Episode 33

“Talk about bad luck. How did you end up involved with him?”

“Well… I was cleaning up after a banquet one evening when he came up to me and gave me his room number, telling me to come by when I was done.”

‘That kind of trash…’ Rosanna’s initial anger simmered down. This was her vampire brother seducing a human, after all. Knowing the details might come in handy someday.

And it wasn’t just any vampire—it was Vlad. Although their personalities often clashed, Rosanna could vouch that he wasn’t shameless. He hadn’t been raised that way. There had to be more to the story, so she listened quietly.

“I thought he had bad intentions… so I went to reject him before he could make any strange proposals. But instead, he asked me to clean his room.”

“Clean his room? Isn’t that someone else’s job?”

“He said he wasn’t satisfied with the others. Apparently, I seemed skilled, so he offered to hire me separately.”

“And you accepted?”

“The pay was too good to pass up…”

Tanesia smiled faintly, and Rosanna frowned.

“Honestly, he has no sense. He could’ve waited until the next day. Calling you in the evening just invites misunderstandings.”

“He said he couldn’t sleep in a dirty room and needed it cleaned right away.”

‘He’s fussier than I am. It’s an illness,’ Rosanna thought, giving her a pitying look.

“Poor you, getting tangled up with someone like that.”

“I’m used to it now.”

Tanesia continued, explaining that from the day she was hired, her interactions with Vlad were strictly professional—limited to cleaning his room and brief greetings.

“Then, on the day he checked out, he invited me to dinner to thank me for my hard work.”

“Did you go?”

“Why would I turn down a free meal?”

“You didn’t have any feelings for Vlad at the time, right?”

Rosanna turned halfway, meeting Tanesia’s gaze.

“Not back then. It was hard to like him at first.”

Tanesia’s brushing slowed.

“He was polite and smiled a lot, but there were moments… not fear exactly, but something chilling. I wondered why I felt that way about someone so kind, but looking back, I think it was instinct. I sensed he wasn’t… human.”

‘It was the primal fear of a weaker creature reacting to a predator,’ Rosanna mused. She thought of Vlad’s striking features. ‘Had Kyle ever experienced something similar? Had he ever doubted me or felt fear?’

Her memories, always focused on herself, offered no answers. Every moment with Kyle had been enjoyable, and she had naturally assumed he felt the same. She had never considered what might lie behind his smile. ‘In human society, smiles could be masks. If Kyle had felt fear, perhaps he was mistaking that unease for attraction.’

Kyle, with his near-obsessive thoughtfulness, wouldn’t have shown discomfort even if he had felt it. Rosanna found herself wanting to uncover his true feelings.

“Thanks. I’ll hear the rest of the story later. I need to see the butler.”

Tanesia paused her brushing and smoothed Rosanna’s hair one last time.

“Where are you going?”

“…Did Vlad tell you to watch me?”

Standing now, Rosanna found herself at eye level with Tanesia.

“He’s worried about you.”

Rosanna stared at her intently. Tanesia was an intriguing woman.

Vlad wasn’t the type to share his thoughts. He had always been reserved, even as a child, and their parents often remarked that they could never tell what he was thinking. He was the kind of person who quietly suppressed his anger and handled difficulties alone.

Yet Tanesia had drawn genuine conversations out of him.

‘Was Vlad’s love for her strong enough to change his very nature? What about her had transformed him?’ Despite the subtle judgment their relationship faced from the clan as ‘unnatural,’ their bond remained unshakable, and Rosanna couldn’t help but find it fascinating.

‘So, do I… want to fall in love too? Love? How ridiculous.’

Her desire for Kyle stemmed from how perfectly he satisfied her tastes, inside and out. ‘I want him, so I’ll have him. Ownership is a far more straightforward concept than love.’

Love was fleeting, dependent on mutual understanding. ‘If one party changes their feelings, it’s over. And I dislike the idea of the other person ever having the upper hand.’

Ownership, however, was different. ‘It clearly establishes who’s in control, and that aligns perfectly with my worldview.’

‘Yes, I want to own Kyle. Make him my attachment toy.’

She couldn’t wait until next year to have him. She needed to deepen their connection and lure him in as soon as possible. For that, she needed to meet him. Even during his busy theological studies, a ‘coincidental’ meeting would be fine—she just had to engineer such a coincidence.

Perhaps she’d ask the butler to find out Kyle’s schedule and arrange for them to ‘bump into each other’ at the Ingdberry Cathedral. But no, just a brief encounter wouldn’t progress their relationship. She needed a situation where they could spend time together.

Then, an excellent plan struck her.

“I just need to discuss something with the butler. I’m thinking of hosting a charity bazaar.”

“That will need a lot of hands. Let me know how I can help.”

