The Blood Contract
In this era when vampires had become commonplace across the Empire, the Blood Contract had become a universal norm among the Empire's citizens.
It was the bond of absolute loyalty sworn to a high-ranking vampire, in exchange for rewards or favors.
In truth, it differed little from the master-servant contracts that mages formed with their familiars.
"Come closer."
"Yes…."
Christina Hailey did not take long to consider my proposal. Perhaps only five minutes at most.
After all, it was for the sake of her territory.
She was a clever woman, with a firm conviction that becoming my subordinate would bring no loss.
Blackwood, the most famous Blood Contracted subordinate to a Tepes, had only risen in value; she had never fallen.
Clearly, choosing to receive the Duke's protection through me was a wise decision.
…
Her face and ears burned scarlet with shame, yet she crawled forward on her knees with brazen defiance.
"Like a bitch in heat."
"…Y-yes."
Even as I hurled the insult, there was not a trace of anger in her voice. She simply lowered her head.
Even if it meant sacrificing herself, she would accept this fate to save her family.
I had intended to let her do just that.
But as it stood, it held no amusement.
"Rise."
She had waited until I drew near, then stood.
I patted her thighs with an open palm; scarlet-cheeked, she opened her legs and mounted me with perfect composure.
Thud.
Before she could dodge, I tore the fabric away. The flawless white shoulders lay bare, spotless as fresh snow. I buried my face in them.
Lightly, I breathed in.
"What a scent. Like a fragrant forest and a lake."
"…Y-yes…."
She had grown frightened.
Even so, maintaining composure in the presence of a vampire, with her throat exposed, must have been difficult.
I decided to torment her further, savoring the trembling girl before me.
"Embarrassed?"
"I-I'm…."
Through the torn cloth, I could see the heavy weight of her breasts supported by a bra.
"This is in the way. I'll remove it."
"Ah…."
She looked startled, but I already had one arm locked around her thin waist, preventing any escape.
Instead of the savage rip of cloth, I gently cradled the bra strap across her white shoulder and slid it down smoothly.
The moment the strap slipped from her arm, the heavy breast that had been concealed with painstaking care heaved upward.
"Ugh…."
Perhaps it was too shameful for a noble lady of good breeding to display herself before a man not of her family. Christina turned her face away, tears gathering at her eyes.
Only then did I realize her true age. A small smile escaped me.
"Only now do you show tears."
"…What… what do you mean…?"
Even the mocking words had grown polite, as befitted one of superior station.
I leaned in and pressed my lips to the bare shoulder without a trace of hindrance.
"You should not keep everything bottled up. If things go wrong, marrying a greedy pig twice your age is the noble way."
"…."
"Wasn't that exactly why you enrolled in the Academy? Christina Hailey."
"…How did you know?"
Graduates of the Academy were the Empire's finest talents. Christina had gone to prove her worth.
Of course, the Hailey Count family was neither impoverished nor powerless.
But the current Count, upon his death, would pass the title to his legitimate son, who already despised his half-sister Christina.
Even to escape the villainous heir's grasp, she had no choice but to prove her value.
Her best chance was using Academy connections to shield her brother from trouble—yet if that failed, at least she would secure her own independence.
Academy graduates received minor noble titles, and the title alone would command respect anywhere in the Empire.
I explained this to her patiently, and the more she heard, the more color drained from her face.
Revealing one's innermost thoughts to a stranger was terrifying.
Yet I had not intended to corner or abuse her. I stroked her back gently, slowly. The blood returned to her cheeks with every touch.
Good.
"I have respected you for a lifetime spent serving the Hailey family."
"…Then."
"I will protect your territory. As promised."
"…But you said you would take everything from me. What will become of me?"
"We will meet again at the Academy, so you may stay here until then. After graduation, however, you will live in Tepes territory."
"…"
Her head nodded slowly.
The despair in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a spark.
She was no mere supporting actress. I let out a soft laugh.
"From now on, call me Scarlet-nim."
"Y-yes… Scarlet-nim…."
Master Daisy calls me that.
I bared my fangs and bit into her neck.
Puuk!
"Hic…!"
The blood flowing from her was truly sweet.
"Please… take care of me…."
*
Christina Hailey had become mine.
As promised, I treated her father's illness cleanly.
The malignant tumor that had spread through her body was erased in black spots, and I fed her a single drop of my blood.
I removed the infected areas entirely, had my blood seek out and regenerate the hollow spots, removed the vampire transformation before it completed, and used Adjustment to bring her body as close to human as possible.
She would not become a vampire, but she would be healthier than before her illness.
I informed the Count of the truth from my seat.
He raged upon learning of his wife's and sons' crimes, and how his eldest daughter had sacrificed herself to resolve them.
His wife and youngest daughter were banished to her family.
His two sons lost their inheritance rights entirely.
And for the daughter who had sacrificed everything, he lowered his head in gratitude.
That part, I would leave to her own discretion. As a kind daughter who loved her father despite his clumsiness and failings, her true feelings had shone through.
Eventually, after the situation settled, the Count came to me. He had risen from his sickbed only a week ago, yet he looked much healthier.
