#Episode 43
Vasha raised her lips as if testing Laurus, smiling as she asked,
“What if Albert finds out that I’m will inherit all of this and tries to steal the painting by any means? By then, I doubt he will try anything moderate.”
At Vasha’s teasing question, Laurus also smiled softly.
“Then you can just kill him.”
“But he’s still your great nephew?”
“Laurus is what’s important, not Renfield.”
Laurus was the one recognized by Lucy, and that alone was valuable.
Laurus had no descendants because he had never married, so he only considered Albert, the son of his sibling, as his successor.
But Laurus had no affection or expectations for Albert.
Of course, there was a time when Laurus tried to raise Albert as his heir.
However, by the time Laurus brought Albert with the intention of making him his successor, Albert was already too independent.
Since he would inherit the title and wealth without doing anything, Albert didn’t take the lessons of succession seriously and spent most of his time gambling in society, only increasing his debts.
Gradually, Laurus gave up on Albert.
But that was all.
Laurus had no intention of making Renfield thrive. He didn’t care if Albert, who would inherit Renfield after his death, led the family to bankruptcy or not.
As long as Albert didn’t stretch his greedy hands toward the painting he had dedicated to Lucy.
“There was a moment when I thought about handling Albert myself, but I feared that someone else would emerge claiming to be my heir afterward.”
Even if Albert disappeared, another Albert would take his place. Perhaps someone worse. Laurus had met countless people like Albert in his life, people who would try to sell Laurus’s paintings to make a profit or claim ownership of them.
Or those who argued that Laurus’s paintings had historical or artistic value and should never be burned, regardless of the artist’s intentions.
Laurus never expected his heir to find the true owner of the painting. That was impossible for a human to do.
All he wanted was someone with the integrity and trustworthiness to either pass the painting to Lucy when she appeared or burn it according to Laurus’s will.
That was all.
And precisely because that was all, it was even harder to find such a person.
“It would be better to take a child and raise them as my heir, but I don’t know how much longer I will live. That’s why I’ve left that greedy man alone so far. You don’t have to worry about it, Vasha.”
Vasha looked at Laurus, who sighed in resignation and laughed sarcastically.
“Do you truly mean it when you say it would be better to raise a child as your heir?”
“What?”
“Would it be okay if that child doesn’t have any of Renfield’s blood?”
Vasha’s eyes sparkled like rubies. Laurus didn’t understand the intent behind Vasha’s question but answered honestly.
“Yes. I’ve never really cared about bloodlines.”
“Because Laurus is what’s important?”
Laurus nodded at Vasha’s question, which repeated the words he had said earlier. Vasha’s lips curled into a long smile.
“I cannot promise that I will deliver your painting to Lucy. However, I will do my best. I could also recommend a successor whom you can trust—someone who does not covet your painting and would rather burn it than allow it to fall into human hands.”
Under the moonlight, Vasha’s words reminded Laurus of his first encounter with Lucy, especially because she spoke the words that Laurus had longed to hear at that desperate moment.
Laurus smiled at Vasha. The heavy burden weighing on his chest was lifted in an instant by Vasha’s words.
Like a faithful servant to the sacred land, Laurus bowed to Vasha and replied:
“If it is someone recommended by such a noble person, they are indeed worthy of becoming the next Count Renfield. They will undoubtedly be the next Count Renfield.”
***
Laurus volunteered to escort Vasha as they left the annex. Although, if one were to be technical, it seemed more like Vasha was supporting Laurus rather than the other way around, Vasha didn’t refuse his offer.
Thus, they began heading toward Vasha’s room. Upon learning where Vasha was staying, Laurus frowned in disapproval.
“You’re staying in the Nautilus Room? That room is too bright; it might be uncomfortable for you.”
“Well, I’ve drawn the curtains, so it’s manageable.”
“I can have the room changed at any time. Please feel free to ask. Serving someone as noble as you is my pleasure.”
Laurus’s smooth words flowed like oil—truly fitting for a devoted follower of Menorah.
‘When will our Todd become like this…’
Vasha shook her head at the thought. If Todd ever found out, he would certainly protest, asking whether he was some kind of familiar or follower.
Moreover, the thought of Todd flattering someone sent shivers down Vasha’s spine for some reason.
‘Just imagining it feels awkward…’
“Vasha!”
‘…Is it because I was thinking of Todd? Why do I feel like I can hear his voice?’
But it was surely an illusion.
Todd would never be there, and for one obvious reason: Todd never called Vasha by her name. Whenever Todd addressed Vasha, he would say something like…
“Hey, you damned vampire, stop right there!”
Yes, that’s how he addressed her. A damned vampire or a fool, an idiot, and so on….
As Vasha nodded at the familiar insults, suddenly, someone rushed in between her and the Count.
“What are you doing, standing there like an idiot?”
“Todd?”
Vasha’s eyes widened in surprise. Todd, placing himself between Vasha and Laurus, glared at Laurus while scolding Vasha.
“Yeah, it’s me! What were you thinking about, ignoring me when I called you?”
It wasn’t the right time to mention that she had never expected Todd to call her by name. Todd angrily pointed his finger at Laurus, who appeared to be at least six times older than him.
“Did he ask you to turn him into a vampire or something? Don’t tell me you accepted!”
“I didn’t.”
“Then he might ask you in the future. You must never agree to it.”
“I won’t.”
“How can I trust that!”
Todd, frustrated by Vasha’s nonchalant response, clutched his chest in exasperation. Seeing Todd, who looked like he was about to explode from anger, Vasha clicked her tongue.
‘Good grief, this guy….’
It wasn’t surprising to Vasha that Todd didn’t show any respect to Laurus. After all, Todd had been speaking informally to Vasha, who was older and stronger than Laurus, from the moment they first met.
However, Laurus, who was now being treated rudely by a mere thirteen-year-old child, looked at Todd with bewildered eyes.
“That kid is….”
“Oh, my familiar.”
“Familiar, huh….”
For a brief moment, Laurus’s eyes reflected envy. A familiar was a vampire’s eternal companion, something Laurus desired even more than becoming part of Lucy’s lineage. It was a position he never had the courage to ask Lucy for.
Vasha, pretending not to notice Laurus’s jealousy, casually placed both hands on Todd’s shoulders, as if presenting him to Laurus.
“And this is your future successor. The next Count Renfield.”
“Ah.”
“What?”
While Laurus quickly accepted the statement, Todd, not understanding the situation, furrowed his brow at Vasha’s sudden declaration.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Vasha tried to calm Todd down.
“Don’t be too harsh on the Count. After all, he’s offering this villa as a hideout for us.”
Although Vasha’s touch seemed to soothe Todd momentarily, her next words reignited Todd’s temper. Like a chestnut thrown into a fire without its shell, Todd exploded.
“What? He’s offering the villa as a hideout? For free? Of course, even if he doesn’t ask now, he’s bound to ask you to turn him into a vampire later!”
