Episode 31

Raymond pointed out the darker aspects of vampire society.

The reason high-ranking vampires referred to themselves as a “clan” wasn’t just to foster a sense of belonging; it was largely to flaunt their superiority and solidify control over lower-ranking vampires. As a result, clans were wary of anything that might disrupt their cohesion. Their rejection of hybrids was part of this effort.

Particularly problematic were hybrids born of high-ranking vampires and humans. Their lineage was strong, but as hybrids, their status was ambiguous. In human terms, they could be likened to illegitimate children of nobility, but the debate over whether they were dhampirs or not made their situation even more complicated.

Many clans believed that accepting hybrids would dismantle the social hierarchy.

“The older generation tends to think that way. My younger brother and his wife were exiled too. Though they’ll come around soon. Once they see Henry, my parents will hold out for… maybe a day because of their pride, but they’ll cave by the second day.”

Raymond remained silent. Was he thinking of them as an odd family? It wasn’t surprising, as they were quietly treated that way even within their own clan.

“I know you didn’t mean it as an insult. I can sense the sentiment behind your words.”

“But you still don’t like it, right?”

Raymond nodded without hesitation.

“Dhampirs grow up hearing that term tossed around as a slur, constantly feeling out of place.”

“I won’t use it anymore, Raymond.”

As Rosanna murmured to herself not to use it around Henry either, his gaze followed her.

“Why?”

“It’s unexpected. You don’t seem like the type to consider others’ feelings.”

Rosanna cast her gaze into the distance, as if looking at someone who wasn’t there.

“True. I guess I must’ve been influenced by someone.”

Raymond raised an eyebrow, as if asking who, but no answer came.

“I’ll see you at the central plaza later.”

Rosanna left the hotel again, barely taking a moment to rest. Upon arriving at the meeting spot, she checked the clock tower to measure the time. She didn’t want to waste any since she had already planned out the sightseeing schedule from her suite. If she were alone, she could finish quickly.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to meet.”

She considered starting the tour on her own but dismissed the thought. If she hadn’t made the promise, it would be one thing, but apologizing afterward felt unnecessary.

Raymond arrived exactly on time. Though he wasn’t late, Rosanna crossed her arms, expressing her dissatisfaction.

“From now on, you’re my porter.”

“Sure.”

“What’s your angle?”

“I don’t have one.”

“You’re too agreeable, it’s suspicious.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

Rosanna reluctantly let go of her suspicions and began walking. Raymond, who had remained in place, moved belatedly but quickly caught up with his long strides. That, too, annoyed her.

Why?

Rosanna, despite her lofty status, knew how to show gratitude. Though she wouldn’t bow her head, she had displayed goodwill in her own way. So naturally, she ought to act the same toward someone who had helped her multiple times, but she couldn’t bring herself to be gentle.

There was something about Raymond that scratched at Rosanna’s nerves.

“Your attitude is insolent.”

“Who, me?”

“Yes, you.”

Rosanna shot him a sideways glare as they walked.

“I mean, I’m grateful since you’re my benefactor and all! But just when I think you’re being kind, you’ll throw in some snide remark that’s infuriating.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“What, that I find you infuriating?”

“It means I’ve left a strong impression. You won’t forget me.”

“Do you enjoy being remembered for making a bad impression?”

“Better than being forgotten altogether.”

“…You’re a strange one.”

Their lighthearted exchange carried them to a street near the beach lined with shops. It was the same street Rosanna had taken note of when she first arrived in town. A grin spread across her face at the thought of shopping.

“What kind of souvenir should I get?”

The narrow alley was packed with tourists. Shops lined both sides of the street, and street vendors dotted the center, selling all kinds of goods: snacks, fresh seafood meals, street food, sculptures, accessories, and even exotic items from across the sea. Rosanna’s eyes darted around, hardly able to keep up with everything. It looked like just browsing could take hours.

One stall in particular caught her attention.

“Let’s check that out!”

Just as she darted against the flow of the crowd, Raymond grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward him. She ended up bumping into his chest, which felt as unyielding as a stone wall. The crowd flowed past them as they stood there.

“You almost collided with someone.”

“Oh.”

“I was concerned. Of course, for the other guy. If he bumped into you and went flying, that’d be a disaster. Be careful not to give yourself away.”

“There you go again! You really have a talent for undercutting your kindness with words. Don’t worry. The first thing I mastered was sensory control and strength moderation.”