"I do not know how to repay the blessing I received from Duke Tepes."
So I replied,
"It was only your daughter's devotion that moved my heart. The debt is settled."
Only Christina remained as the legitimate heir to the Hailey family. The Count watched my expression and asked about her treatment.
"I have decided to make her my subordinate. I have no intention of changing my mind."
Since I had decided, he nodded readily. But he had no intention of leaving the heir position vacant indefinitely, so I added,
"If Christina bears a child, she will be sent to the Hailey family."
Thus, I would make her my woman and ensure the child could succeed to the title. The Count finally smiled, relieved.
"Then, until my grandchildren grow up, this old man will have to endure. I must live a long life."
Hmm.
Thanks to my blood, he would live at least another thirty years.
I nodded.
*
Tomorrow, I would return to Tepes territory. I had stayed in the Hailey lands far too long. Still, having secured Christina, the time spent could be considered worthwhile.
Upon returning, I would soon find a way to unlock my sister's favor.
The remaining time was already short.
I knew my sister felt no affection, so even if I entered the Academy, the chances of not attracting the Crown Prince would be quite high.
But what if something I did not know changed that?
What if my sister, truly not me, came to love the Crown Prince?
How would I accept that?
Would she turn to the villainess path, moving to prevent our family's ruin?
Then how would I stop her…?
Wait. Was it truly right for me to hinder my sister to save the family?
Truly?
I felt strangely unsettled. I instructed my servant to bring wine.
After drinking a little, I would sleep deeply.
What would I say to my sister tomorrow?
No matter what I did, I always felt awkward when facing my sister.
Even during the seduction, the duel—always.
Why was that…?
While lost in thought, there came a knock.
"Is it alright to come in?"
Christina's voice.
Instead of answering, I reached out and opened the door. Christina, with eyes peeking through the shadow, smiled softly and brought the wine.
"You told me to bring it."
"I said I would bring it. It's yours, Scarlet-nim… Do you not like it?"
I shook my head. We had lived under the same roof for days, and she had become quite bold.
"What is it?"
"Since you are leaving tomorrow… I wanted to serve you as much as I can."
Curious about her hidden motive, but strangely fatigued, I simply nodded.
"Alright."
Christina expertly uncorked the bottle. She handed me a glass and poured just enough to fill the bottom.
Then she held the bottle again, looking every inch the perfect servant.
"You are skilled. Did you practice?"
"Of course. Thanks to you, my cheap wine bottles are piled in the corner of my room."
Though I could not see her squinting eyes clearly, it felt like she winked.
She tilted the glass without even savoring the aroma, yet I was not in the mood to correct her manners.
I raised the glass to my lips and took a shallow sip.
Clink.
Was that the sound from my throat, or the swallow of the nervous Christina watching me?
"It tastes good."
I was not drunk, but I felt lost in melancholy.
Having entered this world, I had come to seduce my sister to survive.
The emotions I felt for my sister had grown hazy over time—whether the mask I wore for survival was a lie, whether it was filthy desire, or true affection.
My kindest sister. The sister who gave me her warm embrace when I lied about losing my memories.
Even if I was not the real Scarlet Tepes inside, I had come to see my sister as my own.
I had no choice but to rely on her.
On the day I first left the room, on the day I decided to seduce her to survive…
Was my desire for my sister then only a false feeling I had fabricated to use her, or had I truly lusted after the person I thought was my sister?
If I had truly desired her, could I ever forgive myself for being aroused by my beloved sister…?
Then I rationalized it the other way: my sister did not desire me. And if we both desired each other, what crime was there in that…?
…
"What about you?"
"Me?"
I sensed that Poise was not working, that my tone had changed as it did before my sister and Daisy.
Knowing I had nothing more to say, I continued as if drunk.
"You must hate me."
"What…?"
Christina faltered, and I stared into her eyes. Her golden irises trembled slightly.
She was beautiful, a noble woman. Yet she would be sullied under my grasp…
"You know what it means for you to have offered everything to me."
"Ah…."
She said nothing. She had not expected a reply. It was merely an outburst, a way to release the accumulated filthy emotions that had nowhere else to go.
So.
When something warm embraced me, she held me tightly.
"…What are you doing?"
She did not push me away, not even a small protest. She asked weakly.
"I do not know why, but there must have been something very difficult."
"…."
"I am your property. There is no one to watch over the owner of a property, Scarlet-nim."
Before I could ask what she meant, Christina's hand stroked gently over my head.
"I do not hate you. I chose to become yours. Compared to being sold to an old, fat man or being driven from my lifelong home, this future is far better."
I did not answer. She chattered on without a care.
"Do not say there was no choice. I do not think you forced me."
She was a kind woman.
"Even if the method was rough, there was no other hope than the future you offered."
That good woman always gave warm kindness to those around her, without discrimination.
"That is what I wanted most. I am quite happy now."
"Yet the man who made you happy has a gloomy face. How can you stay like this?"
"Again, no one watches over the owner of a property. Scarlet-nim."
…
A torch that once shared warmth with many people would become a hearth only for one.
"…You speak well."
So I wanted to claim that warmth for myself.