Episode 49

Peace makes everyone let their guard down. Having forgotten that fact, Vlad’s days passed without incident. Then, on a day he left work early, he headed to the study—only to find Rosanna there.

“Reading? That’s unusual.”

Rosanna was engrossed in a book of unknown authorship, How to Handle Fragile Beings – The Human Edition.

“That book was in the study?”

“The Countess of Haywood gave it to me a while ago. She said it was knowledge necessary for living among humans.”

“You never seemed interested before.”

“I can’t go around breaking Kyle, can I? I need to take care of both his body and his heart.”

A soft smile spread across her once ice-cold face. As her brother, Vlad turned away, not wanting to see it.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. I really don’t want to know about your personal affairs.”

He wanted to ignore whatever was going on between her and Kyle. But at the same time, he was curious. Knowing a little might help him prepare for whatever disaster awaited in the future—or so he told himself.

Vlad broke the silence first.

“…So, how’s the romance going?”

“I’d say I’m down to the final step. Soon, he’ll be my precious attachment doll.”

Attachment doll? Was that supposed to be a pet name? Vlad clicked his tongue in disapproval. It reminded him of the time before he married Tanesia—back when he still thought like a vampire. If he had ever called her something like attachment doll, she would have exploded in fury.

Of course, he had no intention of pointing that out. Rosanna always took advice as nagging, and unless she went through something truly shocking, her way of thinking wouldn’t change. She needed to experience a real heartbreak for herself. Maybe she’d wake up when her precious partner ran away.

But honestly, what worried him more were their parents. If they found out that their eldest daughter, the heir to the family, had fallen for a human man… He didn’t even want to imagine the fallout. So much for these peaceful days. They had always felt like the calm before the storm. And, of course, his worst fears were never wrong.

“How are you planning to convince our parents? Are you just going to do what I did—act first and deal with the consequences later? Ha… If both siblings end up choosing humans as partners, they’ll have a meltdown.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What do you mean, what? You’re planning to marry that man, aren’t you?”

“Marriage?”

Something about her reaction felt… ominous. Vlad frowned, eyeing Rosanna as she gave him a look of genuine confusion.

“I’m the next head of the Enache family. How could I possibly marry a human?”

A deep crease formed between Vlad’s brows.

“So, you plan to keep him as a lover and take a husband separately?”

“No. I just want to play with Kyle. What does marriage have to do with that?”

“Then what about your duty as heir?”

“When the time comes… I’ll just pick someone from the family to marry. By then, Kyle will be dead anyway.”

Vlad ran a hand through his hair. He could already see where this was going. Rosanna and Kyle would clash over the future. They wanted completely different things. And knowing his sister, she had no idea that was even a problem.

“What exactly do you see him as?”

“A beautiful porcelain doll to complete my grand collection?”

“He’s a person. A living being. Not an object.”

“He’s my attachment doll. That means he’s mine.”

So it wasn’t a nickname after all. She meant it literally. This was worse than he thought.

“Do you even like him?”

“Of course. Kyle is handsome, smells nice, and he’s gentle. He’s so fragile it makes him cute. He has nowhere else to turn, so he’ll only look at me. And I think he’ll taste delicious.”

“…That’s your reason?”

This was pointless. Vlad realized there was no reasoning with her. After all the time he had spent among humans, his sister felt more alien to him than ever. Of course, their personalities had always clashed. But now, they were worlds apart.

“Ah… There’s no answer to this. I don’t know. Do as you please.”

Vlad pictured Rosanna and Kyle’s future in his mind. A relationship doomed to collapse. No matter how many times he imagined it, the outcome remained the same. There was no hope.

With nothing more to say, Vlad gathered the documents he needed and left the study.

“What’s with him?”

Rosanna barely spared a glance at his odd reaction and returned her attention to the book.

…Moderate restraint is necessary. Once you establish authority, they will submit to you.

The words struck a chord. Rosanna circled restraint and submission with her quill, slipped a bookmark into place, and smiled in satisfaction.

Stealing Kyle away from God and breaking him into her attachment doll.

The carefully crafted plan she had been executing step by step was now reaching its final stage. She was moments away from ensnaring Kyle completely. Now, only one last step remained—the finishing touch to claim him perfectly. And the book had just given her the decisive clue. This would be the final mark on her plan, the moment she would truly become Kyle’s owner.

Pleased with the future ahead, Rosanna moved to her desk to set her next scheme into motion.

“It should be here somewhere…”

She rummaged through the drawer, finally pulling out a floral-patterned letter paper. Since the letter was for Kyle, she had chosen only the finest stationery. She penned the message, beginning with the usual pleasantries before listing the date, time, and location of their next meeting. It didn’t take long to place the final period.

“All done.”

