Episode 10

A weekend meant to give a brain, overworked by intellectual labor, some much-needed rest.

According to his plan, Vlad would have turned on the phonograph and leisurely enjoyed some reading, but instead, he was walking on eggshells. Even though the living room was spacious, being in the same space as Rosanna made him feel like he was suffocating.

‘Going to the study might seem like I’m avoiding her… If I’d known it would be like this, I should’ve gone for a walk with Tanesia and Henry.’

Since their argument, things had been awkward between him and Rosanna, and they hadn’t had a proper conversation or been alone together since.

Rosanna was humming to herself as she arranged flowers. Decorating a vase for a centerpiece was usually Tanesia’s hobby, so it was strange that Rosanna had decided to take it up. It didn’t suit her at all.

‘And she’s humming!’

She had been acting strange for days, and now it seemed to have reached a critical level. Something must have happened outside, but she hadn’t mentioned anything to Tanesia or Henry. Clearly, she was keeping a secret.

Rosanna looked more lively than she had since coming to Britna. She even seemed carefree. But carefree from what?

A creeping sense of unease began to rear its head.

“Why is she so scary…?”

With all the worries from his clients weighing on him, Vlad didn’t need to add his own concerns to the mix and clutter his mind even more.

Don’t start panicking now. That’s a bad habit, Vlad!

“Sigh…”

He tried to pull himself together and grabbed yesterday’s newspaper. A large headline on the front page caught his eye:

 

National Art Institute Annual Exhibition: This Year’s Theme Is Religious Art

 

Vlad’s eyes scanned through the article.

The annual exhibition was a significant event in social circles. It was an opportunity to sponsor artists, meet potential lovers, and then switch partners when they got bored… in other words, a veritable animal kingdom.

Vlad let out a scoffing chuckle as he read the final paragraph.

“On the first day of the exhibition, a special visit from Bishop Johan is scheduled. According to a spokesperson from the Ingdberry parish, he will be delivering an address to encourage the emerging artists.”

Oh no. He had read it out loud without thinking.

As soon as Vlad looked up, he found himself face-to-face with a pair of sharp, intense eyes.

“What did you say?”

“…Huh?”

“The exhibition. Who’s giving the speech?”

Rosanna quickly walked over and snatched the newspaper from him. Her eyes darted back and forth as she scanned the article. Vlad, not wanting to risk even his breathing being a disturbance, froze in place like a still life.

Rosanna’s expression gradually lit up with excitement.

“Vlad.”

Her calling his name was the signal that allowed him to finally exhale.

“Uh… yes?”

“Bishop Johan is close to Kyle, isn’t he?”

“From what I’ve investigated, yes.”

“He’ll likely bring his entourage to the exhibition.”

“Priests will probably accompany him.”

“Even if he’s just a theology student, if Bishop Johan is fond of him, he might bring him along. No, he *will* bring him along.”

“Well, it’s possible…”

Vlad grew increasingly frightened by the manic gleam in Rosanna’s eyes.

He had often thought his sister could act like a madwoman, but this time it felt real. Truly a crazed vampire. Perhaps the blood of a lycanthrope still lingered within her.

“Get me the list.”

“W-What?”

“Are you hard of hearing? Get the list of the entourage and confirm it. If Kyle Mason isn’t on it, make sure he comes.”

“How exactly do I do that?”

“Do I have to think of everything for you?”

Vlad swallowed hard.

“If I do this… will you forgive me?”

“Whether I will or not, you’ll find out on the first day of the exhibition.”

As Rosanna walked away, leaving that statement behind, Vlad thought to himself: he needed to use every connection he had to ensure Kyle was part of that entourage, no matter what.

***

“Just look at this painting. It inspires such a sense of reverence. How can something be so dreamlike and yet so sacred?”

“You have a keen eye, madam. This is the work of a promising young artist. The value of the painting is sure to skyrocket soon.”

“Oh, I’d better buy it quickly, then.”

“Unfortunately, I’ve heard that Viscountess Dacia has already claimed this piece.”

The name “Viscountess Dacia” was on everyone’s lips. On the first day of the exhibition, she had made a grand entrance as a major patron, naturally becoming the talk of the event.

As for Rosanna herself, she was sipping champagne, her eyes fixed on the podium.

“It’s about time…”

The address was scheduled to begin soon. Bishop Johan was expected to appear with his entourage.