Rosanna and Tanesia left the bedroom together.

“Spend some time with Henry today. You’re home early for once.”

“I’m planning to take him out.”

When they reached the parlor, they found Henry enthusiastically devouring cookies while the butler looked on fondly.

“Henry, stop eating. Let’s go out. Play with Mom.”

“Going out!”

Henry ran over, crumbs still clinging to his lips. Tanesia knelt to wipe his mouth.

“Hurry, hurry!”

Rosanna patted the excited Henry on the head as he bounced on the spot.

“Careful you don’t trip. Have fun.”

“Okay!”

Henry tugged on her skirt, prompting Rosanna to bend down. He left a quick kiss on her cheek before scampering off with Tanesia. Apparently, he’d grown bored of his usual handshake farewell and had switched to kisses.

‘Adorable,’ Rosanna thought with a smile.

She moved to sprawl on the sofa but stopped herself. ‘Tanesia put effort into grooming me, so I shouldn’t mess it up.’

“Butler, I’m thinking of holding a bazaar soon. Not as the main host, but as a supporter.”

“Do you have a specific location in mind?”

“The Ingdberry Cathedral.”

The butler’s demeanor shifted. He had already discerned Rosanna’s intentions behind the sudden idea.

“I’ll arrange a meeting with the bishop. The cathedral will likely welcome the proposal, and we can discuss having the seminarians participate as well…”

“I’ll meet him directly.”

Rosanna’s lips curved into a smirk. If Vlad had seen it, he would’ve grimaced.

“I’d like to get better acquainted with Bishop Johann.”

* * *

Bishop Johann’s office was steeped in tension.

Rosanna, dressed in opulence that could rival royalty, wore a smile as harmless as she could muster. But to Bishop Johann, it seemed nothing short of insidious.

“I heard you attended the noon Mass. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

“I know you’re busy, so I’ll get straight to the point. I’d like to hold a charity bazaar here, and I’ll sponsor it.”

It was not uncommon to hold charity bazaars funded by wealthy patrons, with proceeds used to help those in need. The greater the sponsor’s renown, the more participants and spectators would gather, resulting in substantial funds. It would be a boon for the Ingdberry parish, but Bishop Johann hesitated. He could not see her proposal as purely altruistic.

The devil whispers sweet words.

The situation seemed to align perfectly with that proverb, his intuition warned.

But the Ingdberry parish desperately needed funds. Relief efforts for the villages devastated by last winter’s wildfires were still incomplete. Since the southern diocese had appealed for aid, the Archbishop of Ingdberry had been working tirelessly to secure resources.

“It’s a proposal the Archbishop would surely welcome. It’s a shame he couldn’t meet you himself. He recently learned of your efforts to return the relics and expressed his desire to thank you personally…”

“He’s a busy man. Besides, the practical decisions lie with you, Bishop Johann, as the sub-diocese administrator.”

“…”

Rosanna spoke as if doing him a favor.

“Shall I give you time to think it over?”

“That won’t be necessary. If you are willing to be our sponsor, it would be an honor. Thank you for the suggestion.”

“My butler will handle the details later. Don’t worry; we’ll take care of the preparations. All we need is the venue. No need for you to stress over it.”

Her bright smile seemed to have a chilling effect on Bishop Johann.

“Very well. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

Rosanna’s gaze drifted toward the window.

“I hear it’s the season for final-year seminarians to have their ordination interviews. When are they scheduled?”

“You’re well-informed. They are set to take place next week.”

“They’ll be free after the interviews, won’t they? The bazaar will need volunteers. How about we involve them?”

The question was rhetorical, and Bishop Johann sighed inwardly, seeing through her transparent intentions. As he had suspected during the annual exhibition, this noblewoman had clearly set her sights on Kyle.

Indeed, ominous premonitions rarely proved wrong.

“…They are eager to serve and would gladly assist.”

“Then I’ll assume the final-year seminarians will participate. I’ll be going now.”

As Rosanna moved to leave, her business concluded, Bishop Johann’s dry voice stopped her.

“Sister.”

Their gazes met diagonally, as she had risen from her seat. Bishop Johann looked up at her, his tone pleading.

“That child is troubled. Please, show him mercy.”

“I’ll handle it.”

Even without names, it was clear who they were discussing. Rosanna placed her hands on the desk, leaning forward slightly.

“I understand your concern, Bishop, but don’t you think it’s time to let go? You can’t shield him forever. He’s grown now. It’s time for him to take responsibility for his own life and make his own choices.”

“He is a kind but fragile soul… I only wish to see him unhurt.”

“Oh my, do you think I’m going to harm him?”

Her tone was light, almost playful, but the undertone was sharp.

 

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