Just as she sealed the envelope and leaned back against the chair, the distant chime of the cathedral’s evening bells rang through the air. Rosanna turned her gaze toward the window.

“I wonder what Kyle is doing right now.”

* * *

At that very moment, the graduating theology students were singing a hymn of joy. Though the official announcement had yet to be made, they had already received word that they would all successfully be ordained as deacons. It was only natural to offer their gratitude to the Lord. But not everyone shared the same heart.

The day after the celebrations, Kyle left the seminary. He was on his way to meet Bishop Johann.

He had submitted a request for a private meeting, and the fact that it had been scheduled for the very next day meant that the bishop was paying close attention to him.

‘But in the end… I’m going to disappoint him.’

The time had come to make his decision, and so, he had made it. He was proud of what he had achieved through years of effort, but in the end, he had chosen to abandon the clergy.

If he were thinking of his own safety, he would have left himself a way back—he would have considered a future without Rosanna. But to continue pursuing his ordination with such thoughts in his heart would be nothing short of hypocrisy.

Perhaps it was nothing more than reckless impulsiveness, but he wanted to stake his future on love. That was how deeply he desired to stay by Rosanna’s side.

He knew what a monumental decision this was. As Matthew had said, he was inexperienced with emotions—he couldn’t even be sure if this was truly love. He didn’t even know what love was. But one thing was certain. He wanted Rosanna.

Knock, knock.

Kyle arrived at Bishop Johann’s office and rapped lightly on the door.

“Come in.”

Inside, Bishop Johann greeted him with a warm expression. At his gesture, Kyle took a seat.

“Now, tell me. If you requested this meeting because something is troubling you, I would like to hear it as soon as possible.”

“Bishop… I have thought about it long enough. I have decided not to walk the path of priesthood.”

A heavy silence filled the room. Kyle watched as Bishop Johann closed his eyes. It was as if he had been expecting this moment all along.

Kyle had thought he would be surprised, but instead, it seemed like he had already known.

Slowly, Bishop Johann opened his eyes again.

“I can already guess the reason. That is understandable. You must have gone through much inner turmoil… But, my child.”

For the first time in years, Kyle was addressed as he had been in his youth.

“An announcement will be made soon. It is good news.”

“I heard. Everyone was overjoyed yesterday. Myself included.”

Kyle’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“What you have achieved so far, what you could go on to achieve… It is precious. It would be a shame to throw it all away.”

“I do not want to make this decision halfheartedly. No matter which path I choose.”

“You have always been serious, no matter what you did. Ever since you were a child.”

Bishop Johann’s eyelids lowered. When he closed his eyes, he could still picture young Kyle vividly.

“I respect your decision. But I cannot help but worry.”

“I don’t know if this is the right choice. I suppose I will only find out in time. But for now, I want to follow my heart.”

The determination in Kyle’s eyes was unwavering. He had once been a child, then a boy, and now he stood before him as a fully grown man. Bishop Johann had never seen him so resolute before.

Would Kyle be able to withstand the walls of class, the arrogance of nobility, and the fickleness of an unmarried lady? Would he still be whole after struggling through a thorny path? The stronger the branch, the easier it was to snap—the more he devoted his heart, the deeper the wounds would be.

If only he could play the role of a father at times like these. If only he could give him the right answer.

“Kyle, life is about not knowing what the future holds. I want to leave a place for you here.”

“But…”

“You may leave. And you may also return. Of course, it will take time and effort to regain what you had… but I believe the Lord will welcome you back with open arms. Even if you do not become a priest, that is fine. If you ever come back, I would entrust you with an administrative role.”

Kyle felt the sincerity in his words. He had never known parental love, but perhaps this was what it felt like. Overcome with gratitude, his eyes grew red at the edges.

“Just hearing that gives me strength. If I had been alone in this world, I would have felt lost, but I was never truly alone. I had people around me. And I am most grateful to you, Bishop. I will never forget the home you gave me in my heart, nor the opportunities you provided me.”

Bishop Johann offered a faint, weary smile.

“I doubt you will change your mind… but there is still time before graduation and ordination. Continue to reflect on it.”

“I will. Thank you for making time for me, despite your busy schedule. I will take my leave now.”

“Go on.”

Kyle stood and walked out with an air of relief. Bishop Johann watched him until the door fully closed behind him.

The young theology student, once small and uncertain, was now leaving the nest in search of a new home.

‘Kyle… you have truly become an adult.’

From the bottom of his heart, Bishop Johann wished for Kyle’s happiness. No matter what life he chose, even if it was not the same path as his own, he wanted to bless him.

All he could hope for was that he would not step willingly into the jaws of misfortune.

Rosanna Enache.

Let her not be a devil come whispering sweet words.

Let Kyle not fall into the arms of a demon with an angel’s face.