I Will Try Raising an Enemy

 

 

 

 

 

#Episode 55 

 

 

“Enjoying fresh roses right after waking up—this is the best.”

 

Vasha had vowed several times that if she could just secure a hideout, she would indulge in as many roses, wine, and tea as she pleased. Now that it had become a reality, she found immense pleasure in it. Vasha picked a few more roses and enjoyed their scent.

 

Knock, knock.

 

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Clearing her thoughts, Vasha calmly raised her voice.

 

“Come in.”

 

The door soon opened, and a familiar figure, dressed in a maid’s uniform, entered. It was Melina, a beauty with neatly tied ash-brown hair.

 

Melina entered the room, pushing a wagon, and greeted Vasha with a bright smile.

 

“Good evening, Miss.”

 

“Good evening, Melina.”

 

Vasha smiled and responded to the lively greeting. Melina, however, immediately lowered her gaze apologetically and spoke.

 

“I’m sorry for the delay. I wasn’t sure when you’d wake up, so I wasn’t prepared.”

 

“It’s okay. Didn’t I tell you I’d ring the bell when I woke up? But how did you know I was up?”

 

“Young master Todd just gave me the word.”

 

“Todd did?”

 

Vasha asked in surprise.

 

He had just left a moment ago, saying he had a lot of work, but in that time, he had managed to inform Melina that Vasha had awoken. It seemed he was somehow able to use his time threefold.

 

“Yes, Miss. He said, ‘If your employers has awake, why are you doing lazing around as her personal maid right now? If this happens again, I’ll have you removed from your position as her maid.'”

 

Recalling Todd’s stern demeanor, Melina shuddered. Vasha, understanding the situation Melina had faced, awkwardly smiled and reassured her.

 

“Todd can be a bit much. Don’t pay attention to what he says. For now… could you bring me a cup of tea?”

 

“Of course!”

 

Melina’s spirits seemed to brighten, as if she was a wilted flower suddenly watered, likely because Vasha had taken her side.

 

While Melina brewed the tea, Vasha sat on the sofa, leaning casually against the armrest.

 

When Vasha’s ruby-like gaze landed on her, Melina’s cheeks flushed pink.

 

Melina skillfully brewed the tea and placed it in front of Vasha.

 

The tea was brewed to Vasha’s liking, strong enough to make milk tea if desired. Vasha inhaled the fragrance of the tea, murmuring in satisfaction.

 

“As always, you make the best tea.”

 

“It’s because you kindly appreciate it, my lady. If it were Young Master Todd… Anyway, it seems like he really cares for you.”

 

“Does he? You think so too?”

 

Vasha asked, her mood lifting a little. Melina burst into laughter and nodded.

 

“Of course. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come all the way just to find me.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Vasha hid her delight behind her teacup, feeling a secret sense of pride, like a cat being told it was someone’s favorite.

 

‘Is this how proud parents feel when others envy their child’s filial devotion?’

 

As she sipped her tea, barely suppressing her smile, the cup was quickly emptied. Sensing this, Melina immediately asked.

 

“Shall I pour you another cup?”

 

“Please do.”

 

Vasha watched Melina’s mannerisms as she poured more tea into her cup.

 

Melina was moderately talkative and moderately lively. She knew how to say things that pleased her employers, Vasha, and never brought up topics that would displease her. She was the epitome of a good maid.

 

‘She must be curious about what I ordered yesterday.’

 

However, Melina didn’t ask anything.

 

Why had Vasha deliberately directed her to approach Albert?

 

Why had she been told to inform Albert that Todd was staying in his room?

 

Why had she been instructed to follow Albert’s request if he asked her to open the back door?

 

And what had happened to Albert after he secretly snuck into the villa?

 

Despite having so many questions, Melina acted as if none of it mattered, focusing solely on attending to Vasha as if serving her was her only joy.

 

She had no curiosity, didn’t interfere excessively, and completed every command flawlessly.

 

Leaning back on the sofa, Vasha smiled with satisfaction.

 

The first test for making Melina her personal maid had been passed.

 

This meant there was a second test ahead.

 

Vasha didn’t want to test Melina through so many steps, but because of her true nature, she had no choice.

 

Nocturnal habits, avoidance of sunlight, fasting…

 

These were traits of a vampire that would raise suspicion in human society.

 

Outwardly, she could use the excuse of being sickly, but the maids who served her would soon notice something strange.

 

She could use hallucination to deceive them, but overusing those in daily life would shorten the intervals between her feeding cycles. If she lost control…

 

As a lower-ranked vampire, it was better to restrain herself.

 

So, Vasha had two options to hide her true nature as much as possible.

 

She could either frequently change her maids.

 

Or she could entrust everything to one trustworthy maid.

 

Todd had advocated for the first option, but Vasha had ultimately chosen the second.

 

When Vasha mentioned the idea of making Melina her personal maid, Todd had clearly shown his disapproval by furrowing his brow.

 

<Do you really think that maid is trustworthy? She’s like a dog that’s already bitten its master once. If she figures out your identity, she’ll run straight to the Lamphas Church. Do you enjoy being hunted by the Lamphas Church?>

 

<Hmm… but if it’s just one person, it’s easier to keep an eye on them.>

 

<Then get another maid. Someone who’s blind or mute.>

 

<Getting a maid like that on purpose instead of just using a normal one would only raise suspicion.>

 

<……..>

 

<Besides, I’m not basing my decision on nothing. Humans can tell the difference between poisonous mushrooms and edible ones, right? Similarly, vampires can roughly identify humans who are likely to become followers and those who aren’t.>

 

Those who feel affinity toward vampires, even though they view other humans as prey, are simple. They think of themselves as different from other humans.

 

Whether it’s a sense of privilege, a difference that isolates them from their peers, or simple exclusiveness, the result is the same.

 

In other words, those who do not feel a sense of kinship with their fellow humans—those who are somehow broken—are the ones who tend to become followers.

 

But how could a vampire detect such brokenness in a human?

 

High-ranking vampires could supposedly read and understand the depths of a human’s mind, but for someone like Vasha, a lower-ranked vampire, it was impossible.

 

The method for a lower vampire to distinguish a potential follower?

 

It was observation.

 

Most humans, upon encountering a vampire for the first time, would be mesmerized by their striking appearance and strange powers. But soon, they would feel a sense of rejection toward the vampire’s power and regain their composure.

 

However, there were some who remained entranced even after prolonged exposure to a vampire.

 

These were the humans most likely to become followers.

 

They did not feel repelled by the vampire’s power and instead became attracted to it, eventually becoming followers.

 

<So, you think she’s likely to become a follower because she’s captivated by your appearance?>

 

<It’s only a possibility. Just because I reveal my identity to Melina doesn’t mean she’ll become a follower. But since she has the potential, there’s no harm in keeping her close.>

 

Distinguishing a potential follower was one thing, but actually making them a follower was a completely different matter.

 

Cases like Laurus were rare. Laurus, a highly sensitive artist already suffering from human disdain, had been instantly captivated when he encountered Menorah. Normally, that wouldn’t happen so quickly.

 

‘If it were that easy to attract humans, the whole world would be full of followers.’

 

As a lower vampire, Vasha didn’t possess the ability to instantly captivate someone and make them a follower like Menorah. It would take her much longer.

 

It would be helpful if she could rely on magic, but Vasha wasn’t sure if she had regained enough strength for that yet.

 

Todd, after listening to Vasha’s explanation, sighed deeply and nodded.

 

<…Fine. I understand. But that doesn’t mean I agree with keeping her as your personal maid.>

 

<Huh? Why not?>