Seren is practically my only friend. The Crown Prince says it’s for my sake, but it’s obvious he finds me burdensome because I’m incompetent.”

“I don’t understand. Why do you keep belittling yourself? You’ve helped the Crown Prince several times.”

Upon reflection, he was right.

The Crown Prince was the one who almost fell into eternal sleep because he couldn’t shake off the fairy’s illusion. Yet, he was acting all impressive.

Then, guilt washed over me for having a weak resolve from just a few words.

Not anyone else, but Seren had disappeared, and I was thinking of going back without making any effort?

In a situation like this, Seren would surely…

‘She would have gone straight back to the capital, leaving me behind.’

Thinking of her running away, leaving me entangled with monsters, made me feel complicated.

‘Should I just go?’

I thought rationally. I could always find a new maid.

But there was no maid who understood my preferences perfectly like Seren. It wasn’t because I had no other friends.

As soon as I made up my mind, I went to find the priestesses.

They were still in a depressed state.

“I have a proposal. Margarita, Agnes.”

* * *

The next day, I boarded the carriage as the Crown Prince instructed.

Contrary to what he said yesterday, I was the only one returning.

‘I knew it.’

I wasn’t trustworthy, but neither was the Crown Prince.

Elite knights under the Crown Prince’s command were escorting the carriage, and the Pontos knights were to help until we left Pontos. It was an excessive escort for a mere noblewoman.

As I boarded the carriage, the Crown Prince gently consoled me.

“I will find your maid no matter what, so don’t worry. Blame me all you want. I can take that.”

Of course, I had no intention of staging a sentimental farewell as he wished. I’d be seeing his face again in just a day.

I slammed the carriage door shut right in front of him.

Then, when we were far enough from the castle, I shyly spoke to the coachman.

“Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom…”

Without looking back, I quickly flew to the predetermined location with Shahar’s help.

Agnes was waiting for me in the distance.

Our plan was to pretend to leave obediently and then switch with Agnes halfway.

Fortunately, she and I had similar builds. Wearing my dress and a light purple wig, she looked somewhat like me.

It was impolite to stare at a noblewoman’s face, so as long as we were careful, we wouldn’t be discovered for a while.

I also suggested that Margarita come along if she wanted, but she chose to stay until the end like me.

“I’m ashamed to return without achieving our goal.”

Agnes murmured dejectedly.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about us.”

“Please be careful, lady.”

Due to the circumstances, we couldn’t say a proper goodbye, and I had to send Agnes off.

After confirming that her carriage had moved far away, I hastily threw the prepared priest’s robe over my clothes. Just in case, I also pulled the veil over my head.

No one would pay attention to a mere low-ranking priest, and I successfully returned to Pontos Castle.

The next day, Pinion, who encountered me walking around the castle nonchalantly, looked as if he had seen a ghost.

He strode over and grabbed my shoulder. His demeanor was so menacing, as if he would curse at any moment, that I instinctively flinched.

“Why are you still here?”

Honestly, I was a bit intimidated, but I didn’t want to show it, so I held my head high.

“I was going to leave, but then I realized there’s no reason to listen to Your Highness. I won’t be a burden, so don’t worry. Surely you haven’t forgotten the times I’ve helped you?”

The Crown Prince fell silent at my words. However, unable to suppress his rising anger, he roughly ran his hand through his hair, taking deep breaths in and out.

After a long pause, he finally suppressed his anger and spoke coldly.

“Fine, do as you please. But from now on, I won’t interfere with anything you do.”

“Really? Thank you. That’s the best thing you’ve ever said to me.”

His face turned red and blue.

Despite knowing that nagging wouldn’t work, why did he always meddle in everything?

I could only hope that his resolve would last as long as possible.

* * *

Janet was searching around the castle on Lou’s orders. Michalis was following her.

“A vampire desperately searching for a priest, I’ve lived long enough to see this. Don’t you think, Janet?”

Michalis slung his arm around Janet’s shoulder in a friendly manner. Janet’s face crumpled.

“Have you checked over there? Make sure to be thorough.”

Janet cursed Michalis inwardly, annoyed by his nagging without offering any help.

At that moment, Michalis suddenly bent down and picked something up.

“Wait.”

Something small sparkled in his hand.

“Cufflinks?”

But it wasn’t the lapis lazuli that caught Janet’s attention.

Michalis rubbed the dried dark red trace on the lapis lazuli. It was a mark that no vampire could mistake.

Their eyes met in midair.

“Whose is it?”

“That’s Isc-”

Before Janet could fully utter the name, someone appeared from around the corner. Her eyes widened.

Speak of the devil.

She had always thought he moved without a trace, like he wasn’t human.

Janet clutched her chest, thinking she had narrowly avoided a big mishap. She ended up staring at him for too long.

Feeling her gaze, Iscallion snapped sharply.

“What are you looking at?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Janet forced a servile smile, and luckily, Iscallion didn’t press further and walked past her.

The two vampires flipped him off behind his back.

“Such an amateur, still wet behind the ears.”

Michalis clicked his tongue. None of the men involved with Lou ever pleased him.

“He’s still better than the others. At least he’s proactive…”

Their conversation didn’t last long.

“Hey, you two.”

Iscallion had returned.

“Did you find anything in the hallway?”

“We didn’t see anything. Is there something you’re looking for?”

A hint of hesitation crossed his face.

“It’s nothing.”

‘Nothing, my foot.’

He was clearly looking for the cufflinks.

Janet sneered inwardly.

‘I need to keep an eye on him.’

Two pairs of red eyes glittered as they watched Iscallion’s retreating figure.

* * *

“Should I tell you a secret or not?”

Michalis grinned annoyingly, oblivious to my gloom after Seren’s disappearance.

“I’m not interested, so stop bothering me and get lost. I’m already distressed enough…”

“You’ll regret not hearing it.”

“I already regret getting involved with you.”

Janet, who had been listening to our childish quarrel, sighed deeply.

“Master. It’s about that strong little kid who follows you around everywhere.”

“Huh? Leon? Why?”

“Something feels off. He might be connected to the recent disappearances.”

“Now, are you interested in listening?”

“Just spit it out.”

“The most handsome and great Vampire Lord Michalis.”

Instead of explaining, he started praising himself out of nowhere.

It seemed like he wanted me to repeat after him.

I could do that much.

“The most handsome and great Vampire Lord Michalis. Please enlighten me.”

Michalis seemed a bit deflated by my easy compliance.

“Well, it’s not perfect, but it’ll do.”

Michalis handed something over.

“This is…?”

In his hand were the very cufflinks I had bought for Iscallion.

Hadn’t I just seen them neatly attached to his shirt cuffs not long ago?

‘Why does Michalis have them?’

As I stared at the surface absentmindedly, I noticed the bloodstain on the lapis lazuli.

Instinctively sensing something was wrong, chills ran down my spine.