Vlad had done his best, but not confident in the outcome, he hadn’t come to the exhibition with her. He claimed he was busy, but Rosanna knew he was avoiding the result.

As she handed her empty glass to a waiter, she heard applause. Bishop Johan had stepped onto the podium.

Rosanna’s eyes scanned the entourage lined up beside him, and then her gaze settled on a youthful face among them.

It was Kyle.

“Kyle.”

How could she describe this feeling? It was a surge of emotion that she would have never known if she had decided to live as a vampire who obediently followed the rules, like a lifeless corpse.

The very premise that she should suppress her instincts was flawed. Rosanna was not a being meant to obey; she was meant to dominate.

In Britna, the elders of the faction negotiated with humans, but the situation in Lumanó was different. After the death of the previous king, the Enache family’s influence was strong enough to alter the line of succession from behind the scenes. They were a family powerful enough to control human society as well.

And here she was, the eldest daughter of such a family, bound by laws and treaties, reduced to a well-behaved lapdog.

“It’s laughable, really.”

It was clear now that her brain had rotted, infected by the defeatist mindset of the Britna faction. As she faced reality, her thoughts became sharper.

“It’s good I’ve come to my senses. Don’t you think so, Kyle?”

Her question dissipated into the air, unanswered.

When the address ended, people swarmed around Bishop Johan, eager to curry favor with the future archbishop. But as a man of integrity and principle, he only greeted them politely.

The entourage was busy moving around, admiring the paintings and catching up with acquaintances. Only Kyle stood by the wall like a wallflower, rooted in place. As an orphan and mere theology student, it was no surprise he had no noble acquaintances to engage with.

Kyle was still puzzled. He couldn’t understand why he had been brought to the exhibition when he wasn’t even part of the bishop’s official entourage. Bishop Johan had simply told him to think of it as a good opportunity.

‘Why, though?’

The more he pondered, the more confused he became, and the more he felt guilty toward his fellow students. Receiving such preferential treatment left him uneasy. As he sighed, snippets of conversation reached his ears, carried by a voice as soft as a nocturne. The words, spoken in a lyrical tone, were crystal clear to Kyle.

Before he realized what he was doing, Kyle found himself moving closer to the woman.

“All the artists here are incredibly talented.”

“Is there an artist you’d like to sponsor?”

“Sponsorship isn’t really to my taste. I’ll just make a donation to the art foundation.”

“Thank you for your generous decision, Viscountess Dacia.”

Kyle stopped in his tracks. He had been happy to see a familiar face, but the mention of her title made her feel suddenly distant.

So, she’s a noblewoman…

A gap that couldn’t be easily bridged opened between them. The large pink diamond glittering around her neck was enough to make anyone feel small. It looked like it was at least 60 carats.

Should I just turn back? He hesitated, but before he could decide, the woman noticed him.

“Kyle!”

“Good to see you again, Viscountess Dacia…”

“I liked it better when you called me Rosanna.”

Kyle struggled to find his words.

“If it’s not too forward… Yes, Sister Rosanna.”

“Did you come here with the bishop?”

“Please, you don’t have to be so formal. I didn’t know you were a noble last time….”

“Stop that. It’s no fun if you’re too stiff.”

Rosanna suddenly grabbed Kyle’s arm.

“You haven’t started looking around yet, have you? Come on, let’s see the exhibition together, starting over there.”

As she led him away, Kyle was overwhelmed by confusion. Everything was happening so quickly that he didn’t know how to react.

Rosanna and Kyle walked through the exhibition, admiring the artwork one by one. They exchanged casual conversation and discussed the meanings behind certain pieces. Eventually, they reached a painting titled *Pure Joy*.

Rosanna stared at the painting for a while, then turned to Kyle with a smile.

“Kyle, what do you think pure joy is?”

“Well… That’s a tough question. I don’t think I have the wisdom of years to answer something like that.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Kyle glanced at her. Rosanna’s expression suggested she already had an answer in mind.

“Living a long life doesn’t mean you know everything. It wasn’t until I came to Britna that I realized something. Only recently, in fact. I found something—or rather, someone—that brings me joy.”

“I’m curious to know more.”

Rosanna’s crimson lips parted, about to speak, when—

“Kyle. There you are.”

Bishop Johan had appeared.