Rosanna let out an exasperated sigh.

“I’m a delicate lady right now.”

“Good, then. You seemed full of strength during the gang sweep. Let’s go.”

Raymond took the lead, clearing a path through the crowd. Rosanna followed and soon arrived at the stall.

The vendor appeared to be a foreigner from another continent, speaking broken Britnan as he enthusiastically described the goods on display. His gaze, however, kept wandering toward Raymond. Every so often, he would call out to passing tourists, successfully drawing them in as new customers.

“Does he think you’re the one with the wallet?”

“Should I correct him?”

“Enough. Just keep talking to him so he doesn’t speak to me. I want to browse in peace.”

Rosanna let her long hair fall over the side of her face, concealing it as she examined the stall. The crafts displayed were made from a material that had a pale, bone-like sheen.

One item in particular caught her eye. A glossy string of beads was looped into a circle, adorned with a Gothic-style cross pendant. She vaguely remembered such items being called rosaries.

Rosanna picked it up and placed it in her palm.

“Whale! That one is made from whale bone! Very good quality!”

The vendor, who had been closely watching her, enthusiastically gestured to show how large the whale had been, putting all his energy into selling the item. Despite his effort, Rosanna, unimpressed, tapped Raymond’s arm.

“Stand in front of me. Lower your head a bit.”

“Like this?”

As soon as he adjusted to the angle she wanted, Rosanna placed the rosary around Raymond’s neck. The cross hung low, resting at the center of his chest, its ornate design perfectly to her liking.

“Rosaries aren’t meant to be worn around the neck. There’s a separate pectoral cross for that.”

“Who cares? I just want to see how the length of the beads and the pendant looks. It looks good on you, so it’s perfect.”

Before she knew it, Rosanna was humming a tune to herself.

“Is this for a gift?”

“Yeah. I think he’ll like it.”

The moment she saw it, she thought it would make an ideal gift for a theology student. Imagining how it would suit Kyle, who had a build similar to Raymond’s, she felt confident in her choice. Kyle would think of her every time he saw the rosary, always carrying it with him and using it in prayer. There could be no better gift.

As Rosanna daydreamed with a pleased expression, Raymond removed the rosary from his neck and handed it back to her unceremoniously—practically tossing it. Rosanna caught the pendant just before it fell, preventing a disaster.

“You rude jerk!”

“And who was rude first?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re treating me as a stand-in. I don’t like it.”

“When did I—”

“You looked at me while thinking about another man.”

Rosanna froze. She couldn’t argue—it was true. She stared at Raymond, bewildered, as if to ask why he was acting this way. Then, realization struck her.

“Ah, you should’ve said something. You’re sulking because you didn’t get anything, aren’t you? Go ahead and pick something you want. I’ll get it for you.”

“Do I look like a child to you?”

Raymond’s brow furrowed in irritation.

“Your expression says it all. You’re upset, aren’t you? I was picking a gift for someone else and didn’t ask if you wanted anything. Right?”

Rosanna sounded certain of her deduction. Then, she noticed something odd.

“Wait, I never said it was for a man.”

“Isn’t it?”

“It is, but…”

Raymond smirked smugly, as if to say, “See?”

There it was again. That infuriating attitude that was hard to pinpoint but always got under her skin. Feeling like she was losing the upper hand, Rosanna turned her body away, signaling the end of the conversation.

“I’ll take this. Ring it up!”

The vendor completed the transaction with the brightest smile he could muster.

“It’s really whale bone, right? If you’re lying…”

“Oh, no! It’s true! Lying brings punishment!”

Judging by the vendor’s frantic hand gestures, he seemed to be telling the truth. Raymond chimed in.

“I’ve seen something similar before. It’s rare here, so I paid attention. It really is whale bone. On the other continent, whaling is more common, so crafts made from whale meat or bones are typical.”

“You’re vouching for it? If it turns out fake, I’m sending you the bill.”

“Do as you please.”

Rosanna and Raymond continued through the alley, browsing other stalls and shops before deciding on a few purchases. Before long, they reached the end of the street.

On one side of the path stood a decorative weather vane, shaped like a bronze bird, with an arrow pointing to the right. Below it hung a sign for a beachside restaurant.

“Hungry? Let’s check that out.”

“Did you mean it when you said you’d buy me food?”

“Do you always live so suspiciously? Come on.”

